Percy Jackson and the Four Horsemen

Chapter 7: Percy Jackson v. Olympus

PREVIOUSLY ON THE FOUR HORSEMEN:

"Let the case of Percy Jackson v Olympus…" Zeus sighed, "…begin."

Percy really regretted even showing up to the stupid trial, despite the fact that he'd be Olympus' Most Wanted (he already was, but that was for a different thing) if he didn't. It looked as if Hera was somehow more unprepared than him, which said something.

Thank the gods (literally), the gods actually told Annabeth and Chiron (and Percy too, but he didn't really listen too much) about the steps the trial would take, and from what Annabeth told him, it was pretty similar to a regular criminal trial (which, again, he'd never been to but he had watched some episodes of Law and Order and Suits).

Percy watched as Hera tried to argue with Zeus to get Athena to be the prosecutor during the trial. She even put on the 'my lord', which she never did, ever.

"Percy, when we get you on the stand, we're gonna ask you a few questions, okay? Just answer them as honest as possible, and they will make you swear on the Styx before you do, so be careful.", Annabeth said.

"Instead of the hand on Bible thing, I have to swear on the Styx?"

"Shouldn't be a problem unless you have something to hide, which you don't, I'm hoping."

"I don't, don't worry."

"We don't have any reason to worry. Hera's going to do so bad-"

Zeus' booming voice interrupted Annabeth's sentence.

"There is a change in prosecution. Due to Lady Hera's lack of experience in court despite having participated in many such trials, Lady Athena will now be representing Olympus. Due to such an untimely switch, and to prevent further delay, the prosecution will not be able to collect any more evidence than what has been gathered already."

Annabeth looked enraged, and frightened too. Percy agreed with that sentiment, considering Athena was the goddess of wisdom and knowledge. Athena seemed shocked, but her face quickly morphed back into passivity and stood up from her throne, shrinking to their size and standing near Hera, who had a smug look on her face.

"Your Honor, this cannot happen. Annabeth is a daughter of Athena and clearly, this leads to conflict of interest." Chiron said.

"Athena is a goddess. I have faith in her abilities to be impartial." Zeus replied.

Percy whispered back to Annabeth, "So, are we screwed?"

"Royally. But we can still do this. The best lawyer is useless if the case is horrible."

"I'm pretty sure winning with a horrible case is what makes a good lawyer."

Annabeth glared at Percy.

Zeus spoke, "Perseus Jackson, you have been charged with first-degree murder. What do you plead?"

Percy replied, "Not guilty, your Honor."

Zeus' voice boomed again. "If the prosecution would like to begin with their opening statement?"

Athena grumbled a bit, looking ticked off at having to do this on such short notice. She stood up, looked at Hera with a bit of disdain, and began to speak.

"The Olympian Jury, today we are here to determine whether Perseus Jackson, one of the greatest heroes of Olympus to have ever lived, is a murderer or not. The charge assigned to him, is of course, the first-degree murder of Argus, warrior of Lady Hera."

Silence. Percy expected to hear the death of Lou Ellen Blackstone blamed against him, but for it to not be mentioned at all? That hurt more.

"…despite his achievements, we all have seen his kind succumb to the other side…"

He was angry. He looked at Hera, who was stupidly nodding along to whatever Athena said. Gods, the trouble that one goddess had put him through.

"…the defense will claim that Perseus Jackson is not guilty. They will claim that this was someone else. I would just like you, the members of the Olympian Jury…"

Percy wanted to use his powers again. He was sooo tempted to. If anyone deserved it, it was Hera. He was sure he wasn't even the main target in whatever medium rare scheme Kera cooked up. No matter how much Hera disliked him, his girlfriend had a special hatred. That hurt too. The recurring feeling of being used. Used by the people he was loyal to.

"May the defense come up and give their opening statement?"

Percy held Annabeth's hand, gripped it tightly, and let go, as a way of saying 'you can do this'. She nodded to him, and walked to the center of the dais.

"Members of the Olympian Jury."

She paused. She looked back at Percy, steeled her nerves and continued.

