Coru
12-10-2013, 04:21 PM
Hello and welcome to my idea of what the 76th Hunger Games would be like.
The idea of a Capitol based Hunger Games was hinted but never carried through from Suzanne Collins. This is my idea of what would happen. All original Hunger Games characters and names belong to Suzanne Collins and plagiarism was never intended.
Warning: Contains spoilers for people who have not read/seen all of the Hunger Games yet.
Also, some chapters may contain gore and violence due to the nature of the story. They will be noted here and on the chapter name.
Prologue
Two Months ago the Capitol crumbled. One girl armed with nothing but her bow and arrow with a team of followers had infiltrated and stopped the barbaric and horrific dictatorship that the capitol had got away with for so many years. She was only a normal girl, one that had her life changed once she was reaped. She became a tribute, was forced to kill, lost so many friends, Rue, Cinna, even her own sister. She became victor, along with her only companion.
She thought she got out, thought she was safe, her family was safe. However, a year later she had to do it all again. All for the “joy” of President Snow, the most barbaric and heartless ruler that Panem could ever have had. She escaped, only lightly, arm gauged out, very psychotically traumatized, feeling betrayed. She was taking her stand. She was their mockingjay, and there was nothing to stop her. She was coming after them, she was going to destroy them, destroy them the way they destroyed her. With a quest through life and death. But, it wouldn't be her life on the edge, it would be theirs.
She succeeded, they died, Panem was free, the Hunger Games were over, but she still wanted more revenge. She devised a plan, a plan that would doom many who once cheered on her impending death, her plan, a game. A game to end all games.. The Death Game. New name, new rules, new tributes, it was all about to change. She was Katniss Everdeen, and she was the Girl On Fire.
Chapter 1: A change in characteristics
Everyone was nervous in the Capitol. It was the day that Katniss’ plan would come into action. Katniss struck fear into those that knew they did her wrong, she wasn't ruthless, she was after revenge, and she would get it.
Many close to Katniss realized a change in her attitude, the first being her mother. Her mother knew her more than anyone else, and she knew something was wrong, this was not like Katniss, she would never be like this, her mother thought the worst. Maybe the trauma had corrupted her purity and made her into a monster just like Snow, and she was abusing the power she had to take out her pain on the people below her status. Mrs. Everdeen confronted her daughter like she would have done a year ago when she was going through the victory tour. However, she knew that the girl she was talking to now was a different person to who she spoke to before.
Mrs Everdeen approached her daughter comfortingly showing she means no harm. “Katniss, dear.. I think you’re taking this too far, maybe you should think before you continue with this.” Mrs. Everdeen pleaded.
“Mom, I know you mean no harm, you helped me through my life over the past year but you need to understand. I have a duty now, I am our Mockingjay and I have a duty to our country to show the Capitol that they mustn't try to abuse us again.”
Katniss looked at her mother, the pain in her eyes merged with her sense of adulthood that she had gained from her experiences, Mrs. Everdeen notices this and respects her daughter. “I just feel like you are going about this the wrong way, something might happen that you may regret, this could lead you down a path that you may not be able to get out of, President Snow did this, look at what he became, I don’t want you to become the same. Katniss.. Please.”
Katniss sighs and sits on the sofa, her mother stays standing whilst she is talking to Katniss. "These are people's lives you are throwing away." Her mother explained. "You have been through all they will go through, do you really want to force that on anyone, especially since that has finished now?"
Katniss grimaces and thinks. "Mother, what else do I do? I need to show the Capitol that I refuse to be pushed around again, nothing else seems to work, only some twisted, so called, reality TV Show where people die. I'm doing all this for Prim, This will be avenging her!"
She now becomes agitated as harsh visions of her past invade her mind, making her remember the cruel way that Prim had to die through. "Yes, Katniss, but if this is all, for revenge, it won't make you feel any better afterwards, It won't bring Prim back. If she saw you now, would she be pleased to be your sister? Think about that."
Her mother glares at her due to their disagreement. Katniss gives her mother a sad look as if she knows everything that was just said to her may be true. She hugs her mother and leaves the house, she is needed in the Capitol in a few hours and must not be late. On her way out she brushes past the patch of Primroses planted by Peeta in memory of Prim. She gets the watering Can beside her and waters them lovingly.
“If only you were here Prim, It would make my days a lot more bearable” She puts down the can and walks from Victors village with an impatient stride.
Mrs. Everdeen sighs, she didn’t want to lose Katniss too, she’s all she has left. A tear trickles down her cheek as she sits down and relaxes on her sofa, contemplating a life where her husband and both her children were safely beside her, like any normal family, she wanted that, she needed that.
Katniss walks through the town center. Ever since the Capitol crumbled, many businesses had been created and the town was starting to look like a sweet little country area full of life. There were no Peacekeepers in sight and all of the fences were taken down, Therefore there were connections between the districts. Each district was becoming better off with the help they were all getting. Soon, there were plans to create many areas of land between each district where people can go and vacate on holidays. They would get a taste of all the bordering districts and many more offers. This plan was brought up by Peeta, he created the idea as a tribute to the loses of lives. He always wanted something that would help the people of Panem escape their working lives, and this was the perfect idea. Katniss supported him all the way, of course, however, it made her feel slightly uneasy as she knew it would mean that Gale would be out of her life for good, he would be brought into District 2 for good as he would help with the district's economy and would anchor him down even more as this would be another thing for him to sort out.
Many of the areas, even though revamped, still gave her vivid flashbacks of the times she had lived through. Her first reaping, when her father died. The day she volunteered, the day Gale got whipped for poaching animals. She was glad it had all changed, but somehow missed how it used to be, she had grown up with it for her whole life and it was her town, now it is a town that not even she recognizes. It was arranged that she would meet her team at the Town Hall, when she arrived, it was under major reconstruction and redecoration, however, the foyer was completed, they all would meet there at precisely 12:00. Katniss checked her watch, her eyes widened and she quickly dashed up the pearly white marble stairs and in through the large beech wooden doors. She was 5 minutes late. Effie would go mental.
"Ah there you are Katniss!" Effie exclaimed in her usual joyful demeanor, "we all thought you had forgotten, I had a timetable sorted but it got messed up by this mishap"
Katniss chuckles "Effie, it's fine." Katniss smiles but faces a grimace from Effie.
"I think not, we have two hours too make you look stunning and to get you to the Capitol for your big moment. We need to hurry if we are to get there on time." Effie walks Katniss to a door and opens it with a big smile, on the other side are Peeta, Haymitch, and her make-up team, Venia, Flavius and Octavia.
The three stylists have outfits that seem to resemble the fashion that Portia and Cinna would design, as if to be a tribute to their deaths. Katniss walks in a hugs all three of them. "It's so great to see you again! How are you three?" Katniss seems to be concerned but overwhelmed by their presence. They are the first Capitol people she has been able to interact with lately that she knows well, apart from Effie.
All three smile and explain about their new prosthetics they got, they have had their arms dyed black and have had some sort of feathery substance implanted in their skin, seeming to resemble bird feathers. They explain how Katniss had inspired them so much, they had this done in her honor.
Effie clears he throat loudly as to interrupt the conversation and remind Katniss of the tight schedule. "Sorry Effie.." She smiles at her prep team and then walks over to the boys.
"So, any news on the outlaws of the Capitol?" Haymitch and Peeta had been on a stakeout in the Capitol for at least a month to spot the where a bouts of the main powers in the Capitol who committed treachery against their citizens.
"A little hello would have been nice." Peeta replied with. "We haven't seen you in a month."
Katniss then explains how Effie is on a tight Schedule and how they would talk later on the train. Katniss' prep team seem to take it the wrong way and they squeal with delight. They are still fans of Peeta and Katniss being together and they think it is cute. They ignore the prep team and Haymitch takes over.
"Well, we now know where a few are, we know where the main powers behind the games are. Latvi Greendale was the arena architect and he has been located, also, we know where Snow's personal assistant has been hiding. He has been living underground in a secret bunker under the Presidential building. It is hidden well, but we found it and detained him. The main threats have been taken away so therefore you will be safe." Haymitch talks with a new, more professional tone. He has stopped drinking and taken up spying as a hobby, and by doing this, he has become more sociable and intelligent.
Katniss is surprised by this. "Alright then." Effie interupts. "Lets get on with the show" They all follow Effie out and get onto the Train at the station.
When they get on the train, Katniss is allowed 15 minutes of free time. Then she would be needed by her prep team to do what they usually do and clean her,dress her and style her. The first thing she does is, as she said earlier, she goes to talk to Peeta.
"So, how are you then?" Katniss goes to Peeta's room, she stands in the doorway and smiles at him. She then walks in and sits next to him, putting her hand on his shoulder friendly.
Peeta looks at her, smiles and replies in the same tone he usually talks to only her with. "I'm great thanks. I have finally got over my Hijacking. That means that we can continue where we left off then." Peeta smiles and leans in for a kiss. Katniss kisses him back, however backs out moments later.
"What about Gale though, even though he is in District Two, it is still unfair to him" she is clearly distraught about Gale's disappearance to District Two, but Peeta comforts her and reasons with her.
"Katniss, Gale is not coming back. He has been taken to Two for a reason and will not be brought back, however, we are publicly engaged and everyone sees us as a perfect couple. You have to think about your future." Peeta smiles at her friendly, trying to make her see sense.
"Peeta, I told you, I don't want a family, especially not in this world, even if we saved it, I don't want children, and I don't want to ruin our friendship by marrying you because we are pressured into it. I'll admit, I like you, but I value you too much to let it all go by committing and possibly ruining our relationship together."
Peeta continues to reason with her for a few more minutes until Katniss can't take it any more. "Peeta, please. I just need to get through this event first, When it is over, then maybe I can give it a shot, I just can't now, It isn't you, it's me, If I lose you, I will crumble, and I can't do that." She hugs him and kisses him once more, however in a more friendly manner. She then walks out of the cabin into the main dining room. There she meets Haymitch and Effie.
Haymitch is eyeing the liqueur bottle filled with brew that he has long stopped drinking. "Go ahead Haymitch." Katniss says. "This is a one off, you haven't drank alcohol in a while, have a glass or two, I'm sure it'll help."
Effie disagrees, she eyes Katniss as if she is warning her if anything happens. Katniss sits down on the dining table next to Effie and picks up a leg of pinkish meat. She doesn't know what type but she figures that as she hunts, she won't mind it as she has tasted so much types of meat that the taste won't startle her. She takes a bite and the politely smiles at Effie, Katniss starts a sophisticated conversation which Haymitch then joins in with. "So, Effie, does this bring back memories of the old days?" Katniss smiles, remembering the first time she stepped into a train like this, amazed, flustered and scared. Now she considers it the norm. "Oh, of course, You and Peeta having no clue what you were getting into. You've grown up so much since then." Effie goes into deep thought.
"I never thought you two would survive this long, It was tragic really, at first I didn't even care. When I got to know you though, I knew you were the real life to the Hunger Games and even better friends. The time of my imprisonment was harsh. I thought you were dead, Katniss. I somehow knew that your life was going downhill, and I never lost hope, but when they brought in Peeta, and heard them torture him, I assumed that.."
Effie breaks down into tears, something that is rarely seen by the bubbly character. Katniss comforts her by hugging her and giving her as much praise as she can about getting through that hard stage. Haymitch then joins in. "Come on Effie, stop blubbering, you have a reputation to uphold here."
Effie looks up, smiles and nods. She wipes her eyes dry and realizes her make-up has run. She then exits to fix it, replying that she will be right back. Haymitch then walks to Katniss and starts to chat. "What drama." He sighs. "Still, she is a great friend to you, so who can blame her for being so happy to be with you.. That's why she cried, not that she was upset about what happened, just that you are still alive."
Katniss nods. Octavia strides in and drags Katniss off to be prepped for the capitol without any further actions, this catches Katniss of guard.
Katniss is first stripped down. The three exclaim as they see how Katniss has not kept herself perfectly immaculate. They then go into a whole rant at how she must keep herself immaculate for the eyes of everyone around her.
"You must keep yourself clean and you must be aware of your personal hygiene a lot more than you currently do, honey" Octavia explains. "It is a must if you are to run this event." She continues. Flavius looks at her nails and sighs. "You must keep these clean. They are always on show dear, it is something every woman will look at."
