AN: Hello everyone! So I am sure all who are in this have been anxiously waiting for this, the initial chapter of Honor Bound. District One is a Career District, so we have some fierce competition here. For our young ladies, we have seventeen year old Velvetina Silvette and nine year old Belle Russeu. For our young men, we have eighteen year old Nero Blaster and eleven year old Wacky "Wax" Cosmos. All four are pretty interesting, so hopefully we have a great first chapter. Hope you enjoy, and please make sure to review!

Chapter One: Immortals

They say we are what we are

But we don't have to be

Immortals, FallOut Boy

Velvetina "Tina" Silvette, aged 17

The morning of the reaping was bright and sunny, the kind of morning that always kind of annoyed Velvetina. It was as if the sun was a child, shaking her furiously awake, dragging her from the comfort of her bed. Everyone who knew Tina very well knew that she was not a morning person. The number of people who really knew her, however, was very few. The number was actually one, and that was her mother.

However much the sun annoyed Tina, she had to get up anyway. Her mother always got up around this time, and she always wanted a cup of warm tea when she woke up. Tina got up and dressed in the clothes she'd worn to training yesterday, and quietly walked through the house to the kitchen. The dishes clanked as she grabbed the teapot from the cabinet and filled it with water.

While she waited for the water to boil, Tina walked into my mother's bedroom. The light was shining through her mother's curtains as it had through hers, and her mother's sleeping figure lay small and frail under the thin covers. Last night had been a bad night. Tina had woken up at three in the morning to her mother having violent convulsions.

"Mom!?" Tina exclaimed, rushing into the bedroom, wanting to cry at the scene that was before her. Her mother, who, until the previous year, had been extremely healthy and strong for her only child, was now covered in vomit, burning tears streaming down her face.

Tina ran immediately to the telephone, and called her mother's doctor.

"Yes, hello? Doctor Hanlon?" Tina's voice was shaking as she spoke. "M-mom's throwing up- it's horrible, please come quickly!"

Doctor Hanlon was a kind man who had tried to treat her mother since her diagnosis, or rather, non diagnosis. They didn't know what she had.

The two of them had sat with her mother for an hour while she threw up, repeatedly emptying the trashcan she was using, and finally supporting her to the toilet and holding her hair back from her face. Finally, it had stopped, and they helped her back into bed with a glass of water and clean clothes.

"Isn't there anything you can do, Doctor?" Tina asked him as he was about to leave. "You-you said that there was possibly something the last time we talked?"

"I'm afraid not, my dear," Doctor Hanlon had answered. "I did look into it, after our last meeting. This disease isn't very well known, as there are not very many cases of it. The only possibility would be something from the Capitol, but they aren't going to do that for just anybody. You'd have to be-"

"A Victor," she had interrupted him, realizing what that would mean. She would have to be a Victor to get any kind of help for her mother. And that would mean she would need to be the volunteer tomorrow. "I'd have to win the Games."

"Well, yes," Doctor Hanlon agreed, taken aback at her immediate realization. "But- you're not thinking about volunteering, are you? You only started training last year! You're nowhere near ready."

But Tina didn't care. She needed to get help for her mother, and the only way she could do that was by winning the Hunger Games. Her family wasn't one of the wealthiest in the district, and so she couldn't afford any treatment on her own. But if she was a victor, she could use most of her winnings to get her mother to a good hospital in the Capitol that knew what they were doing.

Finally, the tea was finished. Tina poured the warm liquid into her mother's favorite mug and carefully brought it to the bedroom.

"Mom?" Tina whispered, setting the mug on the table and giving her mother a few gentle shakes to wake her up. "It's morning. Time to get up, I've got to go to the reaping in a few hours."

Her mother stirred slightly, and turned to her daughter with a watery smile. "Morning, sweetheart." Tina remembered how her mother's voice sounded before she got sick. Shimmer Silvette had a beautiful voice, which Tina thought was prettier than any birds song. Now, her voice was barely a croak, and it pained Tina to hear it.

"Morning," Tina said, picking up the tea and giving it to her mother, who carefully grabbed it and began to drink some of it. Tina sat at the edge of the bed. She hadn't yet told her mother her plan to volunteer, and it was becoming more and more necessary by the minute.

