Chapter Text
Prologue
"There are no winners in the games. Only survivors"
The words ran through her head like a track on repeat, as her winter boots sunk into the piles of snow surrounding her. She was on the outskirts of the town in the middle of the meadow that she once hunted during her youth. Her childhood of dirt stained skin, clothes constantly ripped and repaired to her mother's best ability. Once her father died it was always in silence, except for her little sister.
So there Katniss Everdeen stood in a meadow full of young trees and lush green grass covered in snow like a comforting white blanket. The frozen water encompassed the entire meadow and beyond momentarily hiding a more gruesome truth. Beneath the white covered landscape was a massive grave. The woman stood tall against the elements, muscles standing still the cold barely a tickle. Once this piece of land filled with promise until her seventeenth year when these very woods were burned into ash then used as a mass grave when the survivors were unable to identify charred remains upon their return.
Katniss could still see the charred remains when she even steps foot into her home. Seeing ghosts where she should be seeing hope. War had ravaged this land, a rebellion that sparked into a flame. A battle fought to ensure their choice but choices were few when so many were dead. The brunette often wondered if that was the true purpose of the rebellion? To ravage what was left of the world. One tyrant's need for revenge over another.
Tired eyes scanned the snow hiding lush grass that grew over the mass destruction. Each grave marked with a flat silver tombstone curtesy of the new government, to properly mourn the dead. Despite being unable to identify the majority of the dead. One of the few benefits of winning a war she wanted no part in. If one had told her that snow would come to be a great comfort to her? Well, she would have laughed in their faces. Was it all worth it?
The 74th victor of the games walked along the familiar route what was once a key center of District 12, barely a breath escaping her enclosed lips. Her mind traveling to parts unknown reliving the revival of District 12. Which had evolved since the Rebellion, once home to roughly fifteen-thousand people had suddenly dropped to perhaps a few hundred survivors. Homes once reeked with poverty and starvation burned to the ground only to rise from the ashes. Newly built houses scattered across the land replacing the once cheap and rundown houses that stood in their place. The hub was rebuilt into a bigger marketplace where trucks arrived weekly with good from the other districts.
The years since allowed the districts to not only rebuild but thrive with international commerce. With the capital was not hoarding the largest piles of food, but rather rationed out throughout the country. Rebuilding had been a struggle the newly appointed President could be heard praising the remaining Victors for engaging the people to be a true part of the new government. It could be said that without the victors coming together, the country would have collapsed. Katniss snorted at that, the amount of propaganda making her insides turn.
Finally reaching her destination, Katniss slowly made her way towards one tombstone in particular. Humming softly a tune always asked for. She sang softly, starting at the grave before her. Her hands softly touching the granite.
"Deep in the meadow, under the willow
A bed of grass, a soft green pillow
Lay down your head, and close your sleepy eyes
And when again they open, the sun will rise.
Here it's safe, here it's warm
Here the daisies guard you from every harm
Here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true
Here is the place where I love you."
Katniss stared at the letters marking up the stone, stalling as the last 'e' turned into the 't' with somber eyes. Her lips moving of their own accord, honoring a most beloved friend.
Peeta Mellark
Beloved Victor, Son, and Friend
Our Boy with the Bread
"Deep in the meadow, hidden far away
A cloak of leaves, a moonbeam ray
Forget your woes and let your troubles lay
And when again it's morning, they'll wash away.
Here it's safe, here it's warm
Here the daisies guard you from every harm
Here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true
Here is the place where I love you."
Winning didn't stop Peeta from fighting. Her sweet boy with the bread. He fought for his hard-earned love of her. Fighting off the nightmares that stroked his cheeks every night, the urge to attack those he knew as friends. Nor did it stop her depression. Fighting her natural instincts as they found their way back to each other all over again. Haymitch could never stop drinking, even when every morning he would swear to Katniss that this was the last drop. Annie could never stop crying and Johanna could not stop her habit.
"Remember Katniss, there are only ever survivors."
Good came for them too. Happiness came with a young boy with sea-green eyes and a wide grin. It came when calloused hands would wrap flour-soaked arms around her waist, with a whispered "You love me, Real." It came when every morning a dark head would bang into her arm, alcohol on his breath and a muttered "Got any food?" With a scoff and eye roll of a lumberjack. Yet for all the good that came, the good failed to stop the Capitol from destroying her all over again. Nothing could stop the fact that Peeta was now dead. Sweet, Loving, and Kind Peeta dying from long lasting effects of the torture he endured while in the hands of the Capitol.
The damage just too much for too long.
"Peeta" The young woman whispered, starring at one of the only stone markers among the vast number of unmarked graves. Katniss sat in front of Peeta's grave wishing that she could whisper all the things left unsaid. Her wish of seeing his children run among the trees in the meadow. His arms wrapped around her while they played real or unreal. Finally, she whispered her wish that he simply could have lived.
Her beloved Peeta who fought so hard to get back despite being hijacked, who slept beside her keeping nightmares at bay. The man who still loved her even if she was never able to love him the way he loved her. With Peeta it felt natural, he was just so good and pure that she always felt she never deserved his love. At twenty-three she doubted if she would ever know the answer.
