Hey guys!

I'm back, and so is the story! Things are getting interesting in this chapter, and there are a couple of fight scenes I had a ton of fun writing. Enjoy!

Love, Jayfish.

P.S. We hit fifty reviews! And now we're at seventy-two! No joke, you guys are WUNNERFUL.


Echo looked down at her ally. Cypress was not looking good; her face was badly bruised from where that bitch Garnet Painite had punched her, and she had a small but mildly deep stab wound in her pelvis from Garnet's spear. Of course; they had the whole Cornucopia; they could get her some medical supplies, but the point was that Echo had expected the both of them to do better on the first day. She'd expected more people to die, too, the cannons had sounded a short while ago and only six were dead. Six! That wasn't half as many as she'd expected.

She hadn't fared well from Garnet's attacks. Garnet had punched her in the stomach, and now there was a strange hitch to her breathing that hurt the tiniest bit, like she'd pulled a muscle. If Garnet Painite screwed me over for the rest of the Games, I'm going to kill her. She sighed and sat down next to Cypress, who was staring stonily at the sky.

"What's up?" She asked, and Cypress turned to her, signature frown on her face.

"I am going to kill Garnet Painite," she said shortly, before looking back at the sky. It was clear and cool, with a few clouds ambling across the wide expanse of blue. Echo fiddled with her jacket; it was obvious that the jacket had been built for the mountain. She didn't know yet whether she wanted to go up there; it might be worth it, but right now they were at the best place to be in the Games. Giving up the Cornucopia would be like committing suicide right now.

Echo got to her feet and strolled to the Cornucopia. Many tributes had taken some good things, but there was still a ton left. Casually she picked up a bag before throwing it aside; only food. Cypress and I could both use some medical attention right now, she thought. Garnet Painite made me lose a tooth. We should really go hunting for her, but there aren't enough of us to guard the base. God, I wish there were a Career pack this year.

She grinned as she opened a pack to find bandages, gauze and a tiny spray bottle labeled as an anesthetic. This should come in handy, she thought, walking back to her ally. "Hey Cypress!" She said, tossing the bag in front of the girl. "For your leg."

"Thanks," Cypress said gruffly, already pulling out the anesthetic. She sprayed a small amount into the hole in her pelvis and sighed; evidently it really did erase her pain. Then she moved on to the bandages; wrapping them tightly around her wound. Her already pale face got a bit paler with every twist, but she gritted her teeth and persevered until she had a neatly bound leg splayed in front of her.

"Can you stand?" Echo asked. Cypress gave her a look of pure derision and rolled her eyes.

"Yeah I can stand!" She exclaimed, swinging her legs underneath her and shooting to her feet. Echo sighed. Cypress was a good ally, but she was annoying as hell.

"Cypress, could you relax?"

"I'm relaxed," Cypress snarled.

"Really? Cuz you don't sound relaxed."

"So, what? You wanna fight or something?" She raised her fists and scowled darkly at Echo. Echo rolled her eyes.

"No, I don't want to fight," she said shortly. Not until the final eight. But then I think I do.

"Whatever," Cypress said, sitting back down. For a moment, there was a tense silence, and then Echo spoke up.

"We can't stay here forever," she said. "Eventually the Gamemakers are going to drive us out. Do you want to go hunting tonight?"

Cypress shrugged. "Sure, I guess," she said. "We should find a water source too; there aren't that many bottles of water here." Her eyes flashed. "Are we looking for anyone in particular? Garnet, for instance?"

"I guess we could go after Garnet," Echo said. "I was thinking that girl from District Nine; the one who got a nine in Training, or the crazy girl from Six and her alliance."

"Yeah," Cypress agreed. "We should get her out of the picture before she comes back to screw things up for us." She leaned back on her hands and tipped her face to the sky. "But I still think we should go for Garnet," she said, and Echo had to agree with her.


Mela stared at the expanse of forest before her and sighed. "I think we're lost, Matt," she admitted quietly, staring at the trees. "I feel like we've been this way before."

