And here is the scores chapter! It took longer than I had hoped, but I pulled my hamstring (in my sleep, how the heck does that even work?) and life's been a nightmare. Either way, here's a chapter!

Reviews!

Mystical Pine Forest: I just realized that I had your tribute defend your other tribute… That's fun.

roses burning: I'd have to agree with you, second would suck eggs. I mean, you'd be so close! Thanks for the review!

dreams and desperation: Congratulations on having two Victors, and thanks for the review!

JaymanRepublic: Hey, at least you have a Victor. 0:5 is worse than 1:10. In my unprofessional opinion.

Clis2339: I'm glad you liked the chapter, and I'm sorry about your other tributes. I've got like 6 that I just removed from my list .

TranscendentElvenRanger: I didn't know you had a second one! Then again, that might be why.

I would highly recommend checking the bottom of the chapter to make sure you've got your sponsorship where you want it. You can sponsor someone who already has a sponsor. I will delete all points of anybody who isn't listed below with a tribute next to their name. This will come into effect when the next chapter is posted. No ifs, ands or buts, even if you hate me for it. Sorry not sorry.

In Forest of Death: The 54th Hunger Games, my D1 female tribute, Atalanta, has made the top 11! If you haven't already, check the story out, it's amazing!


Julius Incandes, Age 27, Capitol

Master of Ceremonies


"And, as we count down the final moments to the reveal of this year's scores, the polls of Panem are coming in, giving us what you think each tribute will score!" I say brightly, raising my fists with excitement. This is the day of the famed "One-Hour Riots," I know, where people demand a change in scores. Doesn't affect my mood, though.

"That's right, Julius!" Nero chirps in beside me, "This year should be interesting, so many of this year's tributes seem so strong!" He laughs heartily, and I do the same. The holographic screen upon the desk we share lights up, showing the country highlights of what has made this year great.

First there's Mason from Two, standing on stage before his partner is called. Nero and I loved that one, though Roz Hiccurb, the escort, didn't seem to enjoy it as much. There's our Volunteers, the Ones, Twos and Fours, Thanatos from Nine, Keola from Twelve, Rebelle from Thirteen. The patriotism shown by Jetta, Tulle and Sparky from Six, Eight and Thirteen.

There're the chariot rides, the Greek warriors from One, the gods from Four. Devon from five, a spirit of fire and destruction. Yes, this year has been good, and I sure hope it can only get better. It's a Quell, after all.

"Speaking of strength, Nero, how about the predicted placings, huh? I'm sorry, I have to read those again." I smile pleadingly at Nero, but he knows the act, we've done this same show together for a decade. He nods, laughing loudly.

"Go ahead, my friend!"

"It appears as though our guests from the outermost Districts are projected to fall quickly, Nero." I say out loud, reading the script off the paper. Why is it so hard to remember this part? Maybe because it changes every year.

"Oh yeah? Just get on with it, Julius!" I look around at him, my eyes following the camera crews around me. They're all so still and quiet, they're almost statues.

I thrust my hand out to my partner as if telling him to shut it, then I speak. "It appears as though our youngest competitor, Sparky, is set to fall first, though I'm sure it's age. It appears as though the Twelves are next, with Keola in 25th and Soot in 24th. Things aren't looking that good for Twelve. And it seems like Thorn from Eleven has taken 23rd, with Denny from Ten in 22nd. 21st has been taken by Jetta from Six, 20th by Henry from Eight, 19th by Willow from Eleven. All of these take the slots of the average bloodbath, so we'll assume these tributes are here.

"After the bloodbath, on a continuation of Day One, there are usually about two deaths. The predicted here are Infiniti from Three and Devon from Five. As after Day One is over, the Games are quite unpredictable in terms of deaths-per-day, I'll just list the rest.

"16th through 14th are taken by Cheyenne from Ten, Rebelle from Thirteen, and Kenzi from Seven. At this point, we have eliminated Districts Ten through Thirteen completely, with all the others with at least one left.

"In 13th and 12th, we have Thanatos and Harvest from Nine, respectively. Tulle is down for 11th, knocking Eight and Nine out too. Darius from Five is here for 10th, with Jasper from Four following in 9th. To get us through to the Final Six, Logan from Seven and Aran from Six bite the dust at 8th and 7th.

