POV District 1 Silver Velvet

"Remember, this is your last day of training," The gamemaker's voice continued. I sighed again, rolling my eyes at him. I started tapping my foot, looking around at everything. I had practiced pretty much everything here. And none of them were new skills, either. The rest of the tributes began to disperse, and I sighed again. I didn't really know where to go.

The first two I saw were Luipos and Arale, along with the District 11 tributes. They had more or less quit us. Then there was Ludacris and the District 8 girl. He hadn't ditched us...yet. I knew he would, though. I gritted my teeth, watching the two of them as I went towards Eagee and Neassale. "Hey guys," I hissed through my teeth, not looking at them.

"What's wrong now, Silver?" Eagee retorted, continuing to knot the rope he had in his hands.

Neassale followed my gaze though, then abandoned her end and walked beside me. "Ludacris and Miryp?" She asked, looking up at me. I just nodded. "Want me to try something?" I glanced down at her, narrowing my eyes. A smug smile grew on her face, and eventually a smile grew on mine. "I'll give it my best shot," She assured me, before trotting off towards them.

POV District 9 Neassale Enther

They were working at hand to hand combat. Ludacris was actually up fighting the hologram, while Miryp sat back watching. Adshywor had talked about her with the mentors. He said that she had been a bit...unstable. At least when her older sisters were mentioned. They had been tributes, and they had both died. I didn't really have anything against Ludacris. But if I could set off Miryp, her alliance might get to her rescue before Ludacris could even comprehend.

"Hey," I greeted sweetly, stopping beside her. She glanced at me. "You're Miryp, right?"

She nodded. "How do you know? Cris mention me?"

"Hmm?" I asked, puzzled for a moment. "Oh, Ludacris? He's mentioned you, yeah."

"No...no hard feelings, huh?" Miryp asked. I stared at her for a moment. I knew exactly what she was talking about. Ludacris had told me that he was leaving the career alliance, so Eagee and I had a for sure shot at taking his place. I could see by the expression on her face that she wasn't worried I would be upset, but she was worried Ludacris was playing her. She didn't trust the careers, no more than I did.

"Why? Did you do something?" I questioned her innocently. She looked at me, maybe hoping she'd see me give away that it was a lie. But when I didn't, she just shook her head and looked away.

"Nothing," Miryp mumbled, watching Ludacris again. He still hadn't noticed me.

I started humming for a few moments, watching her too. "You seem familiar, like I've seen you before," I commented. She didn't respond. "Do you have sisters?" I asked, turning back to her. She tensed up so much she started wobbling on her feet.

"Yes," She replied warily. She didn't turn to look at me, but I could see her eyes watching me.

I turned back to Ludacris, humming again. It was setting her more on edge. "That's it!" I exclaimed eventually. "Your sisters were in the Hunger Games, weren't they?" Miryp just nodded, though I heard her whine a bit. I heaved a sigh. "That's some fatal irony, huh?" She didn't respond. She was frozen, staring straight ahead, pretending to be engrossed in Ludacris' performance. "Yeah...there's been a lot of irony this year."

Again, silence came from her. Ludacris had finished, and was stepping down from the platform. He gave me a suspicious look, but seemed a bit too confused to find anything to say. "You can go ahead, Neassale," Miryp murmured.

"That's nice of you, thanks," I told her innocently. I had never really intended to try this station, but that probably was karma coming to get me. I stepped up onto the platform, pressing a few buttons on the side panel. It wouldn't be a very bad thing to learn. I was a thirteen-year-old girl from District 9, no one would anticipate it.

"What did she want?" Ludacris whispered. I could still hear them, standing behind me. Miryp didn't respond right away, and I glanced over my shoulder, just barely. When she turned to him, to respond, I began humming again. Her words cut off in her throat, and I turned away as the hologram appeared.

"I thought you said you broke your alliance," Miryp responded. I guessed it caught him off-guard, because he didn't respond right away. The hologram was a lot taller than I was. It lurched forward, and I instantly ducked, dropping down onto my knees. The platform was more like several raised platforms, octagons that were about a two feet in diameter. This would hurt. I rolled forward, tearing through the hologram's feet and sending it collapsing face-first into the platform. I was still humming.

"I did - I told Neassale," Ludacris replied, pointing towards me. I got to my feet, a broad smile on my face, but when Ludacris swung his head to look at me, I focused down on the hologram. It was quickly trying to get up on the uneven ground, but I lurched my foot forward as hard as I could, landing it in the stomach. It was knocked to the side on the lower platforms. I went forward and kicked it again in the hip. My toes were throbbing, but if this hologram was real, there's no way I didn't facture it's pelvis. It laid there on the ground, and closing my eyes, I kicked it hard again in the chest. Now the person would have broken ribs too.

