[IC] Battle of the Leviathans (X-Men/Hunger Games RP)

[WhiteStar19]

In the night, there was a touch of fear the hung over the System. Some Leviathans did not sleep, and those who did had trouble. The Choosing Ceremonies for the Sixty Eighth Battle were tomorrow and with no male or female ratios, only having your name in once, it was anyone who could be chosen. The normal humans slept soundly, as did those on the Council, for they knew they were safe from the terrors that the Gamemaker had created this year. No one ever knew what he was thinking, what horrors that he could come up with each year to destroy fifteen innocent lives and brutally terrorize one. No one understood how he could do what he did and still sleep at night, but he could.

Each year, the Gamemaker would watch from his control room near the edge of the Arena and watch as his creations, his madness, came to life to chase down many young Leviathans in the Arena, and every year he did not fail to bring his unique style to the Battle. He was so good at his job that he has never been replaced since he replaced the old Gamemaker when he was twenty years old, during the Sixtieth Battle, one that was special as it marked the sixth decade of Battles. The theme for that year was every even Sector got to send in one more person than the opposing Sectors. To help balance things out, as the Council wanted an amazing fight, he created a mountain, having each Sector, starting on the opposing sides of the mountain. Sector Three won that year, but no one could forget it. And they have kept him on as Gamemaker since.

The sun began to rise, extending golden streams across the dark blue sky, calling awake those who could not sleep and those with troubled nightmares of previous Battles. Children curled up tighter in bed while of-age Leviathans clambered slowly out of bed, knowing that if they were late to the Choosing Ceremonies, they would be severely punished by the Council. Many of them, as they were not required to but chose to all the same, put on nice clothing for the cameras and everyone that would be there. The remain few put on comfortable clothing, ones that they could be able to run in, as one year the Battlers complete skipped training and went directly into the Arena in the stuff that they had worn to the Choosing Ceremonies. The ones in nice clothing failed to win, but those who had chosen to where comfortable, maneuverable clothes lasted for awhile.

All across the system, the sun woke up each of the Sectors, even the Shadow Sectors, and called all to its morning song. The Choosing Ceremonies would be starting soon, all at the same time, with Sector One beginning at noon and Sector Eight beginning at seven P.M. their time with all the other Sectors in between. All of the times would line up, thus people would be able to see who was chosen at the exact same time. All around the country, people worried, waited, staring at the clocks with anticipation, before each clock struck their pattern, signalling noon in Sector One, one in Sector Two, two in Sector Three, three in Sector Four, four in Sector Five, five in Sector Six, six in Sector Seven, and seven in Sector Eight. Crowd had gathered from all over to watch the short Ceremonies.

It was time to begin.

Sector One

---

Sector One:

Broadcasting on channels of every television, the first Choosing started at about noon. The Leviathans of the city crowded in the city square, staring up at a large stage that had been built in front of the city capitol. A Council member, a male by the look of it, sat in the front seats, with the Sector president and the Mayor of Igniam back behind him. A glass ball, in front of a microphone, gleamed at the crowd intensely. The sunlight, bouncing off the glass and into the eyes of the Leviathans, was bright and unyielding, caring not for those that awaited their fate.

As the clock struck noon, the Councilman stood up and approached the ball. He held up his hands and the muttering that had been going on seconds before quickly quieted down to dead silence. The entire city square stared at him. Normal humans watched from buildings as Leviathans were pushed into the center.

"Welcome everyone," the Councilmen said. "I will not keep you all waiting as long as other Sectors might, but I will say this. You are doing a great favor to those of us who cannot fight, as watching you fight depletes the will in all of us to fight. You are doing a great honor to be a part of this because you are keeping the system safe from war and violence and we thank you for it." He took a deep breath. He had two children in that Leviathan crowd today. "Let's begin." He stepped up to the glass ball and spun it around. The pieces of paper tumbled around, mixing and mashing. He stopped it with a shaky palm and opened up the lid. He reached down into it and plucked up a piece of paper.

"Our first Leviathan is... Jonas Shinra," he announced. No sooner had he said this than a large cheer came up from the crowd as a man with dark hair and eyes made his way onto the stage. He smirked and waved to the crowd, rolling his eyes as they cheered for him.

The Councilman had to wait a full couple minutes until the crowd calmed down. He ran a hand through his hair and said, "Alright, the second one." He spun the ball again, but this time for less time. He stopped it and quickly plucked a paper off the top. He opened it up and said, "Our second Leviathan is... Ember Wave."

There was no cheer for this one as the crowds parted to reveal a young woman with a five year old clinging to her hip. Everyone knew of Ember, or at least knew about Ash. Most Leviathans didn't have children until after they were out of Battle age, but Ember was a different story. The Councilmen swallowed hard as Ember made her way upstage with her daughter on her hip. None of the police could bear to separate the two at the moment. "These are your two battlers." The Councilmen ended his speech and turned away.

Sector Two

---

Sector Two:

The ceremonies continued as the day progressed. Another Sector, another Councilman, another gathering of apprehensive young Leviathans. It was a solemn day for everyone, but the mood was especially present in the Aquanatic City. Here, there was a strong sense of unity between the people. Even as the Leviathans gathered in the open space in front of the city hall, a smattering of regular humans - their friends and family - mixed and intermingled with the crowd. A few held hands tightly, as though that were enough to keep their loved ones safe.

A small table had been placed on the front steps of the city hall. The glass sphere, filled with the names of all the Water Leviathans, rested atop it. To the left stood the Council representative, a tall man with a stern look about him. To the right, the Mayor of the Aquanatic City, a calm-looking woman whose hair was just beginning to show signs of salt-and-pepper grey. By the end of the day, she was quite certain she would be a few shades greyer. Clearing her throat, she leaned forward to speak into the microphone. "Hello, citizens of Sector Two. I'd like to thank you all for being here today," she said. Her voice was solemn, sincere. "I hope that I speak for everyone when I say that it means a great deal to see such a crowd gathered to support our Leviathans. And to those who will be chosen to represent the Aquanatic City, know that we will continue to stand behind you."

A murmur - of agreement or contempt, it was unclear - passed through the crowd. Without further delay, the woman stepped back, giving a nod to the stern Councilman. He stepped forward, his curt demeanor contrasting sharply with the Mayor's sincerity. One hand reached into the glass ball, drawing out two slips of paper simultaneously.

His eyes scanned the crowd as he unfolded the papers. This man wasted no time on speeches or thanks, but cut straight to the point. "The Leviathans for Sector Two are...Ewan Boyd, and Gareth Corrigan." He paused a moment, and then repeated the names. "Ewan Boyd. Gareth Corrigan. Please come to the front."

A young man with wavy blond hair approached the stage from the left, while another young man with dark brown, short hair approached from the right. Both men were silent and had straight faces as they walked up onstage and stood next to the Councilman.

"Ladies and gentlmen," the Councilman said. "Help me in welcoming your two Battlers." There was very minimal applause, as most had their eyes trained on the emotionless faces of the two new Battlers. With these two going, it was going to be a Battle that everyone had to see.

Sector Three

---

Sector Three:

The Choosing for Sector Three took place high above the ground. A large building, perched in the treetops, built around the natural pathways of the branches. A treehouse large enough to accomodate all of the Sector's Earth Leviathans, and a substantial quantity of onlookers. The established crowd was lively. Discussions were varied, ranging from who would be selected for the Battle to what people would be having for dinner that night. But nearly everyone was talking. People were placing bets on those that they know and those most likely to get drawn. They were also placing bets on which Sector they think would win, most of them choosing Sector Three out of pride.

Everyone quieted as a Councilwoman approached the stage. The Mayor of the city was absent, sick in his bed, but his daughter was there, her face taunt and tired looking. The Councilwomen smiled and gave the introductions. Many of the Leviathans were restless, adjusting and readjusting as they waited to hear who got called.

"Alright, here we go!" the Councilwoman said, a little bit of excitement lighting up her young face. She dropped her hand into the glass ball and pulled up a slip. She clutched it in her left hand as she reached in again with her right and pulled out another slip. "Your two Battlers are... Ariette Forge and Raven Lamenti."

Both candidates were female, and both were young. The similarities stopped there. The first was short, but powerfully built, with dark red hair and an angry scowl. As she stomped up to the stage, those she passed could distinctly hear her mutter something along the lines of "This is bullshit..." under her breath. The second girl, a young thing with lighter hair and eyes, approached slowly, scowling at the Councilwoman as she made her way upstage. She made a smart mouth remark to the Councilwoman, which she ignored, as she stood up on the stage and the Councilwoman ended to the Choosing.

