CHAPTER 2

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Ok, more Hunger Game stuff! I'm really getting into this story! It's so fun to write people I have never really written before!

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ROUGE'S POV
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I suppose I had been lucky to evade the Games up until now.

But still…I suppose no one can escape them forever.

After the Reaping, my new Tribute friend and I made our way to the train that would take us to the Capitol. I was surprised by how calm I felt. Usually Tributes had to be dragged away, kicking and screaming. Like last year.

I shuddered internally and took to staring out the window at my Zone. I suppose this would be the last time I would see it for a while. Goodbye, Zone 11. You won't be missed.

The Tribute across from me, an albatross named Storm, had fixed his gaze on the ground. Just from looking at him, I could tell he was strong. Big, strong and dumb. The grey bird would make a perfect ally.

"I wonder if it will rain," I sighed, turning my gaze back to the window. "It was looking overcast the entire day."

He didn't say anything.

"You know, the key to success in the Arena is to get on my good side." I crossed my legs and turned back to him. "I'm going to offer you a truce. You seem like a strong guy. A girl needs someone like you."

Again, nothing.

"The strong, silent type. I like that." I smirked.

"How can you talk lightly of this?" He growled.

"You must not know me." I said. "I intend to win. I can get a lot of good sponsors and I already have a plan."

"I don't need a sponsor," he mumbled.

"The Arena might change your mind." I chided.

"I don't need your alliance."

"Don't make decisions too fast." I said. "Because once you refuse a deal I offer, there's no going back."

The doors opened and the neon yellow cat from the Reaping stepped in. "We will be stopping in Zone 12 in a few hours. Until then, you may socialize with the other Tributes."

"Good idea." I stood. "There's bound to be someone out there that's got brains." I strode to the door.

Storm continued to sit in the empty train car, staring at the ground.

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ANTOINE'S POV

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Sacre Bleu!

My worst nightmare was coming true! I had always nightmared of the Arena when I was little…I never imagined I would take part in their sick Games!

I was sitting in the back of the train, staring at the tracks as we sped forward. I already missed my Zone…I missed everyone already. How would I make it through this? I was nothing but a lậche! A coward! I would be killed before any of the others!

The door of the car opened, startling me. I whipped around, expecting to find one of the other bloodthirsty Tributes. Instead, I saw my partner from Zone 7.

"Oh, Antoine…" she sighed. "It's just me."

"Oui, B-Bunnie." I stuttered. "Yes…just you. Forgive me and my cowardly-lines."

"You mean cowardliness?"

I directed my gaze outside of the train again. "Yes. That."

She sat next to me. I cast her a glance and met her eyes. "How am I going to survive? I'll be dead before ze Games begin!"

"No, you won't." Bunnie said. "Do ya know why?"

"Why?" I asked.

"Because I'll be with you. I want an alliance."

"With moi?! But…you'll be killed!"

"Don't be silly. You can fight! With the right sword, the other Tributes won't know what hit 'em!" she smacked her fist into her robotic palm. "And 'sides, this here arm 'n' legs will send them flyin'!"

She was right… one punch would send anyone to the hospital for weeks. I had a strange feeling, though…but I couldn't place it. It felt like dread.

"What's wrong? You seem really worried."

"Just thinking." I sighed. "What if….if…" I pointed to her inorganic arm and legs. "What if they somehow forbid you from using them?"

"Well, that would be against the Games." Bunnie said. "They can't rob a Tribute of their ability to function."

"Maybe…" I thought for a few more seconds. "Maybe…!" I grinned and sprang up, excited at my new idea. "Maybe they'll turn you back to normal! You'll have your arm and legs again!"

She laughed. "That is a thought…a far fetched one, but a thought nonetheless. Maybe they will."

"Oui!" I pranced around for a few more seconds. "That would be a bénédiction! A blessing!"

"A mixed blessing," Bunnie laughed again. "I'm still stuck in th' Games."

My happiness was immediately replaced with fear again. "Oh…Zat is right."

"It'll still be all right if they don't." Bunnie said. "After all, I have a good chance of winning an' taking you with me. There will be two victors of th' Games this year!"

"Ah, zat would be incredible!"

The door to the car opened once again. I froze, unsure of our new visitor. I suppose my fear made it to my face.

"Are you from Zone 7?" A small yellow fox kit asked. "I'm trying to find allies. Who are you?"

I felt my stomach drop. A child…a child had been picked for the Games. How sickening…!

"I'm Bunnie, sugar." Bunnie said. "An' this here is Antoine. Who might you be?"

"I'm Miles Prower, but everyone calls me Tails," the fox said, "because I have two." He twirled both tails.

"Oh, what a surprise." Bunnie smiled. "What Zone are you from?"

"I'm from Zone 2…it's boring there." He turned to look at me. "So do you want to be my allies?"

"Of course, sugar." Bunnie said. "I'd love to help a little cutie like you."

Tails grinned. "Ok! Thanks!" He turned and skipped out of the car.

"Poor honey doesn't know what he's gotten into." Bunnie's smile vanished as soon as the doors shut. I saw a tear form in her eye. "And because of that, he's more likely to be viewed as weak. We're gonna protect that little sugar-kit as much as we can."

