Author's Note: Now we start the next part of the story as the victors head to the Capitol. This is probably the last chapter for a while where the victors are written in their district groupings. I want to really delve into their relationships as a group.

….

Journey

"We know who you're up against now and I'm sure you'll agree, there aren't any surprises," Petran said.

"Almost exactly as I predicted. Thought perhaps Porter over Luna but that's hardly a game-changer," Brutus replied.

"So, strategy," Cleo said.

"Carry on the way we're going. Eager, vicious. Got to act that way until we believe it."

"Baria, don't say you're going soft, or having second thoughts?" Petran cut in.

"No. It's just that it's different this year. Nothing I can't handle though."

"Good. You've got no choice."

"In terms of the Training Centre, what are your thoughts?" Lyme asked.

"Well, we're not teenagers. No need to put on a show to frighten anybody. They all know what we're capable of," Brutus replied.

"Not the Twelves. I wouldn't mind scaring the Girl on Fire a little," Enobaria said.

"We do our jobs. Do what we're good at. Spend time with spears, swords, knives, and anything else we fancy. Get an idea of what weapons might be in the arena. Sure, you can scare the Twelve girl, Baria, might be fun. Be seen with the Ones too, keep up with expectations."

"I'm not interested in the others."

"Baria, we need to weigh up Gloss and Cashmere and see where the Fours will be at least. Especially now we know for sure it's Mags with Finnick," Lyme replied.

"I don't understand that at all. Makes no sense. Not when Song was standing there. It bothered her too, Mags volunteering, but she didn't respond."

"It's not your job to understand the Fours. I'll deal with that one," Lyme said to which Cleo and Petran nodded.

"What exactly is your plan, Lyme?" Petran asked.

"Ensuring Brutus and Baria are alive at the end. Making sure Two looks good, supporting with sponsors and futureproofing." Upon noticing Enobaria's confusion, she continued, "Whatever happens here, no matter who comes home, I'm in charge of the Institute and the Games for the next year at least. Need to make sure everything is lined up properly."

….

Chloe's nerves were already frayed. Diana Treasure was no patch on Dora and the set-up on the train was not to Mags' usual tastes. Chloe had sent Diana up the train in search of various items for Mags just to try to give them a moment's peace without the new escort's interference.

The newcomer had complained and insisted that running up and down the train was a job for the avoxes, but Chloe insisted. Treasure's primary job as an escort was to collect the travelling group from the district and bring them to the Capitol and as far as Chloe was concerned, taking care of Mags was part of that job. In any event, the role of mentor outranked that of escort, so given her newfound knowledge of Hunger Games procedure, Treasure should do her job as requested by the mentor.

Coral had tried to calm Chloe, but it was to little avail. Their mentor, the closest Chloe had had to a mother since her Games, was going to die, sacrificing herself for the good of Annie, Four and the rebellion. Chloe could not bear the thought of her being in any unnecessary discomfort.

It was going to feel like a longer journey than usual. Noah was off doing who knows what, probably trying to bribe the peacekeepers, or seeing if any of the familiar avoxes were on board. But whatever his scheming, Chloe was going to let him be. She trusted him. He was her boy as much as he was Rowan's. She had been Noah's auntie when he was a child and even though he had grown up a lot, she still looked out for him but knew that he was man enough to run his own affairs.

Finnick and Mags were having their own conversation. She wouldn't intervene, so she joined Coral in organising what they had been able to bring with them.

Despite Diana's protestations at the lack of propriety and failure to follow established procedure, Mags would sleep in one of the mentor's rooms both on the train and in the Centre, where she had always slept. It was her space and none of the other Fours would ever think it right to encroach and put her in a tribute room. Noah had already said he did not mind where he slept. Chloe and Coral would share the remaining space. They had revealed their relationship and would not go back to hiding to suit the whims of their new escort who tutted every time she passed them. They would have more room to breathe when they were near the other victors.

….

None of them was in a particularly talkative mood. Levi, Claudia and Max had barely touched the food and Poppy was going to have to carefully administer the remaining morphling they had brought out of the sight of the escort and peacekeepers.

Then it was time to watch the reaping and Poppy knew to be cautious around their escort, Lola Amethyst. This year, she was bound to be particularly keen to observe their reactions. She could not be trusted, and Poppy dared not try to influence her. The previous escort, Poppy had managed to befriend, but they had to keep their guard up around Lola.

Claudia burst into tears at Mags' volunteering and left the table. Levi went with her, leaving Poppy and Max with their escort in uncomfortable silence. They watched their own reaping, and it was a sad sight, so much so that Lola began complaining about their inadequacies compared to the other victors. Neither Poppy nor Max had any time for such complaints and promptly told her to keep her thoughts to herself.

Then it was time for District Seven and Poppy knew it was vital to keep her emotions hidden. She could not risk Lola finding out about her and Linden. But this was the reaping which worried Poppy the most. It would either be her Linden or their closest friend in Blight. She hated it.