Sector Four

---

Sector Four:

In their outdoor theatre area, the Leviathans and humans gathered, the Leviathans sitting the front rows while the humans stood toward the back, peering around each other to get a look at the stage, where no Councilman or woman stood. Instead, the President of Sky City, as many refered to her as, stepped forward as the clock tolled. Many of the Leviathans cringed until its sound, but the President didn't seem to notice the terror or fear in the Leviathans' eyes. Her pale eyes scanned over the area and she raised her hand. The talking quieted to murmurs.

"Welcome, one and all, to the Sixty Eighth Choosing Ceremony of Sky City," she said ceremoniously, and normal humans politely clapped in the back while the Leviathans stayed silent. "As most of you know, the reason why we do this is so the terrors of war and violence and be put to a stop through all of you." She guestured out to the Leviathans in the crowd. "Without the Battle, war would never cease and more than fifteen people would be lost each year." The Leviathans cringed again. "You are doing the System a huge favor and we all thank you for it. Know that whichever of you are chosen, whichever go into the Arena and die on the Arena, you will always been on our minds and in our hearts."

She clapped her hands together and smiled. "Alright! Let's get started." Instead of a glass bowl, a Leviathan had created a wind tunnel tube. The President shut the lid and a small tornado whirled inside of it. Suddenly, a slip of paper shot out and the President caught it. She unfolded it and said, "The first canidate is... Rosi Aioto." A funny young fellow with blond hair and blue eyes made his way up to the stage, smiling and waving at the crowd. He stood next to the President as she turned back toward the tunnel. Another slip of paper, only moments after she turned, shot out and the President caught it with ease. "Our second canidate is... Erika Desalle." There was silence through the crowd for several moments. The President had just opened her mouth to call the name again, when she saw motion. A dark-haired, light-eyed woman came forward from the very back of the Leviathan crowd. She walked slowly and offered no smiles, looking slightly shell-shocked at having heard her name.

The President smiled as Erika got up on stage and turned back to the crowd. "And that is it. Wish these two luck as they are whisked off to the Training Facility to do us proud!" The Leviathans just stared as the humans cheered and waved as the two were escorted off stage.

Sector Five

---

Sector Five:

Leviathans from across the weather sector made their way to the Choosing Ceremonies, travelling via countless roads and pathways through the mountains. They gathered in the center of the largest community, around the edge of an empty quarry. The Leviathans appeared to be arranged in small groups, segregated from the regular people of course, but further segregated within their own specialties. Lightning manipulators stood off to the side. The temperature-changers gathered in a huddle at the very centre. Weaker Leviathans, those who could merely sense the incoming weather but do little more, had moved to the very back.

An outcropping of rock served as the stage for the Councilwoman and Sector Mayor- both severe-looking women with a harsh glare in their eyes. Their gaze seemed to reflect the tension that was obvious through the crowd. There was a static in the air, and thunder boomed in the distance. It was unlikely that one single Leviathan was the source of the distant storm - a half dozen, at least, were probably responsible. The Councilwoman stepped foward, tapping the microphone to gather everyone's attention.

"Hello, all," she said sweetly, exposing dimples in her cheeks as she grinned. "I hope you all are ready. I won't bother going through the exposition. Many of you have been here and I'm sure you all know what it is about. If you do not know, just as the person to your right." A few of the eighteen year olds turned to their right and asked the closest person who was older than them, who began explaining the exposition to them.

The Councilwoman reached a hand into the glass sphere. As she did so, the crackling in the air seemed to intensify, and a few of the policemen placed hands on their weapons. Just in case. She pulled out a slip of paper, and unfolded it. "The first Leviathan....is Alva Zolkin!"

A very lean young woman stepped forward from the centre huddle - the group that could manipulate temperature. She made her way to the front and stared out at the gathered crowd. The Councilwoman and President each acknowledged Alva with a nod, and proceeded onto the next. This time, the President pulled out the name, and called it out in a voice just slightly quieter than the Councilwoman's. "And the next, is Hekat Bakshi."

The second candidate, a copper-skinned woman with her hair pulled back in a thick braid, walked briskly up to the front. She stood beside the other contestant, posture rigid, feet shoulder-width apart, looking ready to fight. "Let's congratulate our Leviathans," the Mayor said, igniting a smattering of applause throughout the crowd.

Sector Six

---

Sector Six:

Many of the Leviathans in the light area did not sleep, due to the extreme amounts of light that came from everywhere. Now, they gathered in a theatre, sitting politely down in front of the stage with a glass ball. A Councilman with grey streaks in his black hair sat in one of the front rows, with the Mayor next to him. The Mayor was a young woman, who, after only being elected a few months ago, was now at her first Choosing Ceremony as Mayor. She would not speak at today's Ceremony, but watch the Councilman for a reference as to what she would do in the future.

As people finally closed the doors, the Councilman walked up onto the stage and cleared his throat. All of the Light Leviathans immediately quieted down. The Councilman, tired of giving the same speech every year, said, "You know what? I'm not even going to bother with a greeting. Let's just see which two of you lucky bastards get to go into the arena." The Councilman had just recently come off a divorce and was a bit bitter.

He quickly drew out two names and sighed. "The canidates are... Vicki Vostrum and Emily Duran. Whoopty do." The Leviathans politely clapped as a woman with short blond hair and another girl with long blond hair made their way upstage. They nodded to the crowd before they were whisked away by the Councilman.

Sector Seven

---

Sector Seven:

By the time that everyone gathered for the choosing in Sector Seven, the sun had just touched down on the horizon, throwing the city into the appropriate darkness of twilight. With a population comprised solely and entirely of Leviathans, they had elected to host the ceremonies in the largest available public space, an outdoor ampitheatre in the heart of the capital city. There were a few lights around the perimeter, but most of the Leviathans had no issue seeing in the semi-darkness.

The ampitheatre was the only source of life throughout the Sector. All of the Leviathans had gathered. Anyone who was above the age of Choosing had still shown up. They had been through this before, and knew the stress and anxiety. Those who were still too young to be chosen were also present, knowing that someday they would stand in the crowd of Leviathans between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five.

A stage, comprised of a dark matter that could only be solid shadows, had been erected at the front of the crowd. There stood the Council representative, a young male who had been elected into office only months prior, and the Sector Mayor, a well-put together woman with a neat bun and a crisp black blazer. She stepped forward confidently, and spoke into the microphone. "Thank you all for being here. Now, let's not waste any time." She waved a hand to the Councilman, clearly not wanting to prolong the ceremony any longer than was necessary. She preferred the method of ripping the band-aid off quickly.

The Councilman moved forward uncertainly, and reached a hand into the collection of names. He withdrew two, and unfolded the first. Clearing his throat, he leaned forward to the mic, calling out, "The first Leviathan for Sector Seven... Xander Michaels? Please come forward."

There was motion at the front of the crowd. A curly haired man made his way to the stage. As he climbed the stairs, a murmur went through the crowd. He was noticeably one who was unfortunately poor in these parts. Pity flickered in the Councilman's eyes, but at a nudge from the Sector Mayor, he quickly unfolded the second slip of paper. "And the second, is Levi Duran."

The crowd parted again, making way for a tall, dark-haired youth. He moved silently onto the stage, the disinterested expression on his face not wavering for a second. The Mayor took charge once more, swiftly ending the ceremony and ushering the two away.

Sector Eight

---

Sector Eight:

The sun was low on the horizon by the time the Sector Eight Choosing began, painting the gathering area in vibrant golden light. The square was paved with stone, a massive sculpture standing in its center—a pillar of gilded stone carved with all manner of birds and beasts. Boulevards and avenues led from the square in all directions to the tall, glass-walled spires that characterized Sector Eight, each floor climate-controlled to suit either their human or animal inhabitants.

The square, however, was crowded by entirely human individuals. A naturally curious lot, there were quite a few pockets of non-Leviathans, come to observe and possibly even take notes on their supernaturally powered fellows. The Leviathans themselves, however, had split into groups, talking nervously or just taking what comfort they could from each other's presence.

A stage of woven wicker had been set up in front of the sculpture, and there stood the tall, massively built Councilwoman and petite Mayor that represented the Sector. The Councilwoman surveyed the gathered crowd with a critical eye, while the Mayor stood balanced on her toes in an almost birdlike posture, lips moving minutely as she rehearsed the lines she'd used for a handful of Choosings during her short time in office.

