"Here we are,

don't turn away now,

We are the Warriors that built this town,

from dust"

-Warriors by Imagine Dragons (one of the many influences for this story)

I am super proud of this chapter. For ages when it drew closer, I had no clue how I was going to write it so I went with our good old Gamemaker, Cadmus Agne. My pride also comes from the carefully designed outfits. I must have saved about thirty reference photo's and researched multiple sites (and a book) to find out what each District theme would be. I hope you like them and enjoy this chapter.

We will be seeing Cadmus and Amaryllis from chapter two and we also meet Ryken Veux, the new master of ceremonies who we will be meeting more in the future. These three are both featured on the Important People section on the blog at chosenw35thhgDOTWeeblyDOTcom

I have some questions that, as always, are worth points. Thank you to everyone who has answered the questions, sent in pairs or just reviewed. I am thankful for everything and I love seeing your thoughts on my chapters!

-What do you think of my representation of Snow? (1 point)

-What do you think to Cadmus, Amaryllis and Ryken? (3 points)

-What did you think of the chapter (and if a returning reader, how does it compare to my other two chariot chapters)? (2 points)

-Thoughts on the costumes? (2 points)

-Favorite Costume? (1 point)

-What would your character(s) think about their outfit? (3 points)

-What do you think the theme is? (1 point)

Enjoy, I am excited to see what you think!

Cadmus Agne, Head Gamemaker

Cadmus Agne could not shake the feeling that his idea had only been passed due to the lack of a president to overrule them. His Arena was grand, like nothing that had even been tried before, fit for twenty-four trained killers. However, the dark haired man was worried he would not be around to see it in action. Well, he knew they would have to accept his Arena, it had already been built but that did not mean he would make it past the Parade.

His idea did not transition too well into parade outfit's, something usually modeled around the District the tributes came from. However, as the Warriors were so disconnected to their homes, Cadmus had different things to model them after. Things that would make or break them in the arena. However, if the stylists reactions to his theme for each District were anything to go by, he was not going to be a fan favorite with the public or the new president seated close by. He just hoped they allowed him to show the method behind his madness before they threw him in the loony bin.

The deep, manly voice of Ryken Veux, the new master of ceremonies, cut through the tense but excited air of Tribute Walk. Females and men alike swooned at the image of his handsome face that appeared on the screen above where the officials stood. The Gamemaker followed their gaze, envying Ryken's job. To Cadmus, the dark haired presenter had it easy, wow the crowd with his smooth voice and looks and he was safe from criticism. Cadmus, on the other hand, could be killed for presenting the wrong theme at the chariots, a theme that meant so much to him.

Cadmus could not help but loosen the tie around his neck as he watched the newly elected president, Coriolanus Snow, shown to his seat, offering his attempt at a warm smile. His sister Amaryllis Snow, took the seat next to Cadmus, the Game Maker's old flame blushing when her eyes met his.

"Cadmus Agne?" Snow asked, straightening out his suit as he seemingly sized the man up. Cadmus scrambled to his feet, clearing his throat as he gave a nod. "Wonderful, I dearly hope we can work together through the years, developing a bond a president and his Gamemaker should have, Mr. Agne," Snow said sternly, like Cadmus did not have a choice in the matter. Please me or die, Would have better the translation of his words.

Cadmus took the man's right hand in his left, shaking it tightly. "So do I, sir...I wish you luck tonight-"

"My dear boy, luck will have nothing to do with it, I mean, you could wish me the skill but I clearly already have that." the man gave a snake like grin before turning away and taking his seat. Cadmus, slightly bewildered, sat down, trying to take in the man's words. He must have looked worried as Amaryllis placed her hands on his, a warm, encouraging smile playing on her lips. So much more appealing than her brother's slimy one.