"It is little surprise that Cordin from Three should fall in 6th, as he's the only "outer" District tribute left. Marcus and Malaya, the duo from One, are predicted in 5th and 4th. At this point, we can agree that the Two's will want that third Victory badly enough to take Esmeralda out first, laying her in 3rd. After what would surely be a well-fought battle, Cassia would fall to Mason's hand, stopping her short, in 2nd place. While, of course, Mason becomes the third Victor in a row from District Two!"

Nero gasps in shock, as though he didn't see it coming. As I set the paper back down on the table, an envelope is dropped on my desk.

The scores are here.


Esmeralda Dawn, Age 18, District 4

District Four Female, Sixth Quarter Quell


"Since around the turn of the century," Julius begins, " the scores have been broadcasted in a random order, so as to encourage potential Sponsors and gamblers to listen for all the tributes' scores without bias. Whether this works, I don't know. I'm not allowed to do either!" The strange Capitol man laughs for the eightieth time, and I groan. Get on with it.

He opens the envelope slowly, plucking out a folded sheet of paper. He flips up the top flap, winking into the camera. He whispers, as though addressing a single person, "Let's find out, shall we?"

"And our first tribute up: from District Five, Devon Rose. With a score of… Six." I recognize the mother from Five, who was a fair knife thrower. Clearly not super great, otherwise she would have received a higher score.

"From District Eight: Tulle Salane. With a score of… Five." I recognize Tulle to be the girl who stood up to Mason during training today. He's still pretty pissed, as far as I can tell. She'd better watch out.

"From District Seven: Kenzi Williams. With a score of… Three." I remember the prankster girl, who worked on snares and crap in training. I honestly thought she'd score higher.

"From District Nine: Harvest Miller. With a score of… Nine!" I gasp. She wasn't even there for the Sessions!

Kinzie stands from the couch, rage etched into her face. "What does she do?" She demands, "How could she get such a score?" I look at Blue, who only shrugs. "Great, an unknown. I hate unknowns." She sits back down, defeated.

"District One: Malaya Garnet. With a score of… Nine! Another nine by a female tribute!" I had expected as much from my ally, so I'm not surprised.

"District Two: Mason Lepodolite. With a score of… Ten! Our first ten of the year, folks!" I can't believe that idiotic buffoon actually did it! Scratch that, yes I can. He'll be my first target when the alliance breaks.

"District Twelve: Keola Foeba. With a score of… Four." Soot's District Partner, who Volunteered despite no experience whatsoever. She'll fall in the Bloodbath, for sure.

"District Eleven: Willow Orchids. With a score of… Seven!" Honestly, a score higher than you'd expect from a thirteen-year-old. But still a Bloodbath, either way you slice it.

"District Nine: Thanatos Rize. With a score of… Nine! Double nines from District Nine!" He laughs heavily, which almost drowns out Kinzie's outburst of fury. Almost. He didn't do anything of note either, I'll have to watch for him.

"From District Eight: Henry Reynoso. With a score of… Seven!" Blue gives a small cry of joy, and I roll my eyes. Though I'm trying hard not to show it, I'm happy he found an ally. He's grown on me these last few days.

"From District Ten: Our favorite Cheyenne Bruno… a Seven!" I chuckle at the thought of Cheyenne, the girl who everybody thought would win, not getting the ten the people were hoping for. The Games are about more than speed, the ability to evade. She got caught in the end, didn't she? There are probably already riots, demanding a better score.

"From District Twelve: Soot Maloy. With… a Five." I hadn't expected anything better from my temporary ally, anyway. He won't be causing us any trouble by the time the death recap plays on Day One.

"District Thirteen: Sparky Montgomery… One." The boy is literally insane. I would have expected a zero, but he showed up, I guess. I wonder if he tried to hug the dummies to death.

"District Seven: Logan Woodson. With a score of… Eight!" I feel instantly threatened, just by the number on the screen. We have to take Seven down this year, we just have to. They already have more Victors than us.

"From District Three: Infiniti Reagan. With a score of… Seven!" I remember the seventeen-year-old girl, with the weird eye tricks. What's her problem anyways?

