Valor

by GULLINBURSTI

Without a catalyst to spark the flames of rebellion, District 13 was uprooted by the Capitol and hope in the Districts of Panem was obliterated in the bloodbath of the Victors Quell. But when the Quarter Quell that marks the 100th anniversary of the Games creates a new level of disgust within the people, there may be time yet for a revolution.

1. Prologue

PROLOGUE

The Districts of Panem dreamed of a rebellion. They whispered fantasies of an uprising—carefully, between the cracks of their shambled homes and factories. It gave them hope that one day the rumors would prove themselves to be true, and an army of underground forces would rise to overthrow the Capitol. Then, the Hunger Games would be abolished, and families would no longer be subjected to the public execution of their children.

But a revolution cannot spark without a catalyst, and no icon rose above the poverty-stricken people on mockingjay wings to stir them.

The 74th Annual Hunger Games came and went, and on the eve of the 75th, Panem's third Quarter Quell, leagues of armed Peacekeepers dragged the rebel forces of District 13 out of their underground sanctuary, executed the leaders and Capitol traitors, and enslaved the remaining population under the threat of genocide. Scared into submission, the tournament of victors only helped to weaken the morale of the Districts, who had been effectively shown the truth behind the decree that not even the strongest among them could overcome the Capitol.

Tensions were high, but over the course of the next 25 years, Panem wound back down to its old routine of fear and subjugation. That was, until the announcement of the 100th Annual Hunger Games—a Quarter Quell horrific enough to honor the prestigious anniversary of the Games. On that day, the current Tyrant of Panem decreed:

This year's Quarter Quell serves to remind us all that not even the youngest of children were spared from the chaos of warfare. The tributes for the 100th Annual Hunger Games will be reaped from a pool of citizens 6-12 years of age.

That bloodbath was the final motivation they needed. The people of Panem formed a silent pact to change, and for the next decade they prepared, in secret, for when the moment to act would present itself.