Hello, hello, peoples of Fanfiction! I know I promised this chapter within the week, but… I swear, I've been busy.
Chapter 5:
Clis2339: You can Sponsor regardless of whether or not the tribute is yours. If you wanted, you could Sponsor Henry or Jasper, you're choice. Oh, and your favorite color's wrong.
We're All Okay: I didn't realize the POV's were so short… but now that you mention it, I do! Turquoise is the wrong answer… Purple, however…
Mystical Pine Forest: I didn't include the mentors (as much) this time. I'm trying something different, and I hope you like it! Dark colors (especially purple) are the best!
dreams and desperation: I'm glad you liked Cassia, and I'm just gonna assume "I guess" means "yes". Blue/green is incorrect, the answer is purple.
TranscendantElvenRanger: I could totally work on detail, and don't worry, I can put down Sponsor gifts as ElvenRangerRysel. Green and Brown are incorrect.
Chapter 6:
Clis2339: I didn't realize until after I posted that I was going so fast. I've tried to slow this one down. You could say I'm sorta multilingual; I was born into an English-speaking household and I take a Chinese class at school.
We're All Okay: I am surprised you like him so much, but I have a feeling you'll like Blue more. (Rina-The-Fangirl, I think We're All Okay's hitting on your tribute). I am in the 9th Grade.
Mystical Pine Forest: I'm working on making them longer, no worries. I have two brothers and two sisters; my brothers are 12 and 8, and my sisters (who are twins) are both 3, turning 4 in January.
dreams and desperation: I'm 14 until January.
TranscendentElvenRanger: My attempt to completely use the past-tense isn't very good. After all the Reapings, I'll probably refer to the present tense as much as possible. My favorite movie… Probably Avengers: Age of Ultron. (Ultron is by far the best villain ever!)(I haven't seen Mockingjay Pt 2 yet, so…)
Rina-The-Fangirl: I'm glad you liked them.
Jayman1919: District 7 should be up in a couple weeks. Also, out of the outer Districts, 9 seems the strongest.
ConflictedMinds: I agree, Cordin may be a challenge. As for Career vs Career, I honestly can't tell you whether it'll reach that or not, for 2 reasons. 1: It would ruin the story and a ton of people would hate me; 2: I am going to be deciding on the spot who'll die in any given situation. I am working on not changing the POV so often.
Wow, that was a lot. Then again, I posted 2 chapters in one hour. For those of you who I said have the "wrong" favorite color, please don't take it seriously, I was joking. They're just not my favorite.
Just a heads up, I came up with most of the Victors, 129 in total, out of 150. Suzanne Collins came up with the other 20. One of the submitters came up with 1. I just made a new story, called Zagreus' Victors. The first chapter was a bit rushed, but I'll do better in the future, I promise.
Jasper Blue, Age 16, District 4
The first quarter of my competition seemed okay, but nothing that couldn't be handled by Jasper Blue of District 4. The girl from One volunteered, but her District partner didn't seem too thrilled about being up on stage. The Twos seemed average; cocky idiots who thought they owned the world. Especially that Mason dude. So what if you're sister won at the age of 12? Doesn't mean you have the skills at 18. Three seemed average: no volunteers, just little kids who were desperate to live, even if one was older than me.
Then again, I'd only started "proper" training at the age of 13. One and Two had probably trained their whole lives, like Esmeralda.
A little bio about me. My mother walked out on me and my father when I was 1. Since then, me and my father had lived in a small village on the edge of the District, fishing for our living. Since I was little, around 5 or so, I had wanted badly to train for the Hunger Games.
The tiny T.V. in our little fishing hut picked up static most of the time, but one summer day when I was 5, the little box picked up just enough audio for me to discover the Games. Intrigued, I begged my father to let me train, as I had heard most of the District does. He told me "no", and I was discouraged for a while, but then decided I'd train myself.
I trained in secret, always when my father wasn't home, and I knew he would be out for the majority of the day. I trained myself with knives, distance and in melee, and also with spears, in melee combat and, well, knowing how to throw them properly had been drilled into my head since before I started my routines.
For the next 8 years I trained, without being found out. However, when I was 13, during the 147th Games, I was sitting on the couch, flipping a knife through the air, watching what I could on the T.V. Through all the static, I heard that the boy from my District, Riptide, was killed by his little 13-year-old District Partner, Kayla. In shock, I temporarily forgot about the knife, and it came down, its sharp, sparkling blade cutting into my palm. Panicking at the amount of blood leaving my body, I got it wrapped and put ice on it, and went to lie down. However, I forgot about the blood.
Long story short, my dad came home, saw the blood, put two and two together, found me sleeping with a cut hand. I woke up to a scolding, and the next morning I snuck out, knowing that he'd have hidden my training supplies. Clear of the shack, I fled to the largest city in Four, Coral City, where the District's main Training Center was. Since then, I'd been training with the big boys.