"From Ten: Denny Rico. With a score of… Six." A mediocre score for a mediocre tribute. A Bloodbath, really.

"From District Six: Aran Quade. With… another Six." I was expecting higher from him, after his little performance at his Reaping, and the fact he was in a prison uniform. What did he do, throw a rock at a peacekeeper?

"From District One: Marcus Caelum. With a score of… Nine! Another nine for the tributes from One!" So Cassia and I are the only ones to be announced. Like Malaya, I was expecting no different from Marcus, though I think he'll fall when the alliance breaks, alongside Mason.

"District Eleven: Thorn Ashburry. With a score of… Eight!" Eight is surprisingly high for someone like Thorn, being thirteen and from Eleven, but he did smash a lot of stuff during training. That anger could get him killed.

"From District Five: Darius Line. With… yet another Seven!" Darius practiced with a staff in training, and he probably used it for his Session. A seven usually requires some form of combat.

"To complete District Six: Jetta Carter. With… Another Seven!" It takes a moment to place the malnourished girl from Six, and I'm quite surprised she outscored her Partner. Maybe she got a lucky shot?

"To finally start District Four: Esmeralda Dawn." I lean forward, ready to see what I get. This score could be what gives me more Sponsors than the others after the alliance breaks. "With a score of… Ten! Our second ten of the day!" There's cheering around me, and I crack a smile. But we can't party yet, the girl from Thirteen hasn't been shown yet.

"District Three: Cordin Bolt. With… An Eight!" I'll have to watch for this boy, too. Who knows what he has up his sleeve? Eights are dangerous, and I add his name to my list of targets, right under Nine and Seven.

"From District Two: Cassia Maurise. With… Our third Ten of the day, and a double ten for District Two!" You would think the Gamemakers would be sick of girls from Two and their knives, but no. Another ten for the Twos. Could I take on both of them?

"To finish off District Four: Jasper Blue. With a score of… Eight!" More cheers erupt around me, but my team isn't that excited for Blue. He's not in the Career Alliance anyway. Although, I am glad for him. If I don't win, I hope he does.

Not that I'm going to lose.

"And last, but certainly not least." I lean forward again, imagining how the stupid girl would react to whatever her score is. "The long-lost daughter of a Victor, and tribute from District Thirteen. A Volunteer, no less. Rebelle Rine, with a score of… Six."

I start laughing, as the smug look in my mind is wiped clean off the girl's face. Everyone looks at me like I'm crazy, and I laugh harder.


Thanatos Rize, Age 15, District 9

District Nine Male, Sixth Quarter Quell


Harvest (my mentor, not my idiot District Partner) stands from the couch, walking up to the projector screen to turn it off. She leans down to Wheat as she passes him, but I can't hear what they're saying over the celebrations of the Capitol half of our teams.

I just don't get it. How did little Harvest Miller, the girl who was kind to everyone in training, match my score of 9? She didn't even go to her Private Session, like the boy from Three, yet they both got scores.

It just doesn't make any sense.

I tried to ask the girl about it, but she seems just as shocked as I, but I think there's something the Miller siblings aren't letting on, something they're keeping from my mentor and I. But what could it possibly be?

"Thanatos!" Harmony Whittaker, my stylist, engulfs me in a hug, and I shudder. "You and Harvest have gotten the highest scores a Nine has gotten in the past thirty years! You should be celebrating with us!" She takes my hand, hauling me to the dining room, where a feast like all the others lies in wait.

Harm pushes me into a chair as the rest of Nine's team enter the kitchen, at the insistence of the escort and prep teams. My mentor sits next to me, and I notice for the hundredth time just how much shorter than me she is. Her long black hair, flowing down her back, is lower in the chair than my chin, and I wish again that I could have gotten Purcia for a mentor. A fourteen-year-old girl isn't exactly someone I'd like to accept advice from.

Across the table from us, the Miller siblings are whispering together, their heaping plates left untouched. Wheat keeps glancing at me, as though I could overhear them. He seems worried about something.

Before I can think further on it, Stanleis stands up, his wine glass in hand. He taps it with a spoon, reminding me of those stupid shows he made me watch after the Games recaps on the train. I can't wait to get into the Arena and away from people like him.

