Hello peeps! Sorry for updating so slowly… We had a LOAD of homework… Anyways, I need ideas for what to call you guys… I can call you like demigods or people of this world or bubblies or something… Also, I made a mistake in the naming of peeps in the last chapter. Andrew's last name is Restores with a thingy above the e ... Sorry for the confusion. Ok, here is your chapter:

ANDREW

It was time. The second test was here. I shake my head, remembering the first test. I had held my own against the shadow for a time, but the shadow never tires. I do. Now, I think I'm ready. I had trained hard, harder than I ever had before. I know how to exploit my weaknesses. I know how to take advantage of my strengths. I am ready. I give the man, who has his hand on the lever that will bring me to the surface, a nod. He grins, but it doesn't reassure me. He pulls the lever down, slowly, and I rise to the surface. Time to face my shadow.

I had expected my shadow not to show itself in the beginning, to sneak around, dodge behind trees. That's what he did last time, after all. This time, he was standing not 50 feet from me, his black silhouette absorbing all light that the blinding sun gives.

We're in a clearing, surrounded on 3 sides by a forest. On the other side, the side I have my back too, is the sea. Its presence comforts me, but I also know to be wary of it. My shadow can use the water just as I can.

I step forward and draw my weapon from its sheath. I rarely used weapons back in district 4, I wasn't into all that 'career' stuff. After just a week of training, though, I had already chosen my favourite weapon. It was unique; I was sure no tribute had ever used it before, at least in my lifetime. It consisted of a wooden handle, with hand grips. Jutting out of either side was a sword blade, hilt and all. The sheath, though it looked complicated, was really just a regular sword sheath, made for the back that hung rather low and had another sheath attached by a leather cord to cover the second blade. I had named it Kratos, which was Greek for Strength. And I was going to need all the strength I could get in the coming battle.

I raise my weapon and walk steadily towards my shadow. It does the same, its solid black 'anti-Kratos' raised to its chest. I keep track of how far apart we are from each other. 30 feet. 20. 15. 10. Instantly, without even thinking, I lunge at the shadow. I let my instincts take over. As I reach him, I kneel, feeling the cool breeze as his blade passes over my head, ruffling my hair. I swing at his upper legs, knees still bent. It parries and I jump backwards, stabbing at its chest. It deflects again, and I jump back. It begins to spinning its weapon in a show-offy way and weaving its way slowly towards me.

I feel something rushing towards my back and I side-step just in time to watch as a jet of water fires its way into the forest. My mind goes blank. I know what I have to do. I hear a roaring in my ears and a tugging in my gut. You want to bring this fight into the water, Shadow boy? Let's bring it into the water. A shadow crosses over my face and I don't look behind me, I simply keep focusing on my shadow, its head tilted up at the sky. If it had a face, I would swear it would have had a look like: Oh darn, he beat me too it! My fantasies break apart as the wave smashes upon us.

The water refreshes me. I suddenly feel stronger, more confident, ready to face my opponent. I will the water to propel me forward, towards where the shadow was before the wave hit. I raise my sword just in time as I smash into my shadow, which was moving towards me at the exact same speed. We exchange blow after blow as we shoot through the water, our swords flying faster and faster. I press harder, harder, forcing my shadow onto the defensive. It seems surprised at my sudden fierceness. Good. Let's keep it on its toes.

I will the currents to propel me skyward. I speed up towards the surface at a slight tilt, leaving the shadow confused and oblivious. I surface, spinning 180 degrees to face the other direction and plunging back into the water again. I plummet as fast as I can control the currents, and I feel the water moving as something shoots towards the surface. It was working. I sink to about the level we were fighting previously. I close my eyes and try to sense the water, to feel if any disruptions are created… A splash rips the calm sea open. My eyes widen. He moved to far behind! I quickly position myself exactly behind where I anticipate my shadow will land. I calculate correctly. As he slows to a stop in front of me, back turned, I make quick thrusting motion. I jab Kratos into the shadow's back, right where the heart would be; if it had a heart. The shadow throws back its shoulders, and I can see the faint indentions where its eyes and mouth were widening. It lets go of its black weapon and slowly sinks to the waterbed. I had succeeded. I was ready.

As the elevator brings me back to the station, I congratulate myself. Those last 3 months of training had pulled off. I was stronger, more powerful, and most of all, I knew how to use my strengths and weaknesses. The elevator arrives, and I walk out into the small square room. The man at the lever is nowhere to be found. A door opens, and the gamemasters – about 10 of them – walk in. The head gamemaster comes to me and shakes my hand.

'Well done, Andrew Restorѐs. Congratulations in beating your 'shadow'. But I have 1 question. How did you do it? Your shadow is made to know everything that you know. How did you trick it?'

'I learned my weaknesses and exploited them.' I reply simply. I'm vaguely aware that I'm grinning. I've even surprised the Gamemasters.

'And what, pray tell, was that?' The head Gamemaster smiles at me, the others scribbling on their notepads.

I consider telling him the truth. What if he uses this against me? But anything he doesn't know he'll have either found out from this last fight, or later during the games. I decide to tell the truth.

'I hate cowards. If someone runs, I'll do whatever I can to track them down and finish the fight. I expected my enemy to follow me when I ran, so it was a simple matter of waiting and lining up myself so I would be there with its back to me when I stabbed.'

'Interesting! You did very well, Andrew. You passed the test. I would prepare for the chariot rides that are about to occur in a few hours, if I were you.' He winks at me, and I almost feel like I can trust him. But then I remember. This man, however nice he may seem, is working for the government. He's one of the very people who are dooming me to die at the hands of another child. I make a promise to myself as I watch the gamemaster walk out of the door. No matter what happens, my war isn't with the people in the arena. My war is with them. And I will do anything in my power to stop them.

Ok, thanks for reading guys! Please review… Also, you guys who are guests should make an account on fanfiction…

So, the winner of last chapter's question is…. ANT-EATER!

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WHICH PLAN HAD ANNABETH'S MOTHER, ATHENA, TELL HER TO OPPERATE IN THE BATTLE OF MANHATTAN? (Hint: Statues)

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