"We might have been," Matt admitted, frowning at the trees as though they had personally offended him. "This damn arena is like a maze! Everything looks the same."

"Well, they're trees, Matt," Mela said. "I'm sure somebody who lived in District Seven would be able to tell the difference between them."

"Too bad we didn't join the alliance with Lura," Matt said. "I really was considering them. I wonder what Lura's doing right now."

"She's probably safe in the trees with Amethyst and Saber," Mela said, wanting to keep Matt focused on the problem at hand. "While we're wandering around here like idiots," she added. "Anyone could jump as right now. We don't even have any weapons except that weird thing you found on the ground, and we still don't even know what that does."

As soon as she mentioned it, Matt pulled it out of his pocket and rolled it around on his palm like an egg. It was shaped like an egg too, and made of metal. It didn't appear to do anything, and as far as Mela was concerned, it didn't. But the Gamemakers wouldn't have left it if it didn't have some use. It had been at the very edge of the Cornucopia, almost as if it had been left for any old tribute to find, but Mela got a strange feeling from it. It was dangerous, and it would be helpful.

"Put it away, Matt," she said softly. "We don't know what it does; maybe it's better if it stays hidden."

"Alright," he said amiably, stuffing it back in his pocket. He sighed. "I still think I've seen it before, I just can't recall where."

"Maybe it has something to do with mutts," Mela suggested. "Because you're from District Five and all."

"Maybe," Matt agreed. "The point here is that- what the hell?"

"What is it?" Mela yelped, looking at the forest around them wildly.

Slowly, Matt pointed a finger. Mela looked to the ground and winced as she saw the knife sticking in the grass in between Matt's feet. "Someone's attacking us," she said softly, just as the rock shot out of the sky and crashed into her skull.


Seren Alyona nearly jumped for joy at his perfect hit. He'd managed to get the girl from District Three right in the forehead with his rock, and as he watched she slumped to the ground, eyelids fluttering. It didn't really feel good to be running through the trees trying to kill people, but they were all going to die anyway. Only one person was going to win, and although Seren had no confidence that it was going to be him, at least he'd be killing people humanely, without any of the usual tortures that made the Hunger Games so entertaining for the Capitol citizens to watch.

There was no cannon, and he was glad for a second, despite the fact that he'd been aiming to kill. The rock had bounced off the girl's forehead, cutting her. A trickle of blood ran down her pale face. Her ally was over her at once. "MELA!" He cried, for the moment too preoccupied to notice Seren swinging down from the trees silently, like a monkey. He landed on the grass behind the boy and picked up his knife.

He took one step and the boy froze, turning around quickly. Both of them paled; apparently the boy was just as bad at hand-to-hand combat as Seren was. Seren held out the knife threateningly. "I'll be going now," he said. "Follow me, and I'll kill you." Oh God, I don't want to kill you. But I have to; don't you understand? The boy nodded, and Seren slowly stepped around him and his female companion. He looked down at the girl and her blood for a moment. "I... I hope she's okay," he muttered, ashamed of himself, and bolted.

He listened as he ran, but the boy didn't give chase. He's probably going to do something about that girl, Seren thought. I wish I hadn't said that; it's going to make me look weak. But then again, I'm kind of glad that I did.

For a moment, he stopped, breathing heavily and listening for any sounds of pursuit. He didn't hear anything, but his breathing was loud enough that he could be drowning it out. Slowly, he slumped down onto the grass, and a tear slipped down his face. He brushed it away unhappily, and sighed. "I tried to kill her," he said, another tear slipping out. "I can't believe it. I'm disgusting."

He got up and brushed his light blonde, almost white hair out of his reddish eyes. "Alright," he said, swallowing the rest of his tears. "Alright, I can do this. I just have to keep going. I still have my knife, and I didn't get injured. I have to keep going. Keep going, Seren, keep going."

"Keep going, Seren, keep going! Ha-ha, that's a pretty song. Thanks for it, Seren!" He turned and shuddered; Lysemet was standing in the forest, holding a bullwhip and smiling at him.

"Oh crap," he said, and she stepped out of the foliage.

