THE TRIBUTES WHO HAVE POVS IN THIS CHAPTER ARE:

Damascus Sleik, District 1

James "Watcher" Ammolite, District 2

Matthis Elder, District 3

Jerry Oldfield, District 11

Alia, District 12

Congratulations to these tributes for getting the most votes in my poll. After this I will do the POVS at random. Enjoy the Chariots.

DAMASCUS SLEIK, DISTRICT 1 MALE

I stand beside Emmeline in silence. We've both been dressed and made up- neither of us looks like our regular district self. It's time for the Chariots, the time where we are done up and shown off to the Capitol crowd. The idea makes me rather nervous- I've never been too comfortable with crowds like that. I can hear them roaring out there.

And the worst part? Us two are going to be the first out there, since we're from District 1. Kids from our District always show off, and usually get plenty of sponsors... But will we be able to? Neither of us are precisely typical kids from our District, and I don't think she even went to the Training Academy.

Although I don't trust easily, I can't help but like Emmeline. She's sweet, even if she did have a rather sheltered life, and she's very sad. She told me about what happened to her sister, and I couldn't help but feel bad for her, although I tried not to show it.

I have to be cold, calculating and emotionless. This is the Hunger Games, not summer camp.

"Damascus? Are you alright?" Emmeline says, shooting me a rather worried look. I realise that I was staring into space and glance at her, a bashful grin coming onto my face. Realising that other tributes could be watching and judging, however, I quickly replace it with a blank look. They have to think I'm strong, otherwise I'll be picked out as an easy target.

"I'm fine. Hopefully I won't fall asleep this time." I reply. She laughs nervously, before a particularly loud cheer from outside makes her jump. She almost jumps off our chariot which is an achievement in itself, since we're both weighed down with heavy jewels. I have a suit covered in rubies, and she has a dress completely smothered with the red stones.

"I don't know how you could bloody well fall asleep this time," my district partner says, shooting the female tribute from 2- who is laughing at her- a nasty look. Catching my eye, she mutters, "I hate the kids from 2. They're psychos."

I can't help but agree. The girl hasn't spoken much, but her atmosphere is plainly threatening. For some reason, I get the idea that if I stay with her too long in the Careers, she'll rip me to pieces. And the boy? He's even more terrifying. He's got these milky white orbs instead of eyes... No pigment to them at all.

They're unnerving, the both of them. Neither me or Emmeline have met the kids from 4, who will be our other allies, but I hope they'll be more approachable.

The cheering gets louder as I feel the chariot being spurred into motion. The horses pulling us whinny, before beginning to trot slowly forwards, pulling us behind. The huge doors leading to the Capitol streets open, and the cries and screams and cheers get even louder and louder until they are practically deafening.

Music begins, blasted from speakers everywhere, as we are pulled out into the streets. As we emerge from the Training Centre, the shouts intensify and we are pulled out into the open. I have to refrain from covering my ears as the sounds become too much and merge into one great screaming mass. The people are waving at us, calling out to us, calling our names. I hear my own name shouted so many times.

For a second I am startled. Then, my mentor Gloss' advice rattles in my head. I must make them love me, make them want to sponsor me in the arena.

So, waving my hand in the air, I smile and wave to everyone. For a few moments Emmeline stands still as a mouse before copying me- she's even better than I am. Fluttering her eyelashes, blowing kisses, and catching flowers that are being thrown at her. They love us.

For a second I forget that I'm going into the Hunger Games. All I know is that this is amazing. This feeling, as the crowds adore us, is amazing. It feels amazing, like being... like being immortal. I feel like a God! This is elation!

Catching a rose in one hand, I hear my name being called over and over again.

"Damascus! Damascus! Damascus! Damascus!"

JAMES "WATCHER" AMMOLITE, DISTRICT 2 MALE

I watch as the boy and girl from District 1 go out into the Capitol streets. They are standing stock still, apparently stunned by the loud music coming from there, as well as the sound of screams. My district partner, Norelle, smirks at their retreating behinds.

