Author's Note: A chapter of two halves. The rebel victors can't be kept down for long, but every time, there's something around the corner to shake them.

….

Resurgence

Their downtime following the discovery of the Capitol rebels was temporary. True to Finnick's prediction, suspicion did spill into the districts, and it only worked in his favour. People did not like random arrests, threats to cut pay and being forced to attend whippings and executions of those they did not believe did anything wrong.

In Four, they were somewhat protected from it. Their newly installed Mayor with the rebel-controlled peacekeeping force led a cursory investigation into rebel activity, framed the most problematic loyalists and got rid of the issue.

In other districts, it was not so simple. Eleven's people had responded by attacking peacekeeper barracks which only led to more arrests and a continued cycle of violence. Seeder would have to take control of the situation or else Eleven would find itself isolated in open revolt.

Finnick had also received word via Chaff that their newest victor would be a problem. Poppy had reported speaking to Olive congenially during the Tour and did not think she had given away her allegiances, so Finnick asked her to keep watch whilst they were in the Capitol. Between them, they had confirmed that her status as one of them did not make her immune to threatening her life. They had committed to dealing with her by any means necessary and Chaff confirmed he was looking to secure the same commitment from Seeder and Marshall.

In Eight, workers at one of their biggest factories had turned on the owners and briefly took control until an extra peacekeeper deployment violently put them down. Cecelia and Calico did their best to stay hidden despite knowing and supporting what was happening. They felt like cowards, sitting out the fighting whilst their people died. But if they did not want to reveal their position, they had to do nothing whilst their allies endured the consequences.

Calico now understood how her late aunt felt. She too had remained quiet until the right time, when she made herself known as District Eight's rebel leader. Leadership was a fate that Calico knew would reach her too. Cecelia and Cotton were organising an election. They needed to be organised, under one driving force and Cecelia did not feel like the right person for the job.

But every rebel knew Calico and knew that by her name, she could be trusted. She had kept her aunt's legacy strong, and people respected that. She had worked in the factories, joined the rebels as a teenager and since becoming a victor had united people and helped finance their efforts. Cecelia had officially backed her and had told her to expect to be duly elected their leader in the coming weeks.

Whilst Cotton held their administrative burden under the quiet of another reported breakdown, Calista was on the front line, making Cecelia and her husband especially nervous. Their daughter had been tasked with re-engaging the young people caught up in the fighting in working towards District Eight's prosperity.

In taking on a role under the loyalist Mayor, Cali had thrown herself into the lion's den. But Cecelia had to admit that her daughter had become a brilliant asset and intelligence operative. She knew who in the Mayor's staff could be trusted, who was open to persuasion and who would never be turned and would have to be dealt with when the time came. She was trying to put herself in the right position so she could be in the room when crucial matters such as peacekeeping strategy and numbers could be discussed, but that was proving difficult. Her relative youth and proximity to someone with the Paylor name did not work in her favour.

But Cali had sight of just how much disruption was taking place in District Eight and how the district's young people were disengaged and angry with the hand they had been dealt. Cali just had to play the game, as victors always did, and pretend she was a loyalist, working on the Mayor's unity and engagement schemes whilst simultaneously trying to stoke rebellion.

The four victors were secretly delighted. Their people had not lost their spark and would still fight when the time came. They would inform Finnick, and he would be equally as relieved that District Eight could still be relied on. The fighting in the factories was not an isolated incident with their people quietened by the violent reprisals. Eight would always be on tenterhooks until his word came.

District One's rebellion had also seen a revival. The miners had gone on strike over increased quotas and pay freezes. Peacekeepers tried to haul people from their homes which led to open fighting in the streets. Groups of miners engaged in sit-ins in the mining offices and barricaded themselves in, forcing the peacekeepers to act. The mining community had united behind its workers, and the peacekeepers faced such hostility that they were forced into retreat.

When reinforcements came, the entire district knew what would happen. An ugly fight, unbecoming of District One's image broke out and made national news. Leaders were caught and executed but the peacekeepers had suffered heavy losses. The miners were armed, much to the surprise of law enforcement and district officials. It was obvious that their resources were depleted when the miners eventually returned to work under only a minimal guard as peacekeeper numbers were down.

Throughout the incident, the rebel victors paid the striking miners, so they saw no loss of income. Their families would not suffer financially and for those who lost relatives, the district's rebel coffers provided a compensation fund to ensure that families did not become destitute.

