Hello all, thank you so much for clicking this story. So this a collaboration fic between myself and the awesome Music Rules The World. The prologue has been written by me and we will more than likely switch chapter to chapter but that's not important. Also this was my first attempt at writing first person, so I apologize if it's rough. Anyways I've rambled on enough so just to be clear I do not own the Hunger Games, no matter how much I wish I did.

P.s. All the information you'll need to submit a tribute is own my profile.

President Acadia, Capitol, Six Months Before Reaping.

I sigh for what seems like the umpteenth time that day, that week, that month. I've sighed so many times in the previous months that it has become a tiresome habit that seems nearly impossible to break. I hate sighing now, it's nothing more than a slight exhalation of air to express exasperation. What I feel is not exasperation, it has never been exasperation. No. For the longest time I felt an odd sense of sympathy for the district savages and nothing but fear and sorrow at what seemed to be the massive current of needless violence that swept through the country. Those feelings are long gone now, replaced by a burning white-hot fury.

I'm not exasperated, I am pissed. off. I don't want to sigh, no, I want to scream, scream until my throat is raw and I literally can't make another sound. I want to cry out and voice my grief and sorrow and rage for all to hear, to drop to my knees and sob my heart out until I have no tears left.

But I can't, what impression would that give? The leader of this nation sobbing and screaming like a terrified child. That would give the rebels- at least what remains of them- a good laugh I'm sure, even worse it would give them hope and that is unacceptable. So I don't scream or rage and no one will ever see a tear I shed. I sit and patiently listen to reports on rebel executions, plans for rebuilding, and numerous other issues that required the attention of the president and just simply sigh. For now that's all I can do.

"Madame President . . . Madame President are you alright?"

I'm snapped cleanly from my admittedly melancholy musings by the concerned voice of my assistant, Aelia.

Aelia is a girl of twenty two and my most recent assistant -as my last two met rather gruesome ends during the war- and she is arguably the best, despite her young age.

"Yes, I'm perfectly fine Aelia. What is it?"

She nods and immediately presents me with a crisp, white envelope "A letter from Mr. Mills, Ma'am"

"Thank you, make sure I'm not disturbed"

The girl nods once more at my subtle dismissal and leaves with a respectful "of course, Ma'am"

I skim my fingers lightly over the clean paper, hesitating slightly. Alexander Mills was my first choice for the position of the Head Gamemaker. He's intelligent, experienced, and he is just as eager as I -if not more so- to make the districts pay for their sins. I offered him the position a few months ago and he accepted, which was a relief. The Games could and would be done if he were to decline, of course . . . though if I'm being perfectly honest things would be much more difficult without him.

But what if I was wrong with my selection? What if Alexander grew tired of blood and carnage-it's unlikely, but stranger things have happened-. What if there was a problem he couldn't solve . . . what then?

So many what ifs and I won't receive answers to any of them if I just stare at this white envelope all day, so when hesitating finally grows to be tiresome I open the letter with little ceremony and begin to pour over its contents.

President Acadia,

I hope you are doing well, all things considered. The preparations for the seventy sixth Games are now underway, though I must regretfully inform you that we are making little progress. As I'm sure you're aware, half of our original Gamemakers have fallen victim to the rebel's depravity and hardly anyone is willing to step up to take their place- likely for fear of the same fate. Progress with the arena itself isn't going all that much better. Any idea brought up for said arena has ended with arguments that last for two weeks or more. In most instances these arguments have reduced us to little better than squabbling children. You have managed to beat down this rebellion just as other presidents had done before you and to that I offer you my sincerest congratulations. However the districts must be taught once again to fear us and the power we posse. They need to regret every action that they have taken against us. These people . . . no, these savages need to be beaten back into submission. To do that we must give them something so horrifying, so mind twisting that it will strike absolute, paralyzing fear into the hearts of every man, woman, and child of the districts and make them terrified to place even half a toe out of line. I have come up with an arena that would be ideal for performing such a purpose. Unfortunately I have been unable to bring up the idea as a result of all the infighting. As I've just mentioned it is nothing set in stone but I believe that you will enjoy this idea as much as I, so I humbly request a private meeting with you to discuss this matter at your earliest convenience. Themis I promise you that the rebels will be punished for their crimes against us, Nickel, Hestia and all who have fallen by their hands will be avenged. I hope that you shall agree when next we meet.