Then, the clock finally chimed seven, and the Mayor startled, head jerking up before she smiled and stepped forward eagerly to the leather-cased microphone.

"Hello!" she chirped, "And welcome to the Sixty-Eighth Choosing Ceremony! I extend my greetings to you all, and to all I wish good luck. Our most esteemed Councilwoman Janus will select the names. Know that if you are selected, we all hold you in our hearts and wish you our sincerest congratulations on your journey to the Arena. Councilwoman? If you will?"

The gathered Leviathans exchanged sardonic looks at the Mayor's cheerfulness, but all murmuring ceased as the Councilwoman stepped forward with a severe look. The mountain of a woman paused before a large gilded cage. Slips of paper fluttered inside, folded into the shapes of birds and insects and enchanted to flit about by an older Leviathan. With no pretense at ceremony, the Councilwoman took a large golden key from her belt, unlocked the door to the filigree cage, and plunged her hands inside. After a brief moment of fishing about in which the entire Sector seemed to hold its breath, she'd caught two paper birds in her hands, and pulled them out with care so as not to crush the delicate things.

The Councilwoman stepped to the microphone, a paper swan in one hand, a beetle in the other. She made no introductions, only unfolded the origami structures and, with a raised eyebrow, announced the names in a voice like a tiger's growl.

"Evangeline Clark," she rumbled out, and a young woman with strawberry blond hair made her way up onto the stage. She looked slightly like a cheerleader, but from the way she cracked her knuckles, she was not to be messed with. The Councilwoman watched impassively, then turned to the unfolded swan resting in her other palm.

"And Meredith Mackenzie." This name also garnered an outburst, but only from one man—a hunched figure whose hand stretched out forlornly after the figure now moving forward. She stalked towards the stage with an almost catlike grace, face drawn into a scowl as she muttered something under her breath.

When the two young women stood side-by-side on the stage, the Mayor darted forward, smiling cheerfully as she spouted a few more practiced lines. The Councilwoman simply turned on her heel and left, ending the ceremony more effectively than any rhetoric.

Once the Battlers were chosen, they all would be lead to a train, each one different from any of the other Sectors. They would all depart at the same time, heading all to the same place, but all of them feeling very different things. The trains would take them to the Training Facility, which resided outside of Sector One. That way they could all be in the same time zone, same place, and they would get to know each other. They would stay there for a few days, each on a different floor coinciding with their sector, before getting thrown into the Arena, which no one even knows what the Arena looks like. As they train in the Facility, the Leviathans will inevitably hear and see hints about the layout and design of this year's Arena. But for the general public, the citizens of each of the sectors, it will be a secret until the moment the Battle begins.

Throughout all of the festivities, however long they might be, as they could be headed right into the Arena or going for just a few days, or going to the Facility for a few months, cameras would follow the new Battlers, almost everywhere they go, even into their rooms and into the Arena, though the Arena cameras are stationary or controlled by bots. The ones in the Arena will not be as visible as the ones following them, but the glint of the glass on the lens would be unmistakeable. Alliances would be forged, hearts would be broken, sweat, blood, death, and tears would all go into this, but the outcome could not be predicted until people watched the bits of the training over their television screens.

Everyone, even the humans, knows what the point of the Battle is for the Leviathans: Get in, Be the Best, Survive, and Stay Alive.

But only one can walk out of that Arena.

[GreenGrenade]

---

Sector Two:

_{~A Collab between GreenGrenade and Lord Wraith~}

The crowd stared up at him, and Gareth stared right back, accepting his fate in silence as emotions threatened to billow to the surface. A cold breeze bit into his skin, goosebumps breaking to the surface. He swallowed past a lump in his throat as he pictured Danny, just turned eighteen, watching the broadcast in their shelter, unable to do anything as his older brother was sentenced to death. Helpless.

Gareth shut his eyes. What was he going to do? He couldn't just leave Danny, not like their father did. He had to say something.

"Danny," he said, eyes finding a camera. No one else was there anymore. It was just him and the lense. "Danny, I need you to stay strong. It's going to be okay, you hear me? I'm not going to die out there. I promise. I'm so sorry, buddy." His breath shook as he exhaled. "I'll see you soon, okay?"

Closing his eyes, Ewan slightly bowed his head upon being chosen, accepting his fate. Looking up towards the crowd with unblinking eyes, Ewan looked around as the people of Sector two stood with their Leviathans. There was no cheering here, there was no shouts of excitement, there was only a somber mood that hung over Aquanatic City. Raising two fingers in a salute, Ewan turned to lock eyes with Gareth as he nodded. They would fight but only because the Council demanded it, not because they wanted to. From this moment on, everyone outside of Sector two would be nothing more than a shark or crocodile to Ewan. A dangerous animal in his way that needed to be removed.

Rough hands suddenly strongly gripped Ewan's arms as his salute was forced down and his arm pushed behind his back. Escorting the Leviathan towards the train, Ewan struggled against them looking back at the seemingly subdued Gareth. Were these not members of Aquanatic City, Ewan would have drawn upon his powers and submerged them under hundreds of pounds of water, but yet even these men now were only doing their job. The hiss of the train doors broke Ewan from his thoughts as he was roughly shoved inside. Stumbling before regaining his footing, Ewan moved to exit the cabin only to find the doors refused to open. With one last physical protest, he slammed his fist against the metal doors before reluctantly stepping back and lowering his arms in defeat.

"No point in doing that," said Gareth, massaging his arms where the men had grabbed him. "We're doing this, if we want to or not." He looked up, meeting Ewan's gaze. "The Council gets what it wants." His jaw tightened as he remembered his mother, staring down the barrel of a gun, a crowd of people watching in fascination and fear.

Live, Gareth. Live.

He flinched as the shot rang through his memory, recalling the way his mother had slumped to the ground, blood pooling around her head. He'd never forgotten that morning, the way it had changed his life forever, how powerless he'd felt. And now, Danny was going to be put through it, too. This wasn't how it was supposed to be.

"If you're the one that kills me," he said, his eyes begging Ewan, "Please, make it quick. I don't want my brother to see me suffer."

"The Council needs to know we don't want to be doing this. Just because we were born with abilities others don't have, doesn't mean we should be forced to fight and kill for their entertainment." Ewan sighed before slumping into his seat. "If enough of us could put aside our differences, if enough of us could go against what's expected of us, we could put an end to the games." As Gareth talked, Ewan shook his head.

"I won't be the one to kill you, Sector two above all else works together. No one was happy to send us into the games and no one would take pleasure in either of us killing the other. I propose an alliance." Ewan said before continuing further. "We're going to get to meet our competitors before they toss us into whatever death trap they have planned right? That's how it usually works anyways" Pausing, he turned towards Gareth as a slight edge of excitement began to infiltrate his voice. "We make allies, find people like us who don't want to fight, expand our alliance. There will be others like you who have family, others who don't want to kill or fight for the amusement of others. We could start a revolution as long as we get allies, if you're in that is?" Ewan's question hung in the air as he concluded his statement, his keen eyes watching Gareth for any sort of positive reaction.

Gareth stayed silent as he processed what Ewan had said. An alliance? A revolution? How did he know that the other competitors won't just turn around and stab them in the back? How was he so sure that he wouldn't? Yes, there would be strength in numbers. Yes, they would stand more of a chance. But how good is an alliance when no one trusts each other? Gareth laid his head in his hands, running his fingers through his hair. Eventually, he looked up.

"Okay. I'm in." For Danny. For mom.

[Dark Light]

Sector 7
-Levi-

Dressed for battle, sturdy dark leathers line his skin under his cloak. Levi's thumb carefully caresses the fine blade of one of his many concealed knives. While the whole crowd hang heavily on the announcers every word Levi stares at the ground in meditative thought. Today was his day, he would save someone's life by volunteering himself in their spot. It would cause a controversial stir, not that he cared. His mind was made up and yet for some reason he still hadn't been able to sleep a single peep the previous night. He knew what needed to be done, he clenched his empty fist so tight it hurt confirming and re inciting his determination. It was no big deal, he cared little for the fights this was just a thing that needed to be done, another fight to win. Then why was he plagued by nerve's...