At least Johanna had maintained her spirit and it allowed Poppy and Max to laugh all the way up to Blight's name being called. But Poppy didn't know how to feel. There was immense relief that it was not Linden, that they had both avoided the arena. But Blight was one of her closest friends and practically Linden's brother, but she dared not give anything away whilst they had company.

The scenes in Eight were enough for Poppy. She had befriended Cecelia almost as soon as Eight's victor left the arena and had been named an auntie to her three children. Poppy loved her and now Cecelia was going back to the arena leaving her children distraught. Those three children, who, should anything happen to Merino, may become her responsibility, a thought Poppy hated considering what was about to happen to Cecelia.

But she could not watch any more. She was upset for her friends, so she left for her room and allowed Max to follow, leaving their escort alone with her unhelpful thoughts.

Poppy would compose herself in time for the Capitol. She would allow herself to be upset on the train. But from their arrival, so many of the victors would look to her for calm reassurance, even as their worlds were turned upside down.

….

"You can breathe. Poppy's safe and you haven't given anything away. You're both safe," Blight whispered.

"But you're not," Linden replied.

"I knew it, we both did. It was always going to happen this way. We stick to the plan. Make sure everything kicks off, that the Twelves, and Johanna, Finnick too if we can, are still alive. Poppy is just as on board with that as we are."

"This doesn't make it any easier."

"It's shit for all of us. We all knew that from the moment this whole thing was announced. But this is it. If I'm on my way out, then I'm doing something worthwhile and so be it," Blight said. "But tell me one thing. You'll sort that woman out one way or another. Put the plans in place whilst I'm still around so I get some satisfaction. A treat for Johanna too, after everything she ruined for our girl."

"Of course. We've discussed it. Sawyer and I will sort," Linden murmured, careful to not be overheard by the bugs that were undoubtedly on the train or their escort, the subject of the conversation, who was just beyond the door.

"Good. She deserves what she gets. Johanna didn't deserve that, neither did those poor people, just for being good enough to stick by her."

"We know. We'll get it done. But you think Vespa still doesn't know, about me and-"

"Of course she doesn't. I've been doing good enough of a job for her, like everyone else, to think it's me she loves."

"I can't thank you enough for that. You know we'll both always be grateful."

"Alright, don't get sentimental with me. I'm still here for a few more days. Don't talk to me like I'm on my way out. I've still got plans."

"What, album signings and sacking off training?" Linden joked.

"Of course. The group knew what to do and they should have followed orders. My last musical works should be doing the rounds in the Capitol right about now. Just in time for a final publicity frenzy."

"Liev is going to love that."

"He can deal with it. I might not be around to annoy him much longer. He'll look back on this fondly," Blight laughed.

Their conversation was interrupted by shouting coming from the living area on the train. Johanna and Vespa, their escort, were arguing once more.

"We should break that up before it goes too far," Blight said.

….

At least their escort was pleasant. Ten was lucky in that respect. Aloysius was foisted on them a couple of years after Adan's survival and the three of them could feel comfortable in his company. That did not extend so far as trust, none of them were silly. They all had their guard up. He was not a Dora, or an Effie Trinket, but he did the job well and was good enough for them to not want anyone else for a good while yet.

But now everything would change. Charo and Adan were going back into the arena, and they were determined to make these Games the last ever. There should be no need for any more escorts. Aloysius did not share that opinion, but he would never know.

Still, the food was as good as ever, the train comfortable and Aloysius provided pleasant conversation and at least a shred of awareness. He knew that this Quell would be particularly awful for the victors. When it came to watching the reapings, he sat quietly and let the victors talk.

After Charo and Adan retired for the evening, Maria and the escort were left in comfortable silence, until Aloysius spoke up.

"You will have sponsors this year. Lots of them. Not on the same level as Four and Twelve of course, not after last year's infamy, but enough to provide something for them both. That's more than we've been able to do for years."

"I won't have to make a choice right away. Not that I could."

"I know you well enough Maria to not let you do that."

Maria nodded as if to say a silent thank you. "The choice will probably be made for me. They're young so they have that as an advantage. But it's a different game this year. The Ones and Twos will go for them. I doubt anybody else would unless they're desperate. But it's the careers I'm worried about."

"You don't include Four in that?" Aloysius asked.

"With Mags on board? We don't know where Four will go this year. But Mags wouldn't let Finnick lay a hand on our pair, not unless they had to, and I don't think he'd want to anyway."

"This is going to be a very different Quell."

Maria almost wished he knew just how different things were going to be. They had come to an understanding, largely borne out of a mutual hatred for Abraham. It had served them well for years and Maria was relieved she had someone she could work well with within the coming days when everything was going to change. He was not someone she could let in on their plans, but they could work together easily, and Maria knew she would need that.