"Oh crap is right," she said, and raised the arm with the bullwhip. The whip cracked once in the air, and she brought her hand down. For a second, he felt nothing, and then yelled as there was a burning sensation in his ankle. He crashed to the ground, and she jumped on top of him, feet on his chest. I... Can't... Breathe! He thought, thrashing. Lysemet laughed and wriggled, pressing him more firmly into the ground and squashing all the breath out of him.

"Lysemet from District Six, killed the boy from District Six, all the kids from District Six, mourn the boy from District Six, while Lysemet from District Six, lives to go home to District Six. Not one of my best rhymes, but it'll have to do." She giggled briefly. "You know," she said conversationally. "I don't really enjoy killing, but I love blood. Do you see the predicament?"

"Get... off... me..." Seren gasped. She shook her head and smoothed the hair out of his face.

"Blood," she sighed, and he realized that she had a knife. It glinted in the light, and he realized with a sick feeling that she was going to cut him with it. "Sorry," she said. "I'll pray for you." She brought the knife down, and he yelled as she cut him on the lip. His metallic blood ran into his mouth, and flashes of hot pain traveled through his body. He wasn't going to cry, though; he would show the girl no fear, even if she tortured him to death.

He cringed as Lysemet leaned down. "Have you ever tasted it?" She whispered, the tip of her tongue pressing against the cut. Another wave of blood erupted from his wound, and he grunted. "Mmm," Lysemet said, pressing her lips against his bleeding wound. "Delicious," she mumbled.

"LYSEMET!" Seren pulled his bottom lip away from the girl as she turned her head to look at the boy who'd called her name. Seren recognized him as the boy from District Four; he crossed over to them and grabbed Seren by the collar, pulling him away from Lysemet. "What the hell are you doing?" Does he like her? Seren thought. Oh. That must be why he's so upset; it probably looked like we were kissing.

Lysemet's eyes widened, and Seren thought he saw a few tears gathering at the corners of her eyes. "I don't know," she whispered. "Do you know what it's like to be crazy, Dillon? Everything gets twisted; sometimes you can't tell what you're doing." She looked at Seren, and he could tell that she really was crying. "I'm sorry," she said. "Dillon will kill you quickly. I shouldn't have done that. It was wrong."

Seren looked up to see Dillon pulling a knife out of his back pocket. No! He thought. I can't die yet! Dillon raised the knife and stared at him with pitying eyes.

"No!" Seren screamed, slashing out with his knife. Dillon groaned and crumpled; Seren had slashed deeply into his ankle. Seren leaped to his feet and started to run; moving past Lysemet, who was still crying. She smiled at him through her tears, and half-heartedly slashed her whip in his general direction. She managed to sting his arm, but that only got him running faster.

He heard the sounds of Dillon trying to get to his feet and pursue him, and heard the air whistle as Dillon threw a well-aimed knife at him. He ducked his head and the knife blew over his neck, scratching the nape of his neck before clattering to the ground. He bent and snatched it up before jumping over a fallen log and hurrying into the forest. He didn't think Dillon would chase him; he'd stabbed him in the ankle pretty badly. His own ankle was burning, but it still held his weight, for now at least. His split lip throbbed every time he hit the ground, and sticky wet blood covered his chin. Keep running, he told himself. I've got to keep running.

He nearly screamed as an arrow whizzed past his forehead and stuck in a tree in front of him. Oh crap, there are more of them? He lunged and sighed breathlessly at the sight of the girl from District One. She was standing in a clearing, and he moved by her so fast she didn't even have time to slash at him with one of the swords she held in her hand.

Come on, Seren! He coached himself on. He broke out of the forest and immediately went for the giant rocks at the base of the mountain. He could hear the girl from District One coming after him, and somebody else, as well, but there was no time to look behind and see who it was. He scrambled onto one of the massive rocks and began to dart erratically over them, hoping that he wasn't about to be hit by an arrow. He couldn't help himself; he glanced back to see both District One tributes coming after him, pounding across the white rocks. The boy had a bow and arrows, and the girl still had her twin swords. They shone in the light, and for a moment Seren imagined his blood splashed across them before turning back around.

