Title: The Rising Tide - A Hunger Games AU Fict
Rating: PG-13 (Right Now), R in later chapters (for adult content, adult language, & violence)
Author(s): Quinntalon, Lite, & CuteLikeMurder of Fuzzy Cheese Production/Publishing
Disclaimer: We do not own the rights to the Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins. This work is purely for entertain purposes and no money will be made from this fict.
Authors' Note: This is actually an AU fict based on a AU RPG that can be found on Roleplay Central. You may notice that the beginning
Dedication: To the folks over at RPC (Role Playing Central) and the writers of the Hunger Games RPG there. It's been almost two years and it's been a blast writing with each and every one of you.
Summary: Before Finnick Odair, there was Jan Colton, a volunteer from District Nine that could melt the coldest of hearts with a smile. Before Peeta Mellark, there was Jace Colton, Jan's twin brother who won the first Quarter Quell on accident. Before Katniss Everdeen, there was Aurora Noland, a tribute from District Seven who dared to hope for better days. Each became victors. Each were thrown back into the hell they fought so hard to escape from. And each found themselves used as tools for the rising tide of revolution. A change is coming for Panem. Love live the Resistance.
Set in during the 28th Hunger Games, things of have progressed quite differently for Panem. For the last three games there has been multiple victors. First four, then a pair of two twice. With the 28th Hunger Games approaching it becomes clear that even this was a part of the President's plan. What's his end game? How will the Resistance fair? Only time will tell.
Severus Cato: Age 58, Head Gamemaker
"I think my personal signature is a throwback to the true spirit of the Games."
He had waited most of his adult life for this moment. This was his reward for all of his years of faithful service; through the Dark Days, through the reconstruction period, and finally the birth of the Hunger Games.
He had been a young man then, full of lofty ideals. All he wanted was to make a Panem safer. He thought he was saving the world. The Games was a way to squelch rebellion, yes, but also serve as a cathartic release for the Capitol's citizens that had been the most affected by the Uprising. Maybe some people even thought that the Hunger Games was too lenient of a punishment. Scorch the Earth and piss on the ashes. That sort of thing.
He was no such man. He had grown up in a moderately successful Capitol family. Old money, his father would say. But that didn't change the fact that due to his father's shoddy investments, they had no money by the time he was old enough to claim his family inheritance. Which is why he had joined the President's staff. It was a chance to earn his keep but also gain make some of his lost prestige.
He told people that he had been in the room when the President had come up with a way to punish the Districts and at the same time spare them. But that was a lie retold so many times that there was hardly anyone left alive that knew the truth. That being said when he found out about it he had pleaded to be assigned to help in any way he could.
The design of the first Arena… that had been his brainchild.
Now, it was 25 years later. And he had seen a lot of victors get crowned in that time. The Hunger Games took all kinds and the Victors mirrored that diversity. Of course three districts rose above the rest. Standing together to give the people what they truly wanted…
A grand, bloody spectacle.
And during the first 24 games they had given the people what they wanted. Death, destruction, emotional turmoil. The rivers ran red with the blood of the fallen. And they had died for a good cause; to ensure peace and prosperity for all. Right?
But he'd never forget what happened when one gave these mongrels a hand, they'd take the whole arm.
He always swore if he was put in a position where he could make a real difference, he'd never allow them an inch.
"The President will see you now, Gamemaker Cato," the president's secretary told him and a high pitched voice.
The Gamemaker nodded and with a sly grin he said, "Please, call me Severus."
The secretary smiled back, her purple skin reddening at his words. He stood, straightened out his lavishly embroidered coat, threw a wink at her as he passed by the desk and walked through the double doors into the office of the President of Panem.
"Mr. President, allow me to say what an honor and a pleasure it is to be asked to meet with you," Severus said with a slight bow. Be polite. Always be polite. People had disappeared for less offensive behaviors. So he'd have to be cautious.
"Severus, I assure you the pleasure is all mine," the President said, pointing to a chair in front of his desk. Severus took a seat and studied the man for a moment. He gotten older, despite the youthful sheen to his pale skin. He should have been a white haired old man, but he didn't look the part. His hair black, slicked completely back. His eyes were two dark little dots in the center of his face. The skin on his face had that leathery look. Too many face lifts and too many chem peels.
"Do you know why I've called you down here, Severus?" the President asked.
He had a few ideas. "I have no clue, sir."
