Hello, Guys! Long time no see, huh? This sequel is a long time in the making and it is finally here. There is also a new faceclaim for Lily, since she is older now, and the new faceclaim is Lily James. Yes, the girl who played Cinderella in the live-action movie, also the girl in the cover image, provided that that is working, because sometimes it doesn't. Also, if you are new to this story and you did not read the prequel, go and read it now. It's on my profile and it's called the Seventieth Hunger Games, so go read it first. So, without any further rambling on my part, let's start this, the first chapter of The Quarter-Quell.

Lily's POV:

"Vincent! Will! Stop fighting and get down here, the Capital announcements are starting!" I yelled.

There's mandatory programming on tonight and I'm betting that it's about Katniss' wedding photo shoot from yesterday. Maybe someone found out about it. I suppose it could be about the Quarter-Quell, but that isn't coming up for a few months.

Thundering footsteps came down the stairs and Vincent and Will appeared in the doorway. Both looked angry, but Vincent more than Will.

I sighed. "Whatever it is you're fighting about now, can we deal with it after the announcements? Just sit down."

Without a word, but grumbling, they both sat down in armchairs. I could hear Peeta laughing quietly from where he sat next to me on the couch. I glanced at him and rolled my eyes. I turned on the television at exactly seven-thirty. Sure enough, there's Caesar Flickerman speaking before a standing-room only crowd in front of the Training Center, talking about Katniss and Peeta's impending nuptials. Then Cinna is introduced and after a moment of good-natured chitchat, we're directed to turn our attention to the giant screen.

Honestly, I kind of zoned-out through all of the dress talk. I really couldn't care less. The wedding itself? Sure. But not the Capital voting on her dress.

I only looked up when Caesar told us to stay tuned for the other big event of the evening. "That's right, this year will be the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Hunger Games, and that means it's time for our third Quarter-Quell!"

"I wonder what they're going to do," Will said. "It isn't for months."

I took a deep breath, frowning. "Uh… They're probably just reading the card."

I glanced at Peeta beside me, who had gone slightly stiff. The Hunger Games themselves are awful, but they always do something "special" for the Quarter-Quell. I wonder what torture they've come up with this year.

That's when the anthem started playing and President Snow walked on stage, followed by a young boy holding a simple wooden box. Then the anthem ended, and President Snow started speaking, to remind us all of the Dark Days from which the Hunger Games were born… Yes, yes, we know. When the laws of the Games were made out, they dictated that every twenty-five years the anniversary would be marked by a Quarter-Quell. It calls for a glorified version of the Games to make fresh the memory of those killed by the districts' rebellion… At least, that's how the Capital tells it. I suppose they'll come up with something creative, considering what rebellions Katniss and Peeta started last year.

Snow started telling us about the previous Quarter Quells. "On the twenty-fifth anniversary, as a reminder to the rebels that their children were dying because of the choice to initiate violence, every district was made to hold an election and vote on the tributes who would represent it. On the fiftieth anniversary, as a reminder that two rebels died for each Capital citizen, every district was required to send twice as many tributes."

Isn't that the year that Haymitch won?

"And now we honor our third Quarter-Quell," the president said. The boy stepped forward and opened the box and the president selects a yellow envelope. "On the seventy-fifth anniversary, as a reminder to the rebels that even the strongest among them cannot overcome the power of the Capital, the male and female tributes will be reaped from their existing pool of victors."

I went rigid, Peeta's eyes widened, Will's jaw dropped, Vincent's hands clenched into fists.

"What?" Vincent yelled angrily.

But the president wasn't done yet. "In addition, one district, chosen on Reaping Day, will send a third, Wild-Card tribute."

I'm sure he said something after that, but I stopped listening. Three tributes… Obviously, it's going to be 12 that has to send three... of course it will. So, I'll either have to watch my brother go through it again, or I'll be right there with him. The only good thing is that maybe I could help get him out alive. Though, I'm sure he'll be focused on Katniss. I barely noticed when Peeta rose from his seat and ran out the door. My best guess, he'll be talking to Haymitch about helping him keep Katniss alive. I'm sure he'll ask me as well, but I can't make Katniss a bigger priority to me than Peeta. I just can't.

I felt Will and Vincent sit down on either side of me and I looked up. Will looked like he was going to cry, while Vincent's expression was a perfect mix of anger and sadness as he put his hand on my shoulder.

