CHAPTER 15

Hey there guys! Once more I cannot say how happy you've all made me with your wonderful reviews and feedback! My God – 65 reviews – that's an all time record! I'm so glad you're enjoying this story as much as I enjoy writing it! Ok, enough with that :))) – here it is folks, the FINAL CHAPTER!

Special warning for this chapter: Violence!

Haymitch sat silent on the living-room couch, ignoring everything and everyone. Many times before in his life he'd thought he'd seen the worst that this cruel world had to throw at him, but he'd been wrong. The worst hour of his life was still to unfold, and it would happen that very night, he knew it.

"I'm worried about Haymitch" Cinna whispered with obvious concern. "I think he has not slept at all the past two days, he just sat there and drank…"

The stylist himself felt worn and on the edge of his nerves, and he could tell that Hazel wasn't much better either. Her childish features did not bear any sign of fatigue, but it was there, in her dark, haunted eyes.

"What do you know of Cato…?" he asked warily.

"Not much, they still keep him in confinement. He doesn't know where he is, just some dark dungeon and he's chained up really tight, so he can't even move a finger" She sighed. "I can't help thinking that this is all my fault. That I've just… killed him all over again" She buried her face in her palms.

"No, no, don't say that, Hazel" Cinna said gently. "We all did what we had to do, the best we could. But they're all so young – Cato, Katniss, Peeta and even you, and so much was asked of you all. But you have done way better than anyone would have expected so far. And we have not lost yet. I know it's hard and painful, especially now, but I only wish Haymitch could keep a clear head through all this. It's a really bad time to break down"

"Haymitch has not had a clear head in a very long time, Cinna" the girl replied. "Sometimes one can still get glimpses of the man that he used to be, but he is addicted, and with each blow he's only getting worse" She reached forward and gave Cinna's hand a brief squeeze. "I'm glad you're here with us, Cinna. You're right – we can still do this"

"I'm afraid of tonight" he murmured.

-x-

Katniss was afraid too. Her next fight was due in only a few hours, as they'd briefly informed her, but her prep team and her mentor had not been allowed to come and see her this time. Instead she was given a new, unfamiliar prep team. She could do no more than just sit there, silent and uncomfortable, as they scrubbed, brushed, dyed, braided, applied make-up and clothed her, with no words, only precise movements, emotionless, as if she'd been a dead piece of meat already. At least she was done crying, her tears had gone dry, but her torment continued. She'd already lost Peeta and Cato – the Career's fate was clearly sealed and what were the chances of Peeta's survival? President Snow had made it clear – they would live and die together. And most likely die they would, since she knew that they wouldn't let her live through another match. But where was Haymitch? Where were Cinna and Hazel? Katniss dreaded the thought that Capitol had devised some sort of terrible punishment for them as well. And the worst was – she found no one else to blame for all that but herself.

She was almost relieved when the Peacekeepers eventually came to escort her from her cell to the gate that led onto the sand of the Coliseum. The tunnel was quiet, and the damp darkness almost soothing. That was until she saw the massive iron gate lifting slowly, no doubt in what was supposed to be a teasing manner. Just before she stepped out two Avoxes came and checked her armor one last time, and one of them encircled her waist with a thick belt that had two sword sheaths attached on each side. The twin blades gleamed ominously into the light before he tucked them inside of each sheath, adjusting the belt again so they wouldn't hinder her movements.

So… there will be no pile of weapons this time, and no bow

The swords were heavy, pulling on her hips. Katniss couldn't help feeling a pang of fear deep into her stomach. Flavius Fullner must have told them she sucked at swordfight. This time they had made sure she would not win. She was doomed. Thus concluding, she walked out into the bright lights, her chin held up firmly in her last stand of defiance.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Katniss Everdeen, the Girl on Fire!" Claudius Templesmith's voice thundered through the speakers.

The crowd cheered for her wildly, but she remained still. She did not smile and wave at them, and she did not blow them kisses in the usual manner of the Iron Athletes. Instead, her gaze trailed up to the President's private lodge, meeting Peeta's pale face. He looked worn out and burdened, but still managed to give her a light smile.

"I'm sorry, Peeta. Forgive me… Forgive me for everything" Katniss murmured, fighting back her tears. She would not cry again, not now.

"Make sure that all Panem sees this. I want everyone in every damn District to see that defiance and rebellion are not the answer to their whatever problems and that we will not tolerate it" President Snow ordered, turning to his secretary.

Franks nodded and proceeded to pass some orders through a microphone, while Snow turned back to Peeta and gripped his shoulder.

