Ha, I'm back, suckers! Sorry this took so long, it's taken me forever and I got a new job and went on a weeklong camping trip in the Uintas.

Reviews!

roses burning: I'm going to go ahead and say "probably not." I've never been much good at fitting into other peoples' luggage, and they usually freak when I remove their stuff in order to remedy that . It's fine, though, I'll manage. Thanks for the review!

dreams and desperation: I'm glad you liked them, I knew I had to have them in the Games when I read their forms! Thanks for the reviews!

Clis2339: Well, I think the Sponsor system is officially going XD. Thanks for the praise, and the review!

So peoples, exciting news: I have a tribute in my The Survivors section on my profile! You have no idea how happy I am right now! Go Bellona!

I have officially stopped the Points System. Sponsoring is, of course, still open!


Gwen Heghes, Age 28, District 1

District One Javelin instructor


I'm not sure at this point whether I should be worried or happy for Malaya. Easily my best pupil ever, she certainly has what it takes to win, but if she allows that Six boy to distract her, well… Every relationship formed in the Arena has ended in death, and she knows that. I'll just have to hope she can put her health before her heart when the time comes.

It's been strange, training others to fight and win, while Malaya is doing what these kids can only dream of. They're alright when it comes to their workouts, though already I have seen half my class drop out. Malaya was determined to train in two different weapons, and while it stole a choice from another potential tribute, she did it well. It's difficult to look at these ten-year-olds and imagine any of them being half the trainee she was. Malaya, who always showed up to practices early. Malaya, who gave it her all until she was vomiting all over the concrete floor. Malaya, who would bare her teeth and make the others wet themselves.

I sigh as my assistant, Jerakuo, hands me another folder, no doubt filled with resignation forms. As a rule, any instructor can start the class with any number of students, and the worst must be dropped or exchanged. If the child or their parent decides it necessary, they may drop when they wish. The class must continue until either everyone drops or the final charge ages out. Malaya was my only student for four years, the greatest in my first batch of children. How can I go back from this?


Alexis Thunder, Age 17, District Two

Friend of Cassia Lyra Maurise


"You won't play the Game like her, will you?" My father asks me for the hundredth time as he gestures to the screen. I know he's talking about Cass again, how she's done nothing but argue with her two allies since the beginning of the Games. I sigh as I answer him the same way I always do; with all the conviction I can force.

"Of course not! I can't be that stupid!" I'm not looking at him, but I imagine him nodding in satisfaction, turning back to the broadcast of the Hunger Games. I think again of my friend, whose life could end any second at this stage in the Game. I try not to cry, not in front of my prideful father, though it's a close thing.

I'm not afraid of the Games, no sir. I just don't understand how people can be so obsessed with them. Just because he was beaten to the stage by a thirteen-year-old in the One-Twenty-Sixth. Because his youngest brother, Hades, also managed to win the Hunger Games. The Thunders have been neck deep in this thing ever since it started, since Breccia won. Every Thunder trains, for fear of being disowned, our face and name burned from the tapestry of our entire lineage, quite literally. My aunt Cleo, Hades' wife, sews new faces to the cloth whenever a new one appears, creating a grand panorama that encircles Breccia's old living room. Just yesterday, my younger brother Typhon dropped out of javelin training, and he's only still there because he managed to pick up knife-fighting so fast.

Breccia. Juno. Rage. Hades. The four elite. The only Victors our family has ever produced. But there are others, those who died and are barely mentioned. Cato. Victoria. My aunt Shepuo. My cousin Merder, only last year. Still part of the family, though Shepuo's early death managed to get her erased, alongside her brother Darius, who only wanted to be a Peacekeeper. Do I dare fail?


Nero Lepodolite, Age 47, District 2

Father of Mason Lepodolite


It's almost too crazy, the thought of having two children as Victors. There has, thus far, been only one pair of sibling Victors, that Gloss and Cashmere Xerces from One. District Two is the Capitol's champion District, however, and I'm excited for the honors that will be bestowed upon me for the wonderful children, the stellar Victors that I have created. I will be remembered like no other before me, my name down in the history books of this great District and greater nation. I will be immortal.

Mason has done well these past few days, though I daresay he won't make much more kills than his sister. Annie might have had four, but she was rejected by the other Careers the first day, though she killed one of them in the Bloodbath. Mason has to share his kills with the others, as is common courtesy in the Games. In the first few minutes, you kill who you can until there is nobody left. After that, the Pack hunts them down together, taking turns in the dispatch. While this year's Pack is relatively smaller than normal, they haven't made a kill outside of the Bloodbath yet.

I must say, though, Mason has my eye for flair. Sure, the Eight girl may have been slightly boring, bloodless, but the Twelve girl, well… I can't remember the last time a tribute through another so far. Mason is easily the strongest competitor this year in many ways, and I am the man behind his greatness. He will win, and then the others will look at me in jealousy, envy.


