Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games. Nor do I own the song or James Bond movie "Skyfall" after which this story is named.
Prologue
Marius Venici
24 years of age
Capitolite
"Marius?" the voice of Maximilian, my producer, calls as he raps on the door. "Are you almost ready? You are on in ten."
"Yes, Max, I'll be there soon," I answer in a voice that is much calmer than how I feel. In reality, I'm still stressing out. Have I covered every blemish on my face? Is there a hair out of place? Is my voice warmed up and ready to go? I suppose I needn't get so worked up, but I can't help but feel anxious. It's not every day a television interviewer is allowed to speak with the marvelous President Benedictus Simmons one on one on national television. I may be Marius Venici, the famous host of a nightly talk show, but even so, being asked to interview President Simmons is no small accomplishment. I will not take it for granted, and I will not mess up. I am only twenty-four years of age, and it is incredible I have managed to climb as high on the ladder of fame as I am at the young age of twenty-four, and falling down back to the bottom is one of my greatest nightmares. I can only suspect the only reason I have the job of hosting tonight's show is because my father, Bartholomew Venici, is the new Head Gamemaker of these Games, and the reason this interview, viewable by Capitolite eyes only, is being held in the first place.
It's hard to believe the Hunger Games were first enacted three years ago. Since then, the Capitolites of Panem have gotten slightly bored. They do not like seeing the same thing for too long, certainly not more than two years in a row. It seems as though Capitolites yearn for changes as much and as often as they yearn for changes in fashion trends. The last Head Gamemaker went as far as to move the arena, but a simple, plain forest arena was not enough. The Capitol wants more excitement, more intensity, more tension, and my father believes he can bring it to the demanding citizens of the grandest city in Panem. Thus, here I am, preparing myself for an interview revealing secrets of arena of the upcoming Fourth Annual Hunger Games.
The first two Hunger Games were kept simple. They were held in an open-roofed arena, a cross between the ancient Colosseum and a baseball stadium. Rows upon rows of seating, accessible from the field down below, made for good hiding places for the tributes. About ten VIP Seating boxes were scattered around nearly a hundred feet up, but they remained empty for the majority of the games. At the edge of the arena, long hallways curved around the entire stadium, forming several levels, with abandoned concession stands spread out every once in a while. Trapdoors lead underneath the dirty covered floor, but not many tributes ventured down there. Those who did never returned, having fallen victim to the lion, tiger, and elephant mutts being stored there. When not much action was occurring, a few of the mutts would be released into the arena at a time. Tributes were reluctant to kill, even after the tributes from Twelve were blown to bits, so the majority of the tributes were killed by the mutts. After twelve hours and thirty-seven minutes, the girl from Five was mauled to death by a lion, while Timber Kasson, the sixteen-year-old boy from District Seven watched in horror. He was crowned the first victor of the Hunger Games, despite only having killed one tribute in self-defense.
The second games were a lot like the first, only much faster paced. Manipulative Valiant Pennington formed a tight alliance with three other tributes. They were foolish enough to follow him through out the whole games. Valiant and his alliance killed seven of the other tributes. Their first clue to leave him should have been when the boy from Three was gored by a rhinoceros mutt, and Valiant did nothing for his ally. Yet, his district partner and the overly-trusting boy from Eight stayed with him. In five hours and forty-three minutes, all the other tributes were dead, and Valiant literally stabbed his district partner right in the back. The boy from Eight tried to run, but it was too late. The eighteen-year-old from One was the victor that year.
The Capitol was enjoying the Games, but they were starting to get a little bored. The arena was simple, too simple, many thought. Even twelve hours out of the whole year was too short. Capitolites waited for months for an event that didn't even last a day. There wasn't much Gamemakers could do to improve the arena. The stadium-arena was abandoned, and tributes were placed in a newly-built forest arena about thirty miles from the outskirts of District Seven. The arena was on only a few of land, but it was big enough, the Gamemakers speculated, to keep the Capitolites entertained for several days. However, no one anticipated the actions of Patriot Salem, Panem's first volunteer. He threw a curveball into the whole gameplan, killing thirteen of his competition. In just under three hours, all other tributes were dead but two. The boy from Eleven had been trailing Patriot, but he was no match for the seventeen-year-old from District Two. Patriot became the third victor of Panem.
"Marius? Now! We don't want to keep President Simmons waiting!" I jump at Maximilian's sudden, sharp words. He's normally not so pushy or snappy. He must be as nervous as I am.
Well, I will not disappoint him. I cannot. To do so would be disappointing not only him, but my entire family. Straightening my tie, I try to look as confident as I can before swinging open the door.
"It's showtime."
Lights shine blindingly and the crowd roars deafeningly as I walk out to the stage, waving enthusiastically. My theme music plays in the background, loud enough to be heard over the audience. Hundreds of people sit in the luxurious seats of the auditorium, and thousands more sit on their couches at home, all with their eyes centered on me, waiting eagerly. Here it goes.
"Welcome, welcome!" I greet my viewers, hoping the glistening of the sweat on my forehead does not show up on camera. "I'm Marius Venici, and I am delighted to announce the appearances of two very special guests tonight! As you know, the Hunger Games have been a tremendous success in quelling the districts. However, I'm craving even more excitement, aren't you?" The crowd cheers loudly in response. "Excellent! I know our wise President Simmons agrees. We'll be speaking with him later tonight on the future of these glorious Hunger Games, next year's in particular! But first, let's hear from our new Head Gamemaker, my own father, Bartholomew Venici!"