But then his control over the situation was was suddenly ripped from him, and he was hit heavily leaving him breathless as choice was taken away and everything quickly veered unexpectedly into a unforeseen darkness, away from his vision.
'Levi Duran' his name was repeated. This scenario had never entered his mind and it momentarily halted his composure. Quick to recover he closed the small distance between him and the stage. The crowd parted as he shoved through. In silence he comprehend the consequences of the unlikely event and cursed himself for not for seeing it. 'Xander Michaels', this was his punishment for arrogance. 'Dammit,' Levi thought to himself, if a second name was drawn he would probably have taken Xander's position giving himself a better fighting chance. He felt his gut twisting in his stomach as he found himself on stage standing before and looking down at the street rat with an un-hidden disdain and disappointment.

His elite expression so clear on his face that the crowd, no the whole world could probably see the way his malevolent eyes measured her as worthless, it would draw him no favours but 'screw them all' he thinks to himself. He was Levi Duran, he had spent his whole life training for this, he didn't need no one!
Turning his back on the crowd he purposefully heads towards the train leaving Xander behind.

[hoppiholla391]

Hekat Bakshi

And all at once, time seemed to grind to a halt as Hekat's name was called. She was frozen for a moment, lips parting in shock as she stared up at the Councilwoman. Distantly, the rumble of thunder seemed to be growing louder, and somehow through the silence she heard the faintest sob.

That would be Amma, then, she thought numbly, keeping her face turned forward to avoid her mother's anguished eyes as she forced her feet to start moving towards the stage. As the last living Bakshi leviathan, there were no family members to embrace her—no comfort but to glare back into the steely gaze of the Councilwoman as she ascended the steps.

She'd thought, for a moment, when Zolkin had been called, that she was safe. That this would pass as a momentary shot of adrenaline like the last three Choosings she'd been forced to attend. That she'd be able to go back to the too-crowded tenement housing at the end of the day, look out over the side of the mountain she called home, and continue to plan patiently like she'd done for the last seven years.

Fate, it seemed, had other ideas.

As Hekat took her place to the left of the Mayor, she clenched her hands together behind her back—both to project a solid stance and to hide her shaking hands from her family. After the initial moment of stunned blankness, panic had quickly filled the void. She was good, she knew that, both with her powers and her physical talents, but was she good enough? She'd scrapped with other leviathans as a child, but never in a real fight, much less with ones from other sectors. She could see it in her relatives' eyes—if she faltered and fell during this Battle, her family might not recover...

No, she told herself firmly as the Councilwoman droned on, eliciting a few halfhearted claps from a handful of those gathered, the rest glaring in stony silence. Now is not the time to doubt. I can win. I can.

Lightning flashed in the distance as the Mayor finished her closing remarks. With a wary eye on the sky, the heavily-armed, rubber-armored police stepped forward, hands on their weapons. Hekat looked back defiantly, but with a glance at Alva, acquiesced. She leaned forward to meet the other woman, and the pair shook hands—one hand almost frostbite-cold, the other crackling with static electricity that the guards watched warily. Perhaps some other sectors still produced defiance—here in Sector Five, they knew better. In years past, leviathans who had tried to run had been gunned down, simply replaced by another name from the pot. With a district full of such dangerous leviathans, anti-Council sentiment ran deep and discipline was harsh; Sector Five was known as the 'unruly one.'

The two leviathans released each other with an appraising glance, and were nudged towards the open doors of the well-insulated train by the touch of batons on their backs. Hekat kept her shoulders back and her chin high—to anyone watching, she looked practically calm. But while the tall man in front of her stepped inside without hesitation, she couldn't resist glancing back at the crowd, trying to catch a glimpse of her family. Through a gap in the masses, she saw them for a split second—her youngest brother, only twelve years old, sobbing into her mother's shoulder.

Hekat's eyes narrowed, and with an instant of crystal-clear thought, no less than three lightning bolts cracked down from the heavy clouds above and struck the abandoned microphone in the center of the emptying stage.

Almost immediately, a baton cracked down across the back of her shoulders and an armored hand planted itself in the middle of her back, sending her stumbling forward into the train, but the damage was done. The murmuring of the crowd took on a darkly approving tone, and the Mayor was looking significantly less dignified with her short-cropped hair standing on end, as she'd been standing closest when the lightning struck. Alva looked at her with a glance only slightly more approving than before, even as she turned to walk quickly down the train corridor, but even she seemed to understand. The guards were only to happy to slam the plastic and glass doors behind her and send them on their way with no more ceremony.

Hekat whirled, ignoring the smarting of her shoulders as she pressed as close to the glass as possible. Her mother was pushing through the crowd to the edges, the rest of her children trailing behind her. She was shouting something, but between the distance and the barriers between them, Hekat couldn't hear a word.

Instead, she simply lifted her right hand, held it briefly to her lips, and then pressed it against the glass before her. Cameras or no, she needed to have that one last connection as the train began to pull from the station, because if she didn't come back—

Well. She'd just have to come back.

[Sugar and Spite]

Sector Eight

Evangaline Clark

In all reality, sleep did not come easily -or at all- to Evangaline last night, so she had snuck out on the back porch to look at the stars once more. The night air was warm, but crisp in it's own way as she cleared her head, her father sitting on the living room couch, drinking once again. She sat there, thinking of what was to come the following day. She would either watch someone that she knew, someone that she grew up with, get chosen and walk upon the stage. And then there was one more possibility. She could get chosen herself. Evie shook her head at the thought. No, that couldn't happen... could it? Of course it could. Everyone had the same amount of chance to get thrown into the arena, no matter who you were or what connections that you had. Realizing that it was now two in the morning, she would go inside and try to get some rest, only to find herself tossing and turning.

The day flying by in a swift motion, she would find herself deciding on something to where. She didn't want something to nice, nor to worn out that it would offer no protection. So, with her decision, she would find herself dressed in a pair of jeans, black combat boots, a black t-shirt that fit just right and a leather jacket. Taking a look in the mirror, she would see that the dark colors had a very strong contrast with her skin as she tied her hair back into a high-set pony tail. And then the though hit her that this was possibly the last time that she could ever look in the mirror. No, Evie. Don't think like that. Besides, you're a Clark. You have to have the slightest advantage over the others, she told herself. Picking up her three throwing knives she would run one finger over the length of the knife, causing a scratch on one of her fingers. Perfectly sharp. She would put one in each boot, and strap the other to her side. Then walking across the room, she would also pick up her long sword and put it into the sheath that was strapped across her back.

Walking down the stairs she would pause to ask if her father would come with her to the ceremony. Fortunately, he had had an okay day and had not been drinking. "I don't see why not," the older man would say, his voice coming out rough.
"Well.. in that case let's get a move on," she would say, her angelic like voice feeling the void. Both of the figures would walk out of the house, Evie herself taking what would become her possible last look at the place, and beginning down the side walk for the 30 minutes that would take them into the town square. Some where dressed for combat, others in formal wear. Some with weapons, some without. The Council did their usual routine an Evie paid no attention until she heard her name settle over the crowd. "Evangaline Clark," the woman's voice said.

Realizing what in the world had just happened, Evangaline would feel the weight of how she felt towards the council, the silent promise that she had made all those years ago, and the thought of leaving her father there alone come crashing down on her. None the less, the girl put on a brave face and walked up the stage, cracking her knuckles. Her gaze came to rest upon none of other than her father, the mans eyes full of hurt. Her returning look would say that she could do nothing about it as his head hung in the crowd. The second name was called as she seen a some-what familiar face from the streets, a woman moving with cat-like grace. Evie gave a curt nod, her arms now crossed. The ceremony would come to a close and she would catch a glimpse of her father one last time, as well as the look upon his face. His eyes were now cold and hard, his lips pressed to a fine line. She had seen this look all of her life. One that stated: You know what to do.

And on that note, the lithe figure would walk towards the train.

[Hillan]

Sector One

Jonas Shinra - The Solar Gladiator

When his name was called, a smile crept up on his face. To the cheers of the crowd, he found his way up to the stage, wearing his 20 thousand dollar suit, he looked down at the people. Some of them were well off, they were clean and properly dressed, while others were covered in dirt, wearing torn clothing and looking both tired and hungry, they looked weak. Compared to him, of course, they were all weak. The sun was glaring on his skin as the crowds cheer at his greatness died down at the second name being called.