"My name is Annabeth Chase. I am your appointed architect. My client is Perseus Jackson, son of Poseidon. He is known as one of the Heroes of Olympus. He helped King Zeus recover his lightning bolt to prevent you, the Olympians, from another civil war. He saved Camp Half-Blood, the place where your children reside, multiple times. He stopped the Lord of Time's advances towards Olympus long enough for Typhon to be captured and remained brave despite the fact that there was barely any hope for Western Civilization. After Lady Hera hid his memories, he still helped a completely foreign camp, Camp Jupiter, despite having no reason to. He fought alongside your ranks in the Parthenon, before Gaia's awakening. Perseus Jackson has helped almost each and every one of you with something, without a cost. He is a good man."

She paused. Percy scanned the Olympians, all of whom seemed to agree with the sentiment that she was trying to convey.

"Most defense counsels are not here to prove their client's innocence. They are here to disprove…" She gestured towards Athena and Hera, "…the prosecution's statement that their client is guilty. I am not here to do that. I do not wish to leave anything even resembling a doubt in your minds that Perseus Jackson is innocent, and he did not kill Argus or Lou Ellen Blackstone."

Annabeth looked around at the Olympians on their high and mighty thrones. Some of them looked like they just wanted to get this over and leave, especially Aphrodite and Ares. But the others, they were paying attention. The twins, Hermes, Poseidon, Hestia (who was watching from the fire behind her), Hephaestus, and oddly enough Dionysus, who was trying to look as if he didn't give a fuck, but she saw.

"That was amazing."

"Yeah, well, it's not over yet."

Zeus began to thunder again.

"Prosecution, you may begin with evidence presentation. Do you wish to summon any witness to the stand?"

Athena looked at her few sheets that had magically been summoned for her to see all the evidence that had been submitted. She looked back at Hera, then back to her sheets. Finally, she looked back at Hera, with a glare that could burn the front of Hera's toga. Percy winced, half-expecting that to actually happen. It wouldn't be the first time.

"One witness, Your Honor. Her name is Calypso."

Perhaps it wasn't the best idea to troll the Hero of Olympus, but he was petty. After all, he had to have some fun with his prey. Once Percy Jackson was removed from the equation, his problems would be fixed immediately.

"Mac? You here?"

He turned around, looking for the source of the voice.

"You have the incendiaries?"

"Of course, Cabin Nine had a bunch of them spare.", the voice replied from the outcrop of rocks, near the lights of the Hephaestus Cabin.

Mac came and stood next to the young forger.

"I'm still not sure how and why both Cabin 6 and Chiron gave you permission to take these, especially to test out on Hyperboreans-"

Mac sighed and behind his back, waved his hand.

"Official Camp business, bro. You know I can't say more than that."

The teen's eyes glazed over.

"You're right. Sorry for asking. Good luck with the business. Have fun."

"Thanks, man. I will."

He watched the camper tredge over some brambles and back into the fading light in the sky, before venturing into the forest that hid Camp Half-Blood.

Whispers echoed through the grand hall of Olympus. Calypso was a touchy topic among the gods, being good friends with some of them despite being a true Titan. The elder gods ignored her jailbreak while the younger ones were good with it. However, directly acknowledging Calypso in front of the Olympians could lead to bad things.

"Calypso, daughter of Atlas?"

"Yes, Your Honor."

"This is highly unorthodox for a true Titan to take part in a criminal trial, but I will allow it as you do not have any other witnesses."

Annabeth glanced at Percy, who was trying to figure out what Annabeth was thinking. He could see the braincells firing behind her eyes, which swirled and swirled with clouds of gray and silver and everything in-between. It was like standing in the eye of a storm.

A bright flash brought the two demigods back to Olympus. Calypso frantically looked around, looking at the gods.

"What is the meaning of this?"

"Calypso, daughter of Atlas, you are to be a witness in the case of Percy Jackson v Olympus."

"What?"

"All you need to do is answer some questions that both the prosecutor, Lady Athena, and the defense, Annabeth Chase, will ask."

"Zeus, this insolence will not be tolerated."

Zeus' nostrils flared.

"You are in the Olympian Court, Lady Calypso. Do not show contempt to this court while in this court. For your own benefit, I would suggest you take a seat."

Calypso glared at Zeus, which was a little bit jarring for Percy, but not that odd considering that Calypso was actually older than Zeus. The titaness looked back, making eye-contact with Percy. Her face turned from a frown to a serious expression. She nodded and went to the witness stand. Zeus said, "Swear on the Styx that everything you say on this stand is true."