His ankle throbbed once and suddenly Seren realized that there was no ground beneath him. The air rushed and he slammed into the ground hard. I must have fallen in a crack between the rocks. Oh crap.

He flipped over and looked around himself. It was a fairly small space, but when he looked over at one side of the enclosure he realized two things very quickly. The first was that there was a tunnel stretching out under the rocks that was pitch black and probably led under the mountains. The second was that there was something hurtling towards him. He realized that what he was seeing was the girl from District Nine, Merryn, throwing herself forward desperately. She made it to the end of the tunnel and jumped out of the space between the rocks, and Seren saw what she'd been fleeing from. It was an albino lizard mutt with a long purple tongue and needle-like teeth splayed out from its jaws. It didn't have eyes, but he had complete confidence that it knew where he was. He scrambled out of the hole as fast as he could, and groaned as he was confronted by the boy and girl from District One, who were holding Merryn tightly. Seren had thrown his knife at the girl from District One before he knew what he was doing, and she dropped Merryn to deflect the hit with her sword. Merryn darted to Seren's side, and nodded at him. "Thanks," she said, and her eyes widened as she looked behind them. "Get away from the hole, Seren!" She yelled, and he felt something clamp onto his already injured ankle. Gravity and the lizard dragged him into the hole for the second time that day, and he hit the rock with the back of his head, hard.

The lizard crawled onto his chest, hissing, and he heard something thud into the hole. His vision was beginning to swim, and his ankle felt hot and cold and horrific. His veins felt as though they were writhing under his skin, and he thrashed in agony. "Damn," he heard Merryn mutter. "Seren's been poisoned. Seren, can you hear me?"

Seren could hear her, but his tongue was swelling up and he was in no position to answer her. He moaned and hoped she understood. He could hear the lizard scrabbling off his chest, probably going after Merryn. He opened his eyes to see Merryn sliding away from the lizard slowly, the knife he'd thrown at the girl from District One in her hand. "District One ran away," she told Seren, eyes never leaving the mutt's. "Apparently they think you and I are going to die down here." The lizard's mouth opened and it whined softly, tensing its legs. "But if they think that, they don't know us!" Merryn said, throwing the knife directly into the lizard's open mouth. The mutt slammed its jaws shut around the blade and froze. A droplet of blood leaked between its closed jaws, and it thudded to the ground, white ropy tail falling against Seren's leg.

Even the tiny pressure anywhere near the wound from the lizard's bite was too much for him. He screamed in pain and arched his back, froth gathering at the corners of his mouth. I'm going to die, he thought, clawing at his arms in a desperate attempt to make the pain go away. And right after I nearly killed Mela, too. Isn't that ironic?

The insides of his eyelids were a thick, soupy red. I never thought red could be so ugly before. Stars began winking in his vision, and he felt himself slipping away. Help me, Merryn. And then the lizard had him, and dragged him down, into the darkness where nobody could save him.


James had it made.

He'd left the Cornucopia with some pretty basic stuff. He'd snatched a slingshot, which he pretty much had no use for, and a pack filled with granola, which he could use. Of course, it would be nice if he'd gotten some water, but of course his pack hadn't had any. He hadn't gotten a sword either, which is what he'd been aiming for, and the knife he'd tried to get had been stolen by some little girl that he thought was from District Five. He hadn't tried to get it back; there would never be a day when James fought a woman. Well, maybe there would be eventually, but for now, women were sacred territory and he was not going to mess things up by attacking one.

He smoothed down his dark brown hair and fingered his slingshot. He considered tossing it away, but decided not to at the last minute. Who knows; it could end up being useful.

James stretched his legs and got to his feet, yawning. He was headed deeper into the valley, where he figured there would be something, hopefully something he could use. If I'm going to be the Victor, I'll have to think ahead of the game. And so far, I think I must be the only person looking for something special in the valley. Maybe not, but we'll see who gets there first.

