~Ah so sorry for breaking my promise. . .I feel so bad! Go ahead! Whip me, stab me, or cut me! I deserve it! But I decided to give you all this long chapter! So yay. . . .? Yeah. . .
An Important note: SNL, you made me realize something (WITH YO EXTRA LONG REVIEW ;D), who am I gonna choose for Katniss? Well the answer is simple. . .but I wont say ;) You advised me to use two alternate endings and I thought that over a while. But I decided no, since: What kind of good story has two endings? (Maybe there are some out there, sorry if I offend any books.) Stories are ment for one ending and one outcome. Well that's my opinion at least ;D BUUUUUUT I do have a gift for you for your EXTRA LONG REVIEW, and yes it includes a virtual cookie 8DDDDDDD NOM NOM! And also something in this chapter that will blow you mind. . .and if not, at least a portion. I will continue making your mind and heart debate over Katniss/Peeta and Katniss/Percy, and this chapter will take your mind for a spin (Or at least I think it will ;D) This is for you, SNL :DDDDDDDDDDDD
Fire In My Eyes: Part II
~Percy's POV~
Honestly. . .I have never felt so alive. All I hear is the wind, and with the goggles, I can see it all, besides the snowflakes I eventually I have to spit out…. We're currently on these roving motorcycles. We all have one, and by 'all' I mean Oran, Mitzuki, Katniss, and myself. Now I bet you're asking, "Where the hell did these kids even get those?" Well, we 'borrowed' them from headquarters. Of course it took us a while to shake the soldiers following us off, but we eventually made it.
"Hey! Look! No hands, suckers!" Oran calls from his side.
"Oran! You're going to fall! You buffoon!" Mitzuki calls sternly from my left. You know, with her expression and attitude about these things, I would love to annoy her day by day just as Oran does.
"Guys. . ." Katniss calls, from my right. She points her head forward where we see a huge—frozen— river.
"So this is that clock-like water system we're supposed to use for Operation Libra." Mitzuki analyzes closely, "This must be River 2 and. . .we'll follow it into the main lake which is called—"
"Kanaska." Katniss and Oran interrupt, being that she's only stating the obvious.
"Right. From there we enter River 7." Mitzuki continues.
We ski over the river in our hovering vehicles. I feel so relaxed. That's when all the action begins. . .when I get comfy. Yeah that's right. Unfair, huh?
"Split up!" Oran yells and our perfect little line disarrays. I look over toward the rivers and I see tiny machines shooting us from either side of it.
"Percy!" I look next to me to see Katniss. She nods toward the camera and I just know what she is telling me. I go right and she goes left until we're on either side of the immense river. I uncap Riptide and begin slashing the devices in pieces. I feel so badass right now. I even twirl Riptide while I'm at it. Just, wow.
I look over to my companion and she's holding Paggos Fotia. She's shooting volleys of arrows at the same time. And yes the fire ones and I gotta say, with her eyes reflecting the fire she's causing—even with the snow around—she also looks badass. Oran trails behind Katniss putting out the fire with his now blue water-like aura. It's actually more like mist or water vapor. It's cute compared to my amazing water skills. All thanks to my daddy-o.
We reunite up ahead, again in our line. "Well that was unexpected." Mitzuki looks over to Oran.
"Of course it was. Not good." She claims, spitting some snowflakes out.
"I say we rest here. We'll discuss matters easier relaxed." Katniss suggested. We propelled ourselves toward land as sunset colored the landscape beyond us.
~~~~~~~*XXX*~~~~~~~
We set up camp fast. We were to sleep on trees because: don't know what's out there. 2. It's actually comfy since the trees are soft and the leaves make it a perfect mattress. 3. It's kind of below zero degrees…
Night falls after exactly a day with no breaks, and steadfast determination leading us against all odds. Lovely.
~Katniss's POV~
So I wake up to some eerie growling and eventually my curiosity killed me because. . .I'm lost. Whoops. And it's harder since I can't see anything! Paggos Fotia is glowing and it's enough to see just a foot or two around me. But out here, that's useless.
I walk until my feet ache. It feels like it's been hours. I collapse on the soft sweet ground. Which happened to be mud, so there goes my face and clothes. I see some blurs of lights ahead but it's too painful to move on. So I shut my eyes and hope sweet slumber overcomes me. But I wake up to a child's voice.