"I swear on the River Styx that I will speak the truth."

"Prosecution, you may begin."

Athena stood up, and went and faced Calypso.

"Calypso. You were present, along with the victim and the accused, at the site of murder, yes?"

"Yes."

"Could you have seen the murder of the victim?"

"No. In fact, there were no witnesses for the death of Lou Elle-"

"You misunderstand. Could you have seen how the victim, Argus, was murdered?"

"…."

Calypso looked at Percy and Annabeth, mouth a little agape. She then replied, "No. The lights were turned off."

"So you cannot determine whether the victim was murdered by the defendant."

"No. It was obvious that Percy did not kill Argus."

"Obvious? How?"

Calypso stuttered.

"Well, he was standing with us when the lights of Bunker Nine turned off. Once the lights came back on, all that was left of Argus was dust.. and some kind of charm. I- I could not get a good look at it."

"Did the defendant displace himself?"

"What do you mean?"

"Was there any sudden movements or changes in the defendant's position and manner."

Calypso frowned.

"He drew his sword, but that was about it."

"Can you describe anything relating to the murder?"

"Not really.."

"Remember, you have taken an oath on the Styx."

"Um, there was a sharp swish sound, like what a sword would make."

Athena turned to face the watching Olympians.

"As our witness has kindly told us, Perseus Jackson was present at the site of the murder and his weapon, his sword Riptide, is possibly the murder weapon."

"Objection. This is speculation."

"Your Honor, I said 'possibly', because there is no definable evidence that could prove that true."

"Still, she is misleading the jury."

"Sustained."

The goddess of wisdom glanced at her daughter, her eyes just as stormy and stoic as her daughter's; her eyes conveyed a message though, and it was clear she did not have much hope in her case.

"That is all."

Annabeth glanced bath at Percy. Her eyes were stormier than ever. She glanced back at Calypso with some sort of… emotion. He couldn't place it, but he could see that Calypso made Annabeth slightly uncomfortable. But why?

Never mind. That made sense.

"Will the counsel begin cross-examination?"

"Yes, Your Honor."

Annabeth stood up again and walked to the centre.

"Are you a Titan?"

"…Y-"

"Objection. This is irrelevant."

Annabeth stayed silent. Her point was made, even without an answer from Calypso.

"Sustained."

Calypso glanced at Percy, her eyes telling him everything she was trying to tell, "Really? The Titan card?"

Percy, almost imperceptibly, shrugged. He didn't know his girlfriend's plan.

Speaking of his girlfriend, Annabeth was thinking about how to proceed. He could see her process and process.

"So, witness, how long have you known the defendant?"

"Percy?"

"Objection, your Honor. This is, again, irrelevant."

"No, your Honor, it is not. I believe this witness can speak for my client's character."

Zeus frowned, and said, "Sustained, but get to your point quickly."

"Yes, Your Honor."

Athena sighed audibly, causing Apollo to giggle which led to Hermes giggling which led to Artemis glaring at them.

Zeus boomed, "ORDER IN THE COURT.", and the noise died.

"Witness, how long have you known the defendant for?"

"Almost 3 years."

"How did you meet?"

"He was ejected out of a volcano and landed in my h- I mean, in my island during my exile to continue the curse bestowed upon me by the gods."

"Could you describe the curse?"

"Every thousand years or so, the gods send me a hero. Someone with immense bravery. Someone who could capture my heart and break it, again and again, with ease."

Calypso said this with such bitterness and such pain. Annabeth's eyes softened. The gods, however, remained stoic. Appealing to them using pity would be futile when they were the causes of the suffering.

"Does Percy fit this category of hero?"

"He does."

"Why did he leave the island? After all, he could stay there if he wanted to."

"My curse makes sure the type of hero who comes is the type of hero who has to go."

"Why did he have to go?"

"He is loyal to Olympus. He could not let his camp, his fellow demigods, burn while he was safe. That is not who Perseus Jackson is."

"Thank you. That is all."

Shadows moved across the demigod's face as he trudged through the forest, silent and eerie, punctuated with the occasional crackling of fallen leaves and twigs. He was familiar with the forest, and where every path led. He had won some Capture the Flag contests in the path he was on.

