Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games. They belong to Suzanne Collins.
Note: Here we go, the last victor from Six! Fun fact, Numi was not originally part of the victor line-up (it would have been a fifth D11 Victor) but, as with several of my ideas, the prospect of her being in this story just hit me randomly and I simply had to do it. If you've been reading my stories and looking at my DA page for years then you may even recognise her – she was going to debut in a Total Drama fic titled 'Total Drama: Reds VS Blues' before I retired from that fandom and took down the unused cast pics. But here she is, back for a second chance at actually doing something and better than ever!
N.C.s 1 Fan, a beta content journal will indeed show up on my deviantart page (it's been a little dormant for bit, but maybe I'll get using it a touch more soon?) and you can edit chapters simply by replacing the current chapter with a new file. Easy stuff. Anyways, good catch with those inconsistencies, I'll fix them soonish. Fun facts regarding some of the old victor names:
- Weed was replaced by Snag. Sort of a medic who cannot help but heal tributes rather than kill.
- Wheat is the old name for Teff. Meanwhile Nelli is the previous name for Gwenith. Nothing else is really different about them.
Katniss tried not to think about the day Numi had visited District Twelve on her tour. The girl had been really friendly overall, but the rapping… good Lord, the rapping! Did it really have to be about coal and pick axes of all things?
"You know what I find most odd about Numi? She was a girl of status and class," Katniss shook her head. "Or, well, apparently. For being the daughter of a mayor, she sure didn't act like it."
"She was a teenager at the time," Peeta said, a small smirk on his face. "If anything, having status would probably give her more freedom to goof around than anybody else would have."
"I guess that makes sense. I'm not one for rap, but she sure made the parade interesting," Katniss chuckle faded away into gloom. "It helped distract from the fact the Twelves were naked and covered in coal dust."
"Yeah, that was an awful idea. We lucked out getting Cinna and Portia," Peeta agreed. "You know, I always wondered how she did that tyre running thing. I had no idea it was possible to run so fast on one of those."
"If she's at the party you could ask her," Katniss suggested. "If any District Six victor made it out alive it'd be her. I think Chassis died a few years ago and the morphlings-"
"Bentley and Porsche," Peeta interrupted.
"Yeah, them. They died in the arena," Katniss sighed to herself. "Poor guys."
The pair trailed off into a silence.
72nd Annual Hunger Games
Name: Numi Marrolto
Gender: Female
District: 6
Age: 15
Kills: 7
It had been a fairly dreary summer in District Six so far. Summer showers, wages being lower all around, plenty of gang violence and the smell of petrol was starting to move beyond 'sixty percent revolting'. It was, all things considered, a natural progression of things given how life in the district often considered joint-worst with Twelve often was.
The loss of Chassis, their legendary first ever victor, had similarly kept spirits across the district quite low. His cancer had come back with a vengeance, one that he knew he'd not survive. So, rather than spend his last month laying down in agony and waiting for the cancer to kill him… he decided to take the cancer down with him, whether it liked it or not!
He'd died during a particularly reckless and chaotic demolition derby. He'd actually won regardless, but dead was still dead whatever way one were to put it.
It was much the same as Baron, the first ever volunteer. Some peacekeepers had let slip of the old man's peaceful death some time after the fact, he having died in his sleep without pain nor fear. How ironic it was that Two and Six, always rivals and hating each other, had lost their first victors on the same day.
The same hour, in fact.
Regardless, whatever the time or cause, dead was dead no matter what.
That had been two months prior and the district was still downtrodden as ever. Still, there were some who nonetheless had it in them to smile and laugh. Those who managed to overcome the tears with a cheer. Those who hadn't given into the Capitol's crushing regime just yet.
Numi Marrolto was one of those people.
One half of a set of identical twins born to the mayor of Six and her husband, Numi was the younger daughter… and she lacked any of the maturity or class her beloved sister Nuvi had. Numi was loud, prone to laughing at inappropriate times, had a rather naughty sense of humour, was prone to speaking without thinking, used awkward 'street lingo' and had dreams of being a professional rapper.
Leave the mayor stuff to Nuvi's future, Numi knew her destiny was on the stage!
Our story begins on reaping day for the Seventy Second Hunger Games. Numi had left her grand house, practically kicking the door open as she did every morning, and made a mad dash for her car – a graffiti covered roofless mustang. Nuvi awkwardly followed behind her and climbed into the passenger seat, watching as Numi slid over the bonnet and swung herself into the driver's seat.
"Why do you keep doing that?" Nuvi asked. "…And why take the car? The reaping is only two blocks away."
"We're picking up da gang, gal pal," Numi said, making finger guns towards Nuvi. "Figure I might as well give 'em a lift, ya cuz?"
"…Just don't talk like that where too many people can hear you," Nuvi pleaded. "I love you, really… but it's just so embarrassing."
"No promises Nuvi," Numi said, laughing as she turned the ignition key. "Well, 'cept that if your name comes outta that reaping bowl, I got'cha. I'll volunteer."
"Awwwww, thanks," Nuvi smiled. Embarrassing as her twin was, she couldn't deny how much she loved her.
She just wished for less rapping, less slang and, if possible, for Numi to put her hair back to its normal raven and ponytail look, not the dyed platinum blonde and pigtails she'd taken on since four months ago.
"No prob sis. Now, away we go!" Numi cheered, slamming her foot on the gas pedal.
"WAAAAAAAH!" Nuvi screeched, holding on for dear life.
It wasn't long before Numi had picked up the rest of 'da gang' from their homes. In this case, outside of herself and Nuvi, the gang was made up of Herbie, a fairly timid and squeaky voiced garage attendant, and Tamora, a fairly moody and temperamental mechanic.
Against all odds the four got along wonderfully. Tamora was a lot more friendly around her group, Herbie was generally able to get more than a few words out around them, Nuvi didn't feel even slightly intimidated by the others and Numi, well, she was just happy to have three people who would be willing to listen to her rapping.
"So, feel the odds are in your favour?" Numi asked the others.
"I hope so," Herbie mumbled, gulping.
"They better be," Tamora muttered. "Not like they are on a day to day basis. The world owes me one bit of good luck, right?"
"Totally," Numi agreed. "What about you Nuvi?"
"Well… only four slips. We're both as safe as we possibly can be," Nuvi glanced off to the side. "I'd rather not think about it until we get there."
"Fine by me. Eh yo, let's put da radio on," Numi giggled as she started to tune the car's radio, trying to find a good tune. "C'mon, c'mon…"
The others exchanged a wary glance, all knowing exactly what was about to happen, starting from when Numi found a song she liked.
"Numi, you ever think about not rapping while you're driving?" Tamora suggested, rooting into her pockets. "I'll give you ten caps if you don't. No fifteen! Fuck, I'll kiss you if you don't!"
Numi paused, slightly tempted by the offer. Alas, that was when she tuned into a radio station playing a bouncy sort of funk song with a piano, keyboard and banjo back-up to go along with it.
"Aw yeah!" Numi cheered, turning the music up. "Alright gang, here we feckin' go!"
Numi began to rhythmically rock herself left and right, steering with one hand and keeping a fist pump beat going with the other.
Alright, we're here, just sittin' in the car
I want you to show me if you can get far
Step on the gas
Step on the breaks
When I say boom boom boom, you say bam bam bam
No pause in between, come on, let's jam!
Step on the gas
Step on the breaks
Wakka wakka, beep beep!
Numi harshly turned to the right, making thick skid marks on the road as she did so. Her three passengers yelled in protest as they were almost sent flying from the sudden motion. Numi remained oblivious, still cheerfully rocking to her imaginary tune and keeping the rap going.
Come on, move fast, get goin' down the road
Get to the reaping, bet the escort's a toad
Step on the gas
Step on the breaks
Lots of paper slips, somebody's gotta be picked
Who is gonna get licked, who is gonna get nicked?
Step on the gas
Step on the breaks
Shakka shakka, boop boop!
A long street was all that remained until the gang would reach the reaping. By now Numi had gotten rather carried away, totally lost within the beat of her rap and blind to all going on around her. It was 'cool mode', a thing to be dreaded indeed!
Numi leapt out of the driver's seat and began to dance on the car bonnet. Her three passengers reacted with alarm and terror as the car began to swerve left and right.
"Holy shit Numi!" Tamora yelled, holding Herbie tightly for support.
