Hello and welcome to my Hunger Games fan fiction! This will be a contest between 28 tributes to determine who will be the ultimate victor. The flow of the fan fiction may be a little different than how it was presented in the actual books, but do not fear: the stuff I am going to be cutting out will, I believe, make the story go more quickly and get to the good stuff faster.

I will be posting this introduction, which is short, and the next chapter soon after. You will begin to meet the tributes soon.

P.S. There will be a poll in my profile soon regarding which tribute is your favorite. I would gladly appreciate it if you would cast a vote, for I would absolutely love to see how each tribute stacks up. Anyway, I'll stop talking now. ;)

I own nothing other than my OCs.

Introduction

"But this year, no one wants that. This year, we want blood. We want gore. Most importantly, we want experience. Twenty-eight merciless, unruly killers from fourteen districts is what we want. And we don't want kids. No, we want fighters. We want farmers, miners, builders, and industrial workers. We want to see the workforce of Panem compete; we want adults who have spent their lives working and toiling, and playing with and protecting their children. We want people with stories. People who have a past. People who can suffer.

"This year, no one under the age of twenty-one is allowed in the games. So for those of you watching tonight, worry not: your children are safe…this year. Per usual, there will only be one victor; this victor will need to outsmart and beat twenty-seven other tributes, all of whom will do anything to get back home to their families.

"As I speak, the reapings have begun throughout Panem. I hope — for your sake — you have not lost a loved one to the games today. But if you have, do not fret. If not the victor, your friend, family member, or even acquaintance will die supporting its country. And what can be better and more valorous than that?"

President Emerald Jayce stood by her oversized microphone and smiled with joy. Those who were watching her from their televisions, she knew, hated her. But the Capitol loved her, and so she found no discomfort being the most hated person in the country.

President Jayce's advisor stood but a few paces away from her and the cameras. The cameras were off, but Jayce remained motionless. "Do you wish to make another statement?" Jayce's advisor, Phizz, asked. "Or shall we call it a day?"

"I don't know," Jayce said. "Do you think…do you think I made enough impact? Do you think they truly understand how much we are trying to rip families apart and tear parents away from their children. You know, twenty-seven families will be ruined."

"I do know."

"I should have said that. I should have added more…more drive. More anger. More fury. They need to know that if you mess with the Capitol, your life is over. Or, worse yet, that you husband's, father's, or aunt's life is over. Turn the cameras back on."

"Yes, ma'am."

The cameras were turned back on and President Jayce was about to make another statement. She shifted her weight from one leg to the other as she prepared for another dig at the country's mental stability.

"Panem, you must understand that this should not be a time of fear and angst. No, this should be a time for celebration and happiness. The tributes are giving their lives to serve their country, something I'd hope all of you would do in addition. Instead of rebelling — or failing to rebel, in your case — you should learn to embrace exactly what Panem is all about. You need not try to stop this country, for it is more powerful than all of you, in all fourteen districts. You simply must wait and watch. And understand. You must understand that the 201st annual hunger games may indeed ruin your life, but it is for the betterment of the country. If your loved one dies, you should smile. You should not whine and cry and think about all of the things you should have done with them before the Capitol ended their lives; you should dance and party and know that your loved ones can show what true nationalism is. You should be ashamed of yourself to cry or mourn."

Ashamed of yourself to cry or mourn. That day, those words haunted the minds of millions of people. That day, millions of people cried. That day, millions of people mourned.

"Hear my words, Panem: let the 201st annual Hunger Games…begin!"

The intro was short, yes, but next chapter you will be introduced to several of the tributes. And before you know it, the Hunger Games will begin! .