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Chapter Nineteen: Battle Cry
75th Hunger Games Quarter Quell
"I figured you would be up here, beautiful." Finnick said softly smirking at Katniss, who up until now had been alone brooding on the roof. "So, Hell Kat spill- what did you and the drunk do to piss off the Gamemakers?" He asked an odd mixture of amused and concerned.
"Well, I hung a dummy Seneca Crane and Haymitch was Haymitch." Katniss said bluntly a dark smile playing on her lips.
Finnick let out a surprised chuckle, "You know, when I taught you the knots to make a noose I didn't think you would do something so dangerous. Guess I will have to rescue you my minx, from the careers and the cruelty of the gamemakers. I have to say you would make an alluring damsel in distress, Hell Kat." He winked at her annoyed glare.
"Gloss and Brutus bought me." Katniss confessed hoarsely. Finnick's previous flirtatious demeanor vanished as it was replaced by an unparalleled dangerous furry.
"What?" Finnick demanded clarification, the unspoken rage obvious on his face. Katniss shook her head in regret.
"I shouldn't have said that, I don't know why I did. Forget it, Fish Boy. Let's talk about how we are going to handle being in the arena together and with our friends." Katniss deflected trying to change the subject.
"Don't give me that bullshit, Katniss. You obviously want to talk about it, and I wanna know what those bastards did. You can tell me, I of all people will understand." Finnick said passionately, furious that fellow Victors had taken advantage of Katniss.
"I can't talk about it. Not any of the appointments, if I put too much thought on them. I know it will destroy me, I can't let it. It's easier burying it deep down and ignoring it." Katniss whispered brokenly.
"Okay, if that's how you cope I won't push. Just know I'm always here in case you change your mind. We all cope differently. Haymitch hides behind his bottle, Johanna behind her hatred, Annie & Dean hide behind their naivete along with each other. I personally hide behind my image and you hide behind your walls. Despite how differently we all handle it at least we have each other. You're not alone, Hell Kat." Finnick said softly, while gently wiping away the half shed tears from Katniss' face.
"Thank you, Finnick." Katniss said leaning into him giving him a hug.
"Anytime, Katniss." Finnick said lovingly returning her embrace.
"Also, those two will be my kills in the arena." Katniss said sternly. Finnick chuckled darkly.
"We'll see about that, Hell Kat." Finnick said challengingly, making no promises since he wants to gut the both of those bastards with his trident. Katniss sighed tiredly but touched by the sentiment.
Neither one spoke after that emotionally wrenching brief conversation, they just continued to enjoy each others presence and embrace. Until it was time for them to part after all tomorrow was the interviews.
"Why am I wearing a wedding dress, Cinna?" Katniss asked her Capitol stylist confused. "And why is it so heavy?"
"Our dear president requested it, I don't know the significance of why a wedding gown. However I have added my own flair to it, made some alterations." Cinna informed his muse quietly. "I had to make more alterations then I thought." Cinna muttered under his breath, smiling knowingly at the Girl on Fire's midsection, unbeknownst to Katniss.
Louder Cinna said, " You're ravishing. Now, Katniss because this bodice is fitted I don't want you raising your arms above your head not until you twirl. If Caesar doesn't ask you, suggest it yourself but save it for your big finale. I'll give you a signal. Any plans for your interview?" Cinna asked softly smiling at his girl on fire.
"I never have a specific plan for the interview, I just always wing it. Always works for me." Katniss said mischievously. Cinna laughed fondly at her.
"Then you'll be unforgettable like always." Cinna said knowingly smiling at her.
The other tributes stare speechlessly at her attire, Finnick of course comments first.
"Well that's a sight I only see in my dreams but why exactly did Cinna put you in that, Hell Kat?" Finnick asked smirking at her.
"Snow." Katniss said shortly, no further explanation required.
By the time Katniss is introduced the audience is absolute wreck.
Caesar: So, Katniss, obviously this is a very emotional night for everyone. Is there anything you'd like to say?
Katniss: I'd actually like to sing something if you all don't mind?
The Capitol audience cheered enthusiastically.
Caesar: I think its safe to say we'd all be delighted, Katniss.
Katniss: Just one more time before I go I'll let you know that all this time I've been afraid. Wouldn't let it show, nobody can save me now. Stars are only visible in darkness, fear is ever-changing and evolving and I have been poisoned inside but I feel so alive. Nobody can save me now, the king is crowned, it's do or die. The only sound left is the battle cry...nobody can save me now.
The crowd, Caesar, and her fellow Victors were blown away by the raw emotion as Katniss finished singing what could be her final swan song.
Katniss finished by twirling, her out of place wedding dress transformed. Cinna had turned her into a mockingjay.
