#also a better reason for Celia to join other than shes being hunted and a better reason for certain characters to be not passione yet

[fantastic-mr-corvid]

got hit with understanding of how things would work and decided to be self indulgent so im planning and possibly writing the years gap between Celia getting her stand and being recruited to passione. the self indulgence is im dragging in cannon characters :)

[fromtheboundlesssea]

The first time Lyanna comes to court in the Robert/Celia AU where Lyanna lives. Whether it’s before Robert falls in love with Celia or after I would like to see that first reception after everything Lyanna did has she seen the error of her ways does she regret what she did does she want Robert now and wish she was beside him instead of Celia do the people worry that Lyanna will steal Robert from Celia the way she stole Rhaegar from Elia? Etc

Hope this is okay:

Celia

A part of her wished that she were not pregnant. It was not that she was not thrilled to have another child, in her childhood she used to tell her father she wanted twenty. However, with Sansa’s birth having been a little difficult, Robert had insisted that they call Cat to King’s Landing and with her sister came Ned and little Robb and Arya, but it also brought her.

Lyanna Stark was just as beautiful as she had always been. She had probably grown more beautiful. She could hear the gossip already. Celia was no great beauty, as Lysa constantly reminded her, as Robert’s continuous disinterest confirmed to her. She would, once again, be compared to the Northern beauty that had sparked the beginnings of the rebellion that had put Celia’s husband on the throne.

The Starks paid their respects to the king and Celia placed a hand over the large curve of her belly. She glanced at Robert and saw that his gaze was upon Lyanna, almost completely ignoring the small boy whose hand she held.

Jon Snow. There were rumors that the boy was legitimate, but Lyanna had never confirmed such things and Ned had fervently denied them. Not a drop of Targaryen blood seemed to be in the boy at all. He was all Stark. He looked a little like Ned, but took completely after his mother. Celia squeezed her daughter’s hand gently.

“Welcome to King’s Landing,” Robert said, allowing them to stand. He turned his attention to Cat and nodded.

Celia’s sister came forward and wrapped her arms around her. Cat rubbed Celia’s back like she did when they were children and it took everything in her to not cry. In their girlhood, everyone wished to be queen, to be a princess, but she was so very lonely. She had so few friends in King’s Landing. She only had Lysa and Petyr, but Lysa could be so very cruel and Petyr always wanted something. All Celia had was her daughter.

“You are glowing, Ce,” Cat said, pulling away from her. She turned her gaze to Sansa and got on her knees. Sansa clung to Celia’s and buried her face in the fabric, peeking out shyly. “Hello, sweetling.”

“You look like Mother,” the little girl said.

“I’m your mother’s big sister.”

“That’s Aunt Lysa.”

“I’m your mother’s bigger sister.”

Sansa’s eyes widdened. “Like Father is to Uncle Stannis and Renly?”

“That’s right.”

Sansa beamed up at her aunt.

“Shall we move this inside?” Robert asked. He offered his arm to Lyanna and Celia turned away.

He still occasionally whispered her name. She could still hear it whispered against her neck.

Lyanna. Lyanna. Lyanna.

Lyanna

She had never been to King’s Landing. While the whole of it smelled of something rotting, the Red Keep was just as Rhaegar had discribed it to her. But Rhaegar was dead, murdered by the man who led her into the keep. Robert has grown to be just as handsome as many thought he would be. Ned has told her that Robert had forgone the drink almost entirely and, to Ned’s knowledge, he had fathered no other bastards besides little Mya Stone which Queen Celia had, for some strange reason, allowed to live in the Red Keep as a companion to the little princess.

He had changed. He was not the man she had been betrothed to. He was better.

“How are you liking being king, Robert?” Lyanna asked, her son waking with his Uncle Ned. Her son was a shy thing, taking after Rhaegar in that regard. He usually sought out Ned in those moments, wanting the quiet strength of the Stark patriarch.

“As likable as I can stand,” he admitted. “I miss Storm’s End and the fresh sea air. I even miss the Vale. I don’t think I would have ever missed it as much as I do, but I do.” He sighed. “If my wife had found it agreeable, I would have had My daughter fostered in the Eyrie with Mya and the Royces, but she wants her daughter here.”

Lyanna could see that it would be wise to send the two girls to the Eyrie, but she could also understand wanting to keep her children close. Catelyn had insisted that Jon be fostered, but Lyanna had refused and Ned had agreed with her.

“Other than that, do you enjoy it?”

“I can’t go hunting as much as I would like, but it is agreeable. I have a good small council that helps me with important matters.” He glanced at her and she could see a slight flush to his cheeks. “I think you would be quite proud of me.”

