A/N: Hello, my lovely reader. Um, I'm not good at intros, but this is my second Percy Jackson fic... The first one didn't so so well. I wasn't originally intending on publishing this, but I think I have some really good ideas, so I cleaned it up a little bit, and *bugles & applause* here we are! Reyna's Rise! Hopefully the same isn't too stupid. I litterally thought of it while I was half asleep. I was, like, litterally lying in my bed thinking about this, and the name just popped into my mind. TMI. ANYway... I hope you like this. Excuse any grammatical errors, I typed half of this on my iTouch notes while I was listening to Adele... REVIEW, definitely, and correct me on any like, plot mistakes. I tried to do as much background research on this as I could before I started. It's not too late to change anything. Before I forget, like I always do:

DISCLAIMER: Although I love Rick Riordan's characters, I don't want anyone to think that I made them up, because I could get sued for copyright. That's why I do disclaimers. So: I don't own Reyna or Hylla or anyone like that. All credit goes to Rick Riordan.

And now...

CHAPTER 1

Reyna panted as she and her sister Hylla splashed madly into a little river, the last barrier between them and their final destination. She couldn't believe how far Blackbeard's minions had followed them.

Since Reyna and Hylla had reached the door, escape looked more than hopeful - and appealing - but neither of the sisters were used to walking the homestretch. It was either run all or run nothing.

Reyna felt bad for forcing the guards at that door to fend for themselves, but she was entirely out of steam. Hylla, her older sister, collapsed on the ground next to her, clutching for her hand, gasping for air like a fish out of water. Reyna pulled her back up.

Neither, thought Reyna, had ever looked so disheveled. The sisters were dead ringers. They were often mistaken for twins, although Hylla always stated they looked {nothing} alike. Reyna couldn't deny the similarities; they both had peachy skin, and pink lips, though Hylla's were pulled back in a snarl more than her sisters than her sister's; they both had long black hair that fell down their backs in waves, when it wasn't polluted with dirt and grime, and possibly various pieces of opponents.

A girl with red hair in two braids, which bounced against her shoulders, ran up.

"Jupiter Optimus Maximus, are you two alright?" She knelt in front of Reyna and felt her dirty forehead like an over-protective parent, although she wasn't much older-looking.

Reyna couldn't catch her breath, so Hylla spoke.

"Lupa told us to come here," she panted heavily. "We've completed our training."

The redhead nodded. "What's got you running for your lives, though? Not that we don't have cases like this a lot..." she trailed off. "Tell you what," she said. "We'll cleaned you up and get you to Nina. You can tell her the whole story. I'm Gwen, by the way."

People were attempting to push their way through the crowds, but the few with sense held the others back. They were very orderly, Reyna thought, even when two strangers had burst into their camp totally unannounced and uninvited.

A boy, probably a little younger than, prodded his way front and center. He smiled. "Well, what have we here?" his teeth were pinkish white, like he had just eaten a whole pound of extra red beets.

"What are your names?" Gwen asked.

"I'm Hylla," Hylla said. "This is my sister, Reyna." She pointed to Reyna.

"Charmed." Dakota flashed his pink teeth again in a smile.

Gwen elbowed the smile right off his face. "Dakota. Take them to the baths."

So Reyna and Hylla were led to the baths. Reyna was hesitant, and jumped in with her filthy clothes still on, and Hylla refused to even put more than a toe in the water without everyone clearing out. Soon enough, though, they were both clean; their black hair was luminous and twig-free; their pale skin was much paler than it had been, in the absence of months of collective dirt.

Gwen handed Reyna a purple T-shirt which read "Camp Jupiter", and a pair of worn jeans, then gave Hylla an identical outfit. "You two clean up nicely," she said approvingly. "Don't pay any attention to Dakota, or any of the other boys. They're constantly trying to woo the pretty ones." Reyna wasn't exactly sure what that meant, but Hylla smiled.

