"You know, I still don't like how you and Alaric went behind my back with the interview outfit." Juno complains bitterly as she tugs Dahlia's arena-wear up her body. The Tribute doesn't say a word while Juno fusses with the outfit, mumbling incoherently under her breath. Until finally, Juno turns the girl to face her and smooths down her hair with a tender touch. The stylist's stern face melts away as she notices the fear in the young girl's eyes. "But I admire your bravery."

"Thank you, Juno. For everything." Dahlia expresses gratefully, trying to convey her sincerity to the woman who helped her become who she is today. "There's a stash of souvenirs in my apartment. Gifts from my admirers. I'd like you to look after them for me. Do with them what you wish, sell them if you want. I won't have much need for them anymore." Her tone is filled with melancholy as she bequeaths her stolen hoard of Capitol goodies to the only person she knows will live to find use for them. Juno nods tearily in understanding before Dahlia quickly adds, "Just don't ask where I got them."

Quiet giggles are shared between them as they enjoy one last moment of peace before chaos erupts in the arena. As the laughter dies down, Juno's eyes nervously flicker up to the cameras stationed in the corners of the room. Throwing caution to the wind, she lunges forward and engulfs Dahlia in a brief hug.

"Long live the Rebellion." She whispers into Dahlia's ear, not giving her a chance to react to the unexpected words before quickly releasing her. To avoid suspicion, Juno covers her rebellious comment to the cameras watching on by openly declaring, "I hope to see you again, Petal."

"Maybe someday." Dahlia murmurs with a feigned smile, masking her shock well but not quite believing her own words. She was sure this was the last time the two women would see each other.

"Sixty seconds to launch." A male announces, his voice echoing around the room.

Wiping her eyes hurriedly, Juno was quick to try and compose herself to prepare her Tribute. "It's a wetsuit material. Light with no thermal." Juno explains, ignoring the tears still streaming down her face. "Likely a tropical environment, possibly swimming involved." Dahlia nods at the information, mentally preparing herself for stifling heat and a body of water. "We mustn't forget your token." Juno gasps, rifling through her pocket until she pulls out the blue dahlia pin Dahlia had worn during her first games. "Remember who you're fighting for."

The pin is fastened securely to Dahlia's wetsuit, reminding her of a time long ago when Alaric had gifted it to her in honour of Cove. She had fought for her family back then. Now she fights for Finnick.

"Ten seconds to launch."

Dahlia's body tenses but she forces herself to send one last smile to Juno. Stepping onto the podium, a glass cylinder lowers from above and seals her into the tube. She knows there's no turning back now. No more parades, no more training, no more interviews. Just a fight to the death.

Slowly the platform begins to rise, making Dahlia's heartbeat increase anxiously. She sends a confident nod to Juno before the woman disappears from her life forever and finds herself in complete darkness. All she can hear is her heart thumping in her chest and the breath leaving her mouth in a steady, calming flow. Panicking leads to carelessness and she intends to survive the bloodbath. But daylight is not a welcome sight for Dahlia as realisation settles in her mind. This isn't a bad dream. She's back in the Hunger Games.

Juno's prediction had been correct as a sweltering climate greets Dahlia's skin and crystal clear water laps at her podium. Quickly glancing around, she is relieved to find Katniss just two spaces along from her. But the girl is gasping heavily and is surrounded by Careers, no doubt an attempt to eliminate her as early on in the Games as possible. This will make Dahlia's job of protecting the girl even more difficult. But when has life ever been easy for her?

Cashmere is on Dahlia's left, separated only by an expanse of water and a rocky wall. Blight is on her right, her companion in this segment. The two exchange discreet nods of acknowledgement but Dahlia's next focus is on finding Finnick and Alaric. Unfortunately the two seem to be on the other side of the Cornucopia, which fills Dahlia's chest with even more dread.

"Let the 75th Hunger Games begin." Claudius Templesmith's voice booms out menacingly as Dahlia regains her focus. She has to protect Katniss and trust that Finnick and Alaric can look out for themselves. "May the odds be ever in your favour."

Ten...

Dahlia bends her knees.

Nine...

She spots her swords.

Eight...

Her fingers twitch nervously.

Seven...

She briefly glances left.

Six...

Katniss pulls herself together.

Five...

Dahlia's priorities are clear.

Four...

She prays for Finnick.

Three...

Eyes narrow in concentration.

Two...

She takes a breath.

One.

The Black Dahlia is unleashed.

The cannon fire sets all the tributes into action, everyone immediately diving into the rippling waters and battling fiercely against the waves. Dahlia mentally thanks Finnick for helping her overcome her fears as she finds herself powering through the water with a swift and strong stroke, barely coming up for air. The currents seemed to flow in her favour, allowing the girl to cut quickly through the waves like a creature of the sea.

Grasping the rocks with a firm grip, Dahlia pulls herself from the water to be met with Cashmere doing the same on the other side. Without hesitation, Dahlia kicks her foot into the Career's chest and sends her flying back into the water. But a loud splash in front of her alerts Dahlia to the presence of another tribute on the rocks. Gloss has emerged a few metres ahead of her. And the race begins.

