**Rated T for violence**
Prologue: An unexpected visit
I woke up to someone frantically pounding my door. It was past midnight, and I had only fallen asleep an hour ago, having been too exhausted to continue my work, letting the rhythmic taps on the roof sing me to sleep.
"Shannon! Shannon, open up!" a voice called. I groaned. I knew that voice all too well. It belonged to my dear, but annoying best friend and sister, Erin Grey.
"What is it?" I grumbled, slowly walking towards the door of my small, two-room apartment. I pulled open the door, and two young, but nervous blue eyes stared back at me. Their owner stepped in, and pulled down her hood from her black raincoat, letting her straight blonde hair tumble to her waist. She sat down on one of the couches, and gestured for me to sit across from her, with an expression that said, Well, what are you waiting for? I had to suppress a laugh. My sister, born 15 years after I was, was only 38 and had always been a very patient woman, and seeing that look on her face that showed the opposite— Well, it was a surprise, let me tell you that!
"So, what did you come here to tell me? It must have been important if you had to come in the middle of the night, all the way across the ocean." Erin lives in Panem, a country across the world, in a place they used to call North America. I live in Menap, a place they used to call Asia. Asia used to be the biggest continent (one of the world's main areas of land), so Menap is much larger than Panem, and much richer too. To travel from Panem to Menap is a half day's worth of riding the Panem's Capitol trains across the railroad they built on the ocean. Not many people in Panem know about Menap, though, and vice versa.
"There's a problem in Panem. Rebels have risen and killed the president and the president after that. They made the children of the Capitol to do something that they've been forced to for the last 75 years. Then, they're abolishing the Hunger Games. Forever." she explained, trying to stay calm, but anxiety crept into her voice.
"The Hunger Games? What's that?" I said, predicting that it wouldn't be good.
"Our president, President Snow, dealt with rebels who rebelled against the Capitol back in the Dark Ages, 75 years ago. As punishment, our 13th district was destroyed, and Snow set up these Games. So, from each district, a boy and a girl from the ages of 12 through 18 are "reaped", or picked randomly. They go to the training center in the Capitol, and stay for about 5 days now to train for the Games where they fight to the death." I gasped, for it was awful to even think about the poor children fighting to the death for the entertainment of Panem. She gave me an annoyed look and continued. "Last year, two, different tributes got reaped. Peeta Mellark and Katniss Everdeen. Peeta was in love with Katniss and confessed his love with her in the public interview, which caused the Gamemakers to allow two winners that year. But, they changed the rules at the last minute, for only one winner. They attempted a double suicide, but they were stopped before they had no winners. This enraged Snow and Peeta and Katniss's lives were in danger. The year after was a Quarter Quell, which happens every 25 years, and something unique happens that Hunger Games. That year, the tributes were 24 previous victors. Long story short, Katniss made the force field blow out, and the rebels, including our Head Gamemaker, were transported to District 13, which secretly had grown underground. The rebels and the Peacekeepers, Capitol and other not-rebels had a big battle. President Snow and President Coin were killed like I said. The Capitol Hunger Games is happening now as we speak. It's awful, but it's a tradition I have grown to enjoy most of." she explained quickly. I slowly understood what she was saying.
"You want me to kill of the poor children of Menap for some 'tradition?'" I asked, using air quotes around the word "tradition", shocked she would suggest such a thing.
"No! Wait, Shannie, yes, but not like that," she told me, flustered. "You have magic, yes? From your District 13?" I nodded. You see, at least half of our people are descended from people of Panem. It was in the Dark Ages when families were too weak or afraid to fight. Before them, it was only District 13, which we had called Magios. They came, and explained to our president and his apprentice, my mentor about Panem. They agreed to make the first 12 districts the same as Panem, but they decided that that graphite and bomb-making wasn't important and could be done in District 12, so magic became the industry of District 13. "The fight would be to the death, but you can use your magic to revive them. Every game would be exactly 14 days long, and anyone still alive after that would win. The number of winners would be flexible, and training before hand is allowed. There would be a chariot ride to show off, three days of training, and an interview. You agree? I have Katniss's published books and movies for references. She used the pen name Suzanne Collins to hide her identity after she settled down with some kids." My head was starting to spin with all of the information, but I grasped the books and DVDs.
"Ok, Erin. I'll try it, but if it goes wrong, it's your fault." I told her jokingly and she nodded. "Thanks for these." I pointed at what she gave me.
"Oh, also, there is a map of an arena that you could use, and some scripts if you need them inside the book." she whipped her cloak around herself and left. I sighed and got back into my computer to plan the Games.
A/N: Hoped you like the story so far! Just to let you know, it will only have the perspectives of two characters, not all of them. Also, if there are 100 reviews by the end, I will make a sequel as an SYOT. Any beta readers willing? Thanks!