Hello everyone!

I'm so sorry for the lack of updates, I've been considering whether or not I should continue this story. This chapter was written AGES ago shortly after the publication of chapter 3 but I never managed to finish it after reading it back (I did but only up to the start of the interviews, my old self would've probably wanted the interviews to be in this chapter as well but I thought it was quite long already)

I'll try to be more frequent with my updates! Writing isn't really my specialty and I tend to do it when I'm bored or have nothing to do.

Anyway, here's the chapter you all have been waiting for! Sorry, it's not much but I hope you enjoy it ^^

"Hey." America awkwardly said hello. The two were dressed to go down to the Training Center. Katniss smiled and greeted back. America internally sighed in relief, 'Looks like she finally started trusting me.' The two travelled in comfortable silence. Taking a small glance at the girl next to him, America could tell that Katniss was nervous to see the other tributes, especially the Careers.

The two District 12 tributes were escorted to the main Training room and America looked in awe at all the weapons. The two joined the other tributes who were circling around a woman named Atala. She was reading out the list of skill sections there were in the Training Center. America didn't pay much attention to her words, simply looking around at all the weaponry. She then dismissed everyone and, immediately, the Careers went to grab their favourite deadly weapons.

It was both sad and amazing to watch everyone show off their skills in the area. Of course, none of them showed the immense power that his fellow countries had but they were still good. Hundreds of years of war, training and killing had taught America millions of skills that soldiers would never hope to gain. The war trainings were brutal, extreme and above all, dangerous. Italy could barely manage to keep up with Germany's harsh training, it was interesting to see how normal humans did.

He could remember the names of the Careers and a few other noticeable tributes. Cato, District 2 male Career tribute, was swinging a sharp sword around, dismembering the fake limbs of the dummies.
Clove, District 2 female Career tribute, stood still until a board lit up with lights before she threw a throwing knife at it with deadly aim, hitting the heart in less than a second.
Marvel, District 1 male Career tribute, was throwing spears into moving hologram and obliterated the picture lights to bits.

Katniss was eyeing the bow and arrow that District 1's female Career tribute, Glimmer, was holding. The blonde girl pulled back the bowstring and shot an arrow towards the target. It was easy to see that she was completely incompetent with the bow, the arrow landed outside the target.

"What are you going to do, Katniss?" America asked. The look on her face was troubled, her eyes longing for the bow but she tore her gaze away from Glimmer to face America.

"Haymitch says to leave out skills so that the other tributes won't figure out your specialty…" Katniss sighed, "How about we try tying some snares?"

"Yeah, okay." America smiled, then started trekking to the section with Katniss.

Three days have passed and both Katniss and America had pretty much gone to every section of the training grounds over 10 times. There were a few commotions during those three days, like when Cato's knife was stolen by Rue, District 11 female tribute. Rather, instead of focusing on the actual training Katniss was suggesting along the way, America was busy analysing each person to figure out their strengths, weaknesses and skills. It was disturbing, how easy America could tell who would die faster than the other.

America had a lot of strengths in most of the weapons given to the tributes. The only ones he wasn't too great at were sword wielding, that was France, Spain, Austria, both Italys and many other countries' skills.

Another thing he wasn't good at was the bow and arrow, which gives America more the reason why he should give Katniss a bow if he manages to get his hands on one.

Sadly, firearms weren't allowed in the Games. America assumed it was because firearms are a multitask sort of weapon, good for hunting animals and killing humans if they put in hunting rifles and assault rifles.

"Alright, everyone! Time's up!" Atala called out to the tributes, "Make sure to get ready to impress the Gamemakers." She winked. Most tributes thanked her before leaving, including America. The ex-nation contemplated whether he should gain a high score or not. There were a lot of things to consider.

If your score was low, the chances of getting hunted by the other tributes are lower, however, the chances of sponsors giving you things also decrease as well. On the other hand, if your score was high, the chances of the other tributes trying to hunt you will increase dramatically as well as the number of sponsors.

'But… Do I really need sponsors on my side?' America notioned before his train of thought was broken by the voice of Effie Trinket. Haymitch trudged his way next to them.

"There's a total score of 12, I'm sure all of you already know this." Haymitch stated, "The higher your score is, the more sponsors you'll get. Try not to get a score too low or else you'd be the first person to die in the hands of the Gamemakers if you don't die during the Bloodbath, that is."

