Author's Note: What this has all been leading up to…hopefully I've got this right. Into the final three chapters!

….

Breakout

Noah returned to District Eleven's station out of habit, to find two blank screens staring at him.

"Damn it," he whispered. "I'm sorry Chaff. We both did what we could, didn't we? Hopefully, Haymitch won't be too mad at me, if I see the old drunk again that is. He should be well on his way by now if all is going to plan on his part. I'm not sure it is for us but we'll do what we can. We can't let them down."

Overhearing Noah's words, Maria approached and rested her hand on his shoulder, "I still believe we've got this. The girl's on the move. Finnick understands more than the others."

"They need to reach the tree."

"They will do. Or someone will know what to do, somewhere."

Sure enough, Finnick had turned back to run in the direction of the tree, having heard three canons fire, unable to locate Johanna or Katniss. But on the way, he realised he was being followed. He turned around to see Enobaria react and throw herself among the foliage to try to keep her position under cover.

Finnick laughed and raised his trident in the direction of her hiding place, "It's too late, Enobaria. I know where you are. You can come out and fight me or I'll trap you. You know what I can do with a tribute that's pinned down."

"As if I'd make it that easy, Finnick," Enobaria snarled, aiming one of her knives at Odair's chest. She threw it but Finnick was able to dodge it quickly, expecting the blow to come.

"I know you can do better than that, Two."

"Bring it on, Four. Where are your allies anyway? I don't see your new friends from Twelve. Turned on each other, have we?"

"Same question to you. Where's Brutus? I'd have heard him by now if he were nearby. But nothing. Don't tell me you've split too? Turned on each other already?"

"We're saving that until the end. Giving everyone the show they've been waiting for."

"I wouldn't be so sure of that, Baria. You've heard it too. Three canons. We've both lost an ally, surely?"

"Well you have," Enobaria snorted.

"Where's Brutus then?" Finnick repeated. "Me, Johanna, the Twelves and Beetee. Chaff was out there before the canons too. Not a great time to split. So either you don't know where he is or he's dead."

Finnick continued to walk back in the direction of the tree, leading Enobaria with him.

"Going somewhere?" Enobaria asked.

"We both are. This ends tonight. One way or another."

"We're on the same page then, I said as much to Brutus. Only we all have different plans as to how this should end."

Enobaria threw another knife at Finnick which he deflected with his trident.

"You're going to have to do better than that!"

Enobaria ran around Finnick but he caught her under foot with his trident, knocking her to the floor. Two's woman lay at his feet, but to her surprise, Finnick did not attack immediately. He waited for her to stand before turning them and continuing his walk back towards the tree.

"You're right though, we do have different plans as to how this should end. Think about it, Baria. Why are we all in here?"

"It's a Quarter Quell," Enobaria snapped. "And people said you were smart."

"I am," Finnick said, faking offence at Enobaria's statement. "At least I've thought about why and tried to make something of it. I know you aren't exactly happy about it either, so come on, think."

"We're past thinking, Finnick. That much is obvious."

"Are we? I'm still thinking about how I want this to end."

"Me too. With me alive."

"You need to think, Enobaria, past the obvious," Finnick said as he moved closer towards the tree and turned to face Two's woman once more. He tried not to show his panic once he caught sight of Beetee's body lying on the floor, still convulsing, the knife wrapped in wire on the floor next to him. So he focused his attention on Enobaria, before both victors were distracted by the sound of Katniss Everdeen's voice approaching them, as she continued to shout for Peeta.

….

Whilst Chloe and Coral were distracted by the latest danger in front of Finnick, Noah left the Mentors' Centre at the door closest to Four's station with Maria at his side. Both were armed and ready for a confrontation. But it did not arrive.

Using Haymitch's money, it appeared as if Liev had encouraged the bartender to offer drinks to the peacekeepers standing guard which had been conveniently spiked, leaving both men unconscious and oblivious to the victors' scheming. Pluto had brought enough of his supply of poisons from home and once again, the victors had been able to work together seamlessly. Years of friendship, trust and understanding was paying dividends. They were helped by the presence of the dissatisfied Capitol workers whose trust they had earned too.