The increasing sounds of trumpets started to drone out Ryken's voice, or maybe that was the chanting of the excited crowd. The excitement of seeing the children they had watched grow over ten years, for some, even grown up with. Watching them paraded down Tribute Walk, lapping up the attention from their adoring fans. Cadmus did not see the appeal but he did not care, as long as it went well and got him in the president's good books. Even more so when it came to impressing Amaryllis, the girl he craved. Craved? No, that sounded strange, more like desired. Yes, desired.

"Let's hear it for your Warriors!" Ryken cheered, the crowd screaming in delight as the golden doors to the launch area where pulled open by stone looking Avoxs. With a bone shattering bang, the doors were dropped and locked in place, silence flooding over the crowd aside from a few hushed whispers regarding the lack of action. Even Amaryllis turned to Cadmus with a worried look but the man just gave a silent smile in return.

Suddenly, the sound of thirty, goat skin drums shattered the silence, a simple, single strike, allowed to echo, quickly followed by four, fast beats. Amaryllis gave a little yelp, squeezing Cadmus' hand when the thirty drummers bellowed, what can only be described as a war cry.

They repeated this musical intro three more times until Tribute Walk faded into a dark silence. However, seconds later each drum sounded one after the other, Tribute Walk lighting up with each strike of a drum until the silver lights around the doors burst to life.

The crowd cheered and Cadmus gave a sigh of relief as the Panem anthem rang through the night, the first chariot bursting out of the darkness and into the light of Tribute Walk. Each horse and chariot were painted to look like stone, like they had been turned by Medusa herself. However, what they carried was what Cadmus wanted people to focus on. His ideas brought to life right in front of him.

The District One's performed as expected, waving with large, toothy smiles on their faces. However, Maurice seemed far more unsure about his chariot costume than Sunbeam. Maurice was dressed in a white, feather suit with two large wings attached to his back. Sunbeam, however, was dressed in a white feather ball gown, elbow length gloves and crown. Like her District partner, she also shared the large, white wings seemingly growing out of her back. The two both sported ice blue contacts, snow white skin, orange lips and dark, black feathers around their eyes. The looked beautiful.

Second was Two who for once did not look menacing but rather cute. While Nero smiled and waved at the crowd around him, Evelyn cheered and fist bumped the air like a true warrior. The two were dressed in brown, fur chitons that were so ripped at the bottom, they looked like a dog had torn them apart. On Top of their head was a fur hood, topped off with two small ears and a flowing black, silk cape. Compared to District one, their makeup was simple with a smoky eye look.

Next out of the gate was District Three and their, unusual costume. Both Marzio and Annabella looked uncomfortable, each cat call making them shrink into themselves, no matter how hard they tried. It was understandable from both parties. The pair were naked, only covered in grey body paint, and they had covered every inch. On their hands and feet were hooves and on their head was a bronze, donkey mask. The mask even came with a mane matching each tributes natural hair colour to make up for what was hidden under a bald cap. Overall, Cadmus felt sorry for the pair. They looked like jackasses and their stylists clearly missed the point of their theme.

Four were more up to scratch with a flexing Romilda making the girls swoon and Shelly drumming up as much support as she could. Oh, their costumes were pretty amazing too. Romilda was dressed in a scale covered suit that was dotted with shells and sea urchins. On Top of his head was a crowd designed to look like a dorsal fin that illuminated his face. Shelly looked stunning in her outfit. Like Romilda, she sported a dorsal fin crown but this one stood an inch above her head, sharp as a knife. However, the light inside moved like water, giving the crown and deep sea feel. She was suited in a blue scale jumpsuit with blue coral looking shoulder pads. Both Romilda and Shelly shared the same blue scaled face.

District Five were the first District that confused the crowd, the first one that made them realise this was not your average theme. Damon and Nathalie were dressed as black sheep, both dressed in wooly, black dresses that teacuped at the bottom. Their body was painted to look like black wool, their hair replaced with a black, curly wig. On Top of that were two, large, curled horns. Like District Three, the pair were subjected to hooves on their hands and feet but they were split down the middle. To add to it, the two both had contacts that made their eyes resemble that of a sheep. Nathalie tried to smile and wave but had trouble hiding her distaste for the costume. Damon on the other hand just looked happy to be there and gathered the most cheers out of the two.