"Katniss. . .?" I look up and see a strangely familiar girl.
"Rue. . ?" The girl is taken aback. Her gleaming eyes reach my heart.
"My name is Yoli. Rue was my. . ." She pauses. And she doesn't need to continue for me to know who she is.
"Sister." I finish off for her.
Eventually she leads me into her home. She's home alone except for two of her now five siblings were home sleeping. She offers me some bread but I reject it, but accept some fresh clothes as she quickly cleaned up my clothes and dried them near the hearth. From what I remember Rue telling me, these kids barely had enough to eat. We sat in silence.
"So. . ." I looked up at her. Her resemblance to Rue was identical, I just wanted to go up and embrace her but I know I can't, "How are you in District 13? Is it. . .nice?" She asks steadily.
"Yeah. You could say that." Silence. "Yoli. . .are you the oldest? Are your parents home. . .?" She looked me in the eyes and I could feel all the suffering she's been through.
"I was second to oldest. But then Rue died and Charlie—the third to oldest— committed suicide after—" Her voice started breaking but she stayed strong. "After they killed our parents." I stare in shock. "We have a temporary caretaker but he treats us like objects. As if we don't exist or need any— love. Right now, he's out drinking. . ." When did this happen? Was it my fault? Or Peeta's. . .? I went and embraced Yoli, unafraid. I clutched my fists. This has to stop. It has too.
"Yoli." I grab her shoulders and make her look me in the eye. "Pack. Wake up your siblings. I'm taking you to 13. Go." Her eyes grow and she nods. I hear noises upstairs and I enter the kitchen and pack everything they got into a small basket.
Yoli eventually comes down holding a small hand of a boy and carrying a small girl. She looks up at me and smiles. I carry the girl, which her name is Rose, while Yoli goes back upstairs for a small backpack taking all their necessities. We leave as soon as possible and go out toward the dark forest.
Yoli is carrying a small oil lamp to make light for us. She is also holding on to her little brother's hand while carrying her backpack on her back. I'm carrying Rose and the basket.
We walk for hours and I begin to see the sun rise when we reach back to my camp. They are all awake by now.
"You!" Oran comes up to me. "We've been worried! Where the h—" Mitzuki clears her throat and directs her attention to the kids. "Sorry… Where the heck where you?"
Percy walks in and stares at the kids. "Kat, who are they?"
"This is Yoli, Holt, and Rose. Rue's younger siblings. I'm taking them to 13." They all stare at me eye shocked.
"What about Sora? And Peeta? We can't keep changing plans, Katniss! You always do this! You're too stubborn for your own benefit!" Oran yells, scaring Holt.
"Oran, stop. I'll take care of them and I'm not letting anything happen to them. They're coming with us one way or another. Yoli's mature enough for anything in our way." I call back.
"Fine." Mitzuki crosses her arms. "But you're in charge of them. Got it?" I nod and look over to Yoli who smiles.
Keep your friends close. Keep your enemies closer.
~Percy's POV~
We've advanced a whole other day on our motorcycles. I volunteered to carry Holt while Katniss has Yoli and Rose. Oran and Mitzuki wanted nothing to do with them. Oh well. Anyway, me and Holt only managed to exchange a few words—and secrets—and from what he's told me, he's ten, loves the color red, loves pie, and is in love with the girl next door to where he lived. He's a sweet kid, he'll be grown up to be like Rue which is comforting to me at least.
Honestly, Katniss didn't explain much about Rue that day when she broke down. (Still feels like so long ago.) She basically described her and told me how responsible, tactful, mature, and beautiful she was in general for the person she was/is. For Kat to say someone is amazing, that's good enough for me.
Currently, we are a few miles away the delta of Kanaska and River 6—which is in northeastern New Mexico in my vocabulary. We toasted some meat after a long day with NO rest or food at all. The kids didn't complain, much to Oran's and Mitzuki's surprise. They ate fast and viciously, poor kids. Yoli, I noticed, gave her food to her siblings and is singing to them so they can sleep. Katniss cannot not get her eyes off Yoli while she sings to them.
