Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Dipper was reading a journal from his great uncle Ford(also known as Grunkle Ford).

“Oh no, this could mean something . . .” He gulped.

“Dipper!” He heard a voice. Sounded like his twin sister, Mabel.

“Dipper!” She called him again, “The Reaping is tomorrow, you know that?”

Dipper closed the journal, “. . . Yeah, I know.”

Every year there was a game that was based on survival and skills. It was called the annual Hunger Games.

Dipper and Mabel were now 15 years old. They usually lasted all the years without getting in. Mabel made them promise that if one gets in, they both go in.

“Are you nervous?” She asks him.

“No, not really.” He answers.

“You remember our promise, right?”

He nodded, “Of course.”

The reaping was when one male and female tribute were chosen to represent their district. Their district was twelve.

“Kids! The remote is an inch away and I’m too lazy to grab it!” That was the great uncle Stan(or Grunkle Stan), he was the younger twin brother of Ford.

Mabel and Dipper rolled their eyes and went downstairs.
“We’re coming, Grunkle Stan!” Dipper called to him.

He couldn’t help but be anxious about the reaping tomorrow.

He didn’t want to do the games, but he'd be alright if he were with Mabel.

Chapter Text

It was like time flew by. 

It was already the day of the Reaping. 

Dipper couldn’t sleep, not like he ever could. But he looked over at his sister, and she was soundly asleep. 

He wondered how she could even sleep knowing there was a chance of being chosen and . . . dying. 

He shuddered and looked at the clock on the nightstand. It was 6:30, they had to go in another hour.

He sighed and got up. He went downstairs, but before he reached the bottom, he saw his grunkles talking. 

He hid behind the wall but listened to their conversation.

“These damn games, I hate that they sacrifice people for their own entertainment,” Ford says, with his finger on his chin.

Stan crossed his arms, “As long as the kids aren’t picked. I . . . I don’t wanna imagine losing ‘em.” 

Dipper frowned, he wasn’t ready to do this either, although the chances of him doing it were low. 

They continued to talk. “Stanley, these games are bad, period. I wish they would stop them.” Ford says.

Stan sighs, “We both know that won’t happen.” 

Ford shakes his head and places his hands in his pockets. “It is just so absurd to me.” 

Stan didn’t respond, but Dipper could tell he was pained. 

Ford spoke again, “Maybe if people stopped watching the games, it’d slowly die down.” 

Stan crossed his arms, “That’s less likely. We’re required to watch these games.” 

Ford didn’t say anything else, as he was deep in thought. 

Dipper looked away and thought about going upstairs, but he stopped. 

He looked back at his grunkles. The games are a painful reminder for them. Their brother, or his grandfather, was in the games. He did not make it out.

He sighed and went to his grunkles. “Hey guys.” He waved subtly. 

Stan and Ford looked at him. “Dipper? Why are you up? You should be sleeping.” Ford says. 

Stan leans to his ear, “The kid never sleeps.” Ford’s mouth shaped into an ‘o’. 

“I couldn’t sleep.” Dipper answers. It was a common answer. 

Stan rolled his eyes, “Well go to sleep. Only an hour left before the Reaping starts.” 

“I . . . can't,” Dipper says suddenly shy.

“Of course you can,  just close your eyes and dream about somethin’. I dream about money every night.” Stan grins but is elbowed by his brother.

“Not helping, Stanley.” 

Stan shrugged. 

Dipper sighed, “I’m hungry, can I go eat at the diner?” 

Stan shrugged once more, “Go ahead.” He hands him a couple of bucks. “Bring somethin’ back for us.”  

Dipper nods and smiles subtly, before taking the cash and walking out of the shack. 

The Mystery Shack. Been’s going on for more than 30 years. Soos takes over it now, but they still live there.

Dipper wasn’t ready to think about the—You know what, let’s not think negative on a negative day.

He walked to the diner, and there were some people. 

“Hey, Dipper!” Lazy Susan greeted him, “Alone today?” 

Dipper nodded, “Yeah, Mabel’s asleep. I was gonna get something for myself and them.” 

Lazy Susan nodded, “Alright, well take a seat and we’ll be right over.” 

He sat down in one of the seats. He skimmed through the menu, seeing if he’d get his usual or get something new. 

“Ah, what a surprise seeing you here.” He heard a voice that sounded feminine. 

He looked up from the menu and saw Pacifica Northwest. 

He frowned, “. . . Hey.” 

She crossed her arms, “Oh, so that's how it is?” 

“It’s always been like this.” Dipper answered coldly. 

Pacifica rolled her eyes, “What do you want to order?” 

“I’ll get some eggs with bacon, and 5 pancakes to go.” 

Pacifica wrote that down in the notepad, “Mhm, you want orange juice?” 

He nodded. 

She smirked, “Coming right up.” She grabbed the menu, turned around, and headed towards Lazy Susan. 

Dipper sighed with his hand holding his chin. Why was he so worried about the Reaping this year? How’s it any different from the years before?

Paranoia. 

He put his head down on the table. 

Eventually, Pacifica came by with his food. “Eat up, Pines.” She placed it on the table and messed with his hat. 

He huffed and adjusted it. Since he was so worried about the Reaping, he wasn’t sure if he was down for the food anymore. 

He played with his food, and Pacifica seemed to notice his discomfort.

“You alright Pines?” She asks him.

“I’m fine.” He answers. 

She placed a hand on her hip, “Don’t seem fine to me. Move over.” He listens and she sits right next to him.

“Alright Mr. Pines, speak. What’s on your mind?” 

Dipper chewed on his bottom lip. He couldn’t believe he was about to vent to a Northwest. 

“I’m—I’m anxious about the Reaping.” He says and places a hand on his shoulder. 

Pacifica frowned, “Well, of course. Who isn't?” She slightly jokes. “I think we’ll be fine.” She places her arm on his shoulder. 

He chuckled, “Shouldn’t you be working?” 

She shrugged, “I can take a 2-minute break, besides, we’re not staying open for long today.” 

He rolled his eyes. “Fair enough.” 

She took a piece of bacon and placed it in her mouth. 

“Hey, now you owe me.” He says, as he playfully hits her. 

“Don’t worry Pines, I’ll make it up to you.” She smiles. 

Dipper chuckled, and then the two sat in silence for a moment. “Thank you, Pacifica.” He says.

Pacifica looks at him, “Wow, you’re thanking me? I must’ve done something real good this time.” She smirked with a brow raised. 

Dipper crossed his arms, “Take it or leave it.” He uncrossed them and smiled at her, “Thanks for sitting with me.” 

She looked away, “I—No problem . . . I guess.” She seems flustered. 

Dipper leaned back, “I’m not really hungry, can I get all of these to go?”

    ✩

Dipper had the food in a bag, as he was walking back to the shack. He spent some time talking with Pacifica during her shift, and he’ll admit he enjoyed talking with her. 

Once he arrived back at the shack, he saw Stan watching TV. “Damn people.” He grumbled. 

“I got you some pancakes, Grunkle Stan,” Dipper says, as he takes them out of the bag, and hands him the container.

“Thanks kiddo,” Stan opened the container and ate his pancakes. 

Dipper went to the basement, where he knew Grunkle Ford would be. “Grunkle Ford?” 

Ford seemed to be researching something, “Not now Dipper, I almost extracted its blood . . .” 

Dipper chuckled, “I got you some pancakes. I know you probably won’t be able to eat them, but I still got you them.” 

Ford didn’t look back. “Thank you, Dipper. You can leave it on the machine next to you. It should be harmless, I hope.” 

Ford couldn’t eat after being in some dimensional rift. He would get nauseous and spit it all up. Dimensional rift? Let’s not talk much about it. 

Dipper did as told, “Be careful.” 

Ford hummed and continued to bother the monster. 

Dipper went back upstairs to his room, which was the attic. 

Mabel was now awake, and she was looking through her scrapbook. She saw Dipper come through the door, “Oh, Dipper! I was just wondering where you went.” She smiled. 

He shrugged, “Heh, you know me. I got you something.” He handed her a container of pancakes. 

She grinned and took it, “What’s this? Pancakes?” 

He nodded as she opened it, and munched on her pancakes. “Mmm, delicious! Just what I needed.” 

Dipper chuckled and sat down in his bed. 

It was silent for a moment before Mabel opened her mouth. “Hey, Dipper?” 

Dipper looked over at her, “What’s up?”

“You ever wonder what would happen if we were in the Hunger Games?”

Dipper bit his lip, “I’d rather not.” 

If they ever got in a game together, it would be hard for both of them. There could only be one winner. 

Mabel giggled, “I think it’d look cool in my scrapbook. We’d be down in history. Mystery Twins from District Twelve!” She said in a more dramatic voice. 

Dipper rolled his eyes playfully. Mabel thought it’d be cool to be remembered, but Dipper didn’t want to be in the games at all. He didn’t even want Mabel in the games. He’d rather it be him than her. 

Mabel was more optimistic, and Dipper was quite the opposite. 

Mabel looked at the clock, it was 7:00. “Seven already?! I gotta get ready!” She jumped out of bed and ran to the bathroom. 

Dipper sighed and laid on his bed. He took deep breaths. 

It’ll be okay.

Don’t worry too much. 

You’ll be okay. 

Dipper was going to stop, but . . .

What if Mabel’s chosen and you're not? 

Dipper closed his eyes and gulped. He didn’t want to think about that. 

He placed his hands behind his head and just rested for a moment. He’ll go in the bathroom after Mabel, although she’ll take a good minute. 

He opened his eyes and shifted. This was unbelievable to him. How was he so anxious? 

Mabel finally came back, “Out Dipper! I’m going to change.” 

Dipper sighed, “You can’t change in the bathroom?”

“Dipper! Get out!” 

Dipper groaned in defeat, as he got up and left the room. The door quickly slammed. 

Dipper winced at the sound, “Geez.” He headed back downstairs, and Stan was still watching his TV show. 

Stan had a can of Pitt next to him. He grabbed it and took a big gulp. “Ugh.” 

Dipper went to him, “You okay Grunkle Stan?” 

“Better than ever.” He responds dryly, as he places down his now-finished can of Pitt. “Can you get me another Pitt from the fridge?” 

Dipper nodded and headed to the kitchen. He grabbed a Pitt from the fridge and went to give it to Stan.

He gave it to Stan. Stan opened it and took another big gulp. 

Dipper frowned, “Grunkle Stan?” 

Stan placed down the can, not looking at Dipper, “Hm?” 

“Are you worried about the Reaping?” 

“Who isn’t?” He answered. “It’s like signing a death wish.” 

Dipper gulped at how he described it, but he was not exactly wrong. 

Stan sighed, “Just . . . try not to think too hard about it.” 

Dipper nodded slowly, although he was unsure he would follow that advice. 

Mabel came into the room wearing a light gray sweater with a skull. She had a gray headband on and a black skirt on. “Matching the theme.” 

Dipper face-palmed. Stan laughed, “Wow Mabel! You can seriously take anything negative and make it funny!”

Dipper grimaced, he didn’t think it was that funny. 

“I know, right!” Mabel posed and laughed with Stan. Dipper left without another word. He’ll change into something better. 

He went into the attic, grabbed some clothes, and changed into them. 

He was wearing Wendy’s hat from two summers ago. He used to have a crush on her. She rejected him, thankfully. Young people tend to like older people. 

He adjusted the hat on his head and went back downstairs. 

Ford was there now, “I suppose we should begin making our way over.” 

Mabel frowned, “Aw man.” 

Dipper didn’t say much, but his heartbeat was going really fast. 

Stan groaned, “Give me a minute to get some clothes on.” He was in a white T-shirt with shorts on.

“Hurry up Stanley, we don’t have all day.” Ford crosses his arms. 

Stan slowly got up from his chair and cracked his back. “I won’t Poindexter, just give me a minute.” He walked out of the room.

“Come kids, we can wait outside,” Ford says as he heads outside. Dipper and Mabel follow behind. 

After a good five minutes, Stan came out with a jacket on with some black pants. “Alright, let’s get walking.” 

They arrived after a good 15-minute walk. It was already crowded. Everyone was split into genders. Boys on the right, girls on the left.

Dipper gulped and looked at Mabel. You could now tell that Mabel was more nervous than earlier. 

She looked back at him and gave an unreassuring thumbs-up. He gave a nervous smile, as she went in line. 

He took a deep breath and got in line as well. 

“Well well well,” He knew that voice too well. Gideon Gleeful. 

Dipper looked over at Gideon, “I am not in the mood.” 

Gideon giggled, “Who is? I can tell you I ain’t either.” 

Dipper crossed his arms, “What do you want?” 

“To go home if I’m being completely honest.” Gideon smirked, “How about you?”

Dipper rolled his eyes, “Same as you. I’m sure everyone does right now.” 

Gideon laughed, “Fair point–” He was cut off by a voice. 

“Hello everyone, and welcome to the 75th annual Hunger Games!” Kliea Wemere was a lady in her mid-40s, who would be a guide for the tributes. 

Everyone was dead silent. There were peacekeepers, who in other words were aggressive guards, by their side. Anyone who made one wrong move would be shot and killed. 

Dipper felt his palms get sweaty. 

“I believe we should get started, yes?” Kliea went over to the right. “Ladies first.” She placed her hand in the globe that had multiple names on it.

Dipper looked over at Mabel, and she was rubbing her hands on her sweater. 

Kliea picked a name out. Everyone held their breaths. “. . . Mabel Pines?” 

Dipper’s heart dropped. No, no no! He can’t let her go.

Everyone looked at Mabel, and she gulped and waved nervously. She was going to step up until Dipper shouted. 

“No . . ! I volunteer! I volunteer! I volunteer as tribute!” Dipper shouted and pushed past the crowd. 

Mabel looked betrayed and shocked. “What?! Dipper!” 

“A volunteer! How about we give this man a round of applause? We’ve never had a volunteer since the 1980s!” Kliea grinned. 

Slowly, everyone started clapping their hands. 

“Since a male tribute has volunteered, we will need to find another female,” Kliea says, placing her hand in the globe for the girls again. 

Dipper went on stage and mouthed to Mabel, “I’m sorry”. 

Mabel was fighting against the guards, “No! No, he didn’t mean it! Dipper you promised! You broke our promise we’ve kept for years!” She had tears streaming out of her eyes.

Dipper stood on the left of Kliea. He saw the horror on his grunkles faces. 

 Kliea looked at Dipper while she picked out another name for the females. “What’s your name, young one?” 

“Di—Mason. Mason Pines.” 

“Pines? That girl was your sister? How cute! You volunteered for your sister.” Kliea smiled at him and picked a name out. 

“Pacifica Northwest.” 

All the ladies looked at Pacifica. She sighed and went up to the stage. 

Kliea grinned. Pacifica went next to Dipper. Dipper looked back at her anxiously. 

“Well come on now, hold hands.” Kliea makes a little gesture. Dipper gulped, and Pacifica grabbed his hand. He grabbed hers, and they both raised it in the air.

“Everyone, meet our tributes from District Twelve!” Kliea clapped, and so did everyone else. 

Dipper could see the look on Mabel’s face. She didn’t look so happy and cheerful anymore. She looked broken and betrayed. Stan and Ford still had their mortified looks.

Dipper gulped. I’m sorry Mabel, Grunkle Stan, Grunkle Ford, but I can’t risk this. 

“Happy Hunger Games everyone,” Kliea beamed, “and may the odds be ever in your favor.” 

    ✩

Dipper was inside a room, where he looked out the window. He was breathing heavily, and his heart was beating fast. Did he make the right choice? 

“You have three minutes.” He heard a peacekeeper say, as he turned around and saw Mabel and his Grunkles. 

Mabel went up to him, and was about to punch him, but stopped. “. . . Why Dipper? Why would you do that?” She jumped on him and hugged him tightly. 

He hugged back, “I’m so sorry Mabel, but I couldn’t let you.” 

Mabel leaned back, “You think I’m still a baby, huh?”

Dipper shook his head, “That’s not true, Mabel. It's–” He stopped talking since he had little time. 

He looked at Ford and Stan. 

Stan sighed, then spoke up, “I—Kiddo, I don’t even know how to feel right now. You volunteered for her, your sister . . .” 

Ford pulled on his turtleneck, clearly sweating, “Just remember what you learned with Bill, Dipper. I think you are capable.” 

Dipper nodded slowly. 

Mabel looked at him, she adjusted the hat on his head, “Keep it safe, okay? I’ll—I’ll always remember this. You better be safe, Dipper.” Tears rolled down her already-stained face. 

Dipper hugged her again, “I will, I promise.” 

“How do I know that? You just broke our other one.” Mabel frowned and sniffled. 

Dipper sighed, “I’m sorry Mabel.” 

“You promised, Dipper. You shouldn’t ever break promises, because once you do . . .” She looked away, “It’s hard to gain trust back.” 

Dipper backed away from Mabel, as she started sobbing into her hands. 

He went to Stan and Ford. “You two need to promise you won’t fight in front of Mabel.” 

The brothers glanced at each other. “We . . . promise, Dipper.” Says Ford, adjusting his coat. 

Then three peacemakers came in, “Time’s up.” He grabbed Ford and Stan. Mabel ran to Dipper crying, “No! No, not yet! I can’t lose him!” 