"I hope you realize what you and your beloved are making me do, Mr. Mellark. The Games are expensive" he said pointing out to the audience "each and every one of those seats have cost a fortune and yet here I am, forced to broadcast them to the entire Panem, just to make an example out of two obnoxious, infatuated teenagers! " He paused for a moment and then continued, more for himself. "The citizens of Capitol will not like this, they will see it as a betrayal. And I am not surprised, since they've always been too stupid to realize that everything I do is for their protection"

Then Snow paused again, pulling his immaculate handkerchief out of his chest pocket and pressing it against his mouth to muffle a cough. The awful smell of blood invaded Peeta's nostrils and almost made him gag. He instinctively jerked his head away.

"You should be really grateful, Mr. Mellark. For you it will end fast and painless" Snow added, motioning towards the crystal bowl, and his hand left the boy's shoulder.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" Claudius Templesmith addressed the audience again. "I am sure that we all remember the glorious match in which the magnificent Iron Athlete Artorius Aquer has defeated the mutant Hydra!"

Katniss had no idea what he was talking about, as her eyes keenly inspected the opposing gates. It was through there that the enemy would enter the Arena.

"Tonight we have a surprise for you! Tonight we are proud to give you a fighter whom Death itself has yet failed to tame! Ladies and gentlemen, from the darkness of the Hunger Games, we now bring you District 2's lost tribute, THE MIGHTY CATO, BEAST OF THE ARENA!"

Indeed, the Capitolites remembered Cato and it was instantly obvious that the shock of his unexpected comeback was by far exceeded by their wild excitement.

"And I may not be that wrong to assume that many of us wanted this particular fight to get another chance!" Claudius Templesmith teased them further.

Katniss' breath caught in her throat as the Career almost sprang through the gates, gripping his two swords viciously. Cato, on the other hand, had a brief moment of confusion. They'd kept him immobilized and blindfolded right until the last minute. He began to guess what was happening only when they put the belt over his armor and he felt the swords hanging against his thighs. He only managed to grip their handles and pull them out in one swift move in the split second he was pushed out through the gates, into the blinding lights and deafening roars of the Arena. He quickly cast a few glances around, taking in the large stone walls surrounding the Arena, the fidgeting crowd and the big screens that all showed his face in that moment. And then, standing relatively close to the opposing gate he saw Katniss, white as paper under all that make-up and frozen with terror.

Shit! he cursed silently and looked up at Haymitch's lodge, only to meet the same horrified expression on the mentor's face, as well as Cinna's.

What the fuck do I do now? he mentally asked Hazel, who seemed somewhat more composed than her companions.

It will happen soon. Just get me some more time, Cato. All I need is a bit more time she replied and he saw her slipping discreetly towards the exit.

Then the countdown clock was lowered towards the center of the Arena and Cato's gaze involuntarily trailed from it to the President's private lodge. There, next to Peeta's mute despair and the President's studied indifference he spotted Cornelia's bright red lips tugged upwards in a satisfied grin. She must have been invited especially due to her 'outstanding achievement'. A wave of anger washed over him when she leaned over the railing and blew him a kiss and his face twisted into a ferocious grimace.

….five, four, three, two, one, BEGIN!

Katniss remained on her spot, motionless, positively petrified. Cato would kill her this time, he had no choice anyway and maybe Haymitch was right? By the look on his face when he eventually turned to face her, the conviction that maybe he hadn't really changed after all began to creep up on her. She had killed him and now he would make her pay, he would tear her to shreds, just like he'd promised not so long ago.

A surge of fear made its way down her spine as he walked towards her, swords flickering dangerously in his hands. She took a few steps back as her right hand patted clumsily for the handle of her own. She didn't even consider using two swords, it was hard enough even with one. She pulled it out and held it to the side.

Weigh it in your hand… there, feel the balance of the blade… You must always think of it as an extension of your arm

That was what Cato had taught her. Katniss shook her head. It was no use, she was no match for him. And on top of it all he was a mutant, for God's sake! Despite that, she did as instructed, getting a better grip on the handle. But Cato stopped a few paces away from her and his expression shifted from cruelty to disdain.

"Is that all you can throw at me, Capitol?" he suddenly shouted, pointing one of his swords towards Katniss' chest. "The fucking Fire Girl? Is that all you've got? Pathetic!" he mocked them and spat at her feet.

In the deadly silence that fell over the Arena, President Snow drummed his fingers on the table in front of him, before turning abruptly towards secretary Franks.

"It seems, Franks, that things are not working according to plan. Any suggestions?"

"Oh, he will kill her sir" the secretary assured him. "Didn't you notice how he looked at her earlier? That pure hatred… But I think that he may have gotten used to… more of a challenge by now"

Snow rubbed his beard thoughtful. "How many contestants are still in the Games?"

