IXX

Percy

When the she-devil (excuse me) Inquisitor left, it was like everyone in the courtroom let out a great big breath they didn't realize they've been holding. I for one felt like I already said everything I could have and was feeling pretty confident of our chances. I mean sure the inquisitor was a witch and the rest of the clave were more like her minions, but even they can't deny our innocence. Can they?

"Thanks man, you may have just saved our lives again." I said sincerely to Nico who leaned against the banister by himself. Nico just shrugged, and didn't meet my eyes.

"Yeah well, I wasn't lying when I said that I came here on behalf of the Gods. Besides everyone could agree that you two needed some help." He said. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Yeah we did need the help, but I guess part of me still didn't like admitting it.

"Yeah we did." I agreed. I wasn't sure how to act around the guy. I'm not going to lie the kid made me nervous, and I didn't fully trust him. I could never tell what he was thinking, and I knew he didn't like me that was for sure. Nico stood up, and looked me right in the eye for once.

"Percy you don't need to keep thanking me for stuff. I help you out because I need to, and I wasn't going to let you get yourself killed for something as stupid as this." Nico spat crossing his arms and looking away angrily. I frowned not really sure how to respond to that. I rubbed my neck sheepishly.

"What do you mean, by you need to?' I asked. Nico's scowl intensified and I felt the light around me flicker with shadow. For a second I thought Nico was going to lash out at me again, but I was saved by Annabeth who walked up to join us. She walked up from behind and slid her hand into mine. I turned to face her with a smile. Nico seemed to relax a little and looked away.

"Hey Nico thanks for coming. I didn't know you had diplomacy skills.' She said with a friendly smirk.

"Well I'm not called the ambassador of Pluto for nothing." He retorted. Annabeth raised an eyebrow.

"So what did the Gods say? Did they really send you here? What will they do if we're found guilty?" she asked rapid fire questions. Nico took a step back not used to being interrogated like this.

"I'm not sure what the Gods will do if your found guilty, but if the Nephilim attack Camp Half-blood that'll definitely get a rise out of them, because it goes against the ancient laws." Nico stated.

"What ancient laws?" she asked. I looked at her in surprise. It wasn't very often when Annabeth was caught not having the answer to something.

"There's this ancient treaty between the gods and angels that basically says that they both agree to stay out of each other's business, and territory unless they have permission." Nico said dismissively.

"Well they interfered in our business, shouldn't the gods be doing something about it?" I asked angrily.

"Well you see, back when the gods and angels were making this treaty. The angels weren't happy about the gods being allowed to have affairs with mortals. The angels eventually let it slide in fear of a potential war, and the gods promised that they damage to the mortal world." Nico began and then he looked at the two of us with a weird sort of fire in their eyes. "Part of the promise said that we their children would help keep the peace, and protect humanity just as the shadowhunters do. Over the years we've obviously done a rather sloppy job of that, with wars, natural disasters, etc. I guess the battle of Manhattan and last summer's events were the last straw for them."

"So the Gods are just going to let me take the fall for over a thousand years' worth of mistakes?" I growled my hands clenched in fists.

"Well no." Nico amended "They sent me to help you win your case."

"Oh gee that makes me feel a whole lot better." I thought to myself.

"No offense Nico but why you? I didn't think the gods really trusted you anyway." Annabeth asked suspiciously speaking my thoughts.

"This case is still a mortal affair, so the gods consider it beneath them to get involved. Also it goes against the treaty for the gods to trespass uninvited in angel territory." Nico answered.

"What if I lose? They kill me and declare war on Camp." I pointed out exasperated grimacing. Annabeth tightened her grip on my hand.

"If a shadowhunter army steps foot on camp the Olympians will declare war, as both camps are considered Olympian territory." Nico said and then he looked up to me his hand tight on the pommel of his sword. "I promise I won't let them hurt you. I-I'll help get you out of this no matter what the verdict is." He stamped his foot in emphasis. His dark eyes were intense.