One peacemaker struggled to pull Mabel away from Dipper. “Dipper, please! Don’t die on me!” She was dragged out of the room.

“I promise for real this time–” He was cut off by the door slamming. 

He sighed and fought back his own tears. So much to say, but so little time. 

Later, he and Pacifica were in a car being transported to the train. Kliea was speaking but Dipper wasn’t listening. He was just thinking about Mabel, and how hurt she was. He was the cause of that. 

Once they made it to the train stop, they were escorted out of the car. Dipper was extremely uncomfortable with the crowd. He looked over at Pacifica, who looked to also be uncomfortable. 

Dipper then stepped on the train. It was time for his journey to the Capitol.

Chapter Text

The ride was painful. This whole thing was. 

Kliea was talking about herself to Dipper and Pacifica so that they’d be familiar with her. 

Dipper wasn’t fully paying attention, although Kliea’s outfit was very loud. She had brown hair with hazel eyes. Her outfit screamed ‘I’m loud and here’. He wasn’t a huge fan.

“Anyways, I heard about you Miss Northwest,” Kliea says to Pacifica. Pacifica crosses her arms, “Who hasn’t?” 

Kliea nodded, “I mean, you are well-known across the districts. But I always admired your beauty.” 

Dipper did too, but he’ll never tell her that.

Pacifica flipped her blonde hair, “People always do . . . but thank you.” 

Kliea grinned and looked at Dipper. “I’ve heard good things about you, Mr. Pines.” 

Dipper was too busy looking out the window. They were on a moving train. He was thinking about how he didn’t get much time to say goodbye. 

“Mason?” 

He looked at Kliea, “Yes ma’am?” 

“I heard good things about you.” She smiles and crosses her fingers. 

“Really? That’s good.” Dipper says, looking back at the window. 

“I heard you fought a godly demon.” Kliea giggled, “I think it’s cool that you were twelve when you did that.” 

Dipper shrugged, “Nothing new in Gravity Falls.” 

Kliea could tell Dipper wasn’t in the mood to talk to her. “What’s bothering you, Mason?” 

Dipper looked back at her, “. . . I didn’t get to say a proper goodbye. They were  just taken away.” 

Kliea chewed on her lip, “I’m sorry dear, but that’s . . . that’s how it is sometimes.” 

Sometimes? Dipper sighed angrily and placed his hand on his chin. 

“You guys didn’t let me say a proper goodbye to my family.” 

Kliea looked away and tapped her finger on her knee. She didn’t know how to respond. 

Pacifica rolled her eyes, “Well, at least you have people to say goodbye to.” She got up and went over to the table where there were nice snacks.

Dipper looked at her. He was going to say something but decided not to comment. 

She grabbed a grape and plopped it in her mouth. “Well, at least the food is good. I’d like to eat good food before I die.” She grabbed some and ate them. “Want some Pines?” 

Dipper shook his head, “Not hungry.” 

Pacifica shrugged and grabbed some crackers. She went back and sat next to Dipper and ate them. 

“These are really good, Pines. Instead of moping, you should try these.” She plopped a grape in her mouth.

Dipper groaned, “I’m okay.” He didn’t have an appetite at the moment. 

Dipper wasn’t used to being in rich settings. The train was taking them to the Capitol, which was very wealthy. The districts were treated in very poor conditions.

Pacifica sighed, “Listen, we’ll probably die but try to at least live a bit. Don’t let this be your downfall. You wanna die happy.” 

Dipper crossed his arms, “I’m fine , Pacifica.” He said harshly. 

Pacifica placed down the food, and looked him in the eye, “Listen, Pines, I’m trying to—” 

“You’ll need him later. I’d recommend not fight him now.” 

It was a masculine voice. 

“Ahh, there you are Ewan! I was wondering where you were.” Kliea grinned, stood up, and went to him.

Ewan hummed and took a sip of liquor. “These are the tributes? Mr. Pines and Miss Northwest?” 

Kliea nodded, “Mhm. Guys meet Ewan, a past victor of the Hunger Games and your mentor.” 

Pacifica looked at the canteen. “We can have liquor?” 

Ewan shrugged, “Have at it.” 

Kliea felt Ewan’s head, “Are you drunk? Dear God, Ewan!” Ewan moved her hand away, “I’m fine.” 

“You’re letting the young girl drink? We don’t want them sick at the Capitol.” Kliea says to him. 

Ewan shrugged once more, “Fuck the Capitol. These kids might die. Let ‘em live.” 

Kliea was going to argue, but Dipper came up to him.

“You’re supposed to help us with the games? You’re a past victor?” 

Ewan nodded, “You’re correct son.” 

“So then teach us,” Dipper says.

Ewan smirked, “Ah, you’re ready, huh? Well, we can start by not fighting Northwest. You two should work together in the Games.” 

Dipper looked at Pacifica, but she seemed to not be paying attention. 

“Okay, noted. What were your ways?” Dipper asked. 

Ewan chuckled, “How about we sit? And tell her she should listen in too, because this is important.”

Kliea clapped her hands together, “I’m sure you’ll be fine, I will be in the other room if you need me.” She got up and walked out. 

Dipper looked at Pacifica, “Pacifica! Come on! We need to listen.” 

Pacifica was not listening to him. She was laughing, as she ate more. “Food has never tasted this good!”

Dipper gulped back an insult. “Pacifica, our lives are at stake. Just come over here!” He was getting annoyed.

Pacifica looked at him, “Why would I listen to you, Pines?” 

Dipper gritted his teeth, “If you want to survive, you would!” 

Ewan crossed his arms, and clicked his tongue, “Well, I see how this is going to be for the next 2 weeks.” 

Dipper got up and tried to pull Pacifica over. She was being extremely difficult, as she was pulling against him. 

They had two weeks to practice, then the real games would begin.

Ewan looked over at them, “Listen you two, stop flirting and come over here.” 

Dipper and Pacifica grimaced, “What?!” 

Ewan chuckled, “Come on, we don’t have all day.” 

Dipper nodded, “That’s right, Pacifica .” He grabbed her wrist and dragged her over. 

Pacifica yelped, “Hey! Let me go!” Dipper had a growth spurt and has definitely gotten more muscle since two summers ago. 

He sat her down and sat down next to her. “Alright, we’re ready.” 

Ewan nodded. He begins to explain more about the Games. He explained that it wasn’t going to be pretty, and how Dipper and Pacifica should try to make allies. 

He says that the tributes from District One are in special training classes, and they usually always win the games. 

“These two weeks aren’t going to be easy,” Ewan says, “you have to have skills and show them off to the sponsors.” 

Dipper looked at his fist, “I can fight.” 

Ewan shrugged, “You would want to do more than that.” He looked at Pacifica, “What can you do?” 

Pacifica was looking out the window.

Dipper looked over at her and elbowed her. 

“Ow! Pines, what do you want from me?!” She snarled. 

“Ewan is trying to talk to you. How about you think about our lives for one?” Dipper raises a brow. 

Pacifica huffs, “What happened?” 

Ewan pinched the bridge of his nose, “I don’t have to help you, you know?” 

“I’m listening . . . My head just hurts.” Pacifica said. She was a bit tipsy. 

Ewan rolled his eyes, “Alright, what skills do you have?” 

Pacifica thought for a moment, “. . . I’ve been taking archery lessons.” 

Dipper looked shocked, “Your parents allowed you?” 

Pacifica crossed her arms, “I’m taking private lessons, or were.” 

Ewan snapped his fingers, “That’s a good one, how would you rate yourself, and be honest.” 

Pacifica frowned, and slightly raised her shoulders, “I’d say a five or six?” 

Ewan sighed, “Well, at least we have two weeks to at least bring it up to an eight.”

Ewan then crossed his legs, “Another big thing, you guys will be seen by sponsors. Things like food or water can only be provided to you by a sponsor. To get a sponsor, you need to make people like you.”

Dipper and Pacifica looked at each other. Ewan spoke again, “And right now, this isn’t going to get you any.” 

“How do we get people to like us , exactly?” Dipper asks. 

Ewan shrugged, “Just be what you’d think they’d like.” 

Dipper thought for a moment, but Pacifica spoke, “I think enough people like me.” 

Dipper glared at her, “Well with that mindset no one will.” 

Pacifica looked at him, and snarled, “And who likes you?” 

“Uh, most of Gravity Falls! I saved you from a literal demon!” 

Ewan snapped his fingers, “Enough. God, this is going to be Hell for you two.” 

Pacifica looked away from Dipper and crossed her arms. Dipper looked at Pacifica and sighed. He thinks it will be Hell too. 

“Oh look,” Pacifica went to the window, “There it is. It looks so much better in person!” She was looking at the Capitol. 

Dipper didn’t move but was processing the tips he was given by Ewan. 

Ewan grabbed a cookie, and bit into it. “Pretty good.” 

They were pulling in, and there was a crowd waving at Pacifica. They all looked so happy. 

“Pacifica!”

“We love you Northwest!”

Pacifica could feel a smile on her face, as she waved back proudly. 

Dipper continued to sit, deep in thought. He didn’t care about those people, right now, he needed to survive. 

“Pines, aren’t you gonna wave?” Pacifica asks, looking back at him.

Dipper didn’t respond, still distracted by his thoughts. 

Pacifica rolled her eyes and looked back to continue waving. She blew kisses as well.

Ewan looked at Dipper, “You should take notes.” Dipper looks at Ewan. Ewan bit into his cookie, “This is the start to get people to like you.” 

        ✩

The Capitol had many people who were dressed very nicely. Everyone was chatting about the tributes.

On the talk show with Roy Watson, he was talking with another man. “So, Belos, how do you feel about our tributes this year?” 

Belos thought for a moment before answering, “Although it is hard to make a final conclusion with just the Reaping, I’d say it seems that it will be interesting.” 

Roy nodded, “Mhm.” 

Belos continued to speak, “I mean, when you have someone volunteering from an outlying district, it’s truly something you can’t ignore.” 

Dipper was in an area with a blue curtain covering his side of the room. He was on a bed, as he felt himself being washed off. 

He was washed, and his hair was fixed. They went and did things with his face. They waxed him, causing him to wince in pain. 

Dipper was now lying down, as he saw the people talking. “What’s going on?” He asked.

They continued to talk. It seemed that they didn’t hear him.

“What’s going on?” He asked, a little more loudly. He lifted his head. He saw they were putting more wax on the popsicle stick. He should know if they were going to do things with his body.

“We were saying we should hose you down again before we pass you over to Gauruv.” Says one of the doctors. The other one looks at Dipper. 

A bit later, Dipper was lying on a hard bed. He had on a hospital gown.

The room was dark with some dim lights. He was letting his body rest. He was trying to steady his breathing, but it was getting difficult.

“That’s a brave thing you did.” 

Dipper looked over and saw a man. He sat up quickly. 

“You volunteered for your sister, right? My name is Gaurav.” He lends out his hand for a shake. 

“Mason,” Dipper responds, as he shakes Gaurav’s hand. 

Gaurav nodded, “Nice to be working with you, Mason,” He placed his arms behind his back, “Just know that I’m here to help you. This stuff . . . isn’t easy.” 

Dipper nodded. He was used to getting congratulations. “Many people just congratulate me.” He chuckles.

Gaurav smiled, “Well, that is dumb to me.” 

Dipper didn’t know what else to say.

Gaurav spoke again, “Tonight is the Tribute Parade. I want to show you off to the world.” 

Dipper chewed on his lip. “You’re trying to attract people to me?” 

Gaurav placed his hands in his pockets, “That’s not exactly the plan. I want people to see you and be excited or thrilled.” 

Dipper nodded in understanding. 

“They usually make the tributes based on their districts,” Gaurav says. 

“We’re coal miners, how will that attract people?” Dipper asked. 

Gaurav snapped his fingers, “Exactly. We’re doing something different. Did they explain how sponsors work?” 

Dipper nodded, “Yeah, but I suck at getting people to like me.” He rubbed the back of his neck.

“We’ll see. But I think someone so brave shouldn’t be in something so dumb, am I right?” Gaurav raised a brow.

Dipper didn’t respond but nodded slowly. 

Gaurav smiled and patted his shoulder.

 ✩

Dipper looked at himself and Pacifica. It was finally their turn. He saw how people cheered for the previous tributes. 

“You guys need to remember the fire is fake. Your suits will ‘burn’ and turn into something more appealing.” Says Gaurav.

Pacifica looks at her nicely done llama outfit. “I like this one though.” 

Dipper crossed his arms, “I don’t like that I’m a pine tree.” He thought it was pretty boring. “This isn’t gonna work.” 

“Yes it will, Mason. You have to give it a chance.” Gaurav says, crossing his arms as well. He raised a brow, “I already explained this.” 

Kliea came clapping her hands, “Alright you two! Get on! Remember, big smiles, wave, engage!” 

Dipper and Pacifica both stepped on the carriage. 

Gaurav explained that the fire was meant to make them stand out and look fearless. 

Dipper didn’t care so much, but Pacifica was slightly anxious. 

“We won’t feel a thing, right?” She asks Dipper. Dipper nods, “That’s what Gaurav and Rosabella said.” 

Pacifica sighs, as the carriage starts moving. 

They are now in the crowd. “Remember, smile,” Kliea says, before they were away. 

Dipper forced a smile and looked at the crowd. He was inspecting all the people around. Pacifica also forced a smile and blew kisses.

Dipper looked at her hand and tried to grab it. “What are you doing?” Pacifica moved her hand away, whispering to him. 

“They’ll like it, trust me,” Dipper says. Pacifica chews on her lip, before grabbing his hand and putting it up in the air.

“Well, would you look at that? They seem proud to be in District Twelve, and I am here for it!” Roy announces from his radio station. 

Dipper gritted his teeth together and began to wave. 

Everyone was cheering loudly. Everyone was thrilled to see the tributes of District Twelve. 

Then suddenly, the fire goes off. It wasn’t burning their outfits, but it made it stand out.

Cheers got even louder. It seems like everyone loved them. 

Pacifica couldn’t help but give a genuine smile. She loved the attention and love she was getting right now. 

Dipper felt the complete opposite. He did not like it. He looked over and saw Pacifica who was smiling big. He gave a small smile.

“And . . . President Damion you are on.” Belos says. 

Damion stands up, and heads to the railing, looking over at all the tributes. 

He raised his hands, and his nails were long. Black long nails. “Welcome, welcome. We are excited to meet our tributes for the 75th Hunger Games.” 

Everyone clapped and cheered. Dipper was inspecting Damion, and something was off about him. He also was surprised by how casual people were with the fact that young people were going to die.

“We appreciate your courage, bravery, and sacrifice,” Damion looks right at Dipper. 

Dipper felt himself shudder. 

“Happy Hunger Games and may the odds be forever in your favor.” Damion then smiles to himself. 

Chapter Text

The chariot stopped, and Gaurav, Ewan, Kliea, and Rosabella came up to them.

“That was amazing you two.” Gaurav smiles at the teens. 

“Everyone loved it! You’re all they will talk about!” Kliea beamed. 

“Brave of you two,” Ewan smirks. 

Dipper raised a brow, “You sure you can be near an open flame?” 

“Fake flame,” Ewan corrected, “Are you sure you’d–” He stopped talking and looked past Dipper. 

Dipper noticed and turned around to see who Ewan was looking at. He saw another tribute for District Two looking right at him.

Dipper furrowed his brows, and Ewan spoke. “Let’s take this upstairs.” 

“C’mon!” Kliea smiled as she gestured to Dipper and Pacifica to follow them. 

Dipper kept looking at the tribute. Why were they looking at him? 

     ✩

“In two weeks, twenty-three of you will be dead.” Explains a woman. 

Dipper was standing beside the rest of the tributes. He was looking at all the weapons. He couldn’t believe he would possibly use those to survive. 

Dipper accidently caught eye contact with the same tribute that was looking at them from earlier. What’s this guy’s problem? 

“One of you . . . will win. Who that is depends on how well you listen on the next four days particularly to what I’m about to say.” The woman continued. 

Everyone continued to look around. Dipper felt uncomfortable. It was like people were already deciding their prey.

“First, no fighting with the other tributes. You will have plenty of time to do that in the arena. There are four compulsory exercises, and the rest will be individual training.” 

Everyone looked as if they didn’t care or were taking note. 

“My advice is don’t ignore the survival skills. Everybody wants to grab a sword but most of you will die from natural causes. 10% from infection. 20% from dehydration. Exposure can kill as easily as a knife.” 

The sponsors watched on the balcony above. Belos sat with one leg above the other. He crossed his arms. 

Sooner than later, everyone was training with someone using fake logs. The sponsors, however, were talking and eating. 

Pacifica was in line for the “monkey bars”. They were placed pretty high, so if you fell you were more than likely to get hurt. Most of everyone was doing it, so she decided so too. 

One of the tributes, who Pacifica heard name was Miles, was doing the monkey bars. He was doing pretty good, until he missed a bar and fell down. 

Pacifica gasped and covered her mouth. Miles was moaning in pain. He was holding onto his knee. 

Meanwhile everyone else was either practicing fighting, or practicing making a fire. Someone was doing a “coding game”. 

Dipper was next in line to practice, and he was in shock with how serious those guys looked. Their names were Gohan and Bendy, and they looked very determined. Dipper almost felt scared. 

“You stole my knife, didn’t you?” 

