Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games. They belong to Suzanne Collins.

Note: I lied, looks like this story is starting now! Well, kind of. I figured I'd just put out chapter one as an interest getter and show of what is to come in the future when this story will become a focus. For now, I'll be going back to TDL3 and Burning Snow, but even though they are my focus, enjoy the start of the story of the third protagonist of The Nameless Chronicles. Introducing Sickle, from District Nine! Is it just me, or is District Nine the overall most minor one of them all? Just seems to me like they never get to do anything. But, not this time! For now, its just one chapter, but I hope it'll be enjoyable and get you invested for the future. :)

Also, starting now there will be a new addition to the end of chapter notes section. A list of injuries for the living Tributes. Just to give you all a more concrete visual of the action, and the stuff you cannot see through Sickle's POV.

The sun is shining. The Mockingjays are singing. It's a perfect day in the forest.

On days like this, kids like all of us in this Arena shouldn't be getting murdered. But the Capitol commands it, and that's what's going to happen. One way or another, by the end of this year's Hunger Games, the Seventy Fourth in fact, all but one of us will be dead. Some will be killed by other Tributes, some will die from environment...some may be torn apart by a Muttation.

Me though... I'm gonna survive. I'm going to win. I'm going to become Victor, and bring the Capitol to its knees. Twenty three to save so many thousands... the thought makes me grimace, but the idea of being murdered by a Career or a Mutt, that makes me feel worse. Like my Mentor told me, just don't think about it and imagine you're freeing them from the harshness of Panem and sending them to the paradise beyond.

My name is Sickle... Sickle Wheatly. I'm fourteen years old, and I'm from District 9. It's the District of Grain, and the District that has not had a victor in many years. Besides Twelve, we have one of the worst records. I work the fields back home, but the pay is crap. After all, orphans don't get given much. My name was in twice when I turned twelve, and it's been going up every year since. Now, I stand on my pedestal as the countdown is about to begin.

I close my eyes and take a breath. I can't feel too awful. I was bound to be here eventually. It was the plan, after all. With no family or friends that could ever be used against me, I would train myself, both mentally and physically as the years go by and volunteer once I turned eighteen. By then, surely I'd be good enough to win the Hunger Games, and commit to my ultimate plan... the plan only a Victor could possibly pull off. The plan was slightly derailed when I was reaped a week or so ago.

I guess making the Capitol burn four years early isn't too big of an inconvenience to anybody, really. It only means I need to be more careful.

A few tributes yelp a little as the countdown begins. For sixty seconds, you'd think we'd be safe from any kind of harm before the Bloodbath begins. I know better though. You can't assume anything in this Arena. Whether it's a forest like this one, or a desert or tundra or anything else... can never feel safe, if you want to live.

50 seconds…

Nobody even looks at me as I stand on the pedestal furthest along to the right in the line. Next to me is the girl from District Eight who plays around with her curls. Beyond her is the boy from Five who takes a deep breath. At the furthest point in the line from me is my District Partner, Miller. We agreed to stay out of each others way in the Arena, to not fight each other and just walk away if we come too close. I'm glad for that plan, he's a nice guy.

40 seconds…

I take a deep breath and ready myself to run for the Silver Horn... the Cornucopia. It stands tall and strong. Within its mouth lie all the things I need to survive, and to fight. How ironic such spoils of life will likely leave several dead within the horn itself. I can't lie, as determined as I am I feel scared.

30 seconds…

I made sure to do as badly as I could in training. Not bad enough it seemed unbelievable, but just bad enough that people won't see me as much of anything. Just another random girl from Nine. Not worth seeking out and going out of one's way to attack. Nobody saw me do much. I acted dumb to the Gamemakers... and I only really trained once the other Tributes were asleep. Amazing how the Training Center is never locked up, even in the dead of the night.

People feel I have no chance of winning, or even surviving the first fifteen minutes. Not like that brute from Two, the one who acts like such a killing machine. His odds, his power, his desire to kill us all.

Where is he now?

20 seconds…

There he is. He's on his pedestal that is almost directly in front of the Cornucopia. He is positioned to run and more than ready to kill. He seems to give threatening glares to the Tributes who are nearest him. He's eighteen, full of muscle, well fed… a perfect specimen, I think one of my Prep Team had idly called him. Careers like him almost always win the Games.