"Now it's down to the last five, sir"

"Let's put them all in and give them a chance to prove their worth right now. Let's make this the big finale – the survivor will be the Iron Games Victor. Oh and Franks? I suggest you throw in a little surprise to the side. At the right moment"

"Yes, sir"

-x-

A short break was announced as Claudius Templesmith informed the audience that there was another surprise – a change in the evening's schedule. The Capitolites couldn't be more excited, there was nothing they loved more than surprises, the gorier the better.

Soon the remaining contestants entered the Arena through the other gates and their names were ceremoniously announced: the Glovarn twins, two identically looking giants armed with battle axes, Lentulus Vixor – a slender man clad in a silvery armor with a leopard skin to the side, armed with a small shield and a spear, Castor Ederly, a less famous halberd wielder and finally Marcus Gray – Capitol's most reputed swordsman.

"They don't think much of you, so just keep the distance and let those bastards finish each other off first" Cato hissed, not looking at her. Katniss flinched in surprise and pulled further away from him.

His intuition proved right. The athletes of Capitol all but ignored them, instead blowing kisses towards the screaming crowd and gritting their teeth towards one another. The clock then began its countdown, and yet they did not seem to heed it. Then, in the very moment in which the countdown was over, Lentulus took advantage of the others not paying attention and drove his spear through the neck of one of the Glovarn twins. The man collapsed onto the sand choking in his own blood and the audience went berserk. Marcus Gray ducked just in time to avoid Ederly's halberd swing and thrust his sword into the latter's armpit, where his armor was weak.

Two down, three more to go Cato counted, but suddenly the three men turned their attention on him and Katniss. The remaining Glovarn charged towards Cato, throwing one of his battle axes in his direction. The Career dodged it just in time and raised both his swords to block a blow of the other axe. He tried to push the athlete away, but the man was strong, way stronger than he'd expected. Cato got the advantage when he eventually buttheaded him, causing the giant to stumble a few steps back. Then he thrust both blades forward, piercing his armor.

Meanwhile, Lentulus sought to approach Katniss, stepping as gracefully and carefully as a slender feline. She backed away, equally fascinated and terrified by his piercing green eyes. Then she saw the shiny tip of his spear advancing at full speed and she panicked further as her back stuck on the stone wall of the Arena. There was nowhere to run.

"Cato!" Katniss squealed involuntarily, as she barely managed to avoid the spear that Lentulus thrust forward, aiming for her head.

"Use the fucking sword, twelve!" came the growled reply and she automatically lifted her weapon, slamming it with all her strength into the athlete's spear. With a loud crack the wood broke, leaving him disarmed. The crowd cheered, but her victory was short lived. Almost immediately after, Lentulus used the shield to hit her in the face. Katniss collapsed onto the sand and nearly lost her consciousness from the blow. When she came back to her senses, her opponent towered over her ready to apply a decisive blow. In a split second she reached for the sword that had fallen down in the sand not inches from her face and struck deep into his hip joint. Lentulus let out a scream of both pain and surprise, and Katniss kicked him in the knee, making him lose his footing. He fell face down, dropping his shield, and she kicked him again, this time full in the face.

"KILL! KILL! KILL! KILL!" the Capitolites yelled, but she ignored them. The man was down, with little chance of getting up anytime soon, let alone attacking.

When only Katniss, Cato and Marcus Gray had been left standing, the wild rhythm of drums resounded and a large hatch opened in the middle of the Arena. An enormous scorpion climbed out of the hole with a sinister hiss. Its venomous tail reached easily thirteen feet above the ground and its legs around six feet. Its tongs were huge and sharp like blades.

"Oh fuck…" Cato swore, but there was no time for contemplation. While the mutant beast began by turning Lentulus' body into a bloody mess, much to the crowd's delight, Marcus attacked. Unlike the other Iron Athletes, he was indeed skilled. He charged with swift moves, blocking his opponent's strikes. Katniss, having gained some more confidence, attempted a blow, but he rejected her with ease. Eventually he proved strong enough to even pierce Cato's armor and to thrust the tip of his sword into the Career's ribs. The boy stumbled backwards, moaning and clutching his side. However, Marcus Gray had little time to relish in his success before the scorpion's tail ran him through from behind. Katniss slapped her hand over her mouth to prevent a scream.

"W-what now?" she whispered, her eyes locked on the horrid beast that had only been further enticed by the scent of blood.

"Get away from here and let me deal with it!"

She was quick to follow Cato's instruction while he advanced towards the creature, swinging his swords. He charged and jumped forward, severing one of the beast's legs with one blow, but in the next second the giant tongs swept him off his feet and threw him away. He was sent flying into the farthest wall of the Arena, into which he was slammed violently before dropping down onto the sand.