Dipper turned to his left, and saw three people. That was the same tribute who continuously looked at him.

“I didn’t steal your knife, I told you this!” A boy with brown hair and brown eyes says. 

Dipper saw how angry they both looked, and my God he almost wished he didn’t volunteer. 

The tribute, now known as Kris, began yelling at the brown haired boy, Marco. Two peacemakers had to come in and pull them apart. 

“You little bitch! Just you wait, because you’ll be the first victim!” Kris growled, as the peacemaker pulled him back. 

“I didn’t steal your knife, okay?!” Marco crossed his arms. 

Dipper looked up, and saw a girl who seemed to have strapped herself to the roof with the knife. She was playing with the edge with a smile on her face. 

Dipper couldn’t help but smile, she seemed cool and smart. Definitely his league. 

“You better watch your back.” Kris shouted. 

“I didn’t steal the damn knife!” Marco shouted back. 

The sponsors were watching and strongly judging. “What kids we have.” Says Bill, taking a sip of his drink. “Tell me about it.” Gastor says. 

“You’ll be the first one I go after in the arena, boy.” Kris shouts once more, before finally letting go of the topic. 

      ✩

“You know what Careers are?” Ewan asked, as he grabbed a fork of his food. 

“District One.” Dipper answers. 

They were having dinner now. Dipper and Pacifica were pretty hungry. 

“And Two.” Ewan added. “They train at a special academy until they reach 18.” 

Dipper was eating but Pacifica was listening for once. 

“They volunteer as well. By that point . . .” Ewan paused, before speaking up again, “They’re pretty lethal.” 

“But,” Kliea beamed at Dipper and Pacifica, “they don’t receive any special treatment. In fact, they stay in the same apartment as you do.” 

Kliea looked back down at her food, smiling casually, “And I believe they can’t have desert. But you two can. Best enjoy it.” She grinned as she bit into her cookie. 

Dipper and Pacifica were speechless for a moment, until Dipper asked, “. . . How good are they?” 

Ewan shrugged while chewing his food, “Well obviously they’re pretty good. They win it almost every year.” 

“ Almost .” Kliea emphasized. “There’s still a chance.” 

Ewan continued, “They’re arrogant. And arrogance can be a big problem.” 

Dipper and Pacifica glanced at each other. 

“So,” Ewan changes the topic, “you said you do archery, Northwest.” 

Pacifica nodded, “. . . Yes, that is true.” 

Dipper spoke, “I think she’ll do just fine.” Pacifica turned to look at him with surprise on her face. 

Dipper continued, “She’s pretty bratty and will make sure she gets her way.” Pacifica bit her lip in anger. How dare he!

Pacifica turned back to Ewan, “Well Dipper here is pretty strong on knowledge. Mister know-it-all has to make sure everything is right with his calculations.” 

Dipper raised a brow, “My calculations? Well, that attitude of yours could help you win. It’d kill the tributes due to annoyance.” 

Pacifica turned her hand into a fist, “I won’t win, Dipper. I have no chances.” She said firmly. 

Dipper stopped talking immediately. She was actually upset. 

Kliea and Ewan both looked at each other and were judging the way the teens talked to each other. 

Pacifica took a deep breath, “What? It’s true. Everyone knows it. Someone like me can’t win the games.” 

Dipper went silent with that statement. As much as he “hated” Pacifica, he didn’t want to see her die. 

“Do you know what my father told me?” Pacifica looks at Dipper, her eyes getting watery. “He . . . He told me—that District Twelve may have a winner. And it won’t be me. He believed in you .” 

Dipper was speechless, and looked down at his plate. That seemed so out of character of Preston.

Pacifica wiped her eyes. She stood up, “E-Excuse me. I’m not very hungry anymore.” She left the room without another word. 

Dipper didn’t know how to react to the outburst. He simply wiped his mouth with the cloth and got up, “I’m not hungry either.” He left the room.

Kliea and Ewan both exchanged worried glances.

✩

Pacifica was still feeling bummed out about the situation with Dipper from earlier. But now she was back in the training arena. 

She watched as all the tributes threw perfectly at targets. Straight in the middle. Pacifica could feel herself growing uncomfortable. 

She was practicing making a bow. Just in case. She truly didn’t know what would happen in the arena. It changes every year. 

She saw the tribute turn around and look at her, before looking away. Pacifica gulped, she wasn’t trying to make enemies right now. 

In just an hour, many tributes were in line to practice shooting at more fake-human targets. Pacifica was in line, and saw the girl in front of her do it with ease. Why was everyone so good with aim? 

She figured it was because they were Careers. 

Dipper was climbing the net, but it flipped over. He held tighter, but it was no use. He fell down and groaned in pain. 

Kris was there with two other tributes. Kris was eyeing Dipper, while the other tributes laughed. 

“Look, he can’t even climb a net.” One of the tributes say. “You don’t say. Gregory, I think we have a chance with him.” The other says. 

Gregory nods in an agreement, “I agree, Chara. We should get him out first. Save him the torture.” 

Chara nodded, and looked at Kris, “Right bro? Kris?” Chara noticed Kris was glaring at Dipper. 

Dipper felt himself sweat. Holy shit, they were going to target him first! He felt himself breath heavily, but he tried to hide it. 

“Pines.” Dipper looked next to him and saw Pacifica. She called him by the nickname she gave him again. She must feel better now. 

“What?” Dipper asked. 

“That metal thing.” She pointed to a metal spike ball with a handle. “Throw it.” 

Dipper smirked, “And why would I do that? I’d rather not show off.” 

Pacifica grabbed his shoulder, “I’m being serious. Those guys are eyeing you like a meal. You need to throw it, Pines.” 

Dipper looked back at Kris, Gregory, and Chara. Pacifica was indeed right. They were eyeing him and laughing. Well, Gregory and Chara were. Kris was plotting something. 

Dipper sighed. “Alright.” 

Pacifica backed away, as Dipper slowly got up. He saw the metal spike balls. He headed over to them, feeling the eyes penetrate through him.

He grabbed the metal ball, and it was heavy. He was able to keep it up to his waist. 

“What’s he doing?” Chara asks. Gregory chuckled, “I think he’s trying to throw the ball.” 

Chara suppressed a laugh, “Really now?” 

Dipper could hear them whispering behind him. He took a deep breath. He saw the cart of the arrows. He went to be at least ten feet away from it.

Using both of his hands, he grabbed the handle, and then threw it right at the cart. 

“Hey guys, what’d I miss?” Another tribute came in, and saw what Dipper did. 

The metal ball hit the cart with a crash. Some arrows fell out. 

“You miss everything Cassie.” Gregory says to her. 

Chara nodded approvingly with Dipper’s work. “Huh, maybe we underestimated him.” 

Kris didn’t say anything, but it seemed they were taking note.

Cassie looked at Gregory, “Who’s he?” She was referring to Dipper. 

Gregory shrugged, “I dunno.” 

Dipper heard them begin to talk, but they weren’t laughing at him or talking negatively about him. So he felt a bit of relief. He needed to at least make the first week of the game in the arena. 

A bit later, he was painting on his hand. He was being extra careful with his work. 

“Hey Pines.”

Dipper looked up and saw Pacifica. “Oh, hey.” He looks back and continues to do his work. 

Pacifica looks down at his hand, “What are you doing?” 

“Painting on myself.” Dipper responds. 

“Why?” The Northwest asks, crossing her arms. He was doing well at it. His hand looked like it came straight off a tree. 

“I’m bored, and Ford taught me how to draw camouflage. Who knew I’d be using these skills for the arena instead of mysteries back in Gravity Falls.” Dipper answers. 

Dipper goes over to one of the fake trees, and places his hand on it. “See? Looks like it isn’t there.” 

Pacifica chewed on her lip, “. . . That’s pretty cool, Dipper.” 

Dipper smiled a bit, “Thanks. Surprising you aren’t critiquing my work.” 

Pacifica frowned, “I could if you want me to. And you know I will.” 

Dipper looked behind Pacifica. There was a tribute who was watching her. “Hmm, looks like you got a friend.” 

Pacifica raised a brow and turned around. There was a girl who looked close to her age, and she had short curly brown hair. She quickly hid behind the wall once her cover was blown. 

Dipper chuckled, “You’re already getting people to like you.” Pacifica looked back at him, “Without me, those Careers probably would’ve hunted you down.” 

Dipper raised his hands up in surrender, “I wasn’t trying to insult you. And besides, that girl there is pretty cool. She’s got skill.” 

It was the same girl who stole the knife earlier. 

Pacifica nodded slowly, “. . . Uh huh.” 

✩

Time was ticking. The games would be starting in less than 3 days already. 

Ewan sat watching a rich family who were laughing with their kids. A shame that the rich kids got to play all day, but the kids who aren’t so lucky are just toys for their entertainment.

The kids ran around, as the mother was laughing at her children’s antics. 

Ewan sighed. 

“Tomorrow they will bring you one by one and evaluate you. Now listen closely, this is important. Higher ratings will get you more sponsors. You have to show them everything you got.” Ewan explained to the teens. 

They were eating once more as Ewan explained what would happen tomorrow. 

“Mason, show off your strength. Pacifica, they will be a bow, use it. They will start with District One, so the two of you will be going last.”  

Ewan was thinking of what else to say, “Basically, just make them remember you.” 

Dipper and Pacifica glanced at each other, before looking back at Ewan. 

That should be easy. Pacifica thought. 

Dipper continued to eat, but he didn’t think it’d be so easy. The Capitol knows nothing of what he did to Bill. Bill’s free now, but before he wasn’t. 

Before bed, Pacifica was laying down. She was thinking about the evaluation tomorrow. 

She got up, and headed over to Dipper’s room. 

Dipper wasn’t sleeping, but he was in bed reading a book. “Seriously? Why would he do that? He knows it isn’t the time to–” He stopped talking once he saw Pacifica. “Oh, hello.” 

Pacifica waved awkwardly before placing her hand on her shoulder. “Dipper . . . Can I lay with you for a little bit?” 

Dipper raised a brow, “I—Sure.” He moved over to give Pacifica some room. 

Pacifica laid next to him.

Dipper looked over at her. He was going to question her, but decided not to. 

She then spoke, “I’m scared . . .” Dipper looks over at her, “Why?” 

“These sponsors. I mean, I know I’ll probably die but I want to at least live for a while.” Pacifica says, before she looks down. “I wanna go home.” 

Dipper understood where she was coming from. He was scared too. 

He closed his book, “Hey, listen. You can do this. You heard Ewan, he said to show them everything you got. I know I said you’re bratty a week ago, but you’re more than that. You’re Pacifica Northwest. You’re you . I think that you’re actually capable of anything when you put your mind to it.” 

Pacifica looked up at him, “I—Thank you.” She felt herself warm up with the compliment. 

Dipper hummed, and grabbed his book and continued to read. “Are you staying?” 

Pacifica shook her head, “No. I just need a moment. I . . . I feel like I have no one else to talk to but you.” 

Dipper looked up at her, he didn’t know how to respond. 

Pacifica sighed, and got up. “Good night.” As she was walking out the room, she looked back at Dipper, “And make sure you sleep, Pines. Can’t have you sleeping in the arena.” She gave a small smirk, before heading back to her room.

Dipper smiled back. There’s the Pacifica he knew. “Good night to you too, Pacifica.” 

    ✩

Tomorrow came quickly. Dipper and Pacifica were in an elevator being taken to the waiting room. 

They both were silent the whole time. Both not daring to say a word. 

They reached the waiting room, and sat up to 2 hours at most. 

Then a name was called, “Pacifica Northwest.” 

Dipper looked at her, and Pacifica felt her heart beat quicker than before. 

“It’s okay Pacifica, you got this.” Dipper says, trying to reassure her. 

She nodded at him with a small smile, before getting up. She was about to leave the room but Dipper called her again.

She turned her head around.

He smirked, “Shoot it straight.” 

Pacifica suppressed a chuckle, and nodded. She turned back and continued to go. 

The automated doors opened for her, and she went past them. She heard them close behind her. 

She looked in front and saw how clear and empty it was. Who knew 24 tributes would make this place feel busy.

She saw the sponsors up there talking. They were loud chatters.

She saw the cart with a bow and arrows. She went over to it, approaching slowly. 

She reached the cart and felt the handle of the bow. It was nice. Not what she was used to back in Gravity Falls. 

She grabbed the handle, and looked up at the sponsors. Shouldn’t they have said anything to her? They haven’t even noticed her. 

The sponsors were just eating and talking. Pacifica felt herself getting annoyed.

“Pacifica Northwest.” She said, trying to get their attention. 

Everyone turned their heads and looked at her. Belos took a sip of his drink. 

“District Twelve.” She says, as she walks over to a target. 

She positioned herself and took a deep breath. You got this. She reminded herself, as she lifted the bow and arrow up at the target. 

Everyone had their eyes on her now. She couldn’t miss this up. 

She shot the arrow, and it missed. It hit the wall next to the target. She felt embarrassed as the sponsors laughed. 

She looked at them, and they were no longer paying attention to her. They were eating food and talking once again. 

Pacifica decided to try again. She went back over to the cart and grabbed another arrow. 

She went back to where she originally stood, and repositioned herself. “I can do it.” She whispered to herself as she shot the arrow.

This time, it landed perfectly in the middle. Pacifica smiled brightly. She did it! 

Shouldn’t she be earning praise? This could surely get her sponsors.

She turned around, and saw that no one was paying attention. They were just talking. 

Pacifica was angry. She failed the first time, they laughed. She did it the second time, and they didn’t even catch it. They couldn’t be taking it seriously. 

The sponsors were talking about the roasted pig. Pacifica growled, “This damn pig.” She went to the cart and grabbed another arrow. 

She lifted her bow and arrow up to where the sponsors were, and shot it right at the apple. 

It hit the apple perfectly, causing it to hit the wall. The sponsors all stopped talking. Belos turned and looked at Pacifica with a grimace. 

Pacifica dropped her bow and arrow. She bowed with her hands out. “Thank you . . . for your consideration.”

Chapter Text

“Were you out of your mind?!” Kliea yelled at Pacifica. 

Everyone knew about what Pacifica did a few days back. “I was mad.” That's all the Northwest could get out.  

“Mad?!” Kliea slammed her newspapers on the table. “You do realize that your actions reflect badly on all of us?!”

Gaurav rolled his eyes, “They all just want a good show, it’s not a big deal.” Rosabella nods in agreement. 

“It is a big deal! It’s about manners, Gaurav!” Kliea retorts, and crosses her arms. 

Ewan walks into the scene. 

“Well finally!” Kliea goes up to him, and looks at Pacifica, “We have a situation.” 

Ewan clicks his tongue, then smiles. He gives Pacifica a thumbs up. Pacifica couldn’t help but smile back. Dipper also cracked a smile.

“Nice shooting, sweetheart.” 

Kliea sighs, “And you’re okay with this too?” 

“Not saying I’m okay with it. But what did they do, Pacifica?” Ewan sat on a comfortable chair. “When you shot the apple?” 

“They looked startled.” Pacifica answers.

Ewan laughs. Ewan really knew how to lighten the mood, because everyone, except Kliea, was trying to suppress a laugh. 

“Then you said . . . Thanks for . . . What did you—” 

Pacifica chuckled, “I said thanks for your consideration.” 

Ewan laughed even harder, “Genius! Genius!”

"This won’t be so funny when the Gamemakers decide to take it out—” Kliea says firmly. 

“On who?” Ewan sits up from his chair. “Pacifica? Mason? I believe that’s already been done. Loosen up and have a drink.” He looks back at Pacifica. 

“I would’ve done anything to see that live in action.” 

Pacifica smiles.

Twenty minutes later, they were announcing the scores from the evaluation. Roy Watson was reading on the TV speaking. 

“After a careful 3 days of evaluation, the Gamekeepers would like to share the scores of our tributes.” He began reading them out.

Pacifica was laughing earlier, but now she was anxious. Could this really risk her district? 

After a while of announcing other districts, they finally reached Twelve. 

“From District Twelve,” Roy began.

 Everyone sat up from their seats now. Now they were more engaged. 

“Mason Pines.” Roy looks at the paper. 

Dipper feels his hands sweat. He was dripping sweat, he knew he was. He crossed his fingers, and his leg began to bounce. 

Pacifica looked over at him, and frowned. She could tell he was nervous. 

“A score of eight.” Roy says. 

Dipper smiles immediately, and sighs of relief. 

Gaurav pats his back, “Good job.” 

“We can work with that.” Kliea says. Ewan chuckles, “That’s a good score.” 

“And finally,” Roy started, “from District Twelve, Pacifica Northwest.” 

Kliea looks at Pacifica. Pacifica bits her bottom lip. Here it comes . . .

Rosabella rubs Pacifica’s back, “It’ll be okay.” 

“With a score of,” Roy pauses, and grins, “eleven.” 

Pacifica breathes again, she didn’t realize she was holding her breath. 

Kliea cheers, “Yes!” 

Dipper looked over at Pacifica, “I told you.” He gave a small smile. 

Pacifica rolled her eyes playfully. 

“To Pacifica, the girl on fire!” Rosabella says, raising a glass. Gaurav chuckled, “The girl on fire!"

Ewan and Kliea laugh and they all take a drink. 

“I was sure they hated me.” Pacifica says. 