"And there will be three Champions this year, no? Or still two?" I inquired.

Bunnie dropped her gaze back to the ground. "I'd rather he live than me."

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SONIC'S POV

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By the time the Tributes from Zone 12 had been picked up I had already met half of the Tributes. They were….interesting…to say the least.

For starters, I didn't want to be allies with anyone.

Amy, the girl from my Zone, was too clingy and needy. I had to pry myself away from her and lock myself in another car of the train just to get some time alone.

The Tributes from Zone 2 were too innocent and caring. Tails, a young kit who couldn't be any older than eight, and Sally, a young girl about my age. They were too open, too friendly, and too carefree. As much as I wanted to join forces with them, I couldn't. It would tear me apart if something happened to them.

Zone 3 was another story. The Tributes were strong and hardy. They've already seen action. Same goes for Zones 4, 6, 8 and 12. They were serious. They would be hard to deal with.

The remaining Zones' Tributes were…odd. Every one had a certain flaw that made them almost impossible to work with. In the end, I decided I would be a loner. At least until someone caught my interest. Maybe someone was hiding a secret skill.

Until then, I wouldn't get to know them. It would make it easier for me in the Arena if I had to kill them…

I was distracted from my morbid thoughts by a human girl dressed in a white dress. She had fiery red hair, with little feather combs set over her ears. She had a group of Tributes gathered around her.

They were all laughing. As if they were genuinely enjoying themselves.

I couldn't help but listen in on the jokes she told. She had some good ones, I'll give her that. But still no qualities that would be any help to me in the Arena, unless she could get someone to laugh themselves to death.

Tails seemed to be enjoying her humor the most. He was laughing so hard he caught hiccups. This only made the other Tributes laugh harder. It brought a smile to my lips.

"How can she laugh at a time like this?" A heavy, Arabian accented voice asked behind me. "Does she even know what she is getting herself into?"

I turned to see another girl, this one dressed in a completely different fashion. She had purple hair set in a loop, with a jade ring connected to the bottom of a braid. She wore silks and bracelets that jingled every time she moved. She had darker skin and angry, deep brown eyes.

"We don't know what we're getting ourselves into." I said. "Everyone's nightmares are different. We will all see the Arena in a different way."

She shook her head. "Still, she is showing the others she does not care. They will know she will be easy to pick off in the bloodbath. Whereas you and me…they know nothing about us."

"I'm not forming any alliances at the moment." I said.

"Ah. It is a shame. We would make quite a team." The girl turned to leave.

"I'll consider it."

"Consider it before we enter the Arena."

She left to walk through the dining hall, leaving me to silently observe the rest of the Tributes by myself.

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The feast was excellent that night.

Never have I seen so much food on one table…all for only one meal! I could use this food to feed my Zone for months!

I only made it through two plates before I felt like I would throw up everything I had just eaten. It was all so good…!

As I stared around the table crowded with Tributes, I only counted twenty-three, including myself. Someone was missing. I just didn't know who.

I decided not to think about it very long. The neon yellow cat who had conducted the Reaping had entered the room, note cards in hand. Time for a speech.

I tuned most of it out. It was mostly about how lucky we were to be chosen for these Games and how we should be very grateful to the Capitol for all it has done for us. I wanted to stand and punch her in the face. What had the Capitol done for us? Nothing. Those power-hungry idiots were robbing us of everything. Including our lives.

I felt a tap on my right shoulder and looked over. Tails was sitting next to me, on a pile of books. The kid was so short, he couldn't see over the table without them. He pointed to my plate, which held the remains of a pile of pasta and bread roll. "Are you gonna eat that, Mr. Sonic?"

"No. You can have it." I slid my plate over to him.

"Thank you!" He said before digging in.

I heard a snicker from across the table. I chose to ignore it.

Live it up, kid. I thought. Because very soon, you won't get the chance to.

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ROUGE'S POV

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My, my, my…so many promising Tributes to choose from.

I had a hard time deciding who I should establish an alliance with. There was so much potential within this group…I could have anyone I wanted.

There was one who really caught my eye. He was from Zone 9, along with a pretty young human girl. His name was Shadow, hers, Maria. Shadow was a hedgehog that was about my height. He was jet-black and had red striped quills that turned upward at the ends slightly. He had a patch of white on his chest and he wore fancy shoes that looked extremely bulky and hard to walk in and white gloves. And his eyes were dark red, like ruby.

Maybe that's what I found so…interesting about him. His ruby eyes. I was a treasure hunter, after all.

Unfortunately, wherever he went, Maria went. The two were never out of each other's sight. I found out a bit later, as I was watching the recordings of this year's Reaping, that they had been friends for years. Maria had volunteered for a young rabbit named Cream. She also had some sort of incurable disease.

Perhaps she just wanted to go out in a blaze of glory. She didn't have long to live, by what I heard.

But perhaps she would make an excellent ally as well. She appeared friendly, but her blue eyes were determined and ready for the Games ahead.

"Excited for the Games?" I asked, sitting beside Shadow along one of the train car's windows.

"Hardly," he muttered.

