Ok, so I realized that reviews aren't the most important thing in writing fanfiction. But how I realized that is a long story. So I'll jsut say that I realized that fanfiction is not only for reviews, but to try out my writing skills.

This chapter is dedicated to Drama Queen 10155, my first reviewer who I didn't know personally. Hope this is OK.

The President

Powerful. Regal. In control. The girl was the perfect Apprentice for Hera. She looked for someone who had the ability to kick other's butts. And the young sophomore was feared and respected in her school, able to get whatever she wanted.

Hera had originally come to Las Vegas to find an Apprentice that appreciated marriage. But when she thought about it, if her Apprentice was caught up in love, she might get distracted. Hera's Apprentice needed to be able to fight, as well as understand her duty as an Apprentice. The lovey-dovey Apprentice would be up to Aphrodite's girl.

Hera took another look into the eyes of the peacock fan. She saw the girl working furiously on her classwork. Her backpack was twice as large as her classmates'. Plus, she had books and papers jumbled up in a messy pile on her lap and on her desk. Poor girl. Power did have its toll on her, making her super-busy. Hopefully, she could be easily persuaded to join the Apprentices.

There was a knock on the door. Alexis looked up and sighed. Probably another Student Council message. As Ms. Zalen, her social science teacker, went to the door, Alexis got ready to stand up.

"Message for Alexis Phorril."

Alexis bounded through the aisles of chairs and desks. She snatched the paper from the scrawny freshman. She read the typed print: To all student body presidents, vice presidents, secretaries, and treasurers, please submit your plans for the year today instead of tomorrow. There will be a short meeting, and a discussion with other Student Council members of you student body about a major activity will follow. A plan for the major activity must be submitted by the end of the month. Sincerely, Ella Roberts, President of Student Council.

Alexis crumpled the message in her fist in frustration. The errand boy looked in astonishment. Ugh. A newbie all right.

"Tell Ella that I'll be there," Alexis said, sending the freshman off. And that I'm going to overthrow her for giving us so much crap to do. Ever since the last President had left the school as a senior last year, Student Council had never been the same. Ella apparently had some different ideas than her predecessor. Under the last President, Ethan, Alexis had found guidance as a new freshman President. The rule of was one of relaxation. He believed in making the school year restful for both the students and the StuCo members (who were busier than most).

When Ella was elected, everything changed. The colorful and symbolic walls with messages all over it was painted over. Fluffy chairs were replaced with stiff wooden ones. Everything turned drab and blah. And to make matters worse, Ella believed that StuCo members didn't work hard enough. AS IF THE HOURS THAT THEY SACRIFICED DAILY WEREN'T ENOUGH!! So now, she assigned multiple tasks to be completed in a bizarre amount of time. The student body would surely enjoy the activities that Ella organized. But not StuCo members. Never.

I hate that girl. Next year, I'm going to run against her, and WIN! Vengeance surged through her blood, propelling her to finish her Social Science assignment in the next three minutes.

Very soon after, the bell signifying the end of 8th period rung. Alexis hustled to get her stuff in her backpack, then headed towards the library. For the next 55 minutes, she jammed as much homework as she could. Most of the time, she started an assignment, then moved on to another one so that at least all of them could be begun. But finally, the bell of doom rung, prompting Alexis to gather her stuff again. She trudged through the masses towards the StuCo meeting room.

Other StuCo members, as well as the ones Alexis commanded, trickled in slowly. By 3:45, all members had arrived.

"Hello, my Student Council members!" a cheery voice piped from the corner.

A bottle blonde girl danced in the room. Ella Roberts, the most hated StuCo President, and the preppiest girl in the world. Ella was wearing a purple argyle patterned top with a short, pink plaid skirt. Strange how she herself was so colorful, and the room that she "designed" was so plain.

"Now does everyone have their plans?" Ella asked, looking all bouncy.

The student body Presidents handed in their plans. Alexis herself was happy to get rid of the papers that Ella forced them to put in polka dot folders. Ella happily took the polka dotted folders and filed them away.

"OK, here's the new assignment that I told you guys about. The folder has everything you need to know. If you have questions, ask me. And as always, work hard!" Ella smiled, showing her whitened teeth.

Ella handed out the folders. Now Alexis had thought that the polka dots would be the end of the preppiness, but no, Ella handed them GINGHAM folders! And worse, all of the pages were in curly font, printed in pink, and had the preppiest borders ever.

