Warnings: Deaths (obviously), forced prostitution and mentioned\implied incest. Read at your own discretion.


The Odds will be in their Favour

I clutch to these words like a life lifeline, even though I know without a shred of doubt, that they are a beautifully crafted lie. Unlike the fishermen of my District who can tell when a storm is coming through the throbbing in their veins and can avoid it, I don't have the luxury to avoid it. So instead, I wrap the words around me like the armour I used to protect myself in my games and repeat them in my mind. It is foolish, but maybe if I repeat them enough times they may become real, and maybe just maybe, I could bring one Tribute home alive, and not in a body bag decomposing with what was left of my hope.

"Welcome ladies and gentlemen, to the 74th Hunger Games!" Sabina Swanstill calls out, her long blue and green hair inlaid with seaweed and corals, making an absolute mockery of my District. "As always, Happy Hunger Games and may the odds be ever in your favour!"

I swallowed the bitterness at her words as she waddled over to the female bowl, her ridiculous neoprene dress restricting her movement. She drew it out like the twisted woman she was before withdrawing her hand, a fake smile plastered on her face. "Delta Mooring!"

I watched as a girl with mid length brown hair walked up, her nice blue dress swaying around her knees. She held her head up high, a spark of cockiness in her eyes. I tried to force down the sneer that rose inside me, along with the certainty she wouldn't make it. She may have the confidence needed- in spades even- but she didn't have the look, or as me and the other Victors called it- the Victor's Vibe.

With no Volunteers- could be a hit or miss here- she pulled out the male's slip, drawing it out for as long as possible. I swallowed the urge to look at Mags and share my contempt, but I knew the Capitol- and Snow- would have their eyes on me. I had an image and more importantly people, to protect. "Marlin Spinner!"

I watched as a shy boy stumbled on the stage, his messy brown hair obscuring his vision. I let out a depressing sigh, unfortunately knowing that despite my best efforts, I'll be taking home two full body bags this year.

But I still owed it to them, and the man I could have been had I not been forced to sell my soul to the devil, to try.


The more I spoke to them the more my gut feeling grew. Delta was overconfident, without the skills or beauty needed to temper it. Marlin was shy and uncertain, without the sense of survival needed or the vitriol required to win. I shared a look with Nerine, both of us slowly accepting our fates.

Two more faces to haunt us.

Still, we went through the motions, and I made a mental note of each Tribute's name, feeling they deserved to be acknowledged as people, not as objects to be slaughtered. District One was impressive as usual, and I had to look away as girls and boys clamoured over each other to volunteer. The intergenerational mind control the Capitol had managed to perform still astounded me year after year, despite being exposed to the full extent of their depravity. Finally, a girl who was all shining gold hair and smiles, with legs for days was chosen, her smile that practically oozed sex appeal and mischief never leaving her face.

I prayed for her innocence that she died in the arena.

The boy was nothing of note, just the typical brunette, with muscles and a haughtiness that rubbed me the wrong way. Augustus and Grace would have their work cut out for them making these two likeable. Though considering the Capitol, their arrogance may make them more endeared to them.

The girl from District Two made me uneasy, the feral glint in her eye and the coldness in her smile made me flinch. I could tell that Nerine felt the same and reached to squeeze her hand as flashbacks of the vindictive Two girl from her own games flooded her mind. The boy was a brute, towering and smug, though he possessed a certain degree of intelligence I could tell that made him lethal. They had the Vibe.

The Tributes from Three, Cella and Cache were likely Bloodbath. I winced and reminded myself that their strengths laid in their mind, arguably a greater weapon than any found in the arena. I was pleased when I saw the strong way Delta came across and winced at the shyness Marlin oozed. I shared a look with Nerine, and we nodded in agreement. If we got Delta in with Glimmer and maybe Marvel, she might be able to join them, but Marlin...we'd have to have him outliers to ally with and pray it was enough. If he made it long enough to need allies.