Lyanna smiled at him and squeezed his arm gently. “You’ve done well. Not even a breath of rebellion anywhere. You make a good king.”

“I feel utterly ridiculous in all this regalia,” her muttered.

Lyanna laughed.

Robert

It sounded like a rolling bell, her laugh. It was just as pretty as it had been when he last heard it in Harrenhal. She had grown more beautiful too. She had grown into herself and had become the confident woman Robert had always imagined her to be.

He had tried to become a benevolent king, tried to emulate parts of Rhaegar that had been well received. He walked amongst the people, encouraged the arts. He was well liked, but more jovial than the dragon prince, possibly making him more approachable.

“You look quite handsome,” Lyanna assured him and Robert smiled.

He had tried to be the man Lyanna had wanted. He took no mistresses, Mya being his only bastard, although he had discussed legitimizing her should the new babe be a boy. He did not allow other women in his bed, only taking his marital rights from his wife when she asked him to or when he felt like it. He did not indulge in the cup. He was the man Lyanna would have wanted. He—

“Father,” his daughter interrupted his thoughts. He glanced down to see his youngest holding onto his robe and looking up at him. She took after her mother, although her chin and ears were Robert’s. “Mother wishes to show Aunt Cat the gardens.”

He glanced back and saw his wife looking at the floor, her cheeks red, her face flushed. He looked back to his daughter. “Would you like to join them, sweetling?”

His daughter’s smile brightened. Her smile was his too. “I want to show Aunt Cat the winter roses you had planted.”

“Winter roses?” Lyanna asked.

He looked to her. The woman he had them planted for. “Shall we all go together?” Robert offered. “Stretch all our legs before you’re shown to your rooms.”

Lyanna smiled at him. “That sounds lovely.”

He turned and looked at his wife to speak, but found the words dead upon his tongue when their eyes met. She looked wounded. Like a doe caught in a trap, knowing it had nowhere else to go.

Varys

Varys did what he did best and observed, watching the scene unfold from his place, not in the shadows, but almost like a spider upon the wall, spinning a web to catch whatever flies might come his way.

It was obvious to anyone that the king was still very much in love with Lyanna Stark. If some emissary from Essos came, based on how everyone was positioned, they might assume that Lyanna was his queen. She had dressed rather prettily that day, dressed in Stark grey with black trim. The queen was dressed with less flare, more for her pregnancy than anything else, wearing a deep blue dress that showed off her rounding belly. But she was being escorted by her sister and the king’s whole attention was upon Lyanna Stark, save for when he was addressing his wife, which was rarely.

Varys knew that most of the lords whispered fearfully of Lyanna Stark coming time the capital. She had stolen the eye and heart of Rhaegar Targaryen, who had a wife of his own, even a male heir. But Elia Martell had been a beauty, which inspired a thousand songs. The king, while married, had one daughter with his wife and, hopefully a son on the way. The queen was not ugly, far from it, she was merely plain. And Robert showed less attentiveness to Celia than Rhaegar ever showed Elia.

Perhaps the other lords had a right to worry. Lyanna had given Rhaegar a son rather quickly while Celia had given Robert a daughter. Lady Catelyn had given Lord Stark a son after one night. And, although the child had died soon after, Lady Lysa has given Lord Arryn a son right away as well.

The king was very much still in love with Lady Lyanna and that was still a rather worrisome thing.

—

Note: Robert never referred to Celia by her name, same with Sansa. 😭

[devillainsarchive]

My official canon divergence starts with the end of D2 and will cover all of Book 4 and D3 and beyond. 

Please read. I will eventually put all of this in smaller head canons.

If this post is too long for you here is my shortened version - x

Pre Book 4

Book 1 is mostly canon on this blog. It should be noted that Carlos and Uma, and her crew and the pirates used to hang out or at least were acquaintances. He has an unspoken beef with Harry Hook. They also taught him to swim and sword fight. Carlos’ symbol the cross bones is a partial reference to his pirate history. Carlos’ mother is very awful but has a vice like grip over him. Carlos deeply loves his mother, and knows his mother does not love him but that never stops him from trying to earn her love. He is also protective over her because of this. He hates himself for his feelings like this.

D1 is also largely canon. Book 2 is also canon. Book 3 is canon, except his and Jane’s friendship are not as rushed (and later relationship starts building immediately after D1. D2 is mostly canon with the caveat that he and Mal have talked prior about the truth gummy and his mom hence why his mom’s voice appears in Ways to be Wicked. Carlos barely does any actual fighting with the pirates as they are his friends and he is torn. He likes being able to to the smoke bombs because it acknowledges his accuracy, and his desire to not actually fight.

