Ivory's Point of View:

Having the whole world pinned against you is tough. I've not done anything wrong, but Claudius has done everything wrong. Me being his friend just puts me down.

I like being best friends with Claudius. But when he does ridiculous stuff like this, I'm always somehow dragged in, and given the worst of it. Sometimes, whenever he used to get into trouble with Fin, I'd be the one getting into trouble. It sucks.

We were sent back to the training center, unfortunately. Our private sessions with the game makers are today. Basically, each tribute is called one by one to showcase their abilities and skills to the game-makers, letting them know how well they'd do in the Hunger Games. Based on how well you do, you get your number, and that's that. I'm not expecting myself to get anything above a seven.

Claudius showed both anger and anxiety by his facial expression. I decided to talk to him.

"Hey, are you alright?" I ask. He shrugs. "How do you think you'll do during sessions?"

"Depends. The game-makers obviously know me by now, so they are expecting something." Claudius tells me. "Something interesting. And I'll show em'."

"Oh, you'll show them alright." Delvick said, still obviously enraged. "After what you've been doing, sponsors are looking to be your only hope here, Claudy."

"There's more to me than you think, Ueklint. I know exactly what I'm doing." Claudius retorts.

"Let's hope so..."

Me and Claudius are put in a line with the other tributes. As Claudius approaches, I could see over half of the other tributes glaring back at him. He stood still with a smug grin.

It astonishes me how confident Claudius is. It's like nothing affects him in the slightest. Smiling at insults, shaking off the negative heat, picking a fight with whomever, it just goes on. If I didn't know any better, I'd say he's a robot.

Eventually, the line ahead shortened, and it was my turn to for private sessions. I looked to Claudius, who gave me a thumbs up. I noticed Kat behind him, fidgeting, clearly nervous. I took a deep breath, and entered the center.

I instantly noticed how empty it was, with only a stand holding multiple weapons, three practice dummies, and the vibrant colors coming from the game-makers hangout area. Elevated above the ground of the center, place inside of the wall. I noticed there was no glass coveting them from my area. A few of them looked at me, waiting for me to do something. Others were all feasting on meals and snacks scattered all over display tables in their hangout.

I grabbed a bow and a quiver with arrows. I aimed them at one of the practice dummies, which all had a target in the center, bulls-eye place where the heart would normally be. I took a deep breath before letting go of the arrow, shooting it at the second closest line to the bulls-eye. Gasping, I turned to the game-makers, who seemed to be ignoring me at that point. Though, some were still paying attention, holding their chin in thought. I turned back to the dummies, and readied my bow again. When I shot, this time, I hit the bulls-eye perfectly in the center. I smiled, and looked at the game-makers.

I frowned when I noticed none of them had even saw my perfect hit. Trying to get back their attention, I pretended to clear my throat. "Ahem!"

A good majority of them all turned back to me, and I turned back to the third dummy. I readied my arrow, focusing completely on the target. I released the arrow from my bow, and watched it fly towards the dummy, hitting it perfectly in the bulls-eye. My eyes lit up with joy. I heard some of the game-makers mumble to each other, amused grins and positive gossip spreading.

I smiled and took a bow, then leaving through where I came. Now, I wait for Claudius to finish his session, and then we can get our numbers.

Claudius' Point of View:

I'm sure Ivory did well. Anyone who payed any attention to her would know she has improved immensely over the past two days.

Now that it's my turn, I can show those game-makers what the deal is. As soon as I entered the training center, I could feel the ambiance in the air. The commotion from the game-makers' hangout halts, all of them looking at me with either glares, or intrigued smirks. Just the way I wanted it. I noticed the cart of weapons, and took out a throwing knife. I juggled it in one hand for about a second, then threw it effortlessly at a practice dummy, hitting it in the outer-most line of the target. I wasn't even trying.

The game-makers all seemed to explode in laughter. I heard one of them yell out, "This is the rebel everyone was on about!?" All of them turned away, ignoring me from then on, feasting, conversing, or just sitting around.

None of them could tell I was being ironic. I took out three daggers, weapons I'm real handy with. Knowing their hangout spot was built into the wall, an idea struck over my head.

I threw the daggers at the wall, getting them completely stuck, handle sticking out. I climbed up them like stairs, hoping they can withstand my weight. Once I reached the top, I climbed into the game-makers' area.

For some reason, none of them had even noticed me yet. I grabbed a tiny cheese and cracker sandwich, took a bite out of it, and yelled.

