Once again, the Capitol had become completely enthralled with their Quarter Quell. The mutations had been excellent, the battles positively divine, and the Victor one that they hadn't expected until the very end. Parties went on and on for countless nights, in this city that truly never sleeps, causing headaches to come to those who tried to rest each night. Eventually, even they had realized that it had been futile, proceeding to go outside and join the rest of the celebrations.

Months ago, the newest Victor had set off on the Victory Tour, another one of their favorite pastimes. Speeches, festivities, and galas were held at the lucky District; the other Districts would just have to wait for their chance of glory. Of course, the Capitol would always have the lights shining, the music booming, and their future looking bright. Nothing morbid had really ever touched their doorstep, not since the murder of Althea and Theseus Gremlin, the brother and sister-in-law of their beloved president. But they had been able to fawn over young Copper, whom had been commanded to bed rest after experiencing some awful disease; the entire population had been in tears that very day. Yet when Datura Gremlin had risen to power as the Head Gamemaker, a record being broken at now twenty years of age, everything looked bright once again to them.

But alas, that wouldn't be the same thing for the Tributes. Her hair now dyed a soft blonde, Datura positively loved this arena more than the last, overflow ideas already stockpiled for the next Hunger Games that she would be working on. Having the Hunger Games on sacred ground had been a rather lame Quarter Quell twist in her opinion, but it had proved to be one of the most exciting Hunger Games the Capitol had ever seen. And during it, inspiration had struck, from one of the dullest and most over thought things in the history of the world.

"The Mayan Calendar…," Datura mused, running her hands over the model of her arena, "A countdown to the end of all days…"

Surely, this had been a brilliant idea for her. The arena will be in the mild of the ocean, with grand beaches and for the most part, a tropical feel. Of course, Datura did love the evergreen trees, so the north side would be a completely different environment; she was positive that the different forest types would astound the Capitol audience. A countdown, one hour per Tribute from each of the Thirteen Districts, would be erected grandly at the Cornucopia. Each time death struck in the arena, another hour would be added to it, encouraging the blood lust in all of the Tributes.

"When the time runs out…," she continued, "Disaster is said to strike. Just like it will in my arena, Uncle."

President Gremlin looked slightly wary at the idea, though his mind ran through the endless possibilities, "But that would only by a thrill once, Datura…"

Shaking her head, Datura fully revealed her plans, promising for a terrifying Hunger Games. It looked to be even better than last year's Hunger Games, where the Tributes had been chased around in a mine by a Minotaur. Countdown to disaster, none of the other Gamemakers had considered that, but she even improved it again. Whenever the time ran out, and the disaster had finished, the countdown would reset, an hour for each of the remaining Tributes.

Three Tributes left, three hours until one of them would have to emerge as the Victor.

"Interesting…," President Gremlin murmured, sipping a bit of his scotch, "And what was it you dubbed this arena?"

Datura smirked cruelly, already waiting for the list of Tributes, her toys, to be brought to her desk, "An Island of Sunken Hope, Uncle."

President Gremlin grinned, nodding his head firmly at his beloved niece. Sitting on the oak table rested the list of Tributes, as all of the Reapings had commenced, with District Thirteen still needing to be wrapped up. Skimming over the names and ages, the old man cherished this moment, reveling in the fact that terror would be coming off of the faces of these new people. Not to mention, two interesting young people, who he'd paid a special visit to, were even on this list. Recalling the firm conversation that he had had with his niece, in which she informed her that her choice in Victor hadn't been up to snuff, President Gremlin hoped that she would choose widely. Otherwise, Panem would be short a Gamemaker for the very next Hunger Games…

District One

Female: Prodigy Mallord (18)

Male: Ribbon Layfeyette (18)

District Two

Female: Avalon Argo (17)

Male: Scipio Masca (16)

District Three

Female: Emiliana Vincere (16)

Male: Mika Lizt (13)

District Four

Female: Sapphire Riddle (15)

Male: Caspian Cavaliere (15)

District Five

Female: Marlene Rosenthall (16)

Male: Jeremy Carath (18)

District Six

Female: Soxalia Chia (14)

Male: Morgan Blake (18)

District Seven

Female: Aria Mallows (15)

Male: Benjamin Romulus (15)

District Eight

Female: Natalie McDoe (17)

Male: Jaspe Hallindale (16)

District Nine

Female: Ivy Montina (15)

Male: Emyrus Lapworth (13)

District Ten

Female: Amya Kessim (16)

Male: Jango Trian (18)

District Eleven

Female: Abrielle Miyo (12)

Male: Lotus Hakoda (15)

District Twelve

Female: River Wolfsbane (14)

Male: Shiloh Iscani (13)

District Thirteen

Female: Cylana Ellis (15)

Male: Arko Blue (16)