And if that mockingjay don't sing

Then the Capitol's going to clip its wings

No, it couldn't be. It couldn't.

Katniss Everdeen's mouth opened in a silent scream, frozen in terror.

She fell to her knees, barely registering the pain of her kneecaps hitting the cold, hard floor.

He couldn't be gone. No, it couldn't be that easy; not with a few simple words - I'm sorry, there were already gone when we got there - how could those few words just confirm his fate like that?

He couldn't be gone, he can't be gone.

Not him. The boy with the bread. He was the best of them all, her hope in this bleak world. He can't just leave her like this, in the middle of a rebellion; not when she needed him the most.

He never got to know how much she truly loved him.

It's her fault that he's gone.

Her every action, her every word, coming from the Mockingjay - it was took out on Peeta; kind, caring Peeta, who she didn't deserve, who she loved.

Who she killed.

It's her fault that he's gone, her fault that he's dead, because she was the Mockingjay and her actions lead to his death.

He didn't deserve it. And she deserved all the punishment in this world for taking away a life as good as Peeta's. Katniss crumbled to the ground, body wracking in tears that wouldn't escape her eyes - he was gone and it was her fault.

She was broken; and if the Mockingjay was defeated, then so was the rebellion.

President Knox smiled as he watched the Capitol in its usual bustle of activity below him. It was thriving, as it was expected. As usual, there was a steady stream of citizens hurrying into the Headquarters - there always was. It was the Hunger Games season again, and all the workers and Gamemakers were already coming in to work out this year's very special Games.

And of course, his two main attractions to the Headquarters were always extremely popular, especially at this time of the year.

His two precious prized stars - Katniss Everdeen and Finnick Odair.

President Knox cackles as he thinks about the late President Snow's ingenuity once again. It was a truly spectacular plan, really.

The clever man, he knew what was holding up the entire rebellion - Katniss Everdeen. The rebels were foolish, picking an unstable eighteen year old girl to lead them all. She was strong, yes, and had plenty of fire - no pun intended - but she was still an eighteen year old girl underneath it all. A lovesick girl whose feelings dominated her; which could lead to her victory and demise.

And President Snow knew exactly how to hit where it hurt.

Peeta Mellark. He was the key to their success. Without him, the Mockingjay couldn't fly at all, and neither could the rebellion. Katniss was broken enough as it is, knowing that her precious Peeta was being tortured. Imagine her long downfall when she found out her dear Peeta was dead.

President Knox smirks as he imagines the rest of Panem's history, one that he was quite proud of.

With the Mockingjay in pieces - the poor thing's guilt and heartbreak completely broke her - the rebellion fizzled and failed. President Snow was smart, extinguishing the sparks before they even turned into flames. He had killed the remaining rebels right in front of the two of them - including Katniss' own lovely little sister, Primrose Everdeen. It seems like Katniss' volunteer for the Games were all for nothing.

President Snow had encaged the remaining victors in a cell deep underground in the Capitol. At that point, only Haymitch, Katniss, Beetee, and Finnick were left remaining. The rest were all killed at the hand of President Snow when they were captured at the Capitol.

Of course, over time, Haymitch and Beetee passed away. Those two were never the main feature anyways; the two of them were expendable.

But President Knox knew that the two remaining were the two that were the one that were the most damaged. Katniss without her Peeta, and Finnick without his Annie. He laughed in glee whenever he passed their rooms, watching as they slowly wasted away their lives, the guilt eating them alive.

Death was too good for them. No, President Knox would make sure that their very existence would be painful for them, as a lifelong punishment for trying to defy the Capitol.

President Knox smiled fondly as he passed the many Capitol citizens crowding around the glass-walled rooms, clamouring to see the poor, sad, victors who had tried and failed to incite a rebellion against the Capitol. They were his prime example of the Capitol's power; their soulless eyes plastered on posters all across Panem.

President Knox hummed faintly, reaching the heart of the Headquarters - the Control Room. The Gamemakers turned and greeted him with the respect that he commanded from all of them.

"As you know, this year's Games will be very special." President Knox announced, all eyes on him.

Everyone nodded eagerly, ready to start planning to his every order and demand.

"And to celebrate 10 years of success after the foolish attempt of a rebellion," President Knox smiles wickedly, "I'd like to honour the great downfall of the Mockingjay in this year's Games."

Thanks for reading!

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