"No, no, no!" Herbie wailed.
"Numi! Stop!" Nuvi pleaded, leaning over to grasp the steering wheel and fumble to somehow get the car to slow down. She, unlike Numi, had no idea how to drive a car.
Numi had no idea this was going on. She was content to rap, lost in her own little world of sick beats, beat boxing, booty shaking and energetic dancing. She hadn't even noticed the screams of her sister and friends nor realised how dangerous her dancing was.
Wanna win? Be a speed queen!
Wanna live? You don't gotta be mean!
Step on the gas
Step on the breaks
You don't gotta deceive, but you gotta receive
Most of all, you gotta believe
Turn to the left
Turn to the right
Through blood and bone, don't give up the fight
Drive to the end and you'll do it right!
At long, merciful last the car finally came to a gentle stop just outside of where the reaping was to be held. Numi casually hopped off the car bonnet, a casual smile on her face.
"Not a bad drive, eh guys?" Numi remarked, stretching out a little. "C'mon, let's get this over with."
Numi walked off, failing to notice her friends were pale faced and scared shitless. Nuvi puked over the side of the car.
"This is bad, this is bad, this is bad!"
Numi watched as Nuvi paced around the room within the judgement building. Nuvi hadn't even been the one to have her name pulled, Numi had, but with the way she was panicking one could be forgiven for mixing the two up.
"Nuvi, it's gonna be fine," Numi insisted. "I can win this thing, for reals."
"Can you Numi? Can you?!" Nuvi leaned against the wall, horribly weak in the knees. "If you die, half of me dies. Half! You're my twin, my match… my best friend…"
"And I will be coming home," Numi gently gave her sister a hug. "I know my head can be full of stupid sometimes, but I got 'dis. I can win, ya'll gonna see."
"Come on, use words," Nuvi groaned, trying to hide a sad smile.
"I can win. Sixes have won before. A girl from Six has won before," Numi hugged Nuvi closer. "All I have to do is cause a massive disaster to turn the tables. That's how Six wins. I mean, look at me, if anybody could cause a Games changing disaster…"
"…It'd be you," Nuvi concluded with a soft giggle. "Just be careful, alright? I know you're… well, you, but you can't be reckless here. You need to play this careful and smart. Please…"
"I promise I'll do more or less exactly that," Numi saluted with her left hand. "Besides, there's an upside to all of this."
Nuvi looked stumped. "What upside could there possibly be?"
"I'll get to meet Bentley. He might even be my mentor," Numi giggled at the very thought. "Oooooh, I can hardly wait!"
"Sis, you're insane," Nuvi declared. "…I'm gonna miss your insanity. Please, come home safe."
"I promise I will," Numi said as she and Nuvi parted from their hug. "But… look out for Tamora, yeah? You know how she can get and, well… Herbie coming with me is gonna mess her up. One of us dies no matter what. Her leet bestie or her main squeeze, tough break."
"I'll do my best," Nuvi said, nodding. "Good luck."
Nuvi soon left to visit Herbie – no doubt it was going to be an awkward goodbye given how obvious Nuvi's preference for Numi living would be – and Tamora took her place.
Numi could over grin ever so cheekily when she noticed Tamora looked rather ruffled, walked a little clunkily and had a dazed look in her eyes.
"So, you finally took the initiative and told Herbie ya'll thirsty for him?" Numi asked, giggling.
"There was no longer any time to wait for him to make a move already," Tamora declared. "I regret nothing."
Tamora sat down beside Numi, suddenly forlorn. Vulnerable, even.
"I have no idea what to do. I've lost no matter what happens," she covered her face, shaking. "Either you die or Herbie dies. Is a tie even possible?"
"The rules say only one victor," Numi said. She snapped her fingers, inspired. "Rules were made to be broken. Imma gonna try and force a tie, gal pal."
"Please do," Tamora wiped away a tear. "Whatever it takes, try and find a way to pull it off."
It was, of course, no secret to anybody that Numi really liked rap music. However, there was something she liked even more than her central hobbie.
Or, rather, someone.
Bentley Corduroy, District Six's second ever victor, was Numi's idol. She'd attended tons of his shows, gotten a grand total of ten autographs from him and had copies of literally all of his merchandise, the lot of it carefully arranged in her room just-so in a highly specific ordering only Numi could claim to understand.
As terrifying as being reaped for the Games was, even with Numi's belief she had something of a chance, there was no way for Numi to deny that being able to talk to Bentley for more than a thirty second interval was literally the most wicked awesome thing in the history of forever. Ever! That was why, when the escort told her and Herbie that their mentors were about to make their entrance, Numi was bouncing in her chair with a grin stretching ear to ear.
Her grin turned into a look of genuine concern when she saw Bentley enter the train carriage. He looked absolutely exhausted, like he were seriously ill. But it wasn't a virus or a disease making him look so bad. It was drugs – morphling to be specific.
Porsche did not look much better in comparison, but at least she seemed able to focus on the world around her to some capacity. All the same, the escort was keeping a close eye on her as if expecting her to start trouble at any moment.
It was a well known fact that Porsche had developed something of a streaking habit after her Games were over.
"Tributes, meet your mentors," the escort stated. He sighed. "If one of you becomes a victor could you kindly not turn to drugs?"
"Drugs? They're… addicts?" Herbie looked anxious at the very thought.
"Unfortunately. I'd say winners do not do drugs, but these two won the Games and do them now," the escort looked thoughtful. "Then again, Bentley did drugs after he won, not before, so he might not count. Oh, but Porsche was a druggie to some degree even beforehand, so… hmmmmmm, this is tough…"
The escort continued to babble to himself and soon left the train carriage entirely. Numi and Herbie glanced at each other, wondering if they ought to comment on what just happened.
They didn't.
"So, is it alright if I call dibs on Bentley?" Numi asked, her eyes almost seeming to sparkle. "Pleeeeeease!"
"Go ahead," Herbie managed a weak smile in spite of his fear. "Enjoy hanging out with your idol."
"Oh, you bet I will my mans!" Numi exclaimed.
The reaping recap came and went – four deadly careers, a record breaking three convicts volunteering to evade death row, a scattering of weak and starved outliers and then Numi and Herbie awkwardly in the middle of it all – before the District Six team settled down for dinner and discussion of the Games ahead.
That was where the first problem arose, a problem that really should have been obvious a hell of a lot sooner.
Bentley and Porsche were on drugs and, therefore, not in a great state to actually do anything halfway resembling mentoring. Not even a quarter way. In fact, calling them a tenth of the way ready would require one to be overly generous indeed.
"So, how are we going to survive this?" Herbie eventually mumbled.
"Uhhh… I dunnoooooooo…" Porsche slurred, her eyes particularly unfocused.
Herbie got up and awkwardly waved his hand in front of Porsche's face. He got no particular response out of her.
"No, no, no," Herbie muttered, starting to look pale. "This is bad. Of all the times for my mentor to be stoned…"
"Hide da drugs my mans. Maybe throw her stash out the window?" Numi suggested. "Or, like, offer to buy her more with your victor winnings if you end up being the last one standing?"
"Think it'd work?" Herbie asked, doubtful.
"You lose nothing by trying," Numi stated.
"She's right," the escort agreed. "Honestly, I'd owe you a favour if you could get these two to hold back on the morphling for a while. It's got to a point where the other victors are starting to call them 'The Morphlings'."
"I mean… there are worse nicknames to have, right?" Numi awkwardly added.
"Don't know, don't care. Just saying, it'll take a lot to get these two to clean themselves up," the escort glanced at the two victors, shaking his head. "Porsche was already known for this since she was young. I don't know what got Bentley on it, but good luck getting him to tell you anything. It's a losing effort."
"Challenge accepted," Numi replied.
Soon enough the escort went to make contact with potential sponsors – it was a lie, they just wanted to watch Fiona and Lawrence in their room – while the pair from Six tried to talk to their mentors.
It was a while before any success was made. Herbie's offer to buy Porsche 'five car sized crates of morphling' with his victor winnings stirred the druggie to life. The pair left to a different carriage to start working things out, quickly leaving Numi behind.
Numi, of course, did not mind this. For the first time ever she was all alone with her idol and it was, in her mind, literally the coolest thing ever.
