Task Discription:

Mayla floods the arena, supplying the tributes only with flimsy blow-up rafts.

Maverick Jr was a scorned fish. Now, I have no idea why Maverick Jr felt scorned, but when he returned late into the night sucking on Sabrina's corpse like a lollipop, I felt it was pretty safe to say he had been pretty pissed with her.

All of us stood on the beach in the dim moonlight and watched in either horror or (the more heartless of us) in fascination. I am not ashamed to say I was rather proud of my sharkie for making his first kill and wanted to throw him a 'First Kill Fiesta'.  

Nobody shared my opinion.

I felt the eyes of Bryant and Cole glowering at me- or rather just Cole's. Bryant looked more concerned than anything else. "That shark is a danger to us all." Cole growled unhooking his sword from his belt.

Bryant looked away, but I saw the slight nod of his head. I looked down at Amethyst whose arm was around my waist, almost protectively. I felt a little rush of excitement as I remembered she was with me now. I just couldn't believe it was real.

At the moment Amethyst had a sinister smile on her face as she watched the shark eat SabSab. "I'm glad she's dead. She thought she was prettier than me. I hope she rots in heaven and never gets to see the pretty colors of hell!" She threw back her head and laughed maniacally. Once in a great while I worried about Amethyst, I rubbed her back comfortingly.

Cole looked at us bitterly. I kind of felt bad for him, you know being deprived of Amethyst's perfection. Though lets face it, against my fluffy red hair he didn't stand a chance. I then decided to make the mistake of calling him out on it, "Hey man, don't feel bad. When we all get out of this we can get you a hot redhead- then we can match." I said smiling.

No I didn't really have a desire to brutally maim him anymore, I mean I had won. What more could I possibly want? Unless he hurt my shark. Then I would murder him.

Cole glowered at me. "Don't you get it? Only one pair is getting out alive. One of you is going to die. Enjoy your final hours together." He growled storming off.

My eyes widened as for the first my brain realized that the four of us couldn't survive. I felt the world around me crumble, when had I become so oblivious? When had I forgotten? Hell. I sunk to the sand slowly wrapping my arms around myself as if they would protect myself from the truth. I couldn't imagine my life without Amethyst. I think I'd shrivel up into a raison and die. I glanced over at Bryant who was slowly backing away. I think I'd even miss boring old Bryant, but I'd survive without him. Amethyst, I would definitely die without.

Ever since I had met Amethyst my head had been in the clouds, and now I was falling from my bliss and hitting the concrete and, man, it was hard.

I looked up at Amethyst who was still standing. Her face was lit up by the light of the moon as the wind tossed her blonde hair as she stared at the sea. Her head turned to me, her amethyst eyes were brighter than any of the stars that framed her head. "So I can't go home unless I kill you? And you can't go home unless you kill me? And the only way we can be together is if we are dead?" She asked slowly, the wheels in her head turning.

She couldn't have said it better. I felt my throat constrict as I forced myself to nod.

I never saw it coming. One second I was on the verge crying man tears- the art of crying like a man- and the next my jaw exploded with pain. I gasped as I fell backward, hitting the sand. Amethyst threw herself upon me straddling my chest. I could have thrown her off me, I could have killed her right then and there.... I couldn't even bring myself to move as I watched her draw her sword.

I think the worst type of betrayal is from the person you love most.

I was dimly aware of Cole screaming something, I heard his footsteps pounding toward us. I swallowed and in that second I made a choice, a hard choice. "Go ahead Amethyst. I love you, you deserve to live more than I do. I could never kill you....and I could never live without you."

Her mouth a frowned a little. Hell! I hated seeing her so upset, if I died I wanted her smile to be the last thing I saw- not her upset. She lifted the sword a little, preparing to stab it into my heart. I closed my eyes waiting for the final blow that never came. Instead I felt her arms wrap around me as she snuggled into my chest. "The... the butterflies in my chest won't let me kill you..." She stuttered into my ears. "So this is love..?"