I frowned wishing I could trust his word as easily as if it was any other of my friends giving me that promise. Yes, Nico has redeemed himself in my eyes many times but I still had a hard time trusting him completely. I'll always be on my guard around him whether I wanted to or not.

"Thanks Nico, let's just hope you don't need to try." I said trying for a half smile. Annabeth smiled at him to, and for a moment the darkness in his eyes cleared. I was able to catch a glimpse of the fourteen year-old kid he truly was, instead of this dark, angry guy he'd been ever since Tartarus.

Before I knew it the Inquisitor and the clave arrived back into the court room, and took their seats. I fingered riptide in my hands nervously.

"In our deliberation over the charges the clave has ruled the Perseus Jackson is…" the inquisitor began. I held my breath and bit my lip. "Guilty!" I froze. I honestly thought I'd get out of this. I heard shouts of protest all around me, but I was in so much shock I barely heard the rest of my sentencing.

"Normally the punishment would be death, but the clave has generously decided to give Percy Jackson amnesty. His sentence is now 90 days jailed in the Silent City. Let Mr. Jackson's sentencing serve as a warning to all demigods that the prolonged destruction to the mundane world will not be tolerated." She said staring down at us half-bloods present. "Case closed" she finished with a crack of her gavel.

"Ninety days!?" I thought to myself. My temper started to flare. So I really was going to take the fall for this. Just when I thought I could have some peace, I get dragged into something again. Besides there was no way I would/could sit in prison for very long even if I felt like I deserved it.

"Are you kidding me?!" I shouted out before I could stop himself. Annabeth put her hand on my arm in an attempt to calm me down, but I didn't listen. I was done being compliant, and feeling sorry for myself. It was time these shadowhunters took me seriously.

"Excuse me?" The inquisitor asked in surprise. I saw the guards coming toward me to restrain me and take me back to that cold, dark prison.

"You can't do this, it goes against the ancient laws!" I protested. As the shadowhunters came nearer I uncapped riptide, and swung it in a circle warning my pursuers to stay back. Of course this only caused more of them to come at me. Nico and Annabeth were by my side with their weapons out. One of the guards tried to take a swing at me, but suddenly he was blown backward.

A protective sphere of energy enclosed around the three of us. The shadowhunters backed away uneasily.

'Nephilim honestly, not even the Romans are as aggressive as you." A voice drawled from the entrance. I recognized that voice. I turned around to see Hermes strolling down the aisle with a scowl on his face.

"The trial for Percy Jackson is closed. Who are you and what is your business here?" one of the clave members asked. Hermes frowned.

"Seriously does no one recognize me without my staff anymore?" he asked looking at me in disbelief. I shrugged. Hermes just sighed and pulled out his phone.

"Yes we're going to full size again! Sup Percy, have any rats?" I heard two snake voices speak in my mind. The court room took a collective gasp, when Hermes staff appeared in his hands. He even rose a couple of inches in the air on his flying sneakers to emphasize his point.

"I'm Hermes messenger of the Gods, and I'm here to make sure these three are brought safely home." He announced. His tone was light, and friendly but I've met enough gods to know that there was always an undertone of "if you don't do what I say I'll vaporize you." For the first time the inquisitor looked genuinely afraid, and her confidence seemed to crumble before everyone.

"As I said before the case is closed. I'm afraid there is nothing you can do. Percy Jackson is in our custody." She said stiffly though she eyed Hermes nervously.

"Hmm yes I see. The problem is there is an law that states that the nephilim are to not interfere in the lives of demigods. By imprisoning and murdering one of our might I add you are breaking this law that supersedes all other laws." Hermes stated.

"Perhaps" the inquisitor spat back nonplussed "However, in the treaty it clearly states that you Gods promised that your children wouldn't be a danger to the mundanes." she brought her hands up in innocence and looked around the court trying to win their favor. "As we can see that promise has been broken numerous times throughout history." glaring at me pointedly.

"Beyond our jurisdiction?What treaty is she talking about?" questions started ringing through the court room. The Inquisitor and the clave bit their lips as if they said something they shouldn't have. Suddenly something clicked in my mind, and everything made sense.

