The atmosphere in Gotham was thick with anticipation as Percy and his group stepped out into the cool night air. The shadows stretched long under the city lights, giving the bustling streets an eerie glow. Thalia walked beside Percy, her regal robes trailing slightly behind her, and the others followed closely. Despite the formalities of the meeting with the mayor, none of them could shake the feeling that they were being watched.

Thalia glanced over her shoulder as they moved away from the mayor’s office. “That could’ve gone worse, but it’s still a mess. They’re not going to trust us easily.”

Percy nodded, his eyes scanning the dark alleys and rooftops, half-expecting one of the Justice League members to appear out of the shadows. “Yeah, and Batman will keep watching us. He doesn’t believe a word we say.”

Jason crossed his arms, walking alongside them with a tense posture. “Let them watch. We’ve handled worse, and we’ll keep handling it. But we should be careful with what we reveal next time. They’ll use any weakness against us.”

Will glanced up at the sky, his expression thoughtful. “They’re worried, and it’s making them paranoid. But at least they’re not outright attacking us yet. We might be able to use this to our advantage.”

Piper walked closer to Percy, her voice gentle but serious. “We need to establish a real connection with them, not just play along. If we don’t, this tension will boil over sooner rather than later.”

As they continued down the streets, the shadows seemed to grow thicker around them, like a cloak wrapping around their small group. Percy couldn’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia for Camp Half-Blood, for the days when the only thing they had to worry about was a monster attack or a challenging quest.

But this was different. He was no longer just a demigod—he was a king, and Thalia was his queen. They had a duty to protect not only themselves but also the people of Atlantis. And that meant navigating the delicate line between diplomacy and defiance.

They reached the outskirts of Gotham’s port, where the water glistened under the moonlight. It was their temporary safe haven, far enough from the prying eyes of the city but close enough to keep an ear out for any trouble. They gathered near the docks, the cool breeze ruffling their clothes.

Nico, who had been quiet for most of the walk, finally spoke up. “So, what’s the plan? We can’t just sit around and hope that the Justice League decides to trust us. We need to take action.”

Percy leaned against a wooden post, crossing his arms. “We need to prove that we’re not a threat. But we also can’t let them think they can walk all over us. We need to find a balance—something that shows we’re allies, not enemies.”

Thalia stepped closer to Percy, a teasing smile playing on her lips. “Look at you, being all diplomatic and strategic. Who knew you had it in you?” Her hand brushed against his arm in a casual but deliberate way, her electric blue eyes locked onto his.

Percy rolled his eyes, trying to ignore the way his heart jumped at her touch. “Yeah, well, I’ve had some good influences,” he replied, but the hint of a smile tugged at his mouth.

Thalia’s smirk grew, and she leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. “Good to know you’re listening to me, Seaweed Brain.”

Will cleared his throat, raising an eyebrow at the exchange. “You two done, or should we leave you alone?”

Thalia just winked at Will, and Percy’s face flushed slightly. “Focus, Will,” Thalia shot back playfully. But she didn’t move away from Percy, her shoulder brushing against his.

The group fell into a companionable silence, each of them lost in their own thoughts as they watched the waves lap against the dock. The city behind them buzzed with life, but for a moment, they found a rare sense of peace by the water’s edge.

But even as they stood there, the reality of their situation hung over them like a cloud. They were still in a world that didn’t fully trust them, with powers that were both new and uncertain. And somewhere out there, other forces were at play—forces that could threaten everything they had fought to protect.

As the moon rose higher, casting a silver glow over the water, Percy took a deep breath and steeled himself. They had made it this far together, and they would face whatever came next.

After all, they were more than just demigods now. They were rulers, protectors, and—most importantly—a family. And they would fight for that, no matter what the surface world threw their way.