Flavius notices her cracked nails filled with dirt from when she was hunting. Flavius takes a closer look at then finds out that some had previously been bleeding. Venia then inspected her body for any blemishes that they could cover up. Apart from her obvious scar on her arm from the time when Johanna gouged out her tracker, there wasn't anything except for a few slashes on her wrist. She had self harmed. She had been through serious depression when Prim died so it was no surprise that this had been carried out. Venia looked at her with a sad and pitiful look. She then announces that everything is fine and she shall be taken for a bath.
Even though Katniss has been through those bathing rituals numerous times she still hasn't got used to them. She doesn't understand how sitting in a cold bath tub will make her look beautiful, but she does not want to question her prep team as they sacrifice so much of their time for the good of her. After about 15 minutes of soaking, she then goes to get her hair done. The process always seems to be never ending but when it ends, Katniss knows she will look stunning. The stylists go with a do that shows her feminine but also kind side, therefore a slightly kinked but straight long draping hair along with a whisped fringe shows her youth, feminism and that she is not the enemy. Along with this, they add a blonde streak through her dark brown hair. They say this is for "Highlighting your dark locks" Katniss isn't too pleased but she goes with it. After another 15 minutes to get the hair perfect, A few cans of hairspray and temporary prosthetics finish off the look. Flavius, who is in charge of her hair, looks very pleased with himself. He finally comes out with, "You look beautiful Katniss, we all knew this style would suit you well, Venia has made your eyebrows less dominating too, you will look amazing!" She smiles at him and then sits in front of a mirror, getting ready for her make up session.
Octavia then takes over, she is full of conversation and keeps Katniss talking. They gossip about the new holiday resorts and her and Peeta. Whilst they do this, Octavia, using mainly a turquoise coloured make up with highlights and low-lights, pastes make up onto Katniss' face.
"So, what's going on between you and Peeta. Us three are really curious!" Octavia blurts out with enthusiasm.
Katniss laughs nervously. "Nothing at the moment... our.. marriage has been postponed until after this event, just for our sake, in case something was to happen."
The three gasp with a saddened tone. "Well, it must be for the best then." Octavia sighs. "Just make sure you're happy, Katniss. Everyone in the Capitol is here for you if something happens".
Katniss thanks her for her kindness and Octavia gasps happily, she puts down her make up box dramatically and smiles. "So, what do you think. I think it definitely goes with your dress."
Katniss smiles and poses to see the extent of her make up. She likes what she sees. She thanks Octavia and the rest of the team and she then turns to them. "So, what about this dress then?"
The team almost explode with excitement. "You will just love it!" Venia exclaims.
"It was made for this special occasion." Flavius explains.
Octavia takes her into the walk in closet and shows her the dress. Katniss gasps at it's beauty. It is aqua blue with diamante diamonds dotted around. It also has white ruffles at the bottom and on the sides are sleek side parts that extend out like wings. "Try it on then." Octavia says. "Cinna made this when he made your wedding dress, he knew you would achieve this and made this as a sort of Liberty dress, showing your freedom."
Katniss puts on the dress. It fits perfectly and definitely looks like the type of dress Cinna would create. "So, what's the secret to this dress then?" Katniss asks. "Cinna always has a trick up his sleeve." Octavia whispers to her as if it is top secret. "Well, the wings flame up. We had it slightly adjusted to these circumstances, so with every tribute picked, the dress will change slightly, the wings will, with every name, flame up more, and once the last name is picked, the dress will all submerge into flames and then become this amazing feathery and ruffly dress filled with a mixture of white and black feathers. It will surely show your inner mockingjay in you, this is similar to your wedding dress, I know, but Cinna loved the idea so much that he used it again, but in a different way, and we slightly tweaked it, thus creating this masterpiece."
Katniss looks with astonishment. She expected something, but not something this planned. She hugs the three of her prep team and makes her way out. They had arrived at the Capitol and she was ready for what she was about to do. More ready than she ever was before.
Chapter 2: The Tributes
Katniss arrived at the Capitol. She was greeted with mixed actions. Those that knew her closely and had no family that could be chosen greeted her warm heartedly as if she was a hero returning from a large break, the others glared at her, as if to say “why do this to us, we all loved you, we never wanted you to die.” Katniss felt ashamed. The words of her mother started to hit her. She would get a lot of hate for this deed. Many would resent helping her in the games. If she did this, was she really any better than Snow? She didn't know. It was too late to back down now. She committed and she had to do it. She passed all of the crowds of Capitol Citizens, some booing her, some cheering, and she walked to the bleach white stone steps that go up onto a podium in front of the Presidential Building. She walked slowly, as slow as she could so she could clear her mind. She was worrying. The dress could lead her to slip and she would make a fool of herself, and by doing this speech, she could lose all backing and become the new enemy. The new President Snow. She got to the top, cleared her head and delivered her speech, trying to hide her nerves.
“So today, we all gather here to reflect on the disloyalty that President Coriolanus Snow had showed us. He killed off twenty three of us each year to keep everyone in fear of him, I am doing this for the greater good.” Katniss puts her hand on her heart and looks down at the families pitifully.
“Know this, I would never wish this on to anyone.. Especially since I went through this myself, but I feel this in necessary as many of Snow’s allies would take the opportunity to take charge and bring back the old ways. This is the only way to make sure that we are all free for good and that this would never happen again.” Katniss looks at an envelope entitled Tribute results. “These games, the name Tribute really means Tribute. The next seven tributes will be the way that we can all send love and hope to all that lost their lives during the long dark period of, what I call, “The Hunger Days”. I have chosen to pick seven people as they represent the Seven Deadly Sins. These seven people going into the arena will symbolize us flushing out our sins and it will be a fresh start. One will come victorious. The families of the lost ones will be heavily compensated and the winners a reward. Without further ado, I will explain what will happen.”
Katniss puts the envelope back down on the table. She then looks out to the crowds and explains. “Now, this year, I have changed the rules slightly, I will go into detail about those later, However, I will share with you how the reaping changed and why. It is no longer called a reaping, It is called a Selection. This gives it a more positive insight into what will happen. The Tributes will be remembered as heroic and brave, they will face each other with tremendous courage and they will signify the end of our struggles. Therefore, I believe the name “Reaping” will not be suitable to use and I believe that having a plain name will show how this is not glorified and how we think it is a good final blow but how it is still not the nicest things that could happen. Also, I have changed it so that the citizens of the Capital had voted on who the Tributes shall be. They all had to put down a male and a female name, and the highest seven voted will become our tributes. This was to make it so that you pick who shall go, not just random luck. Therefore, if there is someone who you think will do well, you could choose them, or someone who you think may be to blame for the problems here then you could choose them. I am not leaving it to luck as that could be detrimental as some could be too young or too old, or too ill etc. We all decided on this together.” Katniss reaches out her hand. “Now, if you are chosen, don’t feel insulted, feel blessed, you are not hated, you are not someone that everyone is trying to get rid of, you are chosen to end this period at which we all want to get out of. You may feel sad, you may feel guilty, but know this, everyone will be at your side all the time. So, I will stop talking and announce the Tributes”
Katniss picks up the envelope again and points it to the crowd. “Now. If I call your name, you shall walk up onto the stage, take your name slip and sit down on the chairs behind me. It is advised that you do not make a scene as you will have three days after today to get ready and say goodbye to your family. All that will happen by making a scene is upsetting everyone, and that won’t make you feel better.”
She takes out a small slip one by one, she reads the names and announces the name that is printed neatly onto the bleach white parchment. With a loud clear voice, she announces, “Felicity Snow”. A small murmur arises in the crowd and no one makes a fuss, they all openly let her go. They all seem to be knowing of who she is and how she is part of the most hated family in the area. A strong looking girl, who is about fourteen years of age with snow white hair, obviously dyed, and a face filled with many prosthetics that proves her wealth, proudly strides to the recently cleaned stone steps. She walks up without any fear and steps next to Katniss, she looks Katniss in the eye, she is filled with hate, she blames Katniss for the death of her Grandfather and she is oblivious to how bad he actually was. She believes that Katniss set her up to be part of the Games, however, everyone blamed the Snow family, so it was fitting she was chosen. Katniss shakes her hand firmly, trying to hide her emotions of anger and rage that she wishes to release. She is happy that she was chosen, she is grand-daughter to the man who lead to the death of many of her friends. Katniss passes her the piece of parchment and says kindly “may the odds be ever in your favour.” Felicity snatches it off her and takes her place on a seat at the back, sitting as if she is royalty.
Katniss can’t stand it. Her wings attatched to her dress, as previously said, flame slightly more violently as the first tribute was picked. She pulls out another slip. “Alexis Crane”. A frightened small girl with black curly hair and bold dark eyes slowly trembles towards the steps. As she walks closer, Katniss realizes she is crying, she walks up the steps, tripping over one or two and wipes her eyes when she gets to the top. Katniss holds her hand, gives her the Parchment and calmly says to her. “It’s ok sweetie, There is no need to be afraid, you will be perfectly fine for now. Think of it this way. You will help to make a better future, a future where we will all be happy.” She looks up, wipes he eyes, smiles quickly and trundles to her seat. Katniss is starting to feel guilty, she has already chosen two, she only needs to choose five more. She tries to get it out of the way as quick as possible.
She pulls out a third piece of Parchment. “Logan Flickerman”. She stares at him. She recognizes the last name and realizes. He is somehow related to Caesar, the host of the talk show that features all of the tributes before the game starts, and the man who was there when she came out of the arena. She didn’t blame him and didn’t want to let this child go through with this, but she couldn’t do anything about it. The public must hold some sort of responsibility for the Flickerman family. The boy brashly starts to walk to the steps, he looks quite like Caesar, the same colourful hair that was always changed and seems to resemble all of Caesars main features as well. He walks up the steps, smiles at Katniss in a kind and sociable way, takes his piece of parchment and sits down, he crosses him legs, and relaxes, as if he is in a comfortable sofa chair.
A fourth slip is pulled out, and Katniss feels relieved, it isn’t a name she recognises so she can’t feel guilty. “Alyssa Hamilton” She announces with a clear and subtle voice. A teenage girl who looks roughly sixteen to seventeen freezes on the spot. She has to be physically pushed to get her moving. As she walks towards Katniss, she is talking to herself, probably to calm herself down. She reaches the steps and trips up. She nervously giggles, obviously to cover up her embarrassment and she makes her way to the top of the steps. She then shakily offers a hand shake for Katniss. Katniss accepts and hands her the parchment saying her name. Katniss then says “May the odds be ever in your favour”. She slowly and shakily walks to her seat, she sits down and hangs her head down, avoiding eye contact. She feels ashamed of herself. She knows what will happen and she has given up.
Katniss continues with the selection until all seven are chosen. The remaining three, Nymphi Norelle, Aetos Erarus and Calix Zeuro all accepted their fate with reasonable nobility, Aetos and Calix were sure to gain a lot of fans as Aetos looked strong, as if he has been training for this for a while. He was eighteen and very self centered. He came up and took his Parchment without even looking at Katniss, he walked past all the other Tributes and he sat down superiorly to the others. He is the oldest of the chosen tributes. You can easily compare him to the previous Career tributes.
Calix, even though looking slightly weaker, had a more appealing look, many of the girls swooned when he walked past and many of the tributes even stared. He was only fourteen but his looks made him appear at least three years older. Nymphi was the other side of the spectrum. She wasn’t the most attractive female in the group, however, she had a certain charm to her. She was a pure character. She was also quite small, like a little nymph, she fits her name and maybe that’s why it was chosen. She reminded Katniss of Rue so much, she even has the same olive complexion. When all seven tributes were seated Katniss stood back, put her arms high and closed her eyes from the brightness of the flames. All in a single moment, the waterfall style dress melted away, leaving a sparkle in the air from the attached diamantes, and a small explosion of water to erupt around her.
She looks forward once again, looking at the astonished faces looking straight at her. Her costume had changed into a wonderful duality of black and white ruffled feathers. Katniss then twirls, at the tip of each feather, when she twirls, a small flame lights up, making her dress appear to glow as it moves through the air. She does not let this take her mind off her true reason being here and she carries on. “Now, All the tributes have been chosen. They will be pampered and looked after well until three weeks time and they will enter the arena. I can not disclose any information about the arena, but I will say this. It is fitting to end this habit in this manner.”
