Disclaimer: I don't own H20 or the Hunger Games

"Now remember to smile and wave to the cameras." Apollonia told Emma and Ash they walked onto the platform at the District 4 Train Station to pose for some pictures.

Emma tried her best to smile because she guessed her cheeks were red from the tears she had spilled meeting her family and friends for possibly the last time. She could see Ash who despite his attempt to be strong had spilled a few tears himself.

Finally after about what felt like forever the doors to the shiny silver box-shaped carriage opened and they were allowed to walk inside what Emma figured would only be a preview of the wealth of the Capitol.

"Marvelous is't it!" Apollion said as she led the two of them into what Emma figured was the dining room. Emma had been right that the train was decorated in pure Capitol fashion, its floors lined with indigo carpet. Above the dining table in the center of the room was a chandelure made from white crystals that started to cling as the train started moving.

"Okay your Chambers are at the back of the train to the right, girls to the right and boys to the left." Apollonia explained to them looking first to Emma and then to Ash. "Dinner will be in one hour so you'll have plenty of time to fix yourself."

Emma walked to her quarters which featured a queen-sized bed with silk bedding as well as a drawer with many different kinds of clothes. The landscape was moving along fast outside of her window and she shuttered not to think how fast they were moving.

In the drawers she found a white-blue tank top and some sand - colored khaki pants that Emma decided she'd wear for the dinner. She knew they'd dress her up for the tribute parade so this was a chance to wear something comfortable.

The bathroom was much smaller than her room and as she feared lacked a tub. The shower on the other hand looked amazing and Emma only wished she could use it without transforming. After making sure the door was properly locked she splashed water in the face from the sink before bracing herself with her arms against the porcelain counter that held the washbasin hoping it would hold her weight.

Being forced to use one arm for support cleaning her face took much longer. When she was done she carefully slid down on the floor and crawled with her arms towards the towels and used them along with a hairdryer to dry herself until her legs came back at which she discrarde her reaping dress and changed into the tank top and khaki pants she had selected earlier.

She exited her chambers to find Apollonia standing right in front of her. "Good that you are ready. In fact I was just about to come and tell you Dinner is being served. Ash is already there waiting for you." Apolloina did not comment on her simple choice of clothes which gave Emma some happiness as they made their way to the dining room.

"Oh you will love it, plus the two of you are extra lucky this year. I'll explain why later." Apollonia smiled as the dining room door opened and they both stepped in to find the entire table stashed with all kinds of foods that Emma could only guess what they were based on the smell.

Emma sat down on the cushioned chair opposite Ash and helped herselves to some eggs and bread. Ash had already filled his plate with fruits and pastries. Emma would normally have disliked a boy for eating too much sweet, expensive food but the Hunger Games had their name for a reason and having anything in your belly would be an advantage. Apolonia looked at them and cleared her throat.

"Now the reason the two of you are so lucky this year is you will have the opportunity to be mentored by none other than. . ."

As she spoke the doors to the dining room opened and in walked the very handsome one and only Finnick Odair! Finnick had won the 65th Hunger Games at just 14 years old, which made him the youngest victor and so he had become quite a famous person in the Capitol. Finnick sat down on the corner table scanning both Emma and Ash for a minute.

"Okay so you are this year's tributes, Emma and Ash if I am not mistaken?" Finnick said and the two teenagers nodded in response. "Look I know none of you want to be here, I was in your boat nine years ago to be exact but I'll do my best to make sure one of you gets to go home. And I can see that you Emma must have taken being in the games quite hard judging from the bruises on your arms?"

Emma looked down and discovered to her horror that bruises had formed on her elbows and wrist. She deduced they must have formed when she braced herself against the sink and since she was in her mermaid form they would not have appeared until after she changed back into human.

"Yes you can say that," Emma replied as she started to rub them with her hands.

"Well they will probably give your stylists something to think about but if you are lucky people will think you have been in a fight with another tribute." Finnick said trying to comfort Emma who realized that since Tributes are styled for the pre-games parade they would likely expose her body to water!

And that could only mean!

Emma's face became horrified at the realizations of the Capitol finding out about her super power.

"I get that you are nervous Emma." Finnick looked at her. "But if you are anything like your mother you ought to do well?" Finnick tried to comfort her.

"You knew her?" Emma asked, trying to shift the topic to hide her emotions.

"Indeed, she came to say goodbye to me when I got reaped and I heard she was quite a legend back when District Four had a training academy and produced career tributes," Finnick explained.

"Speaking of which, why don't we watch the other reapings to know who we will be up against in the games?" Ash asked, joining in the conversations.

"Sure. Knowing who your opponents will be is never a bad thing?" Finnick said as they left the dinner table to watch the reapings.

First was District One which did not have any volunteers but two good-looking teenagers that were slightly but not much older than Emma and Ash.

Second was District Two where a tall and bulky career guy volunteered for a small boy. The girl was slightly smaller though, but had an ominous demeanor in her face that gave Emma the creeps.

The District Three boy was limping with his left foot up to the podium and under normal circumstances Emma would have felt sorry for him but she had other things to worry about.

She had to look away during her own reaping because she didn't want to be reminded of her old friends she would likely never see again.

Next came a red-haired girl from District Five and Emma started to fall asleep as the tributes from the districts below Four were rarely a threat. She did however feel sad for the young girl from 11 that was reaped. But at least she would be accompanied by a large bulky guy that would probably be another favorite to win the games.

Then Emma's eyes went wide because in District 12 an olive-skinned brunette girl volunteered for her sister who had been reaped. The girl seemed to have a determined look in her eye. The boy was equally muscular to Ash but something told Emma he had feelings for the tribute girl.

This also peaked Finnick and Ash's interests as the District 12 tributes were often malnourished and so died early on in the games but these looked like they would put up quite a fight.

"Okay I think I can say that you two will have quite the competition?" Finnick stated after the broadcast ended. "I'll let you get a good night's rest and I'll see you tomorrow morning at breakfast as we'll start discussing strategy.

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