But Noah and Maria could not believe their luck as they relieved the peacekeepers of their side arms and batons without using any force. They were sincerely grateful to Liev, Pluto and Haymitch. They knew how far a bribe went in the Capitol. They had between them, over a hundred years' of experience in visiting the Capitol during the Hunger Games and understood how it worked better than almost anyone. The victors understood each other better than anyone else too.

Haymitch had been amassing money behind the bar, enough to buy them all drinks of course, but leaving enough behind to get people to do their bidding. When he collected their drinks, Liev must have put everything in place with the bartender and each of them had been receiving samples of various poisons from Pluto for years as part of his rebel preparations.

Their planning and preparation, combined with a helping of good luck was turning the tide in their favour. They simply needed everything to work from within the arena.

….

"I don't understand. Why is she hesitating?" Cleo asked, looking towards Lyme.

"I don't know. I've never been able to get under Baria's skin, not like you have."

"She's had so many chances already," Petran hissed. "Just get on with it girl!"

District Two's victors continued to watch as Finnick goaded Enobaria, leading her carefully towards the tree in the midnight wedge, trying to encourage her to think about the Quell and what it could really mean.

Lyme's eyes were constantly flitting between the screen, her fellow mentors and the clock in the centre of the wall above the door closest to them. They would have to leave before midnight and there were only minutes to go. Enobaria was still alive and Cleo was fixated on her girl. Lyme was going to have to create something convincing to get her peers to leave.

She looked around the room to see who remained. It was only those risking the final escape from the Training Centre after the arena fell. Lyme remained hopeful that it would still happen. That Finnick would realise what he had to do, that District Thirteen would be waiting on the forcefield's edge, ready for the stroke of midnight.

But she was going to have to take the chance. She could not risk the three of them becoming sitting targets for the Capitol, whatever the outcome. If the arena fell and they remained, they would be taken, regardless of loyalties. If the Games continued then Lyme could order the car she had arranged to turn around.

By now, Twelve's girl had caught Enobaria's attention. Lyme watched as she tried to look between Finnick and Katniss once it became clear that he had taken notice of Everdeen's presence too. She was trying to establish whether there was any loyalty remaining, an alliance left standing. But she decided not to take the risk and escaped as Finnick's back was turned as he called for Katniss. Lyme released a breath she did not know she was holding before standing up sharply.

"We need to leave," she whispered to Cleo and Petran.

"What in Panem are you talking about?" Petran hissed.

"Baria is still alive, I'm not going anywhere."

Lyme quickly realised that whilst Petran remained oblivious, Cleo was not as blind as she had been making out. She was aware that something was happening, that there might be danger. But Enobaria would always be her priority. Lyme just hoped that they trusted her enough to leave as she had demanded.

"Look, something's about to happen. I don't know what ,but it can't be good."

"Well, if it's nothing good, how can we help Baria if we're nowhere to be seen?"

"We can help get her back when we're home. We need to go. Now."

"I don't know what games you're playing, Lyme, but I'm certainly not playing along with you," Petran said.

"I'm not playing any games, Petran. Just look around you, at who is still here. Pluto has gone and Beetee is still alive, just about. Haymitch has both of his still alive and he left hours ago. Halley is the type to see this through and she disappeared even earlier. They're all smart. Petran, Cleo, come on."

"We can secure Baria's safety from home?"

"If she's still alive, yes. And if we are too. Which we might not be if we don't move now."

Either the promise of still being able to assist Enobaria or confirming that most of the victors were missing seemed to change something in Petran and Cleo. They were victors. Self-preservation was what they did and the need to survive had not left them yet. They vacated their seats and followed Lyme out of the door and through the quiet routes of the Training Centre. Almost everyone was distracted by the events in the arena so they were able to reach the car Lyme had arranged without issue. The second Lyme closed the door behind her, the car swept off through the streets of the Capitol, aiming to put as much distance as possible between the victors and the Training Centre.

….

Poppy and Linden did not share the luck enjoyed by Noah and Maria. They left the Mentors' Centre closest to District Twelve's station and found both peacekeepers alert and talkative. The two victors had to inform the men that they were leaving for a moment of fresh air and circled back on themselves once out of the sight of their guards.

