Piper Papillon’s POV:

‘’ Good morning tributes! I’m glad that you all made it here this morning for the first of three training days! Here’s how this is going to work; for today, you will all participate in mandatory exercises that will contribute to your scorings at the end of the training sessions.

Tomorrow, you will be free to train wherever you wish, whether that is with weapons, camouflage, climbing or agility, we have it all here in the Capitol! Today, you will have six hours in here before dinner, and then you can choose to return afterwards if you wish.

So please, follow me and I will take you to the centre.’’ I smile as I lead the twenty four tributes down a set of stairs and down a hall towards the steel double doors of the training centre.

They follow me – some excitedly, others not so excitedly – as I approach the doors and as I push the doors open, they eagerly enter behind me. I take them to the centre of the room, where trainers have all assembled and then I turn and leave the room.

As I step from the room, I sigh. Today’s the day I get to go visit my new home with Tiberius. The joys of it all. I walk as slowly as I can along the hall, and when I reach the bottom of the stairs my heart sinks. Tiberius is standing at the top with a grin on his face.

‘’ Morning Pip, honey. Shall we go?’’ He smiles warmly.

‘’ Of course...Sweetheart.’’ I reply, as I say this I fight the urge to gag.

He laughs and links my arm as I reach him and he leads me from the building.

Echo Spark’s POV:

‘’ Good morning tributes, my name is Esmeralda and I am the head trainer here in the tribute training centre. In just under two weeks, twenty two of you will be dead. We are here to help you make sure that you are one of the two that survives. We are skilled in many things, sword fighting, camouflage, first aid skills, agility, stealth, knife throwing, spear throwing, balance and so on and so forth.

Today, we have three exercises lined up for you all. The first will test your speed and accuracy. The second will test your balance and agility. The third and final exercise will test your endurance. So please, follow me and we will begin the tests.’’ Smiles quite a young looking Capitol citizen – Esmeralda, the head trainer – and we follow her towards an incline in the floor.

We step up to a ledge, and peer down about three meters. What looks like a giant roulette machine. The is a small glass sphere in the centre, and there are twenty four stations set up around the perimeter of the roulette like area.

‘’ OK tributes, please step down the stairs and each of you climb into one of the stations, we will explain the rules once you’re down there, it will be easier then.’’ Smiles Esmeralda.

I follow the other tributes down the stairs with Osmo beside me, and we each climb into one of the pods beside each other. The pod is a half sphere – it’s almost like a cup – with an opened roof that allows me to see the other tributes. I take a seat and examine the area around me. In front of me, is a small control panel with only a large red button on it. I notice there is a seatbelt attached to my pod, so I quickly strap myself in.

Esmeralda steps down the stairs and walks across the roulette-like station floor and approaches the glass sphere in the centre. As she does, the ball lowers into the floor, and is replaced by a similar pod that myself and the other tributes are sitting inside already. She climbs into it and straps herself in. I notice the other trainers have disappeared from sight, they have obviously gone somewhere to watch us.

‘’ OK tributes, here’s how this test is going to work. When we begin, we will be lowered into the ground, a roof will go over us and you will all begin to move around in a clockwise direction circling me. It will be quite dark, and your aim is to click the button in front of you when the time is right. There will be flashes of red in the test, as soon as you see a flash of red, you must click the button. Anyone that doesn’t click their button within two seconds of it flashing will be eliminated. The aim of the test is to be the last person left. Does everyone understand?’’ She explains.

‘’ Yes.’’ I reply, in unison with the other tributes.

‘’ OK then!’’ She exclaims excitedly. ‘’ Let’s begin!’’

She pushes a button in her pod, and we begin to sink downwards into the floor. The way she had described it, I pictured that our pods would be lowers into the floor, however the whole station moves downwards – including Esmeralda herself! Once we have descended about ten meters, a roof slides across the top, blocking out the light and we are plunged into momentary darkness.

