Author's Note: Hello, I'd just like to layout a few things regarding this fanfic. The entire story will be multiple POV style. I may add more POV characters as the story goes on. The story takes place in the canon (not an AU). However, I don't plan on bringing in any canon characters. Hope you enjoy it!

Xi'an, 13 (D9f)

As soon as the launch pad had locked into position, Xi'an started analyzing her surroundings.

The Cornucopia had a fair balance of supplies and weapons, most being bladed, but almost everything was in the mouth, meaning a hundred-meter dash if she wanted any sort of material aid. The arena itself was relatively basic. It possessed a lake, some woods and a few mountains in the distance. The rest was an open field. As for the tributes, the ones closest to her were all bigger, if brutish in her opinion.

By the time she had finished her observations, the timer was half out. She contemplated making a break for a handsome pack containing preservatives, water and a blanket, but decided against it. The arena was hot and green enough to negate those supplies. Surely she could just steal from another tribute.

She turned around for a moment and saw a sizable forest a scant twenty meters from her. She could definitely make it into the woods before anyone could get a weapon.

Her plan was set.

Sylven, 18 (D4m)

Sylven was enamored. He had scored a ten in training (tied for first), had worked the audience with his interview, and had formed an alliance with the tributes from districts two and four, as well as the male from district one. He couldn't have asked for a better pre-game.

And he couldn't have asked for a better cornucopia. Despite being from district four, he had always had an affinity for daggers, and, low and behold, there was a handsome set of that very weapon in the centerpiece.

Most of the other tributes (sans the careers, of course) were scrawny and malnourished. It only made sense to go in. He could probably pick off some threats (that girl from district eight rubbed him the wrong way).

A deep, booming voice started counting down from ten. Sylven smirked as he got into a running stance. To his delight, most of the others looked confused.

He was so winning these games.

Tatianna, 13 (D1f)

Tatianna wanted to collapse on her launch pad and cry. She was not supposed to be here. Someone was supposed to volunteer. She was only twelve.

Twelve, twelve, twelve. Wouldn't it be riveting? To watch a twelve-year-old from a career district fight for her life? And what if that twelve-year-old was the daughter of the most unpopular mayor in district history?

What fun the denizens of the Capitol must be having.

She was facing the back of the cornucopia, so supplies were out of the question. And the other careers had ignored her, so she had no allies. As for sponsors, she had broken down during the interviews, insulting the audience and the like. If the lack of sponsors didn't kill her, the game makers would. Anything for ratings!

Tatianna's snapped out of her thoughts when a deep, booming voice started counting down from ten. She began to panic. All of the other tributes (none of whom she recognized) were gearing up. A lump in her throat formed and she began to hyperventilate.

She ran blindly into the woods as the gong went off.

Logan, 14 (D6m)

Logan was admiring the topography of the arena when the voice started counting down from ten. Pulling his attention from the lake (he should try and swim later), he studied the supplies in the cornucopia. He decided to go for the red bag, since it was his favorite color.

He made a mental note to grab a blue one for Tatianna.

Blythe, 17 (D8f)

Blythe was worried. She knew that she was the strongest tribute after the Careers. She had one of the highest training scores, she had won the audience over with her interview and she had been cordial to the other tributes. No doubt the Careers would come for her first. And low and behold, two of them happened to be on either side of her.

The game makers were shady bitches.

However, she tried to find some sort of advantage in the remaining forty seconds before everyone started killing everyone. She knew that she, while not particularly burly, was fast. If she could outrun the two careers, (the two from district four) find some sort of throwing knife or spear before they did, she could actually take two of her competitors out before grabbing a supply pack and bolting. She doubted any of the others would actually go for the cornucopia. She calmed herself as a disembodied voice started counting down from ten.

Blythe was surviving these games.

Carmen, 16 (D2f)

Carmen had been formulating her strategy ever since she had begun her training at age five. She was to select a weapon (sword) and demonstrate it during her private session, so as to ensure its inclusion in the cornucopia. This takes priority over survival, as one can just live off the food from the cornucopia (even if there isn't food, she'd still be better off as a Career).

As for her fellow Careers, she should never assert herself as a leader. In all of the games she could remember, the leader of the Career Pack was almost always the first to go.

In contrast, she must not be seen as a weakling, lest she be targeted immediately after the leader. Best to remain stoic and mediocre.

She intended to follow this plan to the T. She intended.

Garten, 15 (D10m)

Where was Blythe? Garten was facing away from the Cornucopia's mouth and couldn't find her anywhere.

This was a bit of a problem, given that Garten was relying on her to help him win the games. His reasoning being that Garten knew that he wasn't the strongest tribute, or the fastest or the most cut-throat. He doubted his ability to make it out of the bloodbath alive.

However, Garten was incredibly guile. He had set out to find a tribute, other than a Career, that was exceptional in training (there was usually one or two, Garten had hypothesized that the game makers did this on purpose, not that he ever shared these opinions).

He had found this in Blythe, the girl from district eight. He had made her acquaintance quite quickly after the opening ceremonies. Despite him wearing a cow costume, he had been quite responsive to the audience.

"Hey, Garten is it?" Blythe had pulled him aside. He nodded in response. "How did you get the audience to cheer for you?" Blythe's stylist, in an effort to reflect the 'urban flavor' of district eight, had painted her in a brick pattern.

"I just waved at them really. I wouldn't worry about it though, training scores usually factor into whether or not they decide to sponsor you." Garten had almost immediately noticed Blythe's remarkably athletic physique and decided that he should work with her. "Your name's Blythe, right?"

"Yes," Blythe seemed visibly pleased that he had asked. "Well, nice talking to you."

"Yeah, your certainly more pleasant than the Careers," Garten noticed that Blythe had perked up a bit as she jogged back to her mentor.

From there on, Garten made an effort to get close to Blythe. He hung out with her at lunch and, in a calculated move, had her help him with the training stations. In return, he helped her out with her interview (the lone victor from district eight didn't talk, anyway).

They had made a pact afterwards to work together in the arena. Garten was a favorite with sponsors, Blythe could stab people to death. They balanced each other's skillset quite well.

Garten felt quite complacent with his odds.

Tributes' Status (bold text indicates POV)

D1m: Chartreuse, Alive. D1f: Tatianna, Alive.

D2m: Garnet, Alive. D2f: Carmen, Alive.

D3m: Jay, Alive. D3f: Courtney, Alive.

D4m: Sylven, Alive. D4f: Mariette, Alive.

D5m: Carter, Alive. D5f: Lee, Alive.

D6m: Logan, Alive. D6f: Sara, Alive.

D7m: Harry, Alive. D7f: Acadia, Alive.

D8m: Noah, Alive. D8f: Blythe, Alive.

D9m: Pete, Alive. D9f: Xi'an, Alive.

D10m: Garten, Alive. D10f: Shirley, Alive.

D11m: Vernon, Alive. D11f: Celia, Alive.

D12m: Marcus, Alive. D12f: Tara, Alive.

Author's Note: I apologize if I haven't sated anyone's taste for bloodshed. I can promise multiple deaths next chapter, so don't worry. Anyway, constructive criticism is appreciated and applied. Also, and this is very important: keeping with the theme of manipulation in this story, I'm allowing you, the readers, to give suggestions regarding where the story should go next (which could very well change the victor's identity). Thanks!