They used the network of entrances and exits in the Training Centre that they were so familiar with to sneak up on both peacekeepers from behind. The buzzing from the cameras above confirmed that they had now been switched off, and with just moments to go, Linden and Poppy knew there was no other choice if they wanted to secure more weapons for the group making their escape. They needed to take action as the opportunity presented itself.

From behind the door, they planned their attack, Poppy managing to remove the bar that was sitting across the door for use as a weapon as Linden readied his knives. On Linden's signal, they charged, bursting through the door and taking both peacekeepers by surprise.

Poppy struck the man closest to her around the head sharply, knocking him off balance, before hitting him again as he fell. She managed to take hold of his baton and struck him in the centre of the visor, causing it to crack and break, falling onto his exposed face. With one arm, the peacekeeper brought Poppy to her knees over his body but she kept hold of the baton. The peacekeeper's fist flew towards her face but she replied by driving her knee forward into the man's neck. She blocked the other arm and then brought the baton down repeatedly across the man's exposed face until she could be sure he was unconscious before freeing the peacekeeper's gun and attaching it to the inside of her jacket.

Linden had used the handle of his knife to strike his foe in the back of the neck, where the uniform's helmet was separated from the torso protection. It was a weak spot that Lyme had discovered and told Poppy about and it knocked the man off balance. Linden took advantage of this and pushed the man forwards before relieving him of his side arm. With one foot on his back, he kept the man on the ground and drove the metal of his knife into the armour's weak point, hoping to find the thin fabric under the layers of peacekeeper uniform.

The peacekeeper's struggles meant that this was a difficult task so Linden resorted to repeatedly forcing the man's head into the ground until he moved no more. He took hold of the baton, struck the man on his back and removed the helmet with such force that the man's neck was forced back and then slammed into the floor. In one final blow, he smashed the helmet against the already unconscious peacekeeper's face.

The two victors gathered themselves and checked for blood before composing themselves to re-enter the Mentors' Centre. Linden looked at the bruise forming across Poppy's cheek, gently ran his thumb along the emerging mark before Poppy reached in to kiss him. It would be her final chance to do this, to touch him as she wanted to before everything changed. They both knew it could be the final moment they had alone for good. They loved each other but knew what must come first. It had been decided for years.

They were interrupted by the sound of the door cautiously being opened and they sprang apart. But the door opened to reveal Liev and Sawyer both laughing at the sight.

"I knew it," Liev laughed.

"We thought we heard something and decided we would check if you needed help, but obviously you've got it sorted," Sawyer said, looking between the two victors and the bodies on the floor before returning to the Mentors' Centre as their time left began to run short.

"Liev, I meant for you to-" Linden started.

"No. Don't. I know why and I'm not hurt. You've kept it quiet for good reason and you couldn't risk word getting out. Just tell me one thing, how long?"

"Since Blight's tour."

"That's a long time to hide. I sure damn hope you get a chance after this."

Sensing that the conversation was over, Poppy walked past both men and into the Mentors' Centre, ignoring the concern on Noah and Maria's faces as they saw the bruise continuing to form on her cheek. Liev and Linden followed her back, talking between themselves, Linden checking that Johanna was still alive and as unscathed as she could be, breathing a sigh of relief that she had fully shaken off Enobaria.

….

"It's just us," Noah said to the remaining victors.

"11.57," Maria replied, drawing each of their attention to the impending escape, both in and out of the arena.

"We'll have a five minute head start over the audience and party-goers before they realise."

"But not Snow. Not the Gamemakers or peacekeepers. Hopefully, whatever the two of you were doing has not brought any more attention up here," Maria said, looking towards Linden and Poppy who both laughed.

"So who wants these?" Linden offered, pointing to the further weapons they had gathered.

"Keep them, the pair of you," Sawyer said. "You earnt them. Besides, we're good enough." Sawyer opened his jacket to reveal a machete from the Training Centre along with a gun and knives brought up by the kitchen staff and stolen by Lyme. Liev confirmed he was in a similar position, having managed to hide a small axe inside the large jacket he was wearing.

