A/N: I have designed some of the Parade costumes, which are shown in the picture. I'm sure you guys can figure out which ones are which once you start reading :)

***

The sky was beginning to darken, with the last of the sunset disappearing below the horizon. The glittering buildings and monuments of the Capitol shone like gigantic stars against the sky, which was rapidly turning from scarlet to jet-black. The people of the city had already gathered at the parade grounds, while they chattered and murmured excitedly, talking amongst themselves about how sad the Reapings were and who they thought would win.

Monica and Leo's stylists escorted the District One Tributes to their parade float, which was huge and decorated with gems and feathers. Mona's long, magenta-colored dress was adorned with tiny pink jewels on her chest and waist, and her hair was let loose from its ponytail, flowing down her back in a cascade of chocolate-brown waves. On her head sat a glittering magenta tiara, and around her neck was a necklace of jewels, with a matching-colored velvet cape draped over her shoulders and down her back.

"I think this costume looks nice," she admitted to Leo with a half-smile.

"I feel differently about mine," replied the mutant turtle.

He was wearing a bright magenta suit, with his usual blue mask being changed to match the color of his outfit and decorated with tiny jewels. Glitter had been dabbed lightly on both Tributes' skin, so that they sparkled and shone whenever they moved.

Piper and Madison were dressed in matching, floor-length dresses decorated in brick pattern, making them look like brick walls with legs. Madison's mocha brown skin had been spray-painted a light grayish-white color, like cement. Piper's light brown fur had been dyed the same color; although her expression said nothing, her eyes flashed as she looked over her costume.

Sarina and Donatello wore silvery jumpsuits covered in glitter, something that made Donatello's face grow hot with embarrassment. Their outfits flashed and lit up every few seconds, emitting a bright blue light, like electrical circuits sparking. Donnie's mask had gone from purple to silver, and Sarina's eyes flashed just as brightly as her suit.

"I like these," the cyborg girl said, grinning. "I mean, they aren't abysmal at all."

"Maybe not to you!" Donnie shrieked, resisting the urge to duck into his shell, even though it was covered by his jumpsuit.

"Oh, hush. It's fine."

Elsie and Sofie passed by the two of them, giggling excitedly.

"Ooh, you guys look flashy!" Elsie quipped as they passed. The two of them were wearing matching red-and-blue farmer costumes, complete with hats and skirts frilling out at the bottom. Although the outfits were rather provocative in nature, the two mutant girls didn't seem to mind; their eyes glittered eagerly as they hurried toward their chariot.

Penelope was dressed in a short, seafoam-blue dress, with a fish scale pattern decorating it and the skirt resembling fins. The sleeves were equally short and silky, made of sheer material and also shaped like fins. Two fin props had been added to the end of the lizard girl's long tail, making it look like a fish tail, and her messy hair had been somewhat tamed, falling loosely down her back. A seashell hair clip the same color of her dress had been delicately pinned high up in her hair as well.

"This is...ew," she groaned, looking over her outfit with a less-than-happy expression. "This dress is way too short."

"At least yours isn't see-through," Hazel replied, looking equally unhappy. "And just plain embarrassing."

The younger girl was wearing a sea-green mermaid costume, with a strapless top and a long skirt that obscured her legs and hugged her body tightly. The skirt ended in a small flurry of dark green ruffles, resembling a mermaid tail. In her hand, Hazel struggled to hold a glowing life-size trident prop, trying not to let it slip from her grasp. Her wild hair had been tied up into a bun, with a few loose, curly strands dangling near her face. A sea-green hair clip, resembling a sea star, had also been pinned up into her hair.

If Dad saw me wearing this at home, he'd kill me, she thought.

"I've never seen so many sparkles in my life," Katrina muttered, as she and Kaya stared at their outfits. They both wore bright, electric blue dresses, with short ruffly skirts and an obnoxious amount of glitter and sparkles dumped on. A large lightning bolt made of pale blue sequins was decorated across the chest area, glittering in the last of the sunlight. Glitter had been dabbed lightly on the top of Kaya's antennae, something she didn't look to thrilled about.

Winter and Cara were dressed as flight attendants, with seductively short skirts that opened up slightly on their thighs, small hats on their heads, and gloves. A pair of decoration plane wings had been attached to their backs, forcing Cara to fold her wings in. The dragon girl shuffled her wings uncomfortably, longing to stretch them open and soar.

"These costumes are literally the stupidest things ever," Raphael grumbled, eying his light blue overalls distastefully.

