The Fandom Hunger Games (A Novella by @voldymorte_and_valour)

Section 11.6 of Chapter 11: Third Day of the Games

11.6- In the Colonies-THG:

            Peeta and the last seven Tributes had finally agreed to call off the fighting, because everyone had made it to see this beautiful technologically advanced city, and nobody left was strong enough to bring themselves to kill the others. Katniss, Bellamy, Annabeth, Peeta, Emma, Rose, and Ben had all set aside their differences in the name of defying the PACT, and had wanted to explore the skyscrapers and high-traffic on the streets that lay below them. And so they made their way to where the bright enticing sights of the city awaited them. They looked around, noticing just how much advertizing the place, called "The Colonies", had. It was insane, there were flashing lights, blaring sounds, and an enormous amount of people milling about. It was incredible. The 7 Tributes found a place to sit in a mall, and ordered food while watching promos for the four corporations that led the country. You could buy anything and everything as long as the money went to the right place, in this case, Cloud corp. They ate quickly, for fear of sinister interruption. They were right to be worried, the authoritative figures in the Colonies' corporations were more than bemused with their land being used as an arena for the petty games of the PACT. Security was dispatched to bring them in, unbeknownst to Peeta and the others. Peeta started to feel an odd feeling in his stomach. It was unusual, and the sudden jolt it gave him was all the more so. Peeta clutched his stomach in pain and doubled over. Soon, the other seven Tributes were doing the same. The Colonies had poisoned them, Peeta realized before falling to the ground. When all the Tributes were unconscious, the security team came out of the shadows to barricade that area of the food court, and to extract the Tributes. Peeta woke up when a glass of water was thrown in his face. He jumped awake, and realized he was in a conference room, tied up with the other Tributes. He shivered as he saw figures in business attire approach him. They weren't wearing any masks, but their uniform empty smiles made it as if they were. Peeta managed to take a glance out of his peripheral vision to see that there were other mysterious business figures standing around the room, staring intently at the people in front of Peeta. The person who seemed like the Alpha stepped forward, clearly in charge. "Welcome to the Colonies. Please state your names and intent of visit", they said in a monotone voice. "My name is Peeta Mellark, and my companions are Katniss Everdeen, Bellamy Blake, Annabeth Chase, Emma Carstairs, Rose Weasley, and Ben Parish. We're here as part of the Hunger Games initiated by PACT." They waited for a reaction, and it was quiet for a few moments before the same person said again "Welcome to the Colonies. Please state your names and intent of visit". They clearly expected a response from the rest of the Tributes too, so one by one they all answered the same way Peeta had. After Ben said his bit, the Alpha blinked twice and snapped out of their daze "Hello, Peeta, Katniss, Bellamy, Annabeth, Emma, Rose, and Ben. Welcome to the Colonies. You will be given a complimentary tour of the grand tower, as an addition to the charges you paid during your meal here. We hope you enjoy your stay." Peeta shook his head in belief, then said "Hey if we're going to receive a complimentary tour, could we at least enjoy it... You know, NOT tied to office chairs?" The business figures smiled wider. The Alpha threw back their head then laughed before saying "I'm sorry, that will be an additional large sum for your freedom. We searched you as you were out. You have insufficient funds for this." The other Tributes groaned collectively, and decided to go along with the tour. They were wheeled around the office building they were in. Peeta had always wanted one of those spinny office chairs. 'Not anymore', he thought in disgust. Up and up they went, till they reached a hallway with a door. The door opened and the when the bright glare that followed died down, they noticed the lighting was very different from the artificial industrial lights inside. They were pushed outside onto the rooftop. The wind blew ferociously, and Peeta noticed that there was a ramp going to the middle of nowhere on the side of the roof. It didn't take Sherlock Holmes to figure out what was going to happen next. The Tributes protested heavily, knowing these moments could very well be their last. Meanwhile, they all had their respective weapons out, ready to cut through their bonds and fight when they got free. The corporate lackeys did not notice when they all managed to cut themselves free, because their only directives were to push the Tributes... And they would see it done. The Tributes silently decided to wait until the Alpha was near the edge, and escape then. They moved forwards, inching slowly, and then when they were by the edge, they initiated their escape. They coordinated how they broke free, and used their weapons to hold the Colonies soldiers at bay. They quickly ran back into the building, and started making their way down before an alarm went off. They could hear the shouts of those behind them as they moved down and down. But they chose not to stop, for they knew the consequences. All was going well as they ran down the stairs (Peeta's choice, elevators were too predictable), until they heard shouts from below. They tried to go back up to the nearest doorway, but it was too late, the Colonies people from above came down to join them. They were trapped. Peeta deliberated whether it was worth jumping over the rails, but there was still a long way down. The Tributes readied their weapons, when they heard a scream... Behind them. The Colonies soldiers had fired a single shot, and it had hit one of them. Peeta couldn't see who was shot, but he saw the corporate soldier who had shot them. He quickly rushed the soldier and killed them. The rest of the Tributes also fought admirably, until there was no more live threat to them. They turned around to see who got shot, and Peeta's heart skipped a beat. It was Katniss. The other Tributes stood shell-shocked, as Peeta raced towards her. Her injury was pretty bad, she was bleeding profusely. It looked as if she was shot in the stomach. Peeta tried in vain to stop the bleeding, but no other Tribute was heavily medically trained. He stopped when Katniss, still having laboured breathing, strained to reach his arm. She held his hand, and started to croak out words. "Peeta... Shoot... Me..." Peeta shook his head, tears streaming down his cheeks. "Peeta, you love me... Real... Or not Real...?" Peeta choked back tears to get out "Y-yes Katniss of course." "Then shoot me. Please, Peeta, please." "What about our children?? I can't leave you..." "They'll live, at least. You gotta. I love you, do it, please." Peeta looked around, silently begging the other Tributes to help. But they couldn't, they nodded at Katniss, then looked away in pain. "Peeta, help me one last time. Take my hand and we'll make it, I swear. But whoa, my arrows are over there." Peeta got up, and retrieved her bow and arrow. He took her hand one last time, squeezed it, and they exchanged their "I Love You"s. He then stepped back, and notched an arrow. He remembered seeing Katniss use her bow many years ago. He remembered Katniss showcasing her strength in the Hunger Games of the past. He remembered Katniss teaching him how to shoot, and then their children so that they could hunt together. He remembered and remembered and remembered, memories flashing by, and then he shot her. Katniss smiled before the cannon shot sounded. Katniss Everdeen, was dead. Peeta wept, and the other Tributes finally snapped into action to comfort him. But Peeta knew, his comfort was gone. A portal opened up, and the Tributes stepped through one by one, all silent.

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