Prologue

Twenty-Five years have come and gone, leaving in its way a sense of peace and tranquility that only comes with hard-sought oppression and tyrannical dictatorship under the disguise of having the nation's best interest in mind. Of course, these were all actions more than called for; after all, the Dark Days were a time in our nation's history that one would not want to relive. Hence, the treatment of the Districts, the crippling poverty in some, while the others live in near-lap of luxury, keeping them separate from each other, keeping those that speak out against us permanently silenced in one way or another. And all of this paled in comparison to his most ingenuous plan.

The Hunger Games.

Some would call it a way of bringing back to pomp and circuses of the Holy Roman Empire, others a barbaric and savage attack on those most innocent, but to him, it was his greatest legacy. One that nothing in his life could eclipse, not even his own family. Taking the children of those most responsible for the Dark Days themselves and force them into a world of pageantry and torture before they are inevitably killed for sport, well, that was just too much. It made him...almost gitty with joy to watch those little rats perform for him and the rest of the multicolored maggots of the Capitol, but he knew it could possibly being to get a little...stale...after awhile. Which is why he stood before the Nation today, announcing what will soon become known as the First Quarter Quell.

"Greetings and salutations, most illustrious citizens of Panem. As you are well aware of, the Twenty-fifth anniversary of our great national pastime, The Hunger Games, are just weeks away." He paused, letting his words sink in with the audience at home. "The Quarter Quells are yet another reminder of your insolence during the Dark Days of Panem and furthermore, a reminder that no one is truly safe. Alfonso, if you be ever so kind..."

A small child, nearly six years of age, came onto the screen, bringing with him a small mahogany box. Upon opening it, the President pulled out a pale blue card, clearly marked with the number ONE. His steel gray eyes twinkled as he read the card to himself before dismissing Alfonso and the box.

"To be sure that every citizen of Panem is reminded of their part in the Dark Days and to insure equal chance to participate in our lovely games, each District must CHOSE which young man and young lady is to head into the Arena." Once again, he pauses to let it sink in. "Yes, that is right, Panem. You must make the choice as to whom represents you in this years' Hunger Games. May the odds be EVER in your FAVOR."

With that, the television ended it's broadcast. He could almost hear the collective screams of mothers as they pulled their children closer to them, the prays of fathers beginning that their children be spared the horrors of the games. It was the thoughts of these things happening in the sections with the poorest of the poor that helped in sleep at night. Call him sadistic, call him whatever you like. After these ungrateful bastards turned on the Capitol, effectively biting the hands that fed them, clothed them, and kept them in line, it was the least they deserved. In fact, he would have been happier to turn every District into yet another District 13, but then he would have no one to rule over. No one would fear him, except for the maggots that made up his chosen Capitol puppets. They were the ones that followed him blindly, only asking for newer forms of entertainment and horrid body modifications to get them by. The rest...well, they wanted to live their lives with no one there to watch over them and that just wouldn't do.

He made it a rule to always be watching.

And now, the rest of Panem would be watching, too. Watching as their babies make half-hearted alliances, mame and murder each other for the chance to come home and line their pockets with gold. Oh, and this time around, they will be offered the chance to choose the child that dies for their District and live with the guilt that there was nothing they could do to stop it.

This year...this year...things were going to be interesting.

….

So, this is my first attempt at a Hunger Games SYOT fanfic. The Bio for the tributes are in my bio and can be sent to me via PM. PLEASE DO NOT SEND THEM VIA REVIEW, IT WILL END WITH MY STORY BEING BANNED! I would also like to add that I do not own The Hunger Games, not that I should NEED to stress that, as it is pretty much a given.

Also, for those of you sending the usual Careers...since they were CHOSEN to fight in the games, they would not have had volunteers. (Well, that's the way I am seeing it in my head) So there is no reason to have people vulenteering all over the place. I will also try to keep the list of tributes on my bio as well, this way I am not wasting Fanfiction space and whatnot. So, without further adieu, let the FIRST QUARTER QUELL BEGIN!