He took one step when he heard the scream. He cocked his head; it hadn't sounded human to him. Despite being from the agricultural district, James knew animals, and he figured that he'd just heard a pig scream. Okay, I'm not going over there. He started on his way, and sighed as he heard what sounded like a girl yelling. Still not going. He took a step, and heard the clash of metal on metal. Maybe just for a minute.

He jogged towards the sounds of what was probably a raging battle. I don't have to help at all, he reminded himself. All I have to do is observe. I don't actually have to- whoa.

The girl from District Eight, Arista Ryans, was wielding an axe and facing down a very angry boar. James whistled, and both of them looked at him. Whoops. The pig screamed and scraped its cloven hoof against the ground, shaking its massive head. "Hey Arista!" James called, not looking away from the pig's angry eyes. "If you feel up to it, could you toss me a weapon?"

"Hell no!" Arista snapped, waving the axe in a complicated arc around her head and getting the boar's attention. "Get your own!" The pig screeched and lunged at Arista, and she chopped at its tusks. The brute force of the pig's lunge pushed her back, and she stumbled into a tree, thudding to the ground. The pig raised a razor-sharp tusk to finish her, when James whistled again. It turned in annoyance and started towards him, snotty nostrils blowing foul-smelling air in his face. It lowered its tusks and charged, preparing to impale him.

James sighed and jumped, landing on its snout. "Naughty pig," he said easily, jumping onto its head and grabbing its ears, which he yanked violently. The mutt wailed and shook, trying to throw him off, but he held on. He grinned for the cameras. "Nobody tries to kill James Austin Mocking!" He reached into his pack with one hand and pulled out his slingshot, the butt of which he jammed into the pig's eye. It roared and finally threw him. He soared through the air and landed on his own two feet next to Arista, who he winked at. "Now just imagine what I could've done with a knife!"

"Oh, shut up," she exclaimed, getting to her feet shakily. The boar was also shaky; it turned to the both of them, blood streaming from its ruined left eye. It looked a lot scarier now; facing them quietly and coldly. It breathed out once and began to walk towards them, each hoof beat sounding like a gunshot.

"Arista," James said urgently. "Give me a weapon."

"No way," she exclaimed. "How do I know you won't kill me with it?" James rolled his eyes in disgust.

"I hate to say this, but you're an idiot. I know it was rude, but I didn't want you to live the rest of your life without knowing the sad truth. Luckily for you, the rest of your life won't be very long because you won't let me help you!"

"Screw off!" Arista exclaimed, running at the pig first. It was motionless as she jumped at it, slashing at its snout, but it jerked its head suddenly. She gasped in pain and was thrown back at James. He caught her in his arms expertly, and saw that the pig had hit her in the chest with the blunt side of its tusk; not enough to kill her, but it was possible that she'd broken a rib or two. Her face was very pale, and her breath came in short gasps. Gently, he put her on the ground.

"Knife," he said, and she reached into her pack and handed him one. "Good girl," James exclaimed, turning to the boar and presenting it the blade. He grinned evilly. "This bastard won't know what hit him," he said, running forward. The pig lowered its head, probably intending to slash upward with its talons, so instead of jumping at its head James slid underneath its fat pink body. It squealed, and he jammed his knife into its thick neck, turning and twisting the blade violently. Bright red blood splashed down onto his arms, and the pig stomped at him with hooves that were most likely harder than diamonds, but he persisted, trying to cut deeper into the pig's fat neck, until it moaned and sighed, slumping forward. He snatched the knife and rolled as it crashed to the ground, barely avoiding being squashed by five hundred pounds of pork. Slowly, he got up, looking at Arista. She was leaning against one of the trees, looking stunned, and James gave her a theatrical bow. "And that, my friends, is how you kill a pig," he exclaimed.

Arista stared at him, mouth gaping. As he watched, she raised an arm to her chest and coughed up some blood. "Oh crap," James said, hurrying towards her side. He out an arm around her and she stiffened.

"Get off me," she growled.

"No," James said, scooping up her legs. She looked like she wanted to struggle, but her torso was seriously bent out of shape and apparently she didn't want to risk it.