Finally, she couldn't stand it anymore. "Mom, I decided I'm going to volunteer. I arranged for you to go stay at Doctor Hanlon's while I'm gone, and when I come back, I can take you to the Capitol and they can treat you."

Shimmer stared at her daughter for a few moments before she spoke. "Sweetheart, I know you're trying to help, but don't go to desperate measures just on my account. If it's my time, I will be ready to go."

"I have to-" Tina started, but her voice broke with emotion. She tried so much not to feel things, but this was one thing she could not ignore. Her mother was the only person she really cared about, and she wasn't going to let her die if she could help it. She didn't have to finish her sentence, because her voice was full of all the things she couldn't say.

They went on with their morning routine almost as if nothing had happened. Only a couple times did Shimmer attempt to talk her daughter out of taking the desperate measure of volunteering, and she finally gave it up.

Eventually, the time to get ready for the reaping arrived. Tina dressed in a plain white blouse that showed off her collarbone, and a flaring black skirt that went down to her ankles and covered her combat boots. She bent down to lace up her combat boots, and glimpsed something shining under her dresser. She flattened out on the floor and reached for it, pulling out a silver locket. It was round, with intricate flowers engraved on it. Unfastening the clasp, Tina saw the picture inside. It was her mother, around the same age as she was now. They looked so much alike, it was hard to tell them apart. The only difference, as far as Tina could tell immediately, was that Shimmer had gray eyes, and she herself had greenish-blue eyes, which she obviously got from her nonexistent father.

Tina fastened the clasp back, and looped the locket around her neck. She was going into the Hunger Games, and she would win. She would save her mother. She had to.

Nero Blaster, aged 18

Nero stood in front of a huge crowd. It was the last auction of the morning, and he was already getting a little hoarse. Of course, that was to be expected. After all, shouting at breakneck speed was no easy feat. Nero was used to it, however. He had been helping out at the auctions since he was nine, and had been allowed to run some of them since he was fourteen.

"150 dollars!" he exclaimed, as yet another person raised the bid. This was an antique chest of drawers, and he assumed it was nowhere near done. "Anyone willing to go 175? 150… 150…" Surprisingly, no one was raising the bid.

"I'll go 175," a quavering voice said. Nero spotted to source, and grinned. Jazahara Key was ninety-four years old, and she came to the auction every time that Nero was running it. She never remembered his name, but she did remember his face, which was pretty good for six years shy of one hundred.

"You don't have that money, Jaz," Marcus retorted, laughing. "Anybody want to go 200?"

Finally, Marcus' friend Wavy Thowers ended up with the chest. "Ma told me to get it, pay whatever was needed to get it."

"Sure, man," Nero teased. " Next time I'm over, I'll find it in your room, no doubt."

"Get out of here," Wavy grunted, annoyed, as he wheeled the chest away. "Big day ahead, eh? Volunteering?"

"Yep," Nero said, proud of the fact. "Top marks on all the exams."

It had been a little bit of a shock when he'd discovered that he had done well enough to be the Volunteer. However, he didn't complain. He would be more than ready to take down any tribute in his way. This year would be a little different, with the younger tributes, but he would still win. He knew it.

Finally, once he had helped the last customer load their purchases, he made his way home. He was immediately assailed by the sound of loud music as he entered his house. His brother, Nitro, was blasting some type of loud music, taking his time alone for all it was worth. He was glad his room was soundproofed as he entered. The previous year, his parents had anticipated that Nitro would become a nuisance with that music, and had soundproofed their bedroom, as well as Nero's.

Nero quickly dressed, as he only had thirty minutes to get ready, and it took fifteen to get to the square.

Once he was ready, he banged on Nitro's door before entering. Immediately, the music stopped.

"I hope you're ready," Nero said, examining his brother, who was clearly not ready. "We need to leave in ten minutes."

"Yeah, yeah," Nitro brushed it off. "I'm not going into the Games, anyway. You're volunteering, or so I thought."

"That doesn't matter, " Nero told him. "It's the law, and you know it. Get ready."

Nitro grumbled, but got into some decent clothes. Finally, the two of them set off for the square.

Arriving at the already packed square, Nero made sure Nitro signed in properly before signing in himself.

Passing the sign in area, Nero went to the 18 year olds section. Spotting Wavy their other friend, Halicarnassus, Nero made his way to stand beside them.