"She has a nice voice, huh?" I whisper into Katniss's ear. She smiles to my surprise.
"She sounds exactly like Rue did." A tear went down her face but she quickly wiped it off.
I notice Katniss's eyes begin to flutter and she falls asleep on my shoulder with Yoli's beautiful melodies. Eventually I fall asleep curled up next to Katniss to share her warmth. That night was one of the best I've had in a while.
.END.-Xx
I can see the magnificent fence surrounding the Capitol. It's an impressing view. It's noon. . .by the way.
"Ok so. . .what's the plan?" I ask Mitzuki and Katniss who are cross armed looking over the cliff, calculating our next move.
"Well," Katniss takes out the map she acquired magically during her comatose, "The Phenoix chambers are in the President's place—on the highest tower from which everyone has a view to. To get in there is the issue."
"I say we enter disguised—and slowly—enter, so we don't call for attention and yet manage to lay low." Mitzuki says as the wind combs her hair, "How do we surpass the fence though?"
A small voice speaks up. "I have this." We all look toward Yoli who is holding up a ticket.
"What is that?" Oran asks.
"It's a free pass into the Capitol that takes you straight to the market. The market happens to be behind Snow's palace. It's a pass for exactly five though. Which means five must enter since we are 'negotiating' terms for our district in the main market. You get me?" After a while we realized that the only candidate for that 5th position would have to be Yoli.
"Yoli you are not coming. This is dangerous." Katniss began.
Yoli crossed her arms and reverted to her child form for a split second. "I've been through worse. I'm going. Holt will take care of Rose 'till we get back." She looks at Holt who is carrying little Rose, "Right, Holt?" He nods slowly—clearly unconvinced.
"NO." Katniss tells Yoli.
"If it's one thing me and Rue were different in, it's this—arguments. I never lose arguments. It's my way or the highway, that's the key to survival." Yoli was actually a bit more bratty then she seemed, then again she's a freaking 11-year-old, what can I expect?
I see Katniss getting fired up. "Rue knew about survival."
Yoli looked deep into Katniss's eyes. "But clearly not a lot. I've learned the flaws she made and know how to correct them. I've seen the 74th Hunger Games more than enough times to know what survival means. I'm going, Katniss. Deal with it. I may look like a child, but I'm more mature than one." Katniss looked ready to slap her. Looks like we know Rue's and Yoli's clear differences. One is more feisty and immature.
"Fine." Katniss responds, "Once inside those walls, you listen to every damn word I say, you got it? I've been in there to know what's in it for us." Yoli nods.
"Let's do this. Holt, watch the stuff. The latest we'll come is by tomorrow morning or afternoon." Mitzuki commands Holt. He nods, feeling important. Oran and Mitzuki begin walking down the cliff towards the fence. I stay behind with Katniss while we wait for Yoli telling Holt to watch out and protect himself and Rose. She kisses them goodbye and comes with us.
The immense wall rains down fear for what's to come.
~Katniss's POV~
"Two melons for that? Psh! Yeah, right! Next!" I heard a salesman yell not so far away.
So as you can probably guess, we're at the market. Oran couldn't teleport us through the gate since it had a barrier for common teleporters and teleportees, but he can teleport us up there. It's just he doesn't know where since he's never gone there, even though I'm telling him where, he is still uneasy.
"Ok Oran. Just do it." Mitzuki whispers to an uneasy Oran. He clutches his eyes as we all hold hands and he teleports us away. I have to catch my breath still when it comes to teleportation.
.HEART'.-Xx
"Shhh!" I say to Yoli as we run through the corridor. So as Oran was warning us, he teleported us into the wrong tower and made us split up. So here I am with Yoli and Percy.
So we kept roaming. Every once in a while we had to mug a guard that saw us and stuff him in the nearest closet, so we were preoccupied. Other than that, we still can't find the Pheonix Chambers and it seems as if...it doesn't exist.
"Hold up. I'm feeling something." Yoli and I look over to Percy. He stops and shuts his eyes and it seems as if he were in a trance, "The Pheonix Chambers is down below, not in the tower." I look over at him like if he just said the sky is falling. "I realize I sound like a madman but it's true. I can feel it...Look."
