No tributes in this chapter! But some surprises, even for me.

Disclaimer: I do not own the thirteen worlds represented in this story;

Chapter 22

Meanwhile

Eric didn't understand why his best student was suddenly hesitating to kill.

Peter was ruthless. It was Eric's favorite thing about him.

And sure, the tributes near him would be a challenge, especially with Peter injured, but something in Eric feared that that wasn't why Peter choose not to confront them.

His tribute was getting cold feet.

"How's Gwen?" Gaius asked when Merlin came in with the clean dishes.

"She's coping," Merlin said, beginning to put the dishes away.

Gauis was the best medic in the district, but for some reason, his dishes still needed to be done by hand. And as his apprentice, Merlin had the responsibility of doing the dishes.

"And how are you?" Gauis questioned.

Merlin sighed. "I'm fine. That prat isn't gonna die in there."

"What makes you so sure?"

Merlin hesitated, wanting to tell Gauis the truth.

But what he said was only half the truth. "Because, if he does, I'll find him, bring him back to life, and kill him again."

Nick Fury watched the games with a flicker of interest. He had been theorizing for a while that everything was not as it seemed, and now he was wondering if there might be some truth to his theory.

"You spent too much energy again."

"I know that," Nico argued. "That's why I'm passed out on the floor."

Will crossed his arms and have Nico a disapproving look. "I told you this was dangerous."

"But it's working."

"How can you be sure?"

"Trust me. It's working."

Minerva watched the escort, trying to determine if his odd behavior was worth pursuing.

Eventually, she gave in.

"Albus, is there something I should know?" Minerva asked.

"Yes," Albus replied. "The square root of 3,742 is 61.17."

Minerva sighed. "Thank you, Albus, but I meant about the games."

"There's nothing important about the games, Minerva," Albus said. "Just the people in them."

"Alright, but if it is magic," Jacob relented. "How does it work?"

"Well, there has to be a source," Flynn reasoned. "Which means someone is doing this - either intentionally or not. Then there has to be someway this is focused - like electricity is focused. And then there's the effect, which is what we're supposedly living in, if my theory is correct."

"Power, focus, effect," Jacob summarized. "You know, that actually makes sense."

Walt leaned against the wall, fighting off a headache. He had been getting more and more tired lately. He had always been sick, ever since he was a child, but this was different.

Something - or someone - was draining his energy.

Prof sighed. "He's an idiot. You don't actually think he might win?"

Tia smiled. "I think you should give him a chance. And her."

"Megan has a chance," Prof agreed. "But David...? And they both can't come home anyways."

"I should have warned them," Mulan thought out loud.

"They have to figure it out themselves," Mushu reminded her, crawling out from under the covers of her bed. "Or else they'll think your crazy. And as their mentor, that won't do."

"I know," Mulan agreed. "I just wish..."

"Besides, it seems they already are figuring it out," Mushu observed. "What with that magical hair comment and everything."

Mulan nodded. "You're right. I should have more faith in them."

Enna watched the fire burn.

She always loved the fire, and lately she could feel it even when she closed her eyes. It was always there, just waiting for her. Even now, when it felt like her world was falling apart.

"I don't understand what you're saying," Hercules grumbled.

The woman sighed. "Just be aware that things aren't what they seem, Hercules."

Peder tapped the stone he was working on.

He closed his eyes and remembered teaching Miri the song he tapped. His father had taught it too him earlier, and he found it a good excuse to talk to Miri.

Now, he wanted more than anything to talk to Miri.

He finished the song, and the memory vanished.

But then, another memory filled its place. Miri teaching him a dance at a festival. Peder smiled as he remembered the warmth of her hands, the first time they danced without being separated.

Only in the back of his mind did it occur to him that District 12 never held festivals like that.

The above characters and how they fit in this world:

Eric, District 1 Mentor (Divergent)

Merlin, District 2 Citizen (Merlin)

Gauis, District 2 Medic (Merlin)

Nick Fury, District 3 Mayor (Marvel)

Nico, District 4 Trainee (Percy Jackson and the Olympians and subsequent series)

Will, District 4 Victor (Percy Jackson and the Olympians and subsequent series)

Minerva, District 5 Mentor (Harry Potter)

Albus, Escort for District 5 (Harry Potter)

Flynn, District 6 Citizen (The Librarian/The Librarians)

Jacob, District 6 Citizen (The Librarians)

Walt, District 7 Citizen (The Kane Chronicles)

Prof, District 8 Mayor (The Reckoner's Series)

Tia, District 8 Citizen (The Reckoner's Series)

Mulan, District 9 Mentor (Mulan)

Mushu, Dragon (Mulan)

Enna, District 10 Citizen (Books of Bayern)

Hercules, District 11 Mentor (Atlantis)

Old Lady Who Knows A Lot Of Stuff (three guesses for who it is), Capital

Peder, District 12 Citizen (Princess Academy Trilogy)