A/N: Wow, I've neglected this story. I'll see if I can't get another update cooked up soon! I can't believe I started this story in 2012!

PATRICK'S ROCK:: BIKINI BOTTOM:: 2012

Rue looks at the clock and her stomach growls. The 12-year-old from a starving District is shy to ask about food, but soon the temptation becomes so big she can't resist. "Hey, uh, Patrick…"

The sea star doesn't respond but Rue asks anyways, "Uh, aren't you hungry?"

As if on cue, his stomach rumbles and he says, "Me hungry. Need… Foooooddd…"

She smiles slightly and waits for him to do something about it. He stands there drooling for a second before he finally says, "I know! Let's go to the Krusty Krab!"

"The what?"

He starts walking and she hesitates before following him. He walks until they approach the building, and Rue whispers, "Wow…" Upon seeing it. She never knew that sea creatures would be so advanced as to be able to build things.

Patrick walks inside and she follows. Squidward seems to be in a lot better of a mood than usual, considering that Thresh is in the kitchen, and says, "Welcome to the Krusty Krab! May I take your order?"

Patrick looks up at the menu. "I'll have… Uh… Uuuuuhhh…."

Rue looks up at the words as Patrick says, "Uuuuhhh…" for an extended period of time.

"What's a Krabby Patty?" she asks.

Every fish in the restaurant gasps and looks over at her. Shocked by the sudden attention, Rue blushes and says, "What?"

"You've never had a Krabby Patty!?" Patrick asks. Rue shakes her head. The fish gasp again.

"Someone get this poor soul a Krabby Patty!" one of the fish says, giving Squidward money. He writes it down as Patrick orders one for himself as well.

Squidward turns around and says, smiling, "I have an order for two Krabby Patties, Not-Spongebob!"

Thresh sighs, "I have a name, you know?"

But Squidward doesn't care. Thresh cooks up the order and then takes it out to where Rue and Patrick sit together, at the table by Katniss.

When she sees him, Rue squeaks with delight, "Thresh!"

"Rue!" he says with a smile, relieved to find someone he recognizes.

"I'm so glad you're here!" she says, "But… Uh…" she glances up at his hat and stifles a laugh, "What are you wearing?"

"I work here now," he says. "It's a little bit like working for the Capitol. Your work, your sweat, no pay.

"Really? How'd you get roped into it?"

He whispers, "Some insane crab…"

Rue giggles, "This is too crazy to even begin to believe. What're all our friends going to say?"

"I dunno," he says, not mentioning that it's more like all of her friends. Thresh was never a really friendly person: much too quiet for that.

"I have to get back to work now, but you enjoy that food."

"It's huge!" Rue says. Thresh laughs and heads back to the kitchen.

Katniss comes over and sits next to Rue, starting a quiet conversation about the Games. Rue is relieved to talk instead of sitting in awkward silence with Patrick. They talk until Patrick and Rue leave to go continue their lives of standing and doing nothing.

THE MERMALAIR:: BIKINI BOTTOM::2012

"AAAHH!" the District 1 boy screams as he appears, spear in hand. "WHAT THE *dolphin noise* IS GOING ON!?" He stumbles backwards and realize he's trapped in some kind of cave.

"No," he mumbles, "Nononononono…I…I have to volunteer for the Games… No…" he wanders around, confused.

Suddenly he sees a blonde boy fall in screaming, as well. He's accompanied by a lot of creative noises, from dolphins to car-horns. Cato scrambles to his feet and stares at the District 1 boy for a long second. Marvel stares back at Cato.

The District Two boy finally says, "What the *dolphin noise*?"

"I dunno what the *dolphin noise* is going on either, so don't *dolphin noise* ask me."

"THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING TO ME!" Cato screams, stomping his foot and smacking his sword against the wall, "I HAVE TO GO BACK TO DISTRICT *dolphin noise* TWO! I AM *dolphin noise* VOLUNTEERING TOMORROW!"

"WELL-" the District 1 boy stops short, "You're volunteering tomorrow?"

"What the *dolphin noise* does it mean to you?"

"I'm from District 1."

"Oh. I'm from 2," the blonde boy says, surprised.

"Really? And you said you're volunteering together? For the Hunger Games?"

"Yes, dimwad. What else would I be volunteering for!?"

"Just checking." There's a pause. "I just wished to be in a place where I wouldn't be considered stupid, I have no idea how the *dolphin noise* I ended up here." The District One boy sighs sadly and stares at the ground.

"Well *dolphin noise* good for you. I was just saying how I wanted to be somewhere where I was stronger than everyone, and I guess that's here."

"Uh… What the *dolphin noise* is up with our swear words?"

"Well *dolphin noise* *Car honk* *glass break* if I know," Cato mutters.

"Anyways, I'm, uh, Marvel. You?"

"Cato."

"Guess if we're gonna be allies in the Arena, we'd better learn to tolerate each other here."

"Hmph."

"Uh, Cato?"

"What!?"

"Look at that wall of weapons."

"Wh- holy *glass break*."

"Weird," Marvel says, examining the weapons. Suddenly, Bikini Bottom's two heroes enter their lair and the two teenagers turn around.

Barnacleboy recognizes them as humans and looks shocked. Mermaidman looks over and says, "Barnacleboy! Look at those two lovely ladies!"

Marvel and Cato exchange a look. Both of the Careers are highly offended.

"They aren't girls, you old coot! They're human boys!"

Mermaidman blinks and Barnacle boy approaches the two Careers. "Well? Who are you and what are you doing in our lair!?"

Marvel and Cato exchange a look. "Uh, we got put here somehow and we aren't sure how. But we would both like to go home."

"To the land? Heh, good luck with that. Once you're here, you're stuck."

Cato collapses on his knees, "NO! I HAVE TO GET BACK HOME!"

Marvel mutters under his breath, "*dolphin noise*."

The two heroes gasp at this language.

"You can't say things like that!" Barnacleboy scolds.

"Why the *dolphin noise* not?" Cato asks, standing back up again but looking worried.

Mermaidman gasps, "EVVIIIILLL!"

"The fish don't take to it well," Barnacleboy explains, "They say barnacles instead."

"Wait, fish!?" Cato asks, not believing it for one second, "What the *dolphin noise* do you mean by that?"

"EVIIILLL!"

"They're not evil, you old coot!" He turns to Cato. "We're in Bikini Bottom, an underwater city."

"That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard," Marvel says.

"Oh, trust me, it gets dumber," Barnacle Boy assures them. "That yellow idiot just destroyed the city again taking a driving test and we have to go help the innocent civilians."

The boys exchange a look. Mermaidman snaps back into action, "Barnacle boy! To the… INVISIBLE BOATMOBILE!"

"The what?" Cato growls.

"THE INVISIBLE BOATMOBILE!" Mermaidman jumps in and Barnacle boy follows. Marvel and Cato exchange a disbelieving look.

"Well, are you two comin' or now?" Barnacleboy asks, sitting next to him. "You can be superheroes for a day."

Marvel shrugs, "If it's the only way we're gonna get information, why not?" He walks over. Cato huffs but follows him, and the two take a seat before the four drive off.

A/N: I couldn't resist putting those two in. I have a headcannon that Marvel is younger than 18, and that he wasn't excited to volunteer, but I'm trying to stay as canon as possible with this story. Anyways, sorry (not sorry) for throwing them into the mix. I just loves the Careers. Next chapter should include Wiress, Beetee, and maybe Prim. Hope you liked the chapter, and reviews are always appreciated!