One is For Family

The First tribute chapter. District one tributes were submitted by:

Silvia Shinns Submitted by: I believe in nargles too

Luminescence Emerald Submitted by: Golden Moon Huntress

Thank you so much for you tributes and I hope I did them justice!

Silvia Shinns - 17

"3, 2, 1 FIGHT!"

I immediately lunged at the scared looking 9 year old. She was one of the newbies that the academy recruited. It was a tradition that the trainers would pit the newbies against the strongest fighters in the academy. I wasn't ashamed of myself that I was purposefully aggressive with her, but being admitted into the academy isn't supposed to be easy. Academy trained tributes have to be winners. And winners aren't wimps.

The sword and shield clanged on the floor and the girl was close to tears. She crouched in the ground and covered her face and I rolled my eyes.

She was clutching something in her hands, a locket of some sort and I smirked.

I held out my hand that didn't have the sword to her. She looked at it for a few moments before unclutching her hands from the locket and holding my hands. I didn't hesitate, I immediately swung the sword and cut of her locket from her neck without leaving a mark on her.

"Rule number one Kid, never trust your opponent. Ever."

I threw down her locket next to her and turned around. I heard the distinct sound of the clutter of metal and I immediately held up my shield and turned to face her, only to find her throwing the sword in my direction. I easily deflected it.

"Rule number two, never turn your back on your opponent" She spat, and with that she clutched her locket from the floor and ran towards her brother who stood at the entrance of the academy glaring at me. I rolled my eyes at that and turned to leave when I heard my name from across the hall.

I turned, trying to find the source of the sound, when I saw my older sister Goldie, looking at me with disdain and mockery in her eyes. I took a deep breath trying to control the anger that's bubbling up inside me. I throw down the shield and the clang rang through the empty hall and I sped up to meet my sister Goldie.

Goldie won the 216th Hunger games at the age of 14 years old. She single-handedly managed to take out the entire career pack that made the dumb mistake of underestimating the 14 year old. My sister was as bloodthirsty as any career. She killed all 5 people in the career pack and then tore her way through the game finishing off all the remaining tributes. She managed to pull off a win in less than 6 days. In District 2, she's considered a legend.

Till last year she was the mentor for District 2, but after Aphrodite won last year in that disastrous arena, she had to resign her post for her. The head mentor, Gladius Temple, who is the oldest living career from District 2, was sorry to see her taken off from her post but per regulations, he can't do anything. The most recent winner has to be the official mentor of the district. Even though Gladius managed to pull off some strings and he made Goldie an official mentor on Aphrodite until she knows how mentoring works.

It's pretty tough being the sister of a widely celebrated mentor. Everyone expects you to be half as good as her. Most of all, your own parents.

My parents were never abusive; on the contrary, they were always supportive parents. They always encouraged us to do our best; they never showed favouritism with either of us. That was until Goldie won the Games.

Since that moment, my parents became Goldie's Number one fans. I was still their daughter, but it was always "Goldie did this" or "Goldie did that" or "Your Sister Goldie never gave us that much trouble"

It became so intense two years ago that I started overeating and then throwing up. Their negative comments and critical attitude about my behaviour in general made me feel under-appreciated that binge-eating and then throwing up became my only Saviour.

My mom always had this thing against my weight. I was never fat, I'll admit, I was quiet curvy growing up, but I was never called fat, and before Goldie won, she never commented on it. After her win, she would always give me those discreet looks whenever I start eating. The look in her eyes always suggested that I should decrease my eating habits. It wasn't until she told me in a moment of anger, "You'll never win the games when you're that hefty! You won't be able to run, you'll end up being a bloodbath and you're going to plunge the family's name down the drain"

Her words started echoing in my brain ever since then. It was hard on me because I was constantly compared to my sister, but her words that time broke something inside me. All I could think of is that I'll never be good enough. I started binge-eating and then forcing myself to throw up shortly afterwards. Soon enough, I started throwing up anything I eat. My parents started noticing shortly afterwards, as my face began to lose colour and I would lose consciousness and faint for a few minutes. After my first visit to a doctor, my mom started berating me for it, instead of consoling me. She thought I was doing it on purpose because I wanted attention. That's when I started to engross every moment I have in training. I was like a machine; I didn't make anything stop me. The only thing that made me lose focus sometimes, were my sister's comments of my fighting style. My sister never complimented me, in fact she never saw me good enough. She claims that this is her way for boosting my work ethic by constantly undermining me.

