-Nerio Thames, 17, District 4-

Two Years, One Month before the reaping

The Academy went silent when they saw who was in the doorway.

Nerio swallowed a lump in his throat as he stepped in, letting the doors shut behind him. Nobody was sure what to say at seeing the boy, tall and scrawny, standing in the doorway.

"Look who decided to come back," Nerio heard a voice sneer, someone in his section no doubt, as the older trainees went back to their training and the younger ones watched, more interested in the unfolding drama than proper weapon technique.

He was approached by Pamela, who looked happy to see him. Her ponytail, the same tawny color as her brother's, swayed behind her as she gave him an excited look. "Mom and Dad will be so pleased!"

"Yeah. I hope they will be." Nerio took a deep breath. He could feel eyes on him, knew that he was being judged by the other boys in his section. Some were fourteen, like Nerio, some were fifteen. They would all be fifteen before the next reaping. Nerio's birthday was just a week away, then he would be fifteen.

Nerio scowled and tore his eyes away from them. He tried to stay focused on Pamela, one of the apples of his eye. He ruffled her hair, revealing stragglers that weren't long enough to be put back. She crossed her arms indignantly, but the expression didn't take long to fade. "So, you're going to win your spot back?"

"I…" Nerio took a deep breath. He was determined, and he had never been one to give up. "Yes. I'm going to climb the ranks again and get to the number one spot. That's the only way I'm going to earn forgiveness."

There were so many things he should have done differently. He should have never left the Training Center. He was so stupid to leave, he should have known better, dammit! He shouldn't have been so vain and stupid. He had lost close to a full year of training because of it, and had ended up behind the other boys his age. He wished he could go back in time, grab his stupid shoulder and keep him from slamming that door.

He was just rash. He was mad that his parents were pushing him too hard, he was frustrated constantly having to defend his spot against other boys that were just as strong of him. He held that spot for a long time, but the pressure to keep holding it was too much for him. He vowed to stop training, slamming the door before he even thought of it. He might have gone back earlier, but he just had too much pride.

He never should've left. He hated himself for that and vowed to never be so stupid again. Everything was different and it was all because of that stupid day. He couldn't change it. He couldn't… He couldn't take back his words. He had to make things right, and the only way he saw to do that was to do exactly what would make his parents proud: win the Games.

"No need to be so nervous," Pamela said. Unlike her brother, she was a small girl, the smallest in her family. "I'm currently working on a monster knot those meanies can shove up their asses."

Nerio gaped a bit at his twelve-year-old sister using such choice vocabulary so… correctly. Even though he probably shouldn't have encouraged her, he couldn't help but laugh. "Thanks sis."

"Sure thing!" she gave him a winning smile. Her blue eyes glinted, something that Nerio could only imagine his father's doing. They had the exact same eyes, Pamela and their father Irvin. Irvin's so fucking distant and Games preachy that Nerio was sure the only way his eyes would glint would be when Nerio was standing up on the stage, victoriously receiving a bouquet and a plaque from the top trainees in the tens section. Maybe it looked like a rocky road, but Nerio wasn't used to things being handed to him. He glanced over to where the current top of his class was using a bow, hitting the outer rim of the target with an arrow. As if the boy knew Nerio was watching, he turned around and offered him a proud smirk.

"Go back to your knot-tying," he said, patting Pamela's shoulder.

"You're going to stay?"

Nerio took a deep breath. "Yes."

"Alright!" Pamela gave a smile. She went back to the twelves section, who were all sitting in a circle with District 4's most recent Victor Michael Spinnaker showing them how to make a knot. She may have missed a couple of steps, but it barely takes a minute for her to catch up. Nerio always forget how incredibly intelligent his sister is. He hoped that maybe she'd take the same path as his best friend Lyle, but doubted that would interest her. Especially not with the mainstream District shoving propaganda down all their throats about volunteering being the honor of all honors.

I'm sure Michael is basking in the honor, Nerio thought bitterly. It was no secret that Michael, two years later, still wasn't dealing well with being in a chair. It wasn't uncommon to see him on the dock before the beach, staring blankly. It wasn't uncommon to see him struggling to get around.

