Janus Megalos

President of Panem

President Megalos sat staring at the screen in awe. In all of his 6 years as President never had he seen a mentors gala so elegant. Usually, there was a red carpet, a few pretty lights and that was as exciting as it got.

However, this year the new Head Gamemaker had really gone all out. Giving the mentors a black tie dress code, a lot of pretty lights and the President's personal favourite feature –the diamond encrusted mansion, which would be used for the banquet after.

Before his Presidency, other Presidents had attended the event but Janus always thought that a President shouldn't be too involved in the Hunger Games or it would lead to his downfall.
It was such a shame that this year Janus would have to go against his beliefs and interfere with the games. Maybe it would lead to his downfall as President. But then again, everyone could be dead or on the brink of death this time next year.

But enough with the bleak matters, Janus was ready with his popcorn to watch the rest of the event.

Shortly, cars would start to pull up next to the red carpet for the big reveal of the mentors for this year's hunger games.

Mostly, the mentors were the same throughout the years but districts with large amounts of victors changed frequently and it was always exciting to see who was mentoring. And this year not even Janus knew who was going to be mentoring; it was going to be a surprise to him as well as the rest of Panem.

After listening to Sappho and Phaon's corny presenting – which seemed to last an eternity – the first car containing the District 1 mentors.

A squeal of excitement immediately turned to one of fright when the door burst open.

"Sir, I have an update." blurted Selene, the only person the President trusted to be his assistant.

"Shhhhhhhhhhhh." Janus whined, drawing out the last syllable.

"But we got-"

"Shush."

"Bu-"

"Shh"

"Seriousl-"

"Shh"

"Sir-"

Janus sighed. "You know I hate being called Sir."

"Well I have your attention now do I not?"

"Selene. Can this not wait until after the mentor's gala?"

"Sure, it's not like the future of Panem is at stake." replied the young girl.

"Great, thanks! You're just in time to see the reveal of district 2." Janus said, choosing to ignore the girl's blatant sarcasm.

Together Janus and Selene sat oooing and ahhing at the magnificent dresses and suits of the various mentors for this year's games. With Janus constantly mocking Sappho and Phaon's commentary. So much so that it earned him a quite a few elbows in the rib from Selene.

Soon the public event was over and both the paparazzi and the Capitol seemed content with the mentors.

Next was time for the feast. Of course Janus got an invitation but declined it because why attend a feast in uncomfortable clothing when you can watch it from the comfort of your own sofa?

This part of the gala was solely for letting the mentors relax before the games began, therefore was not an event viewed by the public. Over recent years, Janus made sure it was rewarding for the mentors. After all, he was grateful for their help every year.

Light conversations started while food was being served which caused Janus to smile to himself. It was nice to see the mentors finally getting on after years of petty and pathetic rivalries. Now Janus could confidently say all of the mentors were friends – well with a few exceptions.

Whilst the mentors ate, Janus and Selene ordered pizzas from the best pizza shop in Panem. Janus went for the classic margarita which tasted like heaven itself. Selene however, decided to commit the worst possible sin known to man – by ordering a ham and pineapple pizza.
What kind of monster puts pineapple on pizza?!

They had argued about this for ages and only finishing when Velvet Coelho, victor of the 171st Hunger Games stood up to make her first speech as mentor.

"Firstly, I would like to thank all of my fellow mentors who have been helping me on my journey to becoming a better person. Without you guys I would still be the heartless career I was last year."

Next to Janus, Selene winced, evidently remembering Velvet killing a quarter of the tributes in her arena without any remorse or sympathy for the tributes.

"I wish I could say that I am a completely changed person and that I regret my actions but I do not. For years I had career values constantly drilled into my head and it's hard to be rid of them but I genuinely hope that this time next year I will be a better person and can visit the graves of those I killed and feel something. Anything."

The victors clapped and cheered, all wanting to support Velvet as she was one of them.

"This year I'm going to try my bloody hardest to bring back a victor. So Kelby get ready. Soon you won't be the only mentor to bring back a tribute the year after winning."

"Bring it on!" Kelby shouted, already a bit tipsy.

For the rest of the evening the mentors had the time of their lives. Partying and joking late into the night.

Unfortunately, for Janus and Selene they had more serious matters to talk about. A matter Janus had been dreading for months now. By now they had moved to his office with a small TV in the background, just to keep an eye on the mentors.

"Janus. Switzerland have now signed the declaration. Only 5 more countries and then it's us against the rest of the world." Selene stated, nearly in tears.

"Switzerland? But they've always been a neutral country."

"I know but everyone's had enough of kids killing each other for entertainment."

Selene handed Janus tremendous amounts of paperwork. He analysed page after page and with each turn of a page Janus felt his heart sink even further. This was the first time he feared for the future of Panem and the future of his people.

Minutes later Janus looked up to see Selene sobbing quietly. Her nose was running and mascara streaking down her rosy cheeks.

Janus walked around his desk to comfort her. He dragged a chair and put his arms around her. He noticed that all of the stress was really affecting Selene, seeing the dark circles developing under her eyes. It was times like this he wished he hadn't taken the Presidency position early; now both he and Selene had to bear the weight of Panem on their shoulders at the mere age of 22.

"Hey, don't worry. There's still 5 countries who haven't signed. One of them being Russia, a key country needed weapon wise."

This didn't seem to help Selene at all and instead made her sob even more. It upset Janus to see someone he considered a friend upset.

"Janus don't you understand? All they need to do is persuade Russia to sign the declaration and the whole world attacks. That means no more Panem because we both know that the peacekeepers aren't trained for war."

Suddenly Janus jumped up, sending his chair flying.

"That's it! Selene you're a bloody genius."

Half an hour later Janus and Selene had outlined a plan to save Panem from external forces.

"Janus Megalos, I don't know whether you're brave or utterly stupid."

The president chuckled at the statement but it quickly disappeared when he glanced at the small TV screen with all of the mentors dancing and laughing.

"I feel bad that I'm dragging them into this." He sighed.

Janus just hoped that the mentors would help them with this ludicrous plan, even if it could put everyone in danger.

A.N: Hey guys! I'm excited to have my first SYOT up after months of planning.
I hope you liked the first prologue and that you'll submit.

Also, please let me know what you think of it. I'm open to any criticisms because I know that my writing is a bit rusty after not writing properly for 2 years.

The form is up on my profile and I will accept reservations for slots but unfortunately I will not take review tributes. Since it's my first SYOT I will have a first come first serve basis with a maximum of two tributes per person. If there is a tribute I really don't like or don't think I will be able to write well then I will reject them but it's most likely I'll accept every tribute that comes my way XD

If you guys have any questions feel free to drop me a PM.
Hope to see you guys submit :)