After a few minutes, the Capitol escort came onto the stage and did her introduction. Wyna Elmery was pretty young, but being from the Capitol, she could have been as old as Jazahara.

Finally, Wyna ended her spiel with, "Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favor!"

Belle Russeu, aged 9

Belle stood among a group of her friends, who were all nervously waiting. As much as she hoped it would be someone else, someone not her, she knew it had to be someone. The odds weren't in anyone's favor this year.

There were four bowls this year, and everyone watched with bated breath as Wyna picked from the bowl for the first girl tribute. Wyna called out the name loud and clear.

"Desire Wilmott, please come up!" Wyna called across the square.

The chosen girl, a fifteen year old with pale white skin and blond braids, quivered nervously as she stood onstage. She had to know there would be.a volunteer, and sure enough, an older girl stepped forward.

This girl was not the usual District One tribute. She had red hair that framed her face in a frizzy mess. Her eyes were kind of pretty, but by no means gorgeous. She was kind of short, and not very intimidating to look at.

"What is your name, dear?" Wyna asked her, seemingly making the same judgements that Belle had.

"I'm Tina Silvette," the girl answered. "I'm eighteen years old.

"Very good, very good," Wyna smiled, returning to draw a name from the second bowl. She read the name, and Belle could hardly believe her ears.

"Izabelle Russeu!"

A couple of her friends stared at her, so she knew she hadn't heard the name wrong. She didn't cry, though. Belle had never been a whiny girl, and she wasn't going to start now. As a path formed before her, she walked up to the stage. She knew she probably wouldn't win, unless Tina Silvette turned out to be more skilled than her looks led one to believe.

"It's just Belle, FYI," Belle remarked as she stood beside Tina. Wyna looked at her, surprised that she had spoken.

"Er- very well, Belle," Wyna was very good at hiding her thoughts, but not good enough. "Anything else...or can I continue?"

" Oh, I suppose," Belle said, pretending to be bored. Wyna decided not to comment and moved to draw the first boy. As was expected, a Volunteer came up, a tall, brutish boy.

"I'm Nero Blaster," he introduced himself. "I am proud to be your tribute!" he seemed to be a strong, confident type, which Belle didn't really care for.

Wyna went to the final dish and drew the name of the younger boy tribute.

"Jupiter Dahl," was the name that Wyna called out. The boy who came up was around Belle's age, but she didn't recognize him. But almost before Wyna could ask, a boy called out the two irrevocable words:

"I volunteer!"

Belle could tell that the boy who had been reaped was relieved. He went back to his spot, and another boy took his place. This boy was vastly different. For starters, he was black. Not that Belle thought anything of it, but in District One, people of color were few and far between, and so most people at least noticed when there was one. He seemed to be underweight, and his muscles, if he had any, were hidden underneath his bright yellow polo shirt.

"Would you tell us your name?" Wyna asked the boy.

"Wacky Cosmos," he answered, a shakiness in his tone. His voice was small, and almost reedy. "But I mostly just go by Wax, if that's okay? I'm eleven."

The reaping was finished, and Wyna motioned for them to shake hands. Belle grasped Wax's hand, which was surprisingly warm as they shook.

Then, they were finally led into the Justice Building. Belle knew she was probably going to die, but she would be able to see her family one last time.

Wacky "Wax" Cosmos, aged 11

Wax couldn't believe what he had just done. He had volunteered for the Games! At eleven years old! He had basically just signed his own death certificate when he'd said the words, "I volunteer."

He was now sitting in a would be comfortable room in the Justice Building. That was mostly due to the fact that this would probably be his last time in District One outside of a wooden box.

He knew why he'd done it. He had intended to do it next year, but when the opportunity came to escape his adoptive mother, Voltra, and her two annoying daughters, a whole year earlier, he had done it without really thinking.

Even dying will be better than staying with her, Wax told himself. Dying would be better than the half-life he lived with the Cosmos.

Soon, his first visitor came. Xiekelia Lorphong was Wax's training partner and best friend at the Training Academy, and his exact opposite. Where he was quiet and reserved, Lia was loud and outgoing. They were pretty evenly matched, she perhaps a little more skilled than he. He knew that, when she was old enough, she intended to volunteer.