Ember. Course, his 'partner' had to be her. He didn't know her that well, but he did know that she was truly and thoroughly annoying. Carring her child on her up there on the podium, Jonas's smirk turned into a slight frown, looking at the child. A defenseless creature, whom by no means had done nothing wrong, and yet, fate would take their mother away from them. A thought was given to the kid, if he was a religious man, he would've prayed that the kid would grow strong, and not turn to a life of thievery and poverty. Then again - He wasn't.

Jonas approached the podium; certainly out of the norm for the leviathans to do. Loosening the tie around his neck a little, he smiled as he looked out over the people. "In this moment people of sector one; a legend will be born. You are witnessing the next chapter of history. My name is Jonas Shinra, and I am your champion. And I will bring you, the people, victory!" With a raised fist, the crowd erupted into a cheer. And the smile returned to the young man's face.

Soldiers approached him and his partner, about to take them both to the train. Jonas's smile turned into a sadistic grin as the soldier was about to grab his arm. "I would suggest you not to do that." The soldier saw the cold look the young man gave him and backed off "S-Sorry Mr.Shinra" and headed off to the woman. Jonas smiled as he headed to the train, looking back to the crowd whom were still cheering for him.

With a wave, he left the sector and headed into the train.

[WhiteStar19]

Ember Wave

The voice echoed through her head as she made her way up the stage, Ash on her side. "Ember Wave" She had been lucky with the past three Choosings, but this one.... it just had to be this one. She knew her brother was watching from Sector Six with his new wife. What would he think?

She swung Ash up into her arms, holding her tightly against her side. No one would part the two because they don't know what the protocol is. No Leviathan with a child has ever been chosen before. Of course, no one has had a child before the Choosing age before... She took a deep breath and kissed the top of Ash's head, her lips trembling with fear. She looked out over the crowd. How many of them would hope she would die? How many of them actually wanted her to live and win? She stared down at Ash. She knew of at least one...

When Jonas made his speech about being their champion, Ember stayed silent toward the back. She knew he loved the Battle. Everyone knew. He would always hope that his name would get drawn and he would be able to go in and win. She kept Ash close by as the Councilman approached her as the Jonas headed toward the train.

"This has... never happened before, I believe," the Councilman murmured to Ember. The poor man looked weary and worried, as if he had been stressing this entire time. Ember nodded carefully, not speaking as he continued his explanation. "I have just talked with my Superiors. They are harsh, but they are not heartless. They are willing to let Ashley--

"Her name is Ash. Just Ash." These were the first words she had spoken since they had called her name.

The Councilman nodded, smiling at her stiffly. "--Ash stay with you until you entire the Arena, then she will be sent to Sector Six with your brother. He will become her guardian if anything... happens to you." Ember stared at the ground as Ash looked at the Councilman. Ash was a shy child and did not talk much, but she did understand that there was something important going on. She clung to her mother's shoulders tightly, watching the Councilman with big eyes.

"Thank you," Ember murmured, her voice and lips trembling with sorrow and her eyes become red with unshed tears. The Councilman dipped his head to her and turned to walk away, but paused for a brief moment, turning to look back at her.

"I had two children in this drawing today," he said. "I cannot understand the pain that you are going through, but I understand a mother's need to protect her child at any cost." Ember just stared at the ground, not looking at him. The Councilman sighed and walked away. A policeman walked over, but he didn't grab her arm. Instead, he politely touched her shoulder and gestured for her to walk forward. Ember shuffled forward numbly, heading in the direction of the train. Ash clung to her mother, her blond strands falling in front of her face.

"Where are we going, Momma?" Ash asked quietly, after they were out of earshot from most of the people.

Ember stared up at the train. This beautiful, silver bullet train was going to take her to the place where she would train for her death. No. She couldn't think like that. She had to at least try to win. She had to try to win for Ash and for her brother. Her brother survived, so why couldn't she? "We're going away, Ash. We're going away.

[Dark Light]

Sector six
-Emily Duran-

It appeared that Emily Duran didn't quite understand the gravity of the situation. As her name was called out after 'Vicki Vostrum' she softly touched her face in a shy disbelief. "Oh" she cutely whimpers as her skin practically begins to glow. But it wasn't an expression of horror or fear, instead almost gratitude and excitement. After quick and tight embraces of her foster family she moves on before attracting too much attention of the council police. The ever quiet Emily even squealed slightly as she happily (if not a little embarrassed) slowly paraded up to the stage bearing a gentle honest grin, bowing, greeting and thanking the 'well wishes' of those she passed as though she was there to collect some prize.

She couldn't not be noticed, the young girl literally glowing with light, Lily radiated a certain kind warmth and caring innocence, focusing her positivity towards those that seemed most upset with losses from previous years, she granted them hugs and soft words above the many most genuine of smiles.

After stepping upon the stage she takes a delicate grip of her expensive white flowing designer dress and with a generous courtesy, a polite smile and a rosy blush in her cheeks she greets each delegate before her one by one before turning and waving to the crowd, blowing kisses to her friends and new family. Finally she turns her attention to her new partner. Her warm smile never leaving her soft lips but something serious shines behind her pale blue eyes. Emily pulls back a few loose strands of her long light blonde hair as her glow slowly fades. Speaking in a quiet yet playful and confident voice she speaks while reaching out her hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, I don't believe we have met before, I am Emily Duran and I promise I will do my best!"

Emily will attempt to keep hold of Vicki's hand for a short while as she faces the crowd and speaks loudly.

"I PROMISE TO MAKE YOU ALL PROUD!"
She screams.

"AND TO MAKE THE WHOLE WORLD SEE THE TRUE POWER OF OUR LIGHT!
THE POWER OF OUR SECTOR, THE POWER THAT IS HIDDEN WITHIN EVERY ONE OF OUR PEOPLE!"

After that she quickly reverts to the shy naive girl she is, stepping back and rolling her shoulders forward she blushes and tilts her head forward. If she had Vicki's hand she squeezes it tightly before releasing it and almost stepping behind her.

Before leaving she turns back to the crowd giving a petite little wave and unassumingly posing a picture perfect good-bye. Emily was always naturally photogenic. Anyone standing close to her will now see through her confidence as her hands begins to tremble, she tries to hide it by holding them together on her chest as she toys with her loose necklace.

A gift from her brother, would she finally see him again. Deep in her heart she somehow new she would.
Thoughts of him filled her head for the duration of the train ride.

[Sugar and Spite]

Sector Five

Alva Zolkin

Alva woke up this morning, mentally preparing herself for what could come, or, wouldn't come. Dressing in jeans, beige combat boots, a leather jacket, and green tank-top, she would take a deep breath and walk into the main room of the house. "Where are you going so early," her grandfather asked. "It's the day of the Choosing Ceremony, darling," her grandmother would answer. Alva simply gave a curt nod of the head. "Will we be attending you," her grandfather asked, once more.

"If you wish, grandfather," Alva replied, walking into the kitchen and picking up a recently baked biscuit, picking at it, when a though occurred to her. "If anything happened to me... do you think father would still send the money? To help take care of you both?" Her grandmother simply gave her a sympathetic smile and pat on the cheek. "Nothings going to happen to you darling," the elderly woman responded. AJ smiled weakly as her grandfather grabbed his coat from the hanger, putting it over the shoulders and leading the other two figures to the heart of the sector.

A large crowd had already gathered, but AJ knew how things worked. Walking to the center, she would give a bright smile to a friend of hers, Ryan. "Ready for this," the man asked. "Ready as I'll ever be," she responded, her grandparents coming to the other side of her. The woman atop the stage would speak her words, Alva having to explain the ceremony to a young girl. She stood in the crowd, her stormy eyes daring anyone to come near her as her arms were crossed her chest. And then the un-thinkable happened. "Alva Zolkin," the woman said all to enthusiastically. AJ stood there in shock. She couldn't move and suddenly, there was a ringing in her ears. Ryan took a step forward and she knew what was about to come. He would volunteer as tribute. That made Alva move into action. "Ryan, no. Don't you dare say those words. Take care of my grandparents if I don't come back. But do not ever let me here those words come out of your mouth." Ryan looked at her, his face full of despair. Walking passed her grandparents, her grandmother tried to grab her wrist, but Alva pulled away. Her emotions were currently running wild, and there was no telling what effect that would have. Her grandfather nodded solemnly, his head coming to a stop as he stared at his feet, both of their eyes tearing up.

Walking upon the stage, she would not return the nod of the officials, but wait until her "companion" was called to give her welcoming nod. She would say nothing after the officials were done except pass a glance at Ryan and her grandparents, a look that said I love you, before being accompanied by a large officer to the train.