"She had no idea," Miryp hissed back at him. Still humming as I destroyed the hologram, and the mention of her sisters, were setting her on the very edge. I sauntered around the hologram, which wasn't even attempting to stand up again. I opened my mouth to say something, but then a hand clamped over my mouth. I had set it on average for everything. The average tribute will have allies, apparently.

"Do you want me to talk to Silver instead? I can call her over," Ludacris offered softly. Oh no, I thought. He was smarter than I thought. I couldn't hum anymore, as I struggled against this new hologram. The original disappeared, which I assumed meant that I had killed them. Definitely broken pelvis and ribs. Maybe a rib punctured something. If this had been on hard - and in real life - they would've snapped my neck. I just had to assume they were planning to.

Miryp never responded, but Ludacris made a motion to Silver, who had been watching this entire time. I stomped down on the hologram's foot, and when it's hand shifted, I bit down as hard as I could on it's hand. It pulled away, and I instantaneously kicked it in the stomach. It stumbled back, and I jumped around. I had to pay it all my attention, and if I were to turn to them at all, I was afraid Silver would catch me. And then I didn't know what she would do to me. I knew she was probably going to blame me no matter what. Especially if Ludacris gave away that he told me and I said nothing.

I hadn't been focusing, and the hologram had regain it's ground. I put my arms up in an X, taking a couple blows to my arms. I gritted my teeth, ignoring it. It tried to kick me then, but I met it halfway with my own. Unbalanced, I lurched forward, landing a punch to it's chest. For every step it took backwards, I took a step forward. I punched it in the shoulder, in the chest again, and I twisted around to kick into it's side. The hologram keeled over, but it was still alive. I raised my foot, planning to kick it in the neck, when I heard a metallic singeing behind me.

I whipped around, to find another hologram trying to run up behind me. I jumped to the side, sending the third hologram crashing into the second. But I stepped back onto the corner, and I was sent sprawling onto the ground. I had fell completely off the platforms, and the lights lifted around it. It had turned itself off, the two holograms instantly disappearing.

I looked straight up into the eyes of Ludacris and Silver. Miryp was practically cowering behind Ludacris. I gave them a smile, though it was clearly forced. Ludacris offered a hand to me, and Silver just glared at all of us while he helped me up. Even after trying to undermine him, he was kind. Silver looked like she was ready to strangle me, and she probably wouldn't be as simple as the holograms were. It did strike me that I never really finished. If it was real, I would be lying on the ground while the two of them got to their feet. And they'd be seeking a vengeance for their fallen ally that I kicked to death.

"I don't know how good your chances are now, Neassale," Ludacris whispered, holding a tight grip on my hand. Then he let go, and stepped back. The pair turned and walked away, quickly. Miryp probably hadn't been too keen to take her turn at the hand-to-hand combat anyway. I watched them go, since it seemed like a viable excuse than to looking back at Silver.

"Good job, you did," Silver snarled at me. I reluctantly turned around to face her, and she was towering over me ominously.

I didn't know how to respond, but I knew for one thing that I couldn't show that she was intimidating in the least bit. "Thanks," I replied smugly, balancing on my tiptoes so I could get in her face.

"There's no way he's in our alliance anymore," Silver went on stiffly, giving me a crazed look with her eyes. I shrugged, making and unimpressed face. I opened my mouth to add on, but she cut me off. "And neither are you."

"Hmm?" I asked, but I knew what she said. She just turned away, stomping off. I watched her go, and Eagee was at my side in seconds.

"What did you do?" Eagee hissed, looking after Silver, his glasses sliding down his nose.

"I do believe I just go rid of Ludacris from our alliance for good," I replied, watching her as well. Eagee turned back to me, as mad as ever. He opened his mouth to say something, but I continued. "That means there's definitely an open space for the both of us."

"Then why does she look so mad?" Eagee asked, glancing back at Silver again.

I made a face. "She may want to kill me."

Eagee looked back at me. His mouth was wide open, staring at me in disbelief. "Neassale-" He began, but again I cut him off.

"All we have to do," I explained. "Is appeal to Mekyl and Poldra. If the two of them like us, then we're golden. Because it'll pretty much be four against one. And she'll either have to leave, if she hates me that much, or just get over it." I looked back at Silver before adding, "It's not like Ludacris would've stayed otherwise." Eagee let out a frustrated sigh. I didn't pay him any attention though, looking for the other two careers. They were over at the spears. "Come on," I told him, heading over towards him. He reluctantly followed.

POV District 4 Mekyl Clugar

"Hey, Neassale," I greeted, though I was eyeing Silver. "What's her problem?" Poldra followed my gaze, and I shared a glance with her.

"Well," Eagee answered, not turning to look. "Ludacris seems to have left the career alliance."