After D2 Jane and Carlos do become official. They are not without their issues, not listening to each other is a main one. They often speak over each other, and don’t listen to each other’s ramblings. Their is alot of trust issues between them. They are both nervous about everything, and second guessing everything. But they are trying, and they are a cute couple.

Dude cannot talk still. The spell wore off shortly after D2, when he took his first poop really. He is however good at tracking, because he’s a dog. He helps in that matter, but that alone.

Book 4

Due to rules at Auradon prep, even though Carlos should have graduated early, he does graduate with the rest of the Core 4, he just is not allowed to walk across the stage. He is a junior in title alone. He graduates with the rest. Dude stays at Auradon prep, and does not graduate. Dude stays to help the next mascot. Dude also officially gets adopted by Gil when the time comes in D3.

Carlos does not participate in the senior things, and it kind of crushes him. He doesn’t even know if the school will let him graduate and it eats him up. Even if the school does, he will be away from his friends which doesn’t help either. Jane figures out a way to fix it by having him help plan the scavenger hunt. But that’s alot on him.

D3 and VK DAY

VK Day is not a thing. It does not happen. It was brought up and Carlos shot it down. He does have a place on the Isle for kids though, but some of their parents are bad. The location is a secret, and the place is run in part by Diego, and in part by a few of the other older kids who Carlos trusts. Carlos is not a fan of the applications, and pushes for if they are going to be a thing then kids need to be coming over at least monthly. To help prepare he proposes for a place to be built in Auradon for kids both Auradon raised, and not to find solace and help if they want it.

Carlos hates being on the isle, he hates going back. His mother is not okay for various reasons. He does not like it there. He never truly will. He cares about the kids and those in situations similar to his, but going back to the Isle is panic inducing for him.

Jane’s Birthday and Relationship

Carlos helps Jane plan her birthday, and even has some surprises for her. Like a cake and gift. However because of things going on he misses her party due to the fact that he has to go back to the Isle again. That begins the strain on their relationship. She thinks he forgot. And the cake he made is slowly being eaten by people which doesn’t help. Jane does not find out about the cake, because the new VKs hide their evidence of eating it.

Carlos does try to give Jane her gift, a way of saying sorry now for missing the party. It is a bow made out of scrap metal that Carlos made. Because of nerves between both of them, its not really well received. Carlos says that he’s not sure about them anymore things have been building after all over months.

When Jane meets Harry and Gil, she does not intentionally flirt back. But Carlos sees it, and gives her a look. They never officially say they are broken up. They remain friends for sure. But they both realize they are not going to be each other’s happily ever after. And they are okay with that, because at least they are friends.

Fight Scene

Carlos Recognizes the fighting style as Chad’s because he is in control of the armor. Carlos does not know how to voice this to the others, but he does have an advantage that they now don’t. He and Chad are a pretty equal match.

Carlos is much more open to accepting Harry and Gil. The icebreaker is not needed so much because he did in fact use to be friends with them on the Isle. He and Harry still don’t speak about their beef. But their lack of speaking about it, allows them to move on from it.

The Barrier and Aftermath

Carlos does not want the barrier down forever. Yes people deserve second chances. Some people however do not. He spend years atoning for his mother’s wrongs because she couldn’t. So in the aftermath of the barrier coming down, he sees Diego, which excites and confuses him because he loves his cousin. His cousin is coming to warn him about his mother.

Carlos tries to bring this to Ben and Mal but its a happy time. People are happy. The VKs are happy. Celia and Facilier are happy. The kids with good parents are happy, and Carlos can only thinking about the parents who aren’t good. A different solution has to be made or he will live the rest of his life in fear because his mother will find him. He wont get to go to Camelot University (Oxford and Cambridge Auradon Equivalent) and join their ROAR team like planned, he got a full scholarship.

So as soon as the celebrations end, he talks to Chad who he has gotten really close to. Chad suggest some thing, and Carlos goes with it. He asks for a meeting with Ben, some select adults in Auradon, and the VKs. He is terrified. None of them realize what is going on. His meeting begins with him saying that they need an alternative. Some villains are still bad. Some need to go to an actual prison. People object. Carlos for the first time then shows people who aren’t Mal, Evie, and Jay, his scars. He talks about the years of abuse his mother put on him. Things are going well until the air changes.

Cruella enters, and Carlos’ demeanor changes completely. Where he wants was confident he is no longer. Normally she speaks, but she doesn’t, and Carlos knows its going to be bad. She takes him out, but not before Fairy Godmother stops it. She freezes Cruella, and agrees they need an alternative for the not so good parents. There will always be bad people who are just bad.