District Six once again paraded feathers. Both were in jumpsuits that, like District One, were covered in white feathers. However, attached to their arms were wings, large, real feathered wings that the pair spread out to their full size, which was hard with Veyron's height. The tips of the wings were black and although they had white skin and orange lips, they traded out District One's feather makeup for simple black eyeliner. Veyron seemed shy but waved and caught a rose that was tossed towards him. Loretta was far more cheerful, bouncing around the chariot like she was truly going to take flight, getting the crowd to cheer her name.

Seven looked like something out of an era gone by with their clockwork dress and suit. Brown wings bursting out of their back. Their dark hair replaced with owl feathers with a feathered crown upon their head. Their eyelids were blacked out but under their eyes was white, making them appear larger. Around, much like District One, were small owl feathers framing their eyes. Balina was very modest with her approach, smiling a sweet smile and waving elegantly. Grover, on the other hand, balanced on the front of the chariot, encouraging the crowd to chant his name.

Next was District Eight, their costume raising a few eyebrows from the audience. However, Cadmus loved it. Both Ares and Coutille were dressed in what can only be described as torn, grey robe. Like something out of a halloween store that is built to look like it has been buried underground. However, it covered their whole body, their face being the only exposed skin. Their faces were framed by grey crystals, made to look like rain and above their heads was a large, grey cloud that flickered to the sound of the music. The crowd jumping at the crackling thunder that seemingly surrounded the chariot. Their faces were plain aside from a cloud of blue and purple that snaked across their face, bringing attention to the lightning fork that flickered. Ares looked like a child in a candy store. Leaping around the chariot and catching an abundance of roses, even some who were thrown to Coutille. However, the girl did not seem to mind, offering a friendly smile towards the boy, the only time she would smile.

Nine brought along some cat calls that seemed to make the tributes uneasy. They were deers, that much was obvious but it was what they were wearing. Although both shared the deer face paint, like they had attended a party, their clothing was far different. Janae wore fur boots that ended in hooves on her feet, the only other main clothing item on her body was a brown, fur unitard that showed off her hourglass shape. The unitard was slit down the middle, held together by rope, showing off her stomach and the side of her breasts. The girl also sported fur sholder pads. Tore on the other hand looked like something from a strip club in the bad part of town. Like Janae, he had fur, hooved boots that reached up to his thighs. However, unlike his female District Partner, he got the privilege of wearing fur pants. Sadly, what he made up for on the bottom he lost on the top, shirtless with brown, fur shoulder pads and towering golden antlers on top of his head. The two tried to smile and wave but they both seemed embarrassed and done with the night.

District Ten lit up the room with Belinda and Pallas dressed as peacocks. Both wore unitards covered in peacock feathers, something that looked stunning on Belinda and rather off putting on a muscular Pallas. Coming out of the back was two metre long feathers that sparkled in the spot lights making the pair stand out. Both also sported feathers crowns, feather pattern on their face and multicoloured jewels that snaked around the body, shimmering against their skin. Belinda looked happy than ever as she blew kisses to the crowd and catched roses they threw towards her. However, her bounty compared to Pallas looked small, the boy receiving dozens of roses, most attached with phone numbers.

District Eleven was sadly the fire without the spark. Their shimmering suits trying hard to resemble fire but failing. Clarissa was dressed in a red, flame shaped bra and and a small piece of fabric that hung down around her waist, showing off her hips and legs but covering her more private parts. Around her neck was a gold collar attached two orange silk wings that also attached around her wrists. Vulcan was dressed in a far more simple fashion with a flame designed vest top and shorts, his body painted to look like flames. The only thing even remotely fire-like about the pair was their eye makeup that looked so realistic their faces could have truly been on fire. Overall, average for a stylist's first year but still utterly boring. Nowhere was this more evident that on Clarissa and Vulcan's face. Waving but no problem showing how bored they were.

