Hello, hello, people of FanFiction! Thanks to everyone who showed so much love for the last chapter, it made me feel so appreciated! I can't believe how much people loved Marcus and Malaya. I can't wait to share these tributes with you, but first:

ConflictedMinds: Thank you so much! The wait is over ;)

MysticalPineForest: Thanks! I like them too, and thanks again.

Crystals of Ice: I'm glad you liked it, and thanks. The wait is over, as Cassia is up next. Thanks again!

TranscendentElvenRanger: I'm glad you like her so much, as I do too. She is pretty awesome. Thanks for the review!

(Speaking of, TranscendentElvenRanger is writing Forest of Death: The 54th Hunger Games. Check it out! I have 3 tributes in it!)

InfiniteDespair: Thanks for your review, I was actually worried that it wouldn't be "good enough", so thanks!

Clis2339: I'm glad you liked it so much, I love to hear reviews like that. Hope you enjoy this one as much.

IVolunteerAsAuthor: I'm glad. Perhaps you can submit to my next one!

I am going to try and do that every time, unless I somehow get to the point where it's pointless to try, even though I doubt that will happen.

I am so excited to announce that I don't own the Hunger Games, and probably never will. If somehow I do end up owning it, I'll make sure I let you guys know.

Anyway…


Chapter 4

Reapings: District 2

Cassia Lyra Maurise, Age 18, District 2


The knives were mere extensions of my body; they flew out of my hand with ease, soaring through the air and slicing the flying apples in two, ending their journey in the throat of the dummy. My mother had been throwing the apples over my head for the past few hours, so I could get some last-minute training in for the Games. So far, things were looking great.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw an arrow flying toward me. Its trajectory wasn't going to make contact, but I knew this test. Twirling for flair, I swung my arm and released the knife from my hand, my fingers sliding along the cool metal to keep it from spinning as it cut the arrow in two. The halves fell to the ground at my feet.

My father walked into the room from behind a door in the hall, a smile on his face. Embracing me, he exclaimed, "That was great, Cass! I can't wait to see that action in the arena! Another Victor for Two, I say." He wanted to volunteer for the 119th Games, but chickened out at the last second. Kind of sad, too, because 12 ended up winning that year, giving them their 12th Victor, or, their 11th Victory. It was probably way easier to keep track of Victors before the dual Victory back in the 74th.

District 2 was proudly in the Victory lead, with 30 victories in the last 149 years. The runner-up was District 1, with 18 victories, but only 17 Victors. Gloss Xerces messed that up, too.

"I know I've said it before, but I am not surprised in the slightest that you were chosen to participate this year! Moves like that'd make Annie Lepodolite jealous!" My mother praised.

"Yeah." A sarcastic voice came from the direction of the stairs, "You were "chosen to participate" in a televised death match between 26 kids! Congratulations!" My sister, Andrea, rolled her eyes and stomped up the stairs.

I laughed after the footfalls ceased, and after a moment, so did my parents. Andrea was 20 years old, and was too interested in "self-preservation" to volunteer for the Games. In the rest of her family's minds, she was just too stupid and afraid to participate in a Game of such high honors. That's why she hasn't any friends.

The laughter continued for a good few minutes until bells could be heard tolling in the distance. Still laughing, I looked around the basement of my home. I would be leaving today, and never returning. Next time I was in Two, I was going to be in the Victor's Village.

Wiping my tears away, I hugged my parents and ran up the stairs, out of the basement and into the kitchen of the main floor of the house. Passing Andrea, I continued to run up to the second floor and into my room to get dressed for the day I volunteer to be District 2's 31st Victor.


Annie Lepodolite, Age 20, District 2


It was another beautiful summer morning in the Victor's Village of District 2. Yes, I'm a Victor. I won the 142nd Hunger Games at the age of 12. That may sound really cool, but it's not. Not that I don't like what happened in the Arena, but I'm not the first person to win at the age of 12.

First there was a girl from District 1. Her name was Queenie Kingdoms, and she won the 76th Games, making her her family's 3rd Victor. Of course, since her Games, no-one from her family left the Arena alive, and it's been over 70 years!

The next 12 year old Victor came from my District. His name was Victor Helah, and he's the only male 12 year old Victor. He wasn't allowed into the Career alliance because he was 12 and had no Victor bloodline. On his own, however, he still took out 3 tributes in the bloodbath and 12 more over the rest of the Games, including the remaining 4 Careers and his 3 allies. That was back in the 87th.

My brother Mason was lucky enough to be born during the 132nd, so he'd be 18 for the Quarter Quell. I was planning on volunteering for the 148th, but I was Reaped and the girl who was supposed to volunteer left me for dead. Mason didn't move in with me when I won, because he wanted to earn that himself. So, he was probably down at our parents' house, getting ready for the Reaping. I, personally was already prepared. I was just waiting for my driver, who'd be taking me and 4 other Victors to the Justice building in Stone Junction.

After what seemed like forever, the light blue limo arrived, the anti-gravitational engine humming slightly. The far back door opened slightly, and I hopped in, looking at the faces of my fellow Victors.