"Hey!"

Next thing I know, every single one of them has their eyes on me, complete disbelief in their eyes. I continued munching on my small snack.

"H-how did you get up here!?" one of the game-makers, a Kirlia, squealed.

"Well pay attention and maybe you'd learn a thing or two." I replied. Now having the complete attention of the game-makers, I hopped back down the dagger stairs I made, with them all looking down at it in shock. I went back to the cart and pulled out another throwing knife.

I threw the cheese and cracker sandwich I had, and then threw the throwing knife at it, cutting it perfectly in half in mid-air. The knife ended up landing on the forehead of a practice dummy, penetrating it profusely. I walked over to the remains of the sandwich, and picked up a few crumbs.

"You might wanna clean this up." I say, before leaving the training center with a wide grin on my face. As I exit, I pass by Kat. "Good luck, Katrina." I say, to which the Houndour rolls his eyes.

No more games. I'm here to show the Capitol that this is my world now, and there's nothing they can throw at me that's gonna put me down.

I guess I could say I wasn't expecting the reaction I got from everyone back at the Capitol in the district eleven lounge.

"Are you insane!?" Mr. Ueklint shouted at me for what was probably the fourth time. Believe me when I say this isn't the first time he's asked me that. Ivory was confused, since she probably wasn't informed on what I did in my session. Mr. Ueklint obviously knows what happened.

"Hey, I was just keeping their heads up." I say calmly.

"You literally went in their area, and mouthed them off! And you think they'll just let that slide!?" If Mr. Ueklint had hair, it would probably change color as he morphed into super-saiyan due to how intense he's getting. I sat down next to Ivory.

"What's his problem?" Ivory asked. I chuckled slightly.

"I just did really good in sessions and he's jealous." I say, obvious sarcasm in my voice. Somehow, she doesn't pick it up, leaving a still confused look on her face. "Okay, so I might have done a thing... or two."

"You always do a thing or two, Claudy." Ivory says.

"Hey, not always! Sometimes it's three things!"

"Now's not the time to kid. Our number scores will be displayed soon!" Ivory exclaims. Everyone around takes a seat on the couch in front of the giant flat-screen T.V. Mr. Ueklint crossed his arms, still in a bad mood. I smirked confidently.

Tributes and their numbers were shown on screen, with a charming voice coming from a Gengar. District one would be first, with it leading up to us, then district twelve.

I noticed that when Karma had shown up, he scored a damn nine, which surprised me. I was expecting him to get a mediocre score after all the shenanigans he played during training. He didn't exactly show any skills off, which might have been smart.

Sunny showed up, and she also got a nine. I can only wonder what that witch did to earn a score that high. She talks a lot of crap, which she may be able to back up. Her little brother blue, however, unsurprisingly was given a five. It's not like he could really do much. Poor kid was barely even old enough to be in the games.

The only other decent score I saw was the district ten Alcremie, who got an eight. Definitely going to have to take note of that.

Next up was Ivory, and she focused entirely on the screen, paws clenched together, preying to Arceus. I do have faith in her, but I can only admit that she has flaws. Hope is all that I can really give that would help.

Seven.

That's not bad! Ivory smiled wide, relieved. Mr. Ueklint nodded in approval. Malorie cheered out loud, but then instantly sat down when I was getting my number. Everyone sat quietly, waiting patiently for my 'demise,' as they put it.

"Claudius Emberdeen..." the Gengar on screen began. "With a score of..." I gasped for air.

"Eleven!"

I pumped my fists into the air, shouting out the word 'boom' in excitement. Mr. Ueklint could only sit back in shock, absolutely bewildered by what he was seeing. Ivory jumped at me, and I caught her, holding her in a tight hug. Eleven out of twelve. Few past tributes have reached a score that high, the only one higher being the single tribute from district two about ten years ago, a Lucario named Damien Asphodel. Obviously, he went on to bulldoze through the competition that year, setting the Hunger Games record of fifteen kills. Absolutely insane, I tell you.

I didn't really pay much attention to what else was going on, until Ivory told me to quiet down because Kat's score was coming up. I guess I kinda have to pay attention to this one.

Six.

I guess that's okay... I was just hoping that if Ivory wanted us to team up with him that he'd be able to contribute well. It's seeming as though that may not be the case...

Oh well. Atleast my plan paid off... very well. All that's left before the games is interviews. My eyes widened, realization washing over me. I cringed at the thought.

Live interviews.