"That would explain it," Poldra commented. "That means we've lost Ludacris, Luipos, and Arale. Three from the alliance, gone."

"You two are in prime position to replace them, aren't you?" I added, glancing at the two of them. Neassale just smiled, though Eagee didn't react. He wasn't very lively anyway.

"You were very good in that battle, Neassale," Poldra commented. "I saw you over there."

"Thanks," She replied. "It ended because I stepped off the platform."

Poldra nodded. "Well, if you want you can try it again - I can do it with you." She offered. Neassale agreed, and the two headed back the way Neassale and Eagee had come from. Eagee stepped beside me, watching them go.

"Poldra is very confusing," Eagee observed, glancing at me. I shrugged in response.

"I know." She seemed to hate me, but she was willing to work together. She didn't like to "make nice" with others, but she was quick to pair up with Neassale. She hated every single thing about the Capitol's sense of style, but she let her stylist dye her hair and skin. "I guess Neassale just reminds her of her sisters."

Eagee seemed to agree, because he didn't say anything else about it. "I'll be honest with you, Mekyl," He spoke up after several seconds of silence. "Neassale was supposed to try and mess up Ludacris and Miryp's alliance, but she failed. Silver's all mad at her, and she said that Neassale had no chance to be with the careers as long as Ludacris wasn't."

I looked at him, surprised. I would never have expected blunt honesty - especially from Eagee. He seemed like he would be too smart for that. He would know if that was a good move or not. There was something he was getting at, but for some reason I felt like I trusted him too. "Silver isn't in charge." He nodded, and I almost instantly caught on. He was trying to appeal to me - not for himself, because he hadn't done anything to aggravate. He was trying to appeal himself so he could use himself as collateral damage to keep Neassale around.

"Poldra obviously likes her," I continued, pointing towards them. "And I'm not dumb enough to get rid of someone like her," I added with a smile. "She's too genius." Eagee gave a tiny, half-smile. "So are you. And if you can get handy with this," I picked up Poldra's spear, which she had left behind, and handed it to him. "You'd be irreplaceable." Eagee stared at it, and then gave me a glance. I rolled my eyes at him. "Fine, I'll help you."

POV District 5 Kaiadra Skeless

I plopped down beside I'iem and Kay, who were talking softly. "What's up?" I asked ungraciously.

"Lots of drama with the careers," I'iem explained, though Kay just eyed me. "The District 1 boy," He continued, pointing behind us. I glanced over my shoulder, to see him sitting with the District 8 girl. "Left the group. And the District 1 girl got all made at the District 9 girl, and now her and the District 3 boy seemed to have left."

"But," Kay added stiffly. "The District 4 boy and girl keep talking to them and were training with them, so the District 1 girl's made at everyone."

"I thought she was just mad at everyone in general," I muttered. I was catching onto Kay's behavior. I had never actually trained with her or I'iem, though I was claiming to be their ally. I had no intention of splitting, especially since I had no better offers - or any other options at all. I liked my space, that was it. I'iem had said the District 9 girl and I seemed like twins, even in personality. But now she had broken into the careers, so why couldn't I have?

Plus, if the District 1 boy was gone, that would be a total of three missing spaces the careers needed to fill. They had the District 3 boy, the District 9 girl, why not the District 5 girl? We had all defected from out District partners. I bit down on my lip. I hated that she didn't trust me. But why did I have to proof it to her?

POV District 7 Cidet Shyn

"What do you want to do next?" Aleas asked me, looking around at the training room. The rest of the tributes were trickling out from lunch towards everything. I just shrugged, and she sighed a bit. "We could try the...I don't know," She huffed. "The swords?" I instinctively looked towards the room, but it wasn't empty. The District 12 tributes were there.

"It's taken," I replied, watching them.

"Exactly." She smiled at me, a bit too smugly, and started towards them.

I paused, not following her. I didn't like the idea. But I heaved a sigh, and forced my feet forward. I didn't understand how this was working. It was seeming more and more like I had two mentors, while she had an escort for a mentor. Two experienced victors vs. one Capitol idiot. And yet she was changing more than I was, seemed to have a better plan than I did. I was lucky that we had an unspoken, unbreakable alliance. Just a family bond. But I knew it was getting very, very close to breaking.

I didn't like her little friend. Belm had a big impact on her. She reported everything to him. I had made the connection between his name and the head gamemaker, Belm was Mylute Picker's brother. If Belm was getting all the information on all the tributes, he could just take all of it to his brother. Mylute would have a constant inside look at all the tributes. If Aleas heard something important, she would go to Belm first, before me. And there was no reason why Belm wouldn't immediately go to Mylute.

