A/N: Another thing about the plagerising/how ridiculous it is: I just read my fifth Guardian story that had a new Hunter named Tracy who tries to protect the main character from pranks.

Chapter 11- Roman Politicking

Percy's POV

I woke with a spread of raven hair over my chest, which was practically naked as the shirt I was wearing had more rends and holes in it than fabric. Every muscle in my body let out a dull ache that flared into a sharp pain when I moved, stroking Zoe's hair, "Hey."

Zoe bolted upright, "Thou has woken!"

"Yep." I groaned, "Wish I was still out."

I slowly sat upright as my muscles shrieked, "What -urg- time?"

Zoe glanced downwards at a watch I was sure wasn't there that last time I saw her, "Six twenty. AM."

I groaned, "So I've been in here for what, twelve hours?"

"Eleven hours, fifty-three minutes." Zoe stated, "The Guardian is yet unconscious. Are thou sure they wants to move?"

"Very." I grunted as I swung my legs off the bed, "Wouldn't miss breakfast for the world."

I took a quick swig of nectar to help ease the pain before getting to my feet. As soon as I got my own two feet underneath me again, I swayed, feeling light-headed. Zoe grabbed my arm, steadying me, and not a moment too soon.

"How long did the duel last?" I asked, taking a few tentative steps with Zoe steadying me all along.

"Almost an hour and a quarter. Thou idiocy nearly cost thee thou life." Zoe sighed, "Thee lost nearly two-and-a-half liters of thy blood. Declan fared little worse."

"Who won?"

Zoe shoved me, "Thou nearly died, and all thee can think of is victory!"

"That's about right, yeah." I laughed, "So?"

"It was called a tie do to medical concerns."

I sighed. Still, three out of five ain't bad.

We eventually made it to the Nemesis Cabin, with Zoe staying outside my room while I changed and stole a little Catholicon to complete the healing. Now freshly dressed and fully healed, I could walk without Zoe's support to breakfast, but that didn't stop her from staying next to me.

I sat at the Nemesis table amid looks of shock and awe. Miranda nodded cordially to me, and I smirked back. Zoe sat down at the Hebe table as I got some toast, apple juice, and cereal.

"So, what's up?"

"Other than you nearly killing yourself -and the Guardian- yesterday?" Sean asked, "Nothing. Artemis was a bit pissed after the duel, though, so we need some volunteers to re-stock the forest. The Satyrs are trying the heal the trees, but I think that's a lost cause. Bunker Nine has a crater in it's door now, and the entire thing's knocked off it's hinges."

I whistled. "IRL?"

"Yep." Olivia confirmed, "Cabin Nine was pretty pissed."

I talked and ate my way through breakfast, barely noticing the glares I got from the Hunt. So, I can save all of their lives, but if I almost kill Declan, they hate me. Even if I almost died as well.

I gleaned from Sean and Olivia that the cabin schedule for today was "do whatever, but be at the Amphitheater at three o' clock." That in mind, I grabbed my gladius and went down the the training arena, to tear apart a few dummies. The first one fell quickly to a flurry of thrusts, bringing back my memories of what happened yesterday at the duel, memories that I had been tamping down on. Gods. . . I was rhyming in my head, in the middle of a duel? And laughing? Schist.

"Must get boring." It was Thalia, a few meters away from me. "Those dummies aren't hard."

"Yeah. Straw and wood. Thought you'd be all over me for the duel."

Thalia snorted, "You pulled my ass out of the fire twice. Want a challenge?"

"You?" I asked, turning.

"Hell, no. Guardian put me on the floor in a minute, flat. You're about as good." Thalia pulled something out of her pocket, "Catch."

It was a little canvas bag with a zipper on top, "What is it?"

"Your competition. Try opening it." Thalia suggested, a vicious gleam in her eyes.

"I'm going to regret this, aren't I?" I asked, and Thalia nodded.

I yanked the zipper down, and with a pop, five bronze automatons appeared around me, armed with swords, spears, and clubs.

Ah, schist. I dodged a club before stabbing it's owner through the chest. The remaining four surrounded me, weapons swinging in from all sides. I ducked, picking up the club and smashing an automaton's head with it while parrying a spear with the gladius. Two down, three to go. One of the remaining automatons threw a spear, but I pulled one of his buddies in front of me as a shield before dispatching another with a brutal stab. Now weaponless, the spear-thrower charged me, fists swinging. Dropping my weapons, I caught the automaton's fist in my palm before twisting. The automaton's joints weren't meant for being twisted in that way, and with a shriek, the automaton's right arm jammed. It's left arm soon followed as I pushed it to the ground, drawing the pugio from my waist and plunging it into it's chest.