"Aww, they're scared." she whispers to me, as our own chariot is spurred into motion. I ignore her- I don't think I like Norelle. Initially I hoped she might be alright, being from a family of fierce Careers, but she talks too much in my opinion. Some people know when to stop. Norelle is not one of those people.

The horses begin to walk forwards and we, too, are sent out into the Capitol streets. As soon as they see us, in our golden and (in Norelle's case especially) extremely form fitting Peacekeeper outfits, they forget all about the duo from District 1. Our names are screamed, and people reach out from the bandstands to grab at us.

Norelle smiles and waves as we are expected to do, but I do not. I was firmly instructed by Brutus to try and look like I like the audience, but why should I? Staring straight ahead, I lift my chin and ignore all of the people calling my name.

I will betray no emotion. I'm not here in these Games for this ridiculous showing off- I'm in it to get my revenge. I don't give a shit if the Capitol fools don't like me. Quite honestly, they can get fucked. Why would I want them to like me, anyway? These other Careers, I don't want them to like me either. They're all as good as dead.

The kids from District 3 come out behind us, and I get a chance to look at them. They're both small, and I can't say they look like much of a threat... The girl looks plainly adorable. However I do remember she volunteered for the Games... Maybe she's a little kitten with a bite. The boy? He looks like I could kill him with a slap to the head. He's looking rather nervous.

So, continuing to glare straight forwards, I smile internally. I've got these stupid Games in the bag.

MATTHIS ELDER, DISTRICT 3 MALE

I can feel myself practically shivering with fear. All these horrible, looming faces staring at me like I'm some piece of meat they want to douse in sauce and eat... Shutting my eyes, I try and take my mind off the situation. What else, with the insanely loud music and horrible cheers echoing in my ears, can I think of?

Perhaps I can think about the music amps. What circuits do they use? With a couple of cells... I try and go through the circuits in my mind, attempting to distract myself, but Phox grabs my arm. with a nasty snarl. Although I'm sure to the viewers it must look like a smile, as she digs her ragged fingernails into the flesh on my arm, I know her intent. She brings her face very close to my ear and whispers in a voice laced with malice, "Smile, you stupid little pile of shit, or I'll push you off the chariot and you'll get trampled to bloody pieces."

For a second I consider her threat, before contorting my face into what must sort of look like a grin. At least, from a distance it... it might. Trying not to let them see the grimace under my wide smile, I wave as enthusiastically as I can, smacking Phox over the head accidentally (or so it may have appeared...)

She hisses in fury and moves to grab me in a stranglehold, but converts in to a hug. Throwing her arms around my neck, she throttles me whilst the Capitol awws and makes adoring noises. They think she's so sweet, but she's not! Wait till we get into the Arena, and the whole thing blows up in their faces...

When I've eventually managed to "affectionately" wrestle her off me, we've arrived at President Snow's mansion and the man himself is standing on the balcony, staring down at us imperiously. The music goes silent as do the crowd, and I can practically feel my heart pumping with terror. Phox is practically falling off the railing of our chariot, hanging onto our President's every word. I resist the urge to give her a little push and stand still.

Is he really just appearing there? Anyone could attack him- I don't think he's unprotected. So I don't have to listen to his speech and work myself into more of a panic, I look around his balcony for the telltale chink that signifies a force-field. Eventually I spot it- right on the end, there's a tiny chink. Barely noticeable from this distance, but we were taught about things like that at school.

I wonder how an assassin could use it to their advantage? Perhaps they could reflect the forcefield from the chink using some sort of reflective metal, and use it to slaughter him? That's a possibility, I suppose- our teacher told us that walking into a forcefield will give you enough of an electric shock to completely stop your heart.

Electricity, I realise, is a very powerful weapon. And a weapon that I can use.

JERRY OLDFIELD, DISTRICT 11 MALE

I watch President Snow carefully. He's a small, rather weedy looking man- it astonishes me, a little, that somebody like him could rule over an entire continent. I suppose he must be clever. And, as I scrutinize his face carefully, I realise something; he looks like a snake.

