I don't own The Hunger Games or any of its characters. Thank you to the people who reviewed. I really hope that this is going well. Also Marvel is not an aggressive person physically but he acted the way he did because he was just put into a difficult situation. Also this is Marvel's POV
…
Training is Five days long. Preparing for the hunger games is a week long. The first day is the reaping and parade. Then four days of training for most of the day. On the sixth day we have the Private training/evaluations Then the interviews on day seven. All of this is in a week. Seven days of preparation before we are thrown into the arena.
Training goes on like I thought it would. I did spears in the morning then went to the survival stations (fire starting, plant, snares/knots stations) for the other half of the day. It was funny how everyone looked at me crazy when I went to the survival stations after lunch on the second day. The monster's from two and glimmer just ignored me after about a minute of staring. I'm glad about that but I am a little worried when I don't see anyone during the five days trying to do any of the survival stations. That would be a mistake and they wern't that stupid right?
Somewhere between the third day and fourth I picked up a little admirer. Every time I was somewhere in the training room I could see the smallest tribute from the corner of my eye. Sometimes I could feel her eyes but when I looked I didn't see her anywhere which was interesting. So when I went to the survival stations or to one of the weapons I angled myself so that she could learn what to do and see how I did it. I knew she went to the station I was at previously when I left to do something else.
She reminds me of Rosie. That little girl will flutter away if you give her a chance and it would take forever to get her back. Rue is like a bird gliding everywhere curious but cautious as well. I just don't want to see when she finally takes off.
The nights that I do extra training Axes, Knives, Swords, and Tridents (just in case). I also did Climbing, Swimming, Plants, Medicine, Knots, Fire starting, and Hand to Hand combat. I don't see or get into contact with Katniss and she doesn't say anything she wasn't supposed to and I am so thankful for Uncle Mitch. It was reckless of me to chew her out like that but her attitude just burns me up and I hate it.
Before I know it it's day six, the last day before the actual Hunger Games start and the last chance to get as many sponsors as possible. I wake up early like usual doing a quick warmup before getting ready and heading to the dining room.
"Good Morning Marvel." The Escort says.
"Good Morning." I replied, plastering a smile on my face.
"How are you feeling about the private training?" Gloss asked as he served himself breakfast.
"I feel great. I know that I'm going to get a good score. I'm more worried about the interviews tomorrow. I have an idea about what to do. I just need to make sure that the interview goes my way. Otherwise I'm going to be completely fine." I say grinning the whole time.
"Just don't embarrass us loser." Gimmer said as she picked at her plate.
I felt my jaw twitch at the insult. I know that I won't be sad when this bitch dies.
…
I was really glad that I didn't have to be last to go like twelve. Dad told me that the private training is basically a private party with drinks and food. So being the first ones I get them at their most sober. And I was going to take full advantage of that.
"Marvel Breckon District 1." An automated voice called out after Glimmer's fifteen minutes.
Walking in I introduce myself before going straight for the plant Identification doing it perfectly in under a minute and a half. I didn't hear anyone talking or drinking as I went to the fire station. I made a fire quickly with as little smoke as I could. After that I ran to the climbing station jumping to get a head start. I climbed the tree efficiently without wasting a single movement. After getting to the top I climb half way down before jumping off rolling when I hit the ground to muffle the sounds and cut my momentum. With seven minutes left I go to the Spear station doing some quick draws on both arms before throwing the last one with all of my strength. I watched it go through the first dummy's head then the second before stopping just in time for the timer to go off.
"Thank you for your time." I say out of breath before leaving.
…
As we all sit down for results I can't help but fidget and wonder what Katniss got.
'No! Focus on this first.' I shook my head just as the show started.
"Hello all of Panem we are here today to announce the scores each tribute got for their private training. Now onto the exciting part.
Glimmer Diamond District 1 with a score of…8!
Everyone but Gloss, Lexis, and I congratulated her.
Marvel Breckon District 1 with a score of…oh! An 11!
I couldn't help but smile at my score as everyone cheered. Off to a good start.
Clove Abstrum District 2 with a score of…10!
Cato Storm District 2 with a score of…10!