Money always talked the loudest in District One and its victors understood that. They knew where their input was most required and organised their affairs to provide a continued financial pipeline for the rebel leaders. They would not lead the rebels themselves, instead, they had embedded themselves into the fabric of the organisation and administration of their district's revolt. It was a far cry from the glamour of their roles in the Capitol but for most of them, the quiet was a welcome respite.

The victors in District Seven were not getting any respite. Linden and Blight were furious when they discovered that Johanna and Fern had joined the lumber camp revolts. Both women claimed they were going to spend the day at Johanna's hideout but returned blood splattered, dishevelled and smelling of gunpowder and burning wood.

They took off early in the morning in disguise with axes hidden under their jackets and stolen guns, hiding in the trees before the workers arrived with the peacekeeper guard. They knew to wait for the signal and fired at the peacekeepers below when they heard it. Both victors were accurate shots and contributed to the lumber workers' kill count.

But it did not take long for the peacekeepers to realise that they were being fired on from above. Some charged the trees and started to climb into Johanna and Fern's territory. They had no choice but to give away their position as they shot at the peacekeepers who threatened to encroach on their domain.

When they did meet peacekeepers, the fighting in the trees became messy. Axes clawed at uniforms and Johanna and Fern clung on to avoid blows with the batons used by law enforcement, using their guns to strike at their opponents. But with their arena mentalities brought to the forefront, both victors fought viciously and escaped relatively unscathed.

Unfortunately, they timed their return to the Village poorly and found Linden gardening in front of his house. When he saw the state of both women he knew immediately, and Fern withered under her mentor's glare. He was furious with their recklessness and the suspicion they would now all be under.

But with tensions high and peacekeepers now on alert, Linden could not shout. Instead, he found Blight, led the four of them to his garden, and let out his anger in a whispered rage.

He was disappointed in their recklessness and managed to draw an apology out of Fern. Johanna on the other hand, would not apologise to Linden or Blight. They knew her well enough to know she would not miss the fight.

Violent reprisals inevitably followed and one individual per peacekeeper killed was hauled into the square and summarily shot. Those deemed to be instigating were publicly executed and the lumber crews worked under heavier guard as peacekeeper reinforcements were brought in straight from completing their training.

The victors were questioned and treated with suspicion. Everyone in the Village had witnessed Linden gardening at some point which provided him with an alibi. Liev had brought a walking stick for the occasion to exaggerate his frailty and made a show of struggling to and from the door when the peacekeepers came knocking. Sawyer played the part of a grumpy ageing man, shouting at those questioning him, asking them why he, an older man from a carpentry background would support an uprising in the lumber crews. Blight wasn't up to very much, but Linden could cover for him whilst Johanna and Fern lied through their teeth, burnt their blood-splattered clothes and buried the guns in the woods in the middle of the night.

They managed to avoid being caught. However, their movements were curtailed, not only by the peacekeepers but their very nervous mentors who dared not risk a slip-up. Life in Seven's Village became much quieter after a moment of excitement and panic and the victors had to watch as reprisals spread across their district and suffering increased.

….

Beetee knew Coral's situation in Four was dire from the second he saw the note addressed to him in Chloe's handwriting. She only wrote letters when she had to, and it was clear this was one of those moments.

"Coral has deteriorated rapidly. We don't think she'll make it to the Capitol.

I'm so sorry and I'm sure she is too."

His mind was made up the second he had read Chloe's words. He would visit District Four. His closest friend was dying and if he did not see her now, Beetee did not think he would again.

The tables had turned since he had panicked about Halley's trip to Four and this time it was the younger victor who was concerned about his journey.

"Uprisings all over the west, Beetee. Peacekeepers everywhere. We know what will happen if you get caught and they won't be quiet over it. We'll all get into trouble too."

"The same as when you went to Four, Halley. The country's attention on the district and you went anyway. We all knew the consequences. This time, Four is quiet and I don't have to cross One or Seven."

"Things have heated up here Beetee, you know they have. We've driven it. People are watching us."

"I'll be fine. Me, you and Wire all know our way out of the district."

Halley woke up two days later to find Beetee gone and Wiress having just returned from dropping him at the train station and bundling him into a storage compartment. Beetee would break out of the compartment during the journey and disguise himself among the train workers from Three who would not give his position away. Halley had told Finnick to expect his arrival so Beetee could expect to find one of Four's victors at the station to smuggle him into the heart of the district.

There was no news of his capture on the television, so the next day, Halley assumed Beetee's journey had gone to plan and decided to relax. Finnick called that afternoon to confirm he had met Beetee at the station and that all was well.

