Toon Madness and the Card Trapnoose
Chapter One
Gale is kissing Prim right before my very eyes. She is eighteen now, so she has every right to make-out with whoever she wants. But I still want to punch Gale's teeth out .
The memo for the 80th Hunger Games does little to lift my spirits. To make us go through that again! President Snow is a sadist. And I want to send an arrow straight into his heart.
"How's your foot?" Peeta asks, pulling a chair up next to mine and twisting it around backwards.
"Still got teeth marks, but I'll live."
"I hope it doesn't hamper you in the upcoming Hunger Games."
"The only thing that can hamper me is an infestation of bugs."
"I hope President Snow hasn't bugged this room, so that he can plan next year's Hunger Games with them."
I look at him soldemnly.
"What?"
"When will these competitions ever end? I'm twenty-two and have been fighting in the Hunger Games since I was sixteen. It's very daunting to keep on doing this."
"It's for the people, Katniss," Peeta says, using a phrase he has used before. "For the people."
I know he is right. We are giving courage to the viewers, those downtrodden in the Districts. And for that we must be victorious. But in order to be victorious, we must keep on fighting ceaselessly.
"The train ride will be a long one," I say.
"I'll be there to keep you company."
Haymitch runs in, waving about a piece of mail that has just arrived. "President Snow has just sent it. The details of the new battle scheme."
"He's never sent us them before," Peeta said, taking the envelope. "Why would he now?"
"Because you're going to be playing a game 'of great and terrible power.' Those are his words. 'great and terrible power.'"
"That doesn't sound safe at all."
"It's not. But you ought to be up for it.
Peeta ripped open the flap.
DUEL MONSTERS
Battle with cards against opponents in a game of _. Use your wits and your skills! Pick your cards! And know that there will be a card in everyone's deck which you can either choose to play, or not. Not doing so might cost you the match, and from there you will have to fight hungry Pyroar, if you can handle it. If you don't know what a Pyroar is, think of the 78th Hunger Games, onlyone of those creatures with the ability to breathe fire.
I"78th? That was twoyears ago…"
"Last year was the dogs…thithe year before was…"
"Lions!" both Peeta and I say together.
"A lion that breathes fire?"
"That's what it says."
"How will we handle that?"
"By not facing it," I say. "Whatever we do, we must not lose at this…Duel Monsters."
A honk is heard and we all run out, including the perpetually-kissing duo, Prim and Gale.
There is a truck with a face out there, which reminds me of ra former Hunger Games. HeIt honks again, and it's trunk opens up.
"What's with this thing?"
"I think it wants us to get inside it," Peeta says.
"What for?"
Gale and Prim have gone around to look into the depths of the truck. They call us over.
"What is it?" I ask
Peeta points inside, and I let my gaze travel along the course his finger indicates.
Then I see it. The paint saying the message which I had dreaded seeing, though I already knew we were participants slated for this year's competition…
The Capitol would like to welcome the reigning champions to this year's
Hunger Games.
Prim has to hold me for support. Sound has ceased, but I'm certain I am screaming. For I do not want to go back to the Capitol.