The scores went on with the little girl Rue getting a 7 and her District partner getting a 10.
Katniss Everdeen District 12 with a score of…Oh! An 11 as well!
Glimmer started screeching in outrage while I just hid my smile.
Peeta Mellark District 12 with a score of…8!
Ladies and Gentlemen we have two tributes with the highest score in history so far. Our girl on Fire and boy carved of Ice are truly the ones to watch this year. We haven't even gotten to the interviews yet and I certainly cannot wait to hear what they have to say! Thank you for tuning in and have a great night Panem.
After the Tv was turned off I hightailed it right out of the room, getting to my room just in time to shut the door in Glimmer's face. After locking the door I could still hear her screeching and pounding. I slept peacefully for tomorrow.
…
One thing I didn't like about interviews was the fact that I had to go through torture again. It was worth it though when I saw the ending result. I wore slacks, a dress shirt, and a vest with a tie. Nothing fancy but the fabric was shiny and she put some stuff in my hair so everytime I moved it looked like I was covered in ice. I'm guessing my hair looked the same way. A nice way to keep people's attention without them being too focused on my clothes.
"Thanks Lexia this is perfect." I said as my stylist did finishing touches.
"No Thank you Marvel. I don't know what you're thinking but I know that it will make a big impact and I'm glad to be part of your team." She hugged me and I noticed that she was smaller than me.
"No one knows what I'm thinking but you are right. By the way I'm the luckiest tribute to be able to have you as my stylist." I say as I return the hug before walking to the stage.
I walked past everyone and I could feel their eyes on me as I took my place between Glimmer and Clove. When Katniss came in I had to admit she looked beautiful although I only looked at her from the corner of my eye and only for a few seconds before facing forward. During Glimmer's interview she definitely played the ditzy blond well with how nonexistent her dress was. She definitely got the more perverted sponsors but better her than me.
When Caesar announced to me I walked out calm with a slight smile on my face.
"You look Marvelous Marvel." Caesar commented, shaking my hand as I made it to the middle.
"You don't look too bad either Caesar." I grinned while taking a seat.
"So before we get into the strategic part of this interview I would like to ask you a few questions." The man gave the audience a sly smile.
"Sure ask any question you want, I just might answer them truthfully." I teased.
"Okay then. In the parade you called Katniss Everdeen Beautiful. What I want to know is what you really think about her." The crowd went wild at the question.
"Wow okay dive right into the hard questions why don't you." I shuffled a little caught off guard by the question.
"Okay this is definitely one of the questions that I have to answer truthfully. Um so I don't take back the comment that I made at the parade. Katniss is beautiful and I don't just mean her looks–although she does look gorgeous today–I mean as her personality. There is one thing I will always be serious about and that is my family. Katniss was strong enough to volunteer for her sister, something I take very seriously. I respect her because if I had the chance I would do the same thing for my siblings. It's the oldest siblings job to look after the younger ones to do everything they can to make sure they are safe and happy. Even with the small gestures that happened during the reaping ceremony you could tell that she loves her sister and her love is something beautiful. So in conclusion I respect Katniss and acknowledge her as a strong opponent. When the games start I won't hold back if it comes to a fight between the two of us. She deserves my all and I will give it to her. I also hope that she will return the favor." I realise at the end that I may have put it on too thick and the implications…
"Well you heard it from the source people. Now onto my next question. What are your siblings like?" Caesar asked moving on before things got too bad.
"Well I have three siblings. The oldest are the twins Brady and Chloe. They are the headache that I have every day. Alone they aren't bad but together they are a force to be reckoned with. You do not want to get on their bad side but it is funny to watch what they do to those who do. They are both eight years old. The youngest and my little pup. She's the one that looks more like me than dad. The little three year old is the light of my life. She is so innocent but always so curious. If you let her out of your sight she will disappear and come back with some weird story to follow. Gives me heart attacks every time because she's the baby of the family. I love my siblings so much I would do anything to keep them safe." I could see out of the corner of my eye how the goofy smile I had as I talked about them disappeared, replaced by that icy look.
"Oh we ran out time but real quick Marvel what was your plan for the Games?" Caesar asked as one of the people pointed to the minute left.