College and Afterwords

Carlos visits his mother, even if it goes nowhere. Diego stays on the Isle, but Carlos is much more comfortable being there now. He also gets to see his cousin. Diego’s band becomes quite a hit in Auradon, they got alot better than when they were on the Isle. A true rock band. He goes to Camelot University, and plays ROAR there.

He has two focuses, veterinary medicine which covers science, but he also takes extra chemistry classes, because while at school he gets used to Animals. With help, he gets a service dog, Laurie, then a second dog Frieda both from the Dalmatian Plantation. His second focus is engineering.

He lives with the Charmings. They support him as if he was their own son. He and Chad have really bonded, and become close friends.

Eventually he gets access to Cruella’s money that was put in a trust, he gets access to her estate as well. He also gets all her cars out of the museum, if he steals them one at a time, no one tries to stop him. They have his name on them after all. Everyone in college knows that if they need help with cars or things need fixing he is the one to go to.

He feels pretty fulfilled. A life where he could not hope, leads to a life where he can.

[devillain]

My official canon divergence starts with the end of D2 and will cover all of Book 4 and D3 and beyond.

Please read. I will eventually put all of this in smaller head canons. Additionally, most of this can change depending on who I am writing with, I made it flexible on purpose.

If this post is too long for you here is my shortened version - x

Pre Book 4

Book 1 is mostly canon on this blog. It should be noted that Carlos and Uma, and her crew and the pirates used to hang out or at least were acquaintances. He has an unspoken beef with Harry Hook. They also taught him to swim and sword fight. Carlos’ symbol the cross bones is a partial reference to his pirate history. Carlos’ mother is very awful but has a vice like grip over him. Carlos deeply loves his mother, and knows his mother does not love him but that never stops him from trying to earn her love. He is also protective over her because of this. He hates himself for his feelings like this.

D1 is also largely canon. Book 2 is also canon. Book 3 is canon, except his and Jane’s friendship are not as rushed (and later relationship starts building immediately after D1. D2 is mostly canon with the caveat that he and Mal have talked prior about the truth gummy and his mom hence why his mom’s voice appears in Ways to be Wicked. Carlos barely does any actual fighting with the pirates as they are his friends and he is torn. He likes being able to to the smoke bombs because it acknowledges his accuracy, and his desire to not actually fight.

After D2 Jane and Carlos do become official. They are not without their issues, not listening to each other is a main one. They often speak over each other, and don’t listen to each other’s ramblings. Their is alot of trust issues between them. They are both nervous about everything, and second guessing everything. But they are trying, and they are a cute couple.

Dude cannot talk still. The spell wore off shortly after D2, when he took his first poop really. He is however good at tracking, because he’s a dog. He helps in that matter, but that alone.

Book 4

Due to rules at Auradon prep, even though Carlos should have graduated early, he does graduate with the rest of the Core 4, he just is not allowed to walk across the stage. He is a junior in title alone. He graduates with the rest. Dude stays at Auradon prep, and does not graduate. Dude stays to help the next mascot. Dude also officially gets adopted by Gil when the time comes in D3.

Carlos does not participate in the senior things, and it kind of crushes him. He doesn’t even know if the school will let him graduate and it eats him up. Even if the school does, he will be away from his friends which doesn’t help either. Jane figures out a way to fix it by having him help plan the scavenger hunt. But that’s alot on him.

D3 and VK DAY

VK Day is not a thing. It does not happen. It was brought up and Carlos shot it down. He does have a place on the Isle for kids though, but some of their parents are bad. The location is a secret, and the place is run in part by Diego, and in part by a few of the other older kids who Carlos trusts. Carlos is not a fan of the applications, and pushes for if they are going to be a thing then kids need to be coming over at least monthly. To help prepare he proposes for a place to be built in Auradon for kids both Auradon raised, and not to find solace and help if they want it.

Carlos hates being on the isle, he hates going back. His mother is not okay for various reasons. He does not like it there. He never truly will. He cares about the kids and those in situations similar to his, but going back to the Isle is panic inducing for him.

Jane’s Birthday and Relationship

Carlos helps Jane plan her birthday, and even has some surprises for her. Like a cake and gift. However because of things going on he misses her party due to the fact that he has to go back to the Isle again. That begins the strain on their relationship. She thinks he forgot. And the cake he made is slowly being eaten by people which doesn’t help. Jane does not find out about the cake, because the new VKs hide their evidence of eating it.

Carlos does try to give Jane her gift, a way of saying sorry now for missing the party. It is a bow made out of scrap metal that Carlos made. Because of nerves between both of them, its not really well received. Carlos says that he’s not sure about them anymore things have been building after all over months.