“They must’ve loved your guts.” Ewan says, after taking a huge drink. 

Dipper frowns, “You’d be surprised.” 

✩

“An eleven?” Damion furrowed his brows. 

Belos chuckled nervously, “Well, I admired her bravery. She deserved it.” 

“She shot an arrow…at your head.” Damion growled. 

“An apple, actually.” 

“Near your head.” Damion crossed his arms. 

Belos pressed his lips together. He and Damion were out talking in the garden.

“Come sit.” Damion says, patting a seat next to him. 

Belos does as told, and sits next to him. 

“Tell me Belos,” Damion looked at him, “Why do you think we have a winner?” He looked upset. 

Belos thought for a moment. “I–I’m not sure I understand what you’re asking.” 

“ Why do we have a winner?” Damion’s eyes glowed yellow. 

Belos didn’t respond. 

Damion continued, “If we just wanted to intimate the districts, why not round them all up at random and execute them all at once?” 

Belos nodded slowly. 

“It’d be a lot faster, hm?” Damion looked away, and relaxed on the bench. 

“Hope.” He then added. 

“Hope?” Belos looked at him with confusion. 

“Hope.” Damion says again, “It is the only thing stronger than fear.” 

Damion grabs a flower. “A little hope is effective,” He cut the flower with his nails, “A lot of hope is dangerous.” 

Belos sat and listened. 

“A spark is fine, as long as it’s contained.” 

Belos nodded, but still didn’t understand Damion’s message. “So…?”

“So contain it.” Damion says.

Belos nodded once more, “Right.” 

The crew was eating dinner. “Oh, this is delightful!” Kliea said as she ate her meal. She saw Ewan come down. “Oh! Ewan, we have some of your favorites!” 

Ewan shook his head, “Not hungry.” He looked at Pacifica, as he sat down. “Tomorrow is the last day we get to work with the tributes before the Games. So you and I will be going down at nine.” 

Pacifica raised a brow. Dipper? What about him? “What about Di—Mason?” 

Kliea sips her drink slowly. 

Ewan shrugs, “Kid said he wanted to be trained alone from now on.” 

“What?” Pacifica was annoyed and confused. 

“This kind of thing happens often. I mean, there can only be one winner, right?” Ewan smirks.

Pacifica looks down at her food, suddenly feeling disgusted.

✩

Today was the interviews. Roy Watson would interview every tribute and help get them sponsors. 

“It’s your favorite gamehost, and his name rhymes with the word ‘Toy’. It’s Roy Watson!” An announcer speaks, as Roy turns around his chair and flashes a grin. 

Everyone began to clap for Roy. Roy stood up and bowed, “Aw! You are all too kind!” 

“Welcome to the 74th annual Hunger Games!” Roy said as he grabbed his microphone. “In just five minutes, we will be able to see our tributes!” He had much enthusiasm in his voice. 

Everyone cheered for him now. “Are you excited?!” Roy shouted to the crowd. “C’mon, let me hear it!”

Everyone cheered louder. Roy laughed, “C’mon, I think we can do better than that!”

Dipper looked at his outfit in the mirror. “Gaurav, I don’t think I can do this.” 

Gaurav chuckled, “You can do anything, Mason. You just need to believe in yourself better.” 

“How do I get people to like me? I’m not very good at—” Dipper was cut off by Gaurav shushing him.

“How did you get me to like you?” 

“I . . . I just do what I usually do.” 

“Exactly.” Gaurav winked at him and clicked his tongue. “Just be yourself. I’ll be there the whole time.” 

Dipper nodded slowly. He was very appreciative of Gaurav. 

In just a few short moments, Roy called out someone named Cassie. 

“Welcome Cassie!” Roy pointed his arm towards her as she happily came out on stage. 

Everyone else was watching on the TV screen. Everyone knew it was all an act. Who wouldn’t though? This is your life on the line. 

After a good 15-20 minutes of talking about Cassie, clapping could be heard. Dipper assumed that was it for Cassie. 

“. . . Gregory!” 

“Welcome Chara!” 

“Kris, is that right?” Roy asked. Kris nodded, as they were explaining their backstory to the audience. A nice way to guilt-trip. 

“You’re a fighter, correct?” Roy asks Kris. Kris nodded, “I’m a fighter. I’m fighting for myself, and my mother. I’m ready to do this.” Roy smiled. 

Time was quickly going by. It was going to be Pacifica’s turn soon. Pacifica could feel her heart quickening. 

A peacekeeper grabbed the man in front of her, known as Hunter. They brought him closer as they talked to the other tribute, Luz.

“Luz, you said you’re great with climbing and making glyphs, correct?” Roy asked the girl. 

Luz grinned and nodded, “That’s right!” 

Just like that, it was Pacifica’s turn. Dipper watched as someone came out and guided Pacifica to the stage. He felt uncomfortable, and his stomach tightened. 

“From District Twelve, you know her as the girl on fire! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Pacifica Northwest!” Roy announced, as he gestured his arm towards Pacifica. 

Pacifica took a deep breath, and walked out to the stage. She was used to praise. 

Claps. 

Noise. 

People. 

It wasn’t anything new. But this time, it felt weird. Pacifica felt numb as her ears started ringing, which deafened the noise of the crowd. 

Pacifica slowly walked to Roy, who had his hand out. He was expecting her to hold his hand. He was saying something, but she couldn’t hear him. 

He eventually sat down, and so did Pacifica. She was in thought. All these people cheering for my death? 

She looked at Roy, who was raising his brow. He clearly was expecting her to say something, but she didn’t hear him.

“ . . . Pardon?” Pacifica asked, sounding hesitant. 

Roy laughed, and so did the audience. “The Northwest is nervous, huh?” 

He cleared his throat, “I said . . . the entrance you made at the tribute parade was quite an entrance. Wanna tell us about it?” 

Pacifica took a deep breath, trying to regain her confidence. Where’s my voice? Why am I so nervous? She felt ashamed, and knew her parents would be too. 

“Well, I was just trying not to burn to death.” She answered truthfully. 

The audience erupted into laughter. Even Roy snickered.

“When you came out of that chariot, I have to say, my heart stopped.” Roy says, as he places his hand over his chest. He looked at the audience, “Did—Did any of you experience that as well?”

The audience cheered and clapped. 

“My heart stopped.” Roy repeats to Pacifica. 

Pacifica cracked a fake smile, “So did mine.”

 The audience laughed, and so did Roy. 

“You are on fire, Northwest! Not literally.” He added, laughing. 

“Now,” He regained his composure, “tell us something. Were the flames real?” 

Pacifica nodded, “Yes.” 

She looked at the crowd, and everyone looked concerned. She saw Rosabella and Gaurav in the audience. Rosabella gestured her to tell more. 

“Actually,” Pacifica looked back at Roy, “would you like to see?” 

Roy made a playful scared face, “Woah woah, is it safe?” 

Pacifica giggled, “Yes.” 

“Well what do you guys think?” Roy laughed with the audience.  

The audience was clapping and cheering. “I think that’s a yes!” Roy chuckles.

Pacifica got up, and went closer to the front of the stage. She took a deep breath, then spinned around. The ends of her dress caught in flames. 

The audience cheered and clapped even more. They were clearly amused. 

“Woah, steady . . . steady.” Roy says laughing, as he helped Pacifica sit back down. 

“Let me tell you something, that was something. Thank you for that.” Roy said, sounding genuine. 

Everyone clapped and cheered loudly. 

“Everyone give it up for Pacifica Northwest, the girl on fire!” Roy held her hand, and held it up. Everyone cheered and clapped once more. 

Rosabella flipped her curly hair, “She did good.” Gaurav nodded in agreement. 

Kliea brought Pacifica back to the back. “That was wonderful! I’m very proud of you!” 

Pacifica felt her cheeks turn pink, “. . . Yeah.” 

“Nice job,” Ewan says, with his back on the wall. “And nice dress too.” He chuckles. 

Kliea smiles. 

“Not yours.” Ewan says quickly. Kliea frowned and rolled her eyes. 

Suddenly cheering was heard. They all looked on the TV screen. “Well, if it isn’t Mason.” Ewan chuckled. 

“Welcome, Mason!” Roy says, sitting down with Dipper. Dipper nods, “Yes, thank you, thank you.” 

Pacifica bit her lip. He was doing surprisingly well right now. 

“How’re you feeling about the Capitol so far?” Roy asks. Dipper rubs his hand on his neck, “It’s . . . wonderful, and different.” He was partially lying. 

“Different? In what way, exactly?” Roy asked. 

“Well, first off the showers here are weird.” Dipper says. “Showers?” Roy raised a brow with a smirk, then looked at the audience, “It seems we have different . . . showers.” 

The audience laughed. 

“Another question,” Dipper was feeling confident, “Do I smell like roses to you?” 

“Oh?” Roy looked at the audience with surprise. 

Dipper gestured to him to come and smell him. Roy leaned in, and did a light sniff. He thought for a moment, “Yeah. How about me? Do I smell like—” He cut himself off as Dipper leaned in to get a sniff. 

The audience gasped and was surprised. 

Kliea and Pacifica grimaced. Ewan chuckled, “Well, it’s a way to earn sponsors . . . interestingly.” 

Then the audience laughed. Dipper shrugged, “You definitely smell better than me.” 

Roy laughed, “Well, I have lived here longer.” “That makes sense.” Dipper responds, as the audience laughed. 

Roy laughed harder, and placed his hand on Dipper’s arm while looking at the audience. 

Dipper was surprised about his sudden confidence. 

Roy then asked Dipper a question, “So Mason . . . Is there a girl at home?” He raised both of his brows, and smirked. 

“No . . . Not really.” Dipper chuckled nervously. 

Roy furrowed his brows, “Well I don’t believe it for a second. Look at that face.” He spoke to the audience. “A handsome man like you.” 

Dipper felt flustered, maybe he could open up about it. And risk a friendship . . .

“Tell us, Mason.” Roy raised a brow and smirked. 

Dipper sighed, and licked his dry lips. “There—There was this girl, I liked her for three years. It was small at first, but it eventually got stronger.”

Roy chuckled, looking very intrigued. 

“But . . . I don’t feel like she truly recognised me until the Reaping.” 

Roy sighed, and looked at Dipper with a straight face. “Listen to me, Mason. You go out there, win those games. And when you get home, she’ll have to go out with you.” 

“Right folks?” He said to the audience, as they cheered and yelled some responses. 

Roy laughed, and Dipper felt himself getting sweatier and sweatier. 

“Thanks . . . but I don’t think winning will help me at all.” Dipper says, sadly. 

Roy looked back at the boy, and raised a brow, “And why is that?” 

Dipper took a deep breath. It was now or never. 

“Because she came here with me.” 

Pacifica watched the TV, speechless. She felt so many emotions. Anger, surprise, and many more indescribable feelings. 

Roy shook his head, “Then that’s bad luck, huh?” 

Dipper nodded slowly, “. . . Yeah. It is.” 

“And I wish you all the best of luck.” Roy says, shaking his hand. 

Dipper sighed, “Thank you.” 

Eventually, Roy brought up another difficult topic. 

“So Mason,” Roy got serious, “You volunteered for your sister, right?” 

Dipper frowned, and rubbed his neck again, “. . . Yes.” 

“Apparently, your sister was broken. Did—Did you two say your goodbyes?” 

Dipper nodded, “Yes, we did.” 

Roy hummed, “Then what did you say to her in the end?” 

Dipper bit his lip. The conversation quickly made a turn. 

Mabel ran to Dipper crying, “No! No, not yet! I can’t lose him!” 

One peacemaker struggled to pull Mabel away from Dipper. “Dipper, please! Don’t die on me!” She was dragged out of the room.

“I promise for real this time–” He was cut off by the door slamming. 

“. . . I promised her I would survive the games. That I will try for her.” Dipper answers. 

Roy nodded in approval towards the audience, “Of course you did.” 

“And try, you will.” He shook Dipper’s hand once more. 

He stood up, holding Dipper’s hand. “Everyone, Mason Pines.” He held it up in the air as everyone cheered. 

Pacifica felt angry tears well in her eyes. 

When Dipper walked back in, Pacifica grabbed the back of his neck, and threw him against a wall. She placed her arm on his neck.

“Oh my!” Kliea was heard in the background. 

Dipper could’ve fought back, but he let her. He knew she’d be upset. 

“What the hell was that?! You talk so lowly about me then all the sudden you like me?” Pacifica growled. 

“Then you wanna train alone! Is that how you wanna play, huh? Huh?!” Pacifica was pulled off by Ewan. 

“Knock it off.” Ewan said firmly. 

“We can start right now!” Pacifica yelled. 

“Hey,” Ewan snapped his fingers in front of her face. “He did you a favor.” 

“A favor? By making me look weak?” Pacifica scoffed. 

Ewan pinched his nose bridge, “And we’re back at base one. He made you look desirable, which can’t hurt in your case.” 

Rosabella sighed, “He’s right, dear.” 

“Of course I am,” Ewan says. “Now, I can sell the star-crossed lovers from District Twelve–” 

“We are not star-crossed lovers.” Pacifica snarled. 

Ewan looked as if he was about to break something. “It’s a damn television show! Do you think everything on there is real?” 

“And besides, being in-love with that boy may get you more sponsors, Pacifica.” Ewan added. “Oh, which can save your damn life!”

Ewan sighed, and turned to Dipper, “Okay. You go take a rest. Maybe I can deliver you both in one piece tomorrow.”

Dipper does as told, leaving the scene. Gaurav follows him behind.

Pacifica was breathing heavily. 

Kliea looks at Pacifica, “Manners.”

Dipper looked back at Pacifica, before heading up the stairs. 

Pacifica rolled her eyes, and looked away. She didn’t know how to feel at the moment. 

✩

Pacifica found that she couldn’t sleep that night. The Games were tomorrow, and she felt intense guilt from how she treated Dipper. 

Pacifica got up from her bed, and headed to find Dipper. Maybe he was awake right now? 

She came down the stairs, and she saw Dipper with his head on his knees looking outside. 

She slowly continued to quietly make her way down the stairs. 

She made her way to him. Don’t be awkward. Don’t be awkward. “You too?” 

Dipper was startled, and looked behind him. “Wasn’t expecting to see you.” 

“Couldn’t sleep.” Pacifica responds, as she sits across from Dipper. 

“Of course not.” Dipper looked back out the window. 

Pacifica sighed, “I’m sorry for how I acted earlier.” 

“It’s fine. I would’ve acted that way too.” Dipper says, then he turns to her again, “You know that I meant that as a compliment?” 

Pacifica couldn’t help but smile, “I know.” 

It was silent between the two, but not outside. People were cheering. 

Dipper chuckled, “Listen to them.” 

Pacifica frowned, “Yeah . . .” 

Pacifica sighed, and looked down, “I don’t need this game changing who I am.” 

Dipper raised a brow, “And how would they change you, Miss Northwest?” 

Pacifica thought for a moment, “I—I don’t know. Maybe turn me into something I’m not.”

Dipper shook his head, “Your parents already beat them to that.” 

Pacifica cracked a smile, “Yeah, I guess . . . But I just don’t want to be another piece in their dumb game, you know?” 

Dipper looked at her with a confused look, “You’re not going to kill anyone?”

Pacifica sighed, and hugged her legs, “I don’t want to. I’m sure that at some point, however, I will have to harm someone. I just hope that maybe I can prove to them I’m not some toy in their game.” 

Dipper didn’t respond. 

Pacifica continued to speak, “If I’m going to die, I hope to die as myself.” She noticed Dipper’s silence. “Does that make any sense to you, Pines?”  

Dipper nodded eventually, “Yeah. I just can’t afford to think like that.” 

Pacifica looked at him. “For Mabel?”

Dipper nodded, “I can’t break this promise. She is already upset with me. I promised her I’ll survive, and that’s what I'm gonna do.” 

Pacifica gave a small smile, “I understand.” She looked out the window. 

Dipper continued to look at her. Pacifica felt that he was, and looked back at him.

They were silent for a moment, but then Dipper spoke. “Well . . . I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.” He got up. 

Pacifica nodded, “Right. I’ll see you tomorrow.” 

He walked away, and Pacifica continued to sit down and listen to the cheers of the people outside.

Chapter Text

Ewan was talking to Pacifica, “They’ll put all kinds of things up front.” They were in the elevator, being lowered to be taken to the official Games. 

“Right in the mouth of the Cornucopia. They’ll even be a bow there. Don’t go for it.” Ewan says, which catches Pacifica’s attention. 

Pacifica frowns, “Why not?” 

Ewan sighs, “It’s a bloodbath. They’re purposely trying to get you to go. That’s not your game, Northwest. You turn, run, and find high ground for water. Water is your new best friend from now on.” 

Pacifica could hear the seriousness in his voice. Her heart was beating loudly, she could feel it in her throat. 

Ewan looked at her, “Don’t step off that pedestal too early, or else you’ll be killed.” 

Pacifica nods, “I won't.” 

Ewan nods in approval, and turns to look at the elevator doors. 

Eventually the doors open, and the two step out. Pacifica sees some type of plane that will transport them to the games. 

Ewan looks back at her, “Pacifica.” 

Pacifica looks back at him.

He goes up to her, and pats her shoulder, “You can do this. You and Mason.” He looked hurt. 

Pacifica nodded, “. . . Thank you.” 

