Author's Note: So, thanks for reading my story! All characters are mine, but sadly, the Hunger Games aren't. Also, keep in mind that since these are still the 13th Games, a lot of concepts haven't been invented yet. All right, without further ado, The 13th Hunger Games!

Prologue

Head Gamemaker Rupert Rider looked up from the papers he was holding to the multiple men and women all seated around the table. They were all clearly waiting for him to start. So he did.

"The 13th Hunger Games begin in a few days," he began. "We've already got our tributes. The only thing that's left is the interviews. After that, we'll drop them off in the arena, and the games will begin."

One of the other gamemakers opened up a hologram in the middle of the table. Instantly, 24 bright faces appeared. Rupert mentioned each of them, zooming in on their face when he did.

"Lukas Highwind and Alyssa Rainheart of District 1," he started. "Both volunteered. But something's a bit off about the boy…"

"Sir," one of the other gamemakers, a girl, interrupted. "He's got a reputation in his district for being extremely violent."

"Hmm…" pondered Rupert. "We could use that. Moving on!"

"Zell Zantas and Sophia Steed of District 2. Volunteers as well. The girl's a bit young though. I don't remember a career ever being this small."

"She's said to be extremely clever though," mentioned another one of the gamemakers.

"I see," Rupert replied before zooming in on the next two faces.

"Jarvis Sheed and Solis Lamont of District 3. A shame such a young girl had to be reaped. Only 12 years old…next!"

"Reed Pyrope and Elena Strife of District 4. They volunteered too. I have high hopes for these two."

"Christopher Redwind and Selya Rivera of District 5. Nothing special about them…"

"Blain Linus and Thalia Silver of District 6. I hear they know each other…?"

"They were lovers," a gamemaker mentioned. "They broke down when they were called."

"Gray Norton and Odessa Leijon of District 7. The boy looks promising. He seems…clever."

"Lance Asher and Lyra Riles of District 8. The boy looks confident."

"Eyden Guile and Jenna Jones of District 9. Nothing different."

"Edge Captor and Yenna Nash of District 10. Again, I don't see anything special…"

"Dolph Jewklin and Eve Erohl of District 11. The boy looks good. Strong and silent. The girl on the other hand…"

"She's the only other 12-year-old besides the girl from District 3," mentioned a gamemaker.

"And lastly, Corey Creed and Maya Niles of District 12. Nothing new about them…"

"So, all in all, I have high hopes for these games. The tributes look good, well at least, better than usual. The arena is ready?"

"Yes sir," another gamemaker replied. "A huge forest with rivers running through it."

"And the traps?" Rupert asked.

"All set, sir," the same gamemaker replied. "But we're keeping them to a minimum. Better if the children do the killing."

"Yes, yes, of course." Rupert replied.

This was only his first year as Head Gamemaker ever since the last one retired last year. He was determined to make this year's Hunger Games the best ever, and as far as he was concerned, there's a high possibility that this very well might be. He had especially high hopes for the careers.

"So, where exactly are the tributes now?" he called.

"They just finished saying their goodbyes and are now on the trains, heading here," a gamemaker replied.

"Good, good, we're ahead of schedule. See to it that the tributes get here on time. After they get here, they'll get a good night's rest. Then, the following day, we'll prep them for the interview. Then, the following day, the games will begin. Make sure we don't fall out of schedule. Is that clear?"

"Yes sir!" The entire room replied in unison.

"Very good. Meeting, dismissed!"