The words that Alisanne spoke to me after I volunteered enter my head. "Don't trust anyone, Jerry."

I ponder her words as President Snow finishes his speech and the Capitol stand up to applaud. I didn't listen to a word- we've all heard it on TV all of our lives. So I shouldn't trust anyone? I want to make allies, simply because it'll mean I'll have an easier path back home. They'll be like my crew: I'll pick allies who can support each other.

Honestly, I'm shocked at the amount of younger looking tributes here. I suppose if I hadn't volunteered for that poor, crippled little boy back in District 11, nobody would have batted an eyelid. But it wouldn't have felt right, not volunteering, and watching him get slaughtered in the Games. I would've known that I, a strong eighteen year old, could have survived a little longer.

Looking at some of the other tributes, I realise that truly, I might have a chance. From looking at the others, my main threats seem to be the boys from 1, 2 and 8, and the girls from 2, 7 and 9. The others look vaguely average. However I'm not going to count Thorn out either.

She isn't actually that bad. Although she's sarcastic and gets pretty mean, she's got a softer side that she tends not to show. And she's actually succeeded in making me laugh a couple of times with her straight-forward cynicalness, which is a mean feat since I'm not precisely joyous to be here.

As the chariots take one last lap around the Capitol square, and we are cheered for yet more, I hear a couple of words from my district partner. Turning my head, I glance at her to see a mutinous expression on her face.

"Cheering for us is like cheering criminals on the way to the hanging scaffolds," Thorn says in a dark voice. She, unlike me and most of the other tributes, has not smiled once during the entire trip round. "All these people want is a good show. If one of us dies, it won't be like a person dying. They'll just complain then go and get a fucking pedicure or whatever they call it."

I grin, shaking my head at her, before glancing around at the other tributes again. I'm still trying to size up potential allies, and since Thorn has made it perfectly clear that she's not interested in an alliance with me. Maybe the two from 12, and the girls from 5 and 6? From their Reapings they all seem like decent people. Yes, I think. They'll be in my alliance, if I can persuade them.

ALIA, DISTRICT 12 FEMALE POV

As we pull into the Training Academy and the doors shut behind us, I wipe the smile off my face and turn to William, who doesn't look particularly happy either. We didn't make a particular splash with the crowds, since we have terrible Stylists. Yet again, we're coal miners.

Will jumps down from the chariot and holds out a hand to help me down, before pulling me into a hug. I feel him shaking against me. He doesn't like crowds much, and the smile on his face during the parade masked a look of terror.

"You alright, Will?" I ask him, pulling my hair out of my face and looking up at him. He pulls a reluctant grin onto his face for my benefit, before nodding slowly.

"Just fine. You're wearing far too much makeup, little sis." he says in a faux cheery voice, bringing up a hand to wipe some of it away. He smudges my eye makeup mercilessly, and I laugh, batting his hand away. I must look like a panda now, with my eyeliner and mascara and whatever else my ridiculous stylist plastered onto my face.

"So are you, big brother." I mock, bringing up a hand to swipe at the eyeliner around his eyes. He laughs and ducks away, rolling his eyes, and I leap on him. We are greeted by the sound of male laughter and, looking up, I spot the boy from 11. Dropping off Will's back I smooth my hair out and try to look calm, but he isn't laughing nastily. When we're both straightened out, we walks up to us and holds out his hand.

"Hi, I'm Jerry, from District 11," he says, and immediately I am calmed by his voice. It's low and gentle, and everything that a male voice should be. "I know this is kind of forward and all, but I was wondering if you two were considering any allies for the arena."

I open my mouth to answer, but am cut off by William. He steps in front of me slightly protectively, and takes my hand in his own. "We're allying together. Why?"

Jerry seems a little bit put off by his harsh answer, before shrugging and continuing, "Well, I was wondering if you wanted to ally together... You guys, me, and hopefully the girls from 5 and 6."

