Chapter One:

Let the Game Begin!

Author's Note: I wrote this story years ago and have a lot of it done. However it is not completely done and it may be a while before it is, because of real life and because I'm working on other fics. So please, please, please be patient with me. Thanks. Also note that this is rated M for violence and possible romance scenes. YOU'VE BEEN WARNED!

Many ages ago, during the Roman Gods and Goddesses early years of rule, they created a game. Each god would choose a mortal that they would sponsor for the game. Once each God was represented they would send the competitors to a mystical arena of their choosing/design. Then the humans would fight to the death. Well the time has come again for the Games to begin. What happens when a certain student and teacher are chosen to compete?

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Zoe Potter opened her eyes and instantly knew she wasn't in her room. Where she was she had no clue though. Slowly she sat up and looked around herself. She appeared to be in a forest of some sort. But this wasn't a normal forest…this was a magical forest. You might wonder how Zoe knew this bit of information, well here was her answer. The trees were talking! They seemed to be gossiping, and talking about a game.

"H-hello," she asked tentatively.

One tree turned to face her. "Did you just say hello to me?" the voice that came from the tree was female.

"Yes… ma'am?"

The tree laughed. "Well aren't you sweet?" the tree stiffened as if frozen. Then suddenly a woman stepped out of tree. She had pointy ears, oak colored skin and dark brown hair that matched her eyes. "I'm Balanosa, an oak nymph." She added.

Zoe slowly stood and approached the woman, "I'm Zoe."

Balanosa grinned brightly. "Zoe means Life in Greek, you know?"

"I didn't know that?" Zoe again glanced around herself. "Could you tell me where I am? The last thing I remember is being in my room."

Balanosa's faded. "Oh no…you've been chosen?"

"I've been what?" Zoe didn't understand.

Balanosa shook her head sadly. "I'm sorry Zoe…I must leave. I'm not allowed to interfere with their games." The oak nymph spat the word out as if it were foul.

"Whose games," Zoe took a step toward the woman. "Please explain to me what's going on."

Balanosa shook her head as if in fear. "I cannot. But remember this Zoe; do not let your guard down. Not even for a second. You're very life depends on it. And do not trust anyone." With that she ran into the forest and quickly vanished.

"Well that certainly didn't help me at all." Zoe sighed.

"Zoe Potter."

Zoe spun around and blinked rapidly against the many colors that assaulted her eyes.

"Oops, I'm sorry let me dim that." a woman's voice said apologetically. Slowly the lights and colors dimed revealing a lady with rainbow colored hair and multihued eyes.

"I'm going crazy that has to be the explanation." Zoe shook her head and sat down on the grass dazed.

The woman blinked. "You can't be going crazy, the Game hasn't started yet. Oh that's just like Mania starting to affect the players before we even start." The woman sighed in frustration.

"What the hell are you talking about? I'm sorry I don't mean to be rude but I'd really like to know what's going on. One minute I'm home the next I'm here…losing my mind I think." Zoe stood again and placed her hands on her hips.

The woman blinked. "Are you telling me you have no idea why you're here?"

"YES! And why does everyone keep talking about some game?"

The woman glared and looked up to the sky, "WHICH ONE OF YOU IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS?"

Thunder roared and lightning struck.

"DON'T YOU TAKE THAT TONE WITH ME; IT'S NOT MY JOB TO INFORM THEM OF THE GAME JUST THE RULES! THAT'S THEIR SPONSORS JOBS!" The woman shook her head and returned her attention back to Zoe. "I'm sorry, this wasn't supposed to happen this way; but rules are rules."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean you're here so you have to compete. No mortal my leave here alive unless they win the Game," Her eyes sadden slightly. "I'm sorry."

Zoe swallowed. "What do you mean, 'no mortal can leave here alive'?"

"Let me explain everything, and then you can ask your questions." The woman glared once more up at the sky then she began to speak in a deep powerful voice. "I am Iris the Goddess of the rainbow and a minor messenger. It is my duty to inform you that you have been chosen to compete in the Hunger Games. The rule is simple, win at any cost."

Zoe blinked. "How do I win?"

"The last mortal standing wins. It's a fight to the death. There are 13 other competitors out there somewhere waiting to begin the hunt. Your mission is simple; kill or be killed. Also we gods have the right to assist you however we cannot interfere directly. Do you understand?"

Zoe shook her head firmly. "No. No way; I didn't agree to this. I won't be a part of this. I will not kill anyone."

Iris shrugged. "Then don't kill anyone. However they will certainly kill you so…" she left the rest unsaid.

Zoe's eyes widened. "You can't be serious."

"We are. This has been a tradition with us gods for many, many, many, many, many, many years. Besides it only happens once every hundred years so it's not like we are endangering you humans."

"THAT'S NOT THE PIONT! YOU ARE FORCING US TO KILL EACH OTHER FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT! WHAT ABOUT OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILIES?" Zoe demanded.

Iris again shrugged. "It's not up to me. Good luck Zoe Potter." Iris then vanished in a flash.

"Bitch," Zoe kicked the ground in frustration.

"Oh and one more thing," Iris's voice echoed. "Your sponsor will be sending you equipment so be prepared."

"Fuck you." Zoe turned and stormed off into the forest. She couldn't believe this; she was being forced into another tournament! As if last year hadn't been bad enough. Suddenly Zoe realized something; there were 13 other people out here and they were going to try to kill her. Zoe reached into her sweat pants and searched for her wand, it wasn't there! "Shit, shit, shit!"

"Quite a little mouth on you isn't there?" Another feminine voice said from behind her.

"Not another one." Zoe didn't even bother to turn around she just continued to walk.