He was wearing them over a plain white T-shirt, with a fuzzy coonskin hat on his head and a life-size axe prop to hold.

"I dunno," Scarlet piped up next to them. "I think they're pretty cool."

She gave a little twirl, making her short overall skirt billow out around her thighs. Other than the skirt and the tall boots on her feet, her outfit was identical to Raphael's. Her long hair had been done up in a crown braid, with a few stands resting by her face. Pine needles had also been woven into her hair, making the little girl scratch at her scalp constantly.

"Are you kidding? They're the very meaning of stereotypical," the red-masked turtle growled as he looked at his sister's costume. "And your skirt is way too short! No Capitol freak is gonna see my little sister in that!"

"It's not that bad, Raph."

"Uh huh. Sure."

Shelby's blue eyes flashed with resentment at her costume. She was wearing a huge, billowing dress made of many different patches of cloth and fabric, creating a colorful display. A big white bow, resembling thread, had been placed on the chest area, and a sash of the same substance had been tied tightly around her waist. In her hand, she gripped a giant sewing needle prop. Michelangelo waddled out after her, wearing an absurdly huge costume resembling a giant ball of orange yarn. Only his face, legs, and arms stuck out.

"This is ridiculous," Shelby grumbled, attempting to smooth out her dress some.

Michelangelo said nothing, but his bright blue eyes shone with happiness as he shuffled around in his enormous costume.

The bodice of Destiny's white dress was decorated with golden vines of grain, with the skirt made of long grain stalks as well. The wolf-raven wore white shorts underneath the dress, which showed clearly, causing her ears to flatten against her head in embarrassment. Casey pouted beside her, fuming over his white suit covered in golden grain stalks.

"Ugh," Chris muttered, staring at his carefully-groomed tail. "They shampooed and combed my fur to death. I'm part dingo, not part poodle!"

He was dressed in a white-and-gold cowboy costume, complete with brown leather cowboy boots and a matching hat. Holes had been put in the pants and hat to make room for his ears and tail, which both drooped in embarrassment. Cyn wore a long dress dotted with black spots, like a cow. Her hair was braided into twin pigtails over her shoulders, and on her head, a tiny pair of fake cow horns stuck up. Around her neck, a necklace with a little bell was tied. That signature crazed grin of hers was engraved on her face, now looking five times more terrifying in the blood-red glow of the evening sun.

Galaxy and Marcus looked over their identical black coal miner costumes, which were jet-black and glowed a deep orange like coal in a fire. Galaxy's eyes shone with admiration at her outfit, while Marcus looked disgusted, his tail fur spiking against the glossy hair conditioner placed on it.

The prep teams bustled around in a flurry of brightly-colored clothing and wigs, herding the Tributes to their respective floats.

"Get ready!" one of them called cheerfully. "The Tribute Parade is about to begin!"

***

Bright lights flashed in the Tribute's eyes. Anxiety made their stomachs churn, making them want to leap out of their chariots and run back to their homes. The loud roar of the crowd nearly made them go deaf.

Yet somehow, the parade went off without a hitch.

Some of the more cheerful Tributes waved happily, their eyes shining with excitement–Scarlet, Galaxy, Michelangelo, and Elsie all had particularly big smiles on their faces as they blew kisses and cheered with the crowd. The more mellow Tributes, like Leonardo and Hazel, waved shyly, giving slight smiles. Others didn't bother trying to hide their unenthusiasm–Marcus, Penelope, and Raphael did not look quite happy as their chariots rolled along through the Capitol.

Some Tributes attempted to show off a bit. Sarina have her eyes a few flashes, and Kaya wiggled her antenna, earning whoops and shrieks from the crowd as they begged for more. Shelby felt frost crawling at her palms as her chariot rolled along, and she felt a slight longing to show off an icy trick or two. But she resisted the urge, instead waving minimally as the parade continued.

At last, the chariots stopped at President Saki's mansion, coming to a halt before the balcony. The leader of the city emerged from his enormous home to stand on said balcony, his one good eye glittering maliciously. It sent shivers up the Tribute's spines as his gaze fixed on them.

"Ah, Tributes," he boomed, his voice low and rumbling through the microphone he held. "I meet you at last. Welcome to the Capitol of New York City. Welcome to the Hunger Games!"

The crowd roared and hollered more at this, but the Tributes only felt more uncomfortable with their president's words–especially with what he said next.

"May the odds be ever in your favor."