She now looks more sincere, making the small conversations concerning the arena stop. “You will have three days with your children and you will then be able to follow them all the way with video calls, short personal documentaries and a quick visit a day before they enter the arena. Spend your time wisely. I know how it feels to have someone leave without a goodbye, and it hurts.”
Katniss’ voice starts to break as she holds in tears. She smiles, uses the District 12 respect symbol by putting her three middle fingers to her lips. She then raises those three fingers in the air. Everyone returns this gesture, as if it is something compulsory. Katniss feels flattered. Flattered that even when she has done this, the Capitol has so much respect for her. She turns round and slowly walks through the large white doors of the presidential building. She collapses onto her knees and starts to cry. That was the hardest thing she had ever done. She looked into the eyes of all the children chosen, many will be dead within a few weeks. Is this what she really wants? She doesn’t even know anymore.
Katniss sits down in the luxury office of the President Building for the next few hours, almost sick to her stomach in guilt. “Katniss, what are you doing in here?”Peeta walks in with a huge look of grim concern on his face. “You were meant to come into the ball room to meet the Tribute’s families” He hurries to her side and manages to talk sense into her.
“Peeta, I can’t do this.” Katniss says with tears rolling down her face.
“But you must Katniss, you are now practically in charge of the Capitol until they find a new President. You need to keep yourself together otherwise the whole country will fall apart!” Peeta explains hastily. “If anyone sees any weakness they can exploit it so they can become President and we will be stuck where we were before and everyone would have died for nothing.”
Katniss understands Peeta, however she is so overwhelmed with guilt she can’t cope with it. “Peeta, I’m sending them to their deaths. It makes me no better than Snow, everyone probably hates me.”
Peeta sighs, he is obviously not getting Katniss’ full attention. He sits next to her and puts his arm around her in a snugly position. “Katniss, I assure you, nobody hates you. Everyone has respect for you. They adore you for getting rid of Snow and they realize this must happen. They don’t like it but they understand.”
Katniss nods and hugs Peeta tightly, her dress restricting her slightly. “Now, how about we go and socialize, you’ll feel better afterwards.” Katniss gets up and looks in the mirror. The waterproof make-up she has on hasn’t moved at all and she looks just a beautiful as she did before she broke down into tears. She gently wipes her eyes and joins Peeta on the way to the ballroom.
She walks over to Effie and her team. “Effie, I must give you some credit. It’s torture to stand up there and call names, knowing that almost all of the names called will die.”
Effie chuckles and says firmly to Katniss. “Now, don’t you worry. Have confidence and pick a favourite, then it will all be much easier to bare. That’s what kept me going of course.”
Katniss then gets approached by a rather large family. Two parents, two girls and two boys, one of which is a tribute. It is Logan. The flickerman family don’t disappoint on looks, The father is almost identical the Caesar in both his looks and fashion. The mother, however has more of a high profile but dainty look to her. She has not had any prosthetic enhancements, but she has obviously been on the size 0 goal as she looks bony, or as they call “Fashionably thin”. Katniss never understood that, the sight of people like that always made her cringe.
They come over to her and start a conversation. Katniss curiously asks about their relation to Caesar and they reply with him being their cousin on the father’s side. “So, is there anything that we need to know before Logan is taken to the training grounds?” Mrs Flickerman asks.
Katniss simply replies with “Of course not. The only thing I think I can say is that he will be in good hands, when he gets there, he will be assigned to all of us victors, we will all teach him what he needs to know.”
They smile back and Logan asks. “Will I see Uncle Caesar? Will he be hosting the show like he always has?”
Katniss nods with a smile and Logan smiles back. He seems quite happy about that, as if he has something special to show off. “Ok, then. Thank You for talking to us. We appreciate it.” The six walk off to the other side of the ballroom, presumably to continue to socialize.
Katniss talks to the other families for the next two hours. The only family that does not approach her is the Snow family. They hate Katniss so they will refuse to step near her. Katniss acknowledges this and does not make eye contact. Soon, Katniss and Peeta, the “Happy Couple” are called up for a dance. The Capitol is still obsessed with their relationship so it was no surprise when they got called to the dancing floor.
Peeta takes her hand and walks her to the middle of the laminated wooden area. Some slow music plays and they start to dance. They both do not know how to slow dance so they just swivel around slowly to make it look romantic. After a few minutes of private space for the two, the victors are then encouraged to come up. All of them do except for Felicity. They all pair up and start dancing. This is obviously a ploy to get them to be friendly before the games for good sportsmanship. Alyssa and Logan are paired. Nymphi and Aetos are paired and finally, Calix and Alexis are paired. They look at each other friendly but also competitively. When the party is over, the Ball room is cleared.
The Presidential Building once again becomes abandoned until another event during this period occurs. It was decided that the building will become a Panem museum to the past of Panem and how it became corrupt. Therefore much of the manor is unused and fenced off, only for the access of the important powers such as the rebels, the temporary presidential team and the community workers. Katniss, even though part of the Presidential Team, was turned away. Apparently it was “too dangerous” for such an important person. She accepts this and realizes snooping around isn’t the best of ideas.
She goes to the King Bedroom and relaxes for the night. She would be journeying back to District Twelve for a while, the Tributes will have three days to say goodbye and also Katniss is not needed until the Event stages, They happen a few days into the event. She has been granted a week at her home district. Just to relax for the preparation of the games. She snoozes off quickly, longing for all of this to be over when she awakes. Sadly that is far from what will happen.
Chapter 3: Say your Goodbyes
When Katniss returned home there were crowds of people waiting at the train station. Some were reporters from the Capitol, some were ordinary citizens. Katniss sighed. She was sick of all the attention she is getting. It all started three years ago and it never stopped. Peeta walks up to the window which Katniss is looking out of and puts his hand over her shoulder, smiles and waves out to everyone else. Peeta’s much better at being sociable with the crowd than Katniss has ever been. All Katniss does when confronted with crowd is let out a weak smile and she tries to avoid further eye contact. Katniss expects judgemental criticism from the people from her district due to their good nature, however, when she returns, they are happy and cheering. Perhaps they wanted revenge too. The only person who Katniss knows that has a negative opinion on this is her mother, who is standing in the crowd, seemingly emotionless, however, she seems to be slightly sad and looks slightly betrayed, Katniss knows that this is her fault, she ignored her mother again, will she really be able to fix this?
After all of the press attention and interviews about the selection of the tributes she returned to her house in the Victor’s Village. It was the only place, apart from the forest, that she could get some peace. Her mother was there waiting for her.
“So, how did it all go?” Her mother says without making eye contact. Katniss doesn’t reply, she knows her mother saw the broadcast on the Television and she could tell that her mother knew she felt guilty. After a few seconds of silence, her mother continues.
“Gale left you a message yesterday, after you left. It was to say good luck on the selection and that he wasn’t able to keep any further contact as he was too busy.” Katniss turns around as looks at her mother, with a hopeful glint in her eyes but a sad expression on her face. She knew the time would come when he would cut off contact, so why was she so surprised.
“Do you think it is because he thinks I have lost myself now? Because I went through with this?” Katniss asks desperately.
“I don’t know what to think, I just know that he was sorry. Just like I am. I should have stuck by you, I knew how hard it was for you yesterday and I wasn’t there to help you. I..”
Katniss interrupts her mother quickly. “No, you were right, It was a little too far. But I realized that after I went through with it. I was so blinded with rage and revenge that I couldn’t see clearly.” She sighs. “But.. I have to go through with it now.”
Her mother hugs her. They have grown close in the last few months as they are the only family each other has. They then look at each other lovingly and Katniss announces. “I’m going hunting. You know, to take my mind off of this. Do you want any specific animal for tonight? Or will a deer do?” Her mother nods to imply a deer is fine. Katniss gets her bow she inherited from the rebel’s cause and her ordinary wooden arrows. She also picks up a bait and snare bag and leaves. Her mother sighs and smiles gently. She knows everything will turn out fine in the end.
Katniss calmly makes her way to the forest edge. She will need to go in deep now, as many people would now take walks in there, therefore scaring off all the wildlife. After a half-hour walk, she reaches a pond. She notices the Katniss plants at the edge of the pond and smiles, she knew that a little bit of her father would still be in the forest. She picks up a few and tucks them into her bait bag for a good luck charm and she carries on.
Not far from the pond, she finds some deer grazing on a field. She found the perfect place. She only needed one deer, maybe only a small one, but her mother would use the meat for their dinner and then get the rest of the meat and donate it to the local butchers for others to get as many were still recovering from poverty. She picks up a stone and launches it with her bow to a near rock. The deer notice this and they separate. Katniss’ hunting skills deduct the deer that she would easily catch and she sets off. Slowly stalking it, she gets herself ready to launch the arrow and hit in straight through the eye, just like she once did with squirrels, When it stops, she takes aim, breathes in deeply and then calmly out. She fires on target and hits the deer straight through the eye. She sighs with relief. At least she still had a part of her old self still in her now. That was something to stick by when she was unsure of herself. She smiled and started to trek back with the deer. She was satisfied with herself, all she need do now is to get over the milestone of the 76th Hunger Games.
Over at the Capitol, the chosen tributes were all getting ready for the big day in two days. The three tributes who had families with previous ties with the hunger games were all getting advice from their families on what to do, whereas the others were just trying to say their final goodbyes and get everything ready. Felicity, Alexis and Logan all had advantages due to their families but they also had flaws. Felicity was hated so she could be ganged upon, Alexis made herself look weak, so she could be targeted, and Logan is too friendly for his own good.
Felicity walks through her house possessively, looking for her golden make-up. “Where is my make-up?!” She demanded. Her mother, the daughter of Snow, comes in. She has an equally short temper and the two can argue all day long. “You, young lady will not speak to me like that! Even if you are going somewhere to die you will not have the right to speak like that!” Felicity stares at her mother threateningly. “Well, if I die, I will know how much of a witch you really are. You call yourself a mother? Don’t make me laugh.” Felicity storms out vainly, her temper gets the best of her and she screeches at the top of her voice. “And you be quiet Felicity Rosanne Snow! Or I will gladly take you to the meeting stop from where you leave early.” Felicity ignores her mother and curses her under her breath. She returns to her room and turns on her Holographic Media player. It was an invention snow had created for the games and gave Felicity a prototype. It was program like a simple Laptop and Television device, However, much more can be done. She then watches the repeat broadcast of the selection of the tributes, picking out which ones she will strike an alliance with and which ones will be fresh meat. She smiles devilishly, her plan was coming together nicely.
Alexis sighs. “Those selfish little snobs are arguing again mom.”
She lives three houses down from Felicity and she is sick of everything they do and the arguments they have. She is happy that Felicity is going in the arena, but devastated that she is herself. She doesn’t know why everyone chose her. Do they not like her? Her family say that they just think she can win, but she thinks otherwise. She almost broke down when her name was called. If she almost did then, what about in the actual arena. The worst thing that could happen for her is to set up an alliance with Felicity, she doesn’t believe that would ever happen but if it might, she will just take her chances on her own. If she can.
“Just ignore it Alexis, only a few days now, and you will be rid of it forever.” Her mother is an honest sincere woman, she probably learned those traits from her father and took them from him when he died. That is another reason she hates Felicity and the Snow family. Her dad was killed by them when Katniss and Peeta lived. He couldn’t stop that, and they forced him to poison himself because of it. Her father meant everything to her, now he is gone. She wants her revenge for him. She will get it. Even if it means infiltrating and gaining Felicity’s trust. She will not be weak anymore, not like she thought she would be. It's kill or be killed, and Felicity is the target. Alexis plots her revenge, getting ready for the arena.
“So, Logan, my boy. Are you fine with everything that’s going on?” Logan is on the phone to Caesar. He has had some spare time while he makes his way to the stage venue where the interviews and parade will be held.
“Yes Uncle Caesar.” Logan has talked to all of his family except for Caesar, so this call is important to him.
“Now, listen. You can’t trust anyone in these games. Especially not Felicity, I dealt with her grandfather and he was a slippery man. I’m sure she is too. If she tries to make an alliance, be careful. She could double cross you any time. Once you are not needed, she will get rid of you.”