Bo Chips, Age 18, District 3

Friend of Infiniti Reagan


The District seems empty and cold without Fin here to brighten it up. It's almost as difficult to watch her in the Arena, living day to day unaware of just how much her absence has impacted me. I'm sure Laci feels the same, but I have basically refused to face her, or much of anybody else, really. I should technically be at work, but I've had no desire whatsoever to walk outside, to see the people who don't care about Fin or who she is as they go about their normal lives. I should have said more to her. Shouldn't have left as though it would be the last time I saw her alive. Did she see that kiss as me not believing in her?

I guess my boss at the factory must understand why I'm gone, or my termination documents simply haven't arrived yet. Not that it really matters. Does she think of me, of what might have been, here on the other side? What might have played out, had her name been in there one less time? I should have Volunteered, for that sixteen-year-old who's somehow managed to survive this long. We could have been allies, I could have protected her, died for her. I was still eligible; I've aged out now. My friends all wanted me to come to the parties and such they were throwing, but I don't deserve to be there. I could have done so much, but my own fear allowed me to watch her walk away. She looked so beautiful, so brave. I should have said more-

But perhaps I said enough. I told her we'd send her something. I've got some work to do.


Tabby Bolt, Age 13, District 3

Sister of Cordin Bolt


I had begun to hope that we'd all be okay. That none of us would go to that horrible place, that we'd all age out before the Capitol so much as looked at our family. That seemed unlikely at first, when Binary aged out and Gadge was sixteen and Cordin was my age. Then Gadge aged out at my first Reaping, and my hope began to grow. That's what you get for hoping in Panem, I suppose.

Or maybe hope is a good thing. Our tributes seldom last long, and as the final half approaches, you can tell that there's a different feel in the District. We still have both tributes, alive, uninjured, supplied. Cordin hasn't seemed to have lost faith in himself yet, and I've heard rumors of Sponsorships increasing ever since he robbed the Careers. They're not super popular this year, apparently, other than the Capitolites who think that only Careers should win Quells. If I remember correctly, only one has, and he was already a Victor before. The betting for the outer Districts, especially Three, Five and Six, the only outer Districts that haven't lost a tribute, must be intense. I don't really know how it works, but it should be okay.

Gadge has become almost unbearable the past few days. He seems just so happy, and I even caught him talking in his room with some of his friends about how his younger brother would die. I threatened to tell mom, but he didn't seem to care. I haven't told her yet, but I suspect she knows, with how he talks at the table and stuff. I don't understand how you could bet against your own District in something as horrible as the Games, let alone your own brother.


Keira Morx, Age 18, District 4

Friend of Esmeralda Annalise Dawn


I still can't believe I had been Reaped. I remember Orca telling me about it at one point, when he wasn't submerged in his alcohol, and even then he had to take a few sips before starting the story. I knew what he felt every step of the way- the sinking feeling in my stomach, the wonder of hundreds of eyes staring straight at me, the sudden thoughts of despair and doom. The only difference? I was Volunteered for, and Orca was thirteen.

I can hear him a lot in the front room, screaming at the TV as Mera is mentioned as the "Four girl." He cries out for me, and I can hear him rearrange the room out of anger and grief. It is after these episodes that I reveal myself to him, as he resorts to tears, and I begin to calm my older brother like a child. It's strange, comforting a man six years my senior, who I loved and respected for so many years. Of course, I've been caring for him since I was seven, so I suppose I'm used to it.

I wonder at this point as to what exactly Mera's plan is. I mean, she's been the designated Volunteer for a while, she knew she was going in. We stopped doing our extracurriculars because she was so focused on her darned training. I'm pretty sure the aim of the game isn't to argue with your allies, however, and if she's not careful, she'll die. Then I'll be stuck taking care of Orc all by myself, comforting my grief-stricken brother as I try to handle my own. On my own.


Tycho Kelp, Age 18, District 4

Archenemy of Jasper Blue


I really hope that pipsqueak dies in that Arena. I wish I could be there in that case, so that I might smack that stupid smirk off his face as he bleeds out, crying in pain. The best I'll get though is burning down his casket at his funeral. Stupid Capitol. Stupid rules.

He stole my glory. My glory. What even the heck am I supposed to do now? I trained my whole life for the Games; he's been training for three years. My father is a Victor; his father is probably some lowlife fisherman who couldn't afford to raise his son. He certainly looks the part: ragged clothes, long beard, flecked with grey. The guy practically screams poor.

I was gonna kill that stupid boy in the Justice Building, but his pretty little girlfriend- Coraline- told the Peacekeepers to keep me out. Nobody keeps me out of anything! I'm the eldest son of Foam Kelp, the Victor of the One-Hundred-Twentieth Hunger Games! I'm practically a god around here! I deserved the Victor's crown, not that imbecile! I deserved the honor of playing the Game as a Career. His stupid ally is from Eight, of all places. What kind of sick plan is that?