I got off the couch and stretched, working the kinks in my back and neck. The Coral City Training Center for the Talented had nice leather couches, and beautiful Crystalline 3-D Delta Projectors, only the latest from District 3. Once, the CTC was known as the Sean Jackson Games Center, after our first Victor, but the name was changed 75 years ago when it could be proved that before he died he was part of the second rebellion, working with our second Victor, Mags Cohen.
As I left my room, I thought about our fairly short list of Victors. Over all the 149 years, we had had only 15 Victors, putting us in fourth place. Yes, I did say fourth. We are behind, obviously, District 2, with 30, District 1, with 18, and, wait for it… District 7, with 16. Stupid District 7 had more Victors than us! Had Kayla not won the 147th, the President would have probably shut down the CTC!
Luckily, Kayla won, much to everyone's astonishment, but Seven's most recent Victory was only the 144th, and so our Districts had become rivals… sort of.
I was ripped from my thoughts when I could hear a voice greeting me to my right. "Hey, Coraline." I smiled. Coraline was the first person I had met when I arrived in the city, and we became best friends really quickly. She had been training since she was 7, but she wasn't very good at much of anything. She was the only one I had told.
"Ready to go?" She asked me. I only nodded.
We walked to the city square in silence, and I knew what was on both of our minds: Esmeralda and Tycho were going to volunteer; death would be better than meeting them in an alley. Once we reached the square, I felt a tap on my shoulder.
"Wish you were going in today, pipsqueak?" Tycho breathed over my shoulder. I had to try really hard not to gag at his garlic breath. "Sad you have to wait another two years?"
"It's not my fault they prefer 18-year-olds." I answered dryly.
"Well, I hope you I don't have to mentor you're scum in two years." He continued. "Maybe I'll get lucky, and you'll die of stupidity before the 152nd Reapings can even start. I'm gonna be a Quell Victor, y'know."
"Yeah, Tycho." I said as Coraline and I walked away. After signing in, we parted and got in line. After a minute, our escort, Seaweed, hopped out on stage, to ask for the volunteers for the 150th Hunger Games.
Esmeralda "Mera" Annalise Dawn, Age 18, District 4
Since I began training, I've been glad that I live so close to the CTC, so I don't have to stay there for weeks at a time. It's not that I hate being away from home, it's just that it's so dreadfully boring.
Most people in the CTC stay longer than the required hours. There are the orphans, who decided to train to get the money to get off the streets, and then there's people like me, who live close enough to leave the place for a break, even if we just continue to train at home. Then, there are the "year-rounders," who live too far away to go home, like Tycho. I hate Tycho.
He and I competed for the top ranking in our age group for years. Other kids, after realizing they couldn't compete, volunteered early, only to die. Tycho bested me in almost everything, and then boasted about it. Since I was 13, I knew he would enter the Arena with me.
When I was 15, a boy named Jasper showed up to the CTC, with barely enough money for admission. When he proved he knew a few things about combat, choosing to take on Halibut and almost winning, Tycho jumped off of my back and onto his, which I was (almost) grateful for.
But that's not what I'm here to talk about, is it? No, you want to hear about every little detail from the morning of the Reapings.
Well, I woke up that morning in my home, which was only about a block from the CTC and the Justice Building. A few weeks prior, the trainers at the CTC had decided who would be volunteering for the Games, and, naturally, I had been chosen.
I awoke to my alarm, and, after years of disciplinary training, practically jumped out of my bed like my life depended on it. Outside, the sun was shining, and from my window, I could see the CTC, a large building rising above the city. I'm sure that that's the tallest building in Panem.
Ignoring the rest of my large bedroom, I walked into my closet, which I'm sure is as big as a whole house in District 12, and filled to the brim with dresses, high heels, and other types of clothing. In the center of the room, in a glass case, was my Reaping outfit. I opened up the case, threw it on, and went to examine myself in a floor-to-ceiling mirror.
The short red dress reached halfway down my thighs. The silky material shimmered when I moved, catching light from every angle. The small straps left as much of my shoulders bare as possible. Bending over, I strapped on my five inch high heels.
"Rosalyn!" I called toward the door as I sat on a cushioned stool in front of the mirror. "Get in here!"
"Yes, Mera?" She questioned with a huge grin as she opened the door. Rosalyn is my little sister, who was just old enough for her first Reaping. She looks exactly like me, only her black hair is far shorter, her green eyes a little duller.
"Do my hair. I need to look good for the reaping. Here're some beads," I handed her the red beads that matched my dress, "Get to work." Rose smiled and did as she was told.