When Jane meets Harry and Gil, she does not intentionally flirt back. But Carlos sees it, and gives her a look. They never officially say they are broken up. They remain friends for sure. But they both realize they are not going to be each other’s happily ever after. And they are okay with that, because at least they are friends.

Fight Scene

Carlos Recognizes the fighting style as Chad’s because he is in control of the armor. Carlos does not know how to voice this to the others, but he does have an advantage that they now don’t. He and Chad are a pretty equal match.

Carlos is much more open to accepting Harry and Gil. The icebreaker is not needed so much because he did in fact use to be friends with them on the Isle. He and Harry still don’t speak about their beef. But their lack of speaking about it, allows them to move on from it.

The Barrier and Aftermath

Carlos does not want the barrier down forever. Yes people deserve second chances. Some people however do not. He spend years atoning for his mother’s wrongs because she couldn’t. So in the aftermath of the barrier coming down, he sees Diego, which excites and confuses him because he loves his cousin. His cousin is coming to warn him about his mother.

Carlos tries to bring this to Ben and Mal but its a happy time. People are happy. The VKs are happy. Celia and Facilier are happy. The kids with good parents are happy, and Carlos can only thinking about the parents who aren’t good. A different solution has to be made or he will live the rest of his life in fear because his mother will find him. He wont get to go to Camelot University (Oxford and Cambridge Auradon Equivalent) and join their ROAR team like planned, he got a full scholarship.

So as soon as the celebrations end, he talks to Chad who he has gotten really close to. Chad suggest some thing, and Carlos goes with it. He asks for a meeting with Ben, some select adults in Auradon, and the VKs. He is terrified. None of them realize what is going on. His meeting begins with him saying that they need an alternative. Some villains are still bad. Some need to go to an actual prison. People object. Carlos for the first time then shows people who aren’t Mal, Evie, and Jay, his scars. He talks about the years of abuse his mother put on him. Things are going well until the air changes.

Cruella enters, and Carlos’ demeanor changes completely. Where he wants was confident he is no longer. Normally she speaks, but she doesn’t, and Carlos knows its going to be bad. She takes him out, but not before Fairy Godmother stops it. She freezes Cruella, and agrees they need an alternative for the not so good parents. There will always be bad people who are just bad.

College and Afterwords

Carlos visits his mother, even if it goes nowhere. Diego stays on the Isle, but Carlos is much more comfortable being there now. He also gets to see his cousin. Diego’s band becomes quite a hit in Auradon, they got alot better than when they were on the Isle. A true rock band. He goes to Camelot University, and plays ROAR there.

He has two focuses, veterinary medicine which covers science, but he also takes extra chemistry classes, because while at school he gets used to Animals. With help, he gets a service dog, Laurie, then a second dog Frieda both from the Dalmatian Plantation. His second focus is engineering.

He lives with the Charmings. They support him as if he was their own son. He and Chad have really bonded, and become close friends.

Eventually he gets access to Cruella’s money that was put in a trust, he gets access to her estate as well. He also gets all her cars out of the museum, if he steals them one at a time, no one tries to stop him. They have his name on them after all. Everyone in college knows that if they need help with cars or things need fixing he is the one to go to.

He feels pretty fulfilled. A life where he could not hope, leads to a life where he can.

[126thhungergames]

WDWDTL: Fifth Day

It was middle of the night when Nicole woke up to the sound of Soyeon getting up from her usual sleeping place and started gathering up her things. Cesare was soundly sleeping few feet away from the two girls.

“Where are you going?” Nicole asked and Soyeon jumped, startled by the voice of the raven haired girl. 

“It’s Day 5.” She stated as a matter-of-fact and continued packing her things. 

Day 5 was well-known in the history of Hunger Games as the most gruesome day. Not even the bloodbath could top the damage that is usually cause on the fifth day. 

“Exactly. Are you trying to get yourself killed by going on your own?” Nicole asked her, trying to keep her voice low enough so that Cesare wouldn’t wake up. 

Soyeon stopped in the middle of putting her blanket into the backpack and looked into Nicole’s eyes. They could barely see each other in the night, but due to the fullmoon outside, they were able to distinguish approximately each other’s features.

“No one has died since the bloodbath. Do you think this is going to go down smoothly? Half of us is going to be dead in the next 24 hours. I intend to be in the other half.”

“You don’t know that! Maybe-”

“Look, I know you are a big name in your district and probably in the Capitol too, but these are the games. And when someone lunges at you with a sword in their hands, not even a silver package from the sponsors is going to save you.”

Soyeon seemed to be finished with packing and picked up her backpack, standing up and turning around to leave.

“I could help you.” Nicole tried to reason with her.

“You could. But you could also get me killed. I won’t take the chances.”

