The contestants shifted restlessly in thier tubes beneath the Cornucopia as seconds tick by. The camera moves between contestants - the thin, willowy blonde biting her lower lip, her arms crossed protectively over her body. The robust young man with the country drawl whose glancing upwards, ready for the platform to rise. A young man standing at 5'3 with an unremarkable brown eyes and plain, unmarked face; looking determined. In seconds, they may die. They may lose thier blood innocence. Yet its gauranteed that whatever happens to them, the world is watching.

The platform rises; showing them the Arena for a few seconds. To the west, a sea churns waves against the rocky shore. You guess that its likely sixty feet from the rocky shore to the golden sands of the first island. To the south, you see another blue sea. A sliver of golden sand marks a second small island approximately a fifty foot swim from the edge of the rockface that Cornucopia resides on. Two of the contestants from district four, Honor and Homer, are already staring at the sea. To the immediate north, a flat and desolate desert squats as far as the eye can see. Alexanderite, the muscular career; squints at the desert before he turns to his rivals to his left and right.
To the north east, you can see ridges and crags of earth rising up towards the sky. Several taller hills become mountains further away. To the west, grassy hills lull down to a meadow flecked with wild flowers. To the south west beyond the meadow, dark trees suggest a deep forest. You note a shallow stream separates the rocky earth from the crags and the meadow.

Melody, the timid blonde, exhales the breath that she has been holding; her small chest deflating. A look of despair washes over her face as she surveys the arena.

Gong

Cypress glanced around the arena as the gong sounded. She turned and looked at the dark tree line of the Whispering Woods. She jumped down from the platform and glanced warily side to side for oncoming attackers. Seeing none, the brunnette immediately moved to one of the items lying a few feet from her platform - a sword. The teenager skipped forward a few feet and evaluated the few tributes moving from their pads. The resourceful girl coiled her sword; preparing for a forward thrust to meet any unfriendly advances. Her eyes flicked to something on the ground a few feet in front of her; but she doesn't move for it. Her expression is apprehensive.

Spotting Conrad; she moves towards her alliance member. She keeps her sword at the ready as she glances towards him. "Whats the plan?"

As the gong sounded Conrad darted forward, snatching up a hunting knife and keeping it firmly in his grasp as he kept moving towards Cypress, intercepting his teammate en route to him.

"Head for the Cornucopia, but stay behind me and keep wary. If they've tricked us, I want you to run for the Woods, find cover and pray you don't hear a cannon with my name on it."

Conrad swallowed, his nerves on high alert and started what he hoped wouldn't be his last movements towards the Cornucopia, keeping his senses peeled for other tributes that might attack them.

"Okay!" Cypress agreed; glancing beside them nervously. As Conrad began advancing towards Cornucopia; she keeps step a pace behind him. Her black hair was toyed by the gentle wind that swept over the flat, rocky ground. The taste of salt is carried on the air from the nearby oceans. You can hear the waves crashing against the rocky, red stone floor that Cornucopia rests on.

As you progress towards Cornucopia; you hear a cry in front of you. Alexanderite; the dark haired tribute from District 3; recieves a nasty swipe to his left fore arm as he attempts to near the golden horn. Vibrance makes another cry and takes another swipe; causing Alexanderite to use his newly found sword to deflect the second attack. The dark haired boy darts forward; attempting a strike at the copper haired tribute. His sword arc catches Vibrance's left hand; and she gives an angry yell.

Another yell sounds as a hatchet swipes at Vance. Vance makes a surprised cry and backpeddles from Chisel's second swipe. Chisel holds his ground ten feet from the Cornucupia's entrance; glaring at Vance defiantly. Chisel and Vibrance stand three feet apart from one another; 10 feet in front of the mouth of the horn. Behind them, you can see boxes and mesh bags of gear. A trident leans across one of the piles of boxes. Drawing your eyes from the horn; you note that the two District 1 tributes appear to be intent on blocking access to the horn and the better gear that it contains.

So far so good. Conrad thinks.

Signaling to Cypress to stay back and on guard, Conrad advanced swiftly on the District 3 male. Wincing in sympathy as Alexandrite's sword bit into Vibrance's left hand Conrad raised his knife, hoping with all his heart he wasn't about to cause two groups after his blood with this action. With a forceful motion he slashed the back of the male's arm that was holding the sword.

Bobbeh grabs a bow and arrow. After deciphering which of the people near Conrad was closest to dying, Bobbeh figured if would probably be Xander. He closes one eye and takes a shot at him.

As Alexanderite cries out as a new slash appears on his arm; he glares at Conrad. As Conrad watches Alexanderite ready for a swing at Conrad; an arrow lodges into Alexanderite's leg. The dark haired boy swears; but appears incensed.
He lunges forward, delivering a fair sized gash to Conrad's right shoulder. It stings fairly bad; but Conrad can still move the arm. Thats a good sign, right?

Vibrance notices Alexanderite's attack and darts forward; her dagger flashing out. It found purchase on Alexanderite's shoulder. "Lets take him!"
She shouts.