"That was easy." I smirked.

"Yeah, he usually practices on thirty to forty a day." Thalia smirked back.

"How is forty different than four?" I asked, "You only have room around your body for about four enemies, max. If all forty could attack you at once, it'd be different. But they can't, so the only difference between four or forty against one is endurance. Which both he and I have plenty of, although I have more."

"Really?" Thalia asked skeptically, "You fainted only a few seconds after he collapsed."

"He was carrying Light, and I am familiar with the workings of the blade. You've seen it's effects before, if the stories I've heard are correct. Whereas I didn't have Light, and still matched him." I pointed out, "Send me a few more of those pouches, and I can show you how similar five and forty are."

Thalia tossed me eight of the little bags, spawning forty automatons around me. They all pressed inwards at once, trying to get to me as I just blocked the four weapons that could actually swing at me at a time, "See? Need I kill all of them? It'd probably take longer for me, as I don't have the advantage of Light."

"Nah, Artemis'd be pissed if I let you break all of these toys." Thalia started walking to the crowd of automatons, who were still attacking me, "Keep doing what you're doing. I'll get them back in bas eventually."

Over fifteen minutes after I spawned the hunks of bronze, Thalia got them all, barring ten, back in the pouches, "I'll take care of these."

I launched a blistering attack on one that was wielding a sword, my gladius sinking into it's chest several times before it toppled into another automaton. Dropping the club, I drew my pugio again to block a slash, the gladius becoming my method of attack as I felt another pair of eyes on me, these belonging to a certain Consul.

I stabbed a club-weilder in the throat before ducking a spear and dispatching it's owner. Stabbing my way through the rest of the dummies, I soon stood in the middle of a bunch of inert, bronze hunks.

"Bravo, bravo." The Consul approached, clapping.

"Consul Macintyre, I am honored that one as esteemed as yourself would take time to watch my training." I bowed low to one of the most powerful people in New Rome.

"Well, now you have one-up on me. You know my name, and I know not yours."

"Perseus Ekdikisi."

Macintyre glanced at Thalia, "You may leave, Hunter."

Thalia almost looked like she was going to object before a warning glance from me made her change her mind and leave.

"You fight like a Roman, Perseus, and you act like one." Macintyre stated, "You abandoned your scrutum in the duel yesterday, as an honorable Roman would. You attacked first, with the advantages on your own side."

"I may be living in Camp Half-Blood currently, sir, but I am not Greek." I said, like it was a promise, "This was given to me by my father."

Sheathing the gladius, I took the ouroboros ring off my finger, showing it to the Consul, "He told me of Camp Jupiter, sir, of the Senate, and of the Legion."

"That ring signifies you are the heir to the fortune of your family." Macintyre said, "It is a rather large fortune. Your last name is not Ekdikisi, but Ouroboros."

"I know, sir, but I did not want anyone to think a rich person of me." I shrugged, "I got unlucky, however, ending up here. Fauns are all too fallible, sir, thinking me a Greek."

Macintyre sighed, "I wonder if these Greeks are right to employ such creatures, that make such a mistake to a son of Rome."

"I wonder as well, sir, and I would prefer to follow my ancestors footsteps than live out my life here." I gestured to the ground underneath my feet, "My great-grandfather and his wife left New Rome when he was seventy-two. Now I wish more than anything else to return to the home of my ancestors, sir."

Of course, my grandfather did nothing of the sort, wasn't even aware of this world, but all the Proctors belonged to the Ouroboros line, and most of them encountered New Rome at one point -though careful not to let anyone know just what they are.

"Your great-grandfather was a Senator, I believe." Macintyre said, looking at me intently.

"As I have said, sir, I wish to follow his footsteps. I would imagine the wealth that my family possess would be of great usefulness to the Freethinkers, sir." I said calmly.

"You wish to enter the political arena?"

"Sir, I have done well in the physical arena. All that varies are the kinds of thrusts and parries, sir." I smiled as I said this, "And, of course, the fact that the size of one's sword can change as their power does, sir."

"Well said." Macintyre chuckled, "The Freethinkers could us one of your wealth, and of your proud history."

"I would grateful to be given the chance to be one of your party, sir." I smiled charmingly, "The sooner I can become part of the Freethinkers, the sooner my wealth can be used for the good of New Rome."