"May I have your attention please?" He gives what I assume is supposed to be a charming smile. I've never seen one thrown my way, so I wouldn't know. "I would like to propose a toast, to our very own Niners, Harvest and Thanatos!" The Capitolites give grand cheers, and my mentor raises her hands and shakes them in mock celebration. Wheat and Harvest sit there, glaring.

"Now, we have all of today and tomorrow before the Interviews, and so we should begin right after this wonderful feast. I will be helping in any way I can, but your mentors have forbade me from interfering too much." His grin falters, and he seems pained. It's instantaneously back, however, and he drones on, "Nevertheless, I just wanted to say how proud I am of you two, how double Nines from a District like yours is no easy feat, I'm sure." Wheat growls, but Stanleis ignores him.

"I am certain that we are on our way to another Victor this year, and you have all my faith and confidence. To our tributes!" More cheers, and I see my District Partner shrinking in her chair. She looks terrified, and I grin maliciously as her eyes meet mine. She shrieks, but nobody can hear it over the cheers.

Our idiot escort takes his seat, and I begin to eat. I never had delicacies like this back home, when I was living alone in a shack, nothing but my scythe and the tesserae fields to keep me company, so, yes, I've become a bit of a pig these last few days.

As I dig my teeth in to my third chicken leg, I feel a sharp jab in my shoulder. I turn, looking at Harvest in surprise. It will always amaze me how physically, I'm a year older, but in reality, she's seventy-five years my senior. I still don't like it.

"So what's your plan?" She whispers, so that only I can hear. She probably noticed Wheat and Harvest talking quietly, and decided that she wanted some secrets too. Little girls. "You have a Career score, meaning they'll likely gun for you at the Cornucopia, in case it wasn't a fluke. Most of my mentoring years, I advised my tributes to run away, and it's just as important for you as it was for them. I shouldn't have any issues getting you supplies-"

"I'll be fine." I snap, somehow keeping my voice low. "I told you, I already have a plan in place, without risking my life in the Bloodbath yet still getting supplies. I will be fine." I haven't told her my plan yet, and I have no reason to. She can't help me when the gong rings, no matter how much she thinks she can. I will win under my own power, trusting nobody.

This is my time to step on others, and I won't let someone else take any credit.


Sparky Montgomery, Age 12, District 13

District Thirteen Male, Sixth Quarter Quell


Rebelle is angry. She wanted a higher score, that much is evident enough. She has been blowing up at Soldier for the past couple hours, blaming him for all of it. For not trying enough, for not using his extra power to stop the Games. Claiming that he could have done so much for the rebellion.

At least, that's what one can see if they read between the lines. The bugs in the room can hear everything I can, but they probably can't understand all of it. My District Partner has made sure she's made it sound innocent enough so that Tobias Trinket, our escort, thinks she's just a little scared. If the President, or any of the Gamemakers hear any of this, she's going to get herself killed.

And there's no way I'm going down with her.

Which, of course, is why I'm actually up on the roof tonight, staring at the stars. In Thirteen, we never really get to see the stars, as the District is pretty much underground. We only know what time it is by the announcements, which come at every hour between 0800 and 2100.

Tobias is constantly reminding me that 2100 is nine o'clock, to which I scream something along the lines of "WHO'S CRAZY NOW, YOU FAT COCONUT?" To which he scowls, reminded of my Reaping. I have no problems with his pain. I'm the one going into the Games, after all.

My stomach lurches slightly at the thought of the Games. I could be dying in a few days, and that scares me. I have had fun harassing the other tributes, though, so that's good, I guess. I've proven to the world that I'm as crazy as my mother.

Is she watching the Games? I really can't be sure. She watched a little during the years that I cared for her, but it usually threw her into her little episodes. Has she even realized that I'm here? Probably not. She barely recognized me when I was home, anyway.

It's probably best that I was Reaped this year. I'm one of very few with nobody to grieve over me. In a month, my name will be long forgotten, unless I live long enough so that my insanity stands out. They're still talking about Titus from the Sixty-Sixth, because he ate his kills. But do I want to be remembered as a killer?

