A/N: Okay, you guys are allowed to hate me. Like, officially. I'm horrible, I know. I just get writer's block a lot, and I have a life (I know, amazing right?) Okay, so I used to share this with my friends, but I don't know anymore. They don't seem to like it so I feel bad forcing them to read it. But I hope y'all enjoy! Tootlessss
~Hipsterchica

Cato POV:

"Er, hey-HELLO, CITIZENS," I started. "This is the 74th Gladiator Challenge, as you all know. Last year was the...73rd, duh,... and it was an amazing challenge, with such...strong and... human contestants. So, maybe this year will be even better? Aaaaand, that concludes today's events! Let the games begin!"

Apparently, that's what the idiot princess said for the annual welcome speech. Is this really the girl that will lead us in the future? Although, according to DC, she is getting married to Prince Gale, who would make a half-decent ruler. But he's gonna die soon; everyone knows it.

"Oh, darling!"

I sigh and roll over in my bed. The sun was hardly up and I didn't have to train until later.

"Cato? You still alive in there," DC called as she crept into my bed, wrapping her long arms around my torso.

My temper flared up, but I couldn't hit her. The last thing I needed was to be known as the Challenge winner that abused his beautiful wife.

"I'm here," I mumbled.

"Turn and face me," she commanded.

With great effort, I spun around and looked into her needy eyes. She gave me a coy smile, something that would melt everyone but me. DC reached her hand out and rustled my hair, then squeezed my cheeks and pulled me in for a kiss.

"Uh, I don't kiss before marrige," I stuttered.

"Well, we are engaged," she pressed and went in for another kiss.

"Still! It's not the same," I yelled, jumping up and speed-walking out of the room.

"Cato!" she called, but I was already slamming the door.

I had made such stupid decisions, letting her move in with me, allowing her to think that I loved her. I could love no one, as they would all get in the way of me winning the challenge. I picked up a brisk jog and headed over to the gym.

"Well, it's time you made it over here, fatty," my coach Nera said upon my entering. "You volunteer tomorrow, and I need you looking good in the papers. Come on, let's go do some conditioning."

I followed her to the back of the building, passing people that I'd grown up fighting with. None of them acknowledged me because of their jealousy. Everyone wants to be a contestant and only a few get the opportunity. I threw on my heavy armor and grabbed my sword.

"You're gonna need a shield, Cato," Nera yelled at me while talking to my opponent.

"Don't need one," I quipped.

"In there, you need all the help you can get."

She would know, she won the whole thing 10 years ago. Groaning, I grab a shield.

"Alright, on my whistle."

I sized up my opponent. He was tall, my height probably, and maybe had twenty pounds on me. That wouldn't matter- I would take him down either way. He didn't look nervous at all, but he didn't have the cocky edge that I did. The citizens would love my attitude.

Nera blew the whistle and I immediately charged for his chest with my sword. That obviously wasn't his style. He was more reserved. He countered my attack with a good block and then made a move for my stomach. I cut him short and scraped his shoulder, but he didn't seem to notice. This guy wasn't going to quit any time soon. I ended up thrusting my sword several times, backing him against a wall, and was about to go for a kill shot when Nera stopped me.

"You're not here to kill him, Cato. Good work, Algerous. You're dismissed."

The other guy bowed and left, leaving Nera and I.

"How could you be so reckless?" she screamed. "In the ring, that could get you killed!"

"Well it didn't! As you saw back there, I won. I could have finished him and won the damn match!"

"But it won't just be one-on-one! It's one-on-twenty three!"

I sighed. "Alright. I won't do that again."

Nera pursed her lips. "You better not. If that doesn't get you killed then I'll kill you for it. You win with technique, not anger. I have to go supervise the eighth years learning to spar. I remember watching you in that group and seeing potential," she smirked.

"What, did I realize my full potential," I called back.

"Nope!" she yelled over her shoulder.

I rolled my eyes and started peeling off my heavy chest plate. When I went to go and hang it up on the rack, a body slid up against the wall next to me.

"Cato," she quipped.

"Uh, hey Merris," I replied, rubbing the back of my neck.

"I heard you're getting married. To Dessie-Cay Pheth."

"Yeah, you heard."

"I thought you were stronger than that. That you would marry someone with strength. Like me."

She always had such a way with words. "Well, I'm not. I dated you once, it didn't mean anything," I said, marching to the front of the building.

"But it meant everything! Ugh, what's wrong with you!"

I ignored her and headed home. I needed to get some rest before I volunteered tomorrow. I wanted to look good for the people of the kingdom, to earn their support.

Okay, so sucky chapter. Well, I promise, the next one picks up!