District Twelve was the final one and the most confusing. Wolves was the theme Cadmus had given their stylist's yet he was shocked when they came out in leather armour, a grey, fur cape and a large wolf skull on their heads. Only the difference in body shape alerted the crowd to who was what tribute. Few people cheered, finding the look more confusing than the naked coal miners from the year before. However, Berik took the embarrassing situation into his own hands and roared his name, gesturing for the crowd to chant it with him. Venus later joined in, chanting her own name towards the crowd, thankfully for Cadmus, gathering the excitement back up.

As the tributes started to circle that Capitol seal that was engraved into the ground at the end of the walk, Snow turned to Cadmus. The older male gave a nod of reassurance, allowing The Gamemaker to relax. He did not need words to know he had impressed this president, the small gesture was all he needed to know he was in the clear with his outfit themes.

Cadmus was also pleased that his second in command, Maximus, had not messed up any of the parade. He had to admit, he was unsure about allowing Maximus to take control with nothing more than a set of strict instructions. However, Snow had requested his presence and in Panem, you do as the President asks.

As Snow rose to his feet, his fiddled with a white rose on his breast pocket before going towards the tributes. He looked down at the Warriors, his eyes scanning each one and taking in their appearance. He wanted to know each and everyone deeply beyond the reality show, he wanted to make sure his first victor would comply to his rules. "Warriors, as your new president it is my honour to thank you for the years of entertainment and the sacrifice that your families made. Such bravery has not gone unrewarded as for ten years, we have raised you as our own children. Now, on the last leg of your journey, it is your turn to carry the mantel of sacrifice your families once held. As you enter the Arena, you will also hold the torch of bravery, lighting up your path to victory. For you are children, no more. But neither are you adults, you are warriors, defenders of Panem. For one of you will walk through the darkness, forming a golden crown from the burning rocks of the underworld to place upon your head in victory. I trust that whoever among you this victor may be, will be welcomed by all as they represent everything that Panem stands for. Bravery, sacrifice, mercy, strength and most of all, hard earned victory. So, darest Warriors of Panem, we wish you, happy Hunger Games and may the odds be ever in your favour."

After he said this, the crowd screamed to life, cheering him on, and chanting his name. Before he left his stand, his eyes made contact with a scowling Clarissa who promptly stuck her tongue out in defiance as the horses started to pull her chariot away. Snow simply smiled, turning away from the audience and vanishing tributes and towards his adoring officials.

"If all guests will kindly make their way to the dining area, Dinner will be served shortly," a smartly dressed man said, holding his head high as he gestured towards the exit. A flood of already tipsy officials stumbled past him, loudly chattering about their favorite tributes, costumes and what food they planned to devour. Snow held back, holding a white napkin to his mouth. As he pulled it away, Cadmus could not help but notice the deep, crimson marks that soaked into the fabric.

"I was weary at first but I really enjoyed it," a voice chirped, pulling Cadmus to his feet. As he looked up, his blue eyes were met with those of Amaryllis'. Cadmus gave a slight blush, glancing back towards the girl's brother who had already vanished.

"I am glad, I admit, I had my concerns too-" he trailed off at the end as Amaryllis held out her hand towards him. Cadmus raised and eyebrow, causing the girl to give a defeated sigh.

"I want to dance with you-"

"But your brother-"

"He won't do anything, every official in that place will want to dance with the president's sister, it's only fair I get to choose one myself," she said with a large grin, forcefully grabbing Cadmus' hand and dragging him towards the dining room. Before he was pulled away from the balcony, Cadmus took one last look out into the night. The guilt of making the Arena twenty-three of those children would die in starting to plague his thoughts at the most silent of times. And every time these thoughts almost drove him to insanity, he would look over the designs for the arena, understanding he could not help them more than he had.

"I am sorry," he whispered as he turned away from the calm night and towards the dinner party. Thinking apologies the Warriors would never hear.