Sincerely you best friend and loyal Gamemaker,

Head Gamemaker Alexander Mills

When I've finished the letter, uttering yet another loathsome sigh and almost screaming because of it. My eyes linger on the second to last sentence and I can't stop my heart from clenching. Nickle… and Hestia, two victims of this war who were slaughtered mercilessly by the rebels for simply doing their duty. Hestia: her duty as a faithful guardian of the peace and Nickle: his duty as a husband… my husband. Those rebel bastards took so many lives, so many people who were important to me. My husband, my goddaughter, friends, family; there are very few people who were spared from the effect of this carnage and I am not one of them.

I am under no delusions that our victory over the districts would have been possible if it weren't for the capture and execution of their precious Mockingjay. Her death crushed their hope and without hope it was all too easy to beat them down. We need these games to show that no matter how much they fight us, no matter how much they rebel they have no hope of ever overtaking us, they will always lose.

Alexander has changed drastically since the war, more sadistic and almost unstable since Hestia died. It was only natural I suppose; your children are meant to succeed you in death, not precede you.

Though one would say I'm not exactly a pillar of mental health at this point and time either, but I don't have the time to lose my composure. I'm too busy to stew in sadistic fantasies of revenge. Alexander however has had nothing but time to do just that, hell I've been paying him to do exactly that.

Time to see what I've been paying Nickle's old friend for. With that thought in mind I wasted little time in dialing his number. The response is almost immediate.

"Madame President?" His voice is calm but I can't help but notice that his tone is slightly higher than usual, he's nervous.

"Head Gamemaker Mills. I apologize for the lack of warning but I just received your letter and I felt that this matter required my immediate attention"

"O-Oh I apologize Madame. I didn't intend for the letter to be distracting" he said earnestly, though I'm not sure if I should believe him or not.

"Enough with the formalities Alexander, according to you, you are my 'best friend' after all" I know my tone is icy and I can easily visualize his wince on the other side of the line. I don't really care. Alexander is a friend, a good friend; but he will never be my best friend and I will never be his. No, Nickle will always be my best friend and no one will ever take his place and I know that Alexander echoes my sentiment.

Anyways, he chuckles humorlessly and clears his throat "Thank you for taking the time to speak with me Themis"

I want to be annoyed at the use of my first name, but it was my own fault; I wanted to drop the damn formalities. Though it seems almost too familiar now, too much like the old days, before Nickle . . .

"May I offer you some advice?" it's more of a statement than a question

He sputters slightly but he does manage to stammer out a coherent "of course". I'm not surprised by this reaction, I'm not exactly known for sharing helpful tidbits of advice.

"For these games to go well, I need to have a solid team making it all possible. If you can't get more Gamemakers then you need to get the ones that you do have to work with you. You are the Head Gamemaker they work under you- make them aware of it." I pause briefly to consider what to say next just in case he's feeling a bit hesitant. "This arena has to be perfect Alexander, nothing can go wrong. This is my first year as President and I am doing my damndest to restore this nation to its former glory, and I'm expecting you to do the same with these games. If you can avenge the fallen then by all means do so but do not lose focus. If this fails I may need to begin considering replacements for you and your remaining Gamemakers. Do I make myself clear?"

I don't miss his audible swallow before he replies with a respectful "Perfectly, President Acadia"

For the first time in what seems like an eternity I feel my lips twitch slightly upwards in a smile. Well it might be more of a small smirk than a true smile, but it's the most expression I've allowed myself to have since my husband's death.

"Excellent. Now what is this idea of yours for the arena?"

I can almost see the dark grin forming on his lips when he says "I'm glad you asked, Madame President"

These games will be like nothing anyone has ever seen before, they have to be. The districts will pay and once again the price will be their children's blood. They must all understand, every last one of them that the odds will never be in their favor.

There we go the (1st?) prologue. So please review/follow/favorite if it suits you. Constructive criticism is always wanted and appreciated

Thanks- Wolves :)