I hated how much her words had a huge effect on me.

"You know, you'll never win the hunger games when you're busy trying to exert your power on silly helpless little nine year olds.

Pick on someone twice your size the next time, and maybe then I'll be impressed."

She rolled her eyes smirking at me, and turned away. She then stopped and turned to look at me,

"Oh and make sure to take a bath before changing into your reaping clothes. You reek of sweat."

She turned away and walked before being stopped by some of the new recruits who were asking for her autograph. She smirked and gave me a smug look before returning to her ever-growing number of fans.

I closed my eyes, again trying to keep my temper in check and I stormed outside of the hall. Instead of going straight to the showers, I went to Gladius Temple office.

Without knocking, I pushed the door and I looked at him. He stared at back, levelling my stare with his own; he then signalled for the two people in his office to get out and then looked at me as if waiting for me to start speaking.

"I'm ready, and I'll do it whether you and my sister like it or not."

Gladius stared at me again and waited for me as if he needed an explanation. When he saw that he's not getting any he took of his glasses and replied.

"I'm not the one you have to convince; your sister doesn't think you have what it takes yet."

"Well guess what? I really don't give a flying fuck what she thinks. Aren't you the head mentor, or are you seriously waiting for a 22 year old to give you the orders on how to run this place?"

I seemed to have stuck a nerve as his eyes boiled with anger at my outburst. He then nodded.

"Very well, do whatever you want. But, be careful, your sister already made her selection and you'll have to race for the chance to volunteer."

I nodded and then left the room careful to purposefully bang the door on my way out. I easily slipped into Goldie's office to find out who was selected and I then raced to the showers. I had only twenty minutes to get ready, and I won't waste another moment.

Luminescence Emerald - 17

I deflected another strike attempted by my opponent lazily. It was the last day for training in the academy before the reapings and I was doing the last impression training for the two head mentors; Gladius and Goldie.

It was an easy fight; I wasn't even giving it undivided attention like other fights I've been in. I was up against another 17 year old hopeful, but I knew I already had this in the bag. At least from the way Goldie seems to be following my movements and giving me the slow silent encouraging nods.

It was starting to get too predictable in this fight so I decided to end it. I quickly made swerve in the other direction that was meant to mislead him, he quickly meant for him, so I took the chance and I head-butted him, sending him and his sword to the ground, he tried to hold the sword again and I kicked it away and pointed my own sword to his neck.

"STOP"

I dropped my hand and I looked at the two trainers. Goldie was giving me an appreciative smile and when she noticed I was looking at her, she gave me a small wink.

"Great work you two, but after looking over this fight, it was decided unanimously that Luminescence will be representing the district this year. Apollo, You're still a little unprepared, try to practice more and be ready for the next year, in the meantime, Luminescence , you should head for the showers, you need to make yourself ready for the reapings.

I gave a small nod and Gladius gave a short one of his own before leaving.

Goldie was still looking at me appreciatively and I levelled her stare.

I already decided on Gleam as your District partner for this year, you should work well together. Also..."

She came closer

"Be sure to invest in some breath freshener before you enter that train, it might come in handy."

She gave me a small wink and left.

"Man, you're lucky alone to have someone like Goldie interested in you; I heard she's as fierce in bed as she was in the arena..."

I just stared at Apollo unfazed by what he was saying and I started moving towards the showers.

"You know, this silent attitude you have going on isn't going to save your ass in the arena. I suggest you start moving that tongue of yours and start talking if you want any kind of sponsor to look at you."

I didn't even look at him, I just continued on my way to the showers.

I knew everyone wasn't on board with my whole silent attitude, and I won't lie and say that I'm not mute by choice, but I won't succumb to peer pressure and just speak because people think I should. I am silent by choice, but I have a good reason to just remain silent.