"You speak well."

"Thank you, sir, for the compliment, although your position shows your speech is undoubtedly superior. You are a true man of the people." Now I was just flattering him.

"That I am, young Perseus. I shall expect you to return with us to New Rome. Be outside the stables at eight o' clock tomorrow, sharp." Macintyre ordered.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world, sir." I waited for Macintyre to turn his back before I walked away as well, going back to the Nemesis Cabin. Like I'd ever become one of those idiots. After two wars, New Rome's in a recession, the government in debt, and you respond by raising taxes and starting social programs? Raising taxes is a contractionary policy, and you aren't spending enough to compensate. Good thing I'll be a quaestor when shit hits the fan.

From there, I shoved a note under Miranda's door. Back to snail-mail. Checking my watch, I saw it was already two-fifty, meaning get over to the Amphitheater. Throwing on a leather jacket as I left my room, I climbed up the ladder and walked to the Amphitheater.

The seats were filled with the entire population of Camp Half-Blood, the Hunt, and the Romans. A little section was apparently for the people who won in the competitions, so I took a place about four seats from Miranda. A minute after I arrived, Chiron clopped up on stage, and there was a flash of light. When it returned to normal, there were fourteen chairs arrayed in a U shape around the hearth. The fourteen Olympians lounged in them, Dionysus already asleep and Venus looking through a fashion magazine, bored.

"We gather here to acknowledge and reward those who have the skill and courage to compete and be victorious in this year's Greco-Roman Games!" Chiron called, and those of us in the stands started to cheer, with seven exceptions: Miranda, Declan, the Senators, and I.

"So, without further ado, let us present the rewards!" Chiron announced, referencing a small sheet, "The victor of Swimming is . . . . . Perseus Ekdikisi!"

The crowd cheered as I went up to the stage, standing in front of Chiron as he pinned a medal -golden, in the shape of someone swimming- to my jacket. As I went back to my seat, Chiron called out the next person, "The victor of Archery is . . . . Thalia Grace!"

The crowd went wild again as the Hunter went up and got her own medal pinned to the Hunter's uniform, this one a golden bow.

"The victor of Discus is. . . . . Marcus Brown!"

"The victor of Javelin-Throwing is . . . . . Pheobe Nikos!"

A few more names were listed, then I got my Wrestling medal. A few names after that, Chiron put the list away, "There are two victors for Swordsmanship. Both are master swordsman, and nearly killed each other during yesterday's duel. They are. . . .Perseus Ekdikisi and the Guardian!"

The crowd went bananas after that, and I even saw Miranda clapping -defiantly a plus.

Side by side, Declan and I both went up to the stage, where Chiron added a small, golden sword to my collection, with a mirror of the award being pinned on Declan's previously barren jacket. His ever-present hood, of course, was up. It never came down, but the crowd didn't care, howling and cheering.

Turning, I bowed to Macintyre and the other Senators before reclaiming my seat.

Zeus stood, and a hush fell over the crowd, "There is a great danger looming on the horizon. One who hates Olympus and all it stands for has returned, and must be defeated for the good of all. It is only known as Proctor, and I say it because we know not it's gender. For this quest, there will be the three children of most elder and powerful gods: Nico di Angelo, Jason Grace, and Thalia Grace. In one week, these questers will begin their hunt, and put an end to an enemy who has threatened Olympus for millenia."

Percy's POV

It was seven fifty-nine AM the next day when I arrived at the stables. Miranda had read the note I had left her, and replied with one of her own. She was going to New Rome as well, where the man she was manipulating would become her patron -and a powerful one at that. Jason was the leader of the quest, and had consulted with Rachel as well as Ella, but the prophecy they issued wasn't shared with the whole camp.

Most of the Romans were either there or arrived at about the same time as I did, then the Senators approached in their togas once more. Unlike the Centurions, these Senators wore the toga with elegance and formality.

I heard someone send an Iris-Message, and a few seconds later we were in New Rome. The Legionaires that were part of the group immediately split off, Reyna at their head. Then the rest of the Romans split away, heading to different places. Miranda was following the patriarch somewhere else while I took a few seconds to orient myself. Once I knew where I was, I turned and walked up the cobblestone street, turning left at the first intersection then left again until a large building loomed in front of me. The NRSB: New Roman Saving Bank. This was one of the two banks in New Rome, mostly handling the bank accounts of individuals or families while it's sister -New Roman Commerce Bank- catered to businesses and Senators.