Ewan flashes a small smile, and he backs away from her, as she walked towards the plane. 

Ewan frowned, and crossed his arms. This would either end up badly, or very well. There was no inbetween. 

A lady went up to Luz. The tributes were seated in special seats. “Give me your arm.” 

Luz does as told, and gives her her arm. The lady injects a tracker inside her arm. Luz grimaces in discomfort. 

Pacifica watched, but she didn’t know what it was. All she knew was that it was the same girl who watched her at the training place. 

The same lady asked for everyone’s arm. She interjected the trackers inside. 

Eventually, she reached Pacifica. “Your arm?”

Pacifica looked at the needle—if that's what it was called—and gulped. “What is that?” 

The lady didn’t answer at first, and just took her arm and interjected the tracker inside. Then she answered, “Your tracker.” 

Pacifica watched as it glowed inside her arm, and it made her feel sick to the stomach. 

✩

Everyone was getting to work in the Gamemakers room. They watched as the tribute’s names showed up with their status on the projector.

The workers were setting up the arena; preparing for the tributes.

Then Belos came out, “Alright guys, the real work time begins. Final checks.” He grinned as he looked at the large projector. 

“They are flying, as of right now.” One of the workers spoke. 

  ✩

Pacifica felt anxious. Dipper wasn’t on the plane with her. He must be on another one. 

There were only twelve tributes on this plane. Looks like one from every district. 

Eventually, they were off the plane. Pacifica was being guarded by two peacemakers as they led her to a room. 

The peacemaker opened the door and Rosabella was in there. 

Pacifica went up to her, giving her a tight hug. She was shaking. She has never been this scared since Weirdmaggedon. 

She pulled away, looking into Rosabella’s eyes. 

Rosabella looked saddened, then she looked behind herself, then back at Pacifica. “Here, love.” She puts the jacket on her. 

Pacifica slides into it, and notices a pin. She looks up at Rosabella for answers. 

Rosabella puts a finger over her mouth. Pacifica gets the message quickly. 

Rosabella zips up the jacket. 

“30 seconds.” Says an automated robotic voice. 

Pacifica could feel herself shaking again. No words could describe the intense fear she felt at the moment. 

Pacifica gulps. 

Rosabella puts her arm on her, “I am not allowed to bet . . . but if I could, I’d bet on you.” 

Pacifica nodded slowly. She was surprised someone had hope for her . 

Rosabella kissed her cheek, and gave her another hug. She felt like a mother at that moment. 

“20 seconds.” The robot voice says. 

Pacifica was still shaking, and she slowly looked at the tube that would take her up to the arena. 

She looked back at Rosabella, before making her way to the tube. 

Rosabella closes her fingers together, and frowns. 

“10 seconds.” 

Pacifica got to the tube, and took a few deep breaths before stepping into the tube. She heard it close behind her. She quickly looked at Rosabella. 

Rosabella gave a small smile. 

Pacifica then felt herself being lifted up slowly. She looked around startled, unprepared for the movement. 

She was lifted up into the arena, and looked around. It was foggy. And she felt like she was in the middle of a forest. She saw the Cornucopia, and Ewan was right, there were all the weapons right there. 

Pacifica looked around, and saw the rest of the tributes planning something already. She felt frightened. 

✩

Belos clicked his tongue, as he listened to the countdown. He looked intrigued. 

“41 . . . 40,” One of the workers counted down to himself, as the robotic voice spoke as well. 

In many districts, everyone was watching TV. Some were outside in groups, some were inside. 

Stan, Ford, Soos, Melody, Abuelita, and Mabel all sat huddled around the TV. Mabel was hugging Waddles tightly. She looked over at everyone else. 

“29, 28, 27 . . .” The robotic voice spoke.

Stan looked uncomfortable, but he was intently watching. So was Ford. Stan usually would be here for fights, but not this time.

Melody had a frown on her face, as she sat next to Soos, tightly holding his hand. Soos looked saddened too. 

Abuelita . . . she was just there because everyone else was. 

Mabel looked back at the TV. She mumbled to herself, “C’mon Dipper . . . You got to win this.” 

The counting stopped as it reached 10 seconds. The voice was replaced with a sound effect. 

Pacifica was eyeing all the weapons. She looked over and saw Dipper. He shook his head to her. He knew she was tempted. 

She gulped, and looked away. She watched the timer on the Cornucopia go down. 

Everyone was getting ready to go. Kris looked serious, they were in a stance. They would be ready to jump the second they were able. 

Pacifica got in a stance too. 

Any second now…

Then a loud horn blew, and everyone ran off to the Cornucopia. 

Not Pacifica though, she ran the complete opposite direction. Once Pacifica felt she was far enough, she stopped running and watched the scene. 

Some people have already killed someone. Kris had already ended someone’s life. 

People grabbed supplies, weapons, and whatever they could. Pacifica witnessed blood splatter out of someone’s neck. She gulped. 

Pacifica turned and saw someone grab a bag and flee. She decided that it—maybe—couldn’t hurt to get a bag. It could be very resourceful. 

She made a run for it. 

She watched as some people were still harming others. They wasted no time on that. 

She snatched up the bag and ran. She then tripped. She fell over, and grabbed the bag quickly. 

Pacifica looked up and saw someone ready to stab her, but he died instantly as a knife went through his chest. 

Chara. They got him.

Pacifica gulped, and gave a nervous smile. 

Chara snarled, and threw another knife. 

Pacifica quickly used the bag to protect herself. The knife hit the bag. 

Pacifica saw Chara begin to run towards her. Oh shit. She thought, as she quickly got up and put the bag on. 

Chara was pretty quick, but luckily Pacifica was too. 

Pacifica ran as fast as she could. 

She was now deeper in the forest. Pacifica looked back and then suddenly crashed into someone.

They both fell to the ground. Pacifica looked to see who it was, but it was someone she didn’t recognize. 

The girl had brown curly hair. The girl was already missing a shoe. 

Pacifica and the girl looked at each other for a moment. They both silently told each other they were going to spare each other. 

The other girl quickly ran away, and Pacifica ran in the opposite direction. 

Kris saw a boy running. “Ahh, Dewey.” 

Dewey had a bag of supplies, and attempted to flee until Kris threw a knife right at his head. 

Kris grabbed the supplies, and looked at the weapons on the wall. 

Pacifica continued to run through the forest. She kept looking back. She pushed through leaves and vines. Get as far away as you can .

She tripped and rolled down a hill. She grunted as she hit some sticks. She quickly got back up and continued to run. 

She eventually stopped, and looked around. Still around trees and dead grass. But she felt a bit safer now. 

She goes over to a rock, and sits on it. Feeling the rock, she takes a deep breath. 

She took off the bag, and looked inside. Inside was a rope that was tied up. Pacifica raised a brow, and inspected it. 

She shook her head, and placed it down next to her. She saw a bottle inside. She grabbed it, and opened it. She looked inside, and placed it over her mouth. Nothing came out. 

She tipped the bottle on her hand. Nothing. She huffed. She wasn’t used to this…in a way. 

She continued looking through the bag. Everything—she felt—was useless. But beggars can’t be choosers. 

She sighed. She then heard a cannon. She gulped. She knew what that meant. 

Someone died.

“Oh Pines…Please don’t be dead already.” She hoped to herself. 

✩

Roy looked at the projection behind him. It showed all the dead tributes. He was with another man. 

“Well, ladies and gentlemen, there’s the familiar boom of a cannon.” Roy says, and he sounds a little sad. “Which marks the end of another fallen tribute.” 

Pacifica counted to herself as the booms continued. 

“Nine.”

Another boom. “Ten.” 

Another. “Eleven…” 

Then one more. “Twelve.” She frowned. That was half the tributes. She waited for more, but no more followed after. 

Then suddenly, she felt a butterfly on her finger. She slowly lifted it up, and smiled at it. Then it fluttered away. She chuckled, before taking a deep sigh.

How free that butterfly was, and how trapped she was. 

She got up, C’mon…You’re a Northwest. She looked around for any materials. 

Maybe it was time for a bow and arrow. 

She felt her throat, and it was dry. She was thinking of something to drink. 

“W-Water…” She mumbled to herself. 

She looked around, having to leave her comfort zone at the moment, to find some water. She’ll take anything. 

Eventually, she found a river. She grabbed out her bottle, and began to fill it with the water. She even grabbed a handful and just let herself drink it. 

Now for that bow…

She went around and found sticks. She used Chara’s knife from earlier to sharpen the sticks. 

Everything was useful now. She finished making her bow using materials that she was surrounded with. 

She hated this Game. She had to use a rat for her hunger. It satisfied her hunger, but not her . 

Pacifica was alert. She made sure to listen out for anything. Anyone or anything could kill her at any second. 

She stepped on a growing fire. She never thought it’d be her. Her and Dipper. 

But hey…It’s life. 

She climbed a tree. High ground. Ewan said to find high ground. 

Pacifica sucked at climbing trees. She actually fell two times before she finally made it up. 

She sat on a thick branch that should be strong enough to hold her up. 

She lied down, and sighed. She grabbed out the rope, and tied herself to the branch. 

Pacifica leaned against the tree. She missed Gravity Falls. She missed Dipper. Speaking of Dipper, she wondered where he went. 

He was alive. She knew he was. He is fighting to survive for Mabel. 

Pacifica rested her eyes, and then she heard something. Like a camera zooming in on something. She furrowed her brows, and looked around. 

She heard it again, then she looked at the tree. There was a hole, and she looked inside. She bit her lip, that had to be it. 

Belos had his arms crossed, as he watched the cameras on the screen. The cameras had multiple angles of the arena. 

One of the workers brought up a light to the digital arena. It controls the actual arena. The light had a sign on it, and underneath it read “Fallen Tributes”. 

Pacifica looked up as she heard music, and saw the sign too. She gasped, and covered her mouth. 

The projection began to show the fallen tributes. Pacifica remembered some faces, and it made her sick to the stomach. 

Then it cut off. 

It showed twelve fallen tributes. Pacifica gripped onto her seat tightly. At least Pines is okay.  

It was dark out now. She must’ve fallen asleep without realizing it. 

She still felt tired though. She laid her head back onto the tree, and rested her eyes. That was, until she smelt something.

She looked around. Smoke? That’s what she smelled. 

She looked behind her, and saw a fire growing. She rolled her eyes, and laid back. 

The fire belonged to a young girl named Norma. She shivered as she used the fire to be her warmth. “D-Damn this game…” She muttered, as she rubbed her hands and blew into them. 

She heard the sound of a knife. Her eyes widened and she turned around. 

There was Kris, Chara, Gregory, and Cassie. Cassie waved innocently. 

Norma backed away, “Wh-What do you want, Kris?” 

Kris didn’t say anything, but handed their knife to Chara. Chara giggled, and slid their finger against the edge. 

Gregory and Chara laughed. Norma felt herself getting more angry, but they had a handful of weapons. 

They started coming towards her. She gulped. Fuck. 

Just then, Pacifica heard a scream. She turned around. Just then, a cannon boomed. 

Roy looks at the projection behind him. “Well…That folks makes thirteen gone in the first eight hours.” 

He looks at his buddy next to him, “Ronald, I think an alliance is forming.” 

Pacifica heard the distant laughter. It sounded like the same people who picked on Dipper…Or as we know…

“The Careers…” She swore to herself. 

“Did you see the look on her face?” Gregory laughed. 

“Right! I’m surprised that all she could make a fire.” Chara added. 

“I didn’t know Norma of all people would be stupid.” Cassie giggles. She then mocks Norma, “‘ You’ll regret this! Ahh, I’m such a nerd.’ Pft!” 

Everyone laughed, but Kris. 

Gregory laughed, “That was a good impression!” 

“I know! That’s why I did it!” Cassie laughed harder. 

Gregory looked back, “Hey, c’mon.” 

Dipper came from the bushes. 

“You sure she went that way?” Gregory asks. 

Dipper nods, “I’m sure.” 

Gregory smirked, “You better be.” 

Pacifica watched the scene in shock. Dipper?! She quietly groaned to herself. They grew to like him, it seems. 

“That was her snare back there.” Dipper points behind him. He walks away.

Cassie looked at Gregory, “Why aren’t we killing him? What if he’s lying?”

Gregory grabbed Cassie’s shoulders, “He’s our best chance of finding her. We have to trust him for now.” He then patted both of them. “C’mon.” 

Cassie huffed and rolled her eyes, “I’m trusting you Gregory!” She followed behind him. 

Pacifica gulped, as she watched them. They had to be either talking about her, or someone else. 

She felt uncomfortable now. 

Pacifica left the tree, and went walking away. She was now on rocky grounds. She didn’t care. She continued to walk. She was looking for another area to hide in.

“Uh, sir…” One of the workers looked at Belos, “She’s making her way to the edge. Two kilometers away from the nearest tribute.” 

Belos leaned against the railing, “Well, turn her around.” 

“Yes sir.” The worker got to work. Everyone began working on the console. 

Pacifica found another tree, and climbed it. She sighed. She felt her eyelids getting heavy. She tried to fight them, but she couldn’t. She fell asleep.

She woke up, and it was bright outside now. She looked around. “Dang it, I fell asleep.” She sighed. She then smelled smoke again. Another fire? But no…Something’s off. 

She looked behind her and saw a forest of fire. 

Her eyes widened. The trees were burning. This is quickly going to become a wildfire. She should leave, now ! 

She quickly began to untie herself from the rope. Once she finished, she jumped off the branch. She landed and grunted, but continued to run. 

The fire was chasing her. She felt herself being choked by fire. That didn’t stop her from running. 

As she was running, a fireball suddenly came flying towards her. Luckily she had enough time to act, as she dropped to the ground as soon as she could. 

She gasped, and continued to run. 

“Another on my count…Three…Two…” The same worker from earlier says, as everyone seemed to be ready to aim for her again. 

Pacifica continued running, she was running so much that her legs began to feel sore. But she was fighting to survive, so it didn’t stop her, as much as she wanted to. 

Then another fireball came for her, she ducked, but some of it got her hair. 

“Ah! My hair!” She quickly patted it down, before running again. The booms caused bigger fires. 

Another worker spoke, “She’s heading towards the left flank.” 

“Okay, can you give me a tree right there?” Belos asked. 

“Sure…Cueing tree.” The same worker said, as he messed with the console, and placed down a tree. 

Belos smiled, but not in a happy way. In a more…creepy way. 

Pacifica continued to run. She was panting and running low on air. A burning log fell in front of her, causing her to quickly turn around. 

She then ran again. The tree she ran to burned, causing it to get her leg. She yelped and fell down, crawling to the small space around it. 

She sat up, and looked at her leg. Yep, a piece of her thigh was burnt. She tried not to make too much noise, but a whimper came out.

She felt like crying—bawling even—but she couldn’t. She leaned back, trying to suppress her moans. Her hand was shaking, and she slowly moved her hand to the wound. 

The wound didn’t look pretty. She sighed. Then she looked up, and another fireball was coming for her. 

She gasped and quickly jumped out of the way. The area exploded which made her tumble down a hill. 

Belos watched on the screen. His face contorted to a grimace. How the hell was she still alive? 

Pacifica continued running, it hurt even more now, but she was determined not to give up. The air was smoky, and she was coughing badly. 

She kept running. No other words running through her mind other than “ Run! Get the hell out of there! ” 

She could hardly see, but she kept running. 

“She’s almost there.” Says a worker to Belos. 

Pacifica eventually made it to a lake. She sighed in relief. It was some type of relief to her wound. 

Belos looked at the map. He grinned. He was leading the Careers, plus Dipper, right to Pacifica. 

He looked at one of his workers, “Olua, get a cannon ready.” He smirked. “Things are about to get messy.” 

Chapter Text

Pacifica was taking a moment in the lake. That was until she heard laughter and chatter. 

From behind the trees, out came the Careers. They were all laughing.

Pacifica felt herself tense up. She backed away slowly, hoping she wouldn’t be noticed. 

Unfortunately, Gregory saw her and pointed her out. “Look! There she is!” 

They all looked at her, and began to make their way over. Pacifica quickly got out of the water and ran.

“Hah! She’s mine!” Chara laughed. 

“Not if I get to her first!” Gregory says back. 

Pacifica made her way out of the water and ran through the bushes. 

“Where you gonna go, huh?” Gregory laughed. 

“Mine!” Chara yelled. 

“Someone fish her out of the pond!” Cassie giggled. 

“And someone found her!” Gregory adds, as they all continued to run towards Pacifica. 

Dipper followed behind them. He felt guilty. 

Pacifica ran and jumped over fallen trees. The Careers continued to follow her. 

“Woo!”

“Yeah!” 

Pacifica felt uncomfortable. She continued to run. She looked around, finding anywhere to hide. 

“Find her, Kris!” Chara shouted. 

“Where are you going?!” Gregory shouted. 

Pacifica looked and saw a tree. She immediately got to climbing. 

She still heard them laughing and their footsteps. The crunch of the leaves. 

They eventually found her. 

“Where are you going, Girl on Fire?” Gregory smirked.

“Yeah!” Cassie grinned. 

“Ooo, I always wanted to kill a Northwest!” Chara beamed. 

“Nothing’s gonna help you up there, Pacifica!” Cassie shouted up to her. 

“Where are you going?” Chara laughed. 

Kris began to climb the tree.