"Hey Bentley!" Numi exclaimed, moving to sit closer to Bentley. "So, you heard my name, Numi Marrolto. Just Numi works fine. Anyway, I'm a huuuuuge fan of yours and everything you stand for. Ten autographs and all da merch, boi! So, how're we gonna do this mentoring thing? What's my angle gonna be my mans?"
Bentley let out a weary groan. His eyes were glazed and he looked awful. Numi winced at the sight, but nonetheless she pressed onwards.
"I'm not without skills, kay-kay? I can rap, I can beatbox like a queen, I can run three times as fast as a career if I'm moving atop a tyre, I think I'm not shit at fighting and being creative about it if I gotta be," Numi ran her hands through her hair, thinking hard about what else to add. "Oh yeah, I can hold my breath for three minutes. Been practising in the bath since I was seven."
Numi paused, seeing that Bentley was still sitting hunched over and gazing at the dormant TV. Numi waved a hand in front of his face, quirking up an eyebrow.
"Yo, any of this stuff gonna be useful? C'mon, what's the biz' Bentley?" Numi waved her hand faster. "Hellooooooooo? Anybody home in there? My mans? Talk to me broski!"
Bentley began to shake, clutching his head with both hands. He mumbled something inaudible.
"Mind repeating that?" Numi asked, pleased that Bentley had finally started talking.
Numi felt her excitement soar. After so long she was gonna finally have a great one on one conversation with the greatest rapper who had ever lived!
"Shut up!" Bentley snapped, his eye twitching as he turned to glare at Numi.
Numi felt her excitement deflate instantly, much like a balloon shoved into an iron maiden. She flinched under the look Bentley was giving her. Numi was no stranger to glares, having always been in trouble a lot growing up, but this was different… this time the man she idolised was the one glaring at her.
"W-what?" Numi whispered, starting to get anxious.
"Just… just shut up, alright?" Bentley clenched his fists tightly, like he were having trouble getting his breath. "All the shouting, the dumb words… the reckless driving every week… getting too close and ogling me… just get out of here! Fuck off!"
Numi felt her world crashing down around her. The man she idolised, dreamt of meeting, longed to perform alongside… thought she was terrible.
Tears welled up in her eyes.
"I'm sorry," Numi took a step back. "I just thought… we could… be friends…"
"Get away from me!" Bentley shrieked, gripping his hair tightly.
Numi obeyed. Not wanting to upset her idol anymore and too saddened by his outburst to do more than weep she took off out of the carriage and away to her room. She locked herself inside and, for the first time since she was nine, started crying.
Bentley shuddered and gasped, the withdrawal symptoms hitting him worse than they already were. In a fit of desperation he took a syringe from his jacket and swiftly injected himself with the contents. Instantly he began to stabilise and then started to float off in his own world of drugs and dreams.
It still couldn't take away the endless guilt of the three lives he'd taken almost twenty years ago.
Not only that, but now he had to deal with the guilt of snapping at one of his fans during the 'cooldown' from a morphling high. She couldn't have known how he got when he was in need of another boost, not when he kept such things out of public eye. He knew he had to apologise soon, if it wasn't already too late that is.
After all, it was already far too late to give an apology to the boys from One and Two and the girl from Eight.
Numi awoke in a fit of fright at three in the morning. She was still on the train and not starving in some arena, suffering a fate of several careers chopping her apart with axes. All was quiet, the train moving swiftly and silently down the tracks.
With fear on her mind and hunger in her guts she resolved to pillage the fridge for a late night snack. What more could they do to her when the Hunger Games loomed so near?
Numi wasn't the only one awake. She entered the dining room, freezing in place when she saw Bentley sitting at the table, staring blankly towards the TV.
It showed footage of the avalanche from his own Games, the one caused by his own rapping. The one that killed three other tributes.
Bentley didn't even react as Numi slowly made her way towards him. He didn't react even as she stood beside him, watching his iconic victory with him.
"…Bentley?" Numi eventually whispered. "…My mans? …Are you alright?"
Bentley didn't respond. He didn't move his eyes away from their ongoing stare at the musical carnage on-screen.
"Are you still mad at me?" Numi gulped at the thought of this. "Do you want me to yeet myself outta your space?"
"…Have you ever watched my Games?" Bentley whispered.
"…Yeah?" Numi answered, slowly. "I, uh, skip all the parts you're not in."
"Do you? Well, even so, that means you won't skip the ending. My mountain top performance. The rap of a lifetime," Bentley shivered and it wasn't from the cold. "The murders."
"If it's an accident then doesn't that make it… um… manslaughter…?" Numi trailed off when she saw the angry, tormented look on Bentley's face.
"Dead is dead, no matter how it happens," Bentley closed his eyes and clenched his fists. "You think the fact it was an accident makes it better?"
Numi hesitated for a moment. "Uh… maaaaaaaybe?"
"No. It doesn't. I killed three people. Killing innocents? That is not what I was all about. It's never been what I'm about," Bentley sounded like he was going to start sobbing. "I was a pacifist. I thought people could live and find ways to get by as a team, not through causing pain. That was what my raps have always been about."
Bentley took a deep and shaky breath. He looked like he was close to being sick.
"Nowadays it doesn't matter how much I rap about pacifism and mercy. It doesn't matter if I speak in favour of the values of kindness. Not when I'm a 'victor', not when killing children is the only thing people will remember me for," Bentley starting to shake all over, a cold sweat pouring down his face. "Every single summer people in the Capitol keep telling me how amazing it was to see the rap induced avalanche crush three children. They swoon over how 'fun' it was to see those three die. It happens every… single… time…"
Bentley covered his face with his greasy hands, sobbing.
"A murderer is all I'll ever be. That's why I turned to morphling, it's the only thing that helps," Bentley wiped away a few of his tears. "When I start running low on it all the horrible feelings… they come back. It's why I snapped at you. I'm so sorry, I didn't want to hurt you."
Bentley whimpered.
"I never wanted to hurt anybody," he mumbled, barely above the smallest of whispers.
Bentley was taken a little off guard when Numi gave him a very gentle hug. She maintained her hold for several moments.
"I don't think you're a murderer," Numi said, briefly tightening the hug. "I think you're pretty great."
"You think so?" Bentley asked, doubtful.
"Fo' Sho," Numi said, nodding. "Pacifism rap? That's the coolest shiz evars. Seriously, why do you think so many people in Six love you? We're about the idea of no war and people not killing each other. I mean, I doubt many of us like seeing murder on the big screen."
"The Capitol sure does," Bentley flinched at the mention of the vile city.
"We're Six, not the Capitol," Numi stated. "We get your message and we get it out and clear, yeah-yeah?"
"But…" Bentley felt tears welling up in his eyes all over again. "The guilt… those kids I killed… I did that. I don't think I can ever forgive myself. I can't… I just…"
Numi moved to stand in front of Bentley. She casually switched off the TV and put her hands upon his shoulders, looking in his eyes. For a moment neither professional rapper nor amateur rapper said a word.
"Bentley, my mans, this reminds me of something my sis once told me a friend of hers read in a book," Numi cleared her throat. "There's nobody quite so badly punished as a dude who hits himself with the whip of his own remorse… eh, paraphrasing."
"What does that mean?" Bentley asked.
"It means that you need to forgive yourself," Numi insisted. "Just like I have to forgive myself for leaving the cap off of toothpaste."
Bentley gave Numi a dry look.
"Orrrrrrr, you know, forgive myself for being a screw-up," Numi chuckled awkwardly as she took a step back from Bentley. "I'm not asking for you to be ret-2-go in the morning or just get better in a snap. Just, y'know, remember a lot of people care about you. Ya'll don't need drugs to know that, well, I'm your biggest fan."
Numi paused for a moment, as if considering her statement.
"Seriously, I'm kinda obsessed," Numi admitted with an awkward sort of shrug.
Bentley thought over everything that Numi had said. With effort he took in a deep breath, exhaling shortly afterwards.
"You're right. I can't get better in a day, not two, not three… it'll take time. I can't forgive myself right away, but… I can try to, eventually," Bentley slowly stood up. "I've been lost in the dark for too long, it's time to turn on the lights… time to be around people, around friends. I mean, once I make some."
"I'll be your friend," Numi offered, excitedly bouncing on her toes. "I'll make you look even better in comparison!"
Bentley laughed. "You know what, maybe part of it is the leftover morphling speaking… but, Numi? I think we're gonna get along fine. Now… are you ready to be mentored?"
"Fo' shizzle!" Numi exclaimed.