"But that means we're better armed than you are."

"Exactly."

"Sawyer, no. That's not how we do things. Liev?"

"It's long been decided. You young ones get priority. The pair of you deserves a chance."

"I'm 49, hardly young."

"Younger than we are. Makes you the third youngest in the room, Poppy second. We're not arguing over it. It's decided."

Across the room Maria and District Four's mentors were having a similar conversation.

"We all have one peacekeeper gun," Noah started.

"You take the one you picked up earlier too," Chloe replied.

"Auntie Chlo, you need something else."

"I have this," she said, pointing to the bag underneath her shoulder, which contained a pair of bespoke spears. "A gift from Liev and Pluto. Coral has them too, from Beetee. Their Capitol friends have been experimenting."

"We have a gun each. Extra bullets too, thanks to Lyme. Maria, Noah, take what you picked up," Coral said and Maria decided not to argue.

"I still think that you're under protected. What if those spears don't work?"

"They will, Noah. Don't worry about us. Chloe and I know what this could mean and we've always wanted you to have the best chance. You and Finn are getting out of this."

Maris stopped their conversation and swiped Noah across the arm to catch his attention, "Look! Twelve's figuring it out."

"And there's one minute to go," Noah said.

…...

Twelve's arrow was aimed directly at him and Finnick knew from the outset that he would find himself in this position. But she was hesitating. Finnick was totally focused on the arrow, already loaded but still attached to its bow. She was having second thoughts. He needed to think, quickly. He needed to stay alive.

Haymitch. That was it. They've shared many a conversation and he knows now how the girl's mind works. She's a victor through and through. Her presence here is no accident. Her similarities to Haymitch had not gone unnoticed either.

Keeping hold of his trident, Finnick raised both hands, "Katniss," he shouted, looking straight at the girl, catching her eye, distracting her from shooting.

He made sure the bracelet was visible, Haymitch's sign to them both. She could trust him. He just hoped he could trust her and her instincts.

"Katniss, remember who the real enemy is!"

Confusion flickered across the girl's face before Finnick could see a realisation in her eyes. She understood. The girl understands Haymitch. She dropped her bow and Finnick sighed in relief.

His relief was short-lived, however. The skies began to roll in and darken. The sound of the insects had disappeared. Under his feet he could feel the energy of the arena surging.

He picked up his trident and began to approach. It would be up to him. But Finnick looked up and found the girl holding the wire. Somehow, and Finnick had no idea how, she had figured it out. She looked at Beetee's knife, wrapped in wire, glanced back at the tree and at the forcefield. She knew what to do.

But they were both too close. They were both about to be electrocuted. His friends watching would hate this. Annie would be hysterical. But they had to do it.

It could still work a few steps away, putting more distance between them and the tree so Finnick started his retreat, "Katniss, get away from that tree," he shouted.

She ignored him. He expected nothing different. But he was relieved she didn't run. The energy in the arena was running beneath his feet and he knew there was seconds to go. The girl raised her bow. He could see the arrow wrapped in wire. The lightning struck, the arrow flew and he was thrown into the air.

The sound was deafening and the girl was surrounded by white light. He tried to move closer to her, but he couldn't control his shaking limbs. He could smell burning and tried to make himself roll over in case he was on fire. But he realised it wasn't him and forced himself onto his back once more as he tried to regain control of his limbs.

Finnick tried to focus on what was above him but it was so bright. He only realised that it had worked as a piece of scaffolding crashed towards him in freefall. He urged his body to the side so it could land adjacent to him, without crushing him and he started to laugh. The girl had done it. After everything he had said, Haymitch's girl had figured it out. They had destroyed the arena. The arena had fallen and the Hunger Games would never be the same again. There might never be another Hunger Games after this.

A hovercraft came into view and he watched as Katniss was swept up in its grasp. He was nearby, he managed to wave his arms, hoping it was the right hovercraft that was picking them up. But his job was to protect Katniss. Wherever she went, he would need to go too.

….