They arrived at the penthouse and was greeted by the stylist. France gave America an encouraging smile, "District 1 will be going first, there's no guarantee that any of the Gamemakers would actually watch you." Haymitch grabbed a bottle of white liquor and poured some into his glass until it was filled to the brim. America wondered if it was vodka, Russia would love some of that strong alcohol.

The 6 sat down on their seats and ate dinner before Effie stood up and said that the tributes should head down now for their individual training. The conflicting decision was flooding his mind with questions.

"Alfred F. Jones," It wasn't until his name was called out by the announcer that he just shrugged it off and walked in.

"Good luck, Alfred." He heard Katniss say from behind him.

The Gamemakers were chattering amongst themselves, laughing and eating to their heart's' content. America stood still for a second, thinking of what weapon he should showcase. He picked up a spear and scanned it. It was made out of iron and was polished to the point where you could see your own reflection. America couldn't remember the last time he used a spear, it was way back when his mother was still alive. North America.

America had decided to gain a relatively low but reasonable score, just so his time in the Games would be much easier. Sponsors aren't much of a big deal for America but the biggest thing he needs to worry about is when a tribute injures him severely and the Capitol finding out that his body can heal those types of wounds in less than an hour.

So with that thought in kind, America walked towards the targets, making sure he Gamemakers were watching at least for a minute. He swung the spear at the target and the spear barely managed to hit the outside of the target. He could hear the Gamemakers laugh but he just grabbed another one and continued. Once again, it didn't hit the middle but it was closer than last time.

The 10 minutes passed quickly before he was dismissed and Katniss' name was called out, "Good luck to you, too, Katniss."

"Thanks."

Effie groaned as she buried her face in her hands. Katniss told everyone about her little stunt in the individual training with the Gamemakers. Haymitch was howling with laughter as he patted her in the back and congratulated her. America was trying his best not to laugh out loud. The stylists and their prep teams pranced their way into the room and France greeted America.

"What score do you think you'll get, Am-Alfred?"

"Like… a 5?" America chuckled. Everyone was then shushed by Effie as the TV burst into life and Claudius Templesmith's face appeared. He was grinning widely. District 1 was first, as per usual.

"District 12, Alfred ." America looked up and he felt France place a reassuring hand on his shoulder, "6/12."

There was a silence in the room before Effie spoke up, "It could've been worse, Alfred!"

"Um… yeah." America tried making his voice sound disappointing. In all honesty, he couldn't care less. He did have the slightest suspicion that maybe if the other countries were watching this, they'd be pretty disappointed, outright mad or agree that his decision was smart.

"And finally, District 12, Katniss Everdeen." Alfred could audibly hear Katniss' breath hitch. Claudius' eyebrows raised in surprised for a second before he read out the score.

"11/12."

Screams and the cheers from the prep team erupted. Effie brought Katniss into a tight hug, her prep team was clapping for her along with Cinna, France and Haymitch. America smiled at Katniss and gave her a thumbs up. The group spent the rest of the night celebrating for Katniss and America. America was absolutely overjoyed when France had asked the chef to make some hamburgers for the American. Katniss was sure he would have choked on himself with how many burgers he was stuffing into his face at once.

Through his years of living in the harsh conditions of District 12, seeing his friends 'die' in front of him and constantly tormented by Panem, he was surprisingly cheerful when he was getting ready for his interview. His outfit was a black suit with fire embroidery sewed onto the cuffs of the suit jacket and his trousers. France had gone the extra mile to make a pair of glasses with fire decorations in the frame, the metallic paint glistened in the light, making it look like real fire.

Not only was he pretty optimistic and bubbly, but he was also beyond ready for his interview. France had helped him by revising some questions that might be included in his 3-minute interview. France had asked America to be his old cheerful self, it wasn't France's request but England's.

Apparently, France had a call from England saying America should at least act like before. America smiled. He knew that the Brit cared about him despite being, what Japan likes to call him, a tsundere.

Katniss was wearing a beautiful one shoulder maxi dress coloured in a shimmering crimson and covered in red, orange and yellow gemstones which made the dress looked like fire. He could tell that she was very nervous about the interviews, from her fidgeting and how she mouthed the number of the District that was up as her eyes darted to the TV screen then back to her nails which were painted to look like fire.

"District 12, Katniss Everdeen."