Moara Slater, Age 17, District 2


I hate summer mornings, no matter how beautiful. Walking down the stairs of my home, I gazed at the luxurious marble lining the walls and ceiling. You deserve this. She said. You've earned it. She said. This is what you've worked for all those years. She said. Seems to me, all she didn't say was how to cope with it all. It's one thing to train and watch. It's a whole other to actually live it. And now, it was my turn to teach children how "not" to die in the arena.

Why did I have to be the volunteer last year? At the time, it seemed like a good idea, but now, life's a nightmare. The little girl from Three, whom I beheaded. The big boy from Seven, who I slashed with my axe without further thought. Merder, who I betrayed in that cave. Their faces torture me at night, and I know they'll never go away.

I sigh as I sit down at my dining room table, grabbing the mug of coffee that was set out for me when I got up. The avoxes that stayed in my house were so nice.

My cat, Pumpkin, surprised me when he snuggled up to my leg. Screaming in surprise, I jumped up, spilling my coffee everywhere. Biting my lip, I quietly sat back down, trying to remain calm. Why couldn't my fellow Victors share my pain?

DING! DING!

Cursing under my breath, I hurried over to the bathroom to get dressed. I knew I was going to sleep in, so I had practically thrown my clothes into the little bathroom, and the silky green dress and leggings were sprawled over the counter and sink.

A knock at my door startled me, and it opened. Figuring it was my mentor, Rocky Malfe, I hurried with getting dressed and rushed into the living room to meet him. He stood there, smiling. He and I were the same age, 17. He won the 148th Games at 15, and I won last year at 16, which made us back-to-back Victors who were the same age.

"Mornin, Moara." He greeted, a wide smile on his face.

"Hey, Rock. Ready to go?" I replied with a sigh.

"Nervous?" He asked. I looked at him, nodding slowly. "Makes sense. I was last year too. Don't worry. Back-to-back Victors aren't unheard of. Many Districts have had them. You won't get any extra treatment for that. Should Cassia or Mason come back, however, you and I will be spotlighted right alongside them for the next few decades."

He looked sad, and I knew why. He, like me, wasn't proud of winning the Games. We both didn't want to have our lives broadcasted to the world. Sure, we could take on the press for the weeks after the Games and surrounding the Tour, but a few years of recognition would be exposure to old wounds that the Capitol never truly healed.

Rocky held his hand out to me, encouraging, "Let's go. The limo's waiting for us."

I hopped in the limo, and looked at the other two Victors. Both men loved the Games with a passion. Hades Thunder won the 135th Games at 13, becoming his family's 4th Victor. He lead the Careers, and killed 12 other tributes in total, though much more honorably than I did…

The other man was Jacob Gold. He won the Games before I was born, as he won the 131st at 16. I'm not sure how he won, but I really didn't want to find out.

The limo door opened up a little while later, and in walked Annie Lepodolite, the devil who mentored Rocky 2 years ago.


Mason Lepodolite, Age 18, District 2


After watching the Reapings for District 1, I was very bored. They looked like your average District 1 babies. The boy obviously didn't want to be there, and the girl seemed like an overconfident carrot. What kind of competition is that?

I thought this as I casually lopped off the head of yet another training dummy. It's gotten easier and easier over the years as my strength grew, and the swords I've been training with have only gotten duller. But it still felt like butter.

"With more enthusiasm, Mason!" My father exclaimed, "If you look like you don't like it, you won't get Sponsors. And if you don't get Sponsors, the other Careers won't like you. And if they don't like you-"

"You die." I finished. "I know, dad, but don't you think this is a little too easy for me? I mean, come on." I poked the dummy next to me for effect, the tip of the sword sinking a few inches. "My strength is unmatchable, plus the Reapings are today. Either we leave now, or we don't get to the Reapings."

"Fine." He sighed. "Let's go then." He pointed to the door, and we made the short trip to the justice building. We were already ready to go before we began "training" this morning, so we didn't have to take any extra time for me to dress into my nice gold suit that I had gotten only a few days before.

The 2 minute walk was in silence, but it wasn't awkward; it was normal for me and my father. Once in the square, I signed in and walked over to the section labeled "18M". And waited.

Luckily, the wait wasn't long, and our escort, Roz, leapt out onto the stage, his blue suit sparkly and barely a week old. He even had a blue wig, glowing blue eyes, and long, blue eyelashes. Even his skin was slightly blue!

"Hello, ladies and gents, and welcome to the Reapings for the 6th Quarter Quell! Before we get started, however, we have a little video presentation." The video was the same every year, and I usually full-on fell asleep around the middle of it. So, I decided to do something a little different.

As the video started, I slowly made my way through the crowd. As I got to the shorter children, I made myself seem physically shorter, so I was on my knees when I got to the 12-year-old kids. As the video finished, I walked up to the stage silently. Roz was looking at the video screen above the girls, so I managed to slip behind him without his notice. Anyone watching was probably going nuts, waiting to sse Roz's reaction. Quietly, I grabbed his mic and moved it towards me.

As he turned to face the crowd, he said, "So inspiring, don't you thi-" He then began to look around for his micro phone.

