"Congratulations, Clove Potter and Cato Marais, the victors of the 74th Hunger Games!" Claudius shouts over the speaker. We stand next to Peeta's dead body, which after we dragged out of the cave, helped kill him. Turns out Katniss almost got him back to life until I killed her. After I was done there, Cato helped me kill Thresh. Foxface was already dead somehow by the time we found her. The hovercraft appears above and we both climb up. Thanks to our little to no injuries, we don't spend very long getting fixed up. Lyme and Brutus run in shortly after the doctor clears us.
"Congratulations, you both did wonderful!" Lyme shouts, wrapping me in a hug. I didn't think she was that warm.
"And your district is very proud to be the first to bring home two victors!" Brutus tells us, remaining more reserved by the door. I smile at the thought of going back home. The arena is a very stressful place especially our last few moments there. They had recalled the rule that two victors could win but neither of us could kill the other. I dropped my pack full of the food and weapons as did he and walked away, but before I could get too far, Cato kissed me, hard and long. I don't know what it was, the threat that we would die of starvation, the boring games looming ahead, the sudden realization of the second pair of star crossed lovers. No one really seems to upset about it. I wasn't like I actually planned to die. What I planned to do was wait it out and then kill him, but this works too.
The victory tour is exciting, going around to all the separate districts. Most don't seem too happy that we won, but that is just jealously I'm told that other Career won. District 12 is quite unruly when we arrive. I can't believe Fire Girl could come from here. However, my life after the games wasn't all that happy fairytale some might expect. The Capitol wanted our actions in the arena fulfilled, so we were married shortly after the victory tour. I didn't have any problems with this but I have a feeling my mother wanted it to be a little older. Father died while in the arena and no one would tell me why. My sisters never stepped foot in an arena, that which I am thankful for. Even though I may be a Career, it doesn't mean I like that place anymore than the rest. Cato likes to be a mentor, I don't.
When it is time for the 75th games, the quarter quell is announced with great flourish. This twist is that no Cornucopia will be available, however all the normal supplies will be scattered throughout the arena. I stay home while Cato travels away with the tributes. It's actually quite lonely here so I try to make friends with more people. Kayla is still in training for two more years so she rarely gets to talk. I decide to compromise and apply for a position to be a weapons trainer. I'm accepted back to the school by Dwayne with open arms. That becomes my life again, work in the morning and coming home to Victor's Village with mom, Hanna, and Caitlin. I hear whispers at work that the outer districts are preparing to rebel during these games. They think since the Careers don't have their Cornucopia anymore, they can't win. I think it's stupid. I didn't have it for half the time and we won.
However, this does indeed happen. District 9 wins, a young girl around sixteen, named Anna Howland by being able to stealthily maneuver through the long grasses in the arena. It seems like this is the final push they need. District 2 hangs on for a while, throughout all the bombings we rarely are touched by the Capitol, but when the rebellion gains more power, it turns out that they can bomb us and will, often. After months of this, we finally join in towards the end. Anna kills Snow and then we become a democracy, destroying the games and the previous way of government.
I have a child with Cato. He's a boy named Peter, dark hair, blue eyes. After that, no more, even though the threat of the Hunger Games no longer looms.
It's okay, I've decided, that they were eliminated. I spent my entire life in a training arena instead of enjoying my childhood, all so I could get into an arena. Sure, it felt like the only time I was actually alive was while I was in there, but it's different. I've realized now that maybe I should've helped more in the rebellion. Because all this time, the Capitol used me as all they did with all the Careers. We were just pieces in their games.
And maybe why it's why I decide to move to what used to be 4 and is now renamed Cara. It's different that 2 and since it was entirely destroyed during the rebellion, no longer has a training center or a Victor's Village. We move into a normal house where Cato gets a normal job and I eventually do as well. I try to forget. I know one day Peter will know about what I did, that I was a victor, that we are actually from 2, um, Felix. But that can wait. For now, I'm just focused on the present, the current, the now.
And this is it! The AU chapter with Cato and Clove winning! Next chapter is my author's note, where you can read all the sad, sappy stuff! :)
And since this is your last chance to review this story, you probably should!