The male from Five, Geo was likely a Bloodbath but the girl, Finch, had a slyness in her eyes that I knew would pose trouble. I immediately scrapped her from the list of potential allies- she would likely stick a knife in Marlin's back the second his back was turned. The boy from Five, Bracket, and the girl, Carry, were nothing special, but I kept them in mind as potential allies for Marlin. I was pleasantly surprised to see that Johanna was mentoring, but knew her girl, Holly wouldn't last long. Her boy, Argan, may be a worthy ally. Better than Bracket and Carry at least.

The boy from Eight , Cambric and the girl Chenille, would likely go in the Bloodbath, but may work as allies if we were desperate. The boy from Nine, Sheaf, looked sickly and the girl, Maizley, wasn't much better. The girl from Ten, Milka and the boy Graze would be Bloodbath. The boy from Eleven might stand a chance, he had the Vibe, but the girl...God she was already haunting me, and she was still breathing.

I squeezed my hands into fists as I looked at her. So precious, so young. It was a travesty to see her be entered, and for no one to volunteer? That was just cruel.

I was ready to zone out by the time we got to the Twelves, knowing they'd be Blood baths. I was about to get up, acrid bile pooling in my throat when I saw another 12-year-old get chosen, when I heard two words implode the world as I knew it.

"I volunteer!"

I sat there, gaping like a fish. I could sense Nerine was doing the same, but kept my eyes firmly fixated on the girl. This weight of a girl, with eyes like molten lead stared at the camera unflinchingly, holding the girl who must be her sister behind her. As if that simple act could protect her from any harm. I watched as a man came and took her away from the volunteer, the girl paying no attention to her sister's cries. I watched with bated breath as she made her way up, her chin held high. I could see her trembling, but she still managed to stand tall, her inner strength radiating out from her like she had morphed into a human sun through her sacrifice.

"Why, I bet that is your sister, was it not?" The Escort said excitedly, no doubt pleased at the attention this would bring her. Disgusting.

"Yes." The volunteer-no, the hero- said, her voice slightly wavering.

"Well, what is your name, dearie?'

I swore she looked right at me, her mesmerizing grey eyes slamming through my crafted defences and barriers of faux indifference. "Katniss Everdeen."

I didn't pay much attention to the boy, my eyes firmly fixed on Katniss. And when her District pressed their fingers to their lips and held them in the air, and she just held her chin higher, the glow of a survival leaking from her eyes I knew it.

I was looking at the Victor of the 74th Hunger Games.


Despite my revelation, I owed it to my Tributes to at least try to get them out of there. I was lucky with the Stylist, as Cassia was a fan of mine, so she listened to my input. Gone was the sheer net and instead they were dressed as ocean elves, with greenish scales placed all over their bodies and a seashell bra for Delta, with golden silk material overlaid by green netting covering the fronts and backs, with a pearled belt around it.

From my position overlooking the parade, Capitol women on each side of me, I felt confident that this would get us some Sponsors. Maybe even enough, dare I hope, to win.

The tiny spark of hope was snuffed out when I saw Katniss and Peeta. They were literally on fire, her outfit greedily stealing the spark of hope I had managed to create and add it to the embers sheathing her form. I knew the moment they held hands and thrust them into the sky that I was deluding myself, and when I caught her eye? God, she could light this entire stadium on fire, and I'd be too entranced by this girl wreathed in flames to notice.

I caught Haymitch's gaze, and he smirked, toasting me. I toasted him back, before returning my gaze back to Katniss.

It wasn't until I was laying spent on the silk sheets my client favoured that I realised the difference in Haymitch.

For the first time since I had met him, he was completely, bone-dry sober. Not because he didn't feel like drinking, or the pain had ebbed. No, there was only one reason for the lack of alcohol consumption.

He knew he had a winner.