"Hey, Wax," she called as she entered. She was quite a bit more subdued than usual, but Wax appreciated her respect for the occasion.

"Lia, you've… changed," Wax said, pretending to be dumb about the situation. "Are you okay?"

Lia rolled her eyes, replying, "Shut up, dumbass. You know what's at stake here, right?"

Wax quit his act. When Lia was serious, something was really wrong. "Well, let's see," Wax began. "Well, for starters, my life."

"Exactly," she said, jumping straight to the point as usual. "So, why in the world did you volunteer? I know your mom rags on you a lot, but it's not worse than dying, is it?"

Wax had never told anyone the extent of Voltra's abuse. Only his school friend Jeru, his other friend at the Academy, Tysium, and Lia knew anything, and the most he'd let slip was that she yelled at him a lot and sometimes gave him a couple smacks, and the former was only because he couldn't hide his reddened face.

He needed to tell someone the whole truth, before he left. He said nothing, but slowly lifted his yellow shirt so Lia could see his back. The most recent marks from Voltra's belt stung as the cold air touched.

Lia let out a gasp as she realized what the scars meant. "Oh my gosh, Wax! Why the hell didn't you mention this before?"

"I didn't want you to get involved," Wax explained, pulling his shirt back on. "I know I was being stupid. But now you know why, I don't want you to tell anyone."

"How can I not tell anyone, Wax?" Lia demanded. "I can't just let her get away with this! What if she adopts another kid, and treats them like you?"

Wax had already thought of that. "I'm not going to let her get away with it. I have a plan, but you have to pretend to be ignorant, or she might try to get to you."

" Okay," she said, seeming even more worried. "I really just came to give you this." She handed him a long stick of red wax.

Wax examined it, noticing that there were a bunch of yellow stars along the middle. It was interesting, the exact thing Wax liked.

"Thanks, Lia," Wax said. "Now I guess you better go before you're forced out."

The two embraced tightly. "Good luck, Wacky Cosmos," she said.

Lia left the room, with a quick glance back at him. Wax sat down in one of the comfy seats in the room, tapping his feet with nervous energy.

His visits with Tysium and Jeru were both fairly quick, and then his visits were done. At least he'd assumed so. He hadn't been expecting his final visitors.

He was surprised as his adoptive sisters, Magmina and Aquazia, came in.

"What do you guys want?" Wax asked them. They had never actually done anything horrible to him. He had tried to hang out with them, but they were inseparable, and he always felt like a third wheel. Eventually, Voltra had forbade him to have any contact with them aside from when they had meals together.

"We want to apologize," Magmina said. She was the same age as Wax. They were only a few weeks apart. "We should have tried to stop Mom from hitting you."

"She told us to stay away from you because you might contamy-contama- oh, Maggie, what was the word?" Aquazia was only nine, and not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

"Contaminate?" Wax finished the word. "Hang on, how did you know she hits me? She always waited until you were gone."

"We didn't watch every one, but a lot of them we eavesdropped on," Magmina replied, a bit of a grin on her face. She never gave you bandages or anything. A few times, when you were just sitting there, crying, I wanted to go help you. I should have. I'm sorry, Wacky."

Magmina looked like she was going to cry, and Aquazia didn't seem much better.

"We're all young," Wax said. "You didn't understand that Voltra was wrong. But now you do. I suppose I can forgive you, since I'm about to die."

He awkwardly embraced Magmina, and then they too had to leave, leaving Wax alone with his thoughts.

He would make Voltra sorry before he died.

AN: Wow, that's a long chapter! I think it's the longest I've ever written, around 3.5K long. Hopefully the length is worth something. Enjoy, and please review!

Here are some questions for you reviewers:

Who do you like best, Tina, Belle, Nero, or Wax?

Should Tina have volunteered or was she reckless?

Is Nero too confident, or is he justified?

Will Belle's snark and sarcasm be a help or hindrance?

What should Wax do to expose Voltra?

So right now, I need no tributes. I have 12 open because even though I have a submission, I am not sure If I want to use him. Feel free to submit a 12 Male sheet and he will be considered. You can also give submissions for 10M and 8F, but the people who reserved the spots will recieve first consideration once they have submitted.

AERIE, BLOWING OUT!(I like that, I think I'll use that as my signoff from now on!)