It was a grand building, Victorian with a frieze of the Olympians crowning the roof. Inside, it was entirely wood and glass. Beams held up the ceiling while the tellers sat in cedar booths. Finding the nearest open one, I walked over. The teller, a fifty-some man, looked up, "Yes?"

"I would like to open the Ouroboros family account." I said.

The teller looked surprised for a moment before quickly covering it up, "Very well, I will need the ring and pin number."

"Of course. Here is the ring, and the pin number is five-seven-three-nine-five-six-two-eight." I listed off the top of my head.

"Very good, sir. Your current balance is -of course- confidential, but you may access it with an app on any IPhone or IPod. In addition, you may also be issued a credit card and other items to ease access."

"When can I get those items?" I asked.

"If you wish to procure a credit card, sign these forms. For a debit card, sign these. For a charge card, sign these, and for a cash card, sign these." The teller gestured to four different stacks of paperwork. I grabbed the stack pertaining to a credit card before sitting down on a bend and discretely.

The sheets were the usual stuff, and attached to them was a voter registration form which I also filled out before handing it back to the teller.

"Very good, sir. If you would please take a seat, we will have your credit card momentarily." The teller glanced at the forms before walking off.

"Momentarily" turned out to be over half an hour, but I didn't mind in the slightest. After all, I had nothing else to do today, except for renting the room right next to Miranda's in the apartment where she was staying.

The teller came back with the forms and a small, plastic bag, "Here you are, sir. If you have any trouble or suspicions of theft, call us and follow the process on page thirty-seven. Oh, and how would you rate your service today?"

Better start making friends. I smiled, "Satisfactory, bordering on excellent."

"Thank you, sir." The teller dipped his head to me in respect before heading back to his booth. Taking out my IPhone and connecting to the wi-fi -NRSB-fi- I quickly found the app the teller was talking about a downloaded it, testing it on the ring. It took a picture, apparently using some kind of pattern software to match my ring to the one they had on file. An affirmative beep prompted me to enter my pin, which I did. Then it revealed me balance, which was massive, about half the size of the Proctor account on Olympus. This one, however, wasn't growing. If I wanted more funds in it, I'd have to transfer them from the Proctor account. Not that I'd need more money in a million life-times with even a hundredth of the money in there.

A quick search on the Roman equivalent of Google Maps led me to Confluence Apartments, where I -still using the IPhone- rented out about half the apartments on Miranda's floor under the guise of a family reunion between some people here and other Romans that went into the mortal world. Good thing I can do this over the phone. The landlord would get a bit suspicious if an almost-nineteen year old showed up to pay for it. But -more importantly- they all had a few characteristics: No smoking and fifth floor. The only fifth floor apartment unoccupied and with the no smoking sign was the one right next to Miranda. Of course, if I went in right now it might arose some suspicion. So I did the next best thing: Went shopping.

My first stop was a library, and it was huge. Wooden shelves curved around freely, holding thousands of books. I wandered around, looking for a specific thing that I wasn't even sure was a book before I ran into one of the librarians.

"Sorry." I apologized, "But I'm looking for a reference book on current and past laws for a college project?"

"Ah, I remember when I was that young." He was a seventy-ish man, with white hair and a kind face, "You'll find it three stacks down, and about the middle. Forgive me if I don't take you there, my limbs are creaking again. Let me give you a tip, youngster: Don't get old."

I laughed, heading for the book I sought. It was simply called the Register, a massive binder containing dates and titles of laws, acts, referendums, edicts, social reforms, and everything else since New Rome was founded. I leafed through the most recent portion, looking at everything the Freethinkers had done while summoning a sheet of paper and a pencil. If I'm gonna enter the Senate, I'd better have a good speech. One that shows the Senate I'm not just another voter, but doesn't make me a target. One that points out the Freethinker's mistakes, but doesn't give them a cause for vengeance. What's this? Forming the Faunus Working Commission? Everyone knows fauns don't work. . . .maybe there's a reason for that.

I flipped back in the book before realizing it was hopeless. There were millions of titles, and if they were arranged chronologically I would have to look at every one. So instead, I turned to the stacks around me. They all were packed with books, each one having the fine print of a title in this book. And these were arranged alphabetically. Let's see . . . . F . . . . FA . . .Faun . . Faun. . . Ah, here we go. The Faun Commercial Standards?

