Peeta has passed the last challenge now he has two left. Katniss and Rue are trying to escape from within Venus's hands, as Finnick and Annie are searching all of creation for Katniss. Let's find out how Peeta will fair in the next challenge.
I do not own The Hunger Games
Finnick had just returned to Olympus from searching the northern hemisphere. Annie could see her husband's deflated shoulders. He had not found Katniss. Annie could see Finnick was tired, they both were. It was imperative that they find Katniss and put a stop to Venus's plan. Annie didn't have any success herself as she searched the southern hemisphere.
She wondered where had Venus hidden the huntress. Katniss was an amazing huntress, whose father was a man of renown. Katniss was too, she was clever and smarter than her contemporaries. Her only Achilles' heel was that Katniss refused to believe in love. And Venus had taken full advantage of that. She was hellbent on winning. She didn't want to lose again. The last time she lost Annie had been given ambrosia and that made her immortal a human-born goddess amongst the celestial-born goddess and gods.
It looked as if history was repeating itself with Peeta. The wager had all of Olympus talking.
There were rumors that Peeta and Katniss could join the ranks of the gods gaining immortality as Annie had. In the span of hours, Mount Olympus had fallen in love with the star-crossed lovers of Earth's, District Twelve.
Many were rooting for the kind baker who loved his huntress enough to outfox Venus. They were curious about the huntress and the fact that Venus had hidden her so well no one had been able to find her. They were all waiting to see the outcome. Venus could be a tyrant, and she was vain. She was known for her petty outrageous behavior and a lot of gods and goddesses wanted her to lose. Annie could see what would happen on Mount Olympus if Venus won.
Finnick was right, Venus would try to manipulate Zeus with the mighty Cupid's arrows. With the lightning bolt in her grasp, she would antagonize the gods who opposed her. This would start a war that would spill out onto all of creation.
More than ever it was necessary for Venus to lose and for the Trickster to win. The most that would come out of it were embarrassing pranks. Annie rubbed her face intending on reaching her husband but she stopped.
The scent of roses filled the air as Venus appeared on the steps leading up to Finnick's home. Annie watched Venus storm toward Finnick.
"This is your doing!" Venus spat, holding a pile of clothing.
"I've not done a thing," Finnick stated sitting back on the cushion. "I've been busy."
"He's gotten me that idiot's clothing," she threw in his face. "He even stole his underwear."
Finnick started laughing as he caught the clothing.
Annie placed her hand over her mouth to keep from laughing as a sock hung precariously from her husband's nose. As they were on Mount Olympus they were returned to their natural size of gods, the clothing looked tiny in Finnick's hands.
"This is not funny!" Venus's look was murderous.
"Romulus Thread wears tighty-whities. I mean no one wears those nowadays!"
"That is rather humorous," Venus conceded.
"Where did you find this… so-called champion," Venus said standing akimbo.
"You said we had to find a champion," Finnick said, shrugging. "We did."
"He's-" Venus began but Finnick cut her off.
"He is smart. Why do you loathe him? What harm has he done other than loving Katniss?"
Venus's eyes flashed. "Love."
"Love mother. You being the goddess of love should understand what that word means."
Venus turned on Finnick, "I will not lose to another mortal. No common mortal will have that status again!"
"Then maybe you should give up."
Annie hid against a column and placed her hand over her mouth. She recalled how livid Venus was when she was given ambrosia. Venus was the goddess of love, but she was also fiery and could incite war.
Finnick left, but Annie heard when Venus said, "Or maybe they shouldn't be together."
Annie realized that Venus had something terrible planned to ensure she won. There was only one person who could help Peeta and his quest. With speed, Annie rushed across Olympus to speak to Zeus.
K*P*K*P
"Where are we going to get the drink of the gods here in district twelve?" Plutarch asked.
"Haymitch," Peeta said.
"Who is Haymitch," Jo said.
"He's our town drunk," Peeta replied.
"The town drunk," Plutarch and Jo said at once. They immediately followed Peeta.
"If there is one person who could find something extraordinary to drink, it would be Haymitch."
It was hot outside. As the trio reached the iron gates that led to the grand hall where Haymitch lived, dark gray clouds were gathering. Peeta pushed open the gate, it creaked.
They walked up the winding pathway. There were two homes, one had manicured lawns, a fountain, and small birds bathed in the water. The other house was identical, but it looked abandoned. It had high grass and there were strewn bottles of beer, wine, and Ripper's liquor about the lawn. There was a pond with geese. The geese wobbled about as if they too were drunk.
"This is where the town drunk lives?" Plutarch questioned when they headed to the house with the wild grass.
"He came into some money a long time ago. He doesn't have to work and he is very clever," Peeta said.
"Who lives in the other house?" Jo asked.
"I'm not sure." Peeta opened the door without knocking.
All three entered the house. There were bottles and empty barrels littering the floor. In the corner, there were some people who were drunkenly sleeping off the party from the night before. The furniture was tossed about and some of the wallpaper was peeling off the wall.
They came to a door that led to a room that was filled with new bottles of untouched spirits. They could hear a man singing off-key.
"You go first," Plutarch said, pushing Jo toward the door.
"Oh, the smell!" Jo said, stepping back.
"I'll go," Peeta said. "You guys stay here, but if you hear me call out, come running."
Taking a deep breath Peeta stepped into the room. The room was dark and suddenly all of the lights turned on.
"Hello, son," said a man with a scraggly beard and a beer belly. He wore a crown of ivy and held a flask of wine. "I'm Haymitch."
Peeta raised an eyebrow.
"Fine, my real name is Bacchus. Care for a cool drink on this hot day?"
"I would love to, but I am about to descend to the underworld after this."
