All-Stars: Non-Careers

Chapter 13

Yeah Pandora threw jewels.

Electra Magneta

Des waltzed right up to Pray and asked for help. I could never be that brave. I knew Acee and I was familiar with her. Naturally Emmeline and I fell in together since we were both techhead Threes. Then there was Gizmo, who was rougher around the edges but still a Three. We stuck together. This time around, I didn't feel as friendly toward other people. I wanted to stick closer to people I knew.

I stayed in one place during training since there was a bit of a mishap cloning me. I was six inches taller than I used to be and I kept falling all over when I tried to walk. It was nice to not be so short I was looking Des in the boobs all the time, but this was no time to learn how to walk.

Des took care of getting more allies. She was a lot sweeter and more open than I was. I didn't feel close to anyone but her, but I was glad she was getting more allies. Us Threes would be good for an indoor Arena. Des would be good for the outdoors. What we still needed was heavy hitters for the first fight. And it was best not to get attached to that sort of Tribute.

Pandora Sent

The Capitol didn't fix my eyes, which left us with a problem. Without glasses I couldn't see. With glasses I had a tool I could use to make a fire. They ended up giving me flexible contact lenses. I didn't like them and it was weird having a film on my eyes. I didn't wear them much. Glasses barely helped anyway.

Someone like me had no business firing an arrow, so I stuck to the plants station.

"How are you doing that if you can't see?" A girl asked as I sorted the leaves.

"I smell them. This one's way tangier than this one," I said as I held up two leaves. "This one smells like peppermint. And I know the spicy parsnip one is hemlock."

"Wow, do you know all of them?" the girl asked.

"I can usually tell if one's poisonous. They often have acid that irritates my skin," I said.

"You're like a superhero! You got any allies?" the girl asked.

"Not yet," I said. Whoever she was, I liked her. She wasn't gloomy like so many Tributes.

"Want some?" she asked.

"If it's you, okay," I said.

Gizmo Torrens

There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combinations of these five give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard.-Sun Tzu

What was important was finding the combination of allies that would yield success. An army needed tacticians. That would be me, Electra and Emmalie. It needed scouts. That was Pandora. It needed someone to rally it. That was Des. It also needed infantry, and that was what Des and I were trying to find. In the crowded training room, it was hard to see anyone in particular.

"How about him?" I said, pointing at Apollo. "He got to the top five last Resurrection Games."

"Sounds cool," Des said. We approached him as he threw some weights around.

"Hey, we need some muscle. You got some muscle?" Des asked. Apollo flexed.

"Does it look like it?" he asked. "See anything you like?" If only he knew. Des was the wrong girl to ask.

"I guess you'll do. We'll see what you got," Des said.

"Glad I made the grade," Apollo said. Our army was nearing completion.

Emmeline Blythe

The last Games was based on life- the phoenix, the Maya legends, the rainforest. This Games would be based on death. I predicted a barren Arena. Perhaps a battleground or a crematorium. It was likely to be urban in some portion, which would mean easier access to electronics. It also meant better shelter, which would reduce the number of competitors that would die from exposure.

Also, this wasn't a normal Games. We had to expect some new twist. I suspected it would be a totally new element to the Games. Perhaps Capitolites would be allowed to hunt us in the Arena, or anyone who didn't kill another Tribute within a certain period would be blown up. It was difficult to know what to expect with so little information. I had to prepare for as many possibilities as possible and hope I got the right one.

Eve Sable

I sort of fell into my alliance. I ended up as one of the primary fighters, even though I wasn't that tough. I knew how to use knives. Emmeline said that would scare a lot of people off, because knives were a messy way to die. I hoped she was right.

There were way too many of us for Cornflower to mentor. One of us was too many for Cornflower to mentor. Lucky the Careers were happy to step up.

"You use knives? Ever try throwing them?" Hyden asked. I wasn't used to light throwing knives, but it was worth a shot. If it meant I didn't have to get near other Tributes, I was in.

Throwing knives were completely different from normal knives. It was hard enough to make them hit the target, much less blade first. I had a lot of work to do if I wanted to be useful.

Desiree Redwood

Hey Sexy Lady,

How's life for Panem's prettiest face? You probably get this a lot, but I just wanted to tell you how cool you are. I can't wait to interview with you again. It almost makes up for dying. First off, you're gorgeous, but second off, you're also hilarious and merciless. Career interviews used to be so boring, but you take no crap. Did you know you were my very first crush? I hope that's not creepy, but you're probably used to it. You should have seen my reaction when I heard about you and Theodora!

It must be weird having such unconventional influence over the Games. The interviewer is supposed to make all the Tributes shine, and Seutonius always tried super hard. You don't even give a crap. If someone pisses you off, there go their sponsors! You've probably determined the Victor of more than one Games.

I should probably get back to training. If you want, you can keep this on your mirror or something. Then I'll be jealous of a piece of paper. If I win, look me up in Seven sometime. I'll show you the sights ;)

Your Number One Fan,

Desiree

Apollo Wilson

Pepper was being such a turd. She was mad at me for dying and she wouldn't train me. Well maybe I wouldn't have DIED if we'd TRAINED together more. Fine. I can keep myself busy.

"Hey, pretty lady. Good to see you on the Victor side of things. How's life been?" I said to Ava. She was a lovely as ever, even if the Capitol messed her all up and sucked all the meat off her bones. Some people liked their women so skinny. All types are pretty and all, but I liked me some boobies.

"Hey, handsome. Good to see you back giving maidens trouble," Ava said, but she blushed.

"Don't tell me you're still single? A hot fox like you?" I said.

"Guess I've been waiting for the right man," Ava said.

"Well your wait is over," I said.

"You have to come back first," Ava said.

"I'd have a better chance with a good mentor," I said.

"Who did you have in mind?" she asked.

Since someone asked, Castiel is with Vextrix and her allies. Also, Reiner wants into Vera's alliance. Frankie isn't sure about a large alliance but if Reiner isn't allowed in Lyte will spend most of his time with Reiner because they're best friends.