TMNT Hunger Games (Featuring Your OCs)

Chapter 5: Possible Threats

The ride to the train is stressful at best. The tributes stare out their windows at the people as they pass, their hearts sinking lower and lower until they feel as though it's collapsed into their gut. They either ignore their district partner, chat minimally, or share sympathies. For certain tributes, such as Donatello and Michelangelo, they just try to remain calm and not tick off their frightening partners.

The train, of course, is luxurious and welcoming. Food is laid out for them to eat, something they enjoy rather ravenously. They know that the Capitol treats them to these luxuries because most of them will die, but they still choose to enjoy it while they can.

Jason and Madison sit next to one another on a couch inside the Capitol train, watching their mentor sweep to a rather large TV screen on the wall before them. The woman, named Stitch, is a dove mutant with beady black eyes, a slender orange beak, elegant white feathers covering her body, and white wings stretching from her back. The two tributes had only ever seen her at previous Reapings, but had never spoken.

"Now that you both are fed, we'll watch the Reapings and I'll let you know of your chances," she says, her clawed feet clicking on the sleek floor of the train. "Let's start with District 1."

Jason flicks his tail, leaning back against the comfortable upholstery of the train. Madison shifts, brushing a flyaway curl behind her ear.

"As you know, the Career districts are 1, 2, and 4. They will most likely team up and destroy everyone in the arena before turning on themselves." A smile crosses her beak. "Of course, that wasn't the case for my games. That's another story." She sweeps one wing towards the screen, the pale hand on the end extending its pointer finger. "District 1, Breach O'Hare and Kayla Smith. Volunteers, like most careers."

The screen zooms in on the two girls on the stage. Jason arches an eye-ridge.

"Is that...a purple rabbit?" he asks.

"Is she a dragon?" Madison asks, her eyes focused on Kayla.

"Yes and yes," Stitch answers breezily. "Both are trained in fighting. Kayla is a dragon mutant, so she has wings and slightly more armour. No fire breathing, just smoke."

The tributes watch as the two girls are usher inside. The clip switches to District 2, where they watch as a certain red-masked turtle volunteers to fight next to a petite thirteen-year-old.

"Raphael and Scarlet Green. Raphael is strong and fast, as well as being super protective of his little sister," Stitch continues, looking off a tablet at stats for each tribute. "Scarlet is small and weak, but she makes up for it in agility and strength." The dove looks to the girl and boy with a slight smile. "I'd only worry about the turtle if I were you."

The screen changes as District 3 appears. The trio watches as a cyborg girl is called, followed by a frizzy-haired girl volunteering for her friend.

"Sarina Subject and Hazel Lewis," Stitch recalls. "Sarina is incredibly intelligent, a worthy asset to the work of District 3. She is stronger than she looks. Hazel...she has spirit. That can get you far. Still, not a threat."

District 4 flips onto the screen, both Jason and Madison snickering lightly at the blond boy's interruptive volunteering. His sister stares at him, her eyes icy.

"Shelby and Tyler Bradford. Shelby is a shifter, with powers that allow her to change forms when her emotions get out of hand. Tyler is strong and well built, a worth opponent."

District 5 shows up. The tributes lean back, observing the nervous purple-masked turtle and the stone-faced fox girl near him.

"Donatello Bardi and Yukiji Homato," Stitch says. "Yukiji is known to be mean, and is certainly not afraid to kill. Watch your backs for her."

Madison gulps. Jason crosses his arms, unfazed. Stitch flips to the next page on her tablet as the two tributes stand on the stage.

"Donatello may look fidgety and nervous, but he is highly intelligent. Intelligence gets you far in battle, but he isn't at the top of your list threat wise."

District 6 appears. A dark-haired girl with a curling dragon tattoo on her bicep is called, followed by a snake girl. Madison softens a little at the little girls clinging to the snake girl's clothing, begging her not to go.

"Taylor Fuentes and Kaitlin Trainor. Both skilled, but not the worst of your opponents to fight."

When District 7 replays its heartbreaking events, Jason lets out a long suffering sigh as Madison's eyes grow sympathetic.

"Hamato Leonardo and Destiny, star-crossed lovers and trained by the great Master Hamato Yoshi," Stitch says. "Highly skilled, highly trained. Watch out for them."

"I've heard enough about them, to be honest," Jason snorts. "We only saw them every year when the games happen. Yoshi's there and BOOM! They're standing behind him awaiting his orders like little teacher's pets."

"You shouldn't be so mean, Jason," Madison murmurs. "They love each other, and now at least one of them is going to die. It's so tragic."

The lizard-turtle scoffs. "They can both die for all I care."

Her eyes grow dark, her caring persona gone. "Want me to tell Mari about what a dick you are?"

"Go ahead. You've got to like me. We're living together until the games."

She gets to her feet, baring over the boy menacingly. "I'll have you know, I don't like dicks. I don't have to like you or anyone in these games."

Stitch smacks them both over the head briefly with her wing before either can continue their petty fight. Her beady black eyes glint sternly.

"That is enough," she snaps, her talons clicking sharply. "At least try to act like you're older than five."

She turns back to the screen as District 8 appears. Both Madison and Jason ignore their own Reaping as Stitch skips through to District 9.

Madison looks up first, her eyes widening. The first girl on the stage is a cat, her long tail swishing behind her as her green eyes flicker over the crowd. Madison feels her heart speed up as her breath catches in her throat.

"Piper Schafer and Persia Hunter. Both skilled for their District. I would watch out for them," Stitch advises.

Jason nods. Madison stares at the cat girl with awe, almost starstruck by her calm persona and the way she looks so collected and unafraid up on that stage.

Piper, she thinks. When I get to the Capitol, you're the first mutant I want to meet.

She hardly listens to Stitch through the rest of the talk, the words "threat" and "not a threat" passing through her veil of thought every now and then. She remains almost at peace, thinking of her and only her.

AN: First chapter not mentioning every OC...I hope that's okay. It'll probably be arriving in the Capitol next chapter :)