A Different Game, The 74th Hunger Games (Clato)

AU: The Battle at Cornucopia

Chapter Twelve.

Previously…

Cato woke up Clove screaming cause mutts were attacking them which sent them scrambling towards the Cornucopia and they hurry to get on top of it and Clove sees Peeta and Katniss struggling to get on top of the Cornucopia too. And by the time that the four of them are on the top, Clove looks down and the Mutts are surrounding the Cornucopia. That's when Clove had a good look of the Mutts and she realized that the Mutts are the Dead Tributes and she panics and shouts, "The Dead Tributes" which causes Cato to look down at the Mutts and then he realized Clove was telling the truth and so they freaked out and that's when the truth hits Clove. With the mutts – err, dead tributes turned mutts – below the Cornucopia and the Star Crossed Lovers from 2 and 12 on top, this is the end the Gamemakers and the entire Panem, wants to see.

Cato's POV.

"Ladies and Gentlemen," Clove said. I stared at her and I was thinking, is she loosing her mind?That's when I noticed 12 get into position as if – ready to.. Fight! I looked at Clove and she was drawing out her knife and positioning herself to fight as well. I know my face had my 'confused look' on. The three of them looked like they were standing on the plates encircling the Cornucopia.. Like.. The.. First.. Day.. of the Games! Just then did I realize what was happening! How stupid of me!

I saw a smirk on Clove's face as Katniss only had one arrow left on her quiver. And Lover Boy only had a knife in hand. And his leg had a bandage from where I cut him. And an arrow as a tourniquet. I remember at the Feast on Cornucopia that their bag was just small. It must be medicine for him! Urgh! That feast.. where I almost.. Lost her.

Just thinking of the Feast makes my face burn up cause of anger. How I was scared to death that day!

Time seems to slow cause I had this long to think about all these things. I looked at Clove and she stared at me back. I can see Shit-On-Fire and Lover Boy staring at each other too, from the corner of my eye. But no one dared to sneak up. As if, there were mines that were gonna blow them up too. Like our first day. Clove gave me a wry smile and I positioned myself ready to go and fight them so wecould go home. Not them.And I am just waiting for Clove's signal like Twelve. I can tell, she's seizing the moment.

Is it really that long? The time she was pausing, or was it just me? Then, I realized yeah, it's just me. Like I have my own time controlling machine or something. Then a grin crept up on Clove's face, then I knew what was coming.

She opened her mouth and said, still grinning, evilly, "Begin."

In my Mind, A gong rang. Enobaria was right. It does require all your strength to maintain your sanity in these Games. Only now did I really understand what she meant.

I saw Katniss avoiding Clove's slashes. Usually, Clove would just throw her knife. She Never Misses. But I understand why she just can't throw her last knife. Well, at least this was fair. Clove with one knife left – her favorite knife. A small knife with a curved blade made to cut veins. Katniss, with one arrow left in her quiver. Well, she had many at least 3? 4? Arrows when we were scrambling on top of the Cornucopia but she used some to shoot at the mutts to save his already very weak Lover Boy.

Clove was swift and smart, and beautiful. Damn it! I need to focus. Focus, Cato! Focus! Well, so is Katniss. I need to admit, I underestimated her. Big Time. She needs to be far from Clove if she wants to shoot her with that last arrow. Lover Boy apparently still is in shock. Although he has a knife in his hand and I have nothing, I still have the advantage here. Clove and I were well fed the past days cause we were well supplied, thanks to the Feast. Argh! The Feast! I Hate It!

He was still weak, I know it – and well, it's so obvious – So even though he had a sharp blade in had, I had the advantage of Strength and Speed.

I tackle him so he falls down. We were at the middle of the Cornucopia so we were safe from falling. But – one wrong move and BAM! You're off to the Mutts.

I pin him down easy, given his weak state. He struggles from freedom, but he can't – well, I won't let him anyways. I noticed he tightened his grip on his knife. But right now, I'm pretty sure he knowsit's worthless.

I was about to grab his knife but he squirms to keep it. I smirk while seeing him do this. "Well, Lover Boy?" he looks at me for awhile and continues struggling, "The audience wants a good show. What do you say? Let's giv'em one. Shall we?"

I give him a murderous look, and he struggles some more. And I glance at Clove and Katniss' direction. It looks like Clove has it under control. Katniss looks terrified as hell.

Apparently, Lover Boy looks at their direction too. And when he realizes what is happening, he shouts out, "Katniss!"

The look on Katniss' face was confusing. Terrified, with a mix of confidence and everything on between. She kept avoiding Clove's slashes. I must admit I'm pretty surprised.

But when Peeta here calls her, that is all that Clove needed. They were near the edge of the Cornucopia now. At the same time, I'm terrified that Katniss might drag Clove along with her. No! I argue with myself. Clove is smart. You know that, Cato! She can make it!

When Katniss saw Peeta pinned on the Ground, her expression was Scared-to-Death Expression. "Peeta!" She screeches, "Peeta!"

Well, I thought she wouldn't throw herself off guard that much. So much that she is switched her target! She turned her last arrow to our direction! She didn't even think of the consequences of her action. But, they must maintain their "Star Crossed Lovers" act. Star Crossed Lovers my ass! Their "act" is one-sided! Lover Boy here is the only one that loves Katniss here. I know she doesn't love him. It's all an act.

I smirked at her, "Go on. Shoot. Then we both go down."

I know she won't shoot me. But Clove looks terrified, she shouted, "Cato!"

"Go on, Katniss. Shoot! Then Lover Boy here goes down with me."

I know there's no way she'd do this. They need each other to win, for the money, for the family. I only need for one thing and one thing only – to go back to District Two with Clove.

"Cato!" Clove calls out, teary eyed, "What are you doing?" her face has a pained expression and her eyes had the angry expression. I want to tell her that it's going to be alright, but then, Katniss would know too.

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