I'll never get the chance now. He beat me to the stage, and the next time I might be eligible is the Seventh Quell. The chances of that are either very high or very low; there hasn't been a Quell where people outside the Victors' circle and the Reaping ages have been eligible. We could either be quite overdue, or it's never going to happen. I'll be in my forties by that point. It's not really going to happen, is it? I suppose I could have a child in seven years who may be eligible…


Alma Rose, Age 43, District 5

Mother of Devon Cynthia Rose


A mother should never kick her child from her life- I know that now. Some may say that none of this is my fault, but I know it is. They would assure me that growing up in my mother's household, one where only perfection mattered, is what gave me the mindset of the perfect family. That we can't be blamed for what our parents did to us.

But I am to blame. I had the choice, not Devon. Not my sweet child, whose life had had its ups and downs since the day she was born. My child who took what she was given, for better or worse, and held her chin high. My child, who might be dead in a matter of days. I could have done better, I could have held her closer, done something when that Peacekeeper began to look at her in that way. Oh yes, I noticed; always patrolling our street when she was home or school was going to get out. The friendly face so full of anger and resentment. A man disowned by his own family, for wishing to not participate in the Hunger Games. I let this happen. It's all my fault.

Dev has done incredibly well thus far, though I worry how well she can hold up against the might of the Arena. I suspect the rain will force a tribute confrontation, and while my daughter is very far from the others, there's no telling what will happen come morning. The Gamemakers, like Darius Thunder, can be deceptive and dangerous. Should Devon best them, they'll break her slowly, then force her to live with the aftermath. They're an evil people, the Capitol and the Twos. We used to be a family of Districts, but I suppose some, like myself, unfortunately, have their priorities backward.


Minerva Dove, Age 31, Capitol

Secretary of President Snow


I should get paid triple for the time I spend behind my stupid desk during the Games. Papers are coming in constantly from all corners of the Capitol, about suggestions and complaints and all other forms of crap. The only joys of my day are from the regulars, with the same crap as every year.

Mister President,

We ask to know what exactly you plan to do to allow the Games to be more fair. While the number of Victors for each gender are about even, it's hard to ignore that the female Victors begin the Games at a disadvantage, forced to fight harder than any man can ever imagine. We have some ideas, of course, to remedy the situation:

Then always, there's a list of ideas, more notes, a threat last year, and the signature. Today, it's signed with:

Bellona Juliere,

Head of Panem's Fight for Female Equality

The first time such a letter showed up, I of course was new to the position and showed the note to the President immediately. Naturally, he was in the middle of making out with his third wife and would have had my head if I had barged in and interrupted him. Now, I have no choice but to handle things myself, though there have honestly been no problems that made it past the front gate. The Peacekeeping Corps is very effective, after all.

Other than the funny ones from Panem's Fight for Female Equality and a few spam messages, everything I get is quickly read, filled out, and sent. Very little is of interest to me, not when I could be back at home in my apartment, watching the Games. Heck, I'm not even allowed to have a TV anywhere near me, for the sake of the fact that I might get "distracted." I wouldn't know anything about what's going on in the Games if it weren't for my coworkers making small comments as they pass me, or the Capitolist complaints when someone's betting money gets sucked down the drain with the death of a tribute. Not that I'm as invested in the Games as some of the others, but it would be nice to know what the rest of the nation is seeing.

Three more years, and I can finally be eligible for a pay raise. Then, maybe, I can afford more than a frozen pizza once a week.


Don't worry, we'll be seeing the rest of the tributes' familial/friendly/other relationships in two chapters.


Placings!

26th: Sparky Montgomery, Age 12, District Thirteen Male

25th: Kenzi Williams, Age 16, District Seven Female

24th: Tulle Salane, Age 15, District Eight Female

23rd: Thorn Ashburry, Age 13, District Eleven Male

22nd: Keola Foeba, Age 13, District Twelve Female

21st: Harvest Miller, Age 14, District Nine Female

20th: Rebelle Rine, Age 13, District Thirteen Female

19th: Soot Maloy, Age 13, District Twelve Male

18th: Denny Rico, Age 14, District Ten Male

17th: Marcus Caelum, Age 17, District One Male


Kills!

Marcus Caelum: 1 (Kenzi Williams, D7F)

Cassia Lyra Maurise: 2 (Thorn Ashbury, D11M; Sparky Montgomery, D13M)

Mason Lepodolite: 2 (Tulle Salane, D8F; Keola Foeba, D12F)

Esmeralda "Mera" Annalise Dawn: 2 (Soot Maloy, D12M; Rebelle Sunflower Rine, D13F)

Darius Line: 1 (Harvest Miller, D9F)

Other: 2 (Marcus Caelum, D1M (Sepsis); Denny Rico, D10M (Jaguar))


Alliances!

Careers: Mason (2), Cassia (2) and Esmeralda (4).

Malaran (Araya?): Malaya (1), and Aran (6)

Brains and Brawn: Blue (4), and Henry (8)


Loners!

Infiniti (3)

Cordin (3)

Devon (5)

Darius (5)

Jetta (6)

Logan (7)

Thanatos (9)

Cheyenne (10)

Willow (11)


Questions!

What did you think of the new format?

See any interesting connections? (Hint- Alexis and Alma's POVs)

Thoughts on the future (Day 6)?

Predictions?

Favorite POV?

Anything else?

Until Day Six,

Z