After the audiences wild applause dies down, Katniss passes Haymitch, who gives her a smirk, that was both apprehensive and arrogant. Katniss got a sinking feeling he was up to something involving her because he couldn't quite meet her eyes.
Caesar: So, Haymitch, as winner of the last quarter quell, how did feel when you heard the theme of this years quell?
Haymitch: Unfortunately, this whole experience has been very sobering if you know what I mean.
Everyone had a good laugh at that as everyone knows of Haymitch's drinking problem.
Caesar: How does it feel going into the arena with Katniss having been her mentor?
Haymitch: Complicated, her and pretty boy Odiar are going to be a force to reckoned with. I only plan on going easy on them and allying with the two lovebirds because of the baby. Odair did a pretty good job knocking up, Sweetheart.
Haymitch smirks as the buzzer goes off. Leaving chaos following his words. Finnick and Katniss were both stunned, however thankfully they both were good at hiding their emotions. While Finnick was impressed with Haymitch's strategy, Katniss started to have an unsettling realization. Her period had been late, Finnick & her hadn't taken precautions like they normally would have, and now Katniss is thinking about it she has been showing all of the signs. Her mother and Prim are healers how did neither one of them realize this? Katniss blames herself for not figuring it out sooner.
After the Victors joined hands, Katniss was able to embrace Finnick before they were separated.
"It's real, not just a ploy for change or sponsors I really am pregnant, Finnick." Katniss whispered in her lover's ear, leaving him shell shocked. They weren't able to continue that very important discussion, as they had to return to their separate floors.
"Alright, Sweetheart. Let me have it." Haymitch drawled, mentally and physically ready to duck anything she might throw at him.
"You think that was just a strategy, don't you?" Katniss asked Haymitch, taking him by surprise, he nodded in bewilderment.
"It wasn't, I'm really pregnant with Finnick's child. I didn't even realize it until you announced it to the whole world." Katniss informed everyone, stunning Haymitch, Dean, and Effie.
"Oh, my stars." Effie gasped hysterically, looking ready to break down in tears.
"Shit." Haymitch and Dean eloquently summed up the situation.
"My sentiments exactly." Katniss sassed darkly, before retreating into her room leaving the others to process her news.
"Annie and Effie told me to tell you two to be careful." Dean to his Mentors awkwardly, not knowing what else to say.
"How is Annie handling being a mentor without Mags or Finnick?" Katniss asked concerned.
"About as well as I am." Dean said truthfully. Haymitch snorted in dark amusement.
"So piss poorly then." Haymitch heckled, smirking at the younger man. Dean glared at the alcoholic.
"Make sure you win, Katniss." Dean said pointedly rudely starring at Haymitch as he says this. Haymitch just smirked secretively at the two. Katniss let out a quick nervous chuckle, briefly amused by her fellow District Twelve Victors' antics.
Soon before Katniss knew it, she was with Cinna again. She hadn't seen him since the interviews.
When they reach the Launch Room at the arena, Cinna helps Katniss get ready.
"I've made some alterations to your jumpsuit, there's a protective layer around you're midsection. As long as you stay alive you're baby will be safe." Cinna said quietly.
"You knew, how?" Katniss asked stunned. Cinna lightly chuckled.
"I've been your stylist for years. You've already finished puberty, so when your measurements changed again it was easy to figure out the cause." Cinna said smiling fondly at her.
"Remember, girl on fire. I'm still betting on you." Cinna said as he kissed Katniss' forehead.
"Thank you." Katniss mouthed to him, before becoming confused as to why the plate doesn't rise.
Then three Peacekeepers burst in the room attacking Cinna, bashing him tell he was limp and bloody.
Katniss doesn't have enough time to process the violent murder of her beloved friend before she's thrown into the third quarter quell arena.
Water is surrounding every direction, it was no place for the girl on fire.
Katniss looked around to see where everyone was located. Katniss was beside the district five male Jared and Woof. She spotted Finnick on the other side of Jared, Haymitch was two people down from him. There was some good distance between Katniss and the male careers.
"Ladies and gentlemen, let the Seventy-fifth Hunger Games begin!" The voice of Claudius Templesmith announced.
Chaos ensued, Katniss dived in and swam as fast as she could to making her way to the Cornucopia. Just as she finally grasped the bow, she heard someone come from behind her.
"Katniss, duck!" Finnick warned her, she did just that, and Finnick threw his trident at Jared from five who was preparing to attack Katniss.
BOOM
All around them the stronger victors were killing the weaker ones. Cashmere killed Kane from nine, Brutus killed Seeder & Cecilia, Enobaria had taken out Woof & Yoko from ten, and Gloss killed Chassis the male morphling from six & Whelma from nine.