Ever since that accident that left my older sister Iridescence badly burnt, I decided to be mute by choice. She was badly burnt in an accident last year when the academy we used to go to was set alight. We have been struggling to pay for her treatment ever since then.

Contrary to popular belief not everyone from one is extremely rich. For one, I have always been one of the unfortunate kids who had relatively poor parents. I guess we were doing well for a while, at least until that accident that took my father's life when I was I 8. But it has been so long since he was gone that I wasn't sure I remember how times were before he died.

I took a quick shower and I quickly got dressed in some of my late father's clothes, and I took off to my house to take my brother Radiance to the reaping with me. Iridescence was 19 this year, so she's finally not eligible for the reaping, which won't make any difference since she stopped training ever since the accident that left half her body badly burnt.

Radiance was already waiting for me on the doorstep with a small frown on his face. When he saw me questioning look, he just rolled his eyes, and only said "Mother" before getting up and joining me on the way to the town's square where the reaping is taking place. I glanced at our house and I shook my head. I knew in my heart that my mother will never change. I took my brother's hand and we took off to the reapings. It was already crowded by the time we got there, and Radiance was already off to the 15 year old section, I still couldn't spot Gleam's Unnatural Bright orange hair from where I was standing, but I gave it a little thought, I knew Gleam from training, she's as airheaded as they come but she's incredibly ruthless when it comes to fighting. The trailer of the dark days began rolling out and I watched in silence for the hundredth time. I didn't focus much until the silver clad Marcellus Vanilla went up on the stage and clapped his hand enthusiastically. This was Marcellus's second year as escort for District one and his enthusiasm was evident since in his first year, the winner was from the district he's representing. Everyone in District one knew that the Reason Aphrodite won last year was because the Male tribute from our District came down with food poisoning halfway through the game instead of using the alcohol sent in to clean his ally's wound, he drank it, and then he stumbled down a huge hole and fell to his death. That coupled up with the fact that the Arena was the exact replica of the year before, sealed the win for Aphrodite, one of the least likely candidates to win in the first place.

"Happy Hunger Games District One, and May the odds be ever in your favour!" His voice was high pitched and annoying. I tried ignoring it but I knew I had to watch out for it because I need to be on alert as soon as he announces the male tribute name.

The lucky lucky female tribute for this year is "Glitter Grace!" A young frail looking 13 year old emerged, I quickly glanced at the females and again, I failed to find the orange coloured nightmare that is Gleam's hair, I shot a glance at Goldie was standing next to the mayor looking a little distressed when a high pitched voice rang from across the square.

"I Volunteer as Tribute" I notice a small blonde girl making her way to the stage and I squint my eyes trying to figure out who she is. From her stance I could guess that she was definitely academy trained, but from the horror slash furious look on Goldie's face, I knew that she never intended for that girl to volunteer at all. When she reached the stage and stood at the centre, I immediately recognised her. It was none other than Silvia Shinns, who also happens to be Goldie's 17 year old sister. I've heard about her from my years of training, I've also heard some rumours about her rivalry with her older sister but I dismissed them, I hated rumours and you only fuelled the fire if you believe in them.

"And what is our lucky volunteer's name?"

"Silvia, Silvia Shinns"

Marcellus clapped again, more enthusiastically than the first time once he noticed that Goldie and Silvia are sisters, he was going to comment on it but one look from the Mayor made him carry one with is job. He knelt down, too graceful for a male and picked out a name.

"Our lucky male tribute is Medal O'Kieve" A boy emerged from the 16 year old section, he was about to call out that he doesn't want any volunteers when my voice rang out from the section, surprising everyone around me.

"I volunteer"

It was a widely known fact that I stopped talking ever since Iridescence's accident, people stopped expecting me to talk, so when I shouted that I volunteer everyone stopped and looked at me. The only one who was unfazed by my speaking was Marcellus who was now jumping up and down with glee.

"Oh how I love District one, What's your name?"

I contemplated not replying but I decided to talk this one time, I stared at the crazy happy escort and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes

"Luminescence Emerald."