Chisel starts to move in; leveling his hatchet for a blow at Alexanderite.

Cadence darts into sight; her athleticism prominent as she side steps a surprised looking boy. Conrad recognizes Vance; the boy from the Sword training station. She circles around him; drawing her bow and taking aim. With a fierce expression; she loosed an arrow. The arrow pierced the boy's left bicep. He gave a cry of pain and fell to the floor; still conscious. Cadence glanced towards the cornucopia; darting forward and snatching something from the floor.

Singer, Bobbeh's district mate, approaches Bobbeh at a jog. You notice that she wields a nasty looking mace.

"How are you doing?" She asked Bobbeh; stooping to pick something up off of the ground. She hooks a full water skin onto her belt and glanced around warily. As you are about to answer; you watch as Cadence, girl who had just attacked Vance, gives Singer a measuring glance.

Singer is looking elsewhere as Viker runs into sight, weapon leveled at her. He is about four feet from her and gaining speed.

"Not bad. Not injured or nothin'. Keeping my distance for now." Bobbeh replied.

As Vibrance made her intentions towards Alexandrite well known, Conrad looked around, making sure there wasn't anyone else currently heading for them.

His heart rose slightly in joy as he noticed Bobbeh and his partner still present. Good, they haven't abandoned the Alliance he thought- only for it to sink as he also noticed another tribute gaining speed on them. Sorry Vibrance, he thought, but we need those two alive more than Alexandrite being dead.

Gripping his knife in his hand and wincing at the fresh jolt of pain from his injured shoulder, he thrust the point of his knife towards the wound he had given the male tribute earlier, hoping to cause enough further damage as to give Alexandrite a harder time fighting against Vibrance.

Giving the knife a vicious twist as he ripped it free once more, Conrad turned and dashed at full speed towards Bobbeh, Singer and the approaching Viker.

He was halfway to reaching the trio when he realized what his actions must look like to his Alliance... left Cypress alone, abandoned the battle with Vibrance, now charging at Bobbeh and Singer with a bloody knife... hopefully his next action would redeem him fairly quickly. Except he wasn't going to make it there in time...

With a frustrated yell at Singer, Conrad shouted "DOWN!" praying she would interpret his meaning correctly.

Chisel finishes what he started; leveling a blow at Alexanderite. His weapon crashes into Alexanderite's hand and the dark haired tribute cries with pain. Clutching his sword; he falls back from the golden horn. Chisel and Vibrance stand shoulder to shoulder; evaluating the retreating tribute.

The brunnette behind them, Cypress, looks after Conrad with worry. She breaks into a run after Conrad; clutching her sword with the air of someone ill - used to the weapon.

Vance lurched up from the ground; the wound in his arm bleeding freely. He evaluates his wound with a grimance; but glances around the Cornucopia. Immediate survival seems to be more prominant on his mind as he surveys another tribute swooping something up from the ground. He steps forward; levels his weapon and delivers a blow to Cadence. Blood flows freely from her left bicep as she shrieks in pain.

Singer glances towards Conrad; but ducks aside. Viker's hunting knife swipes the air above her shoulder. Singer hits the ground as she avoids Viker's attack; glancing up fearfully. Viker himself was surprised; but he moves in for another attack. With his blow on Singer avoided; he looks to who was right beside her and still within range - Bobbeh. Viker yells and moves in; thrusting his sword forward. The tip makes a puncture at Bobbeh's left thigh.

The air is full of cries and shouts as the tributes participate in the blood bath. Merely twenty feet from Bobbeh, Conrad, Cypress, Chisel, Singer and Vibrance, Melody watches the group with alarm. It all looks so very violent. The girl has scooped up a water canteen which she holds in her left hand, glancing to side to side uneasily. There are so many things she ought to do - get a weapon. Get a bag. Run.

Yet every thing is moving so fast. Melody risks striking forward; bending to examine a back pack. Maybe this would be all she needed for now...

Behind her, the tall boy from district 4 is directing his district partner forward.

"Hurry, Honor." He chides; glancing around them with worry. He holds a sword in his hand; a backpack is slung over his shoulder. A fishing net can be seen peeking out from the top.

Honor is a slim, young girl, her brown hair worked into two braids that make her seem even younger. She carries only a water canteen; but spots something glimmering on the ground. Honor moves towards it; the shouts around her making it difficult to hear.

Melody shoulders the back and grunts under the unexpected weight of it; stepping back. Her foot steps in something slick and she loses her balance with a cry. As she pinwheels; her hand reaches out to catch herself. Someone is there and instinvtively; Melody tries to latch on.

Honor's scream snaps Homer to attention; racing forward with his sword extended before him. Melody and Honor are both wearing identical expressions of fright as they crash to the ground; Melody atop of Honor.

Homer doesn't hesitate. He seizes the girl's arm; wrenching her from Honor and tossing her aside onto the rocky ground of Cornucupia. His eyes are on Honor when someone approaches- the girl. He turns with his sword; catching Melody in the stomache.