BOOM
BOOM
BOOM
BOOM
BOOM
BOOM
BOOM
Brutus ran towards Katniss and Finnick, Finnick threw his trident targeting Brutus's crotch at the same time as Katniss shoot an arrow at the district two victor's head. Katniss raised her eyebrows at Finnick, who just grinned at her not even sorry he maimed Brutus's privates, before he retrieved his trident and Katniss's arrow.
BOOM
Gloss attacked them next, this time it was just Katniss who aimed she shot the district one male right in the eye.
BOOM
The fighting stopped now that the male careers were no longer a threat, but there was still Cashmere and Enobaria to worry about.
"We need to get Haymitch, he doesn't know how to swim." Katniss told Finnick, who nodded at her in acknowledgment.
"I'll get him along with Mags. Stay here, grab what you want, and stay safe." Finnick said before diving back into the water were a struggling elderly Mags was trying to help Haymitch.
Soon the four of them finally made it to land after grabbing what they wanted from the weapons pile.
"Hey there, Sweetheart. Miss me?" Haymitch asked arrogantly, smirking at her.
"Not even in the slightest, Sugar." Katniss said waspishly, giving him a small smile. Both of their seam gray eyes held relief that the other was still alive.
"Well I had to get gramps sorry ass out of the water, you're welcome by the way." Finnick said cockily
"Gramps?" Haymitch and Katniss asked giving Finnick dirty looks. The district four male chuckled at the their twin looks of annoyance.
"Yeah, because that's what the baby will call you. Grandpa Haymitch, has a nice ring doesn't it?" Finnick smirked at them, Mags gave a raspy chuckle at the dismay and horror that was on the victors of district twelve.
"I think I'm gonna be sick." Katniss said queasy at the thought.
"Fuck that, I'm Uncle Haymitch or hey you. There will be no calling me gramps or anything close to it." Haymitch said sternly, shaking his head strongly to discourage that notion.
Besides some laughter from Mags and Finnick, the four of them remained silent as the trekked through the jungle to find water and a place to rest.
Haymitch and Katniss both were able to warn the other two about the force field. They both knew what to look for since they both had talked to Beetee. They eventually found a place to set up a camp, Katniss decided to search for water and do some hunting. Both Haymitch and Finnick weren't to thrilled with the prospect of Katniss going on her own.
"Sorry, Sugar, you and Fish Boy should both stay here with Mags. It's easier if I'm on my own." Katniss said stubbornly.
"In other words, you're saying I'm too loud. Funny usually it's the other way around, Hell Kat." Finnick said suggestively, winking at her. Katniss rolled her eyes.
Katniss shot what they are calling a tree rat, but unfortunately didn't find the animal's water source. Finnick threw his arm around Katniss as the faces of the ten dead victors projected into the sky.
Gloss Hargrove
District One
Brutus Armstrong
District Two
"Good job, Sweetheart." Haymitch said impressed that she managed to take out the two male careers. Katniss smiled darkly not regretting their deaths at all, they earned them
Jared Forks
District Five
Chassis Bosley
District Six
Cecilia Emery
District Eight
Woof Brunner
District Eight
Mags let out a pain filled sigh of despair having been friends with both Cecilia and Woof. Finnick detangled himself from Katniss to offer Mags some comfort for her loss. Katniss felt for the three little kids that just lost their mother.
Whelma Moore
District Nine
Kane Gilmore
District Nine
Yoko Newsome
District Ten
Seeder Fairbanks
District Eleven
Katniss heart grew heavy as she felt her last connection to Rue slip away. Haymitch had a scowl on his face, at seeing his fallen friend, and he knew wherever Chaff was he would be pissed at learning of Seeder's death.
After the anouncements goes dark a silver parachute glides down, at first no one reaches it. Until Finnick decides to pick it up.
"Why don't you do the honors, Hell Kat." Finnick said handing the sponsor gift to her.
It takes a while but eventually Katniss figures out that it's spile, the four victors get to work and everyone is overjoyed as their thirst is quenched. Then their exhaustion makes itself known so they start making plans for the night.
"Why don't you three, go to sleep. I'll take first watch." Finnick offered somberly. Katniss was about to protest but Finnick stopped her before she could even start.
"Especially you, baby mama. You and our little one are going to need as much rest as possible." Finnick said sternly, Katniss glared at him. Her glare softened when she saw the anguish in his beautiful sea green eyes. They never got to privately discuss the baby issue and now all of Panem is watching them so they still can't discuss it as freely as they would like to. They may never get the chance to now that they are suppose to fight to their death. However, they still had to put on a show.
"If you don't want an arrow in your ass, then I suggest you never call me that again, Fish Boy." Katniss snarled fiercely. Finnick chuckled quietly.
