AUTHOR'S NOTE: And here is likely the end of the epilogue of this volume, as we have a slow lead-in to the 93rd Annual Hunger Games. We get to see another little cameo of a certain prominent character or two, and the potential of a relationship for Amy. However, much like the one before it, there is still plenty of development if they decide to go down that road. More than that though... rebellion! Either way, thanks to everyone who read it all.
Happy Reading!
CHAPTER 44: Sowing the Seeds
As the days wore on, and the 93rd Hunger Games began to draw nearer and nearer, Amy's confidence in her position remained firm, and similarly, her confidence in how she would perform as a mentor had not wavered. Every now and again, she would pay a visit to the training academies to check out the potential tributes, and see if any of them caught her eye as promising material. She had made a promise, after all, to bring home another District 2 victor for the 93rd Hunger Games, and that message was one that she intended to live up to, or do everything she could to try and make it happen.
While she often would go with Clove or Enobaria to these academies to observe and find amusement, this particular time, Amy decided to go alone. She, like other victors, was given pretty much free reign of their home district (within reason of course; in District 2 this was not much of a problem), since she lived off of the Capitol stipend and didn't have to work herself.
"Ah, Amy Zavala," one of the academy staff members exclaimed upon seeing Amy enter the building so freely. Much of the facility was a large, indoor training facility highly reminiscent of the one tributes saw in the Capitol, except not quite as modern and state-of-the-art. Still, the facilities that District 2 used were far from shabby, and considering the district's track record with tributes and victors, they were clearly doing plenty right.
"The one and only," Amy quipped in response.
"Are you here to spectate again?" the man asked her—he didn't look much older than 19 or 20.
"I figure that two of these chumps will eventually be under my care, so I might as well take a look at my options." Amy joked. She knew that she did not have an actual choice as to which tributes made it to the stage first, but she could put her hopes on one kid over another.
"I'm not sure I've ever seen you before though," the tiny girl continued, "what's your name?"
"Kada," the young man replied, "Kada Francisco. My sister and I used to train here religiously—she's still here actually, right over there."
He pointed to a light-skinned girl with the same long, auburn hair that he had, wielding a couple of training swords with great speed and efficiency. She floored the boy she was training against, and proceeded to also floor the trainer that had been 'fighting' her alongside that boy.
"That kid's good," Amy complimented, "what's her name?"
"Korra," Kada chuckled, "my sister's definitely a bit rock-headed, but don't tell her I said that."
"Korra Francisco…" Amy mused the name in her head for a while, "I want to spar with her—but first, I want to spar with you. Are you down?"
"Sure," Kada shrugged, as that Korra girl laughed triumphantly, "name your terms."
"Just you and me, right here," Amy indicated, "no shoes, no weapons… although if you have any of those gloves the Capitol's been giving tributes for a while, that might be nice."
"And hurt if you get slugged in the face," Kada chuckled, "I'll pass."
"I'm more worried about you," Amy riposted, "you don't need to worry about hitting a little girl. I'm a murderer, in case you don't remember, kid."
Kada was not sure how to react to being called 'kid' by a 14½-year-old girl, but he also respected Amy as a victor, knowing the kid had done things that he would never have to do.
"Let's just keep it friendly for now, huh?" Kada suggested, and surprisingly, Amy nodded.
"I'll try to not get too violent." Amy kicked off her shoes, curling her bare toes and crackling her knuckles. "Wanna pass me the tape?"
It wasn't actually tape, but Kada tossed her a roll of material that she started wrapping around her hands—a commonplace practice among sparring aspiring tributes. She tossed it to Kada once she was done, where the now shoeless boy did the same.
"At your ready," he called, and soon the two of them were striking at each other with their fists and feet. Kada was not a very tall young man, but he was solidly built, with a burly physique that matched his sister's. their little match ended up drawing a small crowd, including Kada's sister Korra, the brown-skinned boy she had been training with, the trainer that Korra had floored a moment ago, and a couple other boys and girls who were intrigued to see how well their newest trainers would fare against their newest victor.
It went on for a few short minutes before the tiny girl managed to knock Kada off his feet and point her fists at his face—a sign of her besting him. A moment later, she offered her hand, helping the larger man up and back onto his feet.
"Nicely done," he complimented her, "I suppose it's not surprising why you did so well in the 'games."
"oh, there's certainly more than just being able to spar well," Amy noted, shaking Kada's hand, "but it was a good spar—a nice way for me to stay alert, at least for a little."
In truth, Amy spent most of her free time honing her skills, since she and the other victors did not do a whole lot else apart from interaction with each other, and few people asked about the things they did.
"My pleasure," Kada smiled, "your games and the year before definitely showed Panem not to underestimate a tribute based on size."
"Celebrate diversity," Amy shrugged, glancing from Kada to his sister, "you would have stood a fighting chance, Kada. I think your sister's got what it takes too. A lot of you do."
Korra beamed at these compliments, and then glanced at Amy as if sizing her up.