My father mounts the stage, looking as prideful of always. Interviewing him is easy. I'm comfortable questioning him, yet we are as familiar as strangers to each other. My father never has treated any of his children as equals. It has always been a "be seen and not heard" lifestyle at my family home, and only Mother could ask him questions of his career. This interview, of course, is an exception. It is probably the longest conversation I've had with him in a while.
Father is secretive through out the interview. He knows how to give enough information about the arena to excite the Capitolites, but not so much as to totally give it away. By the end of the interview, my father has only revealled that the arena will be bigger, more complex, more intense, and colder than ever. The most intriquing piece is when he says, "I hope the tributes like caves." Cold? Caves? Complex? I can hardly wait to see what sort of arena my brilliant father has come up with.
We go on a five minute commercial break, which gives me the chance to wipe off some sweat and rehydrate. My legs quiver with nerves, despite my efforts to get them to keep still. It's only the President. Only the President. Only the biggest interview of my career. No pressure. I don't have time to get nervous. Before I know it, I'm back on air.
"Welcome back, citizens of Panem! We have just finished our interview with Head Gamemaker Bartholomew Venici, and my, what fabous ideas he seems to have! I simply cannot wait to see this arena. And now, give it up for the man who makes it all possible… President Bennedictus Simmons!"
The crowd applauds wildly as President Simmons makes himself visible. He's a man of average height, is balding, and has a pot-belly, but he is intimidating never the less. He even intimidates me, making me feel as though one false move will cost me my life. Not to my surprise, when I begin to speak, my voice is a bit shaky. "How are you, Mr. President?" I begin.
"Very well, Mr. Venici. Yourself?"
"Wonderful, thank you. Three years ago, when you first enacted the Hunger Games, many of us assumed it would be a one-time event. Yet, here we are, at year four. If you would, Mr. President, could you explain why that is?"
"Why end a good thing?" President Simmons asks with an eerily cold smile. "It is an effective way of keeping the districts in line, is it not? Tell me, have we seen any uprisings since the games began?"
"No sir," I say. "Would I be correct in saying you believe this is the best way to control the district?"
President Simmons nods. "The only way. Fear is the Capitols most valued weapon. Fear of the reaping, fear of losing children, is what will keep the districts quiet."
"What about the Capitolites? Will they be satisfied with the new arena?"
"I should hope so. Mr. Venici has done an excellent job with it."
"What can you tell us about the arena?"
President Simmons chuckles. "I'm sure Mr. Venici has given everything away he wishes to. That is not my question to answer, I'm afraid."
I smile slightly, easing more and more into the interview. This isn't so hard. Time passes by, and I am surprised when my watch produces I tiny beep. One minute left. "Last question, Mr. President…. How will this arena effect all future Hunger Games and the people of the districts?"
"This twist will show the districts just what the Capitol is capable of," President Simmons replies. "It will prove that the Games are ever changing, and the Capitol is in full control. The districts are helpless. They can never know what to expect, and just when they think they have grasped our ways, their sky - their world as they know it, that is - will fall once more. The Games will continue for as long as my successors and I see fit. Today, tomorrow, and forever, the Capitol of Panem will reign supreme."
The audiance applauds as President Simmons concludes, cueing me in. "Thank you for joining us tonight, Mr. President! And thank you, citizens of Panem! This is Marius Venici for Capitol Television! Goodnight!"
The lights snap off on stage, and the auditorium plunges into darkness as applause erupts.
Author's Note: Hello, and welcome to the Fourth Annual Hunger Games. This story will be told in the POV of Eight OCs owned by me. The victor WILL be one of mine, but the others can be submitted through the SYOT form on my profile. Please read the guidelines before submitting. There will be a Sponsor System as well. Review or PM me with any questions. TRIBUTES WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED THROUGH PM.
Sponsor Question (worth 5 sponsor points): What do you think of Marius Venici? Would you like to see him again in a POV?
Character List:
District 1 male: Beauregard Laire, 15, HogwartsDreamer113
District 1 female:
District 2 male: Special requirements wanted. PM me if you want to submit this tribute. Nothing to major, just has to mesh with his district partner and mentor.
District 2 female: Concordia Afton, 18, HogwartsDreamer113
District 3 male: Baldwin Fridley, 13, HogwartsDreamer113
District 3 female:
District 4 male: Ciacco Capitani, 17, CelticGames4
District 4 female:
District 5 male:
District 5 female: Rhea Medina, 18, HogwartsDreamer113
District 6 male:
District 6 female:
District 7 male: Kauri Andoni, 16, Kate-the-Great-and-Powerful
District 7 female: Heather Bradshaw, 17, HogwartsDreamer113
District 8 male:
District 8: female:
District 9 male: Omri Hibbing, 17, HogwartsDreamer113
District 9 female:
District 10 male: Knox Sibley, 14, HogwartsDreamer113
District 10 female:
District 11 male:
District 11 female:
District 12 male:
District 12 female: Anise Sartell, 16, HogwartsDreamer113
Thank you Kate-The-Great-And-Powerful and CelticGames4 for submitting Kauri and Ciacco. :). Reviews are important to me, so thank you if you choose to do so.