Of course, the silence was broken when an Iris-Message sprouted in front of him.

"Mac."

"Mother."

"Perhaps you shouldn't call me that."

"You are my mother."

"I'm Greek and also-"

"Don't deviate. Is there anything to be brought to my attention?"

The goddess sighed. Her alter-, well, her son was commanding and intimidating enough when he wanted to be. The only thing preventing him from being a perfect tool of the gods was his emotions and his lack of respect for them.

"Yes, Mac. The ice goddess has reformed from her banishment, and as per reports, her father immediately exiled her from Quebec. She is on the run."

Mac paused on his trek. This was helpful news. He'd gotten many gods to do what he needed, but The Northern Wind was just as stubborn as Zeus himself, if not more. Also, it was very cold in Quebec and he did not want to deal with any more frost than he had to.

"Any news on where she's headed now?"

"You're a lucky man. Hermes told me freak snowstorms were sighted heading towards California. The Olympians plan to send their hero to capture Khione after this trial gets over."

Mac chuckled. Of course the Olympians knew Percy was innocent. Even he didn't expect Hera to actually call a trial, but it worked in his favour. The new and inexperienced kids at Camp now atleast spread the rumour that Percy was a murderer. That, combined with the murder of Lou Ellen Blackstone, should be able to galvanize the Hecate Cabin against Percy, especially since the voice of reason, Annabeth Chase was also occupied. It saved him a lot of time.

"Thank you, mother."

"I don't understand why you plan so much. It's not in your nature."

He swiped down on the mist, closing the call. His mother was a good one, but she excelled at causing fights, and one right now would not be helpful. Also, he was at his destination.

Zeus' Fist.

"Prosecution, would you like to re-examine?"

Athena sighed. This case was already dragging on for way too long, especially for such an unwise situation. She looked back at Hera who just smiled in that polite and fake smile she reserved just when she needed help from someone she disliked.

"No, your Honor."

"Well, then. Defense, would you like to produce any witness?"

Annabeth looked back at Percy. Her original plan was to use Percy when Athena brought Percy on the stand, but Athena didn't. Percy stared, blank, back at her. Her eyes turned questioning, as if asking him for his opinion. He just shrugged, not really sure about what to do. Annabeth looked around at the Olympians, all gazing at her, waiting for her decision.

"No, your Honor."

Athena frowned, and at that moment, Annabeth knew she made the right decision. Her thoughts were interrupted by Dionysus loudly yawning.

"Is it over yet?"

Apollo smirked.

"Almost is, cuz. Just the closing statements remaining."

"The what statement?"

"Closing."

"I call a vote to determine whether this thing can end without closing statements."

Athena sputtered, while Zeus just glared at Dionysus, before grabbing a gavel out of… Percy didn't want to know, and slammed it on air, letting out a belt of thunder.

"ORDER!"

Artemis, for once, sided with her brother.

"Father, it would be better to skip these meaningless traditions which wouldn't even benefit Athena herself."

Once Artemis spoke, Zeus' eyes seemed to calm down back to the placid state of The Judge. He seemed to think on it, before deciding.

"Unfortunately, it seems the jury requests to cut this trial short."

Dramatic as ever, lightning struck Zeus. His clothes went from the judge gown to his regular business suit.

"Raise your hands if you wish for the jury's decision to be now."

Percy waited. First, Dionysus' hand went up, followed quickly by Apollo, Hermes, Artemis, Ares and Aphrodite. Then Demeter and Hephaestus raised their hands. Poseidon looked to his son, who nodded. Finally, Poseidon raised his hand. Zeus was the only one to not raise his hand, along with Athena and Hera for obvious reasons.

"Majority votes for the case of Percy Jackson v. Olympus to end."

Dionysus cheered, but quickly quieted down after seeing Zeus' angry glare.

Zeus switched to his judge persona again, this time not making Percy's eyes see spots.

"The Olympian Jury will now come up with a decision to make."

The gods just looked at each other and then back at Zeus.

"The jury has made their decision."

Zeus nodded.

Artemis spoke, looking at Percy.

"The jury has concluded that Percy Jackson is not guilty for the murder of Argus."