I found myself repeating my mantra more often after that. Haymitch had shook me, the fact he wasn't drinking felt like someone had pulled the rug out from under me and was forcing me to adapt. I wasn't an idiot, I knew that Haymitch was as shrewd as a fox, he just drowned it under layers of alcohol. The man had won against 47 other Tributes- an achievement not to be taken lightly.

So, for him to be taking this seriously? That scared me more than the idea of ever being back in that Arena.

I threw myself into helping my Tributes, desperate to help them. I knew the inevitable but ignored it like I ignored most things I hated and fine-tuned their plans. As we had planned, Delta had used my status as her Mentor to get in with Glimmer, and I told myself I was happy with it despite the familiar disgust rolling over me at once again being used.

After her interview where she played the confident but hardworking angle , gushing about how great it was to work with The Finnick Odair, her alliance was solidified and Delta was drawn into the wolf's den, her spot safe.

Johanna was happy- more like didn't care at all- for Marlin and Argan to be allies, and they also brought in Geo and Cella. I advised against this, but Nerine reminded me of the old saying of strengths in numbers. His interview was fine, not too memorable but was able to get in enough jokes, giving me something to work with.

Though, with Katniss around, why was I even bothering?

The girl literally encased herself in flames, and instead of burning up she seemed empowered, the fractals of light dripping over the floor. The Capitol loved it, even more when she spoke about Prim. I watched Haymitch, watching as he yelled obnoxiously and swayed unsteadily in his seat. Though unlike usual these actions didn't seem quite so involuntary, instead more precise, and when he caught my eye and winked, I couldn't help but chuckle.

Seemed everyone was playing a Game.

And when I turned to focus back on Peeta's interview, it seemed the game just got better.


Despite Peeta dropping that bombshell, I kept my eyes firmly on Katniss. I watched as her eyes turned flinty, her body shaking slightly as she tried to compose herself. I later hung back and watched with amusement at the way she treated her district partner, holding him by the throat as she berated him. When I heard her claim he made her look weak, I turned around shaking my head, giving them room to sort this out.

Though while I strolled back my Tributes, I couldn't help but chuckle and ponder the last few minutes, coming to a solution that I knew with as much certainty as the fishermen from my district knew of the incoming storm.

There is more chance in the Games ending than you ever looking weak, darling.


Any hope I had evaporates like the morning mist on the sea when I see the Area. One corner is a golden lake of wheat, the rest a sprawling forest that has no noticeable end. I let out a mocking laugh when I saw the pitiful stream cutting into the forest, bitterness curdling my stomach as I realised once again, even if we had good Tributes, Snow didn't want us to have more Victors.

Not after Annie.

I blink back the tears as I watch Marlin's cry get drowned out by the thwack of Cato's machete slicing through his neck. I should have known, but once again I fell victim to my own hope. Nerine reaches out and squeezes my hand, both of us wearing our impassive game faces. I thanked all that was good that Annie wasn't here to watch it, her mental state already deteriorated enough without this massacre starring in her nightmares, We watched detached as Marvel stabbed Cambric, watching as Glimmer joyfully stabbed Carry from Six, sending the camera a wink that made my stomach roil. I wrinkled my nose in disgust as I watched Clove let out a maniacal laugh as she repeatedly throws knives, and my heart is lodged in my throat as I watch her throw one at Katniss, only for it to turn to sludge and return to its previous home when she uses her backpack to deflect.

I force myself not to watch as Tribute after Tribute, person after person, is slain, until their bodies lay spayed on the blood-soaked earth like fallen leaves. I sneer in disgust as I watch the group recreating some of the deaths, competing for the best stories. Delta has only killed Maizely from Nine, not earning her much respect from the group. I almost groan when the lover boy comes to join them, his arms empty of weapons and only his confidence to defend himself.

They seem uncertain but allow him, likely to get to Katniss. Why did you have to score an 11? I thought, remembering the shock on my tribute's faces when the scores came through. Hell, if it was anyone else, I would've been shocked too. But since it was her… she made me believe anything was possible.