The President smiled. "Well, you might not have heard but the previous Head Gamemaker, Mr. Aurelius Nervo has been… let go from his contract. This leaves us with a vacancy."
Severus schooled his face. He wore a blank mask. Nothing he did gave away how truly excited he was right now.
"How long have you been working with the Games?" the president asked.
"I've been here since the beginning, sir," he replied.
The President smiled. "Ah, yes. The good ole days." He paused, looking into Severus' eyes. "What were your thoughts on the Quarter Quell?"
Tactful. Be tactful. "'To remember the sacrifices made by heroes during those Dark Days, we honor the sacrifice of the former tributes and victors of the Hunger Games. In addition to the Reaping, one child of Reaping age related to a former victor or tribute shall enter the Arena.'
"It was a wonderful concept."
The President frowned. "I feel like there is an however missing from that statement."
Severus smiled. "No, sir, Mr. President."
"Severus, please. Let's promise never to lie to one another. How did you honestly feel about the Quarter Quell?"
He was hesitant at first. Severus had found that those that demanded truthfulness rarely wanted to hear it. Still, what would happen if he didn't answer honestly?
"It was a… disappointment, Mr. President," he replied.
The President nodded. "And the multiple victors?"
The Gamemaker took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "It's a slippery slope, Mr. President. First it's a four victors. Soon every year we send more and more home. It doesn't capture the essence of the games. It's true spirit. Having a victor is a good thing. Having too many… they could be more trouble than they're worth, Mr. President."
The President nodded again. "I agree, Severus. Too much of a good thing could be damaging. It could also be used an effective governing tool. While the people of the Districts are rejoicing their multiple victors, they'll turn a blind eye to other exploits.."
"What other exploits, sir?"
"Oh, no Severus. I cannot divulge all of my secrets during our first meeting."
"First meeting, sir?"
"Yes, Severus. The first of many. You will have to meet often with me as the newly-appointed Head Gamemaker."
He grinned. "Of course, sir. Thank you, sir."
"So this is your third Hunger Games as Head Gamemaker," the sea-green haired man, sitting across from him. He was leaning forward, showing great interest in everything that he had told him thus far. From his pseudo-humble beginnings to his tragic memories of the Dark Days, this man wearing a seaweed colored suit hung on his every word.
"Yes. But my 28th as a part of the production team," he replied.
"It's hard to imagine you as a young man, Severus," the other man teased.
The studio audience roared with laughter. The Gamemaker smirked.
"It's not hard to imagine, Kaiser. I've kept together fairly well," Severus replied. To his surprise there were some giggles. Even Kaiser chuckled a bit.
It was impossible to tell Kaiser Lysias's age. Severus only knew it because he had seen the man's personnel files. Still, his body modifications were expertly done. One would have to know what to look for to notice he had any work done aside from the obvious. Sea green was not a natural skin tone. Nor were the color of his eyes which was a shade of blue that reminded Severus of the ocean. No doubt he was honoring the victors of the 27th Hunger Games. The Holy Warriors of District Four. Riva Edlyn and Zale Sewell.
For the year it had been all billowy tunics, tights, and leather boots. They looked like idiots. Severus had to fire several stylists because of their insistence that he follow the latest fashions. His all black suit was a signature of his. Black suit with a blood red cloak that hung over his shoulder. It was a stark contrast to the man sitting across from him.
"So what would you say is your personal signature?" Kaiser asked.
Severus lit a cigarette; hand-rolled in District Eleven with the fumarella leaf, a high-quality tobacco derivative. It gave the cigarette a clean tastes; never smoky, and always smooth.
"I think my personal signature is a throwback to the true spirit of the Games," he began. "I remember the Uprising. It was surreal. I worked in the government. I was aware of how much we gave to the Districts. I know what the Districts' Uprising did to the citizens of the crimes against us. Unspeakable tragedies. The Hunger Games is about making amends for those crimes. But it's also become much more than that. It's another way to heal our fractured nation."
"What do you bring to the Games given your experience?"
The older man smiled. "Well, a person's work is only as good as his team, and I work with the best in the business. Julian Vorenus is responsible for all of the dramatic twists and turns. As many of you recall he was the engineer of the Avenged Muttations from the Quarter Quell."
"The Avenged was a stroke of genius. I was literally on the edge of my seat," Kaiser cooed.
"Julian is very talented and he has a good understanding of what works and what won't.
"Then of course there is another veteran, Bassilla Corvinus. She has come up with some of the greatest environmental shifts within the Arena," Severus continued.