Hair slicked from the water and droplets falling from her body, Dahlia sprints after the man on nimble feet. The rocky terrain briefly reminds her of her own Games, memories of treacherous dips and difficult slopes. Her body is small but agile, making light work of the uneven ground. Out of the corner of her eye, she can see Katniss running quickly over the rocks. But Gloss is powerful and fast, constantly glancing over to the District Twelve girl and gaining on her position. Dahlia couldn't have that.

Gritting her teeth and panting heavily, she pushes herself even harder to catch up with the man. Then, similarly to how she had slowed down his sister, she plants her foot into his leg. His knee buckles from the well-aimed kick which makes him stumble on the rocks and eventually crash to the ground. Hurdling his fallen body, she finds her stride once more, reaching the Cornucopia at the same time as Katniss.

The drenched Girl on Fire skids to a stop as Dahlia arrives at the bow and arrows before she does. Katniss fears for a moment that the Black Dahlia won't hesitate to kill her, as she had expected the woman to be one of the many thirsty for revenge. Instead, she is surprised when Dahlia passes the weapons over to the girl before collecting her twin swords. The Everdeen girl stands in a shocked daze while Dahlia gathers as many extra weapons as she can, stuffing knives into her belt and securing the sword halter to her back.

"Don't just stand there!" Dahlia yells harshly, glaring at the frozen girl while tributes start to gain on them. "Start shooting!"

This command snaps Katniss out of her shock, prompting her to draw back the string of her bow and shoot an arrow into Gloss' leg. The man, who had only just managed to catch up, clutches his injury and plunges into the water. Sensing someone next to her, she loads another arrow and whips to the side. She finds herself aiming at Finnick Odair, who is being handed his trident by Dahlia. Raising his left hand, the golden bangle clasped around his wrist glimmers in the sunlight and causes Katniss to pause her attack in recognition.

"Good thing we're allies, right?" Finnick states with a knowing smirk, internally relieved to be reunited with Dahlia and to have found Katniss.

Still not lowering her guard, Katniss nods to the bracelet and questions, "Where did you get that?"

"Where do you think?" Finnick counters, hoping Katniss would finally trust them if she knew that Haymitch was on their side. The girl's eyebrows furrow in thought as her eyes dart suspiciously between the pair. Her mind was arguing with itself, warring back and forth on whether to put her faith in these two notorious Victors. In the end, her instincts make the decision. "Duck."

Katniss doesn't hesitate to listen, crouching to the ground as Finnick launches his trident. The weapon whizzes over her head before piercing the chest of an attacking tribute. A cannon booms to proclaim that the life has left his body. Katniss' eyes widen at the dead tribute, panting heavily as the adrenaline fills her body.

"Don't trust One and Two." Dahlia instructs the girl in a commanding tone as Finnick plucks his trident from the tribute's chest.

"Lia, I'll take this side." Finnick calls out to the woman, receiving an affirming nod. "You two hold them off. I'll go find Peeta."

As Finnick takes off round the side of the Cornucopia, Dahlia offers a hand to Katniss. The girl eyes it skeptically but decides to set her doubts aside. She allows Dahlia to pull her to her feet, surprised at the tight-lipped smile the older woman sends her. Her shock is quick to wear off as Enobaria nears the pair, teeth bared menacingly. Katniss swiftly shoots an arrow at the woman but Enobaria dives into the water to avoid it.

"Lia!" Dahlia hears Finnick's cry before she sees him, her head snapping in his direction fearfully. She only calms when he rounds the corner in a hurry, completely unharmed. "Katniss, Mags found him. He's over here."

The two girls are quick to follow Finnick, being led around the other side of the Cornucopia. There they find Mags pointing frantically at the water where a scuffle is taking place between Peeta and a male tribute. Furious punches are exchanged and water is splashed up frantically. Finnick hands his trident to Mags and expertly dives into the water, Katniss aiming her bow towards the scuffle.

Suddenly, Peeta is forced beneath the waves, his blond hair disappearing from sight. Silence fills the air as the allies hold their breath in concern. Dahlia knows Katniss will be less willing to cooperate with the Rebellion if Peeta dies and can sense the girl's worry increase as the boom of a cannon sounds. A body floats to the surface limply and Katniss' breath catches in her throat. Finnick manages to reach the scene as the surviving tribute breaks through the water. Thankfully for the group, it is Peeta that gasps for air, his head whipping around in panic. Both District Twelve tributes visibly relax upon seeing each other alive, but Katniss' attention is captured by the scheming Careers on the banks of the Cornucopia.

Dahlia, noticing the girl's deadly glare, gently taps Katniss' arm and snaps her out of her murderous thoughts. "Save that rage for later, Katniss." She advises the girl with an air of wisdom that compels Katniss to follow her guidance. "We're in no shape to take on the Careers right now."

Dahlia knows that part of the strategy in the Hunger Games is knowing how to pick your fights. That is knowledge she has gained since her own Games. Younger Dahlia wouldn't have run from a fight, but looking around at their team, she knows they need to gather themselves. Peeta is exhausted from his fatiguing brawl in the water, Finnick slightly winded from his rescue efforts and Mags is in no position to be fighting.

As the group begins to retreat towards the treeline, Dahlia pauses briefly to glance around the arena. Her hope is revived as she spots Alaric taking off from the Cornucopia supporting a wounded Beetee with Johanna, Blight and Wiress following behind. Her family had survived the bloodbath... But would everyone survive the Games?