He puts his hand on my cheek and I get taken back since it seems as if he were about to pull a move on me...but I soon realize I start feeling a strange eerily saltlike sensation when I think of anything related to the Pheonix Chambers and it all points toward below and I know with my heart and mind that the answer is below us.
"How did you-" I began as he takes his hand off my cheek.
"I didn't, but I figured if I felt it, so could you." At that moment our faces were inches apart and all I could say for the moment was nothing. I don't even realize why I would think and desire these things. I turned away and set my goal straight. Peeta, Peeta, and Peeta.
.END.-Xx
And unsurprisingly, we were right. The Pheonix Chambers were below- in the basement's basement. If you know what I mean.
I found myself— along with Percy and Yoli— looking out at a even more bruised Peeta then what I saw in my comatose. He was unconscious and I slowly and tactfully took the key out and ran into his cell.
"K-Katniss...?" He mumbled between smokey breaths. I embrace him, finally perceiving him with my full senses.
I'm right here. I've always just been here. Body and Mind. Heart? Not so sure...anymore.
~Percy's POV~
For the most strangest reason—I don't want to uncover— my hands balled and my teeth clenched as I heard Peeta call out Katniss's name. I mean I realize what this feeling is, I'm not that blind but why in Hades name would I feel this? And toward Katniss? I don't have feelings like that toward her. Maybe some lust, but no heart to heart feelings. Thinking these things make my head spin in angles and ways I wish them not to.
"Percy—free Sora. Yoli, call Oran and Mitzuki. We have our eyes on the prize." At first I couldn't react but Yoli nudged me.
Yoli and I entered the silver cold chamber of Sora's, leaving the "Star-Crossed Lovers" behind. The door shut and I used the keys to unlock that shackles that held an unconscious Sora back.
"You love her...? Don't you?" The innocent voice of Yoli called forth. I stopped what I was doing and looked over to her.
"You mean Katniss?" She nods, seriousness marked all over face. I shake my previous thoughts back. "W-What?" I stare in disbelief now.
"Yeah. You heard me." A smirk of amusement grew on her face. "What? Just cause I'm like four years younger, doesn't mean I can't see the way you look at her. And the way she looks at you." She crossed her arms. "I'm not as gullible as you two." I couldn't react. No one has ever attacked me like this before. "Don't worry your secret is safe with me." She smiles and then takes out our communicator that Katniss gave her to talk to the others with.
In the meantime I continued helping Sora out of his millions of locks. We eventually free him. And meet up with Katniss while we wait for Oran and Mitzuki with "the signal", whatever that may be.
I look over to Katniss who whispers to Peeta about District 13. He smiles in return. Yoli approaches me from my side and gives me a look that makes me want to smack her. I turn back to Katniss and Peeta, and I see her peck him once on the lips. I turn away and look out the door of the Chambers. It's a better view out here. I dare to look back again and Peeta is moving some hairs from her face. I look back at the door. And there's a face looking right at me.
"Who the hell are you?" He yells but then something strikes him from behind. He falls forward almost on me, behind him are Oran and Mitzuki.
"Come'on!" Oran tells us as his green glowing eyes die down. Mitzuki had already ran in to retrieve Sora. Oran runs in to help her and I go help Kat.
We go out of the hidden Chambers and leave the palace's basement. We follow Oran and Mitzuki to the nearest windows to wear they are supposed to have our transports.
"A little farther! Just turn right until you reach the dead end! Then jump out the window, you'll be fine!" Mitzuki yells as she struggles carrying her love.
"Yeah over my dead body." We stop to see President Snow as a hologram and some twenty guards behind him, "Sorry I'm not there to see your deaths but I do wish they will be swift. And Mockingjay, you will regret coming here." Katniss looked at the hologram with fiery eyes that yelled murder. "Kill them!" The hologram vanished and the guards pointed their guns at us.
"You guys go the other way! I'll handle this!" Yoli yelled and she came forth. We all stared at her with mouths open. She looked back "Go! Don't let my death be in vain! GO!" Oran and Mitzuki went carrying Sora. One of the guards shot at Mitzuki and co. but the bullet bounced back, as if a force field surrounded them. "GO! NOW!" Yoli yelled at us. Her eyes began to be hollow, eternally black. It was creepy….
