Today is reaping day. Today, as my name is called up I will be the seventy-four hunger Games victor. This is my time to shine and I have prepared myself for these Games all my life. I will slice, dice and puncture my way to victory. I don't care if I have to volunteer, today will be the day I stand on that stage. There is no doubt about it. Today my parents will be proud of me. Today the whole of Panem will see me for the first time and adore me. Today people all around this country will be betting for me to win.

Stand proud, I command myself as we all wait for Incuras Rea to appear out of the Justice Building. In the huge crowd we look like snowed rocks with our replicated Peacekeeper uniforms on. If we do not get to be a contestant it's straight off to being a Peacekeeper, which is something I cannot think off. I will not be Panem's bodyguard, I will be the famous victory. I gaze at the huge fish bowl, thousands of folded up pieces of paper line the inside, full of names. Mine was in there somewhere and I could sense which one it was. I could feel it calling to me. I was to be chosen!

Incuras Rea, District 2's escort, appears out of the building and the whole square cheers, hoping that they or their child will be picked. He's not very old, can't be older than me, and has only become our escort for the past few years. His rat like face smiles as he waves out towards us. Foot long white whiskers stretch out from his cheeks which contrasted against his stark black hair, perfectly placed into a huge quiff where a top hat happily sits at the back of his head. His allure penetrates every girl's heart as his gaze falls onto each and every one of them. Incuras wears a white metallic suit with only a black cravat around his neck, and shiny black clog-like shoes which make a sound as he approaches the mic shouting "Happy seventy-fourth Hunger Games and may the odds be ever in you favour," exploding the crowd into more cheers, screams and wails.

"Today one of you lucky ladies and gentlemen will become a tribute in these hunger games." His unusual squeaky Capitol accent flows through the crowd where every allegeable tributes nod their heads waiting for their name to shine. "But first a little message from our beloved President."

Every year it doesn't change. I could recite it for you right now. Nor has President Snow changed. Bright white hair, cheerful eyes and those big lips are his character: without them he would be no one. He isn't like the citizen's in the Capitol who wear elaborate colours and costumes. He's the sanest person there. Snow has never had to be in the games but the brilliance that he's created puts fear into the weaker districts and triumph in the more able districts. District 2 is the region most priced by the Capitol because we accept these games, we love them and we are trained for them.

"Thank you," everyone in the audience cheers.

"Now, let the fun begin!" Incuras smiles. "Ladies are first." I try to pin point girls who I think would be a good match for me and those who wouldn't. All of the girls below the age of 14 wouldn't have a chance: they would scream, cry, plea to be kept alive. Freia Pole would be a good match as she is good at being quiet and at camouflage. Who else? There's Kylee with her traps, Una can shoot and …. "Clove Tyne," Incuras shouts. The little girl races up the stairs before anyone can volunteer. She even shouts "No one volunteer." I have worked with Clove before in our training school. She is amazing with knives, she can throw them large distances away from her target and they always end up in kill areas. Even when I first met her, I was 9 she was 8, I was impressed by her aim and use of knives. For a small innocent looking girl I would not want to be against her.

"Now to the men of District-"

"I volunteer." I yell, interrupting him, pushing my way through the crowd. No one holds me back nor does any reach the steps before me. No one will mess with me here or in the games. It is me. I am already the victor. I can picture the tributes from district 5 onwards quacking in their hand-me down clothes as they look at me later tonight on their pathetic TV screens.

"Well isn't this chap eager to be the victor." Incuras laughs. "What's your name?"

"Cato." I smile down onto everyone. "Cato Stark. And in memory of this moment," I begin holding up the male fish bowl, "I will keep this as a reward for being a part of these Hunger Games and becoming the victory. I will come home District 2."

"District 2," Incuras starts grabbing the microphone proudly as Clove and I shake hands. The whole crowd started to cheer. It escalated in sound, masking out Icarus' voice in the microphone, "It looks like this year we will have a victor!"

Like the other districts we are escorted into our justice building and put into different rooms. I stand at my window looking out at the beautiful district that is mine. The Control Mountain stands proud to the north like I am. No one will be able to take it down like no one will be able to me in the games.

"You have a few minutes Mr and Mrs Stark." The Peacekeeper outside my door speaks letting my parents in.

I don't turn around to greet them but I hear them walk over to me. My fathers hand rests on my shoulder. "We are very proud of you, Cato."