"That's what I like to hear!" Bentley agreed. "Alright, the parade comes first and all eyes will be on the tributes. You need all eyes on you specifically. You wanna guess how you're gonna do that?"
Numi's eyes practically sparkled. "Rapping?"
Bentley confidently nodded, smirking for the first time in years. "Rapping."
Bentley had relapsed for a few hours the next day, but had managed to stabilise himself in time for the parade and to go over some tactics with Numi.
Having a tribute who adored his work ever so much and really liked him as a person made it just that little bit easier to fight his demons and do his best to mentor her as best as he possibly could.
With Chassis gone it was all up to himself to save a tribute from the Games. Porsche was a fine friend, but as a co-mentor? Not quite so much.
With a plan made and sealed with a fistbump Bentley left Numi in the care of her prep team and stylists. This year he did not plan on being one of the last two or three victors in their section of the audience.
As it happened Bentley arrived nice and early, taking his assigned seat within the small section for District Six, from three seats down to just two. The career victors had arrived early and had little to say to him, per the norm. The only other outlier there so early was Cecelia. She greeted Bentley with a friendly wave as always.
"Ready for another parade Bentley?" Cecelia asked, tired.
"I'd say so," Bentley replied, taking his seat. "You?"
"I guess so. I just hope my girl does better than Silky did last year," Cecelia shuddered, trying not to think of death of the poor girl who lasted a mere five seconds.
"Same for my tribute. I'm mentoring the girl this year," Bentley managed to softly smile. "She's really something. She's my biggest fan."
"Don't a lot of fangirls say that?" Cecelia asked. She paused, as if suddenly realising something. "You seem different… Bentley, you're not on drugs… you're just, well, yourself."
"Indeed I am," Bentley said. "It feels good."
"What bought on the change?" Cecelia asked, leaning a little closer. "You've always been, well… drugged."
Bentley just smiled. "I had a tribute looking after me when I badly needed it."
Soon enough the tribute parade started off. Two beautiful killers from One dressed as a king and queen, two ferocious warriors from Two dressed as barbarians, two geeks from Three dressed as lab scientists, two dockhands from Four dressed as pirates, two skinny kids barely starting high school from Five dressed in suits covered with batteries and then from Six…
"Whoa…" Cecelia whispered.
"Omgah…" Fir said, awed. "So cool."
"She certainly looks the part," Mercy noted.
"There's the victor," Bentley remarked, starting to smile.
Herbie was dressed up as a train driver. Numi, however, had been given a rather unique sort of costume. One only possible through the official recommendation of the rap legend known as DJ-CONCORD-Z.
Numi had been given a backwards hoverball cap, a pair of beam sunglasses, a sparkly black cape, a golden N necklace, a silver belly shirt, a jacket coated in graffiti-esque spray paint and a pair of desert cameo jeans. A perfect rapper outfit.
All this and a smoke machine had been attached to the District Sic chariot, as had a boombox. With a grand cheer Numi activated the boom box and took out a microphone.
Rap time had arrived!
Ridin' a chariot, really feeling that
Wish I was a racer, feelin' fast
Gonna fight hard, won't be last
Six won't be forgotten, won't be left in the past
I'll be the last tribute, outrank the cruel seven
If they die they ain't getting' sent to heaven!
Numi began to dance around and sway side to side on the chariot, eagerly listening to the crowd starting clap in time with the beat and cheer their approval.
With a knife and mace I'll sock and bop you
Gonna start with Glamour, yahoo-yahoo
I'll send Komodo off a high peak, woohoo
Mean ol' Eris, I've come to rock you!
Claw, you really ain't my friend
Pyromaniac Oxford, you'll be sent round 'da bend
Murderous Shovel, your wounds won't mend
Kidnapper Patchwork, you'll meet your end
Choking on a pebble, you second-rate zero outta ten!
The careers and felons were all furious while the audience was absolutely loving it. Even the other tributes were starting to get in on the beat and clap along with the Capitol crowds.
Numi could only grin at the responses to the show she was putting on. The feelings of delight were overwhelming – cool mode had arrived again! In one moment Numi vaulted herself into the air, performed a front flip and landed on the back of one of the horses pulling the chariot.
Hop! Get on my chariot and fly
Hoot! Come aboard for a ride!
I'll never quit running my mouth
Just like with the competition, I'll be runnin' 'em out
You'd best not try playing with fire
With my beets so slick and fast, you'll be forced to retire
C'mon, it's almost time for a smash!
Buckle up mother fuckers, it's time to crash!
The crowd were standing up and roaring their applause by the time the parade ended, all of them chanting Numi's name over and over. Numi just took a faux modest bow and hopped back into the chariot, ever so smug.
Sure, the careers and the three convicts were all snarling at hers, but Numi didn't care. She had a fanbase now! Booksmarts and sheer power was never going to be her game, not when neither were realistic options.
So, what angle was better than what Bentley had suggested? The showbiz side of the Games!
The training days were easily the low point for Numi. Sure, Bentley could give her tips for rapping once she was on camera again and find sponsors to support her after her stellar debut, but there was one fact that Numi could not ignore.
No matter how hard she tried, no matter how hard she schemed… one way or the other, she would have to best at least one of the other tributes in a fight. The Capitol wasn't keen on letting tributes avoid combat for overly long. Skinner only managed to remain out of much fighting because he was killing so many mutts, something Numi couldn't hope to mimic.
"Can't I just rap and hope they keep the rest away from me like they did for you?" Numi had asked Bentley during breakfast of the second training day.
"I had an established reputation going in. You're not at that level yet," Bentley had said, apologetic. "Even if they do… it won't last as long as it did for me. You don't just have careers to worry about, you have the criminals too. You'll need to learn how to fight or lure them into a trap."
"…Killing sucks," Numi had whimpered and, well, whined.
"Tell me about it," Bentley had agreed. "But we're past the point of trying to win without any kills… it cannot be done."
Bentley wasn't quite right in the grand scheme of things (but, that's another story…) but for the context of the Seventy Second Games there was no doubting his words.
That was why Numi tried to learn how to use a spear. It was a ranged weapon, so theoretically she didn't even need to get close to the other tributes to fight. A flawless plan!
Or it would have been if Numi wasn't too short to properly wield the weapon or had anything resembling talent for it. The trainer was dismayed indeed.
"You need to have more force behind your jabs than that. Same case for your throws," she had said. "It's not just about stance, it's about sheer power. A spear is the same as any other weapon in that it needs power behind each attack. Your foes are not going to run themselves through on your behalf."
"Not even if I said please?" Numi asked, cheeky.
"Why do I always get the stupid ones?" the trainer grumbled, a hand over her face.
"Just 'cuz my teachers say my head is full of stupid don't mean I don't know stuff, my mans," Numi picked up the spear for another try. "C'mon, lemme try again."
"You're making the exact same mistakes," the trainer droned.
"I'm being persistent and shit," Numi insisted.
"Well, you're right that you're being shit," the trainer remarked. "Look, you need more power behind the spear – speed. You're not the right body type for that. You'd be better served with knives."
"Speed? Hey, I'm plenty fast," Numi tossed the spear again, the weapon failing to pin into a target. "If I just had a car tyre then I'd be able to do 'dis shit. On one of them I can run three times as fast as your average career y'know."
"Uh huh," the trainer droned.
By the time lunch rolled around Numi wasn't exactly in the most wicked cool of moods. She idly stirred her soup, her eyes practically staring holes into the table. Herbie, sitting across from her, could only awkwardly watch while trying to eat his steak.
"Not having a great day?" he timidly asked.
"It's lame, broski. I'm not that good at the weapons or, like, much of anything in there?" Numi paused to sip some of her splendid spicy spud soup. Smashing! "I think popularity is all I can hope for. Do they count popularity when they hand out the scores?"
"I don't know," Herbie gulped nervously. "I'll be lucky to get a three. I'm not that good at much of this stuff. Just wrapping bandages, camouflage… nothing flashy."
"Good idea, we could flash them," Numi said, snapping her fingers.
Herbie could only stare, blank faced.
"I'm just kidding dude," Numi continued, snickering. "After what you and Tamora did, is that really such an awkward thing for me to say? Like, in comparison?"
Herbie just groaned, covering his face.
"Hey-hey, eyes up here," Numi held out a hand for Herbie. "Allies? We're fighting to make it home to the same peeps. I think one of us would have an easier time pulling that off if we work together."