“Yeah! You get ‘em Kris!” Chara cheered. 

Pacifica didn’t look down, but continued to look up. Kris was right on her tail.

“Just get her Kris!” Cassie shouts.

“They’re gonna get you Pacifica!” Gregory says. 

“Look at her scurry!” Chara laughed. 

Dipper didn’t say anything, but just watched the whole time. 

The two kept climbing. Kris was grunting, and stretching as far as they could to grab the closest branch. 

Pacifica just kept going. 

Chara felt themself getting impatient, “Kill her!” 

Kris growled. 

“Just keep going!” Gregory shouted. 

The Careers continued to cheer Kris on. Pacifca felt herself getting sweaty. 

Pacifica found a branch, and wrapped her legs around it. She looked down for a quick moment.

Cassie, Gregory, and Chara were still pumping Kris on. Dipper just stood there. The emotions on his face unreadable.

Pacifica gulped, and looked at Kris. They had a grin on their face. 

“I’m coming for you, Northwest.” 

Pacifica continued to climb. She could see the knife in their hand. 

Kris then grabbed the wrong branch, and fell down. “Ugh! Fuck…” They groaned in pain.

“Damn it, I’ll do it myself.” Chara grabbed out a knife, and aimed it at Pacifica. 

Pacifica dodged, as the knife completely passed the tree. 

Chara huffed, and Gregory grabbed out a bow and arrow. “Let the master handle this.” He said cockily, as he aimed it at Pacifica and shot it. 

Gregory missed. It flew right over Pacifica’s head. “Oops.” 

Cassie crossed her arms, “Get her already!” 

Pacifica breathed heavily, then she chuckled at the idea that they couldnt get her, “Maybe you should throw the sword!” She yelled down at them, as she leaned her head against the tree. 

They all looked at each other.

“Does she want to die?” Chara stifled a laugh. 

“Let’s wait her out.” Dipper says, going to them. 

They all looked at him, confusion clear on their faces. 

“She’s gotta come down at some point, right? It’s either that or starve to death.” 

Chara looked at Kris, who was thinking. 

“We’ll kill her then.” Dipper says. 

Cassie and Gregory also looked at Kris. 

Kris sighed, “Okay. Fair.” They walk away, “Someone make a fire.” 

Chara follows after them. Cassie and Gregory look up at Pacifica for a few more seconds before going the other direction. 

Pacifica looks down at Dipper. He stood there the longest. He just looked up at her. No type of communication. 

He then looked down, and followed Cassie and Gregory. 

“Let’s make a camp over here.” Cassie says. 

“Hurry up with the fire then.” Gregory says. 

Pacifica sighs in relief. She turns around, then suddenly the burn is back. She hisses, as she sits her legs up on the branch. 

Ewan was watching on the big screen with multiple other people. He watched as Pacifica was struggling with her wound. 

He can see the discomfort on her face. She clearly looked pained. 

Pacifica grabbed her bottle, and opened it. She lightly poured some water over the wound. It stung so bad. She used the jacket to cover up her whimpers and cries. A few streaks had fallen down her face.

She used the sleeve of her jumpsuit to cover up the wound. She bit her lip to suppress the moans. She was in so much pain, and she couldn’t even scream and ask for help like she was used to. 

She breathed heavily, and laid her head back against the tree. 

✩

It was now dark out. Chara placed their knife in the fire. Looking at the heat on the tip. They smirked. 

Gregory watched and rolled his eyes, “Geez Chara, you can’t get enough.” 

Chara responded with a chuckle.

Dipper had his head down, his arms behind his head. He looked up into the stars. 

And at Pacifica.

Pacifica was sleeping, not comfortably or soundly. Suddenly a box with a small parachute was flying over to her. It made a beeping sound. 

She opened her eyes, and looked around. She looked up and saw the box trapped from a bush. She untied herself and slowly got up, and climbed up to it.

She made it to the box, and opened it. Inside was a letter and medicine. 

Apply Generously and Stay Alive

                                                —E

She took out the medicine, and it was gel. The gel should help heal her burn without getting an infection.

She used her two fingers, and applied it onto her thigh. She sighed in relief as she spread the gel on the wound. “Thank you…” She whispered quietly. 

Just like that, it was the next day. The Careers were sleeping. 

Cassie mumbled in her sleep, then opened her eyes slightly and looked around. She then laid back on her arm and went back to sleep. 

Pacifica was asleep again, but then she woke up. She looked down at her wound, and it already looked much better than before. She was extremely grateful for that.

“Pst.”

Pacifica looked around. That wasn’t the Careers, or Dipper. 

“Pst!” 

She looked up, and saw Luz, the girl who would be looking at her earlier. 

Pacifica raised a brow. 

Luz pointed to a hive, where tracker jackers surrounded it. 

Pacifica grimaced, she wasn’t a huge fan of bugs. She looked back at Luz.

Luz pointed down to the Careers, who were dead asleep.

Pacifica looked down. Okay…She knows what Luz is trying to tell her now. She untied herself from the rope. She looked back at Luz.

Luz made a cutting gesture, then pointed down. She mouthed, Drop it on them. 

Pacifica nodded. She could do that.

Roy looked at Ronald, “Dear friend, correct me if I’m wrong but I’m pretty sure those are tracker jackers.” 

Ronald grimaced, “Yikes…Those things are pretty lethal.” 

Roy nodded in agreement, “Very…” He looked at the camera. 

“For those of you who don’t know, tracker jackers are genetically engineered wasps whose venom causes searing pain, powerful hallucinations, and in extreme cases… death .” 

Pacifica made her way up to the hive. She felt sick in the stomach seeing those bugs. 

She gulped, and grabbed the knife out of her pocket. She then began to cut the branch carefully. She looked down at the Careers who were still soundly asleep.

She then continued to cut, but went faster. One of the tracker jackers went up to her. She swatted at it, and it stung her neck. She yelped. 

The Careers didn’t hear her. 

She continued to cut, as her arm was getting sore and she started feeling mild discomfort. 

She was almost done, but another tracker jacker got her. She held her neck, and whimpered. She continued to cut until the branch finally fell, along with the hive. 

The branch hit the ground, and the hive broke open. They all immediately woke up and screamed. 

“What the fuck?!” Kris yelled as they swatted the tracker jackers off them and jumped up. 

“Ahhh! Get them off!” Chara yelped as they began to run and ditched their jacket. 

Gregory and Dipper followed behind swatting away the tracker jackers. 

Cassie was screaming, as she tried to run she tripped. The tracker jackers were all over her. She was in intense pain, she quickly got up and attempted to catch up with everyone else. 

She fell again, still screaming in agony as the tracker jackers were sucking her clean. 

Pacifica jumped down, and grunted as she hit the floor. She then tried to stand up, but her vision was getting blurry. 

She managed to get up, and she ran. She ran but everything in perspective looked either too close or too far. 

She ran into a tree, and held onto it. She saw Cassie dead on the floor. 

Pacifica went up to Cassie, and attempted to grab the bow and arrows from her. 

Cassie looked extremely swollen, especially at the face. Her eyes were white. 

Pacifica groaned, and tried to remove the bow from her grasp. With a creak, she got the bow, and took off the bag of arrows on her back. 

Pacifica still couldn’t see properly. It was like everything was in reverse and playing at the same time. She didn’t even know it was possible. 

She stood up, then heard Dipper’s voice. 

“Run!”

She stood there. Didn’t move an inch.

“Pacifica, go! This is not the time!” He ran up to her. He was in her face, “What the hell are you doing?! Run!” 

Pacifica then turned around and began running. It was hard to run, and she could feel herself getting swollen. She ran into a tree, and used the tree to hold herself up. 

She walked slower now, then she saw Roy. 

“Not only is the tracker jacker lethal, but it can cause powerful hallucinations.” He made a creepy smile. 

Pacifica looked up into the sky. She felt herself losing balance, until she just passed out. 

The Northwest Manor had a picture of the Northwest family. Laughing of Bill could be heard. 

Then there was the lumberjack. 

The Manor flipped upside down, and a triangle replaced the picture frame. 

Suddenly, the house exploded. Everything either fell or was destroyed. 

But then it all played in reverse. 

Pacifica looked at her parents, who both were devastated after losing the manor to a hillbilly. 

Preston was on his knees, watching as McGucket took ownership of the house. 

Pacifica then looked at her mother. 

Priscilla looked back at her daughter, “Pacifica go! This is not the time!” 

Suddenly Priscilla’s face transformed into Dipper’s, “What the hell are you doing?! Run!” 

Pacifica was knocked out under a log. She then woke up, and looked around. She felt something on herself, so she looked and saw leaves on her swollen parts. 

She sat up, and took the one off her neck. She looked and saw that the bow and arrows were safe and sound next to her. She grabbed the bag off arrows, and looked around. She looked at a tree, and saw some hair poking out.

She got up and tossed the arrows over her shoulder. Then she picked up the bow. 

She went over to the tree, and hid behind it. “Luz?” She had to be sure that was her name. 

Luz slowly looked at her. “You’re not gonna hurt me, are you?” 

Pacifica shook her head, “I won’t.” 

Luz gave a small smile. 

The two went off and found some meat. They cooked it and ate it. Luz was munching on the meat. Pacifica was hesitant, but she still ate it.

Pacifica looked over at Luz, and she was sucking the bones clean. 

“You want mine too?” She asked. 

Luz shook her head, “No, it's fine. You should eat.” 

Pacifica handed it to her, “I’m not hungry right now. You can have it.” 

Luz took it, “I—Thank you.” 

Pacifica nodded. Luz ate the rat meat. 

Pacifica looked away, then looked back at her, “How long was I asleep?” 

Luz didn’t look up at her, “A couple of days. Had to change your leaves twice.” 

Pacifica’s eyes widened. A couple of days? That was a long time. “Thank you.” 

Luz then looked up at her, and smiled. 

“So what happened while I was out?” Pacifica asked. 

“The girl from One and the boy from Ten.” Luz answered, looking down at her food again. 

Pacifica nodded, “And…the boy from my district?” 

Luz smirked, “He’s okay. I think I last saw him down by the river.” 

Pacifica sighed. 

Luz then looked up at her, “Is it true?” 

Pacifica raised a brow, “What?” 

Luz rolled her eyes playfully. “Don’t do that. You and him?” She cooed.

Pacifica laughed, then changed the topic, “Where are Kris and the others?” 

Luz shrugged, “They got their supplies down by the lake.” 

“It’s piled up in this great big pyramid.” Luz says, as she sucked the rat bone clean. 

Pacifica chuckled, “That sounds tempting.” 

Luz laughed, “It does! But anyone who knows better wouldn’t step foot near it.” 

✩

Luz was asleep. Luz was lying on one side, and Pacifica was on the other. 

Pacifica turned to look at Luz, and she was soundly asleep. She didn’t understand how Luz was so calm about this. She wished she was her right now.

That morning, Pacifica was explaining to Luz the fire they were going to do. 

“Now…This green stuff is gonna smoke like crazy. So as soon as you light it, move on to the next fire.” 

They both held branches and some twigs. Pacifica went up to the logs, “Light this one and I’ll meet you at the next.” 

Luz rolled her eyes, “You got that, Mrs. Pines.” 

Pacifica gave her a look. 

Luz shrugged and rolled her eyes playfully. 

Pacifica cleared her throat, “And then, I’ll destroy their stuff while they're chasing us.” 

Luz placed a finger on her chin, “We need some type of signal…Just in case someone needs help, or some type of communicator.” 

Pacifica nods, “Okay…Like what?”

Luz thought for a moment, she looked at Pacifica’s pin. “Oh! Watch this.” She hummed a melody, and soon she could hear birds making the same sound.

“Mockingjays…That’s smart.” Pacifica says to her. 

Luz nodded, “I learned these back at home. I would even play with my siblings with it, sometimes.” 

The mockingjays continued to hum Luz’s melody. Luz smiled and looked at Pacifica, “You try.” 

Pacifica thought for a moment, “Okay…Uhm…” She whistled. 

Soon after, the mockingjays made the same whistle. 

Luz nodded approvingly, “Nice. If we hear any of those, we’ll be okay and be back soon.” 

Pacifica smiled, “We’re gonna be okay.” 

Luz gave a small smile back. She went up to Pacifica and hugged her. 

“I’ll see you for supper?” Luz asks. 

Pacifica nodded, “Yeah…” 

Pacifica eyed the pyramid. It was right by the Cornucopia. She held her bow and arrow. She looked at the poorly covered areas. 

Then she heard Gregory, “Guys, Look!” He pointed at the smoke from Luz’s doing. 

Kris and Chara got up. Kris looked back at someone, who wasn’t Dipper, “You stay on guard until we get back.” 

They all ran off, except for the one boy. 

Pacifica smirked, “Bingo.” She moved over and hid in the trees as she slowly approached it. 

She went to a different angle, and saw the poorly covered dirt areas again. There were many of them, and it all surrounded the pyramid. 

“I wanna see if she’s gonna figure out this booby trap.” Roy says to Ronald. 

“Yes…It seems they reburied their mines around their big pile of goodies.” Ronald says. 

Pacifica watched, then suddenly the girl she crashed into a few days back went running into the scene. 

She was jumping over the mines. Pacifica watched and made faces. 

“Well, she certainly figured it out, hasn’t she?” Roy chuckled. 

Pacifica watched as the girl got away with it, as she ran past the boy. The boy got up and looked around. 

Pacifica watched as he walked away, he was looking for the other girl. 

Pacifica eyed the pyramid and the piles of dirt surrounding it. She took out an arrow from behind her, and angled it on her bow. She then pointed it right next to the bags of apples. 

She took a deep breath, and shot it. 

Nothing happened to the bag of apples. She waited to see if the boy would come back, but he didn’t. So she came out of her hiding place, and grabbed another arrow. 

She aimed it at the bag of apples again, and took another deep breath. Then she shot the arrow, and it ripped open the bag, causing apples to fall out.

The apples rolled off the supplies then landed on the mines. Each one exploded, then eventually the whole pyramid exploded. 

Pacifica felt the explosion force her back. She collapsed and rolled over.  She destroyed their whole base. 

She coughed, and pushed herself on her elbows, and looked around at the mess she caused. She couldn’t hear anything other than high pitched screeching. 

She saw the Careers come back. 

“What the hell happened, Cuphead?!” Kris shouted at the boy. 

Cuphead shrugged, “I-I don’t know! I look away for one moment and—”

“Our stuff!” Chara wailed, as Gregory and them looked at their stuff that was now gone. 

Kris snatched Cuphead’s spear and threw it on the ground. They grabbed his head and twisted it; killing Cuphead instantly. 

Pacifica gasped, and slowly backed away. She eventually pushed herself up and ran. 

She was lucky enough to flee the scene. She continued to run. She then eventually stopped, and whistled. 

The mockingjays repeated the whistle. 

Pacifica listened out for Luz’s tune. She still heard hers. 

She gulped, and whistled again. She then continued walking to hope she’d run into Luz. 

She then saw that one of the pyramids of logs was still standing. “Fuck…” She mumbled. 

“Pacifica!” She heard Luz scream. 

She quickly turned around and followed the voice. 

“Pacifica, help!” Luz sounded pained and harmed. 

Pacifica continued to run faster. The screams continued. She continued to follow the voice. 

“Pacifica! Help!” Luz's voice sounded dry.

Pacifica stopped and looked around. She saw Luz tied under a net. 

Pacifica quickly ran to her and bent down.

“Pacifica! You made it!” Luz chuckled nervously.

“Of course I did.” Pacifica grabbed out a knife and cut open the net. 

She helped Luz out of it, and Luz hugged her immediately. “Thank you so much…!” 

Pacifica hugged her back, “It’s okay. See.” 

Luz looked behind her, “Pacifica—” 

Pacifica quickly turned around and saw Gregory. He threw a spear at her. 

It missed Pacifica, and she quickly grabbed out an arrow and shot it right at Gregory’s chest. 

He looked down at his chest and fell to the ground. 

Pacifica turned around and looked at Luz. 

Luz’s mouth was slightly open, and she looked down. The spear was right in her stomach. 

She grabbed the spear, and slowly took it out. She looked at Pacifica, before collapsing onto her arms. 

Pacifica grabbed her, “Oh no no no no no!” She held onto her tightly. She then inspected the wound. Luz had a little chance of surviving it. 

Pacifica felt her eyes water, “Oh no…” 

Luz looked up at her, “Hey, don’t cry over me.” 

Pacifica wiped her eyes, “You’re gonna be okay, I promise. Please…” 

Luz chuckled, “I…I doubt it. Did you—Did you blow up the food?” A tear went down her face. 

Pacifica nodded, “Every bit of it.” 

Luz smiled, “Good.” 

Pacifica felt more tears come down her face. 

“You have to win.” Luz says. Pacifica looks over at Gregory’s dead body, then back at Luz. 

Luz grinned, “Can you sing—Sing me a song?” 

Pacifica nodded, “Y-Yes, I can.” 

Luz looked up in the clouds, “I can’t wait to see dad again…” She whispered. 

Pacifica gulped back a sob, and began to sing, “ Deep in the meadow. Under the willows. A bed of grass. A soft green pillow… ” 

Luz felt her vision getting blurry. She felt it getting harder to keep her eyes open. 