Before he saw me, I stated, "My name is Mason Lepodolite, younger brother of Annie Lepodolite, Victor of the 142nd Hunger Games at the age of 12. And now, I volunteer as Victor." Roz looked at me stunned, then swiped the mic from me, saying:

"Well, aren't you cocky. I'm sorry, but you'll have to wait until I ask for volunteers."

"Okay. I'll wait." When it became apparent that I wasn't leaving, he huffed and stomped over to the other side of the stage, where the female tribute and victor bowls were. He plucked a paper from the tribute bowl, ignoring the Victor bowl and walking to the mic, glaring at me the whole way.

"Our female tribute is: Maia-"

"I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE!" Was screamed from the 18 year old girls section. I didn't have to look to see my District partner, Cassia, marching up to the stage, a triumphant grin on her face.

"Okay, then. As expected, a volunteer! What's your name, dear?"

"Cassia Maurise, and I'm going to be District 2's third Victor in a row!"

"Well now, isn't that great! Now for the boys." As he walked in my direction, he shoved me out of the way to get to the bowls, and plucked one name from each of them. He went out of his way to shove me again on his way back, and announced to the world in a bored voice, "Our male tribute is: Ha-"

"Like I said before, I volunteer as Victor. Can we get started now?" I asked.

"Very well." He sighed. "Ladies and gentlemen, your tributes from District 2: Cassia Maurise and Mason Lepodolite." His tone was still flat, like he wasn't excited to be with us on the train. His own loss, I suppose.

With a final wave and an obviously fake smile, he ushered us into the Justice building for our goodbyes. As soon as I sat down in my chair, my father walked in.

"Don't disappoint me." He said. Then he walked out. I knew he'd do that. He expected me to do him proud, and live up to my sister's name. As I waited for the Peacekeepers, I thought about who our mentors could be this year.

For the girls, Moara was a given; she had won the Games a year prior, and when you won, you were automatically forced back to the Capitol for the following year. The Capitolites love it, as seeing their most recent Victor reminds them of their love for the Games.

Our male mentor, however, could be a great number of people. We had nine male Victors alive, and five of the other six had died of old age or disease. The final one, Brutus Stoner, won the 47th Games, but Volunteered for the 75th and took 6th place, after killing his District partner Enobaria Chaet. He was killed by the Victor's sister, Cashmere.

Finally, the Peacekeepers came into the room, and escorted me to the train station behind the Justice Building. There, as predicted, was last year's Victor, Moara Slater. Standing next to her were Roz, Cassia (with a few Peacekeepers holding her), and who I could only guess to be our male mentor, Jacob Gold. He won the 131st Games at 16, by cutting down a lot of tributes.

The other Districts won't stand a chance against this team.


Cassia Lyra Maurise, Age 18, District 2


The "final" goodbyes from my friends and family bored me a little. I was off to the Hunger Games, for cryin' out loud! I'd be back after about two weeks, with a crown on my head! I wanted to get it started!

First in were my parents. Their "goodbyes" were simple: they told me how much they loved me, and how proud they were, though the latter was without conviction. That's usually how parents say goodbye in Two. It's become customary over the years.

My sister's goodbye was a little strange. She came in crying, and embraced me tightly before I could react. "I'm so sorry." She said. "I should've been nicer to you. Please come back, Cassi. I love you." And she ran out, still crying. She's 2 years older than me, and yet, she's such a baby.

My final goodbye was the only one I was looking forward to. My best and pretty much only friend, Alexis Sore, walked in. At 17, she was a little shorter than me, and was probably going to volunteer for the 151st. I say "probably" because she isn't super… confident in her ability to win the Games. I've tried to convince her that her skills with a spear were flawless, but, after all these years, she's still doubtful. She never says it out loud, of course, but everyone knows.

"You can do it, Cassi." She said, trying to hold her tears back, "I just know it. You are fast, you are good with traps and spears, and you are wonderful with knives and-"

"Time's up." A Peacekeeper walked in and hauled her out. She didn't even get her whole five minutes! After she was gone, another Peacekeeper came in and took me by the arm. Hauling me out forcefully, he slammed the door behind us and took me down the hall until we had reached the back doors of the Justice Building.

There, our mentors for the year, Moara Slater, who had won the 149th, and Jacob Gold, Victor of the 131st, were waiting. There was also Roz, our stupid escort, and he seemed eager to get on the train. My District Partner grinned at me evilly once he got to the train station.

Refusing to lose focus, I shook myself loose from the Peacekeeper and boarded the train, without looking back. Seconds later, the rest of Two's "team" followed suit. I'm a leader, not a follower.

Okay, so there's District 2! I'm sure there are some people out there who want to murder me, but, luckily, you don't know where I live. Well, I hope you don't…

I'm super sorry for taking so long, but I've been super duper busy. When all your classes are the most difficult they can be, that happens.

Questions!

Who's your favorite tribute thus far?

Besides updating more, how may I improve?

Wanna Sponsor? (This'll help me to figure out who's doing what. You don't need to figure out who you're Sponsoring until the Interviews-ish.)

What's your favorite color?

Thanks a bunch guys,

Lord Zagreus