Plus the fact that she was acting a bit like him. A bit of an air of arrogance, like she was suddenly above me, had worn off onto her. That glare of hers was coming straight off his face. My sweet little cousin was gone, and now she was one that was even more annoying.

"Hello," Aleas greeted the tributes as we approached them. The two of them gave each other a look, surprised we had come to them.

"Hey," The boy responded, a bit tense.

"I'm Cidet," I spoke up, getting a look from Aleas. "And this is my cousin, Aleas."

The girl smiled at us, then turned to the boy. "I'm Zalnys," He responded, warily looking from her back to us. "And this is my girlfriend, Adoss."

"Nice to meet you," Aleas replied, smiling back. Both Aleas and Adoss were a lot more open to the others, while Zalnys had an untrusting look mirrored from my face to his. When I caught his eye, he forced a smile. But I only gave him a worthless half-smile. Zalnys looked back to Aleas.

"Have you had much practice with the swords?" Adoss asked, looking from Aleas to me, and back again. Aleas should her head. "Same." She took a glance at Zalnys, who just looked back at her with a wary and confused look. "Do you guys want to try it with us."

"Sure," Aleas jumped in, cutting me off when I opened my mouth. Aleas and Adoss both looked to me. I just shut my mouth and nodded awkwardly. Then we all glanced at Zalnys.

"Uh, yeah," Zalnys responded. He picked up a pair of extra swords, handing one to me, and one to Aleas. Adoss led us in the room, Zalnys following behind. "What should I set it to?" He asked, looking at the panel of settings beside the door.

Aleas and Adoss shared a look. "Hard?" I offered. Everyone stared at me. "What? There are four of us, and it's a ton of holograms." They still looked wary, but Zalnys agreed. The lights dimmed, and Zalnys retreated over to us.

There was nothing at first. We were all waiting for them to suddenly attack, but there was nothing. Almost by instinct, or a silent order, we gathered around in a circle, our backs facing in. I started to get nervous, and I stretched the blade of the sword out in front of me. I couldn't pick out where the door was anymore. And before I could react, the orange lights formed together and came flying at me. The blocks hit the blade of my sword, splitting apart on impact, but I stumbled back a bit. A knife. A knife had come flying at my shoulder.

The three of them looked at me, and I looked over my shoulder at them. There was still nothing. And then a flicker of orange light appeared, over Adoss's shoulder. "Look out!" I called out, and she whipped around immediately. But I didn't wait to see how it turned out. I wheeled around to my own side, and just in time to see another hologram form. A spear in hand, it charged towards me.

I jumped forward to meet it, slicing the sword through it's neck. It instantly turned to a ton of blocks, exploding out across the ground. Then there was another. I jumped forward again, quickly swinging the sword into it's shoulder. I'm not even sure if that one had a weapon. I whipped around, feeling bare after abandoning the circle. Aleas and Adoss were fighting side by side, a pair of holograms against them. But I wasn't worried about them.

Zalnys was being overwhelmed, with three holograms surrounding him, ready to pick him apart. I surged forward, shoving my sword through one hologram's back without even thinking. Distracted, the two holograms turned on me. Their un-detailed faces were terrifying, and I froze for a moment. Zalnys swung at one of them, hitting the hologram straight in the head, only to have another hologram run at him.

The hologram left in front of me had a, orange, blocky sword in hand. It opened it's arms, and I could predict it would swing around into the back of my neck. I switched the sword from my left hand to my right, and I moved towards it just the same. I grabbed it's wrist, stopping it from swinging, and slamming the sword into it's sword to make sure it wouldn't fly into my skull. I slid the sword down the blade of the hologram, slamming the sword into the hologram's side. I pulled the sword away, and the hologram was still "alive". I swung it down on it's arm, and it's arm and sword exploded into blocks. I grabbed what was left of it's arm, and swung my sword into it's neck, just beneath it's chin.

It exploded into blocks in my hand, and I smiled. I glanced over at Zalnys, who had just demolished his own enemy. Then at Aleas and Adoss, who were also finished. But the lights hadn't brightened. We all looked at each other, and then Aleas turned her eyes to me. "Hey," She called out, but just as she did, orange light suddenly caught my attention in the corner of my eye. I turned around, but there wasn't hologram standing in front of me. I looked down, to see an orange block sword blade sticking through my stomach.

My heart sunk, and I looked over my shoulder. There was a hologram's hand clasped onto my shoulders, and as I turned all the way around, I got a look at it's empty face. It suddenly fell to the ground in pieces, and the lights brought back up. But I was frozen in place. My hand flew to my stomach, because I was still unsure whether this was training or not. I turned away, finding the door, and I was assured I was safe. But when I blinked, I could still see the hologram in the back of my eyelids.

If it had been real, Zalnys, Adoss, and Aleas would be alive.

I would not.