It takes a few seconds, but the red button in front of me – and presumably the other tributes’ as well – light up, they appear to be luminous. Esmeralda pushes another button, and I sway to the right as a sudden jolt from the pod causes me to, then we begin to move to the left in a circle around her – as she had explained.

‘’ OK tributes, once you see the red light flash, click the button in front of you.’’ She explains with a smile. ‘’ Three...two...one...’’

As she says one, she pushes another button and we begin to move a lot faster than before. I watch Esmeralda as I lap her thrice in a few seconds, waiting to see if she’ll push a button to cause the flash of light. I rest my hand over the button, ready to push down on it in a moment’s notice.

Then, we begin to spin. The pods themselves begin to turn in an anti-clockwise direction, as the room spins the opposite way. It feels like some futuristic attraction at a theme park, and I briefly forget that I am in training for the Hunger Games! I glance at Osmo as we spin and can just about see his face as he looks as though he is going to be sick. I laugh aloud and then there is a flash of light.

Instinctively, I lean down on the button in front of me and press down on it. My pod stops spinning crazily and comes to an immediate halt, however it continues to gradually move around the room like it had before, as the whole room spins.

I watch as the other tributes press down and they too come to a stop. There is then a collection of sudden screams of terror, a few of the younger kids. I glance around the room and realise the screams came from Phox, Blossom, Acacia, Odhan and Ike. Five people eliminated in the first round!

‘’ Oops.’’ Giggles Esmeralda. ‘’ I forgot to mention that the people that are eliminated get quite a powerful electric shock. To make this more entertaining.’’

‘’ Stupid Capitol bitch.’’ I mutter quietly and then eliminated tributes’ pods move backwards into a gap in the wall – they are now spectators and get to watch as the test continues.

Esmeralda pushes the button again and we begin to move even more rapidly around the room. I begin to feel sick, which is really saying something considering I barely ever get motion sickness. However I keep focused and wait patiently for the flash of light as I spin around the room.

A lot quicker than before, the flash of light comes and I curse aloud as I push down on the button, not sure if I made it within two seconds and prepare myself for an electric shock however my pod comes to a halt and I sigh with relief. Again, I watch as the other tributes press their buttons and also come to a halt.

Unlike previously there are no screams, but there a few curses yelled as more tributes are electrocuted for being late. I watch as the pods belonging to Bliss, Adaline and Cricket move back into the wall where they will now watch the rest of the test play out.

Once again, we begin to spin around the room, only this time there is about a two minute wait before the flash comes. Once it does however, I press down on it hard and come to a stop. This time, we lose both the twins, who gasp slightly as they are electrocuted and move back to the wall.

‘’ OK now! Ten tributes are out, fourteen remain. Time for stage two of the test.’’ Explains Esmeralda and pushes another button in front of her.

We begin to lower again, only this time, the floor moves out from below us and a track takes its place – which we are lowered onto. As well as this, glass ceilings are placed over our pods and secure a seal. I don’t like this. I don’t like this at all.

‘’ Now tributes, this is going to be a bit harder. Try to keep concentrating for the flash of light. She pushes a button and this time when I move to the left, I move in a roll. The sphere I am in turns and I scream as it moves onto its side and then I am upside-down for a second.

It takes me a moment to realise that our pods are now moving along a track, although they are rolling like balls as opposed to just moving around a track. This is obviously to separate the real tributes from the weak willed ones.

My reverie is interrupted by a flash of light, and I press down on the button and my pod comes to a stop. The sound of spheres moving ceases, this was obviously a closer round. Three tributes are eliminated this round – Pious, Lilly and Osmo.

Damn! It’s up to me now. I think to myself and vow that I will win it for myself and my partner.

We begin to roll about the track again and as we do, I feel vomit come up my throat but I force myself to swallow it.

‘’ Screw this crap!’’ I mutter and there is another flash of light a lot quicker than I expected.

I pounce on the button and my pod comes to a halt – thank God! This round, we lose Stitch, Min and Ravina. Another three tributes! Some I thought would be the top contenders for this!

