BP: This is a rewrite of the Alice Games. I deleted the old version already, because I didn't really like where the plot is going. Do review, and tell me how you like the new plot!
Here's the info:
District 1- Latent Ability
District 2- Dangerous Ability
District 3 – Technical Ability
District 4- Somatic Ability
District 5- Special Ability
District 6- For those who are too young to discover their Alice. They stay here until they are old enough to discover their Alice
"Yuki, would you come on? You keep that up and you're going to make us late!" said a girl.
Yuki paid no attention to the girl. He continued to concentrate on the roadway to the town square. He lagged several feet behind her and a boy with emerald black hair and hazel eyes, attempting to keep the dirt from swelling with each step and drifting back upon his shiny black shoes and the cuff of his corduroy pants by lifting each foot high before setting it gently down again. Always meticulously neat, Yuki never allowed dirt or tears to mar anything he owned. Today was no exception.
"You keep that up and make us late for the Sorting, mum's going to wear you out." The girl threatened, pulling with exasperation at the high collar of the Sunday dress her mum had made her wear for the Sorting- as if that event were something special. It occurred to the girl that showing up at the Sorting at all on a bright August-like October evening made them staying at home concession enough; Sunday clothing was asking too much.
"You two go ahead and get dirty if you both want." said Yuki. "Me, I'm going to stay clean."
"Bet mum is going to clean you later if you keep that up." The girl muttered.
The boy with emerald black hair and hazel eyes spoke up. "Ah, Ringo, leave him be." said Ryoma.
"I did not say anything but-"
Ryoma cut his friend with a wicked look and she grew silent. His disposition had been increasingly sour lately. If Ringo hadn't known the cause of it, she could have forgotten very easily that he was, at 12 years old, bigger than her, and she had promised to arrive at District 6's town square looking clean and lady-like. Oh, and not to mention the fact that his brother lost the Games two years ago and he is going to be sorted into his District soon. "It isn't really anyone's fault that your brother's chosen for the Games and lost, Ryoma."
Ryoma's frown deepened and he jammed his fists into his pockets, but said nothing. About 74 years prior, the rebellion of the six districts began when all the six districts of Panem objected to the Capitol oppressive rule and thus rose up against the government. During the course of the rebellion all six of the districts were defeated, leaving them under the rule of the Capitol. To remind them that they are under the Capitol's power, they were forced to compete in the sadistic Alice Games in punishment for their rebellion. District 6 is not allowed to participate, but the price is that they are the poorest and least prestigious District. Two years ago, Ryoga Echizen, Ryoma's older brother, was chosen to represent District 3 for the Games (each District, except for 6, has its own Alice Academy), but alas, he was caught by surprise by the girl from District 2 who has the Bug Pheromone Alice, and she got the bugs to inject poison on him, leaving him to convulse on the ground, before eventually dying. Just thinking about Ryoga losing before him gives Ryoma chills down his spine, and Ringo knew it well.
As for the reaping, attendance is mandatory for all 12-year-old children, to sort them into their new homes. The message cannot be clearer: Look how we take your children, train them, and make them fight to the death. You have to stay at the Academy until you are 20, and then can you return to your home district. If you lose your Alice before you are 20, you are immediately executed: Panem is a country only for Alices. Although you are not eligible for the reaping after 18, you still need to finish your education before you return home. You may help train the younger students after you're 18. This is the rule at all District Academy.
Ringo tugged again at her collar and dragged her feet in the dust, allowing it to sift back onto her socks and shoes like gritty red snow. She hated the dress. And the shoes. There was little she could do in a dress, and as for shoes, they imprisoned freedom-loving feet accustomed to the feel of the warm earth.
"Stop that, Ringo." Ryoma snapped. Ringo shot him a sharp look, before she realized that she is dirtying Ryoma's shoes as well. She stopped.
Finally, they reached the town square. "Hey Ryoma." said Prudence Tennyson, the Mayor's daughter, as she flounced by in a new yellow dress. Ryoma nodded tersely, and she walked on. The trio stared after her noting that she would have on a new dress. Certainly no one else did. Patches on faded pants and dresses abounded on boys and girls come so recently from the heat from the sun. Girls tugging at their too-high collars and boys who were afraid to sit on their faded trousers. There are also people who are hopping from one pinched foot to another in their shoes.