Not this year! I don't think so!

15 seconds…

Readying myself to run, I reach into the pocket of my bottle green jacket. It's a nice outfit I have, supplied for the Games of course. The shade of green is lovely to look at and, in this Arena, it'll help me blend in just a bit better. But what I am more focused on now is the object I hold in my hand. the object that holds my biggest advantage. My trump card.

Every Tribute has a token, something to remind them of home and what they will return to... or more likely, never see again except as their lives flash before their eyes upon death. Sometimes it's a ball, or a small doll or a badge. You know, that kind of thing. Mine however... well, it's a rock. Just a rock. Ok, I guess I'd be lying to you if I said that. On one hand it really is a rock and not outwardly special, unless you count the way it sparkles in the sunlight.

But, this rock will be the thing that starts my journey in this Arena and all that will happen within. I close my eyes for a moment, gathering my bearings for what I am about to do.

10 seconds…

I think of the orphans back home. I never could allow myself to get attached or close to them. Even so, they looked up to me and I did care about them.

8 seconds…

I think of District Nine, and how it's a poor place. I think of the nice people who I am doing it all for. To bring down the Capitol so everybody back home never needs to live another day in fear ever again.

6 seconds…

I think of the Careers and how arrogant and kill obsessed they are. Of how they will want to brutalise the two little twelve year olds in this Arena instead of making it quick, and painless. I think of how the Capitol will cheer and scream in delight over this like wild animals.

My resolve has hardened.

4 seconds…

Holding my rock, I rear back my arm just like I practised.

3 seconds…

I throw the rock as hard and far as I can.

2 seconds...

It comes to a hard stop on the ground inches from the pedestal the brute from Two stands on.

1 second…

Before the countdown has even ended, his mines detonate from the force of the rock. He is killed instantly, his blood and gore splattering around his pedestal and some onto the Tributes nearest him who begun to freak out. Before the Hunger Games have truly began I have just killed the toughest, biggest, baddest Tribute in the Arena. The one who would have caused so much harm and maybe even won. Now his mangled, bloody remains are splattered around. He barely resembles a person anymore.

Holy shit, right? I can hardly believe what I have just done, but there we have it. He's dead.

Everybody is screaming is shock, alarm, horror and all kinds of other emotions. This has never happened before, an attack before the countdown is over. But I do not listen to that.

My heart is pounding, my breath shaky and vomit wanting to escape my mouth. But the countdown has now ended and it's time to make my move!

With a battle-cry I charge off of my pedestal and sprint as fast as I possibly can towards the Cornucopia. A very brief look to my left shows that nobody else has moved yet. They are still stunned, in total shock at what they have just witnessed. The girl from Two looks like her brain broke, unable to comprehend what has happened.

"That's it, waste time," I murmur as I look back in front of me and charge my way up to the horn. "C'mon Sickle, you know the plan for the Games. Straight in, straight out."

And so, I run into the horn. I already have a list in mind of what I need. A big backpack, food, water, a really good weapon. All this, and anything else I can spare a few seconds getting. Thankfully, everything I need is all around me, and nobody is running towards me just yet.

I grab the biggest, fattest backpack I can see. The one that lies furthest in the Cornucopia. Slinging it on I grab two daggers and pocket them. A large water container is next and, after stuffing a roll of bandages into my pocket I grab a large, spiked, bladed whip from on top of one of the crates. I have everything I need for now and so it's time to go.

I dash out of the Cornucopia just as most of the other Tributes are making a huge rush towards the Silver Horn... and me. I can't afford to get caught in this melee, so I skid a little as I loop around the side of the Cornucopia, running onwards past its tail towards the edge of the clearing, and more importantly the dense forest beyond it.

I pant a little as I run. I trained as good as I could, but I am only fourteen and not the most well fed. All the good Capitol food helped me put on some pounds to last me, but I'm still no marathon runner. Thankfully, adrenaline is able to give me the extra push I need to make it through the edge of the clearing and beyond the trees.

"Straight in, straight out," I manage to say in satisfaction. "So far, all according to plan."

