A/N: So here we are, Training Day 1. Here's how I've decided to split up the next few chapters in terms of POV's:

Training Day 1: Harlan, Ampra, and Jason

Training Day 2: Gabriel, Jemima, and Riley

Private Sessions: Ripple, Isolder, and Skye

Training Scores: Adalia, Celestrial, and Illiam

Interviews Part 1: Sapphire, Neil, Calder

Interviews Part 2: West, Agrippa, Sephora

The Night Before the Games: Matt, Krista, and Seth

Final Thoughts/Countdown: Volt, Valora, Carime

Because it's only 3 POV's per chapter it'll hopefully be quick updates:)

The time will come, when you'll have to rise
Above the best, improve yourself
Your spirit never dies
Farewell, I've gone, to take my throne
Above, don't weep for me
Cause this will be the labor of my love

-Warriors, Imagine Dragons

Harlan Whittmore- District 1

After about half an hour of do's and don't, rules and regulations, and expectations, we were set loose to begin training. As the so-called 'careers', we naturally all grouped up in the sparring ring. Strangely enough, all six of us were highly-trained and willing to work together. While we were clearly the most intimidating group out there, I hoped it wouldn't lead to a 'too many cooks in the kitchen' situation.

We said some 'Hey's' and 'Hi's' and before we knew it, we had a quiet, yet mutual agreement to be allies. After our short little chat, we all broke off into groups. Adalia, the girl from two, went towards the stairs mentioning something about the medical tables (an odd choice for a girl from two), Ripple, the girl from four went to go to the knife throwing area, and Gabriel and Sapphire stretched a bit, then went to straight on sparring. Although I was pretty sure Gabriel had it in the bag, at the moment, Sapphire had the upper hand and was giving him a pretty good run for his money.

With everybody else off doing their own thing, Matt and I headed towards the spear throwing station, "So, pretty great group of careers, huh?"

Matt looked up from the spears he was inspecting, "Yeah, I'm surprised everyone was willing to work together. I mean between Blondie from one and Knucklehead from two, was sure at least one argument was going to break out."

I nodded in agreement, but suppressed a laugh. Oddly enough, I actually found myself liking Matt. For the most part, he seemed really confident and sure of his skills which is always a good asset, "So, what's training like in district 4?"

Matt grinned, "Well I'm sure it's not as fancy as the training centers in district 1 or 2, but we've got places to train: gyms, small, minor academies...What about district 1?"

"Well, Sapphire and I trained at the same academy. It's pretty large, I suppose, but I can't say I have much comparison," I replied as I picked up a spear and steadied it in my hand before throwing it straight into target with as much force as I could muster. To my luck it landed right in the center, and Matt looked the slightest bit impressed.

"Not bad. Harlan was it?" Matt asked, as he choose a spear as well and in a similar fashion launched it into the heart of the target.

"Yeah, Harlan, and not too bad yourself..." I replied with a slight smile.

Matt smiled, "You know, Harlan, I think you and I might just have to stick together a little while longer..."

I couldn't help but grin, "You know Matt, I think you're right."

"Allies?" he asked.

"Allies." I confirmed, and with that we went back to spear throwing in silence, with only the jolt of spears being lodged in dummies filling the air. At the training center all the trainers warned me not to make any friends, it would be an instant downfall, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was going to need friends or at least close allies in the arena.

After finishing up at the spear station, I headed to the sword station to brush up on my worst weapon. It was important that I practiced on every weapon because I had to be able to use whatever I picked at the Cornucopia.

It wasn't like I was completely terrible with swords, it's just I was never a fan of sword fighting or even hand-to-hand combat. I simply preferred throwing things (I'm sure my siblings would agree). After fighting with a dummy for a while, I waved Matt over. He was currently at the trap making station, but I getting rather bored of the dummy and wanted some better practice.

Matt jogged over, "What's up?"

"Up for a bit of sword fighting?" I asked, picking up a second sword and holding it out for him.

With a wide grin he took the sword, "It's on, buddy!"

I grinned back, this should be fun.

Ampra Watson- District 3

To be honest, I wasn't sure what to do with myself during training. Neil had already disappeared, so I figured I was officially on my own. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed sign saying the fire making station was on level 3, and I figured it would be a good place to start.

As I read one the instructional pamphlets the Gamemakers had created, I couldn't help but miss Derek and all my other friends. Sitting down, then picking up the flint I began working.

"It helps if you strike at an angle," a voice called out. Looking up from my work, I noticed the girl from eleven peering down at me. Taking a seat next to me then grabbing a flint, she began striking, and before I knew it she had sparks, then a fire. After about two minutes of attempting to copy her movements, I had my own fire going.