It was a set of rules for the fauns to work, and were completely ridiculous. Fur must be exactly two centimeters long, horns must be between five point five and six inches, tails must be two inches exactly. In short, no fauns can work. And they created a Faunus Working Commission to help working fauns for rights and unions. Except there are no working fauns! Perfect.

Fellow Senate members, I am only a quaestor, but perhaps I can help. . . That piece was crumpled up and thrown into a nearby waste bin before I summoned another. Fellow Senators, I have a proposal- More paper in the bin. My fellow Senators, I believe there is a grave- I missed, catching the rim before the ball of paper fell out. Senators, I stand here today as a quaestor . . . hmm, this might work.

Time Skip: 2 weeks.

Percy's POV

"Fellow Senators, I stand here today as a quaestor, and I see men of great renown and dignity. Yet, I am afraid that we, the Senate, are the laughingstock of Rome-"

"Change the beginning of that sentence to 'I have heard that we are all the laughingstock of New Rome." Miranda said, "Never say you are afraid. Say you are in question, say you are in doubt, but never be afraid."

"Good point. So, who is your patron, anyways?" I asked while erasing that section.

"Auralius Scott. Wealthy, former censor, father of a bitch and husband to a dead wife." Miranda replied, "His agreement is that I would enter the Treasury and help him however I can there; In return, he helps me advance. If I impress him, he may eventually disown his daughter and adopt yours truly."

"Oh, so you're mine now?" I asked mockingly, looking up from the sheet of paper.

Miranda scowled, "I have a knife with your name on it, Jackson."

I threw up my arms in mock surrender, laughing uproariously. Miranda started laughing as well, her flawless blue eyes sparkling. It was much later when I finally turned my attention back to the speech.

"So, I suspect that we are -all of us- the laughingstock of New Rome. Only four months ago, this esteemed chamber passed a bill that created the Faunus Working Commission, which would help working fauns to organize unions and procure working rights. But there are no working fauns, the product of a act passed in this very chamber, detailing the working standards for fauns! I propose, as it is a quaestor's job to oversee the finances of the Republic, that we dissolve the Commission and re-invest the money it stole from our budget into the people!"

"Is that it?" Miranda asked, raising an eyebrow.

"That's the part that's going to start a debate, hopefully." I shrugged, "There's more, and a few other versions that I can use."

"Leave them with me, Jackson. You may be the better politician, but I have monitored the Senate for longer than you. Six o' clock PM tomorrow, on the dresser." Miranda ordered.

I nodded, submitting to her authority and experience, "Got it. How's your job?"

Miranda shrugged gracefully, "Still entry-level, but my superiors are already commenting on my skills and commitment. A promotion will come soon, if Auralius wishes me to be of any use."

"That's good. Tell me if you need anything. Money, a dead higher-up, some threats." I smiled, "All's fair in Politics and War."

Miranda smiled and made a shooing motion with her hand. I smiled back before disappearing into the shadows, coming out on the other side of the wall I had walked into. My apartment was mostly empty: The kitchenette well-stocked with peanut butter, bread, and cereal -basically everything I ate these days- while the wooden table that dominated that side of the room was barren. On the other side of the room, there were a few chairs around a TV, which was running the news non-stop. If anything happened, I needed to know about it. Elections to the Senate were about a month away, which left me free most of the day to brush up on any weapons I might've lost my edge on, comb through the Register for anything I could use and plan for a string of actions I needed to take once I entered the Senate. This needs to work, or the plan's over before it begins.

The wall furthest from me was adorned with a massive map, with a pin stuck in Montana. As I watched, it disappeared, re-appearing in Nevada. Daedalus had worked something into the sheath I had given Declan, so the pin and I always knew -and tracked- where they were. Alongside it, I posted a map of Mount Olympus and the Underworld, where the pin would go if the Hunt wasn't on Earth.

Now, I have some work to do.

Time Skip: 25 Days. (39 since Percy got to New Rome)

Percy's POV

I was walking back to my apartment from the library when some either really bad or possibly good happened: A voice cried for help.

It was midday, so there shouldn't be any real mugging. That just meant this would be all the worse. I ran towards the sound, which led me to the lake at the end of the Little Tiber.

Lying on the sand was a pale, blond-haired male about the same age as I was. He was wearing a toga that was ripped in a dozen places, and a purple cape rested beside him on the sand. As he cried for help, I could hear a note of shrillness that I knew all too well. Octavian? But he's dead, or should be at least.