"Miss Everdeen?" Came a timid voice from behind. The victor turned around to find a young girl in the newly made school uniform, staring at her feet nervously. A girl no older than thirteen, another Prim, made Katniss's heart pound with a whole new round of guilt.
'She's so young,' Katniss thought. Turning her attention toward the younger girl Katniss smiled gently, "Yes?"
The young girl looked up at her swallowing her nerves before muttering, "Representatives from the Capitol have sent me to fetch you, Ms. Everdeen."
"The Capitol?" The tall brunette questioned causing the younger girl to flinch at the thought of making the victor upset.
"Your presence is needed at the meeting," The young girl stuttered. Katniss sighed inwardly holding tightly onto her annoyance. Katniss looked up at the sky muttering quietly to herself. Minutes passed before she deemed it necessary to respond to her young messenger.
Starring at the young girl Katniss smiled gently, "What's your name?"
The girl looked up, "Felicia. Felicia McNair."
"You can go home now Felicia. I'll be going shortly" Katniss replied. As she made her way through the fence that was no longer broken with cracks. Without electricity running through it the fence with a gate for those who wished to visit the dead, no longer a boundary simply something to keep young children from getting into trouble.
Quietly she followed the teen back towards another familiar path. A small smile as the girl struggled with the height of the snow, Katniss's longer lengths making it far easier for her to move against the cold material. Her thoughts drifted to the representatives that were no doubt filled with people she would never be able to refuse to see. The government knew exactly how she felt about them, what she would do if the victor felt they were taking a dangerous turn.
It did not stop them from asking constantly for her involvement in legal matters, to retake her mantel as the Mockingjay, be the face of a new government. When she refused the victor left them with a roasted pig, with an arrow shot through its eyes.
"What the hell do they want now?" Katniss muttered to herself.
The path back toward the Victor's Village was quiet. She knew exactly where this meeting would be held. The only place that one certain victor was even allowed after one particularly bad Remembrance Day. Katniss strolled leisurely onto the path that would lead straight toward Haymitch Abernathy's place of residence. Before she knew it, Katniss was storming through Haymitch's home through the hall straight toward the study to find said meeting taking place.
'If this is another ploy for the mocking jay …' She thought. After all the last time they attempted to recreate the Mockingjay it got rather ugly.
XXX
A year after the rebellion when a messenger summoned Katniss and Haymitch to the capital. When they reached the appointed date, they were led into President Snow's old war room. Haymitch looked around the grand meeting room silently grateful that no sign of his presence could be felt. Still being in the room did nothing for Katniss's nerves, as she held a piece of rope in her hand.
Standing tall, back straight, hips squared and tilted forward the Girl on Fire walked in as if she owned the room. Katniss hid a small smile at the fact only Haymitch and Plutarch remained unphased at her entrance. Inside was a group of the most influential members of the resistance. The newly elected President, Commander Paylor, stood at the head of the table along with a few higher ranked District 13 members. Outside of Plutarch and President Paylor the rest jumped up from their seats in a display more aligned to teenagers rather than military officials.
"What a pleasure, Plutarch" Her greeting cold and detached as the man in front of her.
"Ms. Everdeen, please have a seat" Plutarch greeted, softly offering refreshments to which she simply lifted her brow.
"Ah…Never mind I suppose" Plutarch waved off her dismissal of the proffered drinks.
"Ms. Everdeen, I realize that this is rather unpleasant, but I plead that you listen. With the new government you're needed now more than ever." Plutarch stared causing said girl to set her sights on him.
"Plutarch, what exactly do you believe I am needed for?" Her voice was soft. She learned long ago that being emotionless was impossible, but anger would not help her here.
"Peeta died from his time as a prisoner due to your decisions. Now you want me to become the face of this new government after I already helped win them over for the "second time!" Katniss roared seeing as the man before her gulp.
She knew he never liked being on the side of her anger, he was a player to the highest degree. He would do whatever it takes to make what he thinks needs to happen, a reality. A mere puppet to whomever he claims loyalty to.
"Katniss please! All we ask is that you get help. You're grieving, you've lost so much but you have responsibilities you must get back to. You have to help the government check in on the people. You're the one they want to see; they need to see that their Mockingjay is thriving. That they only need to be patient everything will get easier once we are fully off the ground and running."
'They need a poster child,' she thought as her body started to break down from all the anger surging her body.
"You've had a year to get off the ground! If you want to check in on the people get the people you told them would represent their needs. Isn't that what they are there for?" Katniss seethed. She stared down Plutarch watching as he seemed to shrink. The young woman turned toward Haymitch slamming his drink into himself grinning silently as the liquid soaked his clothes.
"I warned you. You are all a bunch of idiots" Haymitch chuckled darkly.
Damn them all.
XXX
'Better not be that shit again' the young victor thought, as she entered Haymitch was the first to spot her. The group was smaller than the last, much smaller.
"Hey Sweetheart," Haymitch said in greeting with his usual drawl.
"Haymitch," Katniss greeted stiffly. Haymitch struggled not to show how she unnerved him with her steel like anger. His eyes surprisingly sober for a man known for his drink.