[Etain]

Sector Three

Raven stood there her toes wiggling in her shoes and and her breathe a little heavy. The words echoing in her head her OWN name. She could hear her mothers cry out as she moved her way out of the crowed. Walking her way up towards the stage and muttering the word "Bitch." under her breath before turning and facing everyone, she could see her mom. Tears on her soft cheeks and she could see her father his tense feared expression filled with pride as he comforted her mother.

Swallowing she looked at the councilwoman and glared at her even more. Once the whole thing was over she waited to see her parents. Fixing her shirt she pulled it down a little as if she was adjusting it so she could breathe more, she was nervous and just really out of it. As the doors open she turned and her mother quickly wrapped her arms around Raven and hugged her, Ravens father following behind her slowly and shutting the door.

My dear Raven..I'm so sorry.. her mother murmured as she pulled away from hugging her. She moved a piece of Raven's hair behind her ear causing Raven's stomach to ache she knew she was going to miss that. Hell she was going to miss her mothers voice and her soft soothing company.

"Mother it's okay, this...this isn't your fault. I promise." she swallowed hugging her tightly after pulling her back into the hug. A few seconds after she pulled away and looked at her father moving to him and hugging him tightly. He was her everything and the person she looked up to. He had lost his brother one year to this and she knew how bad it was hurting him to know he may loose her as well. Kissing her forehead he grabbed her shoulders gently and swallowed. "Raven you are a smart smart girl and you are strong girl, I want you to know you can win this and I want you to fight your damn hardest and give this all you got. YOU will pull through my princess. I love you so much and I have always been proud of you from the time I held you to now."

She could feel the tears come but held them back as she hugged her parents tightly one last time as if she'd never seen them again because who knew if she would even actually see them again. "I love you both so much.." she told them one last time before a police officer came in and nodded at her to leave to the train. Slowly she did so and looked at her parents saddened faces for the last time and watched the doors shut to reveal the train. Boarding onto it she found a seat and sat down and looked out the window at what was once her home and possibly the last time she would ever see her home.

[Stein]

Sector 6

-Victoria Vostrum-

There was a surreal cool quality to the floor as Victoria Vostrum placed her feet on the tile of her room, greeting the Choosing Day with a special brand of apathy--a forced one. It was a detachment that she had to urge, as anxiety ebbed through her entire being. Feet planted firmly, Vicki looked at the tasteful white sundress that hung from her closet door. Something special from her mother to mark the gravity of the day. The seamless dress hugged her toned frame as she donned it over a pair of white sports-bra and shorts: typical attire from her nights in the Fight Arena.She remembered the fiasco of the contestants from years prior who had been thrown immediately into the Battle, unable to even change their clothes.

Victoria made her way to the bathroom, quickly going over the daily routine of activities. Whereas some girls looked to appear radiant on days such as these, Vicki only wanted to be a little bit above presentable. Best and worst case scenarios ranged from the cameras panning over her for a brief second to her being brought on stage--a candidate for the upcoming Battle of Leviathans. For both, she at least wanted to be shown in a good light. But as she began to brush her hair, her eyes caught her face in the mirror and her busied posture relaxed, eyes catching their counterpart in the reflection and seeing the truth.

She was terrified.

But she couldn't decide whether it was of getting chosen or not. For the briefest of moments, the impenetrably solid face that had come to characterize Victoria Vostrum flickered a crack, from which she could see eyes of worry in her own sockets. Victoria simply stood, her breath caught in the limbo of time that still creeped by.

"Vicki? Are you ready?"

Victoria dropped her brush, turning to the sound of her mother's voice and the quick rap on the door. Snapped from her entranced state, she tried to answer. "Umm..n--I mean, just a minute." Vicki hurried to finish the rest of her prep work, her mind busied once more.

"You're nothing if not punctual, young lady," her mother told her as she began to walk downstairs, no doubt to wait by the door.

---

Vicki recognized the subdued atmosphere--from suppressed excitement or dread she couldn't tell-- that hung over the Ceremony. However, she quickly became bored of the entire grandeur. She simply wanted the result and the chance to go home. Or not.

It wasn't long before the Ceremony commenced and the Councilman walked up, exuding more apathy than Vicky deemed necessary. She already knew the Capitol didn't think of them as people. Simply as necessary evils to be paraded and marveled at. Pitied for their twisted fate. This pompous ass of a man didn't need to drive the point further. She hated him already.

That made the hearing of her name all the more sharp. It resonated that much harder. Hung in the air that much longer. A small air of disbelief hit Victoria as her name landed on her ears. But it passed quickly and she was on the move toward the stage, before she felt a hand clasp around hers. Vicki turned back to see her uncle, who had joined them today.

"Vicki..." he began to plead but held himself back.

"It'll be all right, Kaz," she told him, her smile genuine.

A measured pace glided her down to the stage, the results of years of pageantry. The applause was forced from the crowd, and Vicki couldn't blame them. There were looks of encouragement, awe, pity and resolve. Vicki pictured the walk vaguely like her many into the Fight Arena. It was really no different, according to the people. Vicki focused only on the stage ahead, her gaze firm. The second girl held a much different approach, taking it upon herself to give a grand speech but Vicki declined doing the same, instead standing tall and giving the two handed city salute to the crowd, their local homage to "Do all things in light, and in light find strength".

As they were whisked from the stage, Victoria took the time to touch the pin her Uncle Kaz had given her. She was vaguely aware of a camera flashing on her and a video camera now seemingly locked on her.

As the doors closed on the pair, Vicki could only think the worst of what the people might say of her:

"There goes the Devil herself. Clad all in white./ Bringing nothing but sin, in that accursed light."

It was time to see if she truly wanted--and deserved--to live.

[Virani]

Meredith Mackenzie

The day of the choosing started out like any other for Meredith but she knew in her heart and in her bones that it would not be like any other day, today was THE day that her entire life could come crashing down or the day when she once again escaped that fate and life would continue as normal. On this important day Meredith was reluctant to get out of bed and wished she could simply stay there and sleep through until tomorrow, but the farm would not run itself and she couldn't leave it all to Roy their one and only farmhand. With a sigh she finally rose and the day then began in earnest. After dressing in faded jeans, t-shirt and open checked shirt she began performing the routines that she had been doing for the last few years, now down to a fine art, and gradually the familiar work helped distract her thoughts for a while. But all too soon she had finished her last task and that it was time to leave for the choosing.

Her father had insisted on being there when they announced the names, as he had been every year after Meredith came of age, even though Meredith assured him it wasn't necessary. His arthritis had gotten worse this last year and she knew the trip to the ceremony would tire him out and she didn't want that. But there was another reason she wanted him to stay, she couldn't explain it if asked but she had a bad feeling about this choosing ceremony. There was no way she could predict the future but her gut was telling her that today was the day and she didn't want her father to be there if it happened. But he was stubborn and would not be swayed and in the end all of them would be going, Meredith, her father, Roy and her two closest friends. Her friends were already pacing back and forth excitedly and she patted them both affectionately, knowing this was a bit of adventure for the two dogs.

They took it slow so as not to push her father too hard, but they still arrived at the square with time to spare. A large crowd had gathered naturally mostly human with leviathan groups dotted about. Meredith nodded to those she knew, mainly other farm owners on the neighboring farms, but was not surprised when many barely nodded back. She had alienated many of their neighbors over the years and so she didn't blame them for their reaction. She wished it could have been different but it was too late to change things now. She was distracted from that line of thought by the Mayor's voice, she couldn't mistake that irritatingly chirpy tone even without her enhanced hearing. Thankfully the mayor did not go on too long and all too soon councilwoman Janus was picking two names from the cage. Meredith tensed as the woman opened the first of the two paper shapes.

She registered that the first name wasn't hers with relief and watched the young blonde head towards the stage but her relief was short lived as she heard the second name. Hers. She looked at her father in shock and saw that shock mirrored on his face and he was already shaking his head even before she started towards the stage. Every fiber in her being cried out to her to refuse, the ceremony be damned, and stay with her father where she belonged. But she knew they would only force her and possible hurt her father in the process and that she could not allow. So she focused on getting to the stage her gait angry, more stalking than walking, and her face clenched trying to keep the anger inside. She hated the games, hated that those in power forced people to fight and die for amusement and wished that things could be different but she was only one person.

Damn it all to hell!