"You knew about the treaty." I accused my voice rising above all the chaos in the room. "You knew about the ancient agreements and everything and you still came after me." I spat feeling my anger rise again. I felt tricked, betrayed, and wanted to hit something. They weren't after me because of what I've done. I was just an excuse to hunt down demigods. Jace was right the entire time, and I hardly listened to him. I started to feel sick as anger and regret boiled inside of me.

"Of course we knew about the treaty. look what you brats have done to human kind. You were only the latest perpetrator, and it was time we did something about it!" she spat at me. I ripped my hand out of Annabeth's and started pushing my way through the guards. Irene was going to get a taste of what an "dangerous" and "unpredictable" demigod could do.

"Stay back Percy!" Hermes ordered pounding his staff and silencing the room. I froze in my tracks reluctantly. The Clave stared at me in fear, but the inquisitor only smirked at me. I realized she was baiting me, trying to make me angry and prove to everyone how dangerous we were. I couldn't let her win no matter how much I wanted knock that haughty look off her face. I walked back to stand next to the others, looking away and trying to get a grip on my anger.

"This is a matter that is beyond your jurisdiction madame. I have brought a message from the Olympian Council that the further persecution of demigods will no longer be tolerated. If you wish to continue this and imprison Mr. Jackson we will take it as an act of war and a war itself will be sure to follow." Hermes continued. His godly aura radiated throughout the room in a means of intimidation.

"We still have the right to bring this broken agreement to light and..." The Inquisitor began. Hermes tapped his staff again.

"Seriously lady I'm a about five seconds away from vaporizing you watch it." he glared at her before continuing. "This matter will eventually discussed among us gods and the angels, as for now and as I've already stated the Olympians will no longer tolerate the persecution of our children."

The Inquisitor opened her mouth to speak again, but Hermes shot her a warning look and she quickly and reluctantly bit her tongue with a grimace. Hermes walked over to us and spread his arms apart like a conductor starting a symphony. The shadowhunters circling us moved aside against their will, and the god strolled over behind us.

"Hold hands now kiddos, don't want to accidentally drop you along the way." He said with a chuckle. The clave seemed to realize what was happening a moment too late.

"Guards after them!" the Inquisitor screamed. I grabbed Annabeth and Nico's hands quickly. I winced as I saw a blade come right at me. I saw a flash of white and before I knew it we were back at Camp. Nico quickly moved as far away from me as possible. I raised an eyebrow, but I was so glad to be out of there I didn't say anything.

"Well, I best be off I swear the dawn of the information age has only made my job even more tedious.' Hermes grumbled. I turned around to face him.

"Thanks for getting us out of there, what do we owe you?' I asked because Gods hardly did anything out of the goodness of their heart. Hermes just waved me off with a smile.

"No worries, Percy I was acting on orders you don't owe me anything. I recommend staying here and mobilizing for a possible attack, or until I come back with an all clear." Hermes said.

"Are the gods and the angels really going to meet and talk about this? What will it mean for us?" Annabeth asked carefully. She and Hermes still weren't on the best of terms.

"We have to talk about this there's no avoiding that can of worms. It's hard to predict what that means for you and the future of half-bloods as a species. I'm afraid I can only advise you to stay here, they can't touch you here at least not legally anyway." he said darkly. Annabeth nodded her mind already million miles away.

"Stay out of trouble." He added with a wink before flashing away. For a moment I just stood there enjoying the moment of being safe and warm at camp. I breathed in the sweet scent of strawberries, and felt comfort when Annabeth squeezed my hand.

'We need to see Chiron, then I want to see what new defenses and weapons Leo and his brood have come up with." She said starting to pull me along to the big house. I hesitated and turned to Nico.

'Hey aren't you coming?" I asked. He looked at me, his gaze conflicted.

'I-I'll catch up with you later. There're some things I want to check out." He said mysteriously turning away.

"Well thanks again." I said with a smile.

"Yeah, sure." He said then he looked up and a smile crept up on his face. "Besides, I know I'll be back to get you out of trouble eventually." And with that he disappeared in shadow.