"Ah, yes. The Earthquake in the Abandoned City of the 26th Hunger Games was amazing," Kaiser cut in again.
If only it had killed some of the tributes inside the Arena.
Severus nodded. "Yes, then there's Vesper Sabin, who is very invested in the unique narratives of each Games. She gives the Games a more human aspect."
"Yes, she tends to focus on the some of the outer districts… the Natural Alliance some fans are calling them," Kaiser said.
Severus fell silent for a moment, taking a drag from his cigarette. "The Naturals… If that means these tributes from the outer districts that have singled themselves out as the natural rivals of the Career Districts, then yes, Vesper shines a light on those types of tributes. The unconventional types. The ones that tend to get lost under the might of some of these other tributes; the early favorites.
"I think it's important to understand that we're trying to tell a story. And each year we have to make it more exciting than the last. Without my team you wouldn't feel for these tributes. You wouldn't empathize with a tribute just trying to get home to a twin brother. You wouldn't cheer when that twin volunteers himself and wins the following year. You wouldn't be moved to tears when a tribute from District One bests not one but two other tributes only to die of her wounds. Without my team the fans would have no real connection to these games."
Kaiser nodded. "And what does your daughter bring to the table?"
Again, Severus didn't answer right away. He snuffed out his cigarette and met Kaiser's eyes. Then he forced himself to grin, like any proud parent would, and lied. "My daughter is a gifted individual. There's not too many people who are able to do what we, what Gamemakers do. Even fewer that have a natural affinity for it, like my Roma. She designed last year's Arena largely by herself. And she's played a major role in designing this year's Arena."
"And what will this Arena be? A desert? A system of caves? I think one audience member said she wished to see them fight on a series of hover platforms high in the air." Kaiser said.
Severus smiled. "Now, Kaiser that would spoil the surprise. I predict that everyone will find this year's arena to be absolutely chilling."
"What does that mean?"
"You'll just have to watch and see."
Kaiser laughed. "Well, there you have it. We're in store for a chilling Hunger Games this year. Severus Cato, Head Gamemaker of the 28th Annual Hunger Games, everyone. Thank you for stopping by Severus."
"It was my pleasure, Kaiser."
"Splendid."
"Brilliant, sir."
"Awe-inspiring."
"I was moved."
They had been going on like this ever since he walked into his office. Their sycophantic flattery was trying his nerves.
"Get out," he said, flatly. They scattered like sewer bugs that had been exposed to light. And at last he could breath.
Severus poured himself a drink and barked at the receptionist that he was not to be disturbed for any reason, before he allowed himself to sit and relax. And just when it had seemed that his mind had stopped racing, the door to his office swung open.
"I thought I told you I was not to be disturbed!"
"Not even for your favorite daughter, father?" asked the young woman that had barged in unannounced. She always did like to make an entrance.
"You are my only daughter, Roma," Severus replied.
"All the more reason for me to be your favorite, don't you agree?" she said, flippantly.
"What do you want?" he asked, resuming his drinking.
"To ask about the interview you gave today," Roma replied.
Severus raised an eyebrow. "And what of it?"
"I have only been here for two years but even I am aware what you told them was 99% falsity," she told him.
His daughter was a smart girl. She had taken after her mother in looks but thankfully she had inherited his eye for subtly.
"Sit, Roma." He pointed to the velvet chair in front of his desk. He got up and poured her drink, handing it to her before he went back to his seat. "You think I was being dishonest."
It wasn't a question but Roma answered it anyway. "I know you were being dishonest, Father. You despise Julian. You think Bassilla is terrible at her job. And Vesper has been a thorn in your side for years."
He chuckled. "I'm weaving together a story. That is what our job is as Gamemakers. We are not just selling a story. We are fabricating one. And we are enforcing an underlying narrative."
"And which narrative is that?" she asked.
He took a sip from his glass. "That the Hunger Games is a tool to bring us closer together."
Roma shot him a confused look. "Isn't it?"
Severus laughed, again. "No, my dear child. And if you think that you are as naive as some of these fans. The Hunger Games is a tool, yes. But not used in the way you think. The games breed competition. Districts compete. One victor is crowned. The other eleven districts get someone to hate for the year. Until we repeat the process over again the following year.
"You see, while the districts are arguing about which district got the Victor Crown stolen from them by another district, we are free to live in peace without fear of another uprising. Because as the districts fight amongst themselves, they are not fighting us."