"Thanks..." I muttered to the girl. She seemed about my age, however she was extremely skinny and looked almost starved, "I'm Ampra, by the way..."

"Carime," she replied, "So, got any allies yet?"

"Uhhh, not really..." I replied, "You?"

"Yeah, my district partner, Illiam and he's already become best friends with the boy from 6, so I suppose I'm allies with him as well..." she replied in an almost blunt manner.

"That's good I suppose..." I replied, unsure of how to respond. I wasn't sure how well Illiam or Isolder would fare, considering the circumstances. I wasn't sure how I felt about Carime. For some odd reason, I felt the need to compete with her, yet I felt like we could have known each other for years. I wasn't quite sure what to make of it.

It was a strange feeling, which just made it even harder to decide whether to trust her or not.

"You know, I could use a sane girl on the team..." Carime began.

Oh great, it was decision time already.

"...I'm sure we could make it far together..." she added.

I looked around. So far, I wasn't fairing too well on my own. I didn't have a lot of opportunities at my doorstep, and I knew I would have to take the ones I got. I just wasn't sure if I could trust these people...

Byte had mentioned that having allies would be the difference between life and death for Neil and I and all of a sudden, Carime's offer was starting to look extremely attractive. I bit my lip softly and closed my eyes for a split moment weighing the pros and cons.

I looked at Carime's face for split moment and I hesitated.

"Okay," I said breathing out a large sigh, "Let's do this."

Carime smiled slightly, "I knew you'd say yes."

"How?" I asked. I was barely sure myself.

She shrugged, "I don't know...it just feels like I know you, even though we've just met. Maybe we were good friends in another life," she joked, chuckling.

"Where'd you pick that idea up from?" I asked, chuckling as well.

"I don't know, maybe I've been eavesdropping on the girl from 12 for far too long," she replied.

I still wasn't 100% on my choice to ally this early with people I knew nothing about, but I had good feeling I couldn't shake.

I think I made the right decision.

I hope I made the right decision.

Jason Redwood- District 7

So far, I'd been pretty unsuccessful making allies. I saw a couple people bonding already. The careers had been set (having 6 of them in the arena was quite nerve-wrecking) but despite everything, I just couldn't shake the lingering feeling that I needed to find a strong ally if I were going to win these games.

I already felt like such a horrible person for leaving Jemima to her death, but I had to go home. Having a twelve year old to take care of would only be a hindrance. I honestly tried so hard to be a good person, I just hope I made the right decision taking care of my self this time.

This year the training center was comprised of 5 basic levels.

Level 1 (Base)- Wrestling, Hand to hand, Target Practice, and Sparring

Level 2- Archery, Axes, and other Weaponry

Level 3 Survival Skills

Level 4- Training simulators

Level 5- Lunch/ Break room

I had spent most of the morning on level 2 working with an axe, something I've used my whole life. It took a while to get used to using it as a weapon rather than a tool, but I got the hang of it quickly enough. Now I knew it was time to get to making allies.

I wandered around and eventually found myself on level 4. The girl from 8 looked really angry was currently attacking her machine while the boy from 3 seemed to be playing a memory game of sorts.

My mentor had advised me to speak with him, so I went up to the axe simulator which was next to the memory machine to see if I could attempt to strike up a conversation.

As I picked up the fake axe I looked over to his station, "You're pretty good at that..."

He smiled slightly, "Thanks, the photographic memory helps with this kinda of stuff. Unfortunately, I'm not the best with weapons."

I nodded, "To be fair, I doubt I could get past level 1 on that machine."

"So, how come you don't look like the rest of district 7? You look like you belong in district 3," the boy from three stated, "Was your dad like a peacekeeper from three that got transferred to seven or something like that?"

I chuckled slightly, "Good theory, but to be honest, I have absolutely no idea, I'm Jason by the way."

He grinned, "I know, I saw your reaping. I'm Neil..."

"So have you tried using an axe yet?" I asked him as he completed the final level of the memory machine.

"No...isn't that exclusive to d7?" he asked.

I shook my head, "Not at all, you know if you help me memorize some of the survival stuff, I'll help you find a weapon."

"It's a deal."

A/N: So what did you think?

1) Favorite POV?

2) Favorite Allies?

1- Careers (Harlan, Sapphire, Gabriel, Adalia, Matt, Ripple)

1b- Harlan and Matt

2- Ampra, Carime, Isolder, and Illiam

3- Neil and Jason

3) Which upcoming chapter are you most excited for?