Sorry that the last chapter was so short! Also, I'm still trying to figure this out... Take my poll to help me decide about Annabeth! Reviews and ideas are loved!

Chapter 2

Thalia yawned and stretched. She looked at her alarm, which read 7:52. Oh snap! she thought. She'd overslept. Quickly, she threw on sweats and a tank and headed over to the archery range. There was no time for a proper breakfast, so she grabbed a Grab the Gold bar for the road. She ran her fingers through her spiky black hair to make it look somewhat neater than bedhead. Then she biked over to the local range. Her coach, Artemis, was waiting for her.

"Hey Thalia, you're late! Grab your bow. We'll start by practicing accuracy from angles and different distances. Then we'll hit the gym to work on arm strength."

"Sounds good," Thalia replied nonchalantly. Today would be a light day.

After an hour of hitting bulls-eyes from numerous positions, they headed to the weight-room at the gym. She sighed, blocking out the stares. It was no secret that she was going to be an Olympian soon. After bench-pressing and throwing the medicine ball around for another hour, she thanked Artemis and left. She fixed her piercing, electric-blue eyes on a group of immature, wolf-whistling boys. Needless to say, they shut up quickly. She hopped on her bike, and, instead of heading home as planned, headed over to her best friend's house.

Zoe and Thalia had met at an archery competition 10 years ago. They became fierce rivals from the start, as well as fierce friends. No one could predict who would win. No one could understand why they were friends, either. A rivalry like what they had could tear a friendship apart. One day, though, while they were practicing, a stray arrow hit Zoe in the waist, paralyzing her from the waist down. Both girls were devastated. Thalia started to notice depression creeping in on Zoe. She took it as a personal challenge to get the old Zoe back. They would go to the archery range together, where Thalia helped rehab and re-coach Zoe. When Thalia got invited to the Olympic Trials, Zoe got invited to the Para-Olympics.

Knock knock knock!

Zoe smiled when she saw Thalia.

"Hi Thals! I wasn't expecting you today! How was training?" she asked.

"It was fine. I just came to say goodbye. My flight to Oregon got moved to tomorrow," Thalia explained.

"Well good luck! I wish I could come! Oh, and I made you something, for good luck," Zoe gave Thalia a small package. Inside was a pin with what looked like a mix between a mockingbird and a blue jay (sorry for the Hunger Games cheese :) I couldn't help it).

"Thanks! I love it!" Thalia said, actually very touched by the gift.

"I'm glad! Now go get 'em!" Zoe replied. "Do it for me!"

Thalia would do anything-anything-for her friends.

Nico woke up to the sound of rain. He yawned, looking at the time. 4:34. Well, since I'm up early, I might as well get some training in, he thought. The thunder outside seemed to say, "No! Stay inside!" But, truth be told, Nico liked this weather. It was dark, ominous, and moody, like him. After cooking (more like burning) up some eggs, Nico brushed his teeth and put on his clothes. Grabbing his boxing gloves, he headed out the door. Nico had to sneak behind the dumpster, and sprint down the sidewalk as quickly and quietly as possible. One could say that he lived in the ghetto part of town, but Nico called it the "garden of Hades." It's an inside joke he has with himself. Brushing his wet, shaggy hair out of his eyes, Nico headed to the boxing ring. He had no coach, no formal training. Just a lot of experience. That was what would take him to the Olympic Trials in Oregon, and, hopefully, New York.

"Get ready! In the left corner we have the challenger who goes by the name Ares! And he's facing the champion and soon-to-be Olympian, Nicooooo!" the announcer exclaimed. The cheers of the drunken crowd were deafening.

"Haha! Don't kill him, Nico," said a boy called Bones. Nico shuddered inwardly, thinking back to when he'd slipped...

That day, he'd been jumped twice, beat up, and cussed out. He had lots of anger bottled up. That was his secret to success, the anger and hurt. He'd gone up against "The Angel." Turns out it was a girl named Bianca. Nico wouldn't stop punching, even after she'd gone still. She died less than an hour later. Nico still hadn't forgiven himself. He never would.

Ding!

The match began. Nico was a scrawny kid, but he used it to his advantage. He could dodge and parry before his opponent knew what was happening. He ducked, kicked, felt Ares's jaw crack, side-stepped, and punched. Ares was out like a light. Nico, however, hadn't even broken a sweat.

"Next!" he said. It went on like this all day, everyday. No one dared to cross him, and, soon, he'd be out of here. An Olympic medal was all he needed.

I'm trying to lengthen it! I'm going to need some reviews for ideas (my poll) before I keep writing! Next chapter I'll introduce Annabeth and "the twist." Stay tuned :D