As she went to town on my hair, I gazed at myself in the mirror. My 116 pound, lithe, strong body stared back. Me emerald green eyes, which got me my name, were practically glowing. My lips, full and sultry, were almost bent in a smile. Behind me, Rose was still working on my long, curly black hair that reached down my body to the stool I was sitting on. Most people wonder why I'd let Rose of all people do my hair, as most weren't allowed to touch it, because Rosalyn had autism.
It was a common fact, and people treated her differently because of it, but it had never phased me. I mean, I've never shown it out in public, because the guys love a hot woman who looks down at everyone, but out of the sight of others, me and Rose are actually really good friends. Plus, even with the autism, she's really good at doing up all forty two inches of my hair.
"Rosalyn! Mera!" My father called from downstairs, "time to go!" Rose hurried to finish up, and we walked downstairs to the living room.
My mother, Yula, was sitting in a rocking chair in the corner of the room, reading one of her old-time novels, not paying attention to what was around her. That was expected, though. My father, Jokah, was standing by the door, waiting for his two little girls to show up. His stone cold face stared at me, probably trying to imagine me as the son he had always wanted to have volunteer for the Games. Sadly, a girl was the best he got. As we walked out the door, Mother got up and followed silently.
Once we got to the Justice Building, Rose and I signed in, and went to our respective sections. In most Districts, the twelve-year-old batch is afraid, but Rose got in line with that goofy grin on her face. I shuffled through the eighteen-year-old section, the boys on the opposite end of the aisle practically staring at me, until I found who I was looking for.
"Hey Keira!" I shouted when I saw her. Keira Morx is my best friend, and her brother has been my mentor at the CTC since he won the Games. Well, he was supposed to be my mentor, but…
"Hey, Mera! Excited for today?" She asked.
"Duh." I rolled my eyes, "How's Orca?" Orca is Keira's older brother, who won the 139th Games when he was 13. Since his Victory, he's been a tad bit… off.
"Right." She started, her eyes actually dimming, "He tried to kill me this morning, thinking I was the girl from Ten. Winning at thirteen clearly took its toll on him."
"Yeah, I…" was then interrupted by Seaweed as he came on stage.
"Welcome, people of District 4! Who's ready for the sixth Quarter Quell?" Cheering followed, though some people were doing it half-heartedly. "Well, I'm here to pick the tributes for this year! For those who want to volunteer, keep in mind that only the 16, 17 and 18 year olds are eligible this year. Let's see who our lady is!" He walked over to the girls' bowl, but something was missing. "Keira Morx!" A cry came from the stage, and I realized that Orca must have purged the alcohol from his body before the Reaping.
Keira started walking toward the aisle, shooting me a side glance, perfect calm on her features. She was just mounting the steps when I literally sang, "I volunteer!"
I walked up the aisle, giving Keira a hug as she walked back to where she had previously been standing. "I almost thought you weren't gonna do it." She told me.
I continued to walk up to the stage, swinging my hips like they do on District One: The Beauties. When I was finally standing next to Seaweed, he exclaimed, "Why hello, gorgeous! What's your name?"
"Esmeralda Annalise Dawn, but you can call me Mera." I said with a little giggle. Seaweed shook his head, as if to clear his thoughts. "Well, now for the boys."
Jasper Blue, Age 16, District 4
Esmeralda gave the crowd the same show everyone from the CTC was expecting her to give. She rehearsed it over and over and she got it just right. Good for her.
Seaweed plucked papers from the two bowls on the left side of the stage. He opened one of them and opened his mouth. Now or never. I thought.
"Jason Grotto!" He called.
From the 18-year-old and 16-year-old sections, two distinct voices called out, "I volunteer!" However, I was already halfway to the stage by the time Tycho realized he'd already lost, so he didn't even bother. His glare was priceless, though.
"Hello." Our escort said, looking me over, "And what's your name?"
"Jasper Blue." I answered.
"Well, isn't that wonderful!" He proclaimed. "District 4, your tributes for the 150th Hunger games and 6th Quarter Quell, Esmeralda Dawn and Jasper Blue!" Cheers erupted from the crowd, everyone happy for one reason or another. Except Tycho. "Come along, kids." Seaweed said, ushering us into the Justice Building and into the grasp of two Peacekeepers. One grabbed my left forearm, the other Esmeralda's, and led us to opposite ends of the building.
I was sitting in my chair, trying to figure out who would visit me. Coraline, obviously. My father might, if he hadn't forgotten my name. Other than that…
The door opened, and, as expected, Coraline walked in, a smile on her face. "That was great! Excited?" She asked.
"Yeah." I answered. "After all, 'There's no better year to volunteer than a Quell,' right?"
"Right. Did you notice anything missing from the reapings?" She asked.
"I noticed something was missing, but I couldn't figure it out."
"Me neither. Have you seen Tycho? He's out there right now, throwing a fit. Don't worry, I told the PeaceKeepers not to let him in." I laughed, imagining how my archenemy must be feeling. After a few minutes, a Peacekeeper grabbed Coraline and left, but not before she wished me 'good luck.'