Herbie didn't hesitate to shake Numi's hand. "You lead, I follow. I can't do this alone."
"Fancy that," Numi said, an awkward smile on her face. "Neither can I."
It turned out to have been a good thing indeed that the pair had agreed to work as a duo for the Games ahead. Numi scored a five, barely, and Herbie only attained a measly two.
Meanwhile Glamour and Komodo scored nines, Claw scored a ten and Eris had outperformed everybody with an eleven. The criminal alliance – made up of Patchwork from Eight, Oxford from Ten and Shovel from Eleven – had all gotten eights and all seemed more outwardly savage than the Ones.
Numi's odds weren't looking good, all things considered.
Just 35-1.
Numi knew her time to shine was the interview and Bentley had done his very best to get her ready for it. Both hoped his pointers would be enough for Numi to be the unquestioned star of the show. Only through sheer popularity was she going to have the long term support she was likely to be in need of if she survived the bloodbath.
Once the small boy from Five left the stage to light applause, more out of obligation from the audience than anything else, it was Numi's turn to be interviewed.
"From District Six we have a girl who claims to bring sick beats and slick rhythm all the way from the classy mayor's home of her district. Is she a true class act just like her mentor? Let's find out as we welcome Numi Marrolto to the stage!" Caesar exclaimed, the crowd roaring their approval a moment thereafter.
"Wish me luck," Numi said to Herbie from his spot right behind her in the line of tributes. "And good luck to you too."
Numi made her way out on stage, waving to the crowd and striking a few poses as she went. The audience were still excitedly whispering as she and Caesar began to speak, but the talking only lasted forty five seconds before Caesar ceded the stage for Numi.
It had been requested that for Numi's interview she be allowed to perform a rap to the nation.
It had been approved.
Dressed in her rapper outfit from the parade and backed by colourful smoke from a pair of smoke machines, there was no denying Numi was ready to make an impression.
It was rap time!
I'm a bit of an anomaly
An oddball goofball monstrosity
Not gonna die slow or horribly
If you're not from Six you're a wannabe
Should I thank my escort for reaping me?
Am I gonna become a problem? Probably!
Various stage lights began to repeatedly turn on and off according to the beat. Avoxes began to pass glow sticks out to the audience. They were, as could logically be expected, an instant hit.
I'm ready for the arena, I'm ready to go
What's the terrain? I sure don't know
Lost in a desert or freezing in a tundra
Stranded in a forest full of wonder
I'll fight 'till I'm dizzy and knock your teeth out
But drop me in a city and Imma gonna super shout
The crowd were now standing up and bopping their glow sticks up and down. All of them were enjoying the interview like no other prior. Numi herself could only grin widely, feelings of stardom flooded her mind.
It was time for 'cool mode' once again!
The background of the stage was digitally changed to an endless firework show and the music practically doubled in volume. All this and Numi grabbed onto a cable that fell from above, using it to start swinging around the stage.
You can't stop me even with mutts
You can't break me even with cuts
You ain't ever gonna be hearing my cannon
Within the arena, hold on the man eating salmon
I'm street smart, equally sweet 'n mean
And imma calling out thots yes indeed
I'm wound up like a tornado full'a pain
Let me loose and I'll go wicked insane
Later I might take a lil' drive in the car
But now's the time to shake your booty
Do the Hunger Games boogie with me!
The buzzer went off at that moment, signifying that the interview was over. Numi let herself drop from the cable, made a double peace sign whilst headbanging and left the stage to immense applause.
Numi could only grin like a complete hooligan over how clear it was that she was easily one of, if not the most popular tributes going into the Games.
However, the fact her own amazing performance had made it all the harder for shy Herbie to make an impression had a frown swiftly etched onto her face.
She'd have to make it up to him by sharing her sponsors and grabbing a present from the cornucopia from him. Maybe a sword?
"And people say I'm selfish," Numi mused, giggling. "Imma be a saint boyos!"
Numi stood on the roof of the tribute building at dawn the following day. She and Bentley shared one final hug, the hovercraft ride to near certain doom looming moments away.
"…I'm scared…" Numi whispered, finally without a trace of smugness, teasing or goofiness in her voice. Just the tone of a teenager in peril. "…Bentley…"
Bentley laid his hands on Numi's shoulders. They shook horribly from his ongoing withdrawal, but he managed to look his number one fan in the eyes.
"You can do this," Bentley stammered, his mouth twitching somewhat as well. "Of all the tributes I've mentored since I started this gig… I've tried believing in them all, but you… Numi, you're the one that there is no doubt clawing in the back of my mind about. You're the one who can make it home."
Bentley gave Numi a brief hug, something she was quick to return.
"Run fast and rap hard. You can do this," Bentley whispered.
Numi was grabbed by Peacekeepers before she could say anything in response.
"Time's up," was all one of them said.
Numi was dragged away and forced aboard the hovercraft in ten seconds flat. Not enough time for even a quick one line rap. Not even enough time to give Bentley a meaningful smile.
There was never enough time.
The first thing Numi saw when her launch plate clicked into place was rust coloured canyons towering over her. Beyond them was a deep crimson sky filled with a gigantic cluster of red clouds. This and the strong gust of wind blowing through the canyon had Numi and several other tributes feeling particularly nervous.
The careers and the convicts were, of course, not amongst those feeling this way. If anything they all looked particularly excited for what was about to happen.
The last thing Numi saw in the final seconds of the countdown was a distant iron bridge built between the two sides of the massive canyon.
The gong rang and the Games began.
"Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit!" Numi yelled as she tried to make her way through the hoard of tributes running around and gather supplies of any worth. "Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!""
The first scream rang out barely fifteen seconds into the Games when Glamour swung an axe onto the chest of the small girl from Five. Numi tried to ignore the sight out the corner of her eye of the tiny body hitting the hard rocky ground, pausing to swipe up a bottle of water.
The second screech of agony didn't take long to arrive. Not when Eris easily caught the girl from Twelve and wedged a knife into her throat. The third wail came easily too – hardly a surprise when the criminal pack worked together to butcher the boy from Nine.
It was the fourth scream that really got Numi's attention, even if it was cut off after barely a moment. The sight of Herbie being skewered through the chest with a spear wielded by Komodo was something Numi knew would never leave her.
After more swearing, more panicking and much erratic movement Numi found herself in perhaps the worst spot an outlier could find themselves in – against the back wall of the cornucopia.
"Imma gonna die," Numi squeaked, glancing around in desperation for a hiding place.
The only such location was underneath a crate that had already been overturned earlier in the bloodbath. With no other choices aside running out back into the fray Numi hid herself under the crate, a spear clutched in her shaking hands.
She was forced to do something she'd always royally sucked ass at – stay silent.
Soon enough the last scream died away, a splatter filled the air… and all was eerily silent.
It wasn't long before the careers began to gather up their weapons and supplies, all of them cheering over the murders they'd just committed and comparing their killing techniques.
Numi tried not to scream when the four sets of footsteps drew very close to her hiding place. For now, at least, the careers weren't interested in the crate that had its meagre contents either pillaged or left scattered around.
"It was a fun work out and all, but honestly? We should have done better," Glamour said.
"I think we did alright. We had a messy job to do and we got it done quick and efficiently. Now the real Games begin," Komodo replied.
"She's right Komodo. Only six deaths and two of them were from the convict alliance. They're a real problem," Eris admitted. Numi heard the sound of Eris lifting up a large sword. "We should try and hunt them down before they get too far away. They'll be a problem if they get left alone."
"So, none of the others are worth worrying over? Seems… I dunno, short sighted?" Komodo said, uncertain.
"I mean, they're pathetic right?" Claw added, shrugging. "Well, the girl from Six has popularity on her side so there is that… but in a fight? She's nothing. None of them are except the convicts."
The careers soon agreed to head off and try to whittle down the rather large headcount before the other tributes could start getting far away. Komodo was left as a guard while the other careers headed off in the vague direction of the convict alliance, Eris leading them towards their goal.
Numi waited for a few minutes, during which time Komodo continued to sort the supplies meticulously and the cannons fired. Six were dead and eighteen remained to play the nation's cruellest game.
Numi waited no longer than an extra two minutes before making her escape. She carefully gathered up her supplies and lifted the crate over her head. She crept out of the cornucopia one step at a time and spotted Komodo with his back to her, comparing two swords side by side.