Caesar gives Logan massive tips on the games. He is a master at this. He has been hosting the games for many years now so he has seen almost all the strategies there are. “I can’t say much, but what I can say is that all seven remaining victors will, throughout the course of a week. Have a day of training with each of you. So you will be taught many things, and many tactics. They will all tell you different strategies, it is up to you to choose which is the best but I will give you advice. Listen to Katniss. She won it recently and she came out the strongest, If there is anyone you should listen to, it’s her. Ok? Well, I have to go now, but don’t talk about this to anyone. It is a secret. I’ll see you in a few days. Good luck.”
The phone bleeps and the line goes dead. Logan smiles and puts down the phone. He then goes back to watching previous footage of the Hunger Games for ideas on what to do throughout it.
Alyssa found comfort by sitting by herself. She was in denial about what happened and she didn’t know what to do. “Are you ok, honey?” Her mother asks. She replies with a nod and a smile. “It’s just that you haven’t been talking for a while, and you didn’t come to the fashion fair with me today. You missed Effie Trinket and her new clothing line from Capitol Couture. I know how much you like Capitol Culture.” She sighs and gets off her bed. Her mother holds out her hand as a gesture for her to follow her down the stairs. She follows her. Downstairs she finds her two closest friends. Arellia and Roxi.
As she enters they both gasp and hug her. They both blert out things like, “I know you can do it!” and “You must be so proud!”. She just nods and pretends to put on a brave face.
“Now, Alli.” Roxi says. “My dad told me that he knows something that will help you win and become a victor!” She squeals happily.
“No way!” Ariellia gasps.
Alyssa rolls her eyes subtly and listens. “He says that you should be very friendly with two other tributes and form an alliance, you should then kill the others and run from your alliance. Let the two fight and then you get the last one. Sound great doesn't it!” Roxi talks as if it means nothing to kill, however Alyssa is having trouble with the idea of that.
“Not really” Alyssa replies. Her friends look at her, they are confused. “I just don’t want to kill. I’m not that sort of person, I’m sure I will when it comes to it, but I don’t want to plan it all out. It will make me depressed.” She sighs and continues to explain this to her friends. They all try to figure out how to help her with what she is going through, she doesn’t have much time left.
What are we going to do today mom?” Nymphi asks excitedly. Her mother had said that she would do three things she had always wanted to do over the three days she has left, just in case she doesn’t make it back.
“Well, it is all up to you my little tree nymph.” Her mother looks at her and smiles, but behind that smile is a sad and desperate glint of loss, she knows that her daughter has a slim chance of surviving. She had always been a nice girl, so why was she chosen. It is tragic.
“uhh....” She stands there thinking for a few seconds, she does this in a typical childish demeanor. “How about we go and explore the forest.” Nymphi loves trees. She is an amazing climber. She can climb the tallest and thinnest trees and she can find a way to shelter in them, similar to the way Katniss climbed up trees for safety in the 54th Hunger Games. “Of course we can, It’ll help you climb aswell. Something you need when you will go away to the arena.” Nymphi smiles and they make their way out.
They stop “I love you mom. If I don’t come back, remember that. I’ll try to make you proud.” She carries on and tells her mother to hurry. Her mother tears up, and follows her. She doesn’t want any of this to happen. Especially not to her little child.
“Come on Aetos.” His mother said. “You’ll have plenty of time for training when you leave. Why don’t you say goodbye to everyone so you can see them before you go.” Aetos’ mother is standing at the door of their home gym with her hands on her hips, she is not pleased.
“Mom, listen. I need to stay fit and even if I train before I go into the arena, doing it now will still give me an upper hand. Anyway, I don’t intend to see my family, I’ll be able to see them when I win.” She sighs and leaves, she has given up on trying to talk sense into her son, she believes in him but feels like he is being too big headed. Whilst she leaves, Aetos has a quick break, he gets some water and gulps it down. He sits down and thinks about the games.
He has a practical mind so he can think of strategies easily, but he isn’t that easy about making friends, he isn’t too likable. He just assumes they’ll want him on their team as he is fit and strong. He is very wrong, and it could cost him his life. His dream team would to have Calix, himself, Felicity and no one else. He believes they will help him win, however, he doesn’t know how he will kill them off in the end. He starts plotting whilst he continues training. He won’t stop until he has the perfect plan.
Calix sits down with his girlfriend. “Kloe, I will come back, I promise. I will win for you. Just like Katniss won for her sister.” He hugs Chloe and kisses her. “Now, I need to talk to you. While I’m gone, I’m going to need you to help my mom take care of my brother and sister. She can’t do it alone. You’ll have to help her. They like you so if you are there while I am not, they will find it easier while I’m gone. Ok.” She nods and he smiles at her.
They hold hands and they stroll through the large garden of Calix’s house. “I’m going to miss this place while I’m gone. I’ve lived here all my life, I don’t know how i’ll adjust. At least I’ll come back afterwards.” He smiles at her and goes to hug her but she backs away.
“Calix, why are you so sure you will win. You could easily die. Don’t kid yourself if you think it will be easy. It will be hard, and you can’t afford to be arrogant.” She looks concerned and angry. She then walks off. She has found it hard to face that he will probably die. Calix follows her and tries to explain himself. He is having trouble with this and Kloe ends up crying. He can only comfort her. She is too distraught to listen to him.
“I will win, I promise you, I have a plan that is flawless. Look at me Kloe.” She looks at him and he puts his hands on her head gently. “I love you, and you will help me make it through. You are my lucky charm.” They smile at each other and give each other a loving hug. Was that hug to be the last hug they would ever have?
The three days are over and Katniss, Peeta and all of the Victors along with their stylists and teams make their way to the capitol. The tributes have been transferred through custody to a new hotel. One with eight housing floors, a lobby and an underground training area. The old hotel was irrelevant as it was designed for 24 tributes and the hotel had previously been used for a museum project, just like the Presidential building. It had been closed off since the rebellion. Everyone arrives. Effie, being the popular and sociable person she is, designates a floor for each tribute. Katniss then continues to explain what will happen.
“Now, you each have your own floor. They are all identical, so no one is being favoured. You will have a week for training. All of us, as in victors, will be given one day with each of you. We will train you and help you. On the final 8th day, you will be tested and given a score out of seven, similar to the old hunger games. You will then have a day of rest and then for the next day, you will be assigned stylists, they will clean you, do makeup and hair and dress you for the big parade and interview. The parade will be like it was before. However, you will all be dressed according to an aspect that your stylists will discuss with you.”
Katniss puts her hand out forward. “You have the rest of today to settle in to your floor. Tomorrow you will start training.” The stylist teams take their tribute up to their designated floor. This is the perfect time to talk about costumes and get to know them better. Katniss and her team of friends all form a group and start discussing the matter of the event.
“So, is everything going to plan Effie?” Peeta asks. Effie responds with a nod and satisfied smile. Haymitch then gives a relieved gesture and they make their way to the top floor. All of the other victors follow. This is the floor the victors, Effie and Katniss’ stylist team will stay, as they have no designated tribute. This floor is purposely bigger to house all eleven of them. They step in the elevator. The door closes and takes them up. The event has officially started.
Chapter 4: Tiring Training
The Bell sounds for the start of the training session. All the tributes, who have already awoken and eaten their breakfast make their way to the training room underground. The instructors of each station introduce their station and the importance of it before the tributes are allowed to go to them and learn. Every hour, an alarm is sounding, alerting the tribute that they have finished their lesson and may change stations if they wish. Whilst the tributes train, the seven victors, and two Gamemakers are observing them through the elevated floor and the huge glass panel through the wall, which, like the previous games, has a force field protecting it from harm. The tributes will have a private training session with a victor in one of the new training booths created specifically for the mentoring part of the games. The booths are 25 square feet each and all contain a specific aspect of survival or combat which will depend on which victor is training them at the time. All seven victors will train them in different parts. Katniss trains in Bow and Arrow skills both combat and hunting. Peeta trains in camouflage and survival skills. Haymitch in brute force and using situations to their advantage. just like he used the force field to his advantage in his games. Beetee will train tributes to create weapons and how to apply knowledge to create plans. Enobaria and Johanna will train in melee combat with knives, swords or other sharp objects, Enobaria training more on the aggressive side whilst Johanna more on the strategic side. Finally, Annie Cresta trains in Aquatic Survival such as swimming and fishing. She also trains in creating bait hooks and snares to help catch food. During the overall training, they can try out all of these but also a few more options such as climbing, Poisons and Venoms and knowledge of edible and inedible substances. To win, tributes must learn from all of these activities.
The first to start is, of course, Aetos. He is obsessed with keeping fit, and the first station he goes to is the physical combat station, where he shows his boxing skills. He throws numerous hard punches in a matter of seconds, and he does not miss a single target pad on the target dummy. Everyone looks at him in a mixed feeling of awe and intimidation. If Aetos can do this, they need to find something they’re good at to counter him. Nymphi and Calix approach him and praise him, hoping for him to befriend them for them to then team up in the arena.
“Show off” Felicity mutters under her breath and walks off in the opposite direction to the knife poisons and biological weapons station. She is talented in that area as her grandfather used to tell her the tales of how he himself poisoned his opponents. Felicity would then learn the type of poisons most effective and how to administer them without arousing suspicion. This was to make sure that once she succeeded him, she would know how to stay top.. That was all for nothing when the rebels won, until now.
Whilst Felicity was engrossed in her poisons, Logan and Alexis both go to the survival station. Whilst there, they begin talking and soon they befriend each other. They both have exceptional talents in the survival station. Logan being good at making snares and traps and Alexis being good at Camouflaging. They both realize this and realize they could do well as a team. Logan proposes an alliance to Alexis and Alexis accepts. They then start to teach each other how they are so good at their aspect of the survival station. Before the end of the day, they are both friends and they have both successfully taught each other some skills.
Whilst the others are training, Alyssa sits in the corner and stares blankly. She just wants to leave. She would never want to kill, but she has to. After she realizes that everyone is looking at her, either with pity or with aggression, she stands up to prove herself. She grabs short sword, and leaps at the dummy, striking leaving a huge gauge in the plastic stub which would resemble a head. Katniss, who is sitting down watching them stands up, shocked that one small child could have that much strength. She could definitely be a danger if she wanted to be, even with others being good at combat.
Felicity rises and marches towards Alyssa, she stands frozen in her spot, awaiting a punch or kick from her, but it doesn’t happen. “Give me that!” Felicity demands. “I can do that so it’s not hard!” Felicity sneers and snatches the short sword from Alyssa. She leaps towards the dummy but trips when she lands. Everyone starts to laugh apart from Logan, he helps her up. Felicity doesn’t want help and shoves him off. She then storms out of the training centre. Enobaria leaves to go after her.
“That was amazing!” Nymphi exclaims. “Where did you learn that?” Alyssa shrugs and turns around to go back to the corner she sat in earlier.
“Wait.” Nymphi says. “Aren’t you going to train? If you don’t, you could die. And I think I know just who will want to do that.” She indicated Felicity and tries to get Alyssa to realise that without all of the training, her death will be almost impossible to avoid.
“My death doesn’t frighten me.” Alyssa explains. “Only the thought of losing myself to these games through killing and becoming ‘glorious’. I don’t want that” She returns to the corner and sits down, staring at the dummy she attacked, imagining that being one of the other six. She shakes her head to try and get the thought out of her head.
Everyone leaves her, Calix and Nymphi then separate and do their own thing, Nymphi goes to the climbing station, where there is a fake tree and a few nets on some poles. Whilst Nymphi does this, Calix picks up a spear. He has no specialty, however, he is quite balanced, so he is fairly good at most things but he hasn’t fully mastered them. He aims and throws the spear, it hit the upper thigh of the dummy. It fell slightly short and missed the target, however he continues to try. He is not the type to give up.
After a few hours the bell once again sounds, signifying the start of the one to one training with the tributes and victors. The tributes and victors are given timetables of which they are paired with each day. After this, they meet their first partner in a designated training room. The private training begins.
I have finished up to chapter 5, however, I will release that in a week or so, so I can break up the chapters. Over the next week, I will post two chapters a week,and after that, one chapter a week. This may become a chapter every two weeks when I return to school as I will have a hard six months of final exams until I go to college.
I will continue to write over Christmas break in about two weeks. It will have an estimated 20+ chapters all roughly the same size.