I watched as she killed Glimmer and Delta, along with my final chance of bringing someone home. Normally, I would be furious, but I knew she would win from the start. I even wanted her to.

I wasn't allowed to leave as I had appointment after appointment, and even though I longed to see Annie, or what was left of her, I was morbily fixated on these Games and wanted to see them through. To watch that 'glorious' moment when a Tribute becomes a Victor- the moment Katniss becomes a Victor.

I spent time with Cashmere and Gloss, who were forced to come in despite not Mentoring. I smiled and joked with them while deliberately ignoring their closeness. I didn't judge, Snow sold them as a package, and it hurt them less if they made it real. Still, it was confronting to see the brother and sister duo acting like lovers. Though if I was in their shoes, would I do any different?

I only caught glimpses of the rest of the games. I was plunged in a world where lust and carnality reigned that I missed most of the brutality displayed in the games. Though I was able to watch, while a capital man pumped into me from behind, as Katniss extended her flames, her arrow as her conduit, to ravage the Careers advantage by literally blowing it up. I let a tear escape my eyes as she held Rue, letting the man think it was because of him, which only heightened his pleasure, when really, I was crying for the future she was robbed off. I only managed to comfort myself by being grateful Katniss was there, her flames able to warm her and take away some of the dying girl's pain.


I managed to catch it as she snuck into the feast, and mentally thanked all that was holy that Thresh saved her. I wouldn't wish death by Clove on anyone, especially someone who burned as brilliantly as Katniss. It would be a brutal death, the sadistic girl muttering things about wearing her skin that would haunt me long after I met my own grave.

I found myself screaming at the screen during a rare moment of privacy as she, Cato and Peeta fought, the tension so thick not even one of Clove's knives could have cut through. When Peeta sent Cato to his death and shot him through the eye, killing him instantly and before he even became acquainted with the Mutt's maw, I found my respect for her growing. Even when facing someone who wouldn't show her mercy she does, proving the fire really is a double-edged sword. It can obliterate and consume, or give you warmth and light, and Katniss by this point had become a beacon, her fierce soul blinding any who dared to get in her way.

I watched as she played the Game like a master, transforming from a pawn to a queen. I watched as she not only survived by rewriting the rules, but also allowed Peeta to live, sharing her light with him.

He was one lucky guy.

I watched as she was crowned, her brilliance not waning even under Snow's gaze. I watched her on her tour and watched her light the kindling for the revolution that had long been building below the surface, giving it the spark.


By the time I found myself back in the arena I no longer wore my mantra like a shield. I had found the truths I needed to not only survive, but to thrive.

I knew I loved Annie and I always would, she had my heart. But Katniss, she had managed to burn her way into my soul, reducing the tainted pieces to ashes and restoring my flame, making it burn almost as brightly as she did. She was so much more than the Victor of the 74th Hunger Games ,as I had correctly identified the day of her Reaping, she was the Girl on Fire. She would burn away the darkness in our world, reducing the world to ash if she needed to spread change, while embalming the memories of those who were killed for senseless entertainment in her flames, enshrining them in history forever.

She was the fire that burned in everyone's souls, the spark of hope the Capitol tried to control. But much like a wildfire, Katniss wouldn't be controlled, and I knew in my heart of hearts, like how a fisherman knew when a storm was coming, that Katniss would change the world, and I, along with anyone who knew her, was just lucky to witness it. Because she was the Girl on Fire, The Mockingjay, and the embodiment of hope all rolled into one fearsome, awe-inspiring package.

She was Katniss Everdeen, and she will make sure that the odds will always be in her favour.

My first Hunger Games fic! I hope you guys liked it. I know that Finnick adores Annie but I really liked the idea of Finnick and Katniss and wanted to explore his reaction to her Reaping. I would love to hear your thoughts on my work, both good and bad, but please keep the flames to Katniss, I don't want them on my work- constructive criticism only!

On that note, enjoy the rest of your day\night.

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