Numi chucked the crate at Komodo and legged it like a maniac in the opposite direction.
"Ack! What the shit?!" Komodo yelled, rubbing his head and getting back to his feet.
Komodo watched Numi fleeing in the direction of the distant iron bridge. Alas, his duties as a guard prevented him from chasing after her. What if other outliers were hiding around and were waiting to swoop in and steal a hoard of supplies?
He wasn't going to let that happen. He'd let the dim-witted rapper go this time.
Truthfully he had a vague feeling her own lack of common sense might get her killed without him even having to do anything.
Two days passed with a further two deaths, neither of which were Numi's. She'd been wandering towards the distant iron bridge, only to eventually realise just how far away it would be for somebody travelling on foot and how – a problem she should have realised earlier – there were zero visible foot paths leading to the upper areas of the arena. How was she supposed to reach it?
Numi had been spending the past two days moving from cave to cave around the canyons. Twice she had been seen by outliers and twice she'd managed to evade them. Neither the girl from Three nor the boy from Twelve would have been deadly fighters, but Numi didn't want to push her luck.
With only a spear, a few packs of dried beef and several bottles of water it was clear that Numi's survival was going to be a hard ongoing effort. The water ran out all too soon and only her ongoing popularity with the audience kept the parachutes of water bottles falling twice a day.
Numi knew it would not last forever. The only thing she could do was try to make the Games end as quickly as possible, before thirst and hunger could claim her soul.
"Urgh, come on brain. Think! How am I gonna do this? Imma need to end deze Games quick!" Numi panted and wheezed as the incline of the canyon path levelled out. "Think, think, think…"
Numi wandered on aimlessly, failing to hit upon a solid idea. She began to walk under a long wooden bridge as she kept thinking hard. Rails were secured onto the bridge.
"Chassis made the arena collapse and took out nine at once. An accident and this ain't an arena where that'd work. Lame! Bentley, my main mans, mah boi! He made that avalanche… no snow here, so rip that," Numi put a hand over her face, groaning. "And Porsche, she made trains wreck the careers' faces in one massive explosion. Oh, but lookie-lookie, no trains! What am I gonna do? Tributes from Six can only when there's a chance to cause massive carnage in one go…"
The sounds of screams and cheers, starting distant and rapidly closing in, made Numi pause. She gripped her spear hard in one hand and cupped her ear with the other.
"The heck?"
Numi suddenly looked up, spotting a minecart whizzing by with the pair from Seven riding within it. Two other carts swiftly sped right after them, one containing Glamour and the other being ridden by both Claw and Eris. The careers were swiftly gaining on the Sevens, laughing and jeering as they went.
They hadn't noticed Numi at all, leaving her free to observe as they closed in on the Sevens. The careers only laughed as they ignored the screams of the Sevens and worked to bash them right off of the tracks. One final smash from the Twos' cart did the trick and sent the sevens falling to their deaths down below.
The cannons fired one after another. The careers hollered, cheered and laughed as they sped onwards, oblivious to the prey behind them.
Numi could only watch in sheer awe of what she'd just seen. She then glanced down at the distant bodies of the Sevens before looking back at the increasingly far away careers with more awe.
"Eureka! That's it!" Numi exclaimed, squealing as she did a sort of happy dance. "Mine carts! Though, how to get the careers and convicts eliminated is the real question…"
Dealing with the reality that she'd have to commit murder was another question too, though not one she wanted to risk the audience hearing. Tributes that hesitated to kill and bludgeon others tended to rapidly fall out of favour. No favour meant to water. No water meant dying of thirst.
Worst of all, dying of thirst meant no rapping!
While Numi searched for an area full of minecarts to hide at and plan her gamble – whatever it ended up being – the careers and the criminal pack continued to hunt down the remaining outliers across the arena.
Over the next three days the separate alliance were responsible for a total of three more deaths. The careers easily killed the little boy from Five without mercy and then somehow managed to kill the girl from Eleven with even less mercy. The highlight, of course, came from what the criminal alliance did to the poor girl from Four.
Some things were just too sick even for the Capitol to air in full graphic detail. The trio of Patchwork, Oxford and Shovel didn't care though. Not when their thirst for sadism and cruelty could be quenched without punishment and a pardon awaited the last one standing. With their cruelty and lack of any discipline it was hard to say who was worse between them and the careers.
The increasingly small number of outliers continued to hide away and try their best to survive somehow. The girl from Three kept pilfering small amounts from the cornucopia any time Komodo left to patrol the surrounding area, the boy from Four travelled to the highest of high ground to try and avoid being snuck up on by anybody else, the girl from Ten stumbling around in a daze due to her bloodbath wounds that had only gotten more and more infected over time and Numi, well, Numi had a plan.
It had been days of hiking without a solid destination and plenty of freestyle – and somewhat goofily cringey – raps as her journey to find some kind of a station or trainyard for the minecarts continued. It had been hard enough to find a set of rails to follow, harder still to pick a direction to follow them down and then hardest of all to keep moving and not be slowed by fear, fatigue or how sheerly homesick she was.
"Dad, momma, Nuvi… Tamora… I miss ya'll…" Numi mumbled as she wandered through a tunnel. "I'll try to be home soon."
By the time it had been four days since she'd seen the careers kill the Sevens – and a day since the girl from Ten had died from her terrible wounds – Numi found what she was looking for.
An old train station, complete with a platform and an office building, beside a large set of tracks. Several minecarts were parked beside the platform – seven in all – and the tracks led to the distant iron bridge, dormant under the grand glow of the mighty sunset.
The tracks between where Numi was standing and the bridge she'd spotted since the countdown were nothing short of incredibly hazardous to navigate.
Numi started to smile. She went from smiling to grinning to giggling to laughing like a hooligan. She now knew there was a way she could win this thing.
It would just need a bit of luck.
The same luck that had blessed Chassis, Bentley and Porsche before her to leave the arena with their lives mostly intact.
"Yo!" Numi called to the sky. "Seneca Crane! My mans! My wicked bearded boi! This is ya'll first year as Head Gamemaker, right? Mind doing me a solid, bruv? I promise, the ratings will make it worth your while!"
And so, Numi explained her utterly insane idea while moving to start looking over the minecarts.
She never knew that Seneca had agreed to her idea and told his gamemaker staff to get on with it barely halfway through her pitch.
Two days went by. The two big alliances hunted for tributes, the girl from Three hid like a scared animal, the boy from Four was killed by vulture mutts and Numi made her way up and down the tracks between the station and the bridge. She needed to be sure she knew the terrain perfectly, lest she end up very dead.
It was sunset by the time the mayhem was ready to begin.
While the girl from Three hid away in a cave further down the canyons the two main alliances were gradually being led by small mutts and strong winds towards the train station where Numi was hiding out.
The criminal pack arrived first, Patchwork pointing her out to his allies. The trio of monsters raised their weapons in triumph, ready to get on with killing. Numi merely waved and made a rude hand gesture from her spot in frontmost minecart.
"Get her!" Patchwork yelled.
"Guys! Look!" a distant voice filled the air.
From the other side of the station, slightly further away than the criminals were on their side, was the entire career pack. Eris practically salivated over the sight of so many targets being so close to her.
Numi fist pumped and quickly set her minecart into motion down the rails.
"Catch me if you can lamers! I got lips like dynamite and a booty like pow!" Numi teased, slapping her butt for emphasis. "Nyeh!"
The criminals ran for the minecarts, each of them claiming a different one and speeding after Numi before the careers were halfway towards them. They were gone all too soon, laughing and shouting.
The careers, of course, were not far behind them and quickly make it to the carts as well. Each of them claimed a different minecart as well and wasted no time in quickly speeding after Numi as fast as their carts would allow for.
Of course, there were only three careers and four minecarts. Komodo was left panting in the dust, forced to watch his alliance rapidly leaving him behind. For a moment he looked pissed off… and then just shrugged, nonchalant.
"Fine, whatever. Not like I wanted to risk my life and get into a crash or something anyway," he said, turning on his heel to start the journey back towards the distant cornucopia.
Numi held up her arms, cheering wildly as the wind hit her face and left her pigtails flying behind her. It was like a roller coaster on crack and she loved it!
"Woohoo!" Numi cheered, her fear all gone and replaced by glee. "Yeah!"