I will also be doing concept art for the tributes. I have already done Felicity and half way through Alexis. I will post them up soon with the other chapters.
The idea of a Capitol based Hunger Games was hinted but never carried through from Suzanne Collins. This is my idea of what would happen. All original Hunger Games characters and names belong to Suzanne Collins and plagiarism was never intended.
Warning: Contains spoilers for people who have not read/seen all of the Hunger Games yet.
Also, some chapters may contain gore and violence due to the nature of the story. They will be noted here and on the chapter name.
Prologue
Two Months ago the Capitol crumbled. One girl armed with nothing but her bow and arrow with a team of followers had infiltrated and stopped the barbaric and horrific dictatorship that the capitol had got away with for so many years. She was only a normal girl, one that had her life changed once she was reaped. She became a tribute, was forced to kill, lost so many friends, Rue, Cinna, even her own sister. She became victor, along with her only companion.
She thought she got out, thought she was safe, her family was safe. However, a year later she had to do it all again. All for the “joy” of President Snow, the most barbaric and heartless ruler that Panem could ever have had. She escaped, only lightly, arm gauged out, very psychotically traumatized, feeling betrayed. She was taking her stand. She was their mockingjay, and there was nothing to stop her. She was coming after them, she was going to destroy them, destroy them the way they destroyed her. With a quest through life and death. But, it wouldn't be her life on the edge, it would be theirs.
She succeeded, they died, Panem was free, the Hunger Games were over, but she still wanted more revenge. She devised a plan, a plan that would doom many who once cheered on her impending death, her plan, a game. A game to end all games.. The Death Game. New name, new rules, new tributes, it was all about to change. She was Katniss Everdeen, and she was the Girl On Fire.
Chapter 1: A change in characteristics
Everyone was nervous in the Capitol. It was the day that Katniss’ plan would come into action. Katniss struck fear into those that knew they did her wrong, she wasn't ruthless, she was after revenge, and she would get it.
Many close to Katniss realized a change in her attitude, the first being her mother. Her mother knew her more than anyone else, and she knew something was wrong, this was not like Katniss, she would never be like this, her mother thought the worst. Maybe the trauma had corrupted her purity and made her into a monster just like Snow, and she was abusing the power she had to take out her pain on the people below her status. Mrs. Everdeen confronted her daughter like she would have done a year ago when she was going through the victory tour. However, she knew that the girl she was talking to now was a different person to who she spoke to before.
Mrs Everdeen approached her daughter comfortingly showing she means no harm. “Katniss, dear.. I think you’re taking this too far, maybe you should think before you continue with this.” Mrs. Everdeen pleaded.
“Mom, I know you mean no harm, you helped me through my life over the past year but you need to understand. I have a duty now, I am our Mockingjay and I have a duty to our country to show the Capitol that they mustn't try to abuse us again.”
Katniss looked at her mother, the pain in her eyes merged with her sense of adulthood that she had gained from her experiences, Mrs. Everdeen notices this and respects her daughter. “I just feel like you are going about this the wrong way, something might happen that you may regret, this could lead you down a path that you may not be able to get out of, President Snow did this, look at what he became, I don’t want you to become the same. Katniss.. Please.”
Katniss sighs and sits on the sofa, her mother stays standing whilst she is talking to Katniss. "These are people's lives you are throwing away." Her mother explained. "You have been through all they will go through, do you really want to force that on anyone, especially since that has finished now?"
Katniss grimaces and thinks. "Mother, what else do I do? I need to show the Capitol that I refuse to be pushed around again, nothing else seems to work, only some twisted, so called, reality TV Show where people die. I'm doing all this for Prim, This will be avenging her!"
She now becomes agitated as harsh visions of her past invade her mind, making her remember the cruel way that Prim had to die through. "Yes, Katniss, but if this is all, for revenge, it won't make you feel any better afterwards, It won't bring Prim back. If she saw you now, would she be pleased to be your sister? Think about that."
Her mother glares at her due to their disagreement. Katniss gives her mother a sad look as if she knows everything that was just said to her may be true. She hugs her mother and leaves the house, she is needed in the Capitol in a few hours and must not be late. On her way out she brushes past the patch of Primroses planted by Peeta in memory of Prim. She gets the watering Can beside her and waters them lovingly.
“If only you were here Prim, It would make my days a lot more bearable” She puts down the can and walks from Victors village with an impatient stride.
Mrs. Everdeen sighs, she didn’t want to lose Katniss too, she’s all she has left. A tear trickles down her cheek as she sits down and relaxes on her sofa, contemplating a life where her husband and both her children were safely beside her, like any normal family, she wanted that, she needed that.
Katniss walks through the town center. Ever since the Capitol crumbled, many businesses had been created and the town was starting to look like a sweet little country area full of life. There were no Peacekeepers in sight and all of the fences were taken down, Therefore there were connections between the districts. Each district was becoming better off with the help they were all getting. Soon, there were plans to create many areas of land between each district where people can go and vacate on holidays. They would get a taste of all the bordering districts and many more offers. This plan was brought up by Peeta, he created the idea as a tribute to the loses of lives. He always wanted something that would help the people of Panem escape their working lives, and this was the perfect idea. Katniss supported him all the way, of course, however, it made her feel slightly uneasy as she knew it would mean that Gale would be out of her life for good, he would be brought into District 2 for good as he would help with the district's economy and would anchor him down even more as this would be another thing for him to sort out.
Many of the areas, even though revamped, still gave her vivid flashbacks of the times she had lived through. Her first reaping, when her father died. The day she volunteered, the day Gale got whipped for poaching animals. She was glad it had all changed, but somehow missed how it used to be, she had grown up with it for her whole life and it was her town, now it is a town that not even she recognizes. It was arranged that she would meet her team at the Town Hall, when she arrived, it was under major reconstruction and redecoration, however, the foyer was completed, they all would meet there at precisely 12:00. Katniss checked her watch, her eyes widened and she quickly dashed up the pearly white marble stairs and in through the large beech wooden doors. She was 5 minutes late. Effie would go mental.
"Ah there you are Katniss!" Effie exclaimed in her usual joyful demeanor, "we all thought you had forgotten, I had a timetable sorted but it got messed up by this mishap"
Katniss chuckles "Effie, it's fine." Katniss smiles but faces a grimace from Effie.
"I think not, we have two hours too make you look stunning and to get you to the Capitol for your big moment. We need to hurry if we are to get there on time." Effie walks Katniss to a door and opens it with a big smile, on the other side are Peeta, Haymitch, and her make-up team, Venia, Flavius and Octavia.
The three stylists have outfits that seem to resemble the fashion that Portia and Cinna would design, as if to be a tribute to their deaths. Katniss walks in a hugs all three of them. "It's so great to see you again! How are you three?" Katniss seems to be concerned but overwhelmed by their presence. They are the first Capitol people she has been able to interact with lately that she knows well, apart from Effie.
All three smile and explain about their new prosthetics they got, they have had their arms dyed black and have had some sort of feathery substance implanted in their skin, seeming to resemble bird feathers. They explain how Katniss had inspired them so much, they had this done in her honor.
Effie clears he throat loudly as to interrupt the conversation and remind Katniss of the tight schedule. "Sorry Effie.." She smiles at her prep team and then walks over to the boys.
"So, any news on the outlaws of the Capitol?" Haymitch and Peeta had been on a stakeout in the Capitol for at least a month to spot the where a bouts of the main powers in the Capitol who committed treachery against their citizens.
"A little hello would have been nice." Peeta replied with. "We haven't seen you in a month."
Katniss then explains how Effie is on a tight Schedule and how they would talk later on the train. Katniss' prep team seem to take it the wrong way and they squeal with delight. They are still fans of Peeta and Katniss being together and they think it is cute. They ignore the prep team and Haymitch takes over.
"Well, we now know where a few are, we know where the main powers behind the games are. Latvi Greendale was the arena architect and he has been located, also, we know where Snow's personal assistant has been hiding. He has been living underground in a secret bunker under the Presidential building. It is hidden well, but we found it and detained him. The main threats have been taken away so therefore you will be safe." Haymitch talks with a new, more professional tone. He has stopped drinking and taken up spying as a hobby, and by doing this, he has become more sociable and intelligent.
Katniss is surprised by this. "Alright then." Effie interupts. "Lets get on with the show" They all follow Effie out and get onto the Train at the station.
When they get on the train, Katniss is allowed 15 minutes of free time. Then she would be needed by her prep team to do what they usually do and clean her,dress her and style her. The first thing she does is, as she said earlier, she goes to talk to Peeta.
"So, how are you then?" Katniss goes to Peeta's room, she stands in the doorway and smiles at him. She then walks in and sits next to him, putting her hand on his shoulder friendly.
Peeta looks at her, smiles and replies in the same tone he usually talks to only her with. "I'm great thanks. I have finally got over my Hijacking. That means that we can continue where we left off then." Peeta smiles and leans in for a kiss. Katniss kisses him back, however backs out moments later.
"What about Gale though, even though he is in District Two, it is still unfair to him" she is clearly distraught about Gale's disappearance to District Two, but Peeta comforts her and reasons with her.
"Katniss, Gale is not coming back. He has been taken to Two for a reason and will not be brought back, however, we are publicly engaged and everyone sees us as a perfect couple. You have to think about your future." Peeta smiles at her friendly, trying to make her see sense.
"Peeta, I told you, I don't want a family, especially not in this world, even if we saved it, I don't want children, and I don't want to ruin our friendship by marrying you because we are pressured into it. I'll admit, I like you, but I value you too much to let it all go by committing and possibly ruining our relationship together."
Peeta continues to reason with her for a few more minutes until Katniss can't take it any more. "Peeta, please. I just need to get through this event first, When it is over, then maybe I can give it a shot, I just can't now, It isn't you, it's me, If I lose you, I will crumble, and I can't do that." She hugs him and kisses him once more, however in a more friendly manner. She then walks out of the cabin into the main dining room. There she meets Haymitch and Effie.
Haymitch is eyeing the liqueur bottle filled with brew that he has long stopped drinking. "Go ahead Haymitch." Katniss says. "This is a one off, you haven't drank alcohol in a while, have a glass or two, I'm sure it'll help."
Effie disagrees, she eyes Katniss as if she is warning her if anything happens. Katniss sits down on the dining table next to Effie and picks up a leg of pinkish meat. She doesn't know what type but she figures that as she hunts, she won't mind it as she has tasted so much types of meat that the taste won't startle her. She takes a bite and the politely smiles at Effie, Katniss starts a sophisticated conversation which Haymitch then joins in with. "So, Effie, does this bring back memories of the old days?" Katniss smiles, remembering the first time she stepped into a train like this, amazed, flustered and scared. Now she considers it the norm. "Oh, of course, You and Peeta having no clue what you were getting into. You've grown up so much since then." Effie goes into deep thought.
"I never thought you two would survive this long, It was tragic really, at first I didn't even care. When I got to know you though, I knew you were the real life to the Hunger Games and even better friends. The time of my imprisonment was harsh. I thought you were dead, Katniss. I somehow knew that your life was going downhill, and I never lost hope, but when they brought in Peeta, and heard them torture him, I assumed that.."
Effie breaks down into tears, something that is rarely seen by the bubbly character. Katniss comforts her by hugging her and giving her as much praise as she can about getting through that hard stage. Haymitch then joins in. "Come on Effie, stop blubbering, you have a reputation to uphold here."
Effie looks up, smiles and nods. She wipes her eyes dry and realizes her make-up has run. She then exits to fix it, replying that she will be right back. Haymitch then walks to Katniss and starts to chat. "What drama." He sighs. "Still, she is a great friend to you, so who can blame her for being so happy to be with you.. That's why she cried, not that she was upset about what happened, just that you are still alive."
Katniss nods. Octavia strides in and drags Katniss off to be prepped for the capitol without any further actions, this catches Katniss of guard.
Katniss is first stripped down. The three exclaim as they see how Katniss has not kept herself perfectly immaculate. They then go into a whole rant at how she must keep herself immaculate for the eyes of everyone around her.
"You must keep yourself clean and you must be aware of your personal hygiene a lot more than you currently do, honey" Octavia explains. "It is a must if you are to run this event." She continues. Flavius looks at her nails and sighs. "You must keep these clean. They are always on show dear, it is something every woman will look at."