“ Lay down your head, and close your eyes. And when they open, the sun…” Pacifica continued to sing. 

Luz felt her eyes close, as she drifted to a permanent sleep. 

Pacifica watched and stopped singing. She laid her head on Luz’s and began to sob. 

“I hope you have an excellent time with your father.” Pacifica choked out, and sobbed again. 

She rubbed Luz’s cheeks, “I’m so sorry. I’m sorry.” She repeated to herself. 

Just another link in the family’s worst chain. 

She zips up Luz’s jacket, hiding the wound. She then carefully laid Luz’s head on the ground. 

Pacifica felt millions of tears come out of her eyes. She felt enraged. She grabbed the spear and threw it with a yell. She panted, then held onto her head while looking down. 

“God damn it…” She whimpered, as she continued to sob. 

Chapter Text

Pacifica had some flowers she picked around the arena. She laid Luz on the ground, and placed the flowers in her hand. 

Pacifica feels tears about to come down, but it resists. She kisses Luz’s forehead. She looked up at the cameras. She knew everyone was seeing this. 

She got up, and left Luz’s body to rest. She then stopped, and looked up. She then did a salute, kissing three fingers and raising them up. 

. . . 

The people in District Eleven did the same. Willow had tears falling down her face. Gus was distraught. Amity was in shock.

Eda watched and turned her face into a grimace. She had enough of these damn games! She turned around, and went to the closest peacekeeper, and began to punch him.

Everyone watched Eda. Lilith ran to her, “Edalyn, no!” She tried to pull her away but Eda continued to beat on the peacemaker.

Amity decided to join in, grabbing the closet item and throwing it at the wall. 

Eventually, more people joined in. They all began attacking peacekeepers and destroying items. 

Things were being tilted over, burnt, crushed. Someone even pulled down the lights onto one of their buildings. 

Screams of horror and rage can be heard.

Then eventually, peacekeepers came in with their guns and shields. They approached the riot and the riot fought back. 

Suddenly the sprinkles went off, soaking up everyone and making it hard to walk. Some people tripped and fell. 

The peacekeepers continued to shoot at the people who continued to rebel. 

. . . 

“Don’t kill her, you’ll just create a martyr.” Ewan says. 

“Well, it seems we already got one.” Says Belos. 

“I heard these rumors out in District Eleven. This could get away from you.” 

“What do you want?” Belos snarled. 

Ewan paused for a second, “You have a lot of anger out there. I know you know how to handle a mob—you’ve done it before. If you can’t scare them then give them something to root for.” 

Belos crossed his arms and raised a brow. “Such as?” 

Ewan chuckled, and leaned into his ear, “Young love.” 

. . .

“So you like an underdog?” Damion asks Belos. They were back in the garden.

“Everyone likes an underdog.” Belos responds. 

“I don’t.” Damion responds harshly, not taking notice of Belos’ uncomfortable look.

“Tell me, Belos. Have you been out there? Ten, Eleven, Twelve?” He looks at Belos. 

Belos shook his head, “Not personally, no.” 

Damion looked away, and continued to mess with the flowers. “Well I have. There are lots of underdogs.” 

Belos didn’t respond.

“Lots of coal, too.” Damion adds. “Grows crops, minerals, things we need.” 

Belos nods.

“There are lots of underdogs.” Damion says, and looks at Belos, “And I think that if you could see them…You would not root for them either.” 

Belos nods slowly. 

Damion smirks, “I like you.” 

Then he adds, “Be careful.” 

. . .  

Pacifica was sitting against a log after she was crying—no, bawling —once more. Now she was just sitting and contemplating. 

“Attention tributes,” Ronald says on the speaker. “The regulations requiring a single victor have been…suspended.  From now on, two victors may be crowned if both originate from the same district.” 

Pacifica listens, and a glisten of hope is seen in her eyes. “Dipper…” She whispers, before getting up. She grabs all of her materials, and runs off. 

She went by the river, like Luz has told her she last saw him. She looked around and saw a painting. 

She didn’t know or care what it was. She touched it, and the mud was still fresh. She quickly moved on.

She saw droplets of blood, and she gulped. She continued looking for hints for Dipper. 

She then stopped on a couple of rocks. She looked around. She sighed, and as she was about to turn around something grabbed her ankle.

She yelped and kicked the thing. Turns out it was a hand.

“Ow…” Groaned a voice all too familiar. 

Pacifica looked down and saw Dipper. He camouflaged himself to look like the rocks. “Dipper!” She began to take the stuff off him. 

Dipper chuckled lightly, “Hi.” 

She helped him sit up, and hugged him. She held his head to her shoulder. “It’s okay.” She leaned her head on his, so relieved to be with him.

She helped get the rest of the stuff off of him. She saw a wound on his leg. She went and lightly touched it, getting a whimper from him. 

She looked up at him, “What was it?” 

“Sword.” Dipper answered. He gave a small smile, “It’s bad, huh?” 

Pacifica gulped, and looked back down at the wound, “It’ll be fine.” 

She used a cloth to collect some water, and squeezed the water onto Dipper’s wound.

Dipper bit his lip, suppressing his groans. He looked pained, and Pacifica understood it hurt. 

Dipper looked at her, “Pacifica—” 

He was shushed by her. 

“Pacifica—” He tried again.

“No!” Pacifica shouted at him, continuing to tend to his wound. “I’m not gonna leave you. I’m not gonna do that. You have someone to get home to.” 

Dipper frowned, “Why not?” 

Pacifica glares at him. “You have Mabel to get home to. Now shut up and let me help you.” 

Dipper lays his head back and sighs. 

Pacifica finished tending to his wound, and helped him walk. He was limping and grunting with every step. Pacifica was struggling to keep him up, he was bigger than her. 

They find a cave. Pacifica looks for anyone—or anything—but nothing is there. She helps Dipper inside and sits next to him as she lies him down. “No one’s gonna find you in here.”

“They’ve already found me.” Dipper says. 

Pacifica looks down at the wound, “We’ll get you some medicine.” 

Dipper gulps, and breathes heavily. “I don’t get many parachutes, Pacifica.” 

Pacifica frowns, “We’ll figure something out.” 

“Like what?”

“I don’t know—Something.”

Dipper looks up at her, and she looks down at him, before placing a kiss on the side of his mouth.

It’s been a hot minute, Dipper was sleeping. Pacifica stayed on watch to make sure nothing happened to them—mostly him. 

She then heard beeping noises. She got up and went outside. She grabbed her bow and arrow and looked around. 

She then saw a parachute that was beeping. She went over to it quickly, and opened it up. Inside was another letter, and what she hopes is medicine. 

You call that a kiss? 

-E

Pacifica doesn’t say anything but looks up. 

She goes back into the cave and finds Dipper awake. “What is that, medicine?” He asks. 

Pacifica shakes her head, “No. It’s soup.” 

He’s about to take it from her but she pulls away. He raises a brow. 

“No…Let me feed you.” Pacifica grabs the spoon and picks up some soup, and feeds it to him.

Dipper sighs, and gives a weak smile, “That’s nice.” 

“I remember this.” Pacifica says, as she continues to feed him.

“Trust me…I think about it all the time.” Dipper says. “When you gave us the bread. You just came out of the rain to give—” 

Pacifica hushes him, “Shhh, it’s okay.” She places her hand on his forehead. “You feel hot.” 

Dipper chuckles, “I remember first meeting you in Gravity Falls. Hah…The rivalry between you and my sister.” 

Pacifica frowned. 

Dipper continued, “I remember the manor…Where we had to fight a ghost all because you guys didn’t let the ‘poor’ inside.” He laughed. 

“Stop.” Pacifica says to him. 

“After that…I felt a different way about you. You were different. Not like your parents. I began to admire you.” 

Pacifica gulps nervously. 

Dipper frowned, “Well, say something.” He didn’t like how silent she was, and was beginning to regret everything he said. 

Pacifica shook her head subtly, “I’m not good at saying something.” 

“Then come here.” Dipper says. 

Pacifica stares at him. 

“Please.” 

She sighs and puts down the soup. She then lies on his chest. 

It was quiet until Dipper spoke up, “If I don’t make it, tell Mab—” 

Pacifica hushed him, “Shh. Stop it.” She whispered. 

. . .  

The next morning, they woke up from Ronald’s voice again.

 “Attention tributes, attention. Commencing at sunrise, there will be a feast tomorrow at the Cornucopia.  This will be no ordinary occasion, Each of you needs something desperately. And we plan to be generous hosts…” 

“Your medicine.” Pacifica gets up. Dipper looks at her, “You’re not going alone.” 

“Yeah? Well, you need it and you can't walk.” Pacifica says.

“Pacifica, you’re not gonna risk your life for me. I’m not gonna let you.” Dipper tries to grab her arm but she pulls away.

“You’d do it for me, wouldn’t you? How about Mabel?” She retorts.

Dipper shook his head slowly, “Why are you doing this?” 

Pacifica looked at him for a moment, before grabbing his face and kissing him passionately. Dipper kissed back immediately. 

She continued to kiss him, and then she pulled away. 

Dipper looked at her, “Now there’s no way I’m letting you go.” 

“Dipper…” Pacifica frowned. 

“Please.” Dipper pleaded. “Stay.” 

Pacifica sighed, “Okay…I’ll stay.” She gave in to his face. He truly wanted her to stay. 

She snuggled up next to him, and he wrapped his arm around her shoulder. He sighed. 

Later, Pacifica was awake again, and watched as Dipper was crying to himself in his sleep. 

Pacifica cared about him. She cared about him so much that she was still going to get him the medicine anyway. She’s still going to risk her life for that dang Pines kid. 

She grabbed her bow and arrows, and left the cave. 

. . . 

Pacifica was in the bushes, eyeing the Cornucopia. It had four bags, each with a District number on them. 

She was about to jump in but a girl grabbed a bag and ran quickly. That same curly haired girl!

Pacifica then ran to the Cornucopia and grabbed her bag. She was about to run but suddenly Chara appeared and threw a knife at her.

Pacifica yelped and fell to the ground. She had a huge scar across her head. She quickly grabbed out an arrow and aimed it at Chara and shot it. 

Chara dodged and ran up to her.

Pacifica tried to shoot again but Chara jumped on her. They held her to the ground and grabbed out a knife.

Pacifica’s eyes widened as Chara began to try to stab her. Pacifica fought back, avoiding the knife.

“Damn it! Just die!” Chara raged as they grabbed the knife with two hands and aimed it at their neck.

Pacifica moved her neck away, and used her hand to attempt to push Chara off of her. 

Chara freed from her hands, and began to try to stab her again. Pacifica got lucky as the knife was right next to her in the grass, but it got her face.

Chara groaned and took out the knife and hit the other side. They still missed. 

Pacifica rolled them over, and Chara rolled right back on top of her. They stepped on her hand, and held the knife up to her neck. “Where’s loverboy?” They grinned in a creepy manner. 

Pacifica only responded with grunts and tried to free her hands. 

Chara stepped on it harder, “Oh I see…You were trying to help him, weren’t you?”

Pacifica continued to try to free herself, but to no avail. 

“That’s sweet.” Chara giggled. “You know, it’s too bad you couldn’t help your little friend.” 

Pacifica snarled. 

“Your friend…What was her name? The girl who knew how to work glyphs…Luz?”

Pacifica felt herself getting angry.

Chara laughed, “If you didn't know already, we killed her.”

Pacifica was screaming now.

Chara was very much amused, “Yeah, I’m sure you witnessed it. Gregory did a pretty good damn job. But now…I’m going to have to kill you.” 

They grabbed out a smaller knife, and were about to stab Pacifica until a hand grabbed them and threw them onto the wall.

Hunter. 

He slammed them into the wall of the Cornucopia. His hand was on their neck, “You killed her?!”

Chara laughed nervously, “N-No! It was—”

“I heard you! Don't try to bullshit me!” Hunter growled, and tightened his grip. 

Chara had no chance against Hunter, he was much bigger than them. They had no choice, but to call for help. “Kris!” They cried out. 

“You said her name!”

“Kris!” Chara cried out again, and louder. 

“You said her name!” Hunter repeated, as he slammed them against the wall harder. He did it again harder the next time. 

Pacifica watched in shock.

He continued to do so, until he just dropped them on the ground. They were dead. 

Pacifica was shaking, and she looked at Hunter, who was looking right back at her. He was breathing heavily, and his face was slightly red. He looked beyond pissed. 

Hunter goes up to her and points in her face, “Just this time, Twelve!” He looks around, then back at her, “For Luz.” He then turns around and runs off. 

Pacifica gets up, grabs her bag and runs. She then hears the cannon. 

She makes it back to the cave, and goes to Dipper. “Dipper! I got the medicine!” 

Dipper looks up at her, “Wh-What happened to you?” He looked at the scars across her face.

“I’m fine.” Pacifica assures him.

“No, no you're not. What happened?” He asks again, bringing his hand up to her face. 

“The girl from Two. She threw a knife at me but I’m okay.”

“You shouldn’t have gone. You told me you were going to stay.” Dipper says, feeling betrayed. 

“You got worse.” Pacifica says, as she grabbed out the medicine and rubbed it on his wound.

Dipper groaned, and threw his head back. “I’m sorry,” Says Pacifica as she continues to apply it.

He then looked back at Pacifica, “You–You need some of that too.” 

“I’m okay.” Pacifica reassures him.

Dipper sighed, “That–That feels better.” He looked up at Pacifica, “Okay…Now you.”

“I’m okay.” Pacifica says again.

“No, c’mon. You need it too.” Dipper says, “C’mon.” 

Pacifica gives in, “Alright.” She leans closer to his face, as Dipper takes the medicine and applies it on her scars. 

Pacifica gave a light smile, before quickly getting rid of it. Dipper’s hand continued to roam over her scar, then he moved it out of the way. He was admiring her features.

Sure, she looked tattered up and so did he, but he still thinks she looked beautiful. 

That smile, her ocean blue eyes, her hair. He could stare forever. 

She smiled down at him. She knew he was admiring her, and she felt good about it. 

. . . 

The Gamemakers watched. They all had something running through their minds. 

. . .

The next morning, Pacifica and Dipper woke up. Pacifica looked at Dipper and grinned at him, “Hi.” 

Dipper’s eyes widened, and he grabbed her face, “Oh my god, you look much better!” Pacifica felt her face, and the scars were more subtle. 

She got up quickly and looked at Dipper’s leg. His leg looked much better too. 

“Oh my god Dipper!” Pacifica smiled at his leg. 

“I-I could hardly feel anything…!” Dipper smiles back. 

“We could go home.” Pacifica says. She looks at him, and he looks at her in disbelief. “We could. We’re the only team left.” 

“We could go home…” Dipper repeated, and laughed before hugging her. 

She hugged back and took in his warmth. 

She couldn’t believe it. Her and Dipper might end up going home. 

Chapter Text

Dipper and Pacifica walked across the river. Trying to make their way through the water. Dipper seemed to be in a much better state. 

“We know Hunter took off.” Dipper says. 

Pacifica nodded. “Yeah.” 

“Kris is gonna be by the Cornucopia.” Dipper says, looking at Pacifica. “They’re not going to go nowhere they don’t know.” 

He then looks away, “Anne could be anywhere.” 

Pacifica looked at him and nodded again. Anne was the curly haired girl. The girl who was missing a shoe when the games just started. 

Pacifica and Dipper made it to land. “We should hunt around here, we don’t have any food left.” Pacifica states. 

“Okay, I’ll take the bow.” Dipper went up to her, and reached his hand out.

Pacifica raised a brow and frowned. She knew Dipper couldn’t aim for the life of him. 

Dipper chuckled, “I’m joking. I’ll go pick some stuff.” He walks off. He enjoyed seeing Pacifica confused like that. 

Pacifica felt herself smile. It was like things were almost becoming normal again. Almost. 

Pacifica grabbed an arrow from behind her, and placed it on the bow. She aimed it to the ground as she walked to look for food. Or anything edible at this rate. 

She continued to walk until she looked up and saw a bird. She grimaced, but it was something to eat. She aimed the bow up, and got ready to shoot. 

But then she heard a cannon boom. She was caught off guard, and the bird flew away. 

“Pines?!” She turned around immediately and ran to look for him. “Dipper!” 

She kept running until she saw a jacket on the ground that held multiple berries. 

Pacifica felt herself growing more anxious. “No…Dipper!” She ran up to the jacket, and felt it. It was warm.

“Dipper!” She screamed, and continued to search for him. She can’t lose him already! She just won him back.

“Dipper!” She moved a branch out of her way and crashed into Dipper. 

Dipper held onto her shoulders, “What’s wrong? Are you okay?” He took notice of her heavy breathing and the panic on her face. 

“No—I heard the cannon and I thought that—” Pacifica was on the verge of tears, and saw what Dipper was holding. 

“What is that?” She asked. 

Dipper looked at it, “A nightlock berry. If we eat it we’ll be dead in minutes.” 

Pacifica frowned, and hugged him tightly, “Damn it, Pines. You scared me! Damn y-you!” She whimpered. 

Dipper hugged back, his face on top of her shoulder, “I’m sorry.” 

. . .

Dipper and Pacifica looked at Anne’s dead body. Dipper chuckled nervously, “I didn’t know she was following me.” 

Pacifica rolled her eyes, “She’s clever.” 