Unfortunately, I wasn't the first one there. A pair of burly Legionaries grabbed him by the arms, bringing him to his feet. By now, a small crowd was developing as they watched the former pontifex maximus get taken away. Finding a secluded corner, I shadow-traveled back into my room. Minutes later, the news changed.

"It appears that the notorious Senator and idealist Octavian has washed up on the shores of New Rome after thought dead for over a year!" The man announced, "The Praetors have refused to comment, other than announcing the trial to be held later today. What remains to be seen is Octavian's motives. Was he a tyrant, seeking to destroy our Greek allies, or a man who did his best to keep New Rome safe? Stay tunned, 'cause I'm sure we'll have more."

Damn. I need to see that trial.

I jogged over to the Senate building. It was open to the public, as always, so I went in and took one of the forward seat. I couldn't miss this trial, and since I had nothing else to do for the afternoon, I waited. My head drooped a few minutes in, then I fell asleep.

I was in a cave, deep underwater. Octavian was sitting on the floor, facing a nymph. He had grown more muscled and filled out, looking like a normal Legionnaire instead of a scarecrow.

"Go, Octavian. It is time." The nymph said, her voice melodious and calm, "Your mind has been healed, and you have learnt humility."

"I cannot thank you enough, Melissa." Octavian replied, his face full of sorrow, "What I did, I cannot fathom. Gaea took my mind, used me for her own purposes. You helped me, knowing what I did."

"I do not believe in punishing the innocent, Octavian." Melissa leaned forward, kissing Octavian, "Now leave. The moment you leave this cave, you will be in the Little Tiber. Do not lose hope, even when all hope seems lost. I love you, Octavian."

"And I, you." Octavian spun with surprising agility underwater, and swam out of the entrance to the cave. Immediately, the current ripped him away, but the legacy of Apollo swam strongly to the shore. But his troubles didn't end there, as the current whipped him away before he climbed up. He swam for what seemed like hours, trying to get to the shore. The current flung him back every time, but he didn't give up.

Snarling, the legacy of Apollo tore off the purple cape and tried to rip the toga from his body. The cape fluttered away, but the toga simply tore. This attempt, he clawed his was onto the beach, the cape washing up beside him.

"Help me . . . . . please. . . . help." Minutes later, two strong, First Cohort Legionnaires picked him up, throwing him into a cell after taking him across the city. The door slammed shut, leaving him alone and shivering.

The thunk of the gavel woke me as the trial started.

"We gather here today to determine Octavian's role in the latest Giant War. The accused has refused a government-provided attorney, he will defend himself. Accused, do you have anything to say?"

Octavian stood from the wooden bench he sat on, "No, your Honor."

"Very well." the Praetor presiding over the trial turned to the jury, "Jury, do you have anything you wish to say?"

"No, your Honor."

"Very well. Octavian Jacques Delozier, you have been accused by the State of second degree manslaughter, conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, treason and general misconduct in the Legion." the Praetor looked around, "Are there any charges the State wishes to add?"

The State's attorney, a thirty-ish man with black hair and a trim brown suit stood, "No, your Honor."

"Very well. Accused, do you have anything to say to refute those claims?" the Praetor turned to Octavian again.

"Yes, your Honor. I wish to say that I was not in my right mind at the time those grievous crimes were committed. I would wish to tell my story, before the court, so that the State may ask clear questions concerning my innocence."

"Objection, your Honor." The State attorney stood.

"Over-ruled." the Praetor replied immediately, "Accused, continue."

"On that terrible day, I fired the onager. The Imperial Gold in my robes were attracted to the same metal in the onager shell. I was pulled up into the air as the shell flew, but at a much slower speed. Above me, there was a great flash of light and a wave of heat as it detonated. The explosion flung me downward, into the canoe lake." Octavian, using his masterful oratory skills, was keeping the audience entranced, "I sank through the murk, believing I would die, then I gazed upon my salvation. A sea nymph, Melissa, took my into her home and cast a magic on my so I may breath. She nursed me back to health, the beautiful melody of her song healing my mind from Gaea's ravaging influence. Melissa bid me not to return, and so I stayed. I trained with my gladius, hoping that one day, I would return here. Then, earlier today, Melissa told me it was time. She said, the moment I left her home, I would be in the Little Tiber. We kissed, and I left with her blessing."

