Written by The 8-Bit Flame Princess
***
The arena sweltered in the hot sun. The rubble of the city surrounded Rainbow Dash at all angles, leaving her nowhere to run but behind her.
She wiped the sweat off her brow and grimaced as she felt the cut over her eyebrow. Fresh blood started to drip down her face, gleaming in the sun, but she ignored the mild pain and choosing instead to see how much water she had left. The canteen was disappointingly empty. With the Gamemakers cranking up the heat even at night, she’d need to refill fast.
But she had nowhere to go except back the way she came, or up and over the ruined buildings.
Making her mind up, she scrambled up the debris, at one point losing her footing and cutting her hand on a broken glass bottle. Wincing at the feeling of the shards in her hand, she restrained from tearing a piece of her shirt off. The open skin would only be a target.
Finally, she reached the top of the rubble and peered over the edge. Spotting a seemingly abandoned building she tumbled over the edge, getting dirt and dust all over her cloths. She sighed as she spotted her wounds. They’d have to be cleaned up; if only she had the right equipment. The rucksack and sword had been the only things she’d managed to grab at the bloodbath before nearly getting her leg sliced off by the boy from District 4.
She ran into the building and sighed with relief when she saw a canteen of water lying on the table. It never crossed her mind that it could be a trap.
“Awesome.” she murmured, grinning to herself. She reached a hand out to grab the water, keeping the other on the hilt of her sword, in case of an emergency.
“Don’t touch that.” said a sweet voice, and Dash whirled around to find the girl from District 11, Fluttershy, pointing a crossbow at her. Her pink hair that once whirled around her face on interview night was now shoulder-length and uneven, obviously chopped off.
Rainbow Dash analysed the petite girl.
Yeah, she could take her.
“What are you gonna do to stop me?” she challenged. She’d never been one to think before she spoke. Maybe one day she’d get into trouble for it, but not today.
Fluttershy ignored her taunting. She glanced at Rainbow’s sword. “District 7. A sword is a strange choice for someone who grows up wielding an axe.” she observed.
“I like to be different.”
“I can tell.” she said, gesturing at Dash’s rainbow-streaked hair.
Dash shook her head. This wasn't the time to be making friends. She was in this to win.
“I’m outta here.” she said, jogging out the building.
She was surprised that she didn't try and follow her, until she heard the scuffling of footsteps on the sand behind her. She cursed under her breath, and then noticed the gleam of metal out of the corner of her eye.
Whirling around on instinct, she met the boy from District 6 blade to blade. He must have been following her.
He pushed his strength down on her, but she pushed back, feeling the pressure of his wait straining on her. Her bloody hand felt slippery against the hilt and she winced as her muscles stretched. Maybe this would finally be her day to die.
He pushed her back and she quickly parried his blade, and then went in to stab his stomach. He defended her and slashed at the air, and she put all her focus into defense. She couldn't get in an attack and she knew she was going to die. He was stronger than her.
But maybe not as smart.
He paused, gurgled, and then slumped to his knees. An arrow protruded from his back. As he died, Rainbow Dash glanced up to the abandoned building and saw Fluttershy in one of the holes where a window used to be. The yellow girl waved her crossbow at her and smiled.
Rainbow smirked back and headed towards the building. Maybe it was time for an alliance after all.