"Put me down…" She whispered. A little more blood dripped down her chin, and James felt an incredible urge to protect her.

"No, now shut up and go to sleep or something," he ordered her gently. Before her eyelids fluttered shut she rolled her eyes, and he smiled. He picked up her pack and her axe. "Alliance? I think yes," he said. "But first…" He turned to look hungrily at the boar. "Dinner!" He said, striding over to its body and pulling out his knife. It felt strangely wrong, but he cut off a couple of thick strips from the unfortunate mutt's flesh and stuffed them in the bag. "That should keep us satisfied for a while," he said. Arista's head lolled on his shoulder, and he smiled.

Only one of them could win the Games, but an alliance couldn't hurt. Besides, with his good looks and obvious charm, Arista would come over to his side as soon as she woke up. James grinned down at her sleeping face. "We're going to the end of the valley now," he told her, even though she couldn't hear. "Wake up soon; you're not as light as you look." He knew that he'd probably have been punched for that if she'd been awake, which was exactly why he was glad she was asleep. "James Austin Mocking and his sidekick, Arista Ryans," James tried. It sounded good, and he grinned. "I'll keep you safe," he murmured, and headed towards the end of the valley.


Alright, so no deaths this chapter! Yay for no deaths... But don't worry, they're coming, if you people enjoy hearing about tributes dying!

TRIBUTE WATCH! Two things before that though: I decided to make the 'kills today' section just 'kills,' because most characters aren't going to be doing that much killing. Also, I'm adding any injuries the tribute might have to the Watch, because hell, it's important! Alright, here we go!

Soleil Nike Callwyn
At the base of the mountain with Lysemet, Dillon and Landon; uninjured.
Kills: None

Landon Nodean
At the base of the mountain with Lysemet, Dillon and Soleil; uninjured
Kills: None

Echo Garnett
Sheltered at the Cornucopia with Cypress; slight painful hitch to breathing and missing tooth
Kills: Rorie Jameson (BB character)

Mela Servitore
In the woods near the mountain with Matt; unconscious and bleeding from a small cut on the forehead
Kills: None

Rylla Stevens
Sheltered in a cave in the valley with Rosie, Fang and Garnet; stab wound in shoulder
Kills: None

Dillon Murphy
At the base of the mountain with Lysemet, Landon and Soleil; deep cut in ankle
Kills: Qwiss Qwail (BB character)

Ameth Azeleck
Hiding in the valley with Saber; uninjured
Kills: None

Matt Grove
In the woods near the mountain with Mela; uninjured
Kills: None

Lysemet C. Sprintyarrow
At the base of the moutain with Soleil, Landon and Dillon; uninjured
Kills: Hu Phang (BB character)

Seren Alyona
In the cavern under the mountain with Merryn; poisoned by the lizard mutt, a whip slash on the shoulder, a deeply cut lip, and a whip slash on the ankle
Kills: None

Saber Anderson
Hiding in the valley with Ameth
Kills: None

Arista Ryans
Being carried to the end of the valley by James; unconscious, and has two ribs that have moved out of place
Kills: Absalmo Kween (BB character); Lura Falon

Merryn Enya Night
Trying to save Seren in the cavern under the mountain; scrapes on hands and knees from running away from the lizard mutt
Kills: None

Garnet Painite
Sheltered in a cave in the valley with Rosie, Fang and Rylla; bruises on face and shallow cut on chest
Kills: None

Rosie Fullmoon
Sheltered in a cave in the valley with Rylla, Fang and Garnet; uninjured
Kills: None

James Austin Mocking
Carrying Arista to the center of the valley; uninjured
Kills: None

Cypress Lockhart
Sheltered at the Cornucopia with Echo; stab wound in pelvis, bruised face
Kills: None

Fang
Sheltered in a cave in the valley with Rosie, Garnet and Rylla; uninjured
Kills: Blame Iemm (BB character)

I'll have the next update out ASAP, and I hope you're all enjoying this story as much as I am!

Heheh, poor Seren did really badly in this update, but he's still alive! For now... :D