A/N: So, this was an idea I got at like 3:00 in the morning and I thought it was so rocking fantastic that I had to write it. So please tell me what you think, I'd love to hear it. :)
Wings On Fire: Prologue – Cinna's POV
Cinna looked up as the doors of his cell swung open with an ominous clank. He closed his eyes as someone flicked on the harshly bright overhead light. When his eyes adjusted, Cinna looked up again and slowly blinked at President Snow.
"Well, this is a surprise," Cinna croaked. President Snow had never come to question Cinna in the days…weeks…months? he had been imprisoned in this stinking Capitol hole. Cinna couldn't remember how long it had been sense he transformed Katniss into the mockingjay.
"I suppose I should be honored," he continued, "But, I'm not."
A peacekeeper guard Cinna hadn't noticed stepped from behind Snow and slapped him in the face with his metal studded glove. The blow hurt, but Cinna wasn't about to show it. He had long sense stopped caring about the pain. As long as the mockingjay was safe, Cinna could take anything they threw at him.
Cinna spat a mouthful of blood down at Snow's boots. The peacekeeper raised his hand again but Snow shook his head.
"Now, now Cinna, that is no way to treat the man who brings you freedom," Snow said with false joviality.
Cinna looked at the other man with undisguised incredulity and hate. "You can't expect me to believe you?" he scoffed, "Sir, you're the reason I've been held here."
Snow waved his hand, "All in the past, I've decided to give everyone known to be part of the rebellion a pardon."
"Why?" Cinna said sarcastically. "So you can kill us all on national television? No thanks, I'd rather eat nightlock."
"Nonsense, you're free, all of you!" Snow smiled with his puffy snake lips. As he spoke Snow motioned for the peacekeeper to release Cinna.
"Please, there's got to be a reason," Cinna said as he massaged his wrists. "You've never let prisoners go unless you're going to kill them in the night. So what is it?"
"Oh, yes there is a reason," Snow said patronizingly. "You see," he continued leaning down over Cinna, "you're rebellion has failed. The Capitol is still in control. District 13 is gone, permanently this time. You have failed, and I need to make an example. I need to make sure that nothing like this ever happens again."
"So…you're sparing us?" Cinna said trying his best not to be sarcastic, "Don't you think that's a bit, I don't know, counterproductive?"
"Ah, no, not at all my dear Cinna," he said with a puffy-lipped smile, "You see, I am sparing you to show how kind and good the Capitol is. The people of the districts will wonder why they ever tried to overthrow us."
"But you're killing their children!" Cinna cried, "You destroyed District 12! Why would they believe you're "goodness"?"
"Yes, but that was not my decision," Snow said, "I agree with it, but the Hunger Games will be the only reminder of the rebellion. In a way, it will be like you're rebellion never happened. We're even rebuilding District 12. The people will believe all has been forgiven."
"So what? All the people you're keeping prisoner here will run off into the sunset never to be heard from again?"
"Oh no!" Snow gasped seeming absolutely horrified by the idea. "I want you, your prep team, the other stylists an the victors to return to the Hunger Games. You will watch them, you will celebrate them, you will pretend to love them. You will watch all of your loved ones die in the games, and you will have helped them die without ever trying to help them live.
"You can try to start a rebellion again. You can flaunt the fact that you almost overthrew the Capitol. As long as you stay with the games I don't care what you do. And do you want to know why I don't care?"
Cinna gulped and nodded knowing that even if he didn't Snow would continue.
Snow crouched down so he could look Cinna directly in the eyes. "I don't care because there is nothing you can do to hurt us anymore. You have failed, Cinna, and now there is nothing you can do to change that. You can make another mockingjay, and no one will care anymore. They will see you as a symbol of the Capitol's generosity. And then, when you least expect it, all of you who were part of this horrible misunderstanding will vanish one by one until there is nothing left to remind people of this rebellion. So, you see I have won, you have lost, and nothing you do can save you now. So, go ahead, design your pretty cloths. Try to make another victor. Only know that you will fail. You will always fail." With that, Snow got up and walked out of the cell motioning for Cinna and the peacekeeper to follow him.
Cinna took a deep breath trying to rid his nose of the smell of blood and roses that always seemd to hang around Snow.
"Get up," the peacekeeper intoned dryly. Cinna shook his head and got creakily to his feet. The peacekeeper gently but firmly grabbed his arm and escorted him out of the cell and down the hall after Snow.
Snow leads Cinna out of the prison building and into a car with darkened windows. Cinna didn't say a word. He still felt like a prisoner even though there were no handcuffs and the peacekeeper had let go of him. The only thoughts running through his head were thoughts about what happened to Katniss and what went wrong with the rebellion. How could he just watch the games like he did when he was a child? How could he just turn a blind eye again? He couldn't, he knew that. No matter what happens from now on, he will overthrow the Capitol, even if he dies in the process. Look out, Snow. He thought with a hard smile. Look out because when the time is right, I will destroy you. You and all you stand for.
A/N: So, what did you think? Please let me know in a review or message. :)