"So, you're going to take us to Nina now?" she asked. Reyna watched her sister carefully. She couldn't believe how easily Hylla was going along with the plan, especially when it was being issued to her by someone who obviously wasn't much, if at all, older. She usually wasn't one to just let things be laid out in front of her. If Hylla wasn't putting up a fight... At this moment, Reyna made the decision to trust the people of Camp Jupiter.

"Exactly." Gwen beamed. "Right this way."

She led them away from the baths - Reyna was disappointed that she didn't get to try out the spa or sauna - and toward a group of buildings. "This is the principia."

Gwen opened the door to the largest building and ushered them inside. Once the door closed and Reyna stepped out from behind her sister, she could see two throne-like chairs behind a big oak desk. The only difference was that they had wheels for easy rolling, and little bit of fun. The girl occupying the left chair didn't look like she was capable of having much fun, though.

"Nina," Gwen said.

The girl looked up from filing her nails. She raised a perfect chocolate-brown eyebrow when she saw Reyna and Hylla standing before her.

"Yes, Octavian informed me of their arrival." The girl - Nina's - voice was surprisingly high-pitched and nasal. Her eyes raked the new girl eagerly. She smiled. "Which is Reyna, which is Hylla? Octavian gave me your names."

Hylla raised her hand. "I'm Hylla."

"Well, Hylla, you've arrived just in time for muster. Gwen, take them the mess hall. This is our guests' last night here. I will speak to them during the War Games." Nina didn't even bother addressing Reyna.

Gwen murmured something like, "Thankthegods," then, "yes, Nina. Come on, guys."

"What's muster?" Hylla asked as they exited the building. "And why does Nina get a throne?"

"Muster is just before dinner. You'll see when we get there," Gwen explained, "and Nina gets a throne because she's praetor."

"And she needs two thrones?"

"The other is Blake's, the other praetor."

"'Other praetor'?" Hylla asked. Reyna was still silent.

"There are two. Have you ever studied Roman government?"

Hylla shook her head.

Gwen sighed. "Maybe Octavian can explain it to you. But, for starters, there are two praetors and a senate. Like the Federal government. Romans started all that complicated politics business."

"I don't like politics," Hylla muttered.

A horn blew. "Come on," Gwen urged picking up her pace. "We don't want to be late."

Just around the corner, in front of a big building that had a plaque that read 'Mess Hall', five groups of kids was standing in full armor. One was separated from the rest, scrambling to put themselves together. Gwen took her place beside Dakota in that group, and he helped her into her armor.

"Here's Gwen!" he shouted.

Everyone was staring apprehensively at another cluster, seated in comfy-looking chairs in the middle of the mess hall. They were all women – big women in full armor, smirking coolly, like they all new one giant secret that the campers didn't, like how they got their muscles so big. Worst of all, they all seemed to being looking at Reyna and Hylla. Reyna guessed these were the "guests" Nina had been referring to.

A boy in a purple toga circled around one of the groups. He didn't seem phased by the humongous ladies. Then he spotted Reyna and Hylla, who were waiting awkwardly where Gwen had left them. He walked over to where they were they stood.

"Thank you, Dakota." He eyed everyone in the group - the last of five - distastefully. Then he smiled at the sisters. "Welcome," he said brightly. "I am Keith, praetor of the Twelfth Legion. Nina and Octavian told me of your presence, and I have been informed that you are completely trustworthy." While Reyna didn't doubt her own trustworthiness, she wondered how Keith could be so sure.

Nina entered the group with a small boy trailing behind her. He looked to be about nine of ten years old, a skinny little thing whose XXS armor barely fit him. But when he spoke, he spoke with authority.

"Reyna and Hylla," he said. His voice was deeper than seemed possible. "I've been expecting you."

Keith glared at the little boy. "Of course you have. Thank you for joining us, at last, Octavian."

"You've been anticipating their arrival, Octavian?" Nina raised an eyebrow, "and yet, you've told neither Keith nor I?"

"Of course, I considered it, but as you've been questioning my abilities of late…"

"It's not my fault you couldn't predict that Keith would..."