"Oh well I would say how I was going to kill everyone but that gets old so all I'm saying is that not all of my cards are on the table. Random fact I'm amazing at poker just putting that out there real quick." I answered by plastering a smile on my face.
"What a fun fact! Well it's been great having you here Marvel. Give a hand to the boy carved out of ice!" Caesar said as I exited.
The smile stayed on my face as I passed by all of the other tributes. I let it fall as the elevator door closed. Just before they closed all of the way I caught Katniss's angry and confused gaze.
I just stared at her as the doors closed.
…
I watched the rest of the interviews in my room after getting changed. I realised that during Katniss's interview I had laid the groundwork so the audience could love her even more. I honestly don't know if that was a bad thing or not.
My interview went both bad and good. Good that everyone saw my serious side. Bad that I talked about Katniss too much. Or it could make my plans even better. It will probably work better if we had a better connection. Well then I have to…
"Well I'm sure that when you go home as the next victor she will have no choice but to notice you." Caesar commented.
"That's not possible…because she came with me." District 12 male tribute said.
"What?!" I sat up in my bed staring at the screen as all of the crowd started to make a fuss.
'That guy isn't going to live to see the countdown if Katniss has anything to do with it.' I thought as Peeta left the stage.
"I certainly don't feel bad for that guy." I turn the tv off and get under the blankets to get my final night of rest.
…
I get up at dawn like usual but instead of working out I just watch the sunrise. When I leave my room Gloss is waiting for me. He doesn't say anything, just walks with me to the elevator. We get out at the ground floor and get into the car that will take us to the place where we will get on the Hovercraft that will take us to the Arena.
When the car stops Gloss pulls me into a hug squeezing me really tight. I don't push him away. He opens the door and doesn't look at me as I exit the car. Two guards escort me on to the Hovercraft blocking my exit. I take my seat right across from Glimmer. After they fastened my seatbelt the others came in some having to be dragged in while others faked confidence walking in on their own. Once everyone was on they started injecting the trackers. It hurt but I wasn't going to show them that it did.
They spent the next couple of hours going in circles before landing. I got off quickly heading straight to my room. Lexia was in it already waiting for me. She handed me my clothes and boots.
"Light fabric, breathable but insulated, the soles of the shoes are flexible. Somewhere cold at night probably with proper shoes to climb and run in. Here you can't forget this." Lexis puts my mothers locket around my neck.
"I changed the clasp so that the locket doesn't fall off or get pulled off. Marvel don't over think things and be careful you're the only tribute that I like." When she smiles she reminds me of Rosie.
"Thanks. Don't worry about it, I will make it out…probably." I grin at the end.
She rolls her eyes before giving me one last hug leaving through the door I came in. After the door closes my grin falls. I change into the clothes tucking my token into my shirt. I use the bathroom and eat a little when the countdown starts. I drink some water before stepping in the tube at the last ten seconds.
The door closes and that floor starts moving up. I squint as the artificial sun hits my eyes. I feel the floor lock in place as I adjust to the light. Looking around I notice that I was the one closest to the corpiacia in the alliance. We were placed in a meadow surrounded by a forest with mountains in the distance (probably not real). I look at all the others that are there and notice some were facing the trees ready to run. During the last ten seconds I notice Katniss on one of the stands almost across from the front of the Cornucopia.
'She's looking at something. She's too thin to be good at close combat so she should be looking at the bags of supplies near her but she's looking at the supplies closest to the hot zone. Is she disregarding safety for a weapon? What…the bow and arrow were the only weapons in the general area of where she was looking. But you need a lot of practice to wield those… So is that how she got her 11? She used a bow." I look at where the spears are then where the closest weapon was which was a machete. Taking a breath I focus on the next part emptying my mind and locking my consciousness up at least until the end of this part.
I touch the ground running the second the clock hits zero. I reach the machete twisting to slash at someone's throat as they try to pass me. Stabbing the person that tries to take supplies. Stab the person that was over another. Slash their throat before they can get up. Throw the knife nearby to hit the kid that was running away. Dodge the person about to attack. Come up behind them as they stumble and snap their neck.
'Six. Four girls, two boys.' I take count of the people I killed.