Of course, plans mean nothing if anybody is able to catch up to me and there is no doubt in my mind that they saw where I was running to. I have no doubts the boy from Two's partner is going to have me as her number one target. I saw how good with knives she is. She's crazy and relentless, that one. But then again, so am I!

Well then, let the battle of wits begin.

Even as I run further from the Cornucopia every second, the sounds of the bloodbath are not getting quieter. I can't help but feel sick as the screaming and wailing begins to echo through the forest behind me. The boy - Cato, I think his name was - died quickly. I have little doubt at least one or two of those deaths behind me are going to be drawn out. The Careers will be furious, and with me long gone they need an outlet.

Part me of me had hoped the two little kids would die in the Bloodbath so that I would never need to attack them. Now, part of me hopes they bolted and escaped those nutter Careers. Not that I'll know anything until I hear how many cannons go off, and who is shown in the sky tonight.

The forest is getting thicker out here, the trees becoming a bit closer together. Perfect time for me to cover my tracks and lose anybody who might want to pursue me. I've not actually left tracks, I guess the ground isn't right for it, but if somebody was a good tracker they'd find me.

And so, I double back. For a minute I lightly jog the way I came from. Assuming I was going north before, that way is east. That's where I'll go.

Careful to leave no evidence of my trail, I run off deeper into the forest. I can hear the gentle howls of the wind and the chirps of Mockingjays in the branches above. I wonder how many people are watching me on their screens right now, as I wander around. Viewers can tune in to footage of specific tributes if they so choose, so could a sponsor be watching me?

"I can't believe nobody ever thought to exploit the mines like that," I say to myself as I pass a small pond. Way too dirty to drink from. "Seemed simple to me."

Time doesn't pass in the Arena like it does on the outside world, so it could be nightfall sooner than I expect it to be. It was ten in the morning when the Games began, like usual, but for all I know it could be set to afternoon already. Does noon even exist in here? All I know is, I better get on the move and find a place to set up camp.

"Find high ground," I tell myself. "I can see them coming easier, and kill them before they kill me."

Keeping hold of all my precious gear, I sprint onwards. I'll keep going for as long as I can. I have water, and this backpack probably has some food, so right now I can afford to push myself a bit.

If nothing else, I swiped those cookies from the launch room when my Stylist wasn't looking. What are they but supplies found somewhere besides the Cornucopia, right? Maybe I wasn't supposed to take them into the Arena, but you know what I think?

Children are not supposed to be put into the Arena. If the Capitol wants my respect, it can go screw right off.

(Time passes…)

I've gone uphill a few times, and now the ground is levelled out. I'd assume I'm at a higher point of the Arena, but with how large it is it's not easy to know for sure. Not even six hours though, and I already hate this place. Actually, to be honest I hate everything about the Capitol and what it makes so it's no surprise.

That said, I did kinda enjoy watching that show, Fiona and Lawrence, at the Tribute Center...

I'm no longer running, and am instead just walking. I've been sipping my water a bit, but I'm being careful with it. I've not opened up my backpack yet, so I don't know if I have got anymore of it. I'm totally lost, but if I'm far away from anybody else then why complain? I'm used to being alone, by choice.

I've not heard any cannons yet, but that's not too much of a factor in my mind right now. It's usually a while before they fire anyway, and with my attack before the countdown was over, well, I guess a delay is expected. I wonder what the Gamemaker's faces were like. The thought makes me giggle a bit.

By now the day is starting to notably go by. Nightfall is not here yet, but it looks like the sun is beginning to get far across the sky of the Arena, so I do not doubt that it'll be dark sooner than later. I might be far out, but I'll need a shelter just in case something happens.

"Ok, let's see what I've got to work with here," I say as I come to a stop at the base of a very large tree. I sigh in content as I sit down, my legs now able to relax a bit. "Aaahhhh, that's nice..."

Taking off my backpack, I set it in front of me. My spiky chain whip, the wrap of bandages and the two knives I grabbed are placed down too. They'll be useful. But the best bounty is what's inside the backpack...plus, the backpack itself is good to carry things with and keep my hands free, no matter what lies within it. Maybe it'd also work as a shield?

Thankfully, one look inside and I know I grabbed a really good one. After all, not only is the backpack a dull greeny-brown that will blend in around here, but just look what's inside!

It's filled with food!

