Author's Note

I do not own The Hunger Games.

Apollo Gilmore, 17

He'd been sorted into District Nine, which was a decent starting point. Nine had steadily grown in popularity in the real Hunger Games, which didn't gain him anything in the simulation, but it did grant him some nicer chariot options than other Districts. And hey, it wasn't Eleven or Twelve. They were terrible Districts. They hadn't even had a cool Victor in two decades.

Apollo had chosen the scarecrow option for his parade outfit, and customised it with a neat hat, his blue hair tucked up under it. He might not be a standout, especially among forty eight players, but hopefully he'd been good and bold enough to garner some attention. At least more than some of the other players he could see around him. One of the boys in Seven had even chosen to do the most stereotypical thing and dress as a tree. A tree?! Idiot.

Apollo stood on his chariot, getting a look at the other players. The parade was a silly thing, but it was the first chance to earn sponsor points from those watching, which could be a game changer later on. Sponsor points could mean weapons or medicine, something to tip the scales.

Artemis had ended up in District Four – not a bad starting point – and dressed as a mermaid, her pink hair drawn into some complicated braid and her chest nearly bare. They'd have to have words about her exposing herself for all and sundry. Though she'd get some good points for that. Meanwhile, Ares was in District Three, dressed as a robot, with a cap surrounding his head though still showing his face and glowing wires up his back. Not as good, but it might amuse some, especially younger watchers. They liked stupid things like that.

With his siblings located, Apollo turned his attention to finding the Sterlings. One might think that with their refusal to modify their looks or even dye their hair like normal people, they'd disappear into the background, but that vivid silvery blonde hair of theirs actually stood out well. Too well, in some arenas.

One of the boys – Radiance, he thought – was with Artemis – poor her – and dressed as some sea god. The other one – Luminescence, if the first was Radiance – was in District Five. The girl he couldn't see. Could be she was one of the players wearing a mask, though that wasn't really her thing. From what he'd seen of her in other Games, she liked designs that emphasised her strength and showed off her face. Maybe she'd changed her hair.

Districts One and Two were putting on a poor show this time round. The players assigned to those District had the benefits of being in favoured Districts, and often gained support from it. And in a special like this, they really ought to be working with what they had. But these ones just seemed to not know what they were doing. One wore fancy dresses, males and females alike - had they coordinated that? Cool idea. Poor execution. There was no show from the girls, and one of the boys looked bored. The other one was trying to create some show around himself, but being dragged down by his chariot partners.

District Two must have coordinated their outfits: they were clad in Peacekeeper gear. Impressive, except all they were doing was simply lounging about their chariot. Had to be newbies, though normally they'd be a little more nervous. Experienced players knew how useful the parade could be, however much it might feel like they were just going through the motions.

Ahead of them the warehouse door slid open, and the jaunty parade music began to play as the chariot for One started moving.

Emeria Delilah Echavoque, 15

The District Eleven costumes for this year were… mediocre. A shame, but she'd work with what she had. As such, she'd chosen the field worker outfit, a pair of dungarees and heavy boots, with a wide brimmed straw hat, which was better than the other options of a tomato, a tree, or some kind of dog for some reason. That was the option the other girl had chosen, for reasons Emeria would never know. She looked ridiculous, and her face could barely be seen. How were any of those watching meant to remember her?

She leant on the edge of the chariot and waved out to the computerised crowd before searching for the cameras for the livestream. The in-Game audience would earn her some sponsor points, but those watching on the livestream were where the vast majority was at.

Emeria kissed her palms and waved them at the cameras. If any regulars were watching, they might recognise her. A former Victor always got a few more points. There was something to be said for experience.

The other girl waved up at the camera, looking almost bored with the simulation.

"You could show a little more enthusiasm!" Emeria called.

The other girl shrugged. "What for? It's always the same."

"It's good for points."

"I won't be needing points," she replied, glancing back at the chariot behind them. The poor kids sorted into Twelve had drawn the short stick this time round. At least she wasn't them.

Luminescence Sterling, 17

District Four should have been a great placement. He should have been saying he couldn't have asked for anything better.

Luminescence would rather have been sorted into Twelve. Anything would be better than this.

Gilmore swayed her hips and ran her hands down her barely clothed body, smiling for the computerised crowd. The real people they were performing for, however, were those online watching The Game.

And they'd be loving that show of hers.

Performances like that… well, sold.

How could he compete?

"Don't worry," Gilmore said with a sweet smile, and caught a rose thrown by some faceless figure from the equally faceless crowd. She tucked it into the other girl's hair. "You can benefit by being associated with me."

Luminescence leant against the side of the chariot, positioning himself to show off his bare chest and reaching up to tuck a lock of his hair behind his ear. The cheers from the computerised crowd echoed around him. On his right, a glowing counter showed sponsor points begin to trickle in. Nice to have, but he could do without them in a pinch. He cast a subtle look at the players in the chariots behind him, attempting to locate Phoenix, but couldn't find her. She must be well back. All the better for the plan if she could slip by entirely unnoticed.

So what if the Gilmores were tougher and better fighters?

The Sterlings were smarter.

Current Alliances:

Alliance 1: Luminescence, Radiance, Iridescence, Etheria.

Alliance 2: Apollo, Artemis, Ares

Alliance 3: Sorcha, Luminita, Calpurnia, Marcellina

Alliance 4: Silverie, Emeria

Alliance 5: Zephyr, Celeste

Loners: Vivaldi, Hortensia, Etheria, Maximillian, Phoenix, Andreas

Other Alliances:

Alliance 6: Venice, Julius

Alliance 7: Sabrina, Justice

Alliance 8: Cyan, Plutus

Alliance 9: Angelica, Araminta

SUBMITTER CHECK IN (replies can be sent in reviews or pms): Nice easy one! Choose a number between one and fifty!