"Are you okay?" Vincent asked.

I shrugged. "It is what it is, I suppose."

"What are we going to do?" Will said quietly.

I paused and took a deep breath before wrapping an arm around each other their shoulders.

"I'll tell you exactly what we're going to do," I replied. "If Peeta and I are both chosen, one way or another, I will do whatever I can to get your brother out. If I'm not chosen, but he is, and I am a mentor again… I will do whatever I can to get your brother out. Until then, we're going to keep our heads. I'm going to talk to your brother, we're going to train and get stronger, and give yourselves the best chance we can for one of us to win. Katniss and Haymitch too. This situation is awful, but there's nothing can do about it."

Will frowned. "But if you get Peeta out, then we'll lose you."

I nodded slowly. "Yes, that's true. But you've all grown up so well. And you all would be able to take care of yourselves and excel at whatever you do, and that means that I've done my job well. And that's all I need to know."

"This isn't fair," Vincent muttered. "They can't do this to you. Any of you. The Victors are supposed to be safe after they win."

"It's a Quarter-Quell, Vinny. And he's the president. They can do anything they want, really."

"This is all Katniss' fault. She started all of this last year."

I blinked a few times before answering. "Yes… But if she hadn't done everything that she did, I don't think Peeta would be here right now. He would've sacrificed himself for her to win."

"But why? That doesn't make any sense," Will asked.

I hesitated. "Because he loves her, Will. And he has for a long time. Sometimes… Sometimes love makes you make choices for that person before yourself. You care about their wellbeing more than your own. Love makes you do crazy things."

"That's why you'd try to save Peeta instead of saving yourself."

I glanced at him and nodded. Yes, that is why. But my thoughts were drifting years back… Back to Ethan. Suddenly the necklace around my neck seemed heavier—The necklace he'd given me, along with a letter of how he really felt. But by then, it was too late. I understand why Peeta would want to save Katniss… It's the same reason why Ethan sacrificed himself for me.

I shook my head slightly and cleared my throat, looking at each other my brothers in turn. "Crying and being angry will get us nowhere. What we need to do now, is prepare. I… I need to think a few things over, alone. Please, you two, no fighting tonight. I can't… I just can't."

They only nodded and I walked away and upstairs to my room. The night was still early, and I wasn't tired, so I simply sat on my bed with my knees pulled up to my chest and stared out my window at the bright full moon. With my left hand, I reached up and touched the amethyst pendant hanging around my neck. I haven't taken it off in years. Maybe if I die in the arena, I'll be able to see Ethan again. I've never thought about the afterlife before, not even during my first Games. But at that time, I only had myself to worry about. Now, I'm not even worried about me… only Peeta. I'll be trying save Peeta, he'll be trying to save Katniss, she'll probably be doing the same thing I am. I wonder where Haymitch's loyalty's lie…. It doesn't matter anyway. If Haymitch is chosen, Peeta will undoubtedly volunteer. Unless, he's the Wild-Card, he's basically in the clear.

There was a knock at my door.

"Come in," I said without turning around.

I heard the door open behind me, but continued staring out the window.

"Lily?"

At the sound of Peeta's voice, I finally turned. "Hi, Peeta."

Peeta walked over and sat down on the bed next to me. "Are you okay?"

I glanced at him. "As fine as can be expected. You?"

"Same as you."

I took a deep breath. "I know you asked Haymitch to help you get Katniss out alive. I know you'll probably volunteer for him if he gets picked."

Peeta opened his mouth to say something, but I cut him off.

"Don't. I understand why she is your priority. I understand it very well. But do not ask me to help you protect her, please. If the three of us are in the arena together, my only focus will be on protecting you. That's not going to change."

Peeta nodded. "I thought as much. We can't sit around and feel sorry for yourselves for months until the games start, or none of us will have a chance. We need to train."

"And we need to start acting like Careers. And not just us… We have to make Katniss and Haymitch train as well… And get Haymitch to stop drinking for his own good."

"Alright. Tomorrow, I'll go to Haymitch's house and dispose of whatever liquor he has on hand—"

"—And I'll go make sure Ripper won't sell to him anymore. Or to Katniss. That way, she can't buy him more. Whatever happens and no matter who all gets picked…"

"Two of us are coming home."

"No matter what."