My mother turns me around and gives me a hug. This is not what I need. I don't need to be sugar coated; I don't need to think of people back home who will worry. I don't need her hugging me! "Oh Cato, please come home to us." She sighs, pulling away from me understanding my hesitance. My mom starts to brush off pretend dust or creases and fixes my tie. "Be the victor."

"I will be the victor." I smile, brushing her off. "Stop doubting my skills. You've seen me work for this. You saw no one volunteering after me because they fear me."

"We know how good you are, son." My father comments standing in front of mother. A little snicker escapes me. Does he really think I'm going to hit her? Is he too scared of me? "But Cato the tributes from District 1 or 4 could be a match. Hell, even 12 could be better than you!"

"Don't even say a low life district like 12." I shout my anger rising. Please District 12 couldn't even fight a fly and win. They always die in the first few minutes or hours. No way are they going to win this year yet alone any other year. "Their mentor Haymitch got lucky and he's pissed to the sky, I doubt he'll be able to help them. He hasn't for the past twenty four years."

"Be glad you have Lyme, Brutus or Enobaria then." I turn back to the window wishing they would just disappear. "Don't just shun us out, son. We want to help."

"You helped bringing me into this world now, leave me to it!" I sigh letting my head rest on the window. I could see them in the reflection of the glass.

My mother reaches out to me but my father pushes her back. "He doesn't want to know us anymore or want our help but no matter what just remember we are proud of you." The door clicks open and the Peacekeeper even says they still have time but all I hear from my father in a stern controlled voice, "My son doesn't realise how emotions can be his strongest attack."

No one saw me after my parents: I'm glad no one did. Screaming fans wave outside the window hoping to get in but I tell my guard I don't want any of them in here. I don't need emotions. How are they my feelings my strongest attack? They make you weak, defenceless and vulnerable. I will not become a sensitive guy just to pull sponsors, I'm me and no one can change that.

"You ready to go kid." The Peacekeeper asked after knocking the door.

"I was born ready."

The train station, that takes you to the Capitol, is right outside the Justice Building along with the huge crowd that has come to see me leave. They will all be here again when I return to District 2. Our district song flows through the crowd as we make our way to the 'thrones'. It's a tradition that the tributes sit on chairs that is carried by the crowd to the train station so that everyone in our district has touched the new tributes giving us luck and strength. I laugh and sing along at how much I love being part of the seventy four year old tradition, that is so strong in our district that no one will ever break it. No rebel alliance will conquer 2!

Incuras waits for us to step onto the train where he speaks, "This year there will be a victor!" Every year he says that but we haven't won any since Zyntheria, five years ago, but no one has heard from her since.

"I was beginning to wonder when you'd volunteer, Cato." Brutus comments as we enter the main compartment. I've never seen the inside of this train before and it's not any different from the Justice Building's foyer. There's an elaborate chandelier in the centre of the cart with a dark wooden table that holds 6 around it. Near is another table full of delectable drinks and mouth-watering foods. At the end, the TV is playing Caesar Flickerman talking to Seneca Crane about today's events. Soon I'll be on there, along with the rest of the tributes and tick off any I can kill easily. Brutus sits in the middle of the sofa his back to us but I've seen him plenty of times in the training school to know him. He's not very tall as he's smaller than me but very muscular that his neck is the size of his head. His grey hair is in a buzz cut fashion going with his camouflage trousers and plain black vest showing his muscle. A long scar runs from the top of his arm to his hand, along with the several small ones on his face. Brutus is my idol and I've always looked up to him with his brute vitality.

"This is my year to win." I comment sitting next to him. Clove doesn't say a word but perched herself on the other side. "Are you an Avox?"

"No, I just don't see how you'd be able to help me." She bluntly puts talking to Brutus. Next to him, she looks like a lost fragile fairy that is standing up to the big bad troll. It's amazing how she'd define herself to this champion without hesitation. "You're all strength and spears. I'm all…"

"That's why I'm here." Enobaria smiles, entering the cart. Her pointed golden-tipped teeth shine in the light showing those lethal weapons. I've seen her win those games so many times that it's amazing to be in her presence. Using your teeth to kill another is hilarious and unique. The Capitol must have loved that year. She's a tall, skinny woman who has long wavy brown hair, definite bone structure and big green eyes. "When I heard your name called up I knew that I'd have to be your mentor." Again Clove loses her voice and just nods.