"Yeah. Yeah I think it is." I said as we lay there in silence of the night. Cole's footsteps slowed to a stop as I felt his eyes boring into us. He said nothing and the night went on.

As I lay there I decided I was going to live.

And so was Amethyst.

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I slept late the next morning. The following night I had stayed up late after Amethyst had drifted off to sleep. I had racked my brain  for some type of solution to this problem and finally I had found one in the early morning and had almost promptly passed out from all the strenuous thinking I had done.

In fact I didn't wake up until Cole kicked me in the side. "Wake up, you stupid mattress." He growled as I moaned resisting the urge to brutally impale him with something. I hated when people pulled me from my beauty sleep.

I sat up brushing the sand from my eyes drowsily. "Someone has been off his happy pills too long." I muttered, becoming aware that Amethyst was nowhere in sight. "Where's Amethyst?" I demanded.

Cardamom gestured toward the crappy huts Ashler had constructed that sat behind him, "Some parachutes just fell out of the sky, liferafts were inside. Her and Bryant are blowing them up. I didn't kill them while you were asleep, if thats what you're implying." He scowled raising an eyebrow.

I pushed myself to my feet and followed him, wondering how I had ever been friends with him. He was literally The Dark Lord of Killing Fun and Happiness. I bet he dreamed of killing cute little bunnies.

We were halfway to the huts when a voice came out of nowhere."Hello tributes! And congratulations on making the final 8, but that isn't why you are here." Mayla laughs, "Well I hope you can swim! If not, row, row, row your boat!"  The voice faded and Bryant and Amethyst emerged from the hut craning their necks looking at the sky as the voice faded. I noticed they were dragging half inflated life rafts.

Amethyst ran over to me, "Look what Butter has sent us!" She squealed excitedly, then she gazed at the liferaft longingly. "I bet it's magic." I wasn't sure if I should be jealous or not. I mean... she was looking at it like she looked at me.

I was going to pop it when she wasn't looking.

"Ok...." Bryant said slowly, "Something bad is going to happen." He gazed around the island searching for the danger he sought.

Amethyst rolled her eyes, "Silly Bryant. Only good things happen in the arena. Like sudden death." She smiled as if she was talking about fluffy unicorns.

Bryant and Cole looked at Amethyst as if she had 3 heads. I smirked and put a hand on her shoulder, she was so freaking tough. She made Bryant and Cole look like chiwawas in comparison.

That was when the rumbling began. I looked around, my eyes setting on a huge wave forming out in the water. I grinned, this was my type of 'bad thing'.  I glanced down at the flimsy liferaft - yeah I was going to stick with Maverick Jr.

"Amethyst! Come on!" I yelled running toward the shore, she followed me laughing.

She looked at me with a exhilarated expression on her face. "Do we get to ride your cute fish?" She grinned, I loved the way the sun bounced of her eyes making them sparkle.

I saw the wave barrel toward us, "Yeah, lets just find my darling MavMav before that wave pulverizes us." I whistled for Maverick Jr as Cole and Bryant yelled at us to get up there and get in the liferaft like rational people.

It sucked for them because we were far from rational. We were stupid, young and free- and we had a shark. You only live once and if my plan didn't work our story was coming to a close. We might as well make the most of this.

Maverick Jr came flipping through the water toward us, pulling up right beside me. I hopped on and offered Amethyst my hand as the wave closed in. She pushed it aside and hopped on herself. I loved that girl.

The wave hit us, jerking us forward Maverick Jr swam with the wave, riding it like a surfboard would. I laughed as we coursed through the water, it felt like flying. If I was laughing then Amethyst was hysterical. She took her hands off my waist and threw them in the air. In that moment we were free from arena, we were free from death and we we free from The Games. We were free-er than the freest bird as we sailed through that infinity.