Flavius notices her cracked nails filled with dirt from when she was hunting. Flavius takes a closer look at then finds out that some had previously been bleeding. Venia then inspected her body for any blemishes that they could cover up. Apart from her obvious scar on her arm from the time when Johanna gouged out her tracker, there wasn't anything except for a few slashes on her wrist. She had self harmed. She had been through serious depression when Prim died so it was no surprise that this had been carried out. Venia looked at her with a sad and pitiful look. She then announces that everything is fine and she shall be taken for a bath.
Even though Katniss has been through those bathing rituals numerous times she still hasn't got used to them. She doesn't understand how sitting in a cold bath tub will make her look beautiful, but she does not want to question her prep team as they sacrifice so much of their time for the good of her. After about 15 minutes of soaking, she then goes to get her hair done. The process always seems to be never ending but when it ends, Katniss knows she will look stunning. The stylists go with a do that shows her feminine but also kind side, therefore a slightly kinked but straight long draping hair along with a whisped fringe shows her youth, feminism and that she is not the enemy. Along with this, they add a blonde streak through her dark brown hair. They say this is for "Highlighting your dark locks" Katniss isn't too pleased but she goes with it. After another 15 minutes to get the hair perfect, A few cans of hairspray and temporary prosthetics finish off the look. Flavius, who is in charge of her hair, looks very pleased with himself. He finally comes out with, "You look beautiful Katniss, we all knew this style would suit you well, Venia has made your eyebrows less dominating too, you will look amazing!" She smiles at him and then sits in front of a mirror, getting ready for her make up session.
Octavia then takes over, she is full of conversation and keeps Katniss talking. They gossip about the new holiday resorts and her and Peeta. Whilst they do this, Octavia, using mainly a turquoise coloured make up with highlights and low-lights, pastes make up onto Katniss' face.
"So, what's going on between you and Peeta. Us three are really curious!" Octavia blurts out with enthusiasm.
Katniss laughs nervously. "Nothing at the moment... our.. marriage has been postponed until after this event, just for our sake, in case something was to happen."
The three gasp with a saddened tone. "Well, it must be for the best then." Octavia sighs. "Just make sure you're happy, Katniss. Everyone in the Capitol is here for you if something happens".
Katniss thanks her for her kindness and Octavia gasps happily, she puts down her make up box dramatically and smiles. "So, what do you think. I think it definitely goes with your dress."
Katniss smiles and poses to see the extent of her make up. She likes what she sees. She thanks Octavia and the rest of the team and she then turns to them. "So, what about this dress then?"
The team almost explode with excitement. "You will just love it!" Venia exclaims.
"It was made for this special occasion." Flavius explains.
Octavia takes her into the walk in closet and shows her the dress. Katniss gasps at it's beauty. It is aqua blue with diamante diamonds dotted around. It also has white ruffles at the bottom and on the sides are sleek side parts that extend out like wings. "Try it on then." Octavia says. "Cinna made this when he made your wedding dress, he knew you would achieve this and made this as a sort of Liberty dress, showing your freedom."
Katniss puts on the dress. It fits perfectly and definitely looks like the type of dress Cinna would create. "So, what's the secret to this dress then?" Katniss asks. "Cinna always has a trick up his sleeve." Octavia whispers to her as if it is top secret. "Well, the wings flame up. We had it slightly adjusted to these circumstances, so with every tribute picked, the dress will change slightly, the wings will, with every name, flame up more, and once the last name is picked, the dress will all submerge into flames and then become this amazing feathery and ruffly dress filled with a mixture of white and black feathers. It will surely show your inner mockingjay in you, this is similar to your wedding dress, I know, but Cinna loved the idea so much that he used it again, but in a different way, and we slightly tweaked it, thus creating this masterpiece."
Katniss looks with astonishment. She expected something, but not something this planned. She hugs the three of her prep team and makes her way out. They had arrived at the Capitol and she was ready for what she was about to do. More ready than she ever was before.
Chapter 2: The Tributes
Katniss arrived at the Capitol. She was greeted with mixed actions. Those that knew her closely and had no family that could be chosen greeted her warm heartedly as if she was a hero returning from a large break, the others glared at her, as if to say “why do this to us, we all loved you, we never wanted you to die.” Katniss felt ashamed. The words of her mother started to hit her. She would get a lot of hate for this deed. Many would resent helping her in the games. If she did this, was she really any better than Snow? She didn't know. It was too late to back down now. She committed and she had to do it. She passed all of the crowds of Capitol Citizens, some booing her, some cheering, and she walked to the bleach white stone steps that go up onto a podium in front of the Presidential Building. She walked slowly, as slow as she could so she could clear her mind. She was worrying. The dress could lead her to slip and she would make a fool of herself, and by doing this speech, she could lose all backing and become the new enemy. The new President Snow. She got to the top, cleared her head and delivered her speech, trying to hide her nerves.
“So today, we all gather here to reflect on the disloyalty that President Coriolanus Snow had showed us. He killed off twenty three of us each year to keep everyone in fear of him, I am doing this for the greater good.” Katniss puts her hand on her heart and looks down at the families pitifully.
“Know this, I would never wish this on to anyone.. Especially since I went through this myself, but I feel this in necessary as many of Snow’s allies would take the opportunity to take charge and bring back the old ways. This is the only way to make sure that we are all free for good and that this would never happen again.” Katniss looks at an envelope entitled Tribute results. “These games, the name Tribute really means Tribute. The next seven tributes will be the way that we can all send love and hope to all that lost their lives during the long dark period of, what I call, “The Hunger Days”. I have chosen to pick seven people as they represent the Seven Deadly Sins. These seven people going into the arena will symbolize us flushing out our sins and it will be a fresh start. One will come victorious. The families of the lost ones will be heavily compensated and the winners a reward. Without further ado, I will explain what will happen.”
Katniss puts the envelope back down on the table. She then looks out to the crowds and explains. “Now, this year, I have changed the rules slightly, I will go into detail about those later, However, I will share with you how the reaping changed and why. It is no longer called a reaping, It is called a Selection. This gives it a more positive insight into what will happen. The Tributes will be remembered as heroic and brave, they will face each other with tremendous courage and they will signify the end of our struggles. Therefore, I believe the name “Reaping” will not be suitable to use and I believe that having a plain name will show how this is not glorified and how we think it is a good final blow but how it is still not the nicest things that could happen. Also, I have changed it so that the citizens of the Capital had voted on who the Tributes shall be. They all had to put down a male and a female name, and the highest seven voted will become our tributes. This was to make it so that you pick who shall go, not just random luck. Therefore, if there is someone who you think will do well, you could choose them, or someone who you think may be to blame for the problems here then you could choose them. I am not leaving it to luck as that could be detrimental as some could be too young or too old, or too ill etc. We all decided on this together.” Katniss reaches out her hand. “Now, if you are chosen, don’t feel insulted, feel blessed, you are not hated, you are not someone that everyone is trying to get rid of, you are chosen to end this period at which we all want to get out of. You may feel sad, you may feel guilty, but know this, everyone will be at your side all the time. So, I will stop talking and announce the Tributes”
Katniss picks up the envelope again and points it to the crowd. “Now. If I call your name, you shall walk up onto the stage, take your name slip and sit down on the chairs behind me. It is advised that you do not make a scene as you will have three days after today to get ready and say goodbye to your family. All that will happen by making a scene is upsetting everyone, and that won’t make you feel better.”
She takes out a small slip one by one, she reads the names and announces the name that is printed neatly onto the bleach white parchment. With a loud clear voice, she announces, “Felicity Snow”. A small murmur arises in the crowd and no one makes a fuss, they all openly let her go. They all seem to be knowing of who she is and how she is part of the most hated family in the area. A strong looking girl, who is about fourteen years of age with snow white hair, obviously dyed, and a face filled with many prosthetics that proves her wealth, proudly strides to the recently cleaned stone steps. She walks up without any fear and steps next to Katniss, she looks Katniss in the eye, she is filled with hate, she blames Katniss for the death of her Grandfather and she is oblivious to how bad he actually was. She believes that Katniss set her up to be part of the Games, however, everyone blamed the Snow family, so it was fitting she was chosen. Katniss shakes her hand firmly, trying to hide her emotions of anger and rage that she wishes to release. She is happy that she was chosen, she is grand-daughter to the man who lead to the death of many of her friends. Katniss passes her the piece of parchment and says kindly “may the odds be ever in your favour.” Felicity snatches it off her and takes her place on a seat at the back, sitting as if she is royalty.
Katniss can’t stand it. Her wings attatched to her dress, as previously said, flame slightly more violently as the first tribute was picked. She pulls out another slip. “Alexis Crane”. A frightened small girl with black curly hair and bold dark eyes slowly trembles towards the steps. As she walks closer, Katniss realizes she is crying, she walks up the steps, tripping over one or two and wipes her eyes when she gets to the top. Katniss holds her hand, gives her the Parchment and calmly says to her. “It’s ok sweetie, There is no need to be afraid, you will be perfectly fine for now. Think of it this way. You will help to make a better future, a future where we will all be happy.” She looks up, wipes he eyes, smiles quickly and trundles to her seat. Katniss is starting to feel guilty, she has already chosen two, she only needs to choose five more. She tries to get it out of the way as quick as possible.
She pulls out a third piece of Parchment. “Logan Flickerman”. She stares at him. She recognizes the last name and realizes. He is somehow related to Caesar, the host of the talk show that features all of the tributes before the game starts, and the man who was there when she came out of the arena. She didn’t blame him and didn’t want to let this child go through with this, but she couldn’t do anything about it. The public must hold some sort of responsibility for the Flickerman family. The boy brashly starts to walk to the steps, he looks quite like Caesar, the same colourful hair that was always changed and seems to resemble all of Caesars main features as well. He walks up the steps, smiles at Katniss in a kind and sociable way, takes his piece of parchment and sits down, he crosses him legs, and relaxes, as if he is in a comfortable sofa chair.
A fourth slip is pulled out, and Katniss feels relieved, it isn’t a name she recognises so she can’t feel guilty. “Alyssa Hamilton” She announces with a clear and subtle voice. A teenage girl who looks roughly sixteen to seventeen freezes on the spot. She has to be physically pushed to get her moving. As she walks towards Katniss, she is talking to herself, probably to calm herself down. She reaches the steps and trips up. She nervously giggles, obviously to cover up her embarrassment and she makes her way to the top of the steps. She then shakily offers a hand shake for Katniss. Katniss accepts and hands her the parchment saying her name. Katniss then says “May the odds be ever in your favour”. She slowly and shakily walks to her seat, she sits down and hangs her head down, avoiding eye contact. She feels ashamed of herself. She knows what will happen and she has given up.
Katniss continues with the selection until all seven are chosen. The remaining three, Nymphi Norelle, Aetos Erarus and Calix Zeuro all accepted their fate with reasonable nobility, Aetos and Calix were sure to gain a lot of fans as Aetos looked strong, as if he has been training for this for a while. He was eighteen and very self centered. He came up and took his Parchment without even looking at Katniss, he walked past all the other Tributes and he sat down superiorly to the others. He is the oldest of the chosen tributes. You can easily compare him to the previous Career tributes.
Calix, even though looking slightly weaker, had a more appealing look, many of the girls swooned when he walked past and many of the tributes even stared. He was only fourteen but his looks made him appear at least three years older. Nymphi was the other side of the spectrum. She wasn’t the most attractive female in the group, however, she had a certain charm to her. She was a pure character. She was also quite small, like a little nymph, she fits her name and maybe that’s why it was chosen. She reminded Katniss of Rue so much, she even has the same olive complexion. When all seven tributes were seated Katniss stood back, put her arms high and closed her eyes from the brightness of the flames. All in a single moment, the waterfall style dress melted away, leaving a sparkle in the air from the attached diamantes, and a small explosion of water to erupt around her.
She looks forward once again, looking at the astonished faces looking straight at her. Her costume had changed into a wonderful duality of black and white ruffled feathers. Katniss then twirls, at the tip of each feather, when she twirls, a small flame lights up, making her dress appear to glow as it moves through the air. She does not let this take her mind off her true reason being here and she carries on. “Now, All the tributes have been chosen. They will be pampered and looked after well until three weeks time and they will enter the arena. I can not disclose any information about the arena, but I will say this. It is fitting to end this habit in this manner.”