Michael had worked with him, when Nerio was ten years old and trying to defend his spot in the plethora of challenges that were pouring in with hopes of being on the stage to present the Victor with presents. Thanks to Michael's advice and Nerio's work with one of the trainers, Raina, he was able to keep his spot. Michael was pretty confident and often smelt of smoke, but he was pretty sunny and nice. Nowadays he seemed so… Dampened.

Nerio ran a hand through his short, curly hair before squaring his shoulders and approaching the rest of the fifteens.

"Welcome back, Nerio," Raina said, a look in her eyes as if she had been expecting him back.

"Thank you Ma'am," he said. She tossed a plastic sword at him before he could even process what was happening, catching it quickly.

"Well, at least your reflexes haven't totally crapped over," she remarked.

"Might as well just chicken out again."

Nerio glanced over his shoulder at the same voice that had taunted him before, accompanied by a chorus of laughter behind him. "Shut up Percival. I wasn't gone that long."

"Yeah? Then you'd have no problem with a quick duel."

"Percival, mind your own business," Raina said, already done with his shit.

"No." Nerio surprised himself stepping up. He was so mad he was barely thinking. Percival grinned and traded out the bow for a trident. They had just been starting basic trident technique when Nerio left. Percival was rubbing the salt in his wound, and using a weapon Nerio knew absolutely nothing about. The smart thing would be to just step away, but Nerio wasn't thinking. He was just so mad.

"What's the matter?" Percival asked, smirking, "Scared?"

"What? Of course not!" The Center was much quieter, everyone trying to seem discrete about watching the fight.

"Nerio-" Raina started, but she didn't get to finish before Percival charged at him, and Nerio raised his sword.

Nerio knew how to use it, he didn't forget, but his body wasn't responding quickly enough. He knew how to do a proper block, but for some reason the sword felt awkward in his hands. Totally alien, unfamiliar. He really was out of practice. Percival jabbed at him with his trident, and Nerio just felt lucky the tip was blunt. The force was enough to knock the wind out of Nerio, though, who was thrown off. He realized that he was going to have to work harder than he thought to get back up to that spot.

Nerio started to feel fatigued, but rage was blinding. He wasn't going to give up. He thought about how disappointed his father would look if he came back injured from a fight he lost. He was determined to win.

Eventually, Nerio threw technique out the window, attacking with all his might. He swung the sword blindly, becoming more and more frustrated when plastic clanked against plastic. It seemed that Percival was still able to predict what he was going to do. Nerio became more and more frustrated, continuing to fight. With each strike that was blocked, Nerio used more and more force, more energy. He just wanted to land a firm hit at this point. He became angrier and angrier at Nerio of the past, and Nerio of the present that just couldn't do what he wanted to do. He was outmatched and somewhere in the back of his head, he knew it. That wouldn't stop him, though, not now. He was just so mad. He didn't stop swinging madly until Percival landed a firm kick where the sun doesn't shine, sending Nerio to the ground, crying out and writhing in pain.

Percival didn't stop there, though. He got up on Nerio, punching him in the face until he was tasting blood. Nerio tried to fight back but ultimately was powerless against his grip. Pain kept exploding on his face until what felt like a century later when Percival was yanked off of him by Port Stradlater himself, and Nerio felt close to passing out, his face pulsing. Raina helped him up.

"Let's get you cleaned up. We have a lot of work to do," she said sternly.

Nerio knew better than to disobey her another time.

.

A girl was leaving Lyle's house when Nerio arrived. She stopped when she saw him, a sympathetic look on her face. Probably at the bruises that were on his face. It took him a minute to place a name to her face.

Malina Nazario. She was in his year at the Academy, but was only a part-time student. She, like her older brother and Lyle, was more interested in academic education than training.

By the look on her face, Nerio could tell that she had been there when he had been embarrassed earlier that day. Her brother was also a trainee he held the number one spot for a long time until he just suddenly dropped and was never heard from again. Well, yes he was. Now he was all famous and stuff, playing with a band or something. But he hadn't stepped a single toe back in the Academy.

"Are you alright?" she asked, seeming concerned. She was pretty cute, tan skin, dark brown hair, green eyes. As gay as Nerio was, he could at least recognize cute when he saw it.

"Yeah," he said quietly. Determination to get his skills back burned in his gut. He had to patch things up with his family. Even though he had gone back to training, his father was more distant than ever and his mother, as hard as she tried, just didn't treat him the same either. It was subtle enough that Pamela didn't notice it much, but it was eating away at Nerio. "I'll get it back."