The cannon goes off as Cato comes back out from the Cornucopia with a broadsword.
"Half are already gone." Clove says as the cannons finish.
"Well spit this up. The ones with the most kills get first pick. I have three." Cato says with a smirk.
"One would have had two if that fire girl didn't run away." Clove growled at the end.
"One and it was pretty messy." Glimmer frowned at the blood on her clothes.
"Six." I started gathering the supplies that were around the meadow.
"How the hell did you get so many." Cato growled.
He looked pretty angry.
"I didn't waste time playing with them or digging through the supplies like some did." I started to make a pile of things that I wanted off to the side.
No one said anything just started to pile everything up.
"My piles over there and I'm not sharing." I said once we finished getting everything together.
"Fine just hurry up and pick." Clove said.
I went and grabbed all of the spears. Then an axe, a bundle of throwing knives, two short swords, the machete I used, the bow and arrows, rope, three water canteens, Four days worth of food, a blanket, sleeping bag, and three pre-made packs.
"Why do you need the other weapons if you only use the spears?" Glimmer complained after I finished.
"Because I want to have them. I don't have to have any reason other than that." I smiled at her annoyance.
"Cato hurry up." Clove pushed the monster.
Cato got up and grabbed all of the swords, the rest of the weapons except for the knives and a mace. He also grabbed a sleeping bag, food, water canteens, and blankets.
I ignored him as the girls split up the other stuff. When they finished, all of the bodies were gone and it was only a couple of hours after the bloodbath. I'm organising all of my stuff when I see someone coming out from the forest.
"Company." I say as I get up grabbing one of the spears waiting for him to get into range.
"I'll take care of this." Cato glares at me as he walks to the person stupid enough to come back.
I sit back down going back to organizing. I wait for the cannon to sound but instead I hear the crunching of grass. Looking up I see Cato with Peeta the boy from district twelve.
"Lover boy here is going to lead us to the girl on fire. So he's going to stay for a while. Marvel, give him something to use." Cato pushes the boy my way.
'I'm going to go along with his orders at least until he lets his guard down.' I don't say anything just getting up to hand Peeta one of my spears.
When Peeta grabs the spear I put my other hand on his shoulder pulling him closer.
"Look here lover boy. I don't trust a thing out of your mouth. You might be able to fool them but you can't fool me. I don't particularly like nor do I care what you're here to do but if you cross me or mess up my plans this spear will go straight into your eye." I let the guy go when I finished plastering a grin on my face.
"Lets go hunt some idiots down!" I say to the others.
They all smile before getting their stuff. I take another look at Peeta before getting behind Cato as he leads the way into the forest.
…
Hours go by and night falls. The anthem goes and I don't watch. I keep track of where we are while everyone else starts getting bored.
"Guys look! A fire!" Glimmer points out a small light some ways away.
We all start walking to the fire. They were all so loud as they walked but the crackling of the fire covered up the sound. I stand behind them as they start messing with the girl. I keep an eye on Peeta noticing the disgust on his face and how he flinched when they killed her. I walk behind Clove laughing and smiling as they mock the girl's death and her plea for mercy.
I see her before she sees us. As I look up I can vaguely see her braid and body. I look away when she turns and pretend to like the girl's death. When I get close enough I tilt my spear tip just enough to catch her face in the low lighting. I mentally mark the spot in my head as we leave.
An hour after we find the girl no one else shows up.
"Can we just go back? No one else is going to be stupid enough to light a fire on the first night." I say as we pass even more trees.
"I hate to admit it but he is right. Let's just go back and look in the morning." Clove sneers.
"Fine." Cato growls out as he looks at the rest of us.
We finally got back to the base. I'm silently glad that I trapped my stuff when I see some of the other stuff gone. Everyone gets ready for bed and I wait while laying my sleeping bag for Cato to appoint someone for guard duty except he doesn't and minutes later I could hear everyone's breathing even out.
'I don't know if he's really that cocky or that stupid.' I get out of my sleeping bag putting some blankets in my place.
After I finish I grab the bow and arrow as well as one of the bags I made just in case I needed to make a run for it. I sling both items over my shoulder and sneak away from the camp keeping an eye on the others till I get far enough to start running without anyone seeing me.