"I will not have anyone question my credibility!" Octavian said. "But enough about me." He turned to face Hylla and her sister, staring Reyna full in the face. "I think we should learn a bit more about these two ladies." Octavian had an evil glint in his eyes. "Reyna Victoria Bernard," he began robotically. "Father: a mortal. Mother: A Roman goddess. Origin –"

"That's enough, Octavian." Nina had a stern look on her face. A boy from the last group on the end made a cutitoutgesture. "Hylla and her sister can divulge their history, or choose to keep it to themselves – depending on who their references are. I'm assuming you were directed here by a veteran camper and encountered trouble along the way?"

"Lupa sent them herself," Gwen spoke up. "At least, that's what Hylla told me."

An excited murmur rose from the campers. Keith looked at Octavian. "Is it true? Did you see this?"

"I believe them," Nina interjected. "Who would like to stand for Hylla Bernard?"

At least three campers from each assemblage raised their hands and shouted some kind of claim.

"It appears you have a choice to make," Nina said to Hylla. "You have the First Cohort, the Second, the Third, the Fourth, and the Fifth." She said fifth like, "andmybabybrother'sdiaper."

One of the big ladies stood. "As you know, tonight is the Amazon's last night here at Camp Jupiter." She didn't have a deep, raspy voice like Reyna expected she would; it was actually pretty normal, almost seductive, like Circe's. "And of course you promised that if any new campers arrived…"

"Stake your claim, Queen Lydia. I doubt either will accept," Keith said.

The queen raised her hand and said, "I will stand for Hylla Bernard."

Everyone gazed at Hylla expectantly. "Gods…" she looked nauseous. "I… don't know anything about this place. I don't know…"

"It's simple," Octavian spoke up from the First Cohort, "first is the best, fifth is the worst. Take your pick."

Gwen made an indignant noise.

"What about them? The Amazons?"

Queen Lydia smiled. "I'm glad you asked, my dear. It seems that, in society, women are looked down upon by men." Every male in the room looked offended. "We are regarded as the weaker species. The Amazons are an independent group of women who…" Lydia proceeded to give a soul-searching speech in her lulling voice about the Amazonian practices. Reyna had heard it all before on Circe's island. Werenouncethecompanyofmen.Menarepigs. If it weren't for her pride, they would be here right now. Besides, what was so bad about men?

Hylla looked enchanted. "Reyna, it's just like home."

Reyna shook her head. "I wouldn't go back home if you paid me."

"I want to go with the Amazons!" Hylla announced. Reyna gaped. All the campers, the praetors, Octavian, Gwen, Dakota, and Cut-It-Out Boy gaped.

"You're sure?" Keith asked unsteadily, putting a hand on Hylla's shoulder.

She scooted out from under his hand. "I am."

Nina looked disappointed. "Very well. Who will stand for Reyna Bernard?"

Hands shot up in the air again. Queen Lydia raised hers. Reyna looked around. Even Cut-It-Out Boy's hand was up. Her heart was beating fast. Hylla was going with the Amazons… Reyna didn't think she could handle a replay of her old life. It was time to try something new, even without her sister. Cut-It-Out Boy's smile was the last thing she needed.

"I choose the Third Cohort."

I was kind of expecting this to look a lot longer than it does... oh well. Anyway, I hope you likes it. I can't impress upon you enough how much I appreciate reviews. I just want to know what you think about my work. I'm really passionate about writing. Um , you can favorite this story, favorite and subscribe to me as an author when you review, I'd like that a lot :)). You cna also check out my other fics... The Other Side and Flattery are still in business, and I plan on updating them soon. THANKS!

Also, I tried my best to find which cohort Reyna was in before she was a praetor, but I didn't see anything, so I just threw her in the middle. I know, it's kind of stupid because she was probably in the Fifth with Jason, but I couldn't decided. You can vote on A) First (B) Second (C) Third (D) Fourth, and (E) Fifth, just by leaving a review. Amazing, right? I don't even care you only review with a letter! (That's how desperate I am). Anywho...

Chao

-Seastar