They gathered behind some of their classmates, and watched while a woman announced on the mike, "Welcome, to the Sorting. Every one of you will place this Sorting Hat on your head, and they will declare your District using the Detection Alice, where he can detect all your Alices, placed in it. From there, you will get on the five different trains, each marked with a number, indicating which District they are heading to. Your luggage will be automatically be transported to your sorted District Academy." The Sorting Hat is a sentient artefact which magically determines to which of the Five Alice Districts each child is to be assigned. Created by the person with a Detection Alice, it serves to sort the child according to their type of Alice.
Then, the Sorting Hat opened his mouth, and sang:
"Oh you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the District 6 Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in District 2,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set District 2s apart;
You might belong in District 5,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient District 5s are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old District 3,
If you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in District 4
You'll make your real friends,
Those lovely folks use the safest means
To achieve their ends.
Or you might belong in District 1
Where everything is norm
Their powers are in a form
Where it is all common
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!"
It was followed by applause and cheers. The woman then began to take out a list, and read out the name:
"Ameyuri, Ringo!"
Ringo stepped up, put on the Hat, and the Hat shouted, "District 1!"
She nodded goodbye to her friends, and disappeared to the station, to wait. Ryoma yawned, bored, when the woman read, "Echizen, Ryoma!" he went up, and put the Hat on.
"Hmm, you have four Alices, I see. The Heal Alice, Pain Alice, the Eye Illusion Alice and the Apathy Alice. I am not surprised. Your father had the Eye Illusion and Apathy while your mother mad the Heal and Pain Alice. Your brother had the Invention Alice, am I right?"
Ryoma nodded.
"I see plenty of strength and intelligence in you. You seek revenge for your brother as his killer is the victor. I just know where to put you. DISTRICT 2!" Ryoma got up, and shakily went to the station that is going to take him to District 2.
After the Sorting, Ryoma boarded the train, and headed to District 2. He watched his home District disappear, and sighed. Yuki was sorted to District 3, and he was all alone. He'll never see his friends again for a long time, that's for sure. Hopefully, they'll still be alive after they graduate at 20, since all students are forbidden to contact with friends at other Districts.
The Student Train is fancier than anything Ryoma has ever seen. All the new District 2 students had separate compartments to rest. Each of these has a bedroom, dressing area and bathroom, with hot and cold running water. He didn't have hot water at home, unless he boils it.
There are drawers filled with fine clothes, and the District 2 guide they met in the train says to do anything they want, wear anything they want, everything is at their disposals. Just be ready for supper in an hour.
Ryoma peeled off his Sorting clothes, and took a long hot shower. After that, he dressed in a dark blue shirt and khaki pants. The District 2 guide came to collect him for supper. He and the other students followed her through the corridor to the dining car. Ryoma sat down next to his friend from school Akira Amadera, a very pretty and cute girl. She appeared calm and mild-mannered, and is also one of the coldest people Ryoma ever met, but she always stands up to her friends when needed.
The supper comes in courses. A thick carrot soup, green salad, lamb chops and mashed potatoes, cheese and fruit, a chocolate cake. Ryoma never had food like this, so good and so much, and decided to eat a little of everything.
"How did you get into District 2?" Ryoma asked his childhood friend as they ate.
"I asked for District 2. My cousin who is also my best friend is studying and training there." She replied. "Also, the Hat thinks I am good for District 2 because of my Alices." How about you?"
"I had four Alices." Ryoma mumbled.
"There are only three well-known families with children who have more than 1 Alice, Ryoma. You are one of them. Mine is another. The third is my cousin's family, the Aikawas."
Ryoma nodded, as he started on the lamb chops and mashed potatoes. They discussed if Alices people are born with is passed down by family or it depends on individual, before continuing their meals. For a moment, all conversation stops as the new District 2 students filled their stomachs. After supper, it was time for bed. Ryoma bade Akira goodnight, as he went back to his assigned compartment. He picked out a sleepwear from the drawer, changed into it, and climbed into bed. The sheets are made of soft, silky fabric. A thick fluffy comforter immediately gave him warmth.
Ryoma let the train rock him into oblivion, and closed his eyes.
BP: I am starting to think it isn't a good idea, since I had 10 minutes as usual. Please review, though!