The Tribute Returns (Percy Jackson Hunger Games crossover)

Too Easy-But Not For Gale

"Is it just me or does this seem a little bit ridiculously easy?" Leo asked.

"What makes you say that?" Percy replied.

Leo looked around. At that very moment, they were on the Capitol troops' shoulders, being paraded about in a welcome-back party for Percy. When he told them they were going to march on the Capitol the next day, they had cheered and toasted to someone as strong as Percy leading their country.

"I dunno."

*                *                *

Gale leaned back, breathing heavily. He had a bullet in his side, but he kept it a secret from Prim so she could treat the others who were worse off than him. He grimaced, but embraced the pain. This, this pain was coming from him doing something, winning. 

As he relaxed against the wall holding his side, he heard President Coin's voice drift through the corridors. He tried to get up so he could salute her when she went past, but slumped back to the ground when it proved to be too much of an effort. Coin stopped in a hallway just around the corridor and began conversing with one of her top leaders.

"This recent victory proved to be the most encouraging event for our revolution than anything we've done before. So far, the world thinks that we won by ourselves, and we need to keep it that way. Our next battle is going to be a defeat for us unless it is completely set up by us," she said.

Gale frowned. Why one earth would they try to keep Percy a secret? She said that the battle was the best thing that had happened for the revolution, but everyone knew that was bull. Percy himself was without a doubt the most inspiring thing that might actually unite the country of Panem in revolution. He had a bad feeling about this. He was glad she was planning for their next battle, but the trump card they needed was Percy and that Leo kid, not a fully planned attack.

"We already have it in place," the man said robotically. Gale shivered at the lack of emotion in his voice. "District 4 is due to be bombed in three days."

Gale's mind nearly stopped. This would only work if all the districts worked as one against the Capitol. Attacking another district was the same as signing a death warrant.

"Do you agree with my decision, commander?" Coin asked.

"I do not. If we go through with this, we will have a severe tactical disadvantage. I will follow through if you order it, but I will not pretend I agree."

"I believe that you need to be enlightened on our current situation," she replied. There was silence as President Coin pondered what to tell her general.

"Districts 1, 2, 3, and 4 do not believe that they need to rise up against the Capitol. They feel secure in the pandering they recieve. Our attack on 4 will be staged to look like the Capitol, which will frighten the other three into joining us. I would rather lose one to secure the other three than risk losing the support of all four. As long as no one finds out, we will gain the support to crush the Capitol and force them into submission within a week."

Gale couldn't help the rush of pleasure that rushed through his body when she said that the Capitol would fall in a week, but he also knew that Percy didn't sacrifice himself for them so they could turn around and sacrifice others. He may have returned, but that didn't lessen the meaning of the sacrifice for Gale. If anything, it made him happy that his friend would be there to witness what he had put in motion. Coin may go on and on about how she had finally found a moment to strike while the Capitol was weak and the revolution was strong, but Gale knew along with everyone else that Percy had really started everything. The only reason she had acted is because she couldn't accept that a teenage tribute could make a bigger impact by rebelling than the President of the rebellion itself.