They were outside in the woods, in an early morning when it happened. The mist was almost invisible and became thicker only when it already encircled them. They tried to run. They really did.

The mist burnt their flesh like an acid. It felt as if there was no way to escape. Wherever they went, the mist followed and became only more intense. They tried not to scream. The last thing they needed was to drag attention to themselves.

“Guys, look!” Camilla yelled and pointed with her index finger at the mist. “The mist doesn’t reach the tips of the trees. We could climb them and save ourselves!”

The two boys looked at her as if she were insane. They wondered how it was even possible that she had the strength to talk. 

The three of them were weak, their clothes burned and their flesh was red and painful. However, it was the only chance at survival. 

Camila was the first one to climb the nearest tree. She was hurt and with each movement she winced in the pain. Felix followed after her and then Remi did too.

She was getting weaker the more she climbed up, her panting became louder and she could feel her skin tearing up and exposing the raw muscle. She cried loudly in pain, she wanted to let go. It was unbearable.

With the last bits of strength and determination she never knew she had, she hoisted herself up and finally reached the branch that wasn’t covered with mist anymore.

Her vision was clouded with tears of pain, however she brought herself to look down at her two allies. So far they were climbing up and that was all that mattered.

Few more branches for them to go. Three more. Two more.

That was when the branch under Felix’s foot broke down, sending him flying down and taking Remi in the process. She could hear the loud snap of Remi’s neck, followed by loud gong indicating his pain.

“NOOO!” She screamed. She wanted all of them to make it out. 

It didn’t take long for the mist to thicken even more and soon, Felix’s gong followed.

Musa excused herself from her group of careers, using the excuse of needing to wash herself. The main river was toxic, however the career five managed to find another stream of water that was safe to be used.

She didn’t expect to be in the alliance this long, however, it was true that the numbers haven’t been decreasing since the first day. Marco had been furious that there was no kill made on their part for three days. She knew that if another day had gone by without anyone dead, Marco would have started killing his own allies most likely. 

As she reached the crossing, she turned left, exactly the opposite direction of the river stream. This wasn’t as she wanted her escape from the alliance to go, but she wasn’t able to sneak out during the night with Catrine and Evan watching. The two were insistent on being the guard for the night and Musa didn’t want to seem suspicious by pressing the matter. At least she managed to have her boomerangs with her.

She was only able to make a few steps, before someone spun her around and pinned her to the tree. Out of reflex she swinged her boomerang, however her hand was caught in a firm grip which made her wince in pain and drop the boomerang.

When she opened her eyes she was faced with none other than Evan Brekker.

“What do you want, Brekker?” She spat out, angry at him for assaulting her like this, angry at herself for not seeing it coming. Had it been a fair battle, or at least a battle she was prepared for, she would stand a chance. But now she was cornered like a prey, waiting to be slaughtered.

“This isn’t the way to the river.” He told her in a pretended innocent and concerned voice. As if he was just a good citizen, helping others find their way.

“Is it not? My bad, then, let me just turn back-” She replied in a sarcastic tone and tried to wiggle out of his grip only to be pinned back where she was before.

Evan clicked his tongue, looking at her from head to toe and pursed his lips, as if he was debating on what to do with her.

She hated feeling like this. She could try to go for a kick in the groin, but he would see it coming and other than angering him, it wouldn’t do it any good to her case.

“Brekker, let me go!” She tried to fight him, but she had no chance against his strength. In the next second she was spun around, her hands twisted behind her back, feeling something metal being put around them. As she turned her head she realized she was handcuffed. “What the fuck?”

She could hear him smirk behind her, his hands firmly gripping her forearms and his lips almost touching her left ear.

“I told you I would be the last thing you see before you die.”

Musa gulped, trying not to let fear overtake her and she pleasantly surprised herself as she managed to keep her voice steady. “Why not just get on with it then? Why the handcuffs?”

He chuckled at her response, spinning her back to face him. “I intend to make your death worthwile, long and messy, with the entire Capitol watching and with only the two of us left alive.”

“How romantic.” She retorted, which only made him tighten the grip on her arm and he dragged her behind him like a weak prisoner, away from the river and away from the career nest.

Kasia watched the two tributes from her hiding, like a cat, waiting for the perfect moment to hunt the mice. They were an easy target. Popular with the Capitol, rich and charming, most likely raised up between fluffy pillows and golden showers. However, in the games? They were like a walking prey. 

The boy was by far way weaker than the Escobar girl. Which meant she needed to attack the girl first and use the element of surprise on her. Kasia didn’t doubt that she would able to get them even if she ran towards them with a loud roar, but then again, better be safe than sorry. 