It was not like Halley to be such a worrier. But since she had taken over the leading role, she felt responsible for her fellow victors, even those years her senior. Despite her concerns, Halley's love for the victors had continued and grown throughout her tenure and she knew that visiting Four and seeing Coral for the final time was the right thing for Beetee. She would never deny either of them those moments.

In District Four, Beetee had settled easily into Chloe and Coral's home and set about trying to help the others manage Coral's needs. She needed constant supervision, and somebody had to remain awake throughout the night to ensure she remained safe and did not try to leave. From what Chloe had told him, they had lost Coral several times. It was a matter of luck that she had chosen to walk into the district rather than towards the cliff edges.

He spent most of his days on the porch in Chloe and Coral's garden, listening to his friend's fanciful, fantastical tales. Chloe did not try to correct her partner; she knew it would cause distress. Instead, she held her hand, smiled and agreed with whatever Coral told them.

Coral slept a lot during the day and Chloe often went to lay beside her, knowing their time together would soon be over. During these times, he spoke to Song who was helping keep the house in order and food provided for them all.

"We've never been busier. Well, I haven't and neither has Annie. We're the only two others who don't agitate her. We have help from an old friend too, but it's been difficult. She forgot who Noah, Finnick and Ossian were months back and has shown no signs of recognition since. She's got no clue who Aquaria is and whilst she doesn't know who Annie is, she doesn't scream when she's here. So, we've had to take on a lot to help Chloe."

"Rowan?" Beetee asked.

"It's upset him. Coral was his mentor and with Shai gone, he relied on her again, even though he'd been far more actively involved for years. But his support has gone, other than me. And Coral cries when she sees him. We don't know why. I didn't know how she would react to you, but she seems calm in your presence."

"If there's anything I can do to help, let me know. I know my way around these houses, I can guess where everything is kept."

"I suppose I better put you to work whilst they're both sleeping. Coral is sleeping more and more now; the doctors think it's a sign."

"From reading Pluto's books, I think it is too," Beetee said softly.

"How did you cope? It was you and Pluto for years."

"I forced myself to accept it. It helped that Pluto knew it was time too."

"I couldn't tell you what Coral knows. The doctor is surprised she recognises Chloe. They said it's often the people you know the most who you forget first. But she knows who Chloe is and that's about it."

"She knows who you are."

"She thinks I'm her sister."

"Ah. But at least that brings her comfort. She feels safe around you."

"I think that must be it. But I'm going to have to accept it too, aren't I? Coral hasn't got long left and I don't think Chloe will want to stick around for much longer. She'll go to the Capitol for the next Games to see Liev and she'll fade on her terms."

"If Chloe wants to find her way out, I wouldn't try stopping her. Pluto went when he was ready and certain we would all be fine."

"Deep down I know we will be. Rowan will have to get used to being the elder victor, but we're prepared."

"Everything has been ready in Four for years. Chloe has left you in good stead."

"We just have to make it work for her."

Beetee nodded, his focus having shifted to the woman making her way towards Chloe and Coral's home.

"Is this the old friend who's been helping?" Beetee laughed as he saw Dora approaching.

"Knew it wouldn't take you long to figure that out."

Dora was delighted when she saw Beetee and couldn't help but laugh when she saw the surprise on his face.

"I knew you were alive, but you're so different now!"

"She's one of us," Song said.

"I can see that!"

"I'm hardly the young spritely figure I was when I met this one," Dora said. "But we do have to be careful around her," she continued, gesturing to where Coral was sleeping. "Apparently, I remind her of someone she knew from the Capitol!"

While Dora assisted Chloe and Coral, Beetee went to find Rowan. He had struggled to accept his mentor's fate and would go on lengthy rants about how unfair everything was and how Coral deserved so much better.

Beetee couldn't help but agree. But it was the fate Coral had been dealt. Dementia had been cruel to her, as Beetee knew it had so many other people. He remembered Woof's journey well. He could see the impact it was having on everyone close to Coral, just as it had affected Cecelia and her family.

As someone who valued his mind and the speed and agility his brain could manage compared to the rest of his body, this was one of Beetee's greatest fears. He knew he would be cared for if it were to happen, but his life would become unrecognisable and everything he worked on would disappear from under him immediately.

Coral had been a rebel at heart and her purpose had to be taken from her out of necessity. Chloe stepped back entirely but Beetee knew Three would struggle if Wiress completely removed herself to devote all her attention to him.