"Then the current struck, driving me around like a ball in a hurricane. I struggled against it before I realized what was holding me back: The symbols of the unlawful power I gained. I ripped off the cape, and did the same for as much of my toga as I could. Then, and only then, I made it to shore." Octavian's eyes were filled with unshed tears, probably for Melissa, "So now, I can only ask for your mercy. I swear, on the River Styx, that I would never commit the acts that I did if I was sane."

Thunder boomed in the background, but the Praetor looked unimpressed, "Irrelevant. Oaths on the Styx are not considered evidence in this court, due to the Lyconthrope Clause of the Voting Reform Act of eight hundred fifty three BCE."

It sounded like something he had said many times. Octavian sat down calmly, unruffled by the Praetor's words.

"The State wishes to bring in it's first witness." The attorney said.

"Go ahead."

Micheal Kahale stepped into the court room, sitting in the witnesses chair.

"Are you Micheal James Kahale?" The attorney asked, "And do you swear to speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"

"Yes and yes." Micheal replied.

"How long have you known Octavian?"

"Seven years, to present."

"In those years, has he ever exhibited behavior to suggest that he was mentally unhinged?"

"Yes."

"When?"

"Almost a year and three months ago, as of now. That behavior continued until his presumed death."

"Describe it."

"It started out small. Octavian would snap at others more than usual. It steadily became more and more deranged. He began to use actual animals for his sacrifices, claiming he could see the will of the gods more clearly through them. Then, he became ravenously hungry for power. This was unlike the Octavian I knew. That Octavian knew where his place was in society. He knew he had a place in the Senate, and he had great patience. He started taking anything anyone said as an insult. At this time. The Argo II opened fire on New Rome, controlled by the late Leo Valdez. Octavian, seeing an opportunity, seized power and directed the hate towards all the Greeks. Again, very unlike him. The Octavian I had known would have tried to tamp down on the power of the crowd, but the insane Octavian whipped it up. The insane Octavian drafted hundreds of auxilias to bolster our troops, also unlike the sane Octavian. Lastly, he ordered complete destruction of Camp Half-Blood, something a sane man would never do."

"Would you say he conscripted the monsters with full knowledge of the havoc they would wreck?"

"I would say that Gaea knew. No monster would follow a demigod with such a stronger master present, and I believe that Octavian was not in willing control of his actions. Gaea kept enough of his personality to fake him, and tamped down on the rest."

"You avoided answering the question."

"No, I believe Octavian did not know. I also believe that the fault of these crimes should rest on myself, and all the Legionnaires."

"Explain."

"I did not take action, seeing Octavian descent into madness, nor did anyone else. Octavian could make a case of severe neglect and disregard for troops under his/her command against Reyna or Jason. We allowed it to happen, and thus we are guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and treason as well. If that trial ever takes place, I will plead guilty, as there are no other alternatives."

Octavian looked shocked at this, but his features smoothed over quickly.

The attorney looked furious, his planned easy victory going out the window, "Objection, your Honor."

"On what grounds, exactly?" the Praetor asked, looking amused.

The attorney turned three shades of purple as he realized he couldn't object to the proceedings, "Nothing, your Honor."

"Mr. Kahale, we are done questioning you." the Praetor said, "State, do you wish to call in any more witnesses?"

"No, your Honor."

"Accused, do wish to call any witnesses?"

"Yes, your Honor. May Nico di Angelo or William Solace take the bench?" Octavian asked. Nico, unlike Micheal, wasn't on standby, so a runner was summoned to send him an Iris-Message. A few minutes later, both Nico and Will walked in, red-faced and breathing somewhat heavily. Their clothing looked a wrinkled and hastily put on, which could leave anyone to guess what they were doing.

"Nico di Angelo, please take the witnesses bench." the Praetor said.

Nico complied, "I solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth."

"Are you Nico di Angelo, son of Hades?" the Praetor asked.

"I am."

"Were you present at what were believed to be Octavian's final moments?"

"I was."

"Would you describe him, in those moments, to me?"

"Mad. Insane. Frothing at the mouth. Over the moon. He believed he would become the savior of this city if he destroyed Gaea, and he was willing to go to any length to turn that dream into a reality."

"Do all of Octavian's actions make sense to a sane man?"

"No. Octavian drafted hundreds of auxilia troops to fight us, but he already outnumbered us by a good margin. Why would one take troops that he couldn't control and didn't need?"

Nico was dismissed, and Will practically mirrored Nico's words.

"Does the jury wish to convene?" the Praetor asked, turning to the seven men and women who were all looking at Octavian intently.