"Here's to hoping," she said, offering him a slight smile. "I should get going, I have to study." She left and Nerio went to knock on Lyle's door. Like Malina, he was a part-time trainer, his ultimate goal being to run for mayor. It was an academically rigorous job path, but Lyle was smart enough to make it.

"Hey!" he said, his crooked smile fading when he noticed Nerio's face. Lyle, who was one year younger than Nerio at 14, was the only person Nerio really trusted to tell the truth. He'd be there to help prevent Nerio from being too self-destructive. "What… Happened?"

"I went back to training."

"Oh… Are you sure-"

"Yes. I'm sure." Nerio took a breath.

"I see. Want to come in and hang?"

Nerio nodded quickly. "Thanks." Lyle let him in and they went to the living room.

"Why was Malina here?"

"She's tutoring me," Lyle says. "Algebra two is hard."

"Ah, I see. Yeah, training isn't so hot for me right now."

"I can see that." Lyle gave him a typical crooked smile, which lifted Nerio's spirits. "You'll get back up if you work hard enough."

"I have to," Nerio sighed.

"That's not true, but whatever you think."

"I need this." Nerio couldn't imagine what would happen if he didn't get it. He was ready to work hard, make up for lost time. He would regain his pride, but, more importantly, he would open the door for a relationship with his father after he won. Maybe the Games took, but they could also give. Nerio avoided thinking about a future in which Percival beat him to the stage.

"You'll get it," Lyle said.

Nerio smiled at his best friend. "Thanks. I… I have to."

He was going to work his way up to the top. He'd climb the mountain and reach the peak.

After all, what other choice did he have?


-Luna Pentti, 18, District 4-

Six Months before the Reaping

Luna was surprisingly content, even surrounded by so many people. She supposed that she was content just because she was separated slightly from the others.

The gym of the Academy was mostly obscured from view, instead covered by a big screen, onto which a live feed of news was playing.

"Well, it appears as if it's almost time for the announcement!" Viola Wallace said. She looked to be containing her excitement, whereas her sibling Piccolo didn't hold it in, letting out a happy squeak.

"How exciting! The Quell announcement for this, the 125th Hunger Games!" Piccolo said happily, flipping the blue, pink, and purple bangs out of her eyes. She was wearing a pink headband with a bow on it in her hair and a vintage pink top. She and Viola looked excited to be announcing, and added a new energy and youth to the Games.

"Everyone pay close attention now, this changes everything!" Viola said. Luna just felt slightly annoyed, really. They're really stating the obvious here, aren't they?

"But first, a word from our sponsors!" Piccolo looked slightly pained to say it as the screen faded into commercials. There was a collective groan from all of the Academy students as some pointless ad played in the background.

Luna glanced to her side, where she made eye contact with her only real friend in the District, Elysia. Elysia was the same age as Luna, and hoped to be sitting where she was now, in the front of the crowd, next to male volunteer. Nerio Thames wasn't really Luna's first choice. First off, he was seventeen, when there were eighteen-year-olds that wanted that spot. He was skinny and didn't seem to have any muscle on him.

Then again, Luna knew she couldn't judge too quickly. Like her, he was focused as hell and determined. He spent long nights training, even when many people had left. He had a lot of drive and determination. He didn't live at the Academy like Luna did, but he was training almost as much as her. It was a brutal showdown between him and the top eighteen, Cruz. Nerio was more resourceful than the stupid brute, though. Then it was just a matter of Nerio versus the second seventeen, Percival. Ultimately, Nerio was chosen because of his versatility, which was sometimes more important than brute strength in a Quell.

Luna honestly would have preferred not to volunteer for a Quell, but she didn't have a choice. She couldn't break the surface last year, and she had to go into the Games. She beat Elysia for the spot and accepted the nomination to volunteer. Elysia could make something for herself, get a job teaching at the Academy or something. Luna hated to admit, but she didn't really care, as long as that spot was hers. Elysia was the person Luna liked most, but she would not get in the way of Luna's victory. Nobody would.

It was a bit of a shame that Cruz wasn't sitting beside her. He was at least half attractive, and he was so nice and gullible that Luna barely had to do anything to get him to trust him. Luna was sure that by the time the Games came by she'd be able to tell him to jump off a cliff and he'd do it.

But, alas. She was stuck with this kid instead.