Claudius Templesmith's voice erupts on the screen announcing what has happened today at the Reaping's. District 1 tributes both are reaped but no one volunteers. "You have to form an alliance with those two and the ones from four." Brutus comments breaking an apple in half, with his bare hands, and then again so each of us have a slice.

Clove asks, "What if they are useless?"

"When have 1, 2 and 4 been useless in a game?" I ask her. I don't wait for a reply because it's just obvious. Those two and my districts have brought their children up to win the games. We've been trained since we could crawl and if one year there isn't a victor the head trainer is questioned. I haven't seen Johan in a long time. "They probably aren't as good as we are but that not our problem. The less skilled are easier to kill!"

District 2's up. I'm looking handsomer than ever in my white suit as a smug expression is plastered on my face. I'm putting fear into all the other tributes at my courageous move. Volunteering before a name's been called out hasn't been done in a very long time and none of the lower districts would ever think of volunteering that I will be the only volunteer this year. I'm proud to be a tribute. Isn't that the whole point of the games? To be proud of being a citizen of Panem.

District 3, the technology district. Factories are here and there making clouds of their own. Black rain falls down on the daunt, malnourished children and parents. Again those two are reaped. "One of those might be useful." Enobaria comments sitting back in her armchair.

"How?" Clove asks. Does this girl just ask questions? "They are both weak and are so easy to get rid of."

Enobaria answers sitting forward in her chair, "The arena pods have mines around them so if you go off too early, its bye bye world. When you have collected your supplies you can easily take those out, place them around the supplies and they will blow up if someone steps on them."

"What if someone does, won't that cause a chain reaction?"

"That is why you get one of them to do it. That's all they are ever useful for." And then we can kill them. Adrenaline kicks in and I just want to be in the games now. Finish it off quickly. The games won't last a week. Not if I'm in there. I've seen some which last for weeks but not this time. Placing me in there is like placing a starving dog in a cage full of meat.

Districts 4 to 10 go by fast because there's nothing to say. None of them stick out as a challenge or a competition. But after the girl is named in 11 the huge guy from there sticks out like a sore thumb. "Looks like you've got a competitor." Clove snickers. This guy, Thresh, is massive in height and build. He has dark brown skin and dark hair with strange golden brown eyes. Clove is right: this guy is competition and it's going to be hard to get rid of him. But I can manage. I can defeat the physical wonder that is Thresh from 11. He can't even be well fed coming from such a low district but then how is he so assembled?

Getting bored and annoyed I stand up to switch the TV off. "What are you doing?" Brutus asks forcefully.

"Come on, it was bad enough that we had to sit through district 4 onwards. We now we can take them down especially 12."

"You never know they could be the ones to watch." Enobaria shrugs.

I let out a laugh. District 12 has been the laughing stock of Panem their whole lives. They get the worst jobs, food and everyone just forgets about them. Like their mentor does every year who's too busy trying to see the end of a liquor bottle! "Seriously? District 12? They've all been killed in the first few minutes for the past 24 years and now you all think that one of them has a chance at winning?"

"You never know Cato."

I give in. District 12 doesn't have a shot especially this year with me involved. Effie Trinket, looking one toned, as usual, steps up to her microphone. Her chirpy voice irritates the whole nation watching that I'm glad we have Incuras as our escort. Some small girl is chosen but another volunteers. A striking young woman with chocolate brown hair up and beautiful grey eyes focused, wears a hand-me down pale blue cottoned dress. A young woman, of my age, volunteering from 12 is new. I admire her courage for thinking she can win these games by protecting someone younger than her but no way is she going win. But she's remarkable. She's strong, brave and beautiful that I feel myself getting pulled towards the screen. Stop it Cato you're just mesmerized by her bravery! The younger girl screams, that she has to be shepherded from the crowd. "Come on dear," Effie orders rushing the whole process along. "I bet that was your sister. So what's your name?"

"Katniss. Katniss Everdeen."

Katniss is a name I won't forget.

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A/N This is a really old story of mine that I had taken off of wattpad but it had a huge fan base for. I hope you guys on here like it as much. I have altered it slightly from the older version so it may not be the best english creative written piece ever as I wrote this 3 years ago.

If you love this story please comment and try my other stories too, if you don't mind.