"Ah yes, Persephone's lair for a box of her beauty."
"Is that my last task?"
"Yes." Haymitch took another drink. "You must love her greatly, your sweetheart."
"You know Katniss."
"Has the personality of a slug. She doesn't indulge in anything fun. Though I have to say, your adventures to save her are the best thing that has happened to Mount Olympus in a long time. Looking at you I can see that you'll make her happy." Haymitch took a deep drink from his flask.
"I have to get to her. I have to go through the pits of hell for her." Peeta thought of Katniss; he didn't want to go to the underworld but to save her life he would.
"Haymitch!" Haymitch winced at the sound of Demeter's voice. "Where are you?" Demeter appeared, holding the torch. She was wearing an outfit made of barley stalks.
"Here comes trouble," Haymitch grumbled.
"Hello dear, Haymitch." Demeter stood by him.
"Why are you here?" Haymitch growled.
"You know why I am here." Demeter raised an eyebrow. "Are you going to help this young man or not?"
Haymitch sighed, "I was getting to that."
"Surely you were trying to get him drunk."
"Well…" Haymitch trailed off.
"My dear boy, Haymitch will give you the drink."
"But what about my riddle?" Haymitch asked.
"Riddle?" Peeta inquired.
"Effie, Venus will question me," Haymitch said.
"Fine, ask your riddle?" Demeter said.
"What goes on four legs in the morning, two legs in the afternoon, and three legs in the evening?" Haymitch asked.
Peeta thought about the riddle. Both Jo and Plutarch poked their heads into the room. The room was tense as Peeta puzzled over Haymtich's riddle.
K*P*K*P
Katniss still couldn't see but she knew they had passed by dogs. She trusted the small girl to bring her out of safety. "What is your name?"
"Rue," she whispered. "We shouldn't really talk, Venus has eyes and ears everywhere."
They walked until she heard what sounded like water.
Katniss wanted to ask more but she heard Rue speaking to someone and the distinct sound of coins.
"Quickly in the boat."
With Rue's help, Katniss climbed into the boat. Her head was foggy but she could hear strange sounds as if she was alone but at the same time not alone.
"Stay absolutely still, do not sway," Rue cautioned.
As a hunter, Katniss knew how to stay still for hours if need be in order to catch her prey.
The motion of the boat pulled her to fall asleep. Katniss shook her head to stay awake and present.
"We are here," Rue said.
Together they climbed off the boat and onto a gravel-covered ground.
"Come, we must climb the stairs upward into the light."
Katniss nodded.
As they climbed, her strength began to return. She still could not see, but there were glimpses and flashes of a solid wall and the wood railing beneath her fingers.
Katniss thought of Peeta, of how gentle and kind he was. How bright and happy he made her. He was her beacon in the midst of this darkness. When this was all over she wanted to see her Peeta.
Freedom was near; Katniss could feel it.
K*P*K*P
On Mount Olympus, Annie quietly made her way to where Zeus was resting.
"Hello Psyche," Zeus lifted his massive hand to wave her forward.
Annie approached the massive man. He was feasting on grapes, a cup of ambrosia in his hand.
"Hello sir," Annie answered.
"Of all of the gods living on Olympus, you are the only one who still respects me." He gave her a small smile, "The trickster Jo called me the head cheese."
Annie looked down.
"We have survived for millennia, only to have become a small pathos in the minds of man." Zeus sat forward. "Do you know why I said yes to Trickster?"
"No."
"I said yes because it was good to see the excitement in her eyes and see the ripple effect on Olympus. Also, it lets mankind know we are not a myth."
Annie nodded.
"But I know you are not here to hear me babble."
"I am here to ask for your help," she quietly said.
"Why should I help Cupid?"
"Because if Venus gets her hands on Cupid's power, no mortal or immortal is safe."
Zeus' eyes lit up with fire. "I had not thought of that."
"I only came to warn you."
Zeus stood, his massive form overshadowing her smaller frame. "I thank you. I had not thought that far ahead."
"I believe Venus has set a trap for Peeta when he descends to the underworld."
"I think you are right," Zeus opened his hand and a thunderbolt flew into it. "But I cannot interfere."
"You can help," Annie suggested.
"How?"
Annie took a deep breath before speaking. "You can help find Katniss and bring her and Peeta together."
Zeus stood, but he glanced down, "Hmm…go get Cupid."
"You mean you know where Katniss is?"
Zeus turned to her and raised an eyebrow. "I believe his presence is needed at Haymitch's home."
Annie flew from Zeus' presence. He monitored the situation and if needed he would step in, Venus was not going to use Cupid's arrows on him. He was not going to relinquish his power easily.
K*P*K*P
Venus rushed into the spot where she had cleverly hidden Katniss. When she arrived the four creatures were fast asleep and Katniss and Rue were gone.
"WAKE UP," she growled kicking one of them.
The creatures were sleepy they did not stir. Venus snapped her fingers using her power and one of them. She was relieved when it finally opened its eyes.
"WHERE ARE THEY!" She screamed to one of the creatures who were to guard the human and the sprite. Venus pushed him awake.
It stood and bowed.
"I want you to find the huntress and conniving little sprite!"
The creature nodded and left.
Venus looked at her hourglass time was running out she hoped the Creature would find those two and drag them back to the hiding place. For now, she had to return to Earth. She had to see if Peeta had won the last challenge.
Okay, so a bit of a cliffhanger. This is the next to last chapter. Can you believe our story is almost done...lol
Special thanks to my beta and bestie Norbertsmom who without her this story wouldn't ever have looked so great. To jhgsf82 I hope you enjoyed this chapter it was written with lots of love.