I turn the backpack upside down, dunking the contents down and begin to arrange everything. I work fast, but carefully. Only a minute passes before I have all my gear laid out. I can't help but cheer and fistpump.

I have my bladed chain whip and pair of knives to fight with.

Besides the bandages I grabbed, the backpack had two decent medical kits to add to my supplies in case I get hurt.

There's two fully stocked water containers, and my larger one still has a good deal of water left inside of it.

Five packs of thick meat, three packs of fruit, two mushroom sandwhiches and six energy bars. This, and a wrapped loaf of fine, white bread.

A length of rope.

A box of ten matches.

I feel pretty pleased as I pack it all away once more. With such a haul, I should be fine to survive for a few days before I go on the offensive. Or, until I cross paths with somebody else. Miller, I'd let go once or twice. The rest…

Just remember Sickle, it's twenty three for the sake of many thousands.

I yelp, looking straight up as a loud booming noise makes the Mockingjays grow quiet, or fly away. It was a cannon. Probably for the brute from Two, the first to die. How many will I hear? How many remain to... play against?

The cannons fire slowly, but in a steady rhythm. The entire forest is deadly quiet now as the cannons fire. Even the Mockingjays are quiet, as though afraid of what the noise means. Do they have the capacity to know? I can't say I'm sure either way…

Eventually, the last cannon fires and everything is silent. A moment later the natural noises of the forest resume once more.

Nine cannons fired.

One was for Cato, but who were the others for? I'll find out tonight, but who can be sure a cannon won't fire before then? I kinda hope one does. The quicker they die, the quicker I can get out of here and start phase two of the plan.

I shake my head, thinking a small prayer for those who fell, and jog onwards. I'll travel for an hour, and set myself up for the night, wherever I end up at.

(Later…)

Nightfall has arrived. It's dark, and it won't be very long until the Anthem will begin. I never was much of a fan of being outside at night, but I might as well get used to it. Worse things will have happened by the time I am done in this place. At least I managed to find a good spot to spend the night.

"Damn, these are good cookies," I say as I munch the delicious baked goods I swiped from the launch room. "Mmmmm."

Finishing the cookies, my dessert after one pack of meat, I relax back in the tree. I'd found a really tall tree before the sun had set. It took a bit of effort -and some falling and swear words -but I'm now in the nest of thick branches this tree has that are above the canopy of the forest. I can see just about everything from here. It goes on for miles. More importantly, if anybody did come this way they'd have a really hard time finding me in the dark. Even if they found me, how would they reach me anyway, huh?

"Come on, play the Anthem," I mutter. I really want to see who is dead and who is left. Who I may have to kill at some point.

At least the rope I got has me secured, so I can sleep somewhat easy for this one night. I bet I'll make the daily highlights.

As I take a bite out of the last cookie, savouring it, I hear the familiar tune that I hate oh so very much. Where that song plays, muttered curse words follow. Well, if you're me at least. I just sit quietly as I look up to the night sky.

As the Anthem plays loudly, the Capitol Seal is displayed for a few moments. I feel a desperation to put my middle finger up at it, but the last time a Tribute did that they were mysteriously torn apart beyond recognition by fire breathing badgers the next day, so I resist.

The first face in the sky is the boy from Two or, I should say, Cato. So much killing potential and such a good chance at winning, and I killed him before he could even truly 'play the Games'. I shiver, and not from the coldness of the night.

Remember Sickle, he'd have killed you and enjoyed it if he got the chance to.

The next face I see is the boy from Three. That means the rest of the Careers have all survived, and they'll be hunting me down soon. This boy seemed smart, and a little ruthless. I feel sort of glad I won't have to face-off against him.

Next in the sky is the girl from Three. That's one District out already. Unlike me, she'd not tried to get poor odds to avoid being seen as one to target. I didn't expect her to last long, but with how sad she seemed, well, I can only hope it was quick and merciful.

Next up is the boy from Five. He seemed really smart... just another person of worth the Capitol has taken away and wasted all potential of.

Now I see the face of the boy from Six. Cato had threatened to kill him. Well, at least this boy outlived him. I wonder who kill him, if not Cato?