There's an awful sucking sound as Melody's mouth moves; but only a bubble of blood forms. She crumples; her hands clutching at Homer's sword. Homer pulls it out and theres a terrible effect for Melody and she collapses on the ground. Red spray has reached Honor; flecking her braids; the back of her shirt as she lays face down on the floor.

Homer is staring in horror at Melody; whose begun to jerk in unnatural motions.
"Come on." He snaps at Honor; grabbing her and lifting her to her feet. The two hurry forward; Honor turning and staring at Melody's terrible pain with an expression of horror.

Conrad glances around the Cornucopia; noting quick moving shapes on the other edge of the Cornucopia scooping things up from the ground. The other tributes on the western side of cornucopia haven't ventured for the mouth with the treasures; choosing to pick the bones of the outskirts. Even so, you see a girl lying prone nearly twenty feet away. The blonde lies face down on the rocky red ground. Blood trickles down her hand that twitches in spasms.

In your immediate proximity; Cadence continues to survey Bobbeh, Conrad, Chisel, Cypress and Singer. Cadence can't seem to decide which to take down first; so she strikes opportunistic blows when she can. She seems to favor attacking the smaller Singer. Dark blood is pooling in her sock from her wounded knee; but there's no quit in her. From your peripheral, you notice that another male tribute - Ron, who was relatively unnoticed from training - eying your group.

Conrad's attack makes Cadence shriek in pain. The dagger scores a deep puncture in Cadence's side; the knife a scratch on right shoulder. The girl makes a valiant attack; choosing to attack the one who caused her so much pain recently. Her sword slices forward; catching Conrad across the back. He can't see it; but it burns painfully.

Cypress darts in unexpectantly, managing to score a long gash down Cadence's collarbone. The wound looks nasty and bleeds freely; much to Cadence's anger.

Seeing the wound to Conrad, the tribute who has been watching makes a move. He grips a sword in his right hand; a sword that he levels for a chest blow as he breaks into a run towards Bobbeh. The sharp edge cuts a scratch into Bobbeh's chest that burns; but doesn't feel too bad.
Singer attempts to move away from Cadence who has been targetting her, leveling a blow at Ron.

The ensuring fight is quick as the tributes attempt to protect thier allies. Bobbeh squints and fires an arrow at Ron. He aims for the neck to make it nice and quick.

He slightly relieved that the shot made it. At least his death was semi-honorable in Bobbeh's mind.

Stood over Cadence, there was a brief moment as Conrad felt a surge of pity for the wounded girl. Steeling himself, Conrad's eyes hardened with determination as he brought both his blades down upon her, seeking to put her out of her misery.

With your two assailants dead; you survey the field of battle. Singer and Cypress remain beside you; thier weapons raising as they glance to either side of Bobbeh and Conrad. Twice someone has tried to take you by surproise... Several feet away; you see that Vibrance is menancing Vance and Alexanderite with a newly found hatchet. The two have teamed up to attack her in your absence. You note that she has a fresh cut on her left arm.

Chisel immediately races off to his cousin's aid; hatchet at the ready.

To your left; you note that two girls are racing away from cornucopia; backpacks on thier shoulders. They must think that they have enough to survive for now.

As you watch; they move into the stream. The taller girl has already crossed the water; which was only knee deep to her. Yet as the younger, smaller girl begins to clambor out of the waist - deep water, she screams. Its an ear piercing, pained scream. She jerks in the water, twisting this way and that as she tries to escape. Her friend leans over and grasps the sinking girl's arm, pulling her onto the shore.

To her horror; she hefts only the girl's ripped torso onto the beach. The water stains red as small fish jump out of the water in a feeding frenzy. The older girl, Lyric, Buckley's district mate, shrieks in horror and flees towards the meadow. The dead girl lays on her backpack; staring sightlessly at the sky.

The six tributes begin to drive for the Cornucopia; driving thier attackers off. They are wounded, tired - and they are the in control of the cornucopia.
Leaving the Cornucopia gear alone for the moment, Conrad went to check on the body of the young girl he'd seen spasming earlier.
Conrad discovered the young girl lying motionless on her stomach. Turning her over revealed a deep, open wound to her abdomen. It must have taken a few minutes; but she had expired in the time since you had first noticed her.
With a sad sigh, Conrad gently reached out a hand and closed the young girl's eyes.

Quickly hunting around the battlefield of the Cornucopia, Conrad tried to look for an abandoned sword, as well as any medical supplies or other helpful equipment he could stuff into his bag to take over to the others for diving amongst the alliance members as thanks for sticking to the plan.
Bobbeh runs around the battle field gathering arrows from the dead. He also keeps an eye out for any miscellaneous supplies. He figured he could use a knife and a hatchet for any potential woodworking. The tributes begin to gather the gear and distribute it; the bodies of the dead children staring sightless where they had fallen. These six children are determined to use every thing - every resource, every reserve - to prevent their own deaths.