Slowly, a smile comes onto my face. He's large and looks strong, and the girls from 5 and 6 appear to be pretty tough too. We'd survive better as a pack, and I'd have lots of older kids to protect me... It certainly could work. Looking at William for an agreement, I see slight misgivings on his face.

"I don't know," Will says, biting his lip a little nervously. He shoots the larger boy a nervous look, sizing him up. He looks like he could kill both of us pretty easily, and that's something we could both do without. Eventually, my brother continues, "How do we know we can trust you?"

For a few moments Jerry is silent, considering. Then, he replies, "You can't. My friend Alisanne told me, before the Games, not to trust anyone. But I figure we'd survive better in a pack, like a crew. I like being with people, and I don't like to be alone. We can watch each other's backs. Do you two really want to be alone against the Careers?"

And with that, we both know our answer. Slowly, Will nods. A smile comes onto Jerry's face.

JAMES "WATCHER" AMMOLITE

Norelle and I walk towards the other Careers. Two kids from 4, and two from 1; they're all clustered together, discussing something in low voices. Immediately I feel a rush of hatred for the lot of them. Careers, like the ones that killed my big brother... It occurs to me that I'll be killing most of these fuckers. I barely suppress a smirk.

When they see us walking over, the boy from 4 bares his teeth in a smile. Immediately I notice something: they're as sharp and pointed as a shark's. The other three turn out and glance at us warily. None of them are smiling.

"Hey!" the boy from 4 says, in an obnoxiously loud voice. I stifle a groan and look at him to see that he's staring at Norelle's chest greedily. Oh Mother of God. He practically sprints towards us and grabs my hand in a firm hand shake. "I'm Tom Maren from District 4, but you can call me Teeth." he bares his fangs at us both.

Then, "Teeth" turns his attention to Norelle. Swaggering up to her, he gives her what he must fondly imagine is a seductive smile. "What's your name, beautiful?" he smirks, raising his eyebrows. For a few seconds she is silent, before replying in a voice dripping with sarcasm,

"Your worst nightmare."

He blanches, looking a little shocked, before walking back to the others. We follow him to where they are, and I exchange cold glances with the girl from 4. Tom's eyes are firmly on her rear, and I'm almost certain that she hasn't noticed, when she says in a cool tone,

"Tom, if you'd like to keep your eyes in your skull, I'd suggest looking away."

At least they know how to sort him.

We do our introductions, before agreeing that we want to be allies and discussing strategy. We plan what we will do in Training tomorrow, and we are about to get onto Bloodbath plans when a large Capitol woman waddles up to us. She has dark skin, jewels inlaid in her cheeks, and is unreasonably fat.

Scarlett (the girl from 4) flushes bright red, and begins grinding her teeth as the woman grabs both her and Tom by the arm. Norelle laughs out loud, and Damascus and Emmeline from District 1 both barely contain laughter. My face stays straight, however.

"Come on, babies," she says, in an incredibly overdone voice. "Y'all need your beauty sleep."

Norelle is clutching her sides, almost rolling on the floor laughing. We say our goodbyes to the two from 4, who walk off towards their mentors. The kids from one disperse too, leaving me and Norelle with the flamboyant District 4 escort. She is standing over Norelle now, a thunderous look on her face.

Finally, when my district partner has quietened down, the woman says in a threatening voice,

"Don't you laugh at Sugar now, honey."

She then begins to walk away, following her tributes, when Norelle does a rude gesture at her back. I watch, extremely amused, knowing what will happen next. Sometimes, I cannot help but laugh at these pathetic Capitol people. However, when the large woman turns around, I find myself rooting for her.

"Bitch, please." she says coldly, before walking away.

I just stare at Norelle, highly entertained.

Yes, before you ask, Sugar is my favourite character. This is probably the last time she will be mentioned, don't worry. Couldn't help that last part. She is Queen Latifah, before you ask.

Thanks for reading.