"No! I promised to take you back! What about-" Katniss began.
"Get out Katniss! Just go! Take care of Holt and Rose!" I put Peeta's arms around my shoulder and grabbed Katniss's arm and dragged her with me.
"No, Percy! Go back! Please! I can't let her die like I let Rue die! Please!" Small tears went down her face. It broke me.
"It's Peeta or Yoli, Katniss! Take your choice." I said cruelly to her since she wouldn't budge. She eventually moved and continued. I saw the window and I jumped with Peeta. I landed in one of our roving motorcycles. I looked back to see Katniss wasn't behind me anymore.
Crap. "Mitzuki! Oran! We'll meet you outside the walls!" They nodded and began the engine as I jumped back through the window. Once on the other side: I ran like hell. I bumped into Katniss who carried a small Yoli—dead. All the guards lay dead as well. Yoli had a few gunshots going through her chest. How did she kill all the soldiers...? She lied there with her limbs all dragging. I could see her steady breathing.
"Sleep." I whispered at Yoli. She smiled as she took her last breaths.
"You were right...Katniss. I don't know about surviving...not as much...as Rue did. I was so stupid and... I'm sorry. At least now...my family's legacy against the Capitol... will move on. Take care of...Holt and Rose. Don't let them...get corrupted. And Percy...remember what I told you...back at...Sora's chamber...I wasn't lying..." Her voice faded off and she laid there in Katniss's arms- dead. Katniss buried herself into Yoli as I caressed Katniss's hair. Then a symbol appeared on Yoli's head. It sort of looked like-
"A claim symbol." Katniss whispered. I didn't know which god it belonged to though, it was a black ghost. "Erebus. I learned about it with Mitzuki." So...Yoli was Eros's daughter. That explained the force field that that protected us as we fled...and her serious creepy eyes. With that Yoli's body faded into the ground like a shadow.
There was silence. I gently ran my fingers through Katniss's hair. She looked into my eyes and our faces were inches apart again.
"Thanks. For coming back." She got up and offered me her hand. We walked in solam silence.
(_´)ゞ
We walked through the city. We managed to get out of the palace without a scratch. Now we just needed to get out. In the mean time we camped near the market, where all the hobos camped at.
Many things were running through my head. From what Yoli said about me loving Katniss, to Yoli's death, to Yoli being a demigod, and to basically just getting outta here. Katniss curled up next to me.
"Did you ever sense Yoli being a demigod?" She asked as the flames crackled before us.
"No. No I never did."
Eventually she fell asleep on my shoulder. Snow sprinkled on us and it was getting cold so I don't blame her for doing so. As she lay asleep I studied her features. Every little detail of her face told a story of her life. Even the smallest faintest scars. And her lips. I gently traced my finger on them. They felt so smooth considering they were chapped, but so flowing like silver. I know Yoli jinxed me. They tempted me as she lay there with no consciousness of the heat and temptation I was enduring. Then she opened her eyes as I was still tracing her lips. She blinked in surprise.
"What are you doing...?" She stood up from me. She touched her lips from where I was tracing them. I couldn't find the words to describe it.
I was just so lost...so lost in those blazing eyes.
~Katniss's POV~
"What are you doing...?" I asked, shocked. What has he been doing since I've fallen asleep? I touched my lips, they felt different.
Then I saw into his sea green eyes. His messy black hair had specks of white from the snow. I started getting closer to his face until my fingers touched his lips.
I shut my eyes as he placed his calm lips on mine and mine on his until we locked our lips in a sacred seal. It felt so good, so refreshing…so different…and alive. It lasted a second before I realized what we were doing. We broke away at the same time, panting. Even though. . .it lasted less than a second.
"I-I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." He whispered. I felt a pang of sudden rage for a split second. What have we done? What have you done? What have I done? No no no.
"Yeah you better be." I called after him and I went to go sleep as far away as I could from him. Stupid hormones, stupid Purseus, stupid me. "Never get involved with a Greek hero—romantically." Mitzuki had told me after telling me the story of Jason and the Golden Fleece.
That night...was one of the most warmest nights I've slept through, despite the cold snow around.