She now looks more sincere, making the small conversations concerning the arena stop. “You will have three days with your children and you will then be able to follow them all the way with video calls, short personal documentaries and a quick visit a day before they enter the arena. Spend your time wisely. I know how it feels to have someone leave without a goodbye, and it hurts.”
Katniss’ voice starts to break as she holds in tears. She smiles, uses the District 12 respect symbol by putting her three middle fingers to her lips. She then raises those three fingers in the air. Everyone returns this gesture, as if it is something compulsory. Katniss feels flattered. Flattered that even when she has done this, the Capitol has so much respect for her. She turns round and slowly walks through the large white doors of the presidential building. She collapses onto her knees and starts to cry. That was the hardest thing she had ever done. She looked into the eyes of all the children chosen, many will be dead within a few weeks. Is this what she really wants? She doesn’t even know anymore.
Katniss sits down in the luxury office of the President Building for the next few hours, almost sick to her stomach in guilt. “Katniss, what are you doing in here?”Peeta walks in with a huge look of grim concern on his face. “You were meant to come into the ball room to meet the Tribute’s families” He hurries to her side and manages to talk sense into her.
“Peeta, I can’t do this.” Katniss says with tears rolling down her face.
“But you must Katniss, you are now practically in charge of the Capitol until they find a new President. You need to keep yourself together otherwise the whole country will fall apart!” Peeta explains hastily. “If anyone sees any weakness they can exploit it so they can become President and we will be stuck where we were before and everyone would have died for nothing.”
Katniss understands Peeta, however she is so overwhelmed with guilt she can’t cope with it. “Peeta, I’m sending them to their deaths. It makes me no better than Snow, everyone probably hates me.”
Peeta sighs, he is obviously not getting Katniss’ full attention. He sits next to her and puts his arm around her in a snugly position. “Katniss, I assure you, nobody hates you. Everyone has respect for you. They adore you for getting rid of Snow and they realize this must happen. They don’t like it but they understand.”
Katniss nods and hugs Peeta tightly, her dress restricting her slightly. “Now, how about we go and socialize, you’ll feel better afterwards.” Katniss gets up and looks in the mirror. The waterproof make-up she has on hasn’t moved at all and she looks just a beautiful as she did before she broke down into tears. She gently wipes her eyes and joins Peeta on the way to the ballroom.
She walks over to Effie and her team. “Effie, I must give you some credit. It’s torture to stand up there and call names, knowing that almost all of the names called will die.”
Effie chuckles and says firmly to Katniss. “Now, don’t you worry. Have confidence and pick a favourite, then it will all be much easier to bare. That’s what kept me going of course.”
Katniss then gets approached by a rather large family. Two parents, two girls and two boys, one of which is a tribute. It is Logan. The flickerman family don’t disappoint on looks, The father is almost identical the Caesar in both his looks and fashion. The mother, however has more of a high profile but dainty look to her. She has not had any prosthetic enhancements, but she has obviously been on the size 0 goal as she looks bony, or as they call “Fashionably thin”. Katniss never understood that, the sight of people like that always made her cringe.
They come over to her and start a conversation. Katniss curiously asks about their relation to Caesar and they reply with him being their cousin on the father’s side. “So, is there anything that we need to know before Logan is taken to the training grounds?” Mrs Flickerman asks.
Katniss simply replies with “Of course not. The only thing I think I can say is that he will be in good hands, when he gets there, he will be assigned to all of us victors, we will all teach him what he needs to know.”
They smile back and Logan asks. “Will I see Uncle Caesar? Will he be hosting the show like he always has?”
Katniss nods with a smile and Logan smiles back. He seems quite happy about that, as if he has something special to show off. “Ok, then. Thank You for talking to us. We appreciate it.” The six walk off to the other side of the ballroom, presumably to continue to socialize.
Katniss talks to the other families for the next two hours. The only family that does not approach her is the Snow family. They hate Katniss so they will refuse to step near her. Katniss acknowledges this and does not make eye contact. Soon, Katniss and Peeta, the “Happy Couple” are called up for a dance. The Capitol is still obsessed with their relationship so it was no surprise when they got called to the dancing floor.
Peeta takes her hand and walks her to the middle of the laminated wooden area. Some slow music plays and they start to dance. They both do not know how to slow dance so they just swivel around slowly to make it look romantic. After a few minutes of private space for the two, the victors are then encouraged to come up. All of them do except for Felicity. They all pair up and start dancing. This is obviously a ploy to get them to be friendly before the games for good sportsmanship. Alyssa and Logan are paired. Nymphi and Aetos are paired and finally, Calix and Alexis are paired. They look at each other friendly but also competitively. When the party is over, the Ball room is cleared.
The Presidential Building once again becomes abandoned until another event during this period occurs. It was decided that the building will become a Panem museum to the past of Panem and how it became corrupt. Therefore much of the manor is unused and fenced off, only for the access of the important powers such as the rebels, the temporary presidential team and the community workers. Katniss, even though part of the Presidential Team, was turned away. Apparently it was “too dangerous” for such an important person. She accepts this and realizes snooping around isn’t the best of ideas.
She goes to the King Bedroom and relaxes for the night. She would be journeying back to District Twelve for a while, the Tributes will have three days to say goodbye and also Katniss is not needed until the Event stages, They happen a few days into the event. She has been granted a week at her home district. Just to relax for the preparation of the games. She snoozes off quickly, longing for all of this to be over when she awakes. Sadly that is far from what will happen.
Chapter 3: Say your Goodbyes
When Katniss returned home there were crowds of people waiting at the train station. Some were reporters from the Capitol, some were ordinary citizens. Katniss sighed. She was sick of all the attention she is getting. It all started three years ago and it never stopped. Peeta walks up to the window which Katniss is looking out of and puts his hand over her shoulder, smiles and waves out to everyone else. Peeta’s much better at being sociable with the crowd than Katniss has ever been. All Katniss does when confronted with crowd is let out a weak smile and she tries to avoid further eye contact. Katniss expects judgemental criticism from the people from her district due to their good nature, however, when she returns, they are happy and cheering. Perhaps they wanted revenge too. The only person who Katniss knows that has a negative opinion on this is her mother, who is standing in the crowd, seemingly emotionless, however, she seems to be slightly sad and looks slightly betrayed, Katniss knows that this is her fault, she ignored her mother again, will she really be able to fix this?
After all of the press attention and interviews about the selection of the tributes she returned to her house in the Victor’s Village. It was the only place, apart from the forest, that she could get some peace. Her mother was there waiting for her.
“So, how did it all go?” Her mother says without making eye contact. Katniss doesn’t reply, she knows her mother saw the broadcast on the Television and she could tell that her mother knew she felt guilty. After a few seconds of silence, her mother continues.
“Gale left you a message yesterday, after you left. It was to say good luck on the selection and that he wasn’t able to keep any further contact as he was too busy.” Katniss turns around as looks at her mother, with a hopeful glint in her eyes but a sad expression on her face. She knew the time would come when he would cut off contact, so why was she so surprised.
“Do you think it is because he thinks I have lost myself now? Because I went through with this?” Katniss asks desperately.
“I don’t know what to think, I just know that he was sorry. Just like I am. I should have stuck by you, I knew how hard it was for you yesterday and I wasn’t there to help you. I..”
Katniss interrupts her mother quickly. “No, you were right, It was a little too far. But I realized that after I went through with it. I was so blinded with rage and revenge that I couldn’t see clearly.” She sighs. “But.. I have to go through with it now.”
Her mother hugs her. They have grown close in the last few months as they are the only family each other has. They then look at each other lovingly and Katniss announces. “I’m going hunting. You know, to take my mind off of this. Do you want any specific animal for tonight? Or will a deer do?” Her mother nods to imply a deer is fine. Katniss gets her bow she inherited from the rebel’s cause and her ordinary wooden arrows. She also picks up a bait and snare bag and leaves. Her mother sighs and smiles gently. She knows everything will turn out fine in the end.
Katniss calmly makes her way to the forest edge. She will need to go in deep now, as many people would now take walks in there, therefore scaring off all the wildlife. After a half-hour walk, she reaches a pond. She notices the Katniss plants at the edge of the pond and smiles, she knew that a little bit of her father would still be in the forest. She picks up a few and tucks them into her bait bag for a good luck charm and she carries on.
Not far from the pond, she finds some deer grazing on a field. She found the perfect place. She only needed one deer, maybe only a small one, but her mother would use the meat for their dinner and then get the rest of the meat and donate it to the local butchers for others to get as many were still recovering from poverty. She picks up a stone and launches it with her bow to a near rock. The deer notice this and they separate. Katniss’ hunting skills deduct the deer that she would easily catch and she sets off. Slowly stalking it, she gets herself ready to launch the arrow and hit in straight through the eye, just like she once did with squirrels, When it stops, she takes aim, breathes in deeply and then calmly out. She fires on target and hits the deer straight through the eye. She sighs with relief. At least she still had a part of her old self still in her now. That was something to stick by when she was unsure of herself. She smiled and started to trek back with the deer. She was satisfied with herself, all she need do now is to get over the milestone of the 76th Hunger Games.
Over at the Capitol, the chosen tributes were all getting ready for the big day in two days. The three tributes who had families with previous ties with the hunger games were all getting advice from their families on what to do, whereas the others were just trying to say their final goodbyes and get everything ready. Felicity, Alexis and Logan all had advantages due to their families but they also had flaws. Felicity was hated so she could be ganged upon, Alexis made herself look weak, so she could be targeted, and Logan is too friendly for his own good.
Felicity walks through her house possessively, looking for her golden make-up. “Where is my make-up?!” She demanded. Her mother, the daughter of Snow, comes in. She has an equally short temper and the two can argue all day long. “You, young lady will not speak to me like that! Even if you are going somewhere to die you will not have the right to speak like that!” Felicity stares at her mother threateningly. “Well, if I die, I will know how much of a witch you really are. You call yourself a mother? Don’t make me laugh.” Felicity storms out vainly, her temper gets the best of her and she screeches at the top of her voice. “And you be quiet Felicity Rosanne Snow! Or I will gladly take you to the meeting stop from where you leave early.” Felicity ignores her mother and curses her under her breath. She returns to her room and turns on her Holographic Media player. It was an invention snow had created for the games and gave Felicity a prototype. It was program like a simple Laptop and Television device, However, much more can be done. She then watches the repeat broadcast of the selection of the tributes, picking out which ones she will strike an alliance with and which ones will be fresh meat. She smiles devilishly, her plan was coming together nicely.
Alexis sighs. “Those selfish little snobs are arguing again mom.”
She lives three houses down from Felicity and she is sick of everything they do and the arguments they have. She is happy that Felicity is going in the arena, but devastated that she is herself. She doesn’t know why everyone chose her. Do they not like her? Her family say that they just think she can win, but she thinks otherwise. She almost broke down when her name was called. If she almost did then, what about in the actual arena. The worst thing that could happen for her is to set up an alliance with Felicity, she doesn’t believe that would ever happen but if it might, she will just take her chances on her own. If she can.
“Just ignore it Alexis, only a few days now, and you will be rid of it forever.” Her mother is an honest sincere woman, she probably learned those traits from her father and took them from him when he died. That is another reason she hates Felicity and the Snow family. Her dad was killed by them when Katniss and Peeta lived. He couldn’t stop that, and they forced him to poison himself because of it. Her father meant everything to her, now he is gone. She wants her revenge for him. She will get it. Even if it means infiltrating and gaining Felicity’s trust. She will not be weak anymore, not like she thought she would be. It's kill or be killed, and Felicity is the target. Alexis plots her revenge, getting ready for the arena.
“So, Logan, my boy. Are you fine with everything that’s going on?” Logan is on the phone to Caesar. He has had some spare time while he makes his way to the stage venue where the interviews and parade will be held.
“Yes Uncle Caesar.” Logan has talked to all of his family except for Caesar, so this call is important to him.
“Now, listen. You can’t trust anyone in these games. Especially not Felicity, I dealt with her grandfather and he was a slippery man. I’m sure she is too. If she tries to make an alliance, be careful. She could double cross you any time. Once you are not needed, she will get rid of you.”