"We're gonna butcher you here and now!" Oxford yelled as his cart closed in on Numi's own.
Numi dodged two cleavers and quickly leaned to the left. Her cart was swiftly on a different track than Oxford's own, though now Patchwork was not far behind her. One look behind showed her that Shovel was gaining on her too, as were the trio of careers.
"Get the girl and the criminals too!" Eris yelled pointing forth with her sword.
"With pleasure!" Claw said, trying to make his cart move even faster.
Despite her nerves due to all the powerful tributes around her and the reckless speed she was moving at, Numi didn't let her foes see her inner anxiety.
She merely laughed as the massive downward incline loomed near.
"Hey guys! You know what time it is?" Numi exclaimed. "Rap time!"
Numi let out her loudest cheer yet as her cart went down the steep slope, doubling in speed. The careers and criminals followed mere seconds later, shrieking and yelling as their own carts picked up a massive boost of speed.
Rails, rails, rockin' rockin' rails
Blaze down da rails, don't commit any fails
My driving is rich, dope phat in which
We'll go real fast and scratch the rest like an itch
Rock, rock, rock your way down the rails
Listen to the wind as it hollers and wails
Blaze, grind and enjoy the ride
Run and laugh, there's nowhere to hide!
The incline levelled out for a few moments only to go into an even steeper drop than before. The tracks began to space apart from each other, some becoming raised up on higher levels and others moving onto unstable ground.
Numi carefully leaned to the left and right at sudden moments, seemingly at random intervals. She moved tracks too quickly for the rest to match her pace. They were too busy with trying to maintain their speed and attack both Numi and the opposing alliance. Knives, small axes and a pair of spears were sent flying around, nothing managing to hit the intended target.
You gotta move, you gotta everything to stay alive
Bumps, turns and traps, will you manage to survive?
Did ya did ya check the tracks to the left?
Did ya did ya check the tracks to the right?
Be wild, be cool, be groovy and fancy
But watch the rails, don't get all chancy
Faster, faster, things are getting crazy
Don't forget how to break or you're existence will get hazy!
Numi's track hit a ramp and sent her minecart soaring into the air. She held up her arms, enjoying the air time as she cheered wildly. She landed perfectly on the rails and sped off towards the grand iron bridge, the six stronger tributes in hot pursuit. Their minecarts were beginning to wobble, rock and rattle as their speed reached dangerous levels.
From the moment Numi thundered onto the iron bridge her cart began to send off a shower of sparks on either side. She put on a pair of sunglasses and, with a grand laugh, leapt up to stand on the front of the minecart. Cool mode was here once again!
A Marrolto ain't a girl to mess with
Try to hurt me and you'll meet my wicked shiv
Get a bandage wrapped around your back
Even in dese carts I'll drop your ass
I'll be rappin' all night, rappin' all day
Rappin' so hard, rappin' til' ya pay
Nothing can stop me, not even a wraith
Better watch out, you better take a leap of faith!
Numi began to beatbox, basking under the golden glow of the glorious sunset. From behind her the careers and the criminals finally realised that something was very, very wrong.
The wheels of their carts were starting to become dislodged and, due to the extreme speed they were going at, there was no chance of them being able to jump off and not break at least a few bones in the process.
Numi finally dropped back into the main body of her minecart, taking a bow for the audience. She held on tight for what was to come.
After clearing the bridge and shooting around the next corner the careers and criminals were forced into a state of terror and screaming at the sight of what lay ahead of them. There were ramps, tracks that were arranged like a massive double helix and even a few massive boulders blocking the way on some of the rail lines.
Numi, having been through this area on foot only the previous day, knew exactly what the safe route through to the other side was. She carefully weaved her minecart between the rails and out of danger. She become airborne twice, easily landing on the races thanks to her cart being the only one with secured wheels.
It hadn't been hard for her to be sponsored a screwdriver to mess with the wheels of the other carts. Growing up in District Six gave her all of the mechanic knowledge she needed.
Oxford was smashed into a boulder, Shovel had his neck crushed when his cart flipped over and Glamour became derailed and ended up pulverised after she and her minecart fell down a gorge.
The other three were no better off. Numi had maintained enough speed face the final jump where the tracks ran out with confidence, but the Twos and Patchwork had out of control carts now sporting only two wheels.
The trio fell to their deaths as soon as the carts left the tracks while Numi made a flying leap out of her minecart. She just barely made it, left hanging one handed onto the far side of the gorge.
"Come on, come on," Numi whispered, trying to pull herself up and not think about the thousand meter drop below herself. "No, no, no! Almost… almost!"
After the most terrifying thirty seconds of her life Numi managed to haul herself up onto solid ground once again. She collapsed onto her back, breathless and dazed from the wild ride she'd just survived.
The cannons fired, six in all. Nine had fallen to three.
Numi tried not to let it show just how revolted she felt about what she had just done. Even if it could be argued as indirect she'd still killed six people. She went from a Marrolto to a 'Revolto' – revolting morality, that is!
"Just two more to go," Numi narrowed her eyes, forcing herself to stand up strong. "Don't worry fam, I'll be home soon."
With no possible way to head backwards Numi's only choice was to keep moving forward. She walked on and on and on.
She was completely silent for the rest of the day.
The girl from Three had been a survivor this year, but not enough of one to evade Komodo down at the base of the canyons. Certainly not enough of one to fight him when running away was no longer an option.
Komodo was given a cut up his left arm. She was given two swords thrown through her chest and a third one slashed at her neck up close and personal.
Komodo swiftly bandaged his wound and let off to find his final opponent. The only worry he had was that Numi's rapping might make him go deaf… but really, would such a thing be so bad? He thought it sounded awful.
Still, she'd taken out the criminals and the rest of his strong alliance in one fell swoop. He'd be lying if he claimed to not feel grateful for that.
He'd pay her back with a quick and painless death.
Numi wandered aimlessly along through the lower areas of the canyon. It had been a huge walk already and for all she knew it could still be miles before she found the boy from One.
A big part of her worried that mutts would be unleashed if the fight did not start soon. It had been a day since the previous cannon had fired and it was rare for the last battle of a Hunger Games to be delayed for long in most years.
The sonar of a sponsor rang out towards the end of the afternoon. Numi glanced up, hoping for water and maybe some food.
What she saw had her feeling even more eager.
A car tyre! To most a wholly useless sponsor gift, but to Numi it was her final trump card she needed to make it back home with all of her limbs still attached. It was also a signal that her final opponent was surely getting very close to her.
"Thanks Bentley," Numi said as the sponsor gift landed beside her. She kicked the tire up and into position. "You're the greatest mentor ever. The greatest victor there ever was!"
Numi sincerely smiled to the nearest camera.
"I believe you can forgive yourself. I believe you're a good person," Numi narrowed her eyes, glancing off to the side. "Now, excuse me my main mans. I believe I have a Hunger Games to win!"
Numi spotted Komodo only a moment before he spotted her. The dashing career was armed with ten swords and several knives against Numi's single spear. It seemed like it would be a fairly easy victory for District One.
That is, until Numi leapt onto the tire and began to run upon it. True to her words she'd told the trainer over a week ago she was thrice as fast as a career when upon a tire. Three swords were sent her way and came nowhere near her.
"Get back here!" Komodo yelled as he tried, and failed, to keep up with Numi.
The career could only try helplessly to lob weapons at Numi while the rapper continued to speed around on the tire, bouncing off of rocks and leaping off of slopes. She was practically a blur of sheer movement and madness, one Komodo was little prepared to deal with.
Then the rapping began.
Hopped on the tyre and was ready to go-go
Wind in my hair, loving it fo' sho'
Met a career, 'twas loco Komodo
He liked throwing swords so I told him no-no
You better move quick cuz' you're in my dojo
You look a bit thirsty, want some hot cocoa?
Komodo yelled in frustration, switching to try and throw a few knives towards Numi or, failing that, towards the tire in hopes of busting it. Alas, Numi was too quick of a target to hit with his normal level of accuracy.
Indeed, she was so fast that she had been able to quickly divert her direction and slam right into him. Komodo felt to the ground, alive but with a bruised ego. He rose quickly, pulling at his hair and bearing his snarling teeth.
Running fast and almost outta time
I'd say my brain is kinda fried
All the other tributes have literally died
The finale's rockin', there ain't a place to hide
Get ready Komodo, the pain will be extensive
I'll wreck your watch, I bet it was totes expensive
Your muscles are awesome but your rap skill is empty
You're a bit of a walking L, ya get me?