Well, that is, if she even got to volunteer at all. It was possible the Quell Twist would state that only twelve-year-olds would be reaped, or even people older than the normal range. It was a total wildcard year, and Luna hated being in suspense. She hated being weak enough to feel nervousness, but at the same time, her entire fate depended on this announcement. The ads seemed to take years and years.

Soon, the screen displayed the President Blossius at his podium. The President was certainly an odd-looking man, with hair that was pink, purple, and orange, and bright blue eyes that looked so fluorescent they could glow in the dark. He held up his hands and the Capitolite crowd quieted. Luna could feel her heart pounding in her chest and hated herself for it, but at the same time knew that this was what she needed to hear. It would decide everything.

"Welcome, my lovely Capitolites, and welcome to all of the citizens of Panem. To the announcement of our twist for the fifth Quarter Quell, the 125th Hunger Games!" The Capitolites all cheered loudly, and the trainees in the Academy all clapped with them, some of them cheering as well. Luna followed suit, but not loud enough to stir the Russian blue on her lap. Selina was the apple of Luna's eye, and would definitely be the one part of home that Luna missed the most when she went away.

…If she went away.

"First, a recap of Quells past." Blossius cleared his throat. The Capitol was silent, as was the Academy. Everyone wanted to know what the Quell would be. The only people in the room that could have justifiably been more nervous than Luna (maybe) were the mentors, Michael and Port. After all, they were mentoring no matter what the twist was.

"For the 25th Hunger Games, as a reminder to the rebels that they are the reason the Hunger Games exist, each District voted in both of its tributes.

For the 50th Hunger Games, as a reminder to the rebels that for every Capitol citizen killed, two rebels died, each District sent in twice as many tributes to be sacrificed.

For the 75th Hunger Games, as a reminder to the rebels that many of their young perished, only twelve-year-old tributes were reaped.

For the 100th Games, as a reminder to the rebels that, through their actions, they surrendered control over every aspect of their lives including time itself, time reversed every seventy-two hours."

Luna knew the twists and was tired of being in suspense, as the President took out a card from the box and opened it up, painfully slowly. "For the 125th Hunger Games, as a reminder to the Districts that many people lost loved ones, the reaping age will be narrowed from 15-18, and the tributes will fall in love during their time in the Games." His lips turned up in a smile. "Good luck to all of our District citizens and future tributes. And may the odds be ever in your favor."

He placed the card down with the ring of a gong symbolizing that he was done speaking. The crowd burst out into applause, and the scene remained on the screen for a while, long enough for it to sink in.

"Fall in love…" Nerio murmured. He looked over at Luna, looking skeptical. "That can't be possible to guarantee, can it?"

Luna honestly couldn't him for sure. She knew nothing about love. Not platonic, not familial, certainly not romantic. She loved her cat and was loyal to Elysia, but that really was it. Now she really wished Cruz were here, though. She could use a lovesick idiot to puppeteer, and Nerio just didn't seem like that type.

Piccolo and Viola squeaked excitedly back and forth about the twist, about the mystery it brings with it, the fun that is bound to happen in the Arena, the drama, and all the like. They say something about a party at the President's mansion for the tributes before the interviews, but other than that, nothing they had to add is worthwhile.

Mandatory viewing ended, and immediately the Academy burst into excited chatter about the twist. Selina stands up and stretches, looking just about as annoyed as Luna felt on the inside, but Luna managed not to mimic the cat's expression. By some miracle. Unfortunately, Selina had the privilege of being able to leave the gym and go to the living quarters for on-campus trainees like Luna. The girl wished she could do the same, and was horribly jealous of the cat for just being able to escape socializing whenever she wanted to.

"Well, that's quite a twist." The Head of the Academy and Victor of the 105th Games, Scarlett Espinosa, said before turning to the mentors. "Boys, are you sure you can handle this?"

Port nodded, looking just as awkward as always, and Michael gave a short nod, though he seemed kind of distant in that moment. "Of course," he said half-heartedly.

Scarlett smiled and stepped down from the chair she'd been sitting in. She approached Luna and Nerio, and beckoned for them to stand, which they did. "Nerio, Luna, are you up for the challenge? A lot of things are up in the air right now, as we are still slightly shocked and quite confused about how this twist will work. It will be a great challenge, but will also reap a great reward. Will you accept the spots as the District Four tributes for the 125th Annual Hunger Games?"