Caesar gives Logan massive tips on the games. He is a master at this. He has been hosting the games for many years now so he has seen almost all the strategies there are. “I can’t say much, but what I can say is that all seven remaining victors will, throughout the course of a week. Have a day of training with each of you. So you will be taught many things, and many tactics. They will all tell you different strategies, it is up to you to choose which is the best but I will give you advice. Listen to Katniss. She won it recently and she came out the strongest, If there is anyone you should listen to, it’s her. Ok? Well, I have to go now, but don’t talk about this to anyone. It is a secret. I’ll see you in a few days. Good luck.”
The phone bleeps and the line goes dead. Logan smiles and puts down the phone. He then goes back to watching previous footage of the Hunger Games for ideas on what to do throughout it.
Alyssa found comfort by sitting by herself. She was in denial about what happened and she didn’t know what to do. “Are you ok, honey?” Her mother asks. She replies with a nod and a smile. “It’s just that you haven’t been talking for a while, and you didn’t come to the fashion fair with me today. You missed Effie Trinket and her new clothing line from Capitol Couture. I know how much you like Capitol Culture.” She sighs and gets off her bed. Her mother holds out her hand as a gesture for her to follow her down the stairs. She follows her. Downstairs she finds her two closest friends. Arellia and Roxi.
As she enters they both gasp and hug her. They both blert out things like, “I know you can do it!” and “You must be so proud!”. She just nods and pretends to put on a brave face.
“Now, Alli.” Roxi says. “My dad told me that he knows something that will help you win and become a victor!” She squeals happily.
“No way!” Ariellia gasps.
Alyssa rolls her eyes subtly and listens. “He says that you should be very friendly with two other tributes and form an alliance, you should then kill the others and run from your alliance. Let the two fight and then you get the last one. Sound great doesn't it!” Roxi talks as if it means nothing to kill, however Alyssa is having trouble with the idea of that.
“Not really” Alyssa replies. Her friends look at her, they are confused. “I just don’t want to kill. I’m not that sort of person, I’m sure I will when it comes to it, but I don’t want to plan it all out. It will make me depressed.” She sighs and continues to explain this to her friends. They all try to figure out how to help her with what she is going through, she doesn’t have much time left.
What are we going to do today mom?” Nymphi asks excitedly. Her mother had said that she would do three things she had always wanted to do over the three days she has left, just in case she doesn’t make it back.
“Well, it is all up to you my little tree nymph.” Her mother looks at her and smiles, but behind that smile is a sad and desperate glint of loss, she knows that her daughter has a slim chance of surviving. She had always been a nice girl, so why was she chosen. It is tragic.
“uhh....” She stands there thinking for a few seconds, she does this in a typical childish demeanor. “How about we go and explore the forest.” Nymphi loves trees. She is an amazing climber. She can climb the tallest and thinnest trees and she can find a way to shelter in them, similar to the way Katniss climbed up trees for safety in the 54th Hunger Games. “Of course we can, It’ll help you climb aswell. Something you need when you will go away to the arena.” Nymphi smiles and they make their way out.
They stop “I love you mom. If I don’t come back, remember that. I’ll try to make you proud.” She carries on and tells her mother to hurry. Her mother tears up, and follows her. She doesn’t want any of this to happen. Especially not to her little child.
“Come on Aetos.” His mother said. “You’ll have plenty of time for training when you leave. Why don’t you say goodbye to everyone so you can see them before you go.” Aetos’ mother is standing at the door of their home gym with her hands on her hips, she is not pleased.
“Mom, listen. I need to stay fit and even if I train before I go into the arena, doing it now will still give me an upper hand. Anyway, I don’t intend to see my family, I’ll be able to see them when I win.” She sighs and leaves, she has given up on trying to talk sense into her son, she believes in him but feels like he is being too big headed. Whilst she leaves, Aetos has a quick break, he gets some water and gulps it down. He sits down and thinks about the games.
He has a practical mind so he can think of strategies easily, but he isn’t that easy about making friends, he isn’t too likable. He just assumes they’ll want him on their team as he is fit and strong. He is very wrong, and it could cost him his life. His dream team would to have Calix, himself, Felicity and no one else. He believes they will help him win, however, he doesn’t know how he will kill them off in the end. He starts plotting whilst he continues training. He won’t stop until he has the perfect plan.
Calix sits down with his girlfriend. “Kloe, I will come back, I promise. I will win for you. Just like Katniss won for her sister.” He hugs Chloe and kisses her. “Now, I need to talk to you. While I’m gone, I’m going to need you to help my mom take care of my brother and sister. She can’t do it alone. You’ll have to help her. They like you so if you are there while I am not, they will find it easier while I’m gone. Ok.” She nods and he smiles at her.
They hold hands and they stroll through the large garden of Calix’s house. “I’m going to miss this place while I’m gone. I’ve lived here all my life, I don’t know how i’ll adjust. At least I’ll come back afterwards.” He smiles at her and goes to hug her but she backs away.
“Calix, why are you so sure you will win. You could easily die. Don’t kid yourself if you think it will be easy. It will be hard, and you can’t afford to be arrogant.” She looks concerned and angry. She then walks off. She has found it hard to face that he will probably die. Calix follows her and tries to explain himself. He is having trouble with this and Kloe ends up crying. He can only comfort her. She is too distraught to listen to him.
“I will win, I promise you, I have a plan that is flawless. Look at me Kloe.” She looks at him and he puts his hands on her head gently. “I love you, and you will help me make it through. You are my lucky charm.” They smile at each other and give each other a loving hug. Was that hug to be the last hug they would ever have?
The three days are over and Katniss, Peeta and all of the Victors along with their stylists and teams make their way to the capitol. The tributes have been transferred through custody to a new hotel. One with eight housing floors, a lobby and an underground training area. The old hotel was irrelevant as it was designed for 24 tributes and the hotel had previously been used for a museum project, just like the Presidential building. It had been closed off since the rebellion. Everyone arrives. Effie, being the popular and sociable person she is, designates a floor for each tribute. Katniss then continues to explain what will happen.
“Now, you each have your own floor. They are all identical, so no one is being favoured. You will have a week for training. All of us, as in victors, will be given one day with each of you. We will train you and help you. On the final 8th day, you will be tested and given a score out of seven, similar to the old hunger games. You will then have a day of rest and then for the next day, you will be assigned stylists, they will clean you, do makeup and hair and dress you for the big parade and interview. The parade will be like it was before. However, you will all be dressed according to an aspect that your stylists will discuss with you.”
Katniss puts her hand out forward. “You have the rest of today to settle in to your floor. Tomorrow you will start training.” The stylist teams take their tribute up to their designated floor. This is the perfect time to talk about costumes and get to know them better. Katniss and her team of friends all form a group and start discussing the matter of the event.
“So, is everything going to plan Effie?” Peeta asks. Effie responds with a nod and satisfied smile. Haymitch then gives a relieved gesture and they make their way to the top floor. All of the other victors follow. This is the floor the victors, Effie and Katniss’ stylist team will stay, as they have no designated tribute. This floor is purposely bigger to house all eleven of them. They step in the elevator. The door closes and takes them up. The event has officially started.
Chapter 4: Tiring Training
The Bell sounds for the start of the training session. All the tributes, who have already awoken and eaten their breakfast make their way to the training room underground. The instructors of each station introduce their station and the importance of it before the tributes are allowed to go to them and learn. Every hour, an alarm is sounding, alerting the tribute that they have finished their lesson and may change stations if they wish. Whilst the tributes train, the seven victors, and two Gamemakers are observing them through the elevated floor and the huge glass panel through the wall, which, like the previous games, has a force field protecting it from harm. The tributes will have a private training session with a victor in one of the new training booths created specifically for the mentoring part of the games. The booths are 25 square feet each and all contain a specific aspect of survival or combat which will depend on which victor is training them at the time. All seven victors will train them in different parts. Katniss trains in Bow and Arrow skills both combat and hunting. Peeta trains in camouflage and survival skills. Haymitch in brute force and using situations to their advantage. just like he used the force field to his advantage in his games. Beetee will train tributes to create weapons and how to apply knowledge to create plans. Enobaria and Johanna will train in melee combat with knives, swords or other sharp objects, Enobaria training more on the aggressive side whilst Johanna more on the strategic side. Finally, Annie Cresta trains in Aquatic Survival such as swimming and fishing. She also trains in creating bait hooks and snares to help catch food. During the overall training, they can try out all of these but also a few more options such as climbing, Poisons and Venoms and knowledge of edible and inedible substances. To win, tributes must learn from all of these activities.
The first to start is, of course, Aetos. He is obsessed with keeping fit, and the first station he goes to is the physical combat station, where he shows his boxing skills. He throws numerous hard punches in a matter of seconds, and he does not miss a single target pad on the target dummy. Everyone looks at him in a mixed feeling of awe and intimidation. If Aetos can do this, they need to find something they’re good at to counter him. Nymphi and Calix approach him and praise him, hoping for him to befriend them for them to then team up in the arena.
“Show off” Felicity mutters under her breath and walks off in the opposite direction to the knife poisons and biological weapons station. She is talented in that area as her grandfather used to tell her the tales of how he himself poisoned his opponents. Felicity would then learn the type of poisons most effective and how to administer them without arousing suspicion. This was to make sure that once she succeeded him, she would know how to stay top.. That was all for nothing when the rebels won, until now.
Whilst Felicity was engrossed in her poisons, Logan and Alexis both go to the survival station. Whilst there, they begin talking and soon they befriend each other. They both have exceptional talents in the survival station. Logan being good at making snares and traps and Alexis being good at Camouflaging. They both realize this and realize they could do well as a team. Logan proposes an alliance to Alexis and Alexis accepts. They then start to teach each other how they are so good at their aspect of the survival station. Before the end of the day, they are both friends and they have both successfully taught each other some skills.
Whilst the others are training, Alyssa sits in the corner and stares blankly. She just wants to leave. She would never want to kill, but she has to. After she realizes that everyone is looking at her, either with pity or with aggression, she stands up to prove herself. She grabs short sword, and leaps at the dummy, striking leaving a huge gauge in the plastic stub which would resemble a head. Katniss, who is sitting down watching them stands up, shocked that one small child could have that much strength. She could definitely be a danger if she wanted to be, even with others being good at combat.
Felicity rises and marches towards Alyssa, she stands frozen in her spot, awaiting a punch or kick from her, but it doesn’t happen. “Give me that!” Felicity demands. “I can do that so it’s not hard!” Felicity sneers and snatches the short sword from Alyssa. She leaps towards the dummy but trips when she lands. Everyone starts to laugh apart from Logan, he helps her up. Felicity doesn’t want help and shoves him off. She then storms out of the training centre. Enobaria leaves to go after her.
“That was amazing!” Nymphi exclaims. “Where did you learn that?” Alyssa shrugs and turns around to go back to the corner she sat in earlier.
“Wait.” Nymphi says. “Aren’t you going to train? If you don’t, you could die. And I think I know just who will want to do that.” She indicated Felicity and tries to get Alyssa to realise that without all of the training, her death will be almost impossible to avoid.
“My death doesn’t frighten me.” Alyssa explains. “Only the thought of losing myself to these games through killing and becoming ‘glorious’. I don’t want that” She returns to the corner and sits down, staring at the dummy she attacked, imagining that being one of the other six. She shakes her head to try and get the thought out of her head.
Everyone leaves her, Calix and Nymphi then separate and do their own thing, Nymphi goes to the climbing station, where there is a fake tree and a few nets on some poles. Whilst Nymphi does this, Calix picks up a spear. He has no specialty, however, he is quite balanced, so he is fairly good at most things but he hasn’t fully mastered them. He aims and throws the spear, it hit the upper thigh of the dummy. It fell slightly short and missed the target, however he continues to try. He is not the type to give up.
After a few hours the bell once again sounds, signifying the start of the one to one training with the tributes and victors. The tributes and victors are given timetables of which they are paired with each day. After this, they meet their first partner in a designated training room. The private training begins.
I have finished up to chapter 5, however, I will release that in a week or so, so I can break up the chapters. Over the next week, I will post two chapters a week,and after that, one chapter a week. This may become a chapter every two weeks when I return to school as I will have a hard six months of final exams until I go to college.
I will continue to write over Christmas break in about two weeks. It will have an estimated 20+ chapters all roughly the same size.
I will also be doing concept art for the tributes. I have already done Felicity and half way through Alexis. I will post them up soon with the other chapters.