It seemed that while Dipper was looking for food, Anne was following him all along.

“Too clever.” Dipper adds with a sigh. 

Pacifica bends down and grabs the remaining berries from Anne’s hand. She was disgusted the whole time, but she had an idea.

Dipper looked at her, and raised a brow. “What are you doing?” 

Pacifica looked up at him, “Maybe Kris likes berries too.” 

Dipper smiled, and he looked proud. He and Pacifica then got up and left Anne to rot. 

They continued to walk through the forest. 

“What time is it?” Dipper asks. 

“A little after noon, I think.” Pacifica answers.

“Then why is it so dark already?” The sky was getting darker as he spoke.

Pacifica stifled a laugh, “Must be in a rush to end it.” 

. . .

The Gamemakers were getting to work. Olua was working on something, typing into it. 

Someone else was controlling the sky’s light. They moved the slider to the right. 

Belos went up to Olua, “You ready?”

“Right here, sir.” Olua showed him the thing she was working on.

Belos nodded in approval. “That’s great.” 

It was a canine that looked monstrous. It was bigger and had sharp teeth sticking out of its mouth. It was shown as a hologram. 

“Now, can you put it in the middle?” Belos asked. Olua nodded, and with a couple taps on the screen, the hologram was shown in the middle. 

Some Gamemakers peeked up to look at it. 

Belos grinned, “That's it. That’s perfect.” He rubbed his hands together. 

. . . 

Pacifica and Dipper walked in the dark forest. Pacifica had her bow aimed to the ground, but you could tell she was uncomfortable. 

They both were looking around, and watching their surroundings closely. 

Then a faint growl could be heard. 

Pacifica looks back at Dipper. Dipper was still looking around.

“Pines, did you hear that?” 

Dipper looks around, but doesn’t respond. He continues walking. Pacifica huffs, but continues to follow after him.

They both walked noticeably a bit slower, and looked everywhere. Up. Down. Left. Right. North. East. South. West. Every angle. 

Then suddenly, they heard cries of animals and a man screaming. 

Pacifica looked at Dipper again, “ What was that?” She says a bit more firmly. 

Dipper crosses his arms. “That’s the finale.” 

Then suddenly a cannon boomed. They both looked up, and saw what read “District 11” and showed Hunter’s face. 

The screams belong to Hunter. 

Pacifica felt a shiver down her spine.

She looks at Dipper, “Let’s go.” 

Dipper nods, as they both continue their walk.

Pacifica stepped on a stick, but ignored it. She raised her bow slightly from the ground. 

She then stopped moving, and raised it up, pointing around. She was trembling. 

Dipper came next to her, he was breathing heavily too and his heart was beating quickly. 

They both glanced at each other, then continued to walk, approaching slowly.

They stopped again, Pacifica carefully eyed what was in front of her. Dipper moved to be a little ahead of her, looking around as well. Both were extremely uncomfortable. 

Pacifica aims it down once she realizes there’s no threat. She looks over at Dipper. 

Dipper was squinting his eyes. He saw something, but he didn’t know what. He moved a little closer. 

Out of the bushes came the monstrous canine, or what can be referred to as a mutt. It jumped on Dipper. He yelped and Pacifica quickly shot at it. 

Dipper got up quickly, and they both ran as the mutt growled and recomposed itself. 

The mutt then chased after them.

“Go!” Dipper shouted. 

“What do you think I’m trying to do?!” Pacifica yelled back at him, as she jumped over a log.

Dipper did as well, and the mutt soon after. 

Dipper and Pacifica were running with as much energy as they could. The adrenaline running thick in their veins. 

The mutt growled and continued to chase them. It was going pretty fast. 

. . . 

Belos looked pleased with the sight. Olua added two more mutts into the arena. 

. . . 

Two more mutts appeared and helped the other chase down the teens. 

“Pacifica!” Dipper shouted at her, but she didn’t respond. They were doing obstacle courses through the forest. 

They then ran through the bushes, and ran towards the Cornucopia. 

The mutts continued to bark and growl, as it chased after them. 

They made it to the Cornucopia. Dipper helps Pacifica up, letting her step on his hand. “Here.” 

She gets on top, and lends her hand out, expecting Dipper to grab it. 

Dipper does as expected, and reaches for her hand. As she struggles to pull him up, the mutts begin biting and scratching at his legs.

Pacifica’s eyes widened and she pulled Dipper up. Dipper backed away, feeling pain in his legs now. 

They both watched the mutts attempt to come up, as they scratched on the Cornucopia. 

Suddenly, Pacifica is grabbed and thrown to the ground. She grunts. 

Dipper is punched to the ground. Kris shakes their fist. They were bleeding from their temple. 

Pacifica slowly sat up, as Kris approached her with a sword. She sucked in her teeth, but Dipper tackled Kris to the floor. 

Kris and Dipper wrestled. Pacifica tried to jump in but Kris knocked her to the floor once more. 

Kris grabbed Dipper and attempted to throw him but Dipper grabbed Kris’ shoulders and punched him. 

Kris growled, and punched Dipper’s stomach, knocking him to the ground. Dipper groaned in pain.

Kris then looked at Pacifica, and went up to her. Pacifica tried to back away, but she felt weak in her legs.

Kris continued to approach her, so Pacifica kicked them in their legs, giving her the opportunity to get up. 

Kris snarled at her, and grabbed the sword, and swung it at her. Pacifica dodged and grabbed them by their collar, but Kris was quick to reverse it.

They held her against the edge of the Cornucopia. Pacifica’s head was right by the mutts’ mouth. Kris held her neck, and pushed her head back so the mutts had a higher chance.

Pacifica was choking, and her face was slightly turning blue. Dipper managed to get up and tackle Kris to the ground. Pacifica took this as an opportunity to catch her breath. 

Kris and Dipper fought more, and Pacifica grabbed her bow that she had dropped. She grabbed the closest arrow and pointed it at Kris…who was holding Dipper in a chokehold. 

Dipper was trying to move Kris’ arm, but to no avail.

Pacifica gulped. 

Kris was bloody all over. They were on the verge of death. “Go on, shoot.” They continued to choke Dipper, but Pacifica noticed that Kris was struggling to stand.

They smiled, “Then we’d both go down and you’d win.” Kris whispers in Dipper’s ear, “A shame that you’ll break your sister’s promise again.” 

Dipper tried to fight back, but still to no avail. Kris tightened their arm around his neck. 

Kris chuckled, “Go on. I’m—I’m dead anyway.” 

Pacifica didn’t know what to do at the moment. She continued to aim at Kris. 

“I always was, right?” They laughed. “Didn’t know that ‘till now.” 

They turned and looked around, “How is that? Is that what they want, huh?!” Their arm tightened once more. Dipper could feel his consciousness slipping. 

“No…No!” Dipper responded. 

Pacifica readied the arrow. 

Kris laughed, “Oh?” They tightened their arms once more. “I could do this all day!” 

Pacifica continued to aim the arrow at him.

“I could still do this, Northwest.” Kris smirked. 

Dipper looked at Pacifica. 

Kris continued, “One more kill. It’s the only thing I ever knew how to do.” They chuckled. “Bring pride to my district.” 

Pacifica took a deep breath.

“Not that it matters—” Kris was cut off as Pacifica aimed the arrow at his hand and shot it. They shouted in pain as Dipper took the chance to strike back. 

He knocked Kris off the Cornucopia. The mutts ran over to them and began to munch. Kris was screaming in pain.

“Please!” They choked out.

Pacifica and Dipper looked down at them. Pacifica grabbed her bow and arrow, and aimed it right at Kris. 

“No!” Kris cried out. 

Pacifica gulped, as Kris begged her to end them, “Please!” 

Pacifica shot it at Kris’ head, and the screaming stopped. 

The mutts then stopped, and walked away after having their way. No point in trying to kill what’s already dead.

Pacifica and Dipper looked down at Kris’ body. They then looked at each other and smiled. 

They then heard the cannon boom. Kris was gone. Everyone was gone. It was just them two left in the arena. 

They both gave each other a hug. Pacifica tightly held onto Dipper. Dipper rubbed her back, and placed his head on top of her shoulder.  

The arena began to become lighter, as the teenagers got off the Cornucopia. 

They look around, seeing if anything else will attack them.

“Attention tributes, attention,” Says Ronald, causing them to look up and listen, “there has been another slight rule change.” 

Pacifica looked at Dipper, who wasn’t looking at her. She readied her bow and arrow.

“The previous revision, allowing for two victors from the same district has been… revoked . Only one victor may be crowned.” Ronald continued to say. 

Pacifica and Dipper looked at each other. 

“Good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favor.” Ronald added. 

Pacifica drops her bow and arrow. “Go ahead.” 

Dipper was about to say something, but bit his lip.

“One of us should go home. Besides, you have Mabel, right? She needs you, Pines.” Pacifica says again, as she kicks the bow to Dipper. 

Dipper picks it up. He didn’t know what to do with it, let alone use it. 

Pacifica sighed, “One of us has to die. They need to have their victor.” 

Dipper took a deep breath, and dropped the bow. He whispered quietly to himself, “I’m sorry Mabel.” 

He then went up to Pacifica, “No.” 

Pacifica raised her brow, “No? What do you mean ‘no’?” 

“They don’t deserve a victor.” Dipper says, as he was right in front of her face. “Why should they?” 

Dipper holds out the nightlock berries. Pacifica gasps and covers it with her hand. “No…!”

“Trust me, Pacifica.” Dipper whispers to her. Pacifica nods slowly, and Dipper places some berries on her hand. 

Pacifica looks up at him with unassurance. 

. . . 

“Uh…sir.” A Gamemaker points at the screen. Belos turns around, and sees Pacifica and Dipper holding the nightlock berries. 

He has disbelief on his face. There was no way they were going to do this. 

. . .

Mabel was watching the screen. Everyone in District Twelve was outside now. 

Mabel gulped back her sobs. She used the sleeve of her sweater to cover her whimpers. 

Stan and Ford glance at each other. Both unsure if they should feel proud or upset. 

. . .

Ewan watched the screen with multiple others. He sighed and shook his head. 

. . . 

“Together?” Pacifica asks. Dipper nods, “Together.” 

Pacifica nods slowly, “Okay…” She still sounded unsure, but she was ready whenever he was. 

“One.” Dipper says. 

Pacifica hesitates for a moment, “Two.” She noticed that Dipper took some hair and held it, soothing it with his thumb. 

Pacifica looks at Dipper, and he looks at her back. “Three.” They both are about to put the berries in their mouth, but Ronald’s voice stops them.

“Stop!” 

They both lowered the berries. 

“Stop!” Ronald shouted again. Pacifica and Dipper looked up and around. 

“Ladies and gentlemen, may I present the winners of the 74th Hunger Games.” 

Chapter Text

Pacifica and Dipper looked at each other, before hugging each other tightly. They didn’t let go. They couldn’t believe that they actually won. Pacifica couldn’t believe she won.

They hear the sounds of a plane, and they look up. An aircraft is coming down from the sky to pick them up.

It was over. 

It was actually over. 

. . . 

“They’re not happy with you.” Ewan told Dipper. 

“Why? Because we didn’t die?” Dipper crossed his arms.

“You stood them up.” 

“Well,” Dipper sighed and leaned against the railing, “I’m sorry it didn’t go the way they planned. You know, I’m not very happy with—” 

“Mason.” Ewan said firmly and turned to look at him. Dipper looked back. “This is serious. Not just for you. They don’t take these things lightly.” 

. . .

Belos was walking in the middle of two peacemakers. They were guiding him to God knows where. It was instructed by Damion. 

They made it to where there was a golden table holding a bowl with something inside. 

Belos went in and heard the doors’ click behind him. He looked in front of him, stepping closer, but then backing away. He went back to the doors, and realized he was locked inside. 

He sighed, and went up to the golden table. He looked inside the bowl. 

Inside the bowl were nightlock berries. 

. . . 

Pacifica was getting ready to be interviewed by Roy. She was in a  light blue nice dress, with some white at the ends. Her hair was tied in a low bun, and she had some eyeshadow on.

“When they ask…You say he couldn’t help himself. You were so in-love with this boy that the thought of being away from him was unthinkable.” Ewan explained to Pacifica, “You’d rather die than not be with him. Understood?” 

Pacifica nods slowly, as she goes out and Roy begins to interview her and Dipper.

“How did you feel when you found him by that river?” Roy still had his charismatic self. 

Pacifica hesitated for a moment, looking at the ground, then looking at Roy, “I—I felt like the happiest person in the world.” 

Roy smiles. 

Dipper subtly smiles.

Pacifica smiles too. The crowd watches. Some people in disbelief and others in awe. 

“I couldn’t imagine a life without him.” Pacifica looks at Dipper. Dipper shows his smile a bit more now. Dipper grabs Pacifica’s hand, and holds it. 

Roy watches in surprise. “Well, Mr. Mason, how about you?” 

Dipper looks at Roy, “She saved my life.”

“We saved each other.” Pacifica adds. 

Awes could be heard from the crowd. 

“Ladies and gentlemen, the star-crossed lovers from District Twelve,” Roy says. 

Dipper looks at the audience with a smile. A smile that holds a lot of meaning. 

Pacifica looks at Dipper, then looks at the audience with a forceful smile. 

“This year’s victors of the 74th Annual Hunger Games!” Roy says loudly as he raises his fist in the air. 

The audience is clapping and cheering very loudly. 

. . .  

Damion grabbed a crown, and placed it on Pacifica’s head. Dipper watched as he placed it on her head. He could tell Pacifica was judging Damion in her head.

Pacifica was uncomfortable at how close she was with the President. His long black nails, his two teeth that are noticeably sharper than the others, his black with gray streaks hair that was slicked back, his yellow eyes. 

“Congratulations.” Damion says, sounding unmeaningful. 

“Thank you.” Pacifica responds quietly. 

Damion looks at her sleeve, and moves it back slightly and notices the pin. “What a lovely pin.” 

“Thank you, it’s from—” She was going to say Rosabella, but maybe it was best to not mention her, “From my district.” 

Damion doesn’t smile, “They must be very proud of you.” He turns around, and walks off. 

Pacifica gulps, but doesn’t say or do anything. 

Dipper is still looking over, knowing how she felt. She clearly was anxious and uncomfortable.

. . . 

This was it. It was time to head back home. Pacifica and Dipper were on the train that would take them back to Gravity Falls. 

They were both looking out the window. Watching as the trees and mountains went by.

Pacifica continues to look out the window, “What happens when we get back?” 

Dipper doesn’t look at her. “I’m unsure, but I guess we try to forget.” 

Pacifica nodded in agreement. 

Dipper spoke again, “But…I don’t think I want to forget.” 

Dipper and Pacifica made it back home, and were waving as their District cheered from them. 

Dipper was waving until he noticed Mabel who was on Stan’s shoulders. She had a big grin on her face. She continued to wave. 

Stan had a proud look on his face. Dipper saw Ford next to him, who had a smile on his face. 

Dipper felt better. He felt accomplished. He felt content. He felt pride. 

Pacifica held his hand, then raised them up, causing more cheers to erupt. 

Stan leaned over to Ford, whispering in his ear, “I mean if he really likes those dumb blondes…” 

“Stanley!” Ford whisper-shouted.

Stan shrugged, and leaned back. “I don’t judge.” 

Ford rolled his eyes, as everyone continued to cheer for the teenagers. 

. . . 

Damion watched the District cheer happily. He felt disappointed, unaccomplished, and a fool. 

District Twelve hardly ever wins, and the fact that the both of them were able to go home bothered him more than it should’ve. 

Damion gritted his teeth. He hated this. He was in the Gamemakers room, where Belos used to lead. 

He had to do something to prove to those kids he isn’t the one to mess with. He felt humiliated. He felt like an utter fool.

No God wants to be labeled that way, right? 

Then someone came up to him, “Something bothering you, love?” Asked a man in a purple suit. 

Damion looked at him, and snarled. “I’m fine, Dice.” He turned around, and went up the stairs.

Dice chuckled, “Don’t go killing innocent people.” Damion responded with a gruff. 

Dice rolled his eyes playfully, and adjusted his light purple tie. 

Chapter Text

Mabel gave Dipper many hugs and kisses. She was so happy and proud of Dipper. Being the first Pines member to win the games. 

Like said earlier, their grandfather didn’t make it out of the games. 

Mabel, Stan, and Ford would ask him many questions. He didn’t answer all of them, since he felt uncomfortable. 

He didn’t like all those deaths that happened, and he was responsible for most of them. 

Mabel was hurt by the deaths, but she was mostly happy with the fact that Dipper was alive and well. She was thankful that she was able to say “Yeah, I have a brother”. She could also brag how he won the Hunger Games. 

But Dipper had a nagging feeling. He had a feeling that something new was happening. He feels like a new chapter  just started. 

Stan and Ford understood that things probably won’t be normal as they used to be. But they’ll adapt soon, hopefully. 

Dipper spoke with Pacifica, and she told him her true feelings. She felt scared. She felt anxious. 

Her parents weren't exactly proud, but they were excited for the Northwest reputation. Pacifica sometimes wished that Chara killed her. 

Dipper assured her that she’s alive for a reason. She just needs to find it. 

She took in his words. In a way, she agreed. Dipper told her about his feeling of unease as well. 

She definitely agreed that a new chapter was beginning.