I waited a minute, and Dad burst in, a wild look in his eyes. "Why?" he asked me, "Why did you do this? You could die out there, y'know. I haven't so much as heard from you in years, and suddenly you're a tribute in the Hunger Games? What were you thinking?"
"I was thinking that, had you allowed me to continue training, I never would have left in the first place. However, I did, and am therefore ready to compete in the Quarter Quell. You got a problem with that?"
"Just-" He paused. "Please don't die." And he turned and left.
I got up, figuring I had no more visitors, but the door opened again, and a woman walked in. She looked vaguely familiar, but I just couldn't put my finger on it.
"Hello, my child." She said softly.
Esmeralda "Mera" Annalise Dawn, Age 18, District 4
Jasper really did it; he stood up against Tycho and turned out victorious. I don't really care, I hate Tycho anyway. I would much rather Jasper in a District partner.
I was sitting in the room that stupid Peacekeeper shoved me into. Keira had already visited, encouraging me to come home. I was just waiting for my family, and then, chances were, I'd be on my way.
After an eternity and a half, the three of them finally came in. Rosalyn ran in and gave me a big hug, "Come back soon, okay?" Her eyes asked for confirmation, and I nodded. "Have a lot of fun, Mera." She smiled and gave Mother a hug. Looking at her, she seemed to be having one of those moments where she looks eighty instead of forty-six. Her beautiful face, which is why my father married her, was streaked with silent tears.
My father put his hand on my shoulder. "Don't do anything stupid." Was all he said.
Halibut Odair, Age 25, District 4
I really hate my lineage. I am the second Odair to win the Hunger Games, ever. Oh, many of us have been in the Games, my uncle, two of my cousins and my older brother are all examples of this. However, because of our ancestor, Finnick Odair, who was part of the Second Rebellion, the Gamemakers always seem to get us killed, whether we volunteered or not.
I won the 140th Games when I was 15. My family members before me who went into the Games never lasted long, because they paired with the Careers, who were promised automatic Victory. So, I decided to fight the same way Finnick did; catching people in nets and spearing them with a trident. Worked pretty well for me.
I was just getting up from my seat on stage when Seaweed (who changed his name to sound "cool") stepped in front of me. "Guess what? You're mentoring this year. I've already called in to have Kinzie… You know." Great, I was mentoring. That wasn't on my mind, though.
"Do you value your life, Seaweed?" I asked. "Do you feel you are on good terms with the President?"
"Well sure." He said hesitantly, "What's wrong?"
"You went through the Reapings too fast." I stated, "You forgot the Treaty video. I wish you luck, really." His face paled as I turned to board the train.
Kinzie Wrasse, Age 112, District 4
I woke up peacefully from my sleep, and looked around the room again. Seeing I was in Capitol Victor Labs, I sat up and smiled. Looks like another year I get to use to help a tribute best the Arena. How exciting!
I won the 54th Games when I was 16, and I loved every second of it. I charged through the Arena like a hurricane, demolishing all the other tributes. The Career alliance (made by me) consisted of me, the boy from 3, and the pairs from 7 and 11. Half the "usual" Career alliance was killed in the bloodbath, thanks to me. The only bloodbath survivors besides the people in my alliance were the pair from One, the pair from Six, the girls from Eight and Ten, and the boy from Twelve. The Games lasted five days.
"Good day, Ms. Wrasse. Is there anything I can-"
"What year is it?" I asked the lady in the white labcoat.
"The 150th, miss. The 6th Quarter Quell!" Funny, seeing as how I died of old age in the 5th.
"Thanks." I said, almost honestly. "What're my tribute's stats this year?" I wasn't new to the whole "reawakening" thing; I'd done it when Halibut won. After all, I did mentor him.
"Here's the file, Ms. Wrasse." She handed me a manila envelope, and I read.
Jasper Blue
16
Male
Volunteered two years earlier than he was supposed to, replacing Tycho Larsen as District 4's male tribute. Has been professionally trained for 3 years, and unprofessionally, since the age of 5.
I threw the file on the floor. "Stupid idiot!" I screamed.
Okay, so there's District 4. Before you scream at me, my computer crashed and I lost everything. I honestly meant to update weeks ago, but we needed to get me a new one. I will hopefully get District 5 up Friday or Saturday.
Questions!
On a scale of 1-10, how badly do you hate me right now?
Which tribute was your favorite?
What are your thoughts towards the way I introduced the Victors?
~For Percy Jackson fans~
Who is your godly parent?
Who is my godly parent?
My current Sponsors are:
ElvenRangerRysel
We're All Okay
Mystical Pine Forest
dreams and desperation
Rina-The-Fangirl
Anybody else? If I missed you, let me know.