All things have to come to an end though, Maverick Jr dove below the waves just before it crashed. As soon as the water was still Maverick Jr brought us up to the surface. My lungs breathed in the air greedily, and I turned to face Amethyst.

Amethyst looked at me and raised an eyebrow sexily. I grinned and leaned forward to kiss her- but stopped upon realizing I had to tell her about my plan. "Amethyst! I know how we can get out of the arena together!" I whispered fervently to her.

She squinted at me suspiciously, "We call upon the almighty powers of Butter?" She asked looking me up and down.

I shook my head, "No we-" I stopped as a drenched Cole and Bryand paddled up to us in a raft. They both looked like something the cat dragged in with their hair plastered to their faces.

Cole smiled evilly. "I hope we aren't interrupting anything."

Bryant rolled his eyes as I smiled evilly back. "Nope. We just finished. You were right on time." I lied, winking at him even though nothing had happened.

He glowered. "Yeah right Mattress." He snickered.

I raised an eyebrow at him, "You know what people do on mattresses? I'll give you a hint: Its something you can't do because of your FAKE  BALLS." I said, satisfied as his face got all red.

He was about to shoot something back when Amethyst interrupted him, as she bounced on Maverick Jr clapping her hands. "Oh I love balls. They are so fun to pop. There was this little boy across the street from me who played with his balls all the time. I popped his. I want to pop all the balls in the world." She giggled happily.

I looked at her unsure of what type of balls she was talking about. My hand drifted over toward my crotch protectively. "Uhhh Amethyst.... You're talking about the bouncy balls right? I asked hesitantly.

She swatted me playfully. "Silly Maverick. All balls are bouncy!"

I smiled uncomfortably. Cole looked on the verge of hysterics. "Amethyst! Maverick has balls between his legs!" He laughed evilly.

"Really?" I didn't know that!" She said perking up excitedly. Before I could fully process what was happening Amethyst's first was pounding my poor gentiles. I bit my tongue to keep from screaming as I fell sideways into the water.

I forced my legs to push me upwards. Amethyst stared at her fist in wonderment, "It's magic. Cole, do you and Bryant have balls too? I must deflate them." She cooed as if she was talking about fluffy butterflies.

Cole grimaced at her, "No, I'm sorry Amethyst- mine are FAKE." He spat in my direction sarcastically.

I cracked my neck. "Cardamom, by the time I'm done with you, you are going to need a lot of other fake parts." I growled, pulling myself onto the boat and punching him in the face.

He brought his fist toward my gut, I dodged and kneed him in the balls. I watched in satisfaction as Cole fell sideways howling like a wounded animal- which might I add is the perfect comparison because, lets face it, Cole was not much smarter than the average dog. I think he was more compatible with the average rock.

"Maverick don't kill him yet!" Bryant snapped pulling me backwards. The entire weight in the boat shifted and I almost fell backward. "You don't go around kicking people in the balls!"

I pointed my finger at him, "He started it! He tricked Amethyst into pounding my... special area." I said careful not to use the word 'ball'.

He threw his hands in the air, "Well she's your girlfriend! Control her or something!"

I glowered at him, "Beautiful things aren't meant to be controlled."

"Like butter!" Amethyst screamed over to us from where she still sat on Maverick.

Bryant cupped his head in his hands, "God! Why Me? How the hell did I end up in an arena full of morons?!" I watched him fall to his knees.

Cardamom looked up and smirked, "You volunteered."

I watched Bryant shake his head, "You're talking about Cole, right? Because I am the poster child for the brilliant side of the human species." I asked, even though I already knew the answer. Bryant was moderately smart, he knew fabulous when he saw it.

Bryant ignored me, letting out a little whine. I watched him, a little confusion at his behavior entering my head. I never saw it coming- one second I was innocently observing Bryant's mental breakdown, the next we were under attack. I felt the float shift as I felt another weight bounced onto the float, I spun around just in time to see a giant ax speeding toward my face. I threw myself to the side knocking Bryant over as it soared over my head.