"Oh, come now…you'll never win with that attitude." I smirked.

He cast me a glare and went to watching the trees pass by at lightning speed.

"What do you think the Arena is like this year?" I continued. "I'm hoping for some tropics. Somewhere with lots of cover to hide and plan."

He still didn't respond. I inched myself closer so we were practically shoulder to shoulder, and said. "So…who should we take out first?"

Shadow stood without saying a word and exited the car, Maria following. I was left alone. I smiled to myself. This would be more interesting that I thought.

I sighed and thought about who I should talk to next. There was still a fair number of Tributes left to be interviewed…maybe I could establish an alliance with more than two. I would have better odds.

I laughed out loud, taking myself by surprise. May the odds be ever in your favour. Yeah, right. The Games were rigged. The more sponsors you had, the better chance of survival. I intend to be the victor this year. And no one is getting in my way.

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ANTOINE'S POV

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The train's living quarters were really quite dark.

Even with all the lights turned on, it was still very shady.

"I am not liking zis one bit." I muttered to myself.

I decided against camping out in my quarters all night and headed back to the main train car. Tributes were still hanging around, a few talking and even laughing. I decided to take a closer look at my opponents.

There was the girl from Zone 10…I think her name was Elise. She was telling more stories to the few gathered around her, one of which was Tails. The little fox was laughing and listening intensely.

"Pathetic. She's going to be the first to go. She's too nice." A female voice sounded behind me.

Sitting off to the side of the door was the pair from Zone 8. The male Tribute was a green hedgehog with red sunglasses and a ripped leather jacket. He had three scars across his chest and he seemed joined at the hip to his companion; a reddish brown fox wearing a black jumpsuit. Even though I could tell I already didn't like them one bit, I said, "Bonjour, salutations. I am Antoine D'Coolette from ze Zone 7. And who might you be?"

The male Tribute put his arm around his partner and said, "Antoine? Yeah, I've heard of you. I heard you'll be the first one to die at the Cornucopia."

"Your names, s'il vous plaît?" the bravery I had built up was beginning to crumble down. Why did I bother in the first place? My dark living space was beginning to sound very inviting.

"You are determined, I'll give you that." The girl smirked. "I'm Fiona."

"Call me Scourge," the green hedgehog grinned, showing pointed teeth. "And if you know what's good for you, you'd get out of here. It'd be a shame if you didn't even make it to the bloodbath."

"I will not perish at ze bloodbath!" I declared boldly. "You do not know me. You do not know what skills I possess!"

"I'll wipe the floor with your headless body." Scourge growled. "It doesn't matter what skills you have. I'll rip right through 'em. You can't stop me. No one can."

Fiona wrapped her arms around him. "You better stop, babe, before he gets angry. He might start crying." She cast me another smirk.

I felt my face growing red. I opened my mouth to fire something back at her, but another voice interrupted me. "Is there a problem here?"

I turned to see the tall, dark lynx from Zone 3. She was wearing a purple dress without shoes. Her dark hair curled around her face. Her ears twitched in annoyance.

"Nah. Nothin'." Scourge grunted.

"Good." She cast me a look and the expression previously on her face vanished. "I'm Nicole. Why don't you come over here and be in some welcome company?"

"Ah, oui. Thank you." I said. "I'm Antoine."

I crossed to the back of the train car, where the small group of Tributes were still gathered around Elise.

"Hi, Antoine!" Tails beamed. "You can sit by me!"

"Merci, Tails." I returned the smile. My anger was fading away.

"These are my friends!" Tails pointed to the group. "That's Elise, Nicole, Julie-Su, Sally and Silver!"

Julie-Su, a pinkish purple echidna with green boots, a split brown and green top and a yellow belt grinned. "Hi."

Sally, a light brown chipmunk with a blue vest, shook my hand. "A pleasure to meet you, Antoine."

"Oui. A pleasure." I echoed.

Silver was the only one who seemed reluctant to greet me in any way. He was the furthest from the group, sitting huddled in the corner with his knees drawn up to his chest. He was a pure white hedgehog with golden eyes and crazy quills that stuck up everywhere.

Elise gave me a wave. "I was just telling everyone a story my father told me when I was younger."

As I listened to her tale, I began picking up on some strange themes. The fairy-tale was different in some ways…it was much scarier than the ones I had grown up with. She described in detail every fight and how the heroes won them. She told of tales of survival and how to survive…

I suddenly realized what she was doing. She was giving us hints on how to win the Games. Anyone who didn't listen in for more than a few minutes would just assume she was just a storyteller. In truth, she was incredibly genius.

She finished her story. Everyone in the little group nodded, grinning, as though she really had just told a fairy-tale…but their eyes said that they understood.

"Sacre bleu…" I muttered.

Tails gave me a smile. "You understood that story, right? It was kind of scary!"

"Yes, I did…" I said.

"You can pass this story on to whoever you want, just be careful," Elise said, "we don't want this legend falling into the wrong hands."

I nodded. "Oui. I will tell Bunnie at once."

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Did I spell Antonie's last name right? If not…someone tell me so I can fix it.

Remember to review!

Hasta la Vista, Readers!

Lordoftheghostking28