‘’ Sixteen tributes gone, just eight remain! Time for the third stage of the test.’’ She exclaims excitedly and pushes another button. I sigh as we begin to lower further into the ground. ‘’ OK. Now the test is changing slightly. It is the last person to press the button once the light flashes that is going to be eliminated – so we only lose one person per round.’’

This room is a lot simpler than the previous. All eight of our pods move around Esmeraldas, we all prepare ourselves for something even worse than the last stage, however none comes. I am just about to say something when there is a flash of light. I almost jump out of me seat as I push the button in front of me and I smile happily as I hear someone else yell in annoyance as they receive a shock as it means I survived.

I watch as Caspian’s pod moves backwards to the wall to join the rest of the spectating tributes. Now there are just six others against me – Margo, Caspian, Brutis, Gauze and Alistair are the guys, then there are myself, Belle and Arianna for the girls.

‘’ As you may have noticed, nothing happens to you all this time, you remain still. We just had to do all that before to get the best of you together.’’ Explains Esmeralda and we begin again.

I quickly glance up at the other tributes, who are all doing the same and quickly decide against it. Although I can multi-task, I prefer when all my concentration is on the task at hand. It clearly pays off because as the light flashes I press down hard on the button and let out a sigh of relief when I don’t get a shock.

Margo remains quiet as he is shocked, aside from the fact that his pod begins moving towards the wall, I wouldn’t have guessed he was the one to lose. Six tributes remain, three boys, three girls.

We go again, I don’t take my eyes off the button for a second. I must win this, it will help Osmo and I in the arena big time if I was to win this because it will give me the recognition of the trainers here in the Capitol. The light flashes again, I push down on the button and smile as Arianna curses aloud and her pod begins moving – five tributes remaining.

We begin again, and after about a minute, Esmeralda speaks.

‘’ This is exciting!’’ Says Esmeralda, however I ignore her and focus on the button before me.

In the corner of my eye, I see Belle look at Esmeralda in front of us.

‘’ Oh, has it not started or-‘’ Begins Belle however she is cut off by a flash of light.

She lunges for her button but it is too late. She curses as she gets the shock and stares at Esmeralda angrily as her pod moves back towards the wall. She is clearly not happy with what just happened.

Four tributes left; myself and three of the boys – Gauze, Brutis and Alistair. I can do this.

‘’ OK, to speed things up, two will go out this round. The first two to click the button when the light flashes go to the last round.’’ Explains Esmeralda.

We all wait for the flash of light, neither of us dare to look away from the button. Esmeralda begins to talk, but I manage to block her out and focus solely on the task at hand. About ten seconds pass and then there is a flash of light. I gasp and shove my hands down hard on the button.

As I do, there are two wails of pain from the guys as the pods belonging to Brutis and Alistair move back towards the wall. It is just myself and Gauze Weaver that remain. He smiles at me and I return the smile.

‘’ Good luck.’’ He mouths.

‘’ You too.’’ I reply without speaking.

‘’ OK! Our final two tributes. As before the aim is to be the first-‘’ Begins Esmeralda but she is cut off by a flash of light.

Both myself a G – caught completely off guard dive for the buttons. She obviously had planned this for the finale. Gauze stares at me for about five seconds, not moving and then his pod moves backwards.

‘’ Congratulations Echo! You are the winner of the first task!’’ Beams Esmeralda enthusiastically and I smile triumphantly.

Belle Cyrus’ POV:

‘’ OK tributes, if you’ll please follow me. It is time for task two, balance and agility.’’ Smiles Esmeralda and leads us across the training centre to the second exercise.

We come to a stop at a door.

‘’ OK, there is an obstacle course set up in the next room. We will go in four groups of six, and you will be timed The tribute with the shortest time at the end wins. You’re groupings are on the board in the room.’’ She explains and she opens it.

We step inside and we are in a smaller room. There are six hatches about as tall as my waist in the wall in front of us. Each has an electronic name plate above it, although none are displaying anything yet.

On the wall beside me, are four lists – the four groupings of tributes for this exercise. I immediately scan for my own name and find it immediately. I see my competitors; Pious, Cricket, Min, Adaline and Phox. Although I am in group two.