"Now Ms. Everdeen, please have a seat. We've found something that we think you would be most interested in" Plutarch spoke softly; fully away of how the young victor before him behaved when angered. Katniss to his surprise didn't scoff or even appear angry rather she was staring at him.
"What could you have that would interest me?"
"Katniss would you describe President Snow as clever?"
Katniss snorted, "The man was a paranoid control freak. Clever would be to kind."
"But clever is what he was" Plutarch murmured, causing the victor to roll her eyes and nod.
" President Snow planned an escape route in case of a revolt. A way to get away but also help him regain control," He continued oblivious to the blank look the girl was giving him.
"So, Snow had a few ships hidden? Another secret army like District 13?" Katniss could hardly see what these men were excited about.
"No Sweetheart. We found a machine that Beetee has now confirmed that this is the machine we read about within his files. A sort of time machine I guess we could call it."
"English," Katniss stressed at the murmuring Plutarch.
"Sweetheart listen to what he said. A Time Machine if you can believe that," Haymitch said softly near her ear keeping a hand firmly on her arm.
"Time Machine? Really" She thought with skepticism.
After all the events over the last few days it was a wonder that Katniss had any energy left at all. The Girl on Fire was running on pure adrenaline. She broke out into laughter wrapping her arms around herself. Laughter that seemed to come from a mad woman with no way out of her constant suffering but the people in the room knew better. Haymitch knew his kid while hardly complete was simply disbelieving. He had to make her see it was legitimate, it was then that Haymitch handed her the file.
"Sweetheart, I know this seems unreal. But this is very much our reality read the file darling," He murmured in her ear.
The file was large filled to the brim with papers. Katniss felt the weight concluding that the project was obviously well funded. Facts upon facts combined with its research was written out within the file. Katniss could barely understand most of it. However, one thing was clear. It was created to send one person into the past, for Snow to go back and maintain control to stop any rebellions that he deemed threatening.
'How ironic…. We weren't threatening eh Snow?' Katniss thought thinking of how he died as she killed Coin. She would have put an arrow through his head, but he was already dying, after effect of poisoning himself for years what use was an arrow to the head? She continued to read through the file, it was clear the limit of the machine was one person, and the most it could go was as far as roughly as the traveler's first year of life.
"This is real…" She whispered to herself looking at her mentor for confirmation that she was not indeed mad, like Annie.
"Yes, Sweetheart" He murmured.
"Who's going?" It was a simple question but how could they possibly choose someone?
"No one yet. We still need more proof," One of the district 13 members spoke up. Katniss forgot they were even there.
"Let me go," Katniss pleaded shocking those in the room that she would actually sound that genuine in this demand.
"Sweetheart we have no idea what to expect or what will happen to you or your past self for that matter," Haymitch answered gulping down more alcohol.
"Fuck what happens to me Haymitch! I'll sit here and form plans! But I am the one who is going! I have to save Peeta, Finnick…everyone I can" She roared even if her voice did not go above a whisper.
Haymitch sighed pulling her into his arms, holding her steady as they have a silent conversation. They were alike that way no need for words or even contact but sometimes a hug even from the drunk was all she actually needed.
"Katniss this is dangerous," He murmured.
"I have to protect them, all of them." She rebuked.
"Snow will see you as a threat. He will still be in power."
"I'm no longer sixteen 'Mitch. I can handle it" Katniss promised. They pulled apart to look at the rest. Katniss eyes were set, everyone who even looked her way saw one thing.
Determination.
"Have it ready within the week."
XXX
District 12 was quiet even after eight years of recovery. Katniss Everdeen sat next to her former mentor while Beetee hooked her into the Capitol's machine. The machine was surprisingly easy to relocate. Snow's secret project stood tall and as the color of snow, a giant rectangle made out of the supplies that created the underground District 13. She spent most of the last week going over events and Snow's pattern of attack.
Katniss knew more about Snow than anyone should. Beetee spent the week going over the files and how to work the blasted machine that would hopefully change all their lives. Beetee nodded at her signaling that it was time. She took a deep breath and squeezed. Haymitch's hand and stepped into the open door of the white machine.
"Now Katniss there is no way to tell for sure where you will land, or if you'll appear in your old body. Give me a time range of where you want to land. I'm sorry there is nothing else I can do" The older victor informed her.
"Between the 70th and 73rd Hunger Games."
Everyone to her surprise pressed three fingers to their lips and lifted them toward her. Tears filled her eyes, the rebellious District 12 goodbye…
'Should have known' Katniss thought irritably unable to help the ache in her heart, these people, people she learned to love won't be the same. They won't be hers when she awakens. But they will become hers again. She was sure of it. Because she would become their Mockingjay once more only this time no one is going to be playing her as a part of their games. She was just a survivor before, a selfish survivor, because surviving despite it all was all she was good at. Not anymore.
Today she would become hope. Their hope that the fight that she was about to begin could be won. That there will be no more Victors but rather winners. Yes, she would give them hope.
"Maybe I'll even have time to be a pain in the ass" She thought.