Hera screeched like a dying bird, which Percy didn't really understand. He really hoped she didn't think she was winning until then. Athena sighed and returned to her throne, while Hera flashed away.

Annabeth looked at Percy and held his hand tightly.

"That was easy."

"Hera really sucks at this."

Poseidon's voice boomed this time.

"We are still here, heroes."

Zeus said, "Thanks, Lord Poseidon, for the help.", with a tone that clearly said 'this is my thing, stay the fuck out of it'.

He cleared his throat.

"Percy Jackson, we require your services once more."

"Can I take Annabeth?"

"This is no quest, hero. This is just a mission. Annabeth must continue with her work on restoring Olympus."

Annabeth grumbled along with Percy.

Taking his silence as acceptance, Zeus continued to speak.

"It has come to our notice that Khione, the goddess of snow and ice, and one of the main associates of Gaia has come back after being dispatched by your friend, Piper McLean. She is on the run after Boreas removed her from his household. We would like you, Percy Jackson, to capture the rogue goddess and bring her to justice."

Percy looked at Annabeth who smiled and nodded. Even she knew how restless Percy was and the mission would probably be quick. Percy nodded back.

"I will take this mission, Lord Zeus."

"Good. Hermes will tell you the rest of the details. Otherwise, council dismissed."

Zeus flashed out of the grand hall, followed by the most of the other gods. Poseidon nodded at Percy, beaming, which gave Percy a little bit of those happy feelings in his bones, before flashing away. Athena came and began to talk to Annabeth, probably about the redesigning or just the trial. Hermes, meanwhile, came down to Percy and brought up some sort of holo-screen.

"Good job on the trial, bro."

"Thanks, Hermes."

"I was rooting for you."

"I don't think anyone wanted Hera to win, to be honest."

Hermes shrugged. "I thought the main reason Father let this slide is because he wanted to summon you to Olympus for this mission anyway."

"Could be because he didn't want to sleep on the couch."

Hermes laughed.

"Anyway, some 'freak' snowstorms were seen heading towards San Francisco, continuing in almost a straight line from Quebec."

"That's almost cross-country. How have you guys not found her until now?"

"Communication problems with Boreas, to be honest. Might've been my postal service too, we've been operating in America for a long time and you know how slow they are. My sources, i.e. Apollo and Artemis, think she's heading to the Wolf House."

"Why?"

Hermes shrugged.

"Gods are just as erratic as humans, maybe even more so. Maybe she left something there the last time she was there or she's just going for the fun wolf parties."

"Can't Lady Lupa collect her then? Or Jason Grace, or Reyna, or any of the Roman demigods? Jason Grace even has experience with Khione."

"Khione will flee as soon as she senses a god, so Lupa cannot interfere. I heard Jason Grace was willing but the Senate of New Rome forced him to stay and finish his duty of Pontifex Maximus. Also, Zeus chose you because you're Uncle's son and your watery power things might be enough to wear her down, since our resident fire-bender is busy with his father."

Percy said, glumly, "So I'm the most expendable."

"Think of it as capable."

"Thanks."

"Need a bottle of vitamins or something to cheer you up, cuz? Your warp point will fix in a few seconds, so I hope you're prepared."

"Wait, what?"

"It's ready. Here's your backpack, there's a pair of Celestial Bronze handcuffs inside along with a rope of bronze fibre just in case you need it. Once you have her bound, say my name and I'll get you back here."

"But-"

"Have fun, cuz!" Hermes grinned, waving bye-bye as the brightest of lights, kinda like Apollo's teeth, enveloped Percy.

As soon as Mac smelled the petrichor, he grinned. He had just finished setting up the Wolf House for Khione. He let his Mistcloak fade away, leaving white swirls of pure Mist in his wake. He watched the clouds get darker and darker, before it began to snow.

A/N:- Welcome back! Hope you're doing well. There's a few things in this chapter I'd like to talk about.

Starting with the lawyer drama. I hope I've managed to put out a somewhat decent court scene though I did cut down on the closing statements because I just did not want to write a closing statement for prosecution to be frank.

Secondly, I hope you guys can see how the betrayed arc starts and are not upset with how long it's taking. As I mentioned way back in the first chapter, this is not your average betrayed!Percy fic. You guys decide whether its below average or above.

Thirdly, thanks for reading!

-Scythe7137