It was the ten girl, she was jumping the entire career pack. Wow. She sure had more balls than Bryant and Cole put together- she would have to die though, she killed my partner and friend. I horse kicked her backward with my leg as she advanced, she stumbled backward toward Cole who was preparing to stab her, but she spun around at the last second impaling his stomach with an ax.

My eyes widened as I rushed forward to keep her from finishing him up. She spun around and our blades clashed as Bryant went for the kill, but in turn was only met with her alternate blade. Her leg kicked my stomach, punching the air from my lungs and sending me tumbling backwards. I watched the girl's catlike reflexes begin devoting all of her strength toward destroying Bryant, who was barely holding his own.

It was then in that moment that a terrifying question popped into my head; was she more fabulous than us?

Sometimes when you are in a life or death situation your brain goes click and you realize something. My brain doesn't go click a lot. It's kind of an anti-click type of brain. But as I watched Bryant's shoulder get sliced open I realized I didn't see her partner anywhere. If I could find her partner we could be rid of this possessed demon. (That was my conclusion to the whole reasoning behind her being such a fabulous fighter; she was obviously possessed.)

I saw the district six guy- who I had completely forgotten was still alive- about to stab our float with a dagger! The little casadia head! I drew my bow and aimed it at his scalp, his head snapped up, his bizarre golden colored eyes were wide as disks... they actually kind of looked like targets! I should see if I could get a bulls eye!

He jabbed downward suddenly with no warning. Air explodes from the float as I sent my arrow barreling toward his head. The guy from six ducks, tipping off of his float into the water.  I let out a string of swears as I rush forward waiting to see him resurface... which he didn't do. I scoured the water waiting to see him resurface, just waiting to shoot his face in. The water began to pool around my feet, I heard a splash and saw the girl from ten fall into the water, though there were no visible wounds on her body.... I looked back out toward the still water.... wow. The six guy must have drowned. It must suck to come this far only to fall off a float by accident and drown.

Bryant approached me, looking as if he had just fell into a blender, narrowly escaping with his life. "She just collapsed.... Did you kill her partner?" He asks, his breathing ragged.

I flipped my ponytail over my shoulder, "Of course I did. I am composed of sheer awesomeness and stuff." I said arrogantly, technically he had been dodging my arrow when he fell in the water. "Lyric has been avenged!" I declared.

From the back of Maverick Jr. Amethyst clapped happily. "Yay! Kill everyone! Haha!"

I turned in her direction and bowed as Bryant went over to check on Cole who was writhing in pain as the float dipped below the water. I jumped into the water, stroking over to grab the six dude's float. I pulled it over and Bryant placed Cole within it. I walked over awkwardly and peeled Cardamom's shirt up to expose the wound. It resembled what I imagined someone's stomach would look like after a werewolf had mutilated it. On some bizzare level I actually felt bad for him.

He shook his head and shoved his hand in my face, "Get away from me. I'm fine."

I raised an eyebrow, "Dude. You look like you're on your deathbed." I said staring at the mutilated skin.

Amethyst jumped onto the float, "Step aside!" She screamed raising her sword above her head, "I am a doctor!"

I didn't know how to tell her that she wasn't a doctor and that she resembled a bloody ax murderer right now. Luckily Bryant did it for me, he grabbed her wrist and pushed the sword down, "No you're not." He said flatly.

I turned my attention back to Cole who was glowering at me. "If you touch me-" He started, but was cut off as I elbowed him in his face and knocked him out. I was trying to help him, and I didn't need to feel unappreciated as I did it, besides he was going to need to be knocked out anyway. I peeled the rest of his shirt from his body ripped it in half and used it to bandage his stomach. There. I smiled contently with myself, that should keep him alive until I set my plan into action.