‘’ Can the six tributes from group one step up and take their marks.’’ Asks Esmeralda and the electronic name plates flash with the names of the first of the tributes to be tested; Blossom, Ellie, Echo, Stitch, Alistair and Caspian.

They all take their marks by the hatches and await further orders. I glance at the tributes, I can already tell who are the main contenders, Caspian, Alistair and Echo – the others don’t stand much a chance.

‘’ OK. So here is how it is going to work. When it begins, you will crawl through your hatches and begin the obstacle course. It is a race to the finish line. Good luck. ‘’ Smiles Esmeralda.

As she finishes speaking, an audio countdown begins. ‘’ Three...two...one...go!’’

As it screams ‘go!’ the hatches drop and the tributes crawl forwards. As soon as they enter, the hatches reseal and sound and view from inside the course.

‘’ This is so exciting! It’s the first time we have been able to test the course!’’ Beams Esmeralda excitedly about ten minutes later.

Before anyone can respond, there is a ringing sound and Esmeralda applauds. Six new names flash across the electronic name plates – myself included! I take my place between Min Yan and Adaline Trunkette and prepare to go. We are all on our knees, waiting in front of the hatches to begin the race. Like before, the voice counts down.

‘’ Three...two...one...go!’’

The hatch slides down and I crawl forwards. I am in a small tunnel with a cushiony padding that stretches for about three meters. As I leave the tunnel, there is enough space to get to my feet so I do. I take a second to study my surroundings.

There are four pathways ahead of me, each look identical and all have a stand in the centre of them with a button perched on it. I wonder what that does. There is then a flight of stairs after that leading upwards.

I dash forwards as the other tributes exit the tunnels and I leap for the button. I dive through the air and press it and there is a noise behind me. I glance back and see something rise up from the ground. It is a doorway however it too is padded with cushiony material. I have just prevented a tribute from continuing. Yes!

I race along the hallway and bound up the stairs, taking them three at a time. When I reach the summit, I see the other tributes beside me. We are separated by windows. I spot Pious, Cricket and Min – Adaline and Phox were obviously blocked off by myself and the others pushing the buttons to seal the doors.

Min is the first to run forwards, so I copy and sprint on through the course. Ahead of me is an opening that leads to a huge room. It takes me a moment to realise that the whole floor is lines with what seems to be treadmills, although they are only a meter wide and they are all going in different directions.

I leap forwards and begin to sprint across the course. As I move onto the first treadmill, so do the others and as we do, plastic balls begin to spill onto us from above. The balls are all different colours and sizes, most are as small as tennis balls but there are about ten huge ones that are as big as me.

I race forwards and I hear Min curse as she trips and falls onto the floor. As she hits the ground, the treadmill moves backwards, taking her away from the next door. I watch as a giant translucent plastic ball flies past me and knocks Stitch off his feet. Unlike Min, he doesn’t move backwards, but to the side.

I race forwards, only Pious is still on his feet – but the other two have recovered and are stalking behind. I reach the exit to this room and step into the next, with Pious and the others hot on my heels.

I take a second to take in the room. There are three pathways in front of me, similarly to last time there are buttons halfway along them. At the end of the hall, there is a poster on the wall that has ‘Finish’ painted across it. I grin and race forwards. As I pass it, I press down on the button and continue towards the finish line however about three meters before I reach it, the floor beneath me collapses and I fall down a chute leading to a lower level.

On each side of me are windows and I look and see Pious and Min either side of me, Cricket was left behind. Ahead of me is a set of monkey bars above a long stretch of water. I jump up and grab the monkey bars and pull myself on top of them. Instead of hanging from them, I crawl across them. It is an easier method and quicker for me as I probably wouldn’t be able to keep myself up that long.

I reach the opposite side and come to a rope leading upwards. Using the rope as support, I walk up the wall whilst I pull the rope with my hands – gradually making my way towards the top. I can feel sweat pumping from me as I climb and I am breathing heavily.