She clenched the axe in her hand and waited for the perfect opportunity and that presented itself in few seconds as Escobar crunched down to search through her backpack for something.

Not wanting to waste any second, Kasia threw the axe with a precision that even careers could envy her and the weapon landed straight in the middle of the girl’s face, followed by a loud gong. 

Her district partner immediately screamed and started to look around himself for the source of danger. Kasia cursed under her breath, he was going to drag unnecessary attention to himself and to her as such. 

She ran from her cover towards him, trying to land a blow to his stomach. However it surprised her when he picked up his fencing sword and cut through Kasia’s fist. It hurt, but the adrenaline took over her body and she paid no attention to it. She picked up a knife from her boot, protecting herself as Cesare lunged at her.

He surprised her, because he was actually quite skilled with the sword and the more he moved, the more he became confident and consistent in the fight. Whereas Kasia was slowly starting to internally panick. She was stronger than he was, but he had better technique and his sword was more dangerous than her hunting knife.

After what seemed like hours, Cesare managed to swat her knife away and she was left defensless, with his sword at her throat. She panted heavily, prepared to join her elders.

“Do it.” She whispered breathlessly.

He looked her over and raised his sword to strike a final blow, when they were interrupted by a loud sound of someone trying to get inside the factory.

Kasia used the interruption and kicked Cesare in the groin, sending him to the ground. She didn’t want to temp the fate and rather fleed.

Celia looked at Cassim who was lying on the ground, covered in blankets, his expression blank and his eyes bloody. She knew he didn’t have much time left and that he was in great pain, but she didn’t have the heart to give him the mercy of killing him.

Even though she was from a career district, she wasn’t able to kill a fly, let alone a human being. Especially one she cared about. 

She wanted to ask him whether she should fetch him some water, when heavy footsteps approaching interrupted her and the words died out in her throat.

The cave was quite light during the daytime and therefore she could easily distinguish the features of her district partner and behind him the career girl from one. Though it was weird that the career girl was chained up and dragged by Evan.

“Look who we have here.” Evan whistled as he saw the injured Cassim and his helpless ally. Before he moved further to them, he grabbed the career girl and pushed her to the ground, sticking a stake through her handcuffs and to the ground to keep her from going away.

“What is-?” Celia couldn’t find the right words, trying to ask why Evan’s so-called-ally was being put in handcuffs.

“Oh this? This is Brekker’s twisted idea of a foreplay.” Musa answered for him, smirking in the process. Whether Evan heard her or not, he didn’t let it show on himself. However, Musa pushed further.

“Should I cheer you on, darling?” Musa mocked sweetly. “Give me B, give me E, give me K, give-” She was cut off as he picked up another stake, but this time, pierced it through her hand.

“You know, the record for the longest time of killing someone in the Hunger Games is 17 hours. I’d say we should push that, don’t you think?” He spat at her as she winced in pain.

Celia was confused from the scene displayed in front of her. For a moment it felt as if she and Cassim weren’t even there and the two careers were lost in their own sick and twisted game.

Perhaps if this was someone else, they would take advantage of the situation and attack the career duo, however, even with the element of surprise, Celia would be no match for Evan. Besides, she couldn’t leave Cassim, even though he was on the bridge of dying.

In a matter of seconds, Evan clunched his spear and it almost appeared as if he wanted to pierce Musa’s heart in it, but he shifted quickly and sent the spear flying straight in the middle of Cassim’s chest, killing him immediately.

Celia’s knees became woobly and she felt to the ground, crying and screaming at the image of her ally. However her cries didn’t last long as soon she felt Evan’s hands on her neck and heard a quick snap before everything went to black.

Marco has been spitting fire ever since their two allies left them in the morning. Catrine was honestly surprised that he didn’t see it coming. She knew that Musa would leave them the second she excused herself to clean herself. Catrine didn’t stop her, because, why should she. This way at least she has a reason to kill her on the spot, without having to explain herself.

However, the person who surprised even her was Evan. She expected him to hang around the career alliance till the very end. Now she was stuck with two vengeful men and she was unaware of whom to trust anymore.

Before the games started, the plan had been simple. She would seduce Marco, wait for him to do the dirty work, stick with him till the end and then betray him. Hell, maybe he would even sacrifice himself for her. He was the perfect manipulator and charmer, but he was no match for her feminine weapons. 

Then the game slightly changed when her district partner figured out her plan. She already knew him from their district and the two of them were constantly flirting with each other, even though they never acted upon it. So when he found out, she didn’t hesitate to let him on the plan. 

Marco had been cautious about Sebastian, so Catrine had to make him believe that she had Sebastian under control. In other words, Sebastian knew that Catrine was playing Marco, while Marco thought that she was playing Sebastian.