I leaned back and spotted another float on the horizon, Amethyst came over and began to play with my hair. I smiled, loving the way her fingers sent little bursts of energy through my body every time she touched me.  "Hey Amethyst.... Do you want to help me feed Maverick Jr.?" I asked, eyeing the float.

"Ohmigoshyes!" She squealed jumping up and down excitedly. I smiled as she jumped off the float and swam toward my beloved fish. I hoisted Cole upwards dragging him toward Maverick Jr, remembering the whole, don't go more than 30 yards from your partner thing. I slung him over the majestic creature's back and beckoned to Bryant who was eyeing my shark warily.

I straddled the shark behind Amethyst and grinned as I watched Bryant paddle over reluctantly. I scootched even more backward giving him room to get on in front of me, it was necessary for my plan to succeed of course. He looked at me suspiciously, "Don't you want to sit next to Amethyst?" He asked squinting.

"Of course, I just need to be in the back in order to steer." A lie of course, but lying was fun. It was like my hobbie.

He nodded, though it was apparent he didn't trust me- and he shouldn't have. I had plotted his demise last night. I watched him hoist himself behind Amethyst straddling the shark stiffly. I spurred Maverick Jr. onwards and he sped through the water like a torpedo at the other boat.

"Is my precious ready for some Big Macs?" I cooed, patting his side as he leaped out of the water, excitedly, alerting the boys on the boat of their rapidly approaching demise.

I could practically feel Bryant rolled my eyes at his statement, whatever. He should enjoy his eye rolling while he could.

Maverick Jr. launched himself from the water, spiraling towards the bigger of the boys. They let out devastated shrieks trying to duck as Maverick Jr's target was clamped between his razor sharp teeth. They never stood a chance. We plunged into the water on the other side of the boat, I looked back just before we hit the water to see watched the big boy's partner collapse as the poison set in.

We were in the final four. This was it.

As soon as we resurfaced I cracked my elbow against Bryant's skull, he never saw it coming. I watched as he slumped forward unconscious. A devilish grin spread across my face as Amethyst turned to face me with a perplexed expression on her face. "I'm confused." She stated simply.

"Climb over Cole and push him next to Bryant then turn to face me." I said, arrogantly smiling upwards toward all the cameras that I knew were trained on me.

Amethyst surprisingly didn't question it as she did as I asked. "Okay, so is this your plan so that we can get out of the arena together? Or a cultic sacrifice to Butter?" She demanded studying the two unconscious boys.

"The first. Man I am so brilliant. Mayla never said we couldn't knock our partners unconscious!" Both Cole and Bryant were more than willing to kill the other's partner, and they served as wonderful hostages. I looked upward toward the sky addressing the whole of Panem. "I cannot imagine living a life without Amethyst, she is the most perfect, beautiful, and absolutely magnificent girl I have ever met. If you were me you would do the exact same thing as me." I said watching Amethyst's eyes lite up as she heard my words. I felt warmth spread through my chest. "Mayla, I beg of you to let Amethyst and I live together, please be merciful and grant us mercy." Wow that had been an awful line, I cringed. "If you choose to play hardball though, I am willing to play as well. Remember I only do this because I refuse to live my life without Amethyst. You see Cole and Bryant here? Amethyst and I both have our weapons ready, we will brutally impale them through at the same time and you will have no victor. So Mayla, what's it going to be?" I demanded locking eyes with Amethyst once again.

Surprisingly she had seemed to grasp my plan well, as she drew her sword and I drew my trident. We waited, time seeming to lag on, precious seconds ticked by as we wondered what our fate would be, what would become of us.

I felt a smile play onto my face even though my heart thudded in my chest, because in that instant I knew that Amethyst and I would be together, whether it was living or dead....

"Oh well. At least if I'm going to die I get to stab some people while I'm doing it." She grinned, "I've always wanted to burn in hell with Butter. On three, Mav?" She asked.

I nodded, "On three."