I'm almost there, Cato. Now, make them stare he heard Hazel's voice in his mind and forced himself up with a groan, collecting his two swords. Further away, the scorpion was now attacking Katniss, who fought desperately to fend off its merciless tongs.

"KATNISS! NO!" he yelled as the scorpion's tail pierced through her armor and her chest. His voice was covered by the bloodthirsty audience's frantic shouting.

He launched forward with a savage growl, running as fast as he could, and jumped on top of the scorpion, thrusting both swords with all his strength into the monster's head.

"KATNISS!" Peeta shouted in turn, but he was cut short when one of the Peacekeepers guarding him collapsed face down on the table, shot dead. He jumped from his seat only to stumble on the corpse of the other one. Cornelia screamed in terror when another gunshot resounded and secretary Franks was the next to fall. President Snow turned with surprising speed and picked up the microphone, calling for his guards.

"They can't hear you, they're all dead" Hazel said calmly, aiming in his direction.

"Who are you?" Snow asked in a choked voice.

"The sponsor" And that was the last thing he ever heard.

Curled up in a corner of the lodge, Cornelia continued to scream, but due to the crowd's roar no one could hear her.

"Peeta, come on! Let's get out of here!" Hazel urged, but the boy did not move.

"Katniss… she… she's…" he barely whispered, tears streaming down his pale cheeks. Then Hazel also glanced down into the Arena and her heart sank.

Cato had rolled off the scorpion's carcass and ran over to where Katniss had fallen. She lay on her back onto the sand and her wonderful grey eyes now stared empty, lifeless.

No! No! Cato shook his head, tears blurring his vision. Hazel, how long would it take to… he mentally asked, but did not wait for the answer. He picked one of the swords and thrust it into his left arm, and after pulling it out covered in his blood thrust it again deep into her heart.

A deathly silence fell over the Arena as the Capitolites held their breaths, not knowing what to think.

Please! Please, she just died… Cato silently begged. Katniss, come on, please!

Sixty seconds ticked away painfully while no one dared to move. Then, suddenly she blinked slowly, before her body was jerked upwards in one swift movement and she sat up, panting heavily.

"Cato?" she murmured incredulously, staring down at the horrid wound in her chest and her bloodied hands. "What happened?"

He didn't answer, but his face lit up in the most beautiful smile she'd ever seen. Then he pulled her up into his arms and pressed his mouth against hers, in front of the entire Panem.

"CATO THE BEAST OF THE ARENA AND KATNISS THE GIRL ON FIRE, VICTORS OF THIS YEAR'S IRON GAMES!" Claudius Templesmith announced and the audience went completely mad with excitement.

"It's over now, let's get the hell out of here" Hazel said pulling Peeta's hand, while he sat dumbstruck, unable to understand what had happened.

"NO! They must die! I want them both dead!" Cornelia shrieked hysterically.

"Oh, I almost forgot" the mutant girl said turning to her. "Cato says goodbye"

Epilogue

The true star-crossed lovers of the 74th edition of Hunger Games revealed and miraculously reunited in the Iron Games finale! Cato the Beast of the Arena and Katniss the Girl on Fire, a magnificent couple who had the odds clearly in their favor! A death defying love story that made history on the sand of the Coliseum…

Haymitch did not read the rest. The Districts were now free and the Capitolites had to pay for their products, but gossip was still the most highly sought after commodity. He could not help a bitter smile as he tossed away the paper and poured himself another fill of whiskey.

-x-

The flower was becoming more elaborate as he added a few bright yellow petals in the middle, on top of the red and purple ones. Now they looked like graceful flames and Peeta smiled. He pulled back a little to examine it from a distance and he suddenly felt someone's chin propping on his right shoulder.

"What you're doing, Pocket Peeta?"

"Stop calling me that! I'm not that small!" he laughed and shrugged her away.

"Aww… but you like it. So what are you up to? Haven't seen you in a while"

He motioned towards the flowers on his table. "I have been taking care of the family business… What's everyone else doing?"

"Katniss and Cato went to District 2 to see his family, God knows how those poor people are going to react. Cinna went with them and Haymitch is drunk in his living-room, I just checked that"

"What about you? I thought you're off traveling again, since I've heard you can't stay in one place for too long…"

"Yeah well, I'm thinking of it" the petite girl mused.

Peeta sighed almost inconspicuously and returned to his cakes. "I see…"

"But some cranberry juice might change my mind…"

THE END

Phew! Over, done! I can't believe it! Let me know what you think! :) (Geez, I ALWAYS say that, how tedious….)