Alexis silently screamed in her head. How was she going to survive this year!? But with the help of her StuCo members, she was able to suffer through. In fact, the sophomore StuCo members had been able to get a head start on their plan for the major activity.

Fortunately, Ella did not speak to StuCo again, so Alexis was free to leave when she pleased. She headed to her locker, and then went out the door.

Alexis was headed down the block towards the train station when she saw a woman at the corner. She was wearing a rich purple dress and was fanning herself with at strange looking peacock fan.

Alexis thought that the woman didn't want anything, so she decided to walk away. But the woman spoke.

"Can I talk to you?" the woman asked.

Alexis turned. "OK…."

"I should introduce myself. My name is Hera, one of the Olympians. We are seeking people like you who can help us."

"WHAT! You mean the Olympians exist?"

Hera looked displeased. "What do you mean? They've always existed. Not our fault that the world doesn't believe in us or the other gods anymore."

"So, um, what do you want?" Alexis asked, unsure.

"It's complex. But the simple explanation is that some weird force is destroying us. Personally, I don't think it exists, and that it poses any real danger, but the rest of the Olympians find value in training humans."

"So……You're going to recruit humans to fight? But why can't you fight on your own?"

"Because we can't. The force can't be destroyed by us."

"How do I know you're telling the truth?"

Hera sighed. "I really didn't want it to get to here. Your name is Alexis Phorril. You're 15, a sophomore. You are the sophomore President for Student Council. And you really really hate Ella Roberts."

Alexis was astounded by the amount of information. But the Hera woman could have just looked it up. Still, Hera didn't look like the type of person to do that kind of thing. But was Alexis ready to do something like this? She was only fifteen…

"So? What's your answer?"

Here goes nothing, Alexis thought.

"I'd rather not."

Hera raised her eyebrows. "Why not?"

Alexis shrugged. "I don't think I'm ready……Look, I like my life, OK? I don't want to leave Vegas, even though it's filled with gamblers and other crap. I like being a StuCo president, being bossed around by Ella, and being so busy I get only 6 hours of sleep! And…what you're proposing is dangerous!" She took a breath, hoping that Hera was convinced. "Can't you get another person?"

"No. It's too late." Hera looked away, and then turned around. She took out a piece of paper and wrote down something. "Here. This is where I'll be staying. If you change your mind, come here."

Alexis looked down on the paper, and read the regal cursive. When she looked up again, Hera was gone.

Alexis tried to put the experience behind her, but it bugged her on the ride home. She thought long and hard on whether she should go back to Hera or stick with her normal life.

That night, Alexis had a hard time concentrating on her homework. Numbers and words would always distract her and got her thinking about Hera again. Staying at home would mean that she could live her current life without any worries. But a voice inside of her spoke up. Alexis was reminded of her past, when her spirit dared her to try anything. That young Alexis had died when she entered high school. But the spirit remained. Its small voice urged her to go with Hera and have an adventure. Well, maybe that was going too far, Alexis said to herself.

But the dangers of going still nagged her. The paradox of decisions frustrated Alexis so much that she threw a pen at the wall. She held her head in her hands. She took out the paper the Hera gave her. 325 Convention Center,Dr. Las Vegas 89109, Room 256 was written. Alexis opened another window, and looked the place up. The result was Marriott Las Vegas.

After printing directions to the hotel from the train, Alexis snuck out the back door. As she was on the almost empty train, she almost regretted her decision a few times. Alexis's stomach would feel queasy, and she would have to reassure herself that she needed to do this.

After finally arriving at Marriott, Alexis took the elevator up. She reached room 256, and hesitated to knock. Finally she did. After rapping sharply three times, Alexis held her breath. Then, the door opened.

"I see you've changed your mind," Hera said.

"Yes I have."

"So you don't think you're too young for this anymore?"

"Not necessarily."

Hera raised her eyebrows, and crossed her arms. "Well, if that's the case, then we should probably get going."

"Fine with me."

How about it? I did tell you that I realized reviews aren't that important, but I STILL LIKE THEM!! Suggestions are welcome. I am looking forward to hearing from all you guys.

I got the other chapters done (2 more intros left!)-- that's 3 chapters in 2 days!! I would post them up if it wasn't for these idiots trying to spy on me. (No, I'm really serious).