It sounded easy enough in the beginning. Now? Not so much.

Marco was growing restless with each day. He wanted the numbers to be already reduced by half by the third day. Naturally by the hands of the careers. However that wasn’t happening and it made him angry that he wasn’t in control. Not even Catrine was able to make him feel better anymore.

As for Sebastian, Catrine had no idea where she standed. Despite what she has been telling herself since the beginning, she grew a strange fondness towards her dark haired district partner. However, she was beginning to wonder whether he cared at least a bit. Whether it wasn’t her that was being played.

Marco shouted loudly, which made Catrine flinch, but she didn’t say anything. The three of them were in a factory, searching for other tributes, but once again it seemed that they would be without luck. That was until they spotted someone in the shadows, running across the corridor. As if on clue, Marco started sprinting towards the person, with Catrine and Sebastian in the row.

After few minutes of running, their chased tribute walked into a dead end and had no way of escaping.

“Please, let me live.” She pleaded, tears rolling down her cheeks. Catrine recognized her as the girl that escaped them on the first day. Violet Forks or something like that.

“Ooh, look who it is.” Marco chuckled and swinged his mace in front of her threateningly. “The one that got away.” He stated dramatically, enjoying each word.

“Catrine, love, this is the girl who hit you with a boomerang, isn’t she?” He asked in a sweet tone, his eyes fixed upon Violet. 

Catrine rolled her eyes, finding Marco’s dramatics unnecessary. “That would be her.” She replied in a stoic tone.

“Would you like to enjoy her yourself or will you let me have the honors?” Dramatic, indeed.

“Suit yourself.” She replied him. Maybe he would finally calm himself down a bit after he killed a tribute after all those days.

He didn’t wait any longer and swinged his mace across her body, forming a clean cut that was coloured in red the same second. He kept cutting down at the girl’s body, making her screams echo through the factory.

Catrine was tempted to close her eyes and look the other way. But the last thing she needed was to look weak in front of the cameras. 

Hephaestus heard the loud gong the minute the girl’s screams ended. He was crouching by the pipes, along with Josephine since the careers entered the halls. Unfortunately, the two of them were too close to the career group to run away and therefore hiding was their only option. 

He was a skilled tribute, along with Josephine, but he didn’t want to risk the confrontation. After all, they were in a disadvantage, as there were three of them. Also they were heavily armed, while Hephaestus only had a self-made spear and Jo had a rusty knife. 

After few minutes of silence, Josephine took a step back, still in the crouching position, only to stumble upon something metal and loud. 

Josephine cursed at herself, having done the greatest Hunger Games’ cliché. Hephaestus expected to hear the footsteps of careers, but nothing happened. He thought that maybe they were too far away to hear it and the two of them were safe.

“Well finally, I thought you two would never move.”

The two tributes were startled by the voice and abruptly turned to face the leader of the career group, Marco Glass. How long has he been standing there?

Immediately the two of them stood up, pressed against the pipes and drew their weapons at the career group.

Hephaestus launched himself at Marco, trying to hit him with spear, only to have it cut in a half by Marco’s mace. Luckily he managed to catch both halves of his former spear and started forcefully hitting Marco with them. He was less skilled than Marco as far as technique went, but he was surprisingly stronger than him.

Meanwhile, Jospehine wrestled with the tributes from two. She was fighting bravely, however it was obvious that she was going to succumb soon.

Hephaestus used his body strength to shove Marco to the ground and for a second he was faced with a moral dilemma. He could try to help Josephine, but he would risk only more confrontation. He could continue his fight with Marco, maybe even succeeding in killing him, but then he would be left at mercy of the district two tributes, who were going to be soon finished with Jo. Or he could be a cowardly bastard and run to save his life.

The latter option has won.

Before Marco could stand up, Hephaestus glanced quickly at Josephine, trying to catch her gaze and tell her he was sorry, but she was too preoccupied with the fight. So without a word he started sprinting through the pipes as fast as he could, considering his body size. He could faintly make out Marco’s cursing or Josephine’s loud screams. He didn’t stop.

Only when he heard the loud gong, he took a second to stop a mutter a quiet prayer for his ally’s life.

17th place: Remi Kirimi (D6) - killed by the fall

16th place: Felix Dogan (D9) - killed by the mist

15th place: Nicole Escobar (D8) - killed by Kasia

14th place: Cassim Mortensen (D8) - killed by Evan

13th place: Celia Ilia (D4) - killed by Evan

12th place: Violet Forbes (D10) - killed by Marco

11th place: Josephine Eartheart (D5) - killed by Sebastian