I jump at the sound of the door opening behind me, the one leading to the roof. I turn, unable to see the newcomer in the darkness. I'm sure the small rooftop garden, with its tall grass and wide, holographic trees, isn't helping much.

I drop on all fours, scampering into the foliage. For a moment, I remember the beautiful Arenas of the second and fourth Quarter Quells, but I shake it off. I hear footsteps behind me, and I turn to see who followed me up here. Well, maybe they had no idea I was here, but who cares?

A figure, much taller than me, is standing almost exactly where I was moments earlier. I hear it exhale, and then a male voice muttering something. I recognize the voice, though I can't place it. Definitely a tribute.

He's still muttering, and I scoot closer, trying to catch something. An advantage over any tribute would be a good one, and Snow knows I need one.

"I know you're there, you know." I freeze as the words leave the boy's mouth, and he laughs slightly. "There's no use hiding. You're not a Career, you are quieter than they could ever be. You're not Jetta, she's downstairs. I know the girl from Thirteen is, too, she was screaming some very mean things at somebody. I didn't hear her District Partner, which leads me to believe that you're him." He turns, I think, nut I can't make out his face. "How long have you been faking it, Thirteen?"

My body still refuses to move, so he asks, "Are you coming out, or should I come in? There's not a lot of space to hide, and I'm not afraid of you. I'm fine with either." Finally, my legs seem to have the ability to move, and I stand, slowly. I see the boy visibly relax, and I wonder how he managed to stay so calm. I could have been anyone.

I step forward, feeling the lights of the Capitol illuminate my face, and the boy looks back over the edge of the building. I tiptoe as I approach him, still wary. He's got to be the boy from Five or Six, and I'm leaning toward Six. In fact, Five probably would have started yelling by now.

I stand next to him, and he asks again. "How long have you been faking it?" He doesn't look at me, doesn't even shift in the slightest. I sigh, wondering again how he can be as calm in such a situation as ours. Six always seemed calmer and kinder than the others, despite being Reaped in prison clothes.

Despite my best efforts, I unload my whole story to the boy, and he only listens, never interrupting me once.

We'll both be dead in a couple days, I might as well get this off my chest now.


Here are the submitters who are Sponsors thus far. If I have your name down wrong, please let me know: (Remember. You can change who it is up until the Private Sessions, which is next chapter. Once I post the Sessions, you will no longer be able to choose who you want to Sponsor. You've been warned.)

ElvenRangerRysel: 167 (Aran Quade, District Six Male)

Mystical Pine Forest: 157 (Cheyenne Bruno, District Ten Female)

dreams and desperation: 153 (Cassia Lyra Maurise, District Two Female)

Jaybird8101: 130 (Rebelle Sunflower Rine, District Thirteen Female)

Clis2339: 105 (Henry Reynoso, District 8 Male)

JaymanRepublic: 95 (Logan Woodson, District Seven Male)

caitiebug007: 85 (Devon Cynthia Rose, District Five Female)

The Fangirl in Pink Jeans: 79 (Infiniti Reagan, District Three Female)

faceless eater aka slendergirl: 73

HufflePuffleJay: 68

Rina-The-Fangirl: 64

MeganCK: 56

Wolfie McCoy: 56

Here are the submitters, who have points, but haven't confirmed whether they want to Sponsor or not:

roses burning: 85

Jotunheim Storm: 59

InfiniteDespair: 56

CreativeAJL: 53

grimbutnotalways: 53

Alliances!:

Queens and a Pawn (153 points): Marcus (1), Malaya (1), Mason (2), Cassia (2) (153), Esmeralda (4), and Soot (12).

Reluctance (79 points) : Infiniti (3) (79), and Kenzi (7).

Brains and Brawn (105 points): Blue (4), and Henry (8) (105).

Sacrificial Lambs (157 points): Denny (10), Cheyenne (10) (157), and Keola (12).

Children of Amber: Thorn (11), and Willow (11).

Questions!:

What scores surprised you?

Have you checked up on Sponsor stuffs?

Got any questions about anything?

Thoughts on the Predicted Placings?

Pick a tribute (that isn't your own), and tell me how you think they'll go about the Bloodbath. Who might they kill? Will they survive? What will they get away with?

Bye y'all,

John