Haymitch watched on in agony as Chaff fell to Brutus only to be avenged by Peeta. His boy. The nice victor. The good victor, who had turned on Brutus with a ferocity nobody knew he had. Haymitch could only look on in shock as Peeta maintained his grip on Brutus' throat as the strength and life faded from Two's man.

He could feel Plutarch's eyes on him but Haymitch kept focused on the screen. Both of his tributes were alive but were suffering. Katniss was bleeding heavily and Peeta began to crumble. The boy had tried to remain himself, the boy he was before. Haymitch knew it was futile, especially after two Games, but he never wanted to tell the boy that. But now part of him was wishing he had as he watched Peeta moan and scream for Katniss. He kept on urging them to find each other, hating that they had been separated. Haymitch wanted above all for them to be able to rescue them both.

His thoughts were interrupted by Plutarch's voice, "We're almost in position. We'll keep moving behind the Capitol hovercrafts before sweeping in."

He could barely comprehend that Beetee was lying on the floor, unconscious, wire at his side. The entire plan was at risk. He could vaguely make out discussions regarding contingencies but then Finnick was under threat from Enobaria and Katniss was wandering aimlessly.

But she surprised them all again. In one of her moments of brilliance, the girl figured out what to do. He looked on, smug as Plutarch turned to him, "One of your lines, the enemy thing? Good work."

Haymitch nodded in response and began pacing, wishing he had a drink with him as he almost lost his balance as the hovercraft surged forwards. It felt like an eternity waiting for there to be enough space to move into position, over the gaping hole in the arena's structure. But as soon as they arrived, they moved to collect Katniss.

Relief like he had not felt before washed over him as his victor came into view. Semi-conscious, singed hair, bleeding from her arm and the head wound with flickering burns as she had been caught by the arena's debris, but physically, nothing that could not be fixed.

But his anxieties mounted once more, the relief gone as soon as it came. There was still more to do, in fact they were only just getting started. Beetee was retrieved, moaning and drifting in and out of consciousness as he was rushed to the team of medics and was followed swiftly by Finnick.

Four's victor stood up the second he was able, albeit on unstable legs as Haymitch had to catch him and bring him to the chair he was previously sitting in. Finnick pulled him into a hug, "It's done," he whispered. "She did it, your girl did it."

Suddenly, the hovercraft lurched to the side before trying to fall back into position.

Both Haymitch and Peeta ran forwards, "Peeta, Johanna, we need to find them!"

"We've been discovered," Plutarch replied. "We need to move. It's too late."

Finnick launched himself towards the door of the hovercraft as it shut in front of his eyes. Haymitch sank to the floor and covered his face.

….

Johanna laughed wildly as a white light flashed across the arena and she was knocked to the floor. The arena had been destroyed. They were getting out of there. The plan was a success. One of her allies had managed it.

She had cut out her tracker and her arm was bleeding heavily, but she was in a better shape than she had left Everdeen. At least the woman was semi-conscious when she ran away from her. She didn't try to chase her either. Hopefully she had done something right.

She watched as the hovercraft picked up three tributes before loudly sweeping out of sight, replaced by another hovercraft which almost crashed into it.

Johanna realised that Peeta was alongside her, calling for her. Looking at his arms, covered by the wetsuit and not the blood she was wearing, Johanna realised that he still had his tracker. The hovercraft was moving in her direction and from the speed of the previous vehicle's departure; she knew that this was no ally.

"Shit," she said before being frozen into place as the hovercraft reached her.

….

Chloe had forced Coral and Noah into her sides in a tight hug, "I love you both, I love you," she chanted over and over before Noah pulled them apart.

"I love you too, Auntie Chloe, both of you," he said looking at his two senior victors. "Let's do this."

Across the room, Linden was running one of his fingers across the back of Poppy's hands, "She's going to do it," he breathed. "She's figured it out."

"Haymitch's victors sure are something," Sawyer said.

"It's on," Liev echoed.

They watched as the arrow coursed upwards into the forcefield and each of their screens fell to black. Only the central feed running on the audience's viewing time was active. The rest of the room fell silent, save only for the victors' breaths.

"Go," Maria announced.