I know, it took forever. I'm not the type who updates very frequently, since I'm writing about 17 fanfictions currently. I also learned that the first quarter quell twist was actually the districts choosing the tributes, so I guess this story is a bit AU. Thanks to Music Rules the World for submitting this tribute!

Ashton Noir: District 12, age 15

I loved to run. I loved seeing the world fade into a blur, feeling the wind sweep through my black hair, tasting the frigid morning air as I cut through it.

I could beat anyone in a race, even at what I saw as a slow jog. I could even beat gravity, and could run on the water before I sank through its surface. I could run at the speed of light.

But nobody could know.

Being a mutant meant being an outcast. Peacekeepers saw outcasts as suspicious. Suspicious people were usually rebels.

Rebels were killed.

I saw this logic as twisted. The Capitol was probably paranoid. Afraid.

They should be.

Mutants were dangerous according to the Capitol, so they labeled it as taboo. That's why my parents advised me to tell no one. I listened. I never even told my sister when she was born. It was probably a good idea. Brooke could not keep any secret.

I steered my thoughts away from depressing-land as I steered myself away from the electric fence I was running along. I preferred to remain positive, despite my depressing circumstances.

I dug my heels into the ground, slowing to a sprint. I was approaching the Seam, and couldn't be spotted going at such great speeds.

"Hey, Ash!" A voice that I flew past caused me to skid to a halt. I turned to see Blaze, my best friend, hobbling towards me.

Blaze's legs were permanently damaged after a mine tunnel caved in below her. Since then the only type of walking she could do was with a cane or much assistance, and even then she couldn't go very fast.

I jogged towards her before planting myself in a cloud of dust, grinning. "Happy reaping day!"

"It's not really that happy," she argued. "Twenty-four kids are going to their death today."

"Actually, twenty-three. One is going to a brand-new life of luxury!"

Blaze rolled her eyes, but I could see the hidden smile. I felt a blush creeping to my cheeks as I tried not to lose myself in her bright green irises.

For about a year, I had been steadily developing a crush on the redhead. I continually told myself I would ask her out, before chickening and resolving to do it the next day.

Today, I vowed. Today I'm going to do it.

Blaze was talking again, but I was in my own world, imagining the dream date I had planned in my mind many times over.

What better time to do it than now?

For once, I didn't ignore the little voice in my mind. For once it was giving me good advice instead of calling me a freak.

I carefully chose the words I would say.

As a celebration for not getting picked, 'cause we obviously won't, how about we go out for lunch after this? My treat. I thought the phrase over and over until I was sure I had it perfect.

"Blaze?" As soon as my friend faced me, my mouth went dry. I had no idea what it was I was going to say.

I would have to wing it.

"What is it, Ashton?" Blaze peered at me curiously.

"I-I was wondering... That is, I'd like to... Er, when we're finished, you know, after the reaping, maybe we could..." Jeez. Why was it so hard? Where was the confident, cheerful Ashton?

"...Could what?" she prompted.

"Could... could... Could go out for food or something?" I forced the last words out, dreading the worst. I could see the decline hovering on her lips. Why did I decide to do this?

"Sure! Sounds good."

Blaze's reply shocked me before relief set in. I somehow managed to stay calm and casually state, "Cool."

"I guess we should head over now."

"Where?" It wasn't lunchtime yet, was it?

"To the reaping... Ashton, did you forget already?"

"Oh! Of course not!" I mentally facepalmed. Why was I such an idiot around my crush? "Yeah, I guess I'm just a bit tired. Early morning!"

"Mmhm," Blaze didn't sound convinced. For the billionth time, I wondered if she felt the same way about me that I did for her.

I'll ask her at lunch... If I don't chicken out.

Once our blood was drawn, we were herded into our separate columns in the square. I peered over the heads of the other fifteen year-olds, most of them being taller than I, and watched the large screen flicker to life.

President Snow was a fearsome young man, with a full red beard and a deep, commanding voice. The whole crowd was caught in a tense silence as he announced the twist on the 25th Hunger Games.

"As a reminder to the rebels that not even the supernatural is stronger than the Capitol, all the tributes of this year's games will be mutants!"

A murmur swept through the crowd, most relieved. I tensed up, noticing for the first time the small amount of names in the bowl.

My name is in there. I may have been good at keeping my secret, but nothing was private before the Capitol.

My fists clenched and unclenched as the escort, Olalla Lehmann, reached into the girls bowl.

She needed no microphone as her loud voice rang across the square.

"Blaze Sparks!"

My eyes widened. She couldn't go in the games! She didn't have a mutation... Did she? I could only stare dumbly as my best friend limped up to the stage, her face white with shock.

"I volunteer!" A shaky voice broke the grim silence. I glanced around, searching for the source.

"Um, I'm not sure if that's allowed. Only mutants can volunteer," stammered Olalla.

"I am a mutant!" A tall girl with blue-black hair shouldered her way through the group of sixteen year-olds, head high in defiance.

Shocked whispers floated around the space, but I wasn't surprised. I had long since guessed that Serena Crow had a mutation.

Even so, I held my breath as an official looked through her file. Could Blaze's life be spared after all?

"Affirmative. Crow is a mutant," said the official.

I let out a sigh of relief. I could have that date after all.

"Now the male tribute... Ashton Noir!"

Tada. Ashton! I won't actually be doing pre-games chapters for all tributes. It will usually just be one chapter per district. I just made an exception for this one because their stories intertwined and I didn't want to drag on one tribute's chapter. I don't know if that makes sense. Anyway, I hope you liked it! Please review and tell me what you think!