Komodo wasted no time throwing a flurry of knives and swords towards Numi, shouting his fury. "Shut the hell up! Okay, screw a painless death, you're getting it real good now!"
Komodo clutched his last sword tightly, waiting for Numi to make her move towards him. Sure enough she seemed to be preparing to make one final charge right towards him from a distance away.
Numi began to rocket her way towards him.
I'm one half of twins, my name is Numi
Ask people 'bout me and they'll say I'm loony
I'm ready to rumble, ready to rumble
Gonna gonna, gonna gonna, gonna rap without a grumble
I'm gonna attack, I take no flak, always rhyming to da rhythm of the track
Gimme some aspiration, I'll give you a wicked sensation
Sorry to say it, but you're going down
Only one can win and Imma be wearin' dat crown!
Numi sped to a small rock on the ground and hit it at full speed. She and the tyre were sent flying through the air and right towards Komodo at full speed.
Komodo was ready to time his final attack just right and slice the rapper in half… or he would have been if the tyre hadn't hit him right in the face. He was sent staggering and this was all Numi needed to win.
She landed roughly, but it didn't matter anymore. Not when her spear had been impaled right through Komodo's chest, exactly the same as what he had done to Herbie back in the opening moments of the Games.
"Buy my mixtape!" Numi managed to slur out before she slumped onto the ground in a complete daze of physical and mental exhaustion.
The cannon fired, the trumpets rang out and the hovercraft descended to collect the nation's newest victor. Capitol citizens instantly began to demand access to the mix tape Numi had mentioned.
Bentley, meanwhile, wept in sheer relief.
Bentley and Numi stood below the stage in the days after the Games were over, soon to be taken above to the roaring crowd and the final interview with Caesar Flickerman. Bentley had given into the temptation of morphling a few times throughout the Games, but he'd managed to keep himself clean for the interview.
It was, all things considered, odd seeing him in a fancy dark green suit and Numi in a cute black cocktail dress. Neither liked the outfits much, but what could be done?
"Hey, uh…" Numi trailed off for a moment.
"What is it?" Bentley asked.
"Well, first of all… my main mans, thanks for saving me. I could never have made it out alive with you," Numi said, her eyes shimmering from tears of joy. "I owe you my life Bentley."
"All part of being a mentor, a rapper and a friend," Bentley replied modestly. "Honestly, I should be thanking you Numi."
"For reals? Why would you thank me?" Numi asked, curious.
"Well… though it's going to be a while before I can claim to be 'better' or really feel alright with myself…" Bentley paused for a moment. "Numi, you've given me a sense of purpose. You've reminded me there's more to me than being a man who caused that awful avalanche… you've made me believe it's possible to forgive myself one day, maybe one day soon. I guess what I'm saying is, well…"
Bentley wordlessly gave Numi a hug. Numi didn't hesitate to hug her dear mentor in return.
"Thank you," Bentley managed to choke out.
"Anything for the legendary DJ-CONCORD-Z… better known as Bentley, the best mentor there ever was," Numi parted from the hug, practically beaming. "You know, I used to say I was your number one fan… but I don't think that's true anymore. I think I'm something even better.
"And, what might that be?" Bentley asked.
"Your number one friend, boi!" Numi exclaimed as the platforms beneath them began to raise them to the stage above. Numi put on her sunglasses. "So, I have the rest of my life to feel awful over those terrible kills, the loss of my friend and every other shitty memory. Until the interview is over… wanna join me in rapping, T-posing and dropping sleek phat beats?"
Bentley had already put on a pair of his own sunglasses. "Numi… I'd love nothing more. Let's do this, buddy of mine! But we're gonna need to give you a rapper name if you're gonna make it big like I have."
"Hmmmmm," Numi pondered this as the platforms were almost at the stage and the screaming crowd. "Got anything in mind?"
"I have the perfect name," Bentley said, smiling sincerely for the first time in ages. "Numilicious Beatz."
Numi had stars in her eyes. "That… is… AWESOME!"
The pair cheered in equal delight as they were raised in front of the cheering hoard. The future was surely not to be easy, but on this particular night in this particular moment?
Things were alright, and that in itself was a victory.
Katniss and Peeta soon moved on past Numi's imprinted face and kept on the move. The Golden Goose was barely ten meters away now, soft sounds of chatter coming from inside.
They looked down at the face of the final victor who preceded themselves. The firm, somewhat edgy looking face of a boy gazed back at them. He looked as though he practically oozed power. His hair was particularly short and everything about him seemed ordered and perfectly in place.
"That'd be Magnus," Peeta noted. "You ever wonder how he might feel about us, well, stealing his thunder as a victor?"
"No. Why?" Katniss asked.
"Well, people would've forgot about him. It'd mean nobody would have paid him much attention compared to other victors," Peeta pondered this for a moment. "He was a career so I'd have once assumed he'd be angry… nowadays, though? Part of me wonders if he'd be grateful."
Fun, huh? Well, I certainly had fun writing it at the very least. I'll own the fact I have little idea how to write rap songs, but given the fact Numi is not exactly that good at it I feel like it sort of fits, kind of? In any case, Parappa style raps or not, I feel like Numi makes a fun final addition to the D6 victor roster. Her friendship with Bentley was my favourite aspect personally, though Tamora's appearance was another addition I enjoyed. Hope you guys liked the crazy minecart chase and the tire riding finale. As with all D6 victors, Numi had to win in crazy awesome fashion. What do you think overall? Delightfully goofy? She rappin' awful? Let me know! In any case, only one victor on the Walk of Victors remains to have their tale told. Stay tuned!
Stats
District 1: Peridot Gaudy (8th Games), Crystal McCree (14th Games), Bronze Marley (19th Games), Crown Martins (24th Games), Dollar Dettwieller (32nd Games), Mascara Court (41st Games), Platinum Twist (44th Games), Gloss Lord (63rd Games), Cashmere Lord (64th Games), Augustus Braun (67th Games)
District 2: Baron Overwhill (4th Games), Runa Peace (7th Games), Olga Machete (10th Games), Rook Valiant (17th Games), Boulder Atherston (20th Games), Vercingetorix Carnby (25th Games), Dragon Batofel (27th Games), Rhyder Overwhill (39th Games), Mercy Gregor (46th Games), Brutus Gunn (49th Games), Lyme Rabe (51st Games), Enobaria Golding (62nd Games)
District 3: Honorius Perthshire (5th Games), Pi Orbit (22nd Games), Beetee Latier (37th Games), Wiress Plummer (47th Games), Yohan Fairbane (58th Games)
District 4: Museida Selkirk (3rd Games), Mags Flanagan (11th Games), Tide Luther (23rd Games), Librae Ogilvy (35th Games), Anchor Paddock (52nd Games), Finnick Odair (65th Games), Ron Stafford (68th Games), Annie Cresta (70th Games)
District 5: Shunt Gaspar (12th Games), Isobel Sparks (18th Games), Crimson Flanders (29th Games), Porter Tripp (38th Games), Neon Erg (48th Games), Wattzon Holmes (55th Games), Arendellian Spinner III (57th Games)
District 6: Chassis Macalister (31st Games), Bentley Corduroy (54th Games), Porsche London (56th Games), Numi Marrolto (72nd Games)
District 7: Pliny Aransio (2nd Games), Fir Buzz (9th Games), Jack Tylos (21st Games), Snag Nakamura (34th Games), Blight Jordan (53rd Games), Logger Barlow (61st Games), Johanna Mason (71st Games)
District 8: Woof Casino (16th Games), Paige Murphy (30th Games), Spool Nylon (42nd Games), Cecelia Mog (60th Games)
District 9: Mizar Aldjoy (1st Games), Gwenith Rosebud (13th Games), Teff Withers (28th Games), Laurel Flamsteel (36th Games), Tabbock Summers (43rd Games), Trevy Vex (Escaped 55th Games)
District 10: Stallion March (26th Games), Lammy Phyronix (40th Games), Pasture Gallows (59th Games), Skinner Alecto (69th Games)
District 11: Bear Redfoot (15th Games), Seeder Howell (33rd Games), Chaff Mitchell (45th Games), Spud Munroe (66th Games)
District 12: Duke Saint-Rose (6th Games), Haymitch Abernathy (50th Games)