It takes a while till I reach the right area. Slowing down I step lightly trying to get as close as possible to the tree I was looking for. I don't see her moving so I just start climbing. I get up there without too much trouble sitting on the tree branch closest to Katniss. I look at the sleeping girl. With the way she looks now as she sleeps she looks so innocent with that ever present emotionless face completely relaxed and a small quirk of her lips.
"How can something so mean and bull headed look so innocent…"I say to myself.
Next thing I know a knife is being slashed at me and the girl I was looking at was wide awake. I grabbed the hand that had the knife pring it out of her hand, tucking it into the bag I had.
"Hey that could have hurt me!" I smiled at how frustrated she looks as I still hold her hands captive in one of mine.
"What are you doing here?" She hissed out the frustration in her eyes tinted with confusion.
"I came bearing gifts. I did mean it when I said I wanted to fight fair. I hope that this was your preferred weapon as you were looking at it during the countdown." I go to hand her the bag, bow, and quiver.
"No. I won't take that. I refuse to owe you anything." She glared at me while avoiding the bow.
"I already told you why I'm giving you this. You won't owe me anything. I don't want you to owe me anything. I'm literally giving you the things you need to survive and you don't want to take them because…you don't want to owe me anything? You do realise how stupid that is. Right?" I could feel my smile slip from my face.
All she does is glare at me and I swear that I could see a little pink on her cheeks but I'm probably wrong.
"If I was anyone else I would have walked away or killed you. So how do you get it so you don't owe me anything and we could both walk out of this unscathed?" I asked, still not letting go of her hands.
"If I take that I owe you my life. The bow and arrows are one life and the pack is another. You would have to do something that requires me to spare your life twice and I'll take the pack and bow as payment." Katniss says, trying to get her hands free.
'I'm not even going to comment on that logic. Something as important as a life…I could…no I shouldn't…but it will clear this up easily.' I shrug before going for it.
Katniss looks at me when I pull her hands over her head and push her back into the tree she was still tied to. I don't give her a chance to say anything. Balancing between the two branches I leaned forward and kissed her. Somewhere outside of this arena some people are either shocked or furious about this but I don't really care at the moment.
I kinda thought that kissing her would be like kissing the girls in my district. I never felt anything when my lips touched theirs and as soon as it was done I scrubbed my lips till they were red. I thought that I could just get it over with and the debt be paid but when my lips touched hers everything just narrowed down to her. I felt like I was burning from the inside but I loved the feeling. It was something addicting. I wasn't the only one that felt that way because I could feel it when Katniss started to kiss me back. I didn't pay much attention to how much time I spent kissing her nor did I care. I did have to pull back when my lungs started to burn in a bad way.
I leaned my forehead on hers when I pulled back breathing heavily. My left hand was still holding her hands above her head while my right hand weaved itself through her hair. I was still in between both branches. Opening my eyes I look at her. Her eyes were on fire and completely open. She was also breathing heavily but didn't seem dazed.
"Does that work?" I say softly as I pull back on to my branch letting her hands go.
Her eyes are still burning as she nodded.
"Alright for the pack you're not going to kill or maim me as I leave. By the way I would cover up the orange. It's kinda a beacon." I say as I hand her the Bow, quiver, and pack before climbing down.
I don't even look back as I start running back to the Cornucopia. Halfway there I stop and cover my face with my hands.
"God that was so stupid. I can't believe I kissed her. I could have thought of literally anything else. Her mentor is going to kill me if I get out of here. No…my dad and Gloss are going to kill me if I get out of here. This is a fight to the death and only one person is going to get out of here and I'm making out with the competition. God I'm so stupid. Hopefully this doesn't change my plans too much… Oh who am I kidding I have to make completely new ones! Argh." I smack my head on one of the trees at the end of my little freak out.
I hear a whirring sound and remember that all of it is being broadcasted across the whole country.
"And they caught all of it on tape. Damn I hope I don't get put into some kind of love triangle thing. Ugh what a pain." I groan before running back to Cornucopia sneaking back in to get a few hours of sleep.