"did you want a turn?" Amy offered, trying not to be ruse about it.
"I'm good," Korra declined, "one day though—I'll come home a victor and THEN I'll challenge you." She hopped on her feet as if to pump herself up.
"Believe me, kid," Amy smiled, "I wouldn't complain if you came home a victor—that'd just be another to add to our records."
Korra seemed to take slightly more offense at being called 'kid' than her older brother ironically, but she didn't say anything. In fact, before much else could be said, the doors of the academy swung open, and there in the doorway with her left foot still in the air from kicking the door open, was Clove.
She was a fairly popular figure here, considering that her still slightly cocky nature was something that many aspiring tributes looked to imitate.
"Clove!" Amy held out her arms, and surprisingly, the larger girl slapped her hands across Amy's back as she wrapped them around Amy's chest in a friendly embrace.
"you drugged up, didn't you?" she whispered into Clove's ear before they let go.
"Course," Clove smirked, "sheesh, I forget one time and that's all you think about."
"That girl was in the hospital for a week, Clove." Amy reprimanded her mentor.
While Amy had only planned on staying a couple of hours, Clove's presence changed her agenda a little bit, and it was late afternoon by the time they got out of there. Most of the other kids had dispersed or gone home by then, which left Clove and Amy walking down a fairly deserted street. None of the Peacekeepers paid them any attention other than the occasional friendly or respectful salute.
"You know what I've come to realize, Clove?" Amy raised an eyebrow,
"I saw you watching those Francisco kids," Clove quipped, "particularly Kada. Was it that, or your attraction to that boy?"
"Well that," Amy shrugged, "a girl can have a relationship, you know… but no. Mostly, this is about the whole Capitol thing."
"this should be good." Clove seemed to be leading them back towards the Victor Village
"With all the Peacekeepers that come and go from here—nearly half of the entire force, I've come to realize that District 2 could become a powerful force in a rebellion."
Amy thought of people like Layla, Katsuo, and Kaede, whose lives have been ruined and destroyed by the sadistic Hunger Games. She wondered how many others would suffer similarly before it was stopped, and that newfound drive was part of where Amy had taken her stance from.
"About time you caught on," Clove elbowed her, "Enobaria figured that one out years ago. But… why do you think we're so bent on getting District 2 to shake off its chains? See Amy—the problem with a Panem-wide war is that while some less significant districts like '10 or '9 could probably sit it out entirely and watch from the sideline while Panem burns, other districts would inevitably get dragged in. District 2 would be involved without question. Either we'd be fighting our friends from the Capitol's borders, or we'd be fighting the Capitol alongside the rebels. '2 is too key to not get involved in the war. What other districts can say the same?"
"'5." Amy answered, "you want to shut something down—go for their energy source. Also, I would say that '12 will be the one that finally shifts the balance."
"And if they level '12 before that?" Colve tilted her head.
"Maybe District 8," Amy shrugged, "But if '12 has people like Katniss, Ava, Monica, or Zefira in their ranks, then something tells me they'll be manipulating the status quo as much as they possibly can to tip the scales in their favor. They're crafty—very crafty. I've seen it myself, and half of us victors have had run-ins with kids from '12."
Clove briefly thought back to her own games, with Peeta Mellark and Primrose Everdeen. Sure, Rue Keniye had been by far the largest thorn in her side, but Clove had to admit that Amy had a point. District 12 had produced a nefariously crafty pair of tributes during Amy's games, and even Prim and Peeta had not been pushovers. Topped off with powerful victors like Katniss Everdeen and her 12-kill record, or cunning little Aveline Togisala from last year, and it was clear that the laughingstock of Panem was certainly no longer District 12.
"A fair point," the older woman chuckled, "I guess opposites really do attract in a way. We're the most loyal district, and they're the most rebellious. If you had asked me 15 years ago about a rebellion, I'd probably have just laughed and spit in your face."
"I wasn't even alive more than 15 years ago," Amy reminded her, "but you're right. we're very different."
"Some of those differences are why we fight, you know." Clove indicated.
"Would you be willing to put aside those differences, Clove?" Amy asked her.
"I'm Clove Kazera," Clove smirked as they passed the Victor Village threshold, "of course I am."
It's kind of crazy to think about," Amy glanced up at the sky for a moment, "but all of a sudden I also realize why I want to bring home another victor."
"You want to make a rebel out of him, don't you?" Clove smirked. "or her, I suppose. I don't think gender will play too big a part, as much as something like, say, personality would."
"Bingo," Amy smirked as they reached Clove's mansion, went inside, and popped open a few drinks as Clove pulled out a pack of cards. "the board is set, and the pieces are in motion."
"As it should be," Clove raised a glass, "the 93rd Hunger Games will be far more than just games this time. Of that I have no doubt…"
Amy smirked at Clove's words, nodding in agreement as they drained their glasses. The seeds of rebellion were being sown, and an undertaking was beginning that they knew could not be undone.