She growled to herself as she climbed the steps and took her place, she returned the other chosen's nod with one of her own. In the crowd she could see her beloved Luna and Argent looking confused and trying to get to her, Roy held their leashes firmly, she wished she had spent more time saying goodbye to them as she might never see them again. Her father looked decades older in just the few moments since her name had been called. Meredith felt such panic and helplessness seeing him standing there looking so frail and worn down, who would keep the farm running and take care of him. Without her Roy couldn't handle the farm alone and her father could not help not anymore. He could lose the farm, his house and everything he owned all while she was in the arena. She held her father's gaze as long as she could, looking back over her shoulder even as she was led to the train. Her last image was of her father kneeling heavily, embracing her two dogs.

[aaa]

aaa

[WhiteStar19]

"Keep it moving!" at least one guard, in all of the sectors, snapped at the Leviathans, shoving at least one of them toward the train that they were supposed to get onto. Full squadrons of guards attended each Choosing, and almost the full complement trailed after the Leviathans onto the trains. Once the chosen fighters had boarded, though, the guards backed away—most of them guarding the door and station to prevent any escape attempts. Only two accompanied the Leviathans onto the train, and once the vehicle was fully in motion even they left the young fighters to their own devices.

The trains were a marvel of modern technology, speeding along magnetic tracks exponentially faster than what had been previously possible—a cross-country journey would only take half a day at these rates. The Leviathans would arrive at the Training Center at around nine in the morning. A particularly observant passenger might note that the tracks seemed to be heading inexorably towards the heart of the continent—towards Sector One, where the Leviathans would live and train for a few short days before entering the Arena. Those chosen in Sector One had a much shorter ride, of course, but even they were taken on a circuitous route in an attempt to at least partially conceal the exact location of the Training Center.

One thing could be said for the Council: at least they kept the battlers-in-training in the lap of luxury until they entered the Arena. The trains could comfortably support entire families, and now they only had two passengers plus crew. At the front of the train were the crew areas, strictly off-limits to Leviathans, including the control center and security station. In the middle cars were a dining hall with full service, a lounge with comfortable sofas and chairs with wide windows showing the landscape zipping past, and even a room with wall-to-wall television screens to watch the other Choosings that had occurred that day. At the very back was the sleeping car—two private, lavishly furnished rooms with bathrooms attached that even had hot water. There was a third private room where the mentor of the group would be sleeping and hanging out with them as they were to introduce themselves to the battlers when they got onto the train. The entire train was decorated in a clean, but strangely welcoming style, with shiny chrome and warm velvet on every surface in a clear display of the Council's wealth.

Some Leviathans had never seen such grandeur. The Council considered it only fair—if they were marching off to die, they might as well do it in style.

Mentor Introductions

Sector One

As the two battlers boarded the train, there was a loud knock on the door of the third sleeping room. There was a snort from the inside and a loud voice going, "What?" The voice was heavily accented, one of the older accents that people would recognize at British. A ruffled, dark haired gentleman around the age of thirty opened the door, glaring around it at whoever was there, which happened to be one of the guards who had just entered the train.

"Are they here?" the gentleman asked and the guard nodded. The man rolled his eyes and said, "Speak, you bloody daft fool. Who are they and what do they look like? I don't want to mistake them for each other!"

"Ember Wave and Jonas Shinra," the guard said, taken aback slightly by his tone of voice. "Ember: mother of one, blond hair, woman. Jonas: excited for the fight, brown hair."

"Mother, eh?" the man said before making his way out into the common area where the two would be waiting for him. He entered and looked at the two. He immediately knew who Ember was, as she had a small child in her hands. Jonas was obviously the other one. These two actually looked promising.

"You two must be my new trainees," he said, running a hand through his head to make it look neater, though all he really was wearing was loose basketball type shorts and a tight white t-shirt. "Name's Jones. Tyler Jones."

Sector Two

The mentor was noticeable when the two boys walked in, but neither of them seemed to notice him. He was sprawled across the couch, his hand tucked behind his head. He wore his usual baseball cap and army chains of his partner back in his games. He was actually younger than the two boys, as he went into the Battle last year at age eighteen and won.

"Not surprised I got you two," he drawled after the two had finished talking. He sat up and looked at Gareth. "Trust me, mate, if I know guys like him-" He jerked his chin toward Ewan. "-He won't kill you slowly. Not in the heat of battle." The blond stood up and walked over to the two of them. "Colt Richardson, at your service. I won last year's Battle."

Sector Three

The young red head watched as the two boarded her train and she smiled carefully. They looked... half decent to win this. She stood up and walked over to them. She was dressed in a nice dress, but she was extremely nervous. A different mentor had been chosen to do last year's trainees with her following so she could learn, but now it was her turn. She had won the Battle two years prior.

"Hello," she told the two girls, smiling at them. "I'm Lillith James. If you have any questions, I am your mentor here, and you can ask me anything. I won the Battle two years ago. Colt, who won last year, is actually the mentor for the Sector Two canidates. He and I are actually fairly good friends..." She peetered off awkwardly. "So, yeah..."

Sector Four

The Sector Four mentor was different from the others. She was actually forced to do this each year because she was the only one from Sector Four ever to win and she only won twenty years ago. She has seen trainees go in and never come out. She cringed at the thought and watched the two board the train. She took a deep breath and stood up, her hands shaking as she interlocked her fingers together.

"Hello," she said quietly. "My name is Rita Bell. I'm very excited to be working with you." She smiled at them.

Sector Five

The woman could not sit down. She stood up and paced across the train, wringing her hands together. Her child was actually in the selections this year, just having turned eighteen. She took a deep shuddering breath as the doors opened and she let it out in a sigh of relief. Before either of the two could get the words out, she said, "Well, hi cutie pies!" She had an accent that a lot of people would remember to be Texan. "My name's Arlene. Arlene Fisher, at y'alls service! I'm so excited to be your mentor and I hope that we can turn you into lean, mean fighting machines!" She smiled again.

Sector Six

The mentor smirked as the two entered the train. Was this what he was given to work with? Two girls who liked like they could be snapped in half by butter? He sighed and ran a hand through his dark hair. He took up and walked over to them, crossing his arms over his chest. He had been lounging on the couch, watching the Sector Three Choosing when they had walked in. He just shook his head and sighed.

"I've always said that they should never have girls like you in the Choosing," he sneered at them. "You guys are two easily killed off. But, hopefully, with my help, you won't be killed off so easily. Name's Blake Riddle."

Sector Seven

The oldest mentor out of the eight sat quietly on the couch as his two entered into the train. He didn't talk or speak immediately. Instead, he carefully looked them up and down, eyeing their strengths and weaknesses. He would be able to tell from their appearances what he would have to help with and what they were already good at, though if he was correct or not was purely conicidental.

He stood up and ran a hand through his silvery hair, looking at the two boys. He approached them carefully and said, "I don't think we've ever had canidates like you two before. One with a drive to find a sibling. Another... well, you know why you want to be here." He smiled at Xander. "My name is Terrence Bardwell and I will be your mentor through the Battle.

Sector Eight

The third youngest mentor tapped her hands on her dress covered knees nervously. Like Sector Three's mentor, this was her first time, but it was because the previous mentor wanted one more shot to actually try and succeed, which he didn't, obviously. She looked to the doors as they opened and the two canidates for Eight were shoved in. She smiled at them as she stood up and walked over to them.

"Hiya!" she said with a much too cheerful tone. She was nervous, so it was slightly expected, but not by her. She coughed a little bit and said a bit calmer, "My name is Angie Bakers. I won the Battle Three years ago. I will actually be your mentor and I hope you guys are okay with it being my first time mentoring. The last guy kind of got fired and, well... executed, but who cares right?" She smiled creepily at the two. "Well, anyways, if you ever have any questions, I'm right here!"

[Stein]

Sector 6

-Victoria Vostrum-

The sleek form of their transportation to the Training Center caught Vicki's eye and held it. It glinted on par with a dewdrop in morning light. Ever inch of it seemed new and fresh. Such was the grandeur of their current world. Vicki had seen the nicer things in life--along with a few truly ugly things-- but this was on an entirely new level. "They're going to fatten us right up for the slaughterhouse, huh?" She spoke lowly. "What else could a girl ask for?" As the doors began to open, she took the first stride into the vehicle, head high and eyes intent. She'd take in her surroundings, all of it.

