FanFiction - Mark of Athena

Chapter 7

I do not own The Heroes of Olympus or the Percy Jackson series, This is only FanFiction.

Hey guys, this is only half of Chapter seven, the rest will either come tomorrow or Friday, I have it written down and everything but only on paper, and it takes time... So, Chapter 7...

FRANK

WHEN FRANK SAW PERCY ENTER THE MESS HALL, he was half relieved and half scared. He watched as Percy let go of a wide-eyed Annabeth and run to Leo Valdez, who was being held captive by Octavian and his guards. Leo had just been slapped twice across his face by Octavian, and his cheeks were blazing red.

Frank knew this action was only held in a Ceremony of Shame, when something dreadful was done by someone. In this case, that someone was Leo. Usually this would be held by the Praetors, but Octavian seemed to think he was above such rules, but even so, there was nothing anyone could do about it. Anyone except the Praetors could help Leo.

No one was really sure, but from what Frank could make out from the rumours, Leo had accidentally set fire to half of New Rome, causing plenty injuries, but no deaths. Those from New Rome who weren’t injured were watching amongst the crowd.

“This is a serious offence!” Octavian boomed. “This has cost us countless injuries, and Praetor Jackson’s life!” Anger blazed through Frank as he saw the corners of Octavian’s mouth raise slightly. The crowd murmured. Leo's jaw dropped.

“What? Percy’s life? No, this wasn’t his fault! It – It was an accident, I swear. I didn’t mean to -” Leo’s voice quivered.

“An accident? -” Octavian started, but Percy finally broke through the crowd.

“Quiet, Octavian!” Percy bellowed. He waved the guards off as he got to Leo. “You okay little buddy?” Percy asked Leo softly. Little buddy?

Leo rubbed his cheeks, but grinned. “Yeah, thanks. Any longer and who knows what old Octopus would have done.” Octavian frowned.

Percy snorted. “What did you do?” He asked.

“I’ll tell you what he did!” Octavian answered. “The blasted Greacus used his demonic powers to set fire to half of our city! You swore they come in peace, and we believed you, Jackson. We give the Greacus our hospitality, and they ruin our city! This calls from execution!” Octavian pointed at Percy dramatically.

There was a silence. People shook their heads or stared wide-eyed at the scene. This was all wrong. Percy was needed here, it wasn’t his fault. Frank looked at Percy, and saw him shoot a warning look at Annabeth, whose eyes were blazing with anger. Frank looked around, he couldn’t see Reyna anywhere, but Jason was walking toward Octavian. He looked ready to fight, unlike Leo, who Frank noticed as Jason walked by him, who looked ready to faint.

Octavian had his gladius at hand already. Frank knew with sick certainty what would happen next. Percy would be forced in a kneeling position, and the gladius would be thrust through his neck, severing the Larynx. He’ll be dead in seconds. Percy gave Octavian a cold stare. Frank almost smiled, because then he realised Percy wouldn’t go down without a fight.

“There will be no need for execution.” Jason was standing beside Percy now. “If my witness is correct, which she is, the happening was indeed, an accident. Percy swore that the Greeks would not attack, but accidents happen.”

“But you are not Praetor, you have no ri-”

“Oh, shut up Octavian!” Percy yelled. “Seeing as you just falsely accused our guests, held the Ceremony of Shame without permission, and,” Percy emphasized the last word. “You nearly just killed your Praetor; I think it would be wise to stop talking.”

Octavian’s face blushed an ugly shade of pink as the crowd snickered. Percy smiled, knowing he had won the crowd.

“Would everybody please proceed to their usual activities, Leo Valdez will be taken in for questioning and,” Percy turned to Octavian with a mixture of amusement and disgust on his face. “You, Octavian, can do your Hocus Pocus somewhere I can’t see you.” The crowd laughed as Octavian scurried off.

Frank saw Annabeth run to Percy and hug him. Frank smiled to himself, thank the gods Percy and Jason were awake, they could handle anything.

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 Frank and Hazel were walking to the Senate Meeting. It was still about twenty minutes until the meeting began, but Frank and Hazel decided to go just after Reyna told the about the meeting. So now they were taking a little detour, walking by the Little Tiber.

Franks hand was tingling, like it always did when Hazel was holding his hand. Frank was getting more relaxed around Hazel now, since they were dating. But Frank still felt like a klutz sometimes, and he was very aware of his sweaty hands. But Hazel didn’t notice. Her hair was glistening in the sun, and a smile seems to be glued to her lips. Frank remembered how happy she had been two weeks ago, when she picked him up to go to breakfast and had said “Good morning, Frank” a little too loudly. He remembered the way her eyes glowed when she saw him, or how her hair jumped around when she laughed.

Hazel nudged him. Oh my gods she just asked me a question, Frank thought. He racked his brains, what had they been talking about last? Nico.

“I’m sure Nico’s fine, Hazel.” Frank answered. Hazel chuckled.

“Thanks, Frank, but I asked who you thought the seventh of the Prophecy was.”

Frank felt guilty; he didn’t even listen to her. But Hazel smiled.

“Sorry,” He muttered, “I was just thinking about… stuff. But I think it is Annabeth.”

“Me too, Wisdom’s daughter walks alone,” Hazel recited. “That has got to be her, right?” Frank nodded.

They reached the City. Frank and Hazel gave in their weapons, and pulled up their sleeves to show their tattoos.

“All good. Precede” Terminus announced.

Frank and Hazel continued talking about the ‘Seven’ and the quest that was sure to happen. When they reached the Senate House it was already full. The meeting started.

Is it any good? Comments please :) sorry about the short Chapter, Percy's POV coming up in a few minutes!