-Part Two – Train Ride-

Lovino stood quietly at the train station. The announcer was explaining something to him but he was just waiting for the train to show up. They were the only ones there. Lovino though there was going to be reporters intent on catching every part of the pre-game preparing. He would be traveling alone, since District 12 had never won any games in the past few decades, there was no mentor for Lovino.

"You are listening to me, right?" The announcer asked, running her fingers through her glimmering, blue hair.

"No. Why the hell would I care about what you're saying?" Lovino replied, glaring at her.

"Well, it seems we have a tribute with an attitude!"

"Shut up."

"Anyway, the train carrying the tributes had to make an emergency stop really close to here. We do have another train arriving shortly, but all the tributes will be riding together when we go back to the Capital. Sounds like fun, doesn't it?"

"…I hate you." He whispered, folding his arms and not breaking his glare. He wouldn't show her that he was terrified by the thought of meeting the people who wanted to kill him.

"You really shouldn't say such things, it's rude." She said cheerfully.

Lovino finally looked away; she was reminding him of Feliciano.

A few more people filed into the train station. He didn't recognize them, but they looked like the tributes. Each of them ignored each other, all of them putting a few feet of distance between them and the other tributes.

"The new train will be here shortly, all of you will be traveling together."

The tributes stood there for a few minutes awkwardly, sometimes glancing at each other. Until, finally, the replacement train pulled in. It pushed a small wave of air at the tributes as they walked towards it.

Once everyone had boarded, they ended up sitting in a small room together, the announcer walked in.

"We will arrive at the capital in an hour, at the most. I'll be in the other room with the mentors. Enjoy your ride!"

Once she left the room, one of the tributes, Alfred, announced, "I hate her. I hope she can't hear me, but she is just so annoying!"

"I'm glad you're sharing your feelings." Someone else, Ivan, said while looking out the window.

"I'm from District 3. I had to sit and listen to her that whole time."

"How do you think I feel? I'm from District 1." Ludwig muttered as the train began to move.

Gilbert sighed. "Since we're going to kill each other, we may as well introduce ourselves. District 1, go first."

"I'm Ludwig." He said, watching the blurred scenery outside the window.

"Okay, I am Gilbert Beilschmidt. From the awesome District 2 obviously."

"I'm Alfred F. Jones, the hero. District 3."

"Denmark. My real name is Nikolaj Oxenstierna. I'm from the fish District."

"How did you get the name Denmark?" Antonio asked, ignoring his turn.

"It used to be a country, a really long time ago. A country is like a district, but usually a lot bigger. Some were bigger than all of our districts put together. Anyway, I was really interested in the countries when I was younger. Denmark was a really awesome country. So, people started calling Denmark."

"Countries sound interesting…I never heard about them in school. And I guess I'll never learn about them." Antonio replied, sighing. "Anyway, I'm Antonio Carriedo. District 5."

"I'm Arthur from District 6. I'm not the original tribute; I volunteered for my younger brother."

"That's nice…I'm Matthew Williams. From District 7." He said quietly.

"I'm Francis Bonnefoy, from the lovely District 8."

"I am Wang Yao, from District 9. Call me Yao though…"

"I am Kiku Honda, District 10."

"I'm Ivan Braginsky. From District 11, of course." He said, sighing.

"I'm Lovino Vargas. Guess which District I'm from." He announced, and then sighed. "Why are we even talking to each other? I'm just going to end up killed by one of you."

After a few moments of silence, Matthew whispered, "…what if we didn't kill each other?"

The tributes that could hear him looked over in surprise. "It's the Hunger Games," Ivan said quietly. "Only one tribute can win."

"But what if we didn't listen to the capital? I don't think they would be able to just come in there and kill us because we didn't kill each tribute we saw." Matthew replied, still keeping his voice quiet.

"Panem won't like that." Ludwig muttered.

"Well…they wouldn't be able to do anything about it." Matthew said.

Ludwig laughed quietly. "Exactly. My District creates luxury items. It's our job to make sure Panem is happy. Some change would be nice."

"What are you whispering about?" Alfred asked, watching them with a confused look.

Matthew glanced at Alfred then turned back to Ludwig. "I think we should try my plan. I mean…If everyone agrees with it…then…no one will die. And it will insult the Capital."

"It's worth trying. Go tell everyone else. The Capital probably has cameras in here so try not to be too loud or suspicious."

Matthew nodded and stood up. He paused for a moment, regaining his balance on the moving train, and then walked over to Alfred.

Within the next 20 minutes, all of the tributes were informed about Matthews plan.

"I think it's good." Antonio said, smiling towards Matthew.

"Yes, very good." Arthur said, grinning. The cameras, if Ludwig was correct, weren't able to hear about their plan. The Capital was most likely confused by them walking around and talking to each other though. If they were watching.

After 30 more minutes of waiting, the tributes watched as the train slowed down to a stop. In the main train station of the Capital.

The announcer walked in.

"Hello! I hope you had a fantastic train ride! Now it's time to leave for your time in the amazing Capital."

She gestured for everyone to leave the room and exit the train. When everyone had passed by her, she closed the door and followed them.

When they exited the train, they were greeted by a crowd of people. Most of the tributes had already been confronted by several reporters at their train station. But this was the majority of Panem.

In the flashing lights of the cameras, Alfred leaned over to whisper to Matthew. "I don't know how well your plan will work. Someone is going to be a traitor."

Matthew whispered back, "Then we'll kill them. There have been alliances before. This one is just bigger."

"You seemed like a quiet and peaceful person everywhere else. I guess everything is different in the arena." Alfred replied quietly and then turned back to the crowd, smiling.

As soon as they were able to escape the media, the tributes were taken to their stylists.

"So," Ivan's stylist began, examining him. "The other stylists and I were thinking of doing something new this year. I mean, for 65 years it's been the same things from each district. Your district usually varied between different fruits and vegetables."

The stylist sighed. "There's not much I could think of for District 11, but this is my most creative idea. You're going to be a sunflower. I realize it is one of the less popular things grown in your District but…it's different."

Ivan smiled. The first time since he had been chosen for the Games. "My family actually owned a bit of the few sunflower fields. And…it's my favorite thing about my district."

"I'm glad you like my decision. I'll begin designing it. It's been a long day for you. I'll have someone show you your room. Just be sure to get up early, okay?"

"Yes."