"Yes, your honor." The jury left, to talk amongst themselves while the rest of us waited. I was studying Octavian, and I could sense the debate going on in the juries heads: Public opinion, or the statements of the witnesses?

An hour passed. Two. Three, then finally the jury came back. The presiding Praetor polled them. Guilty. Not guilty. Not guilty. Guilty. Guilty. Not guilty. The last juror was quiet for a long while, then spoke, "Not guilty."

"Octavian Delozier, by ruling of the jury, is innocent off all charges leveled against him. End session."

The crowd erupted with shouts as Octavian was taken away, unchained and free. I followed him covertly as a few Legionnaires and lictors kept the crowd of maybe thirty back. Octavian must've known his ancestral home was taken by the government, since he didn't go there. Instead, he went somewhere else, probably to one of his supporters. The door was slammed in his face, but Octavian walked off again, undaunted. House after house either refused him entry or refused to even acknowledge him. Octavian didn't have his bank account either, and all his assets were frozen. So, no buddies and no hotel. Where will you go?

To my surprise, he turned back to the Little Tiber, sitting cross-legged on it's bank as he looked into the water. So unlike the arrogant prick I knew.

I walked up until I was right behind him, "Octavian?"

"Yes?"

"Stay with me for the night. Frost's coming, and you don't have the clothes or shelter you'd need to survive the night." I offered. Octavian's head turned, surprised, as I gave him a hand up.

"Thank you for your kindness, sir."

"Think nothing of it." I took him back to the apartment, where I gave him my bed and made up a cot for myself, "Sleep now, I have something to discus with you in the morning."

And I'm going to let you stew on it all night.

A dreamless sleep fell over me as I laid down on the cot, which was a welcome change.

I woke up at four o' clock as usual the shadow-traveled into a dark alley near the grocery store, conveniently called "Ceres' Cupboard." Once inside, I bought some things I'd need to make an actual, warm breakfast. Some eggs, bacon, and bagels. After all, I should make a good last meal for my guest. If he doesn't take the offer, he'll be on the street and dead in a month.

I started up the gas stove, cooking the eggs sunny-side up while on another pan, the bacon sizzled. The bagels were in the toaster cooking. I ate my half of the breakfast while keeping Octavian's warm in the oven. To my surprise, he came out only a few minutes after my breakfast was finished.

"Morning, Octo. Mind if I call you Octo?"

Octavian sighed, "Would saying no stop you from calling me that?"

"No." I laughed, sliding the plate in front of him.

"Didn't think so. Thanks, by the way."

"Now, Octo, I have a proposition for you." I sat down at the table across from him with my fingers laced behind my head.

Octavian swallowed some egg before replying, "And what would that be? Sexual favors? That's practically the only thing I have left."

"Nah, I don't swing that way, and my girlfriend would kill me if she heard you say that."

"Hmm, maybe later." Miranda replied. Aw, shit.

"How did you get in here and why did you come?" I asked.

Miranda smirked, "Please. That lock wouldn't keep out a five-year old, and I thought you might need a little help with your bed warmer here."

I groaned, "Anyways, Octo, I know you still have some say in the Fundamentalists. So, how much does it take to buy a quaestorship?"

"One million. Denarii, round." Octavian smirked, clearly not believing I had that kind of money.

"I'm generous, I'll give you three." I smirked back, "The house you have to buy and your debts'll probably eat most of that up. So, three mil for a quaestorship, what do you say?"

"When do I get the money?"

"A third in advance, two thirds when I'm elected." I replied instantly, not leaving any wiggle room.

"Deal."

Time Skip: Five Days (44 since Percy got to New Rome)

Percy's POV

"Fellow Senators, I stand here today as a quaestor, and I see men of great renown and dignity. And yet, I suspect that we are -all of us- the laughingstock of New Rome. Only four months ago, this esteemed chamber passed a bill that created the Faunus Working Commission, which would help working fauns to organize unions and procure working rights. But there are no working fauns, the product of a act passed in this very chamber, detailing the working standards for fauns! I propose, as it is a quaestor's job to oversee the finances of the Republic, that we dissolve the Commission and re-invest the money it stole from our budget into the people!"

The Senate chamber erupted into shouts, dozens of Senators on their feet and the bang of the gavel brought them to order and an uneasy silence descended over the room.

A/N: Sorry for the slow update. I had finals, then my parents decided to tell me they're divorced. On a brighter note, I have a 3.9 GPA.