…
Finnick Pov
When I first entered the Hunger Games at fourteen I thought that I would be treated like a king when I won. That the money I got would help my family. Now I sometimes wish I died in that arena.
When I first started to 'pay my sponsors back' I was allowed to know who else was in my 'profession'. I wasn't surprised that the twins from one were in the business. I was surprised when I learned that Alexander Breckon, a legend, was a prostitute as well. I began to change my outlook on the Hunger Games and the Capitol.
After a few months of my 'appointments' Alexander Breckon invites me to his home in District one. Back then my family started to shun me because of all of the tabloids and the Finnick before the Hunger Games started to disappear. At the time I was depressed and all I wanted to do was die so I accepted his offer since I didn't have anything to lose.
It was my first night at the house and I was staring at the TV in the dark not even processing the show that was playing. It was that night that I met Marvel Alex's oldest and someone who I had come to know as family as my brother. The boy was Ten years old because of my nightmares. I was very aware of his presence. Alex had told me that the kid got up early for training so I didn't pay him any mind as he gathered his stuff. I did notice when he stood in front of me and held out his hand.
I don't know why I took his hand the first time or the times after. I don't know why I did the homework he set in front of me during the months I would stay in the Breckon household. I don't know why I followed him beyond the fence although he did deserve the punch to the head after pretending to get electrocuted. He left me to my own devices during the weekends but I was so glad that I met the kid in the end. Even though I was the capital's pawn when I went to the Breckon Household I felt like Finnick again.
I got better and finally got to be my age. I would teach Marvel things he would need in the Games if he ever got chosen like how to make knots, walk silently, swim, and CPR. He taught me how to write, climb trees, and fight with a sword. We even spared since it made more sense to spar someone six years older than he was then Gloss or Haymitch. The kid was a fighter. I could tell you that.
My favorite part was the all out brawls that we did every month. I've only won five since they started but I didn't mind. I learned something every time and got better the next time.
I almost had a relapse when Marvel was picked for the 74th Hunger Games. The only thing that stopped me was District 12. A small angle was called out to be the tribute. The little girl was twelve and smaller than the other twelve year old that was reaped from 11. Her blond hair and cornflower blue eyes with her little form made her the picture of innocence. My blood boiled at the thought of having to see this girl lay in a puddle of her own blood or watch as the innocence was ripped from her given to the highest bidder.
I let out a breath that I didn't know I was holding when her sister volunteered for her. Katniss Everdeen, now known as the girl on fire, was what we were looking for. The spark to light the fire of rebellion. I had thought that Marvel's icy demeanor would have been the perfect spokesperson for the capitol but I could see in the interview how he fanned both of the embers but mostly how he started to make Katniss burn even brighter. Marvel looked like a capitol supporter but his eyes would rather watch it freeze over and burn than lift a finger to help.
I did expect Marvel to help Katniss. I didn't expect him to kiss her or for her to recuperate. I felt my jaw drop as they made out on national television.
"That kid is so dead when he gets out of there." Haymitch growled as he recovered from choking when he kissed her.
"Think they are going to make this a love triangle?" I asked after picking my jaw up off the ground.
"Most definitely especially since Marvel confronted Peeta when he joined the alliance. This will either be the best thing or the worst thing." Gloss had his head in his hands as he groaned.
"I'm kinda glad that I'm not you two suckers." I got out before I was hit by deadly accurate pillows.
"Shut it pretty boy." They both said as they watched the screens.
I huffed before turning back to the screen where Marvel was running back to the Cornucopia where the Careers and Peeta still slept.
'I hope you know what you're doing little brother.' I think to myself.
…
Day one
3 girl-Cato
4 boy-Cato
4 girl-Glimmer
5 boy-Marvel
6 boy-Cato
6 girl-Marvel
7 boy-Thresh
7 girl-Marvel
8 boy-Clove
8 girl-Cato
9 boy-Marvel
9 girl-Marvel
10 girl-Marvel
…
And done! This is the next chapter. One of the reasons I skipped over the training days was because they weren't really important and the best parts are during the arena. I think I'm going to add someone else's pov at the end of chapters since it gives a little background to the other characters.