"I apologize for not coming sooner, but with the Games here I lost track of time." The woman stepped in front of her giving Zoe a complete view of the woman. This woman was beautiful! She had curly golden hair with pink highlights. She was also wearing a red designer dress of some kind. She reminded Zoe a lot of a model/movie star.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love. I'm also one of your sponsors."

Zoe's eyes for the third time that day almost popped out. "The Goddess of Love is my Sponsor? Why on earth did you do that?"

Aphrodite smiled, "Because you are so full of Love. And I'm one of your sponsors." She added.

"One, who's the other," Zoe asked.

"I am," a girl about 8 years old came out. Her skin was snow white; her hair was silver with some leaves in it. But it was her eyes that held Zoe's attention the most. They were the color of the harvest moon. And it was a little eerie. "I am the Goddess Artemis, and your second sponsor Zoe Potter."

"You're Artemis?" Zoe couldn't believe this…little 8 year old was the Goddess of the hunt.

Artemis glared. "I choose to have this body, child. But don't mistake me I am no 8 year old child." Artemis adjusted her bow and arrows.

"Sorry."

Aphrodite sighed. "Ok, down to business. We can each grant you one wish during this tournament, and no you don't have to make them now." She added when Zoe made to speak. "Also we each can give you a weapon/gift."

Zoe blinked. "Why did you guys choose me? I just…" shaking her head Zoe sat down and placed her head in her hands. "Why's it always me?" she muttered.

"Aphrodite chose you because of your Love, I chose you because you were worthy." Artemis said coming to sit down beside the 17 year old girl. "Ever since you were eleven you have been trained to be able to wield the ancient weapons. And yes I know all about you being the girl who lived." Artemis answered Zoe before she could ask.

"How do you know about my training? Even my friends don't know. Only Dumbledore and my…my trainer know."

"We gods see everything." Aphrodite said.

"Almost everything," Artemis corrected.

Zoe watched the two Goddess's with mistrust "Then you also know that I hate killing, no matter the circumstance."

"You're going to have to kill Voldemort if you want to survive." Artemis pointed out.

"That is different; Voldemort's evil and it'll be in self defense." Zoe said.

"We're getting off topic," Aphrodite said. "The tournament has begun and you are totally unprotected so we're here to fix that." Aphrodite pulled a knap sack out of thin air. "My husband is Hephaestus and he has forged a special sword for you." She reached inside the sack and pulled out a silver sword with a black handle. In the center of the handle was a large emerald. "He calls it Shadowslayer, may it serve you well."

Zoe for a moment considered refusing the weapon, but she knew deep down that if she wanted any hope of living through this she would need all the help she could get. "Thank you, and could you thank the God of fire for me? Please?"

Aphrodite smiled. "I shall, it isn't often he gets thanked."

Artemis pulled on Zoe's sleeve. "My gift is a bow and arrow." She handed Zoe the weapon and the sack of arrows. "I shall also leave you three knifes. Two for weapons, one for food, though if you need to it can be used as a weapon."

Zoe accepted the daggers and she carefully examined them each. "Thank you."

Artemis smiled and bowed her head.

"And last but not least, your cloths." Aphrodite handed Zoe a pair of dark blue jeans, work boots, a navy green tank top, and a jean jacket. "In the bag there are three days worth of supplies, a blanket, and some candles."

"Three days? You think that's how long this is going to be?" Zoe asked.

"That's how long we're allowed to give you food. If you live past three days you will need to hunt and gather your own food." Artemis answered.

"Great." Zoe bit her lip and considered what she should do. "I have a question; what happens if you win?"

"You get to leave…and you get a wish." Aphrodite said carefully.

Zoe considered this information before turning to face the woods. "How do I contact you for those…wishes?"

"Oh, you don't have to call us. We'll call you." Aphrodite said while smiling. She glanced up and sighed, "Time to go."

Zoe stepped forward, "But," they were already gone.

Zoe shook her head. 'How the hell do I get myself into these messes?' She then decided it was time to prepare herself, she had no clue who or what was out there and she hadn't any idea of where they were. This may be her only chance to slip into the clothes the Goddess's had given her and to examine her weapons and supplies.

Much to her surprise the clothes fit perfectly. They were loose just the way she liked but they also weren't so loose they fell off. And the sword and bow…they felt like they had been made for her, just her. Smiling, she realized Artemis hadn't given her a weak woman's bow, but a man's bow. The kind that only the best and strongest could use, she felt honored.

Suddenly she heard a twig crack. Something was behind her.

Zoe remained loosened and calm. Hoping that whoever behind her still thought they had the element of surprise on their side. Easily she continued to examine her belongings, as she did so she heard a bow tighten. Any second now an arrow would come soaring at her full speed. Was she fast enough? She'd soon find out.

Swish!

Zoe leapt over to the side and brought her bow to the ready. With only a second to prepare she found her target and let it free.

Bull's eye!

"Son-of-a-bitch," a boy about 18 swore. He held his arm close to his chest and glared darkly at Zoe.

"It's rude to sneak up on people." Zoe lowered her bow but remained alert. Like she'd said earlier, she wouldn't kill unless she absolutely had to.

"Kill me already." The boy snarled.

"No." Zoe went up to him and kicked his weapon away. Then she returned to her knapsack. "I'm not here by choice, so I'm not going to kill anyone unless I have to." Zoe glanced up at him. "Don't mistake me; if you follow me and try to kill me again I will kill you. I purposely didn't kill you this time. Next time I won't be so kind." Zoe swung the bag over her shoulder, "Got it?"

The boy simply glared.

"See ya." Zoe then took off into the forest, praying that this wouldn't come back to haunt her.

Sel: Ok, please, please, please, please with a cherry on top review. It is the only way I'll know if you guys like this story or not. Thanks:D!

TBC