"I will," the soon-to-be tributes said simultaneously. I don't care if the Quell twist is killing with one hand tied behind our backs, Luna thought. I'm going into those Games. I'll work my way through whatever is thrown at me just like I've been trained to do.

"Congratulations," Scarlett said, a kind and genuine smile on her face. "And may the odds be ever in your favor." She nodded to Michael and Port. "Take care of these two." Michael gave a salute and Port an awkward nod before she announced, "District 4 trainees, your volunteers!" The room burst out into applause. Elysia looked slightly jealous, but when Luna made eye contact with her, quickly put a smile back on. Luna flipped some of her chocolate-brown hair over her shoulder and allowed herself to smile, basking in the honor of officially solidifying the title of tribute. The applause was for her. Alright, half of it was for him, but whatever, he didn't really matter. This was her moment. And she was going to have an even bigger moment at the reaping in six months.

Six months. Time to prepare for the Games was running out. She knew she'd have to work harder than she'd ever worked before, train longer and harder than ever, to make sure she had done everything to ensure her Victory. She'd have to try and get into Nerio's head and see if she couldn't start planting some ideas and fake trust in there. There was still so much to check off of the list, there was absolutely no time for slacking off.

Well, alright, maybe just a couple of minutes while the applause dies down. Luna took a deep breath and knew that she was meant to be here. This was her calling. She would make everyone who doubted her swallow her words and step out on top. She wanted to prove herself to everyone, not just her family.

The Academy let out, many of the trainees leaving. Nerio, however, stayed behind, already talking strategy with his mentor Port. Luna admired his focus and knew that even if he wouldn't hold up in a hand-to-hand fight against a District Two powerhouse, his brains were going to be his saving grace. However, he was ultimately in it for the honor of Victory, which Luna respected because she was the same way.

She didn't really want to talk to Michael, and was sure that he really didn't want to talk to her at that moment either, so she turned to look for Selina when she was stopped.

"Hey!" Elysia caught up to her.

"Hey," Luna said, smiling at her friend.

"Congrats, volunteer." Elysia didn't seem very bothered anymore. "I think you'll do much better with that Quell twist than I would have. I guess teaching here isn't all that bad. We'd get to see each other every day!" Luna knew that she meant it, and it must have taken a lot to realize that after how helpless Elysia had felt without the Games.

"I hope so," Luna said. "Though you're right, you always seem to fall for the assholes," she tried teasing, and it went over well as Elysia laughed.

"Well, you always put their foot in their mouths for them. What else could I ask for from a best friend?" she laughed and Luna smiled. She really did like Elysia and felt comfortable around her. Luna's brother Helios gave her a smile and a wave as he was leaving the Academy, leaving to go home.

Home to the parents that neglected Luna. Home to the people Luna despised. Home to the place she ran away from. Her and her brother were civil, almost close, but after all those years of being compared to him, she just couldn't call him her friend.

He was going home to a life that she ran away from. She never regretted leaving, not one day in her life.

Once the Academy was mostly empty, Luna and Elysia went to their rooms, where Selina was waiting for Luna to crawl into bed and sleep for the night.

Maybe Helios had the love of their parents that Luna never got.

She was going to prove that she was always worthy of their love.

They're going to regret not loving her like they should have.

She vowed to make them eat their words as she drifted off to sleep.

~.~.

A/N: Woo hoo, getting out an update in a day! Sorry if some places felt a little bit rushed, I was trying to get as much as possible into a small word count!

Big thanks to Venerated Art and rosecatforever for Nerio and Luna respectively! I hope I was able to give them good introductions!

Also, the choice that overwhelmingly won at the poll was recapping the reapings from a Capitolite POV, so my next poll is going to be a list of options as to who you want to hear from/learn more about in this chapter. If I'm gonna subject you to my OCs I might as well let you pick which ones, right? Haha, just kidding :P Still, I'm indecisive so I'd like to see you vote!

Other than that, nothing really new to report. Over halfway done with introductions, I'm going to work hard to crank them out as fast as I possibly can with college life being college life. Thanks so much for all of the reviews and support and words of encouragement and criticisms and all of your input! It means a lot!

Chapter Question: Same as the others. What did you think of each? Who did you like better? How'd I do?

Thanks for 150 reviews! :D