"You got it, Hell Kat." Finnick winked at her mischievously. Katniss rolled her eyes before going to sleep.
Katniss jerks awake by the tolling of a bell. Neither Katniss or Finnick know the significance but Katniss takes over watch, allowing Finnick to get some rest.
An hour or so the lightning stops, it starts raining in the distance but it never reaches Katniss and the others.
BOOM
After the rain shuts off Katniss spots a fog starting to creep their way almost unnaturally, it has a sickeningly sweet odor. Katniss begins to rouse the others, just as she starts to feel her skin blister.
"Run!" Katniss yells at them, succeeding in waking the other victors up.
Katniss and Finnick as the two younger tributes were a lot faster than Mags and Haymitch. Eventually Finnick had to carry Haymitch and Katniss tried carrying Mags.
"Can you carry them both?" Katniss asked worried and in pain.
"No, I can't my arms aren't working properly. I'm sorry Mags I can't." Finnick said distressed.
Mags hauls herself and plants a kiss on Finnick's lips before walking straight into the fog.
BOOM
"No, Mags! No!" Finnick yelled distraught. Katniss wraps her arms around him to get him moving, eventually the three make it out of the fogs reach they lay on the ground. They're twitching, grasping, and groaning. Katniss soon discovers the pool of water in them heals the painful blisters caused by the fog. Her and Finnick drag Haymitch towards it, so he can heal.
After a few minutes pass , Haymitch points upwards.
"Shit, Monkeys." Haymitch croaks out.
The monkeys soon attack, Katniss leashes arrow after arrow, Finnick spearing the beasts like fish, and Haymitch slashing away with his knife.
However, it wasn't enough, Haymitch was about to be overtaken by a monkey until out of nowhere Bonnie the female morphling from six jumps in front of him saving Haymitch.
BOOM
BOOM
"Guys, look it's Johanna! She has Wiress and Beetee!" Finnick said excitedly.
After Johanna explained what happened to them and Blight, Katniss attended to the district three victors patching them up the best she could.
"Still can't believe Odair knocked you up. The offspring of Fishbrains and Brainless, that's a tragedy waiting to happen. Well at least the baby will be a good looking idiot." Johanna snarked carelessly.
Katniss ignored her, she knew that was the best way to handle Johanna.
Johanna hates being ignored she almost pouted at the younger female, but she controlled that impulse and sighed annoyed instead. Johanna decided if she wasn't going to get a rise out of Katniss she might as well go to sleep and leave Katniss to be on watch.
"Tick, tock" Wiress muttered in her sleep.
"It's a clock the arena is a clock." Katniss said in realization.
BOOM
BOOM
Katniss didn't know who those cannons were for so she didn't focus on it, since she realized what Wiress has been trying to tell them.
After discussing the arena being a clock, the group started moving again, only to see an angry Cashmere heading straight for Katniss who was holding up both Beetee and Wiress so she couldn't defend herself. Johanna attacked the district one female before Finnick could.
BOOM
The six victors continued walking, they were collecting more water when Katniss heard the devastatingly familiar screams.
"No! Tel! Prim! Sia!" Katniss screamed running towards her siblings screams.
"Annie!" Finnick yelled panicked following right behind Katniss
It was jaberjays, soon more screams were added. Gale's, Dean's and Mrs. Everdeen's. Katniss shot mutt after mutt to try and make her torment stop.
Finally the hour was up, Finnick and Katniss were still shaken up but no one said anything. They continued discussing Beetee's plan to take out Enobaria.
BOOM
"Must have been, Chaff." Johanna said quietly looking at Haymitch who darkly grunted fighting his emotions at the loss of another friend.
Before Katniss knew it everything happened fast, Enobaria attacking them, Katniss killing the shocked career, Johanna attacking her but really destroying her tracker and Katniss did the same cutting out Johanna's. Then Katniss shot her arrow upwards destroying the forcefield.
The next thing she knew she was knocked out waking up on a hovercraft, overhearing a shocking conversation between Finnick, Johanna, Plutarch, and Haymitch. Wiress and Beetee were still unconscious.
"You knew about all of this and neither one of you told me!" Katniss said betrayed glaring at her mentor and the father of her child pissed that they lied and used her.
"Katniss, I'm sorry. We didn't keep you in the dark on purpose. But there's something you should know before you try to attack us again. They have them, Katniss. The Capitol took Annie and Dean." Finnick said brokenly.
Katniss stared in numb shock.
AN: Song is Battle Cry by Imagine Dragons. What do you guys think? Let me know! Hope it didn't disappoint! So background pairings I'm playing with, I want to hear your guys opinions. Haymitch/Effie? Haymitch/Johanna? Johanna/Gale? Again thanks for sticking with me for this story its almost done, six chapters to go! Hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Please review!