A man met them as they entered into the train, his aura unwelcoming. And the way he taunted the both of them was enough to cause Victoria to dismiss him: a high maintenance problem that she wasn't keen on trying to involve herself in. He was the type of guy she could take out in the ring within the first 3 rounds.

If she was walking to her death, she wasn't going to be insulted along the way. She crossed her arms, tiring of the berating nature and as he introduced himself, she simply looked at him, waiting for him to continue on.

[Dark Light]

SECTOR 6
-Lilly Duran-

"Hopefully, we won't be killed off at all!" Lilly sternly corrected Blake as she entered the train, eyes wide in awe and amazement, gazing around at its marvels. She slowly walked up and down the cart admiring the delicate details before returning and stopping before Blake and standing beside Victoria. "So who are you anyway?" She asks Blake, feeling so overwhelmed that she temporarily forgets her manners.

SECTOR 7
-Levi Duran-

Levi's posture was impeccable, he stood tall before Terrence like a solider awaiting his appraisal. After a short moment he speaks sternly yet confidently. Straight to business.

"How long do we have to prepare? What can you tell us of this years game?"

Regardless of how Levi perceived the man before him he recognised him as someone with more experience and wisdom then himself and would waste no time drawing from that pool, even if he couldn't recall many great shadow victories over recent years.

Although what really rattled his nerves was Terrence's comment regarding his sister. How could he know that already? Had the information been retrieved between his draw and now? Did the council truly keep tabs on every single leviathan or is it more sinister then that, is it as the rumours say, that it's true that the games have not been randomly drawn for along time...

Either way Levi would not allow himself to raise or dwell on the subject for another second. Time spent dawdling was time wasted, it could be the difference between life and death, and not only his own.

[Sugar and Spite]

Sector 4

Alva Zolkin

Perfect. Great, excellent, exceptional. She'd been torn away from her parents, only the Council would know what happened to them, as well as Ryan. Maybe I should have let him volunteer, she though, boarding the train. No, no, no, that's just plain selfish and you know it, Alva. She huffed. Her conscience was right. She could have never seen him on the TV screen at home, battling for his life. And suddenly, it felt as if she was stabbed in the heart. He would be doing the same thing vice versa.

Boarding the train, AJ would put on her bravest face, hiding almost all signs of fear, or any emotion, for that matter. Before she could even get a good look around the place, a woman that gave of an obvious motherly aura started to speak. AJ hadn't been called cutie pie sense she was about 6. Oh yeah, this was definitely going to be a fun train ride. Alva could be cruel at times, there fore she wouldn't need all that much training in the so called "mean" part of things. She folded her arms across her chest, giving a curt nod of the head. "It's nice to meet you. The name's Alva Zolkin. Most call me AJ."

Sector Eight

Evangaline Clark

The girls fate had already been determined, therefor, Evangaline decided to accept the fact while boarding the train and giving it a glance around. A TV, a comfy looking couch and food. Good, Evie needed time to process this as well as watch other choosing ceremonies. Looking at the blonde girl, Evangaline would realize they were about the same body shape and height. But all in all, the girl was young. First time mentoring... won the games three years ago? Yep, I'm dead. But then again, I have been training all my life. Evie put a bright smile on her face, no reason to be rude, even if the girl was the beginning of her doom.

"Nice to meet you, Angie," she replied. "The names Evangaline Clark, though most call me Evie. Now.. if you'll excuse me... I think I'm going to go ahead and size up my fellow opponents, hm?" Walking past the girl, she would come to a stop in what seemed to be a den. Walking over, she would choose a single chair over to the side. Lucky for her, it was comfortable enough as she flicked on the TV.

First up, Sector One. A man named Jonas Shinra stepped up to the plate, your typical rich-boy-never-do-no-harm-i'm-gonna-win-this-thing-because-I-have-money type. He looked fun enough, as in social and talkative, though she had the slightest feeling the two of them would have conflict. Next was a blonde woman, a child in her hands. Evie sat there motionless, as the mother carried her child to the stage. No doubt they would be separated right before the arena. One more piece of evidence that the Council is nothing but heartless bastards, she though.

[hoppiholla391]

ʜᴇᴋᴀᴛ ʙᴀᴋsʜɪ

It was a long moment before Hekat let her hand fall from the window, but when she did, it curled into a fist at her side. She squared her shoulders once more, eyes closing momentarily as she got herself under control and turned to face her companion. In the distance, the rumble of thunder was a constant background noise.

She opened her mouth to say something to Zolkin, but before she could get a word out their mentor stepped forward. Hekat's lip curled slightly as she looked over the diminutive woman, but she quickly smoothed her expression. Arlene Fisher—she'd won the Battle more than a decade ago, and that accent marked her as one of the wealthier people in Sector Five. She'd won the Battle, though, so there was clearly something lurking under that motherly exterior and curiously relieved tone , but she couldn't be more different from Hekat herself. She'd be of limited use, but there was no reason to antagonize her right off the bat—so Hekat ignored the use of 'cutie pie.' For now.

"Mrs. Fisher," she greeted with a nod, folding her hands behind her back. "Hekat Bakshi. A pleasure to meet y—"

She was cut off when the black-haired woman bounced forward to fold her into a brief hug. Hekat blinked, still parsing the gesture when their mentor moved on to give the same treatment to AJ. "Oh, please, darlin', call me Arlene! We're gonna have to know each other pretty well before the Battle, aren't we?"

Hekat exchanged a glance with Alva as Arlene turned to lead them on a tour of the train—a glance of shared resignation. Having Arlene as a mentor was going to be...interesting. The three moved through the train, Fisher keeping up a constant stream of commentary on the various rooms. For her part, Hekat glanced around, but her main thoughts were on the strategy she'd use once in the Battle. Allies? Likely not. Only one person could win, and Hekat wasn't small enough, cute enough, or friendly enough to inspire die-hard loyalty. Sponsors, though...sponsors could mean life or death in the arena. She'd just have to pick a facet of her personality to play up that wasn't 'constantly annoyed.'

"Mrs F—Arlene," she cut in once they reached the dining car. "What exactly can you tell us about this year? What can we expect once we get to the Training Center?"

The mentor paused, giving the candidates an empty smile. "Well, it's the same as always, really...you'll have to find out for yourself about the Arena, but the rules are all the same. And you'll be at the Training Center for about a week, maybe more, depending on how they do the training this year...we'll just have to see!"

Hekat refrained from sighing, but her eyes did narrow. She knew the information the mentors were allowed to give to their candidates was extremely limited, but there had to be more than that. 'Of little use' was right.

[Etain]

Sector Three

Raven turned her head from the window and looked at the mentor raising an eyebrow at her the woman was completely akwared and just not a conversation type it seemed. "Hello.." She wasn't in the mood to talk nor did she even care on who won the game before her main concern was returning home. Shaking her head she stood up and moved over to the table in the middle of the room.

"Now what are we supposed to do. You forced us to be here and now well here we are" her tone was annoyed rather upset and sarcastic. She wasn't okay with having to leave home and let alone leave home and possible not return. What was the good in that. Staring at the tea glasses on the table for a few moments as she waited for her mentors answer.

[Virani]

Meredith Mackenzie

Meredith stared at the closed doors, the sector was no longer there, all she saw was trees and grass flashing past too quickly for her eyes to follow. She tried to ignore everything around her and focus only on her thoughts, worry for her father mostly, but the voices behind her were too much of a distraction. With a long sigh she turned from the door and moved into the train proper standing beside her counterpart in front of the mentor that had been assigned to them. The train was nothing like what she had expected, coming from the poorer part of Sector Eight she had expected functional accommodations but nothing more. Instead it seemed she was to travel in style, everything was made of the best materials and the highest technology.

Her counterpart Evangeline introduced herself to their mentor and then just as quickly walked off further into the train, to watch the news reports on the other sectors Meredith assumed. Meredith took a moment to look their mentor up and down and what she saw did not inspire her with confidence. The mentor did not look much older than she was and seemed uncomfortable, add to that the fact that this was the first time the girl had mentored and Meredith felt her fear and worry increase. She needed to win this and return home to her father and to do that she needed training, she had the natural abilities but needed someone experienced in combat to teach her how to use them. She had no idea how this girl was supposed to do that. But she had won the battle once several years ago so Meredith decided that the mentor's appearance must hide her skills.

"I can't say its a pleasure to be here." Meredith said to the young woman. "But its nice to meet you. I'm Meredith Mackenzie."