~Percy's POV~
I lay on my now lonely side. Her lips were on mine for a split second. A split second. Yet I felt so many unwanted yet so desired emotions. It felt so disgustingly wrong to do that but it felt nice. So nice to finally have what I wanted to feel tonight. Yet I still feel no feelings for her. Yoli was wrong. I don't have feelings for her, just lust. Nothing more. I keep repeating that in my mind. I love Annabeth and Katniss loves Peeta. There. That's the big picture. I may have slight feelings for Rachael but not as much as I have for sweet Annabeth. I know it. I slept on that thought for many weeks.
Every night.
~Katniss's POV~
We finally tasted the beautiful air outside the gates. I looked over at Percy. He smirked. I never thought we would be out of there alive. And I would continue telling you of the wonders of the climate and its wonders like its beautiful butterflies and flowers, but I won't because it's not like that. Yoli died yesterday. I promised I would protect her but yet I failed.
Then I did what I had been so careful not to do: Kiss Percy Jackson.
In no way am I proud of our actions. I don't get how he has the gull—and I had the gull—to do that. He knows I love Peeta and I know about his feelings for Annabeth, yet why did we do that? Why? Was it to try something new? Yeah that's it.
When we woke up this morning, we didn't talk. Not even a good morning. The first words I told him were, "We never talk about that again. Ever. Until the day we die. Understood?" he firmly nodded in response, he was serious.
Now look at us, we're here, and we talk freely. And I see our friends camping where we left Holt and Rose. Unsurprisingly, they are all asleep.
"I have a sudden urge to spew them with water, as our homecoming gift to them." Percy called with amusement. I nod and we went to the nearest creek and I cup some water while he uses his hydrokinesis to lift quadruple the amount I carried. We then threw it on everybody.
Mitzuki started spitting the water out. Sora groaned angrily—what a surprise. Oran yelped like a little girl. And Peeta was just. . .well. . .Peeta.
"What the hell!" Oran yelled as he trembled. "It's below zero and out of all pranks, you pull this one? What kind of sick creatures are you?" Percy smirked and I smiled with amusement.
"We expected a nice homecoming after what we went through and we came to see you all snoring. Not the nicest thing." I pointed out.
"Katniss..." I heard a little voice pop out from the woods.
"Holt." I turn to look at him, who is carrying little Rose. I hear a murmur between Oran and Mitzuki basically saying "Oh there he is."
I bend to my knees to get to his height. I don't know if I'll be able to handle telling this kid that his sister just died.
I take a breath in and a thousand flashes swarm me of the happenings of another life.
~Percy's POV~
I look at the kid. This moment—right here—reminds me of a year ago.
I'm still sorry Nico, I didn't want Bianca to die either. She offered herself for our quest.
I see as Katniss gently takes Rose from him and passes her to me. She takes Holt by the shoulder and tells him that now—he's gotta be strong, for himself and Rose. She whispers the burden she carried all day yesterday. I want to look away, I don't want Holt to run and be part of the Capitol. Then realize that wrong is wrong and good always prevails. I don't want him to crash and burn the way Nico did.
"No...you're lying! She's alive! You're lying!" Tears stream down his face as he pulls Katniss away and starts running. That's when I speak.
"Running away won't do you any well." I yelled, Holt stopped in his tracks and looked back. I pictured Nico when he cracked the Pavallion. "So, your sister just sacrificed herself. She had said good bye. She knew this was going to happen. Do you trust her...Holt?" He noddes fiercely. "Then stay. That's what she wants you to do. She wants you to guard and keep you and Rose alive! Don't you see it? Two wrongs never make a right. Don't be a coward and live your sisters' legacies! Yoli just saved us all! Aren't you proud?" He looked at my with sad eyes of realization and his balled hands now relaxed. He slowly came down. Everyone else looked at me as if I was the Oracle of Delphi and I just prophesied or something. . . Weirdos. Holt gently took Rose from me.
"Alright. Let's go." He whispered, so that no one would hear his surrender, but me.
We moved on. Sora was now fully conscious so he decided to drive with Mitzuki. Oran and semi-conscious Peeta shared a motorcycle. Katniss carried Rose and I had Holt.
We went off east. Tracing our steps, chasing the sun. The light. Our light.
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