The face of the boy from Seven is next up. He was a sly one, I thought. And now he's dead, just like that. With every face I get closer to my goal, but... this is wrong. Not that I can claim to be much superior, after killing somebody and in record time, too.

Another District gone. It's the girl from Seven next. Like every Tribute but Miller, I never spoke to her... but she seemed smart, and decently skilled. Like she had something to fight for. Whatever it was, she's dead too.

The second to last face I see staring lifelessly at me from above is the girl from Eight. She seemed goofy and fun... not things that help you stay alive in the Arena. Of course, outside the Games I'd probably enjoy her company, not that I'd admit to it just in case, but in here there's only one Victor. Not gonna be her, though maybe she died as she lived - smiling.

And now, I see the final face in the sky. It's that girl from Twelve... the Girl on Fire. Katniss. Her fire got extinguished fast I guess. Broken love, a crushed underdog and, sadly, I can't say I'm surprised. That's the way it'll always be until the day the Capitol burns.

With all nine dead Tributes shown, the Anthem comes to a grand finale for a moment before everything goes dark and all is quiet. Well, besides the hooting of an owl from somewhere nearby at least.

"Nine dead kids," I mutter. "Happy Hunger Games, whoop-de-doo..."

I lay back, the rope securing me, and I try to settle down. It's gonna be a long night, I bet. Tomorrow it's gonna be just as hard. After all, on day one it's about getting supplies, or fleeing. But on day two and beyond the hunting begins and the Gamemakers will start to influence things.

"Brrrr, pretty chilly," I say as I try to get comfy.

It's not a few moments after I say this that I hear something... it's like a sonar, or some kind of soft beeping. Looking up, I see a parachute is heading towards me. As it gets close, the 9 on it confirms it's for me. I open it up, and inside it is a blanket.

"Thanks for the boon," I say, giving a thumbs up. "Don't go sponsoring the others. I kinda need to kill them, and not have them kill me, you see."

I'm sure the idiots in the Capitol love that. Not that I can call them idiots, sadly. Well, no yet anyway, heheh. Setting aside the parachute, I put the blanket over me and lay back, trying to get some rest.

Day one is over, and I've made myself impossible to forget. Already, a Sponsor has been given to me.

People are really gonna want to kill me after what I've done. That girl from Two looks bonkers so, well, hopefully she broke her hands and can't use any knives on me. Guess I'll just sleep, and see what the next day brings. Just fourteen left to die, and then it's time…

Come what may. I can deal with it.

END OF DAY 1…

REMAINING TRIBUTES

Marvel (District 1 Male)

Glimmer (District 1 Female)

Clove (District 2 Female)

Urchin (District 4 Male)

Marina (District 4 Female)

Cinder (District 5 Female)

Tamora (District 6 Female)

Callico (District 8 Male)

Miller (District 9 Male)

Sickle (District 9 Female)

Rammy (District 10 Male)

Sable (District 10 Female)

Thresh (District 11 Male)

Rue (District 11 Female)

Peeta (District 12 Male)

THE FALLEN

16th- Katniss (District 12 Female)- Two knives thrown into her back by Clove.

17th- Weldar (District 3 Male)- Strangled and asphyxiated by Tamora.

18th- Jason (District 6 Male)- Stabbed with a Kukri and then stabbed in the gut by a spear, by Marvel.

19th- Wood (District 7 Male)- Throat slashed with a large cleaver by Glimmer.

20th- Nettle (District 7 Female)- Stabbed repeatedly by Clove.

21st- Gadget (District 3 Female)- Struck in the skull with an axe by Marina.

22nd- Lacey (District 8 Female)- Impaled with a spear by Marvel.

23rd- Sparky (District 5 Male)- Knife thrown between the eyes by Clove.

24th- Cato (District 2 Male)- Mines detonated by Sickle before the countdown was over.

TRIBUTE NOTES

As usual, no real notes to give on those that fell in the bloodbath. But, with Sickle's action before the countdown ended and how it's the main point of divergence...well, everything changed and thus it's a totally different outcome that is more than just listing 'what changes if this one Tribute had ran or not done something'. Take away Cato, have everybody be in a shocked frenzy from what has happened and then add the fact they were stationary for a few precious seconds...the result is everything totally changing around. A very different tale than what we know lies ahead. Stay tuned!