"Oh well give it a clap folks, your tributes for the 224th hunger games, Silvia Shinns and Luminescence Emerald"

I was ushered to the Justice Building quickly to begin the goodbyes. According to the clock, we were already behind schedule. The first one to come rushing in was Iridescence.

"Why did you volunteer? I told you I was doing fine without the money you just had to do it didn't you?" I just Iridescence's hand in mine and I smiled at her.

"Anything for you"

She smiled at me but she was also crying.

"I know it took a great deal for you to speak today, but Luminescence, you must promise me that you'll speak if you have to in that arena. I know that this year's Arena isn't going to be easy. You should know since that by they chose shared your school year. Don't underestimate you opponents Luminescence, especially that Shinns girl."

I nodded and she took me in her arms and hugged me tightly.

"Stay Safe Luminescence, and come back quickly"

I hugged her back before the peacekeepers began calling for her to leave.

I was joined by Radiance as soon as Iridescence left.

"So you did it huh?"

I just looked at Radiance who took a deep breath and sat next to me.

"I won't lie, I'm not thrilled, even though I knew you were planning on volunteering."

I just nodded at him and he nodded as well, already used to this.

"I guess anything I say now isn't going to change anything. Just be careful there Luminescence, I know that you're strong but there's always a possibility that someone is stronger than you…and.."

He looked at his hands and then unclasped his fist to reveal a cup shaped medallion.

"I've always had this, remember? You helped me unearth it when we were playing in the neighbors garden after hours."

I just nodded at him, smiling. Those were the days back before the accident. It was also before my father left us. I was 7 and Radiance was only 4.

"Take it, I have nothing else to offer for you as a token. And well, it might remind there in your times of need that we, me and Iridescence are waiting for you."

I looked up at Radiance and I offered him my arms and he hugged me awkwardly, not used to public display of affection.

"Stay safe, I know I should have faith but I'm still afraid, Come back soon okay?"

I nod at him and he leaves. I looked back down at the medallion and I clasp my fist around it.

I know in my heart that losing is not an option.

Silvia Shinns - 17

"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU TO HER?"

I smirked as Goldie came storming in.

"Well hello to you too Goldie, fancy meeting you here…"

"Don't you play those games with me, now tell me, what the hell did you to Gleam?"

I looked at her innocently and smiled a small smile. "Whatever do you mean sister dearest? Why do you think I had anything to do with her….disappearance?"

I smirked at the last word and Goldie's face was pricless at this point.

"You better tell me what happened to her Silvia, or else…"

"Or what? It's too late anyway, I'm the tribute for the 223rd hunger games and there's that nothing you or your silly excuse of a choice could do about it."

Goldie threw me a withering look before leaving and banging the door behind her.

A few seconds pass and then my mother enters the room. She looks at me with a certain look of uncertainty before saying one sentence and then leaving.

"There's no place for losers in my family"

I didn't get the time to think about that sentence because my father entered the room afterwards.

If there was anyone in my family that I could say I was close to, it would be my father. My father usually stayed out of my problems with my mother, but he secretly dotted on me. He used to bring me chocolates and other treats during the days when my mother used to restrict my diet. I think out of my entire family, I loved my father the most.

"Silvia, I don't know why you did this…I know it has something to do with your mother. I guess it's my fault I never got in between you too.."

I looked at my father and I just shrugged. He came closer and sat next to me.

"I have faith in you Silvia, I know you can make it back to me." I nod at him and smile. He reached into his pocket and took out a golden locket.

"This was my mother's, she wanted my first born to have it. Your sister has enough jewellery to last a lifetime. I want you to have it."

I looked down at the locket and for the first time in a while I smiled a real smile. I took it and gave my father a long hug. He was then called to leave and he gave me brief hug before leaving.

I looked down at the locket and I quickly fastened it around my neck.

"I'll do this, I know I will…"

A.N: I'm so sorry for the long wait for this chapter, I just hope that it's length could make up for the time I spent. Hopefully I won't take as much time for the rest. I hope you like them and make sure to tell me who you liked more, Luminescence or Silvia.

I'll try to update as soon as possible. Now that I finished my finals, I could invest some time in this story. Read and Review everyone. The blog should be finished by the time the next chapter is up!