But he knew he could not dwell on matters he could not control. He would only have to worry about it if he noticed the signs. Coral's experience had made him more attuned to his mind and aware of what could happen so he was sure he would realise relatively quickly. He had been looking through Three's research and medical facility records but could not find any evidence of drugs being manufactured to reduce the symptoms of dementia. But he knew there must be something. The Capitol would not let this happen to its people and try nothing. Only they were district, and nothing was available to them. They could not stop what had happened to Coral.

Later that night, Coral was awake once more and had returned to the porch with Beetee and Chloe at her side. She studied his face and took hold of his hand, comparing his skin to hers. She looked at Chloe, back at Beetee and then between them several times. She closed her eyes and Chloe leaned in to ask what was on her mind.

Coral sighed, turned to Beetee and then back at Chloe, "Three."

"Yes, it's Beetee. Your friend from District Three."

"Three?" Coral repeated, beginning to sound concerned.

"Yes, District Three. But we're at home. In District Four. Beetee has come to visit you."

"Beetee from Three!"

"Yes, it's your friend, Beetee. He wanted to see you."

Coral held his hand tighter, "Beetee, my friend," she turned to him and smiled and Beetee noticed tears pooling in her eyes.

He clasped her hand with both of his and started to talk to stop himself from crying too, "Always your friend, Coral. We've had so much fun over the years."

"Good," Coral replied.

"It really has been. We've been friends ever since you kissed me to say thank you for getting rid of your problem in my year. The best of friends. You took me out for dinner. At some point, it turned into me taking you out for dinner. We spoke about everything and caused lots of trouble together."

"Trouble?"

"The right kind of trouble, Coral. The kind we always wanted to cause."

"We're friends?"

"Yes, because we're friends Coral. I'll always be your friend."

Beetee could see that Chloe had started to cry and he didn't want to overwhelm Coral. Instead, he let the conversation turn to wherever Coral's mind took them. He did not want to dwell on the Games as he did not know what Coral knew about them anymore and whether it would upset her. She had been having a good day and he did not want to ruin it.

….

It was the last good day Coral had. She went to bed later that night and only woke up for short bursts the following two days and was agitated when she did. Beetee noticed a change in the atmosphere, decided his presence might not be helpful and started to plan his departure.

But then, after a few hours awake with him and Chloe at her side, Coral lost consciousness. The end was fast approaching, and he could not bear to leave.

Everyone took turns to sit by her and Chloe. It did not matter who Coral remembered at that stage. Her fellow victors, Dora, Mags' children and long-time friends spent time sitting quietly with them, sharing their memories of all the adventures Coral had managed to have.

Three nights later, it was time. Song and Annie had whispered their tearful goodbyes and went to distract Rowan and Aquaria respectively. Four's youngest victor did not know quite what to do with herself and Rowan had punched through a wall in frustration, leaving Song to tend to his injuries.

Beetee sat with Chloe, each holding one of Coral's hands as her breathing became heavier, laboured and then shallow. Its rhythm changed, growing louder and then quieter before stopping and starting again.

Beetee tried to excuse himself, but Chloe prevented him from leaving.

"It should be the two of you together."

"I want you here and Coral would not want me to be alone."

Beetee decided he could not deny either of them that.

Coral took her final breaths moments later. Beetee kissed the hand he was holding and moved it to her chest where her other hand would meet it once Chloe had let go.

He met Noah at the door, nodded to confirm what was happening and felt his knees give way.

Everything happened so fast afterwards. Funeral arrangements were made quickly in District Four, and it was all hands on deck, to coin a phrase Beetee had heard Coral use. He was hastily fitted with some of Rowan's old clothes, altered by Dora for the funeral and given a crash course in acting less 'Three' and more 'Four' so he could blend in when the cameras were on the district.

Before he knew it, he had helped lay Coral to rest in the same clifftop with Mags and Shai and was on his way back to Three. Finnick had told him there would be a mass defection of peacekeepers in Coral's honour and he would be best to leave.

Noah drove him to the border along with some of the more high-profile defectors who would need accommodation away from Four, at least temporarily. Whilst Beetee was stuck in his grief, Finnick had been preparing with Halley and Ossian to transfer him back to Three with their new friends. The now former peacekeepers would be staying with Ossian's wider family until a more permanent solution could be found and their return to Four in new anonymity secured.

He was met in a spot free from cameras at the borderlands adjacent to Three and Four and picked up by one of the Mayor's staff members in an old peacekeeper vehicle they had use of. The journey was far more comfortable than the storage compartment on the train to Four, but Beetee's mind would have rather been back there. At least then, Coral was alive. He was going to have to follow his advice to Chloe, accept that it was the right time and carry on with his life.

The Coral he knew would hate it if he didn't.