"After interest in the Games drops to an all time low, President Snow is determined to regain the once amazing popularity. Twelve tributes. One 'arena.' And one game-changing twist. Welcome to the 80th Hunger Games, the Rebirth."

~ The Rebirth Games ~

Chapter One:

Prologue


"How precious," a growled voice whispers as a hacket slams down onto the male from District 4's face. "Blood never ceases to spill here in Panem."

"You're right, sir," a chirpy woman says, gently curling the tip of her blonde ponytail over her shoulder. The holographic image floating across the long desk continues to play. Blood splashes about as tributes all across Panem slice each other open. She stares straight into the man's snake green eyes, him looking straight back.

"But ratings are falling," he says, his black suit fit with a glossy white rose tucked to his jacket. "Districts aren't watching. When they show no reaction, what would be the point of the Games in the future?"

The woman shrugs, her elbow pads in her brown suit pointing high into the air. "You tell me."

The man stares back, his white eyebrows frowning. His mouth barely twitching. "Ms. Eve Umbree, you better start talking. Head Gamemaker is a hard goal to reach here in my land." His voice slightly rises, sounding more disgruntled. "Eighty-five years of a typical bloodbath will not do." He turns his head, looking straight at the floating image as tons of bodies lay across a field of shrubs and bushes. "The Games need a rebirth.."

Umbree chuckles, gingerly scribbling something down onto a small notepad with her pen. "Notes taken," she says. "I will not disappoint. If you want bigger and badder, I'll give you bigger and badder. It's time to evolve or die, Snow."


I stare out across the shimmering lake, watching as stones tip the water. With each and every toss and collision, tiny ripples spread out across the lake. I pluck a pebble from beside my feet and I aim. My grasp lets go and I watch as it skims through the air, hopping across the water like a frog.

"Nice throw," Cas and Seidon both say, flicking their short blonde hair back in unison. I smile at the twins' mirrored actions. "Thanks. But I've got something important to tell you all.."

Cas and Seidon both glare at me, waiting for a response.

"I'm President Snow, and you are all entering The Hunger Games!" The twins both chuckle, Seidon - or at least I think it's Seidon - falls on his back laughing. I arch my eyebrows, fold my arms and put on a ridiculous accident.

"And may the odds.."

"..be ever in your favor." I instantly recognize her voice, spin around and see her towering above us. Wearing all black with her ghostly pale skin.

"Hey Maris," I say as she kneels down beside us. The twins both place two pebbles down in front of her, and once again, speak in unison. "Nice to see you. We're just tossing stones."

"And mocking our precious President Snow, I see," Maris continues, flinging one of the stones into the lake. "Lots of people got a good nack to doing it too. All you gotta do is look super angry but speak quietly.."

The twins both look around at the trees with an anxious look on their faces. The joy has completely washed from them. "Be careful. Cameras are everywhere, even out in the deepest part of the woods," Cas says. "Snow is always watching."

Seidon continues on for his brother. "He's right. I'm not surprised if they even have cameras at the bottom of the lake!"

"Don't be ridiculous," huffs Maris. "Even if he were to hear, it wouldn't mean anything. I love when they broadcast executions on television. Maybe taking part in one would be cool.."

"That's creepy," I speak up. "Besides, he'd probably make sure we had a few extra names of ours into the Reaping bowls."

"Speaking of Reapings.." Cas says, Seidon finishing him off. "Any of you nervous for today?"

"Well of course," I say. "You're obviously not human if you don't fear the Games. Whether its a big or small amount, there's always a bit of fear inside of everyone."

Seidon nods. "Agreed. But I bet tough, hipster Mar over here does feel an inch of anxiety.."

"Don't be so pathetic. If anyone is a tough hipster, it's Danix with that black hair!" Maris huffs, referring to me. "Of course I am. Sending twenty four kids into an arena to kill one another each year? It's sick. But we're condemned to silence or condemned to death.."

Suddenly, a loud bell spraws throughout the air. The trees gently sway back and forth as the noise rings in my ears. I stand up on my two feet. "That's the warning. We better get going.."

We all walk through the dense forest and up the large slopes. Eventually we reach my large house peering over the cliff's edge.

"You going to tell your parents your leaving?" Maris asks me.

"Nah. They know," I reply. "Besides, they're leaving to go to the Capitol today. Some sort of business meeting. A deal over some television show or something. They've told me nothing."

My home is isolated out in a large field of grass beside the city. It only takes around a two minute walk before we're at the foundations of the towering skyscrapers. I watch as cars drive by, obedient children sitting in their seats, awaiting their fate. The Justice Building sits at the top of the City Square. Tons of shops in the Square are usually buzzing with people. But not on a day like this. Today, every shutter is sealed shut. The place looks dead. It's ironic considering there is probably three times the amount of usual people here except it looks so dull.

The twins and I split up from Maris who stands in the line for ages eighteen. I step in front of the twins into the seventeen line and up to a small desk. A robotic woman grabs my arm, and I suddenly feel something sharp prick my finger tip. A drop of blood appears on the surface of my skin and she scans it with some sort of device.

"Next."

I walk through the barriers and into a large crowd of teenagers my age. "Hey, Yvonda, lookin' hot today!" I yell across to the unflattered girl over in the other section. She bats her eyelashes and turns away from me. My amusement is instantly stopped by the squeaky voices of the twins again.

"Imagine I am picked to enter the Games. I couldn't possibly leave you!" cries Cas, leaning on his brother's shoulder. Seidon shrugs him off and takes a step beside me. "Gross. Don't cry near me in public. You're embarrassing.."

Minutes pass when I see a grey coat appear in the open doors of the Justice Building. The kids around me have settled and no more seem to be in queues. The truth sinks in immediately; it's time.

My eyes lock onto the handsome face walking across the stage. Tanned skin, big cheekbones. His hair is like golden locks from a Greek god. Short and wavy, but definitely not too curly. He towers over to the microphone stand, bearing his muscles. He obviously seems fit, definitely in shape.

"District 4. I welcome you to the nintieth Hunger Games," the man begins. "I, Finnick Odair, shall be the one selecting the tribute to participate in this year's Games."

My mind instantly begins to swirl on two things. Finnick Odair is his name. Yes, I remember him. Victor of the sixty-something Games. I vaguely know him, but I do know he's quite the Capitol darling. I believe I saw him once or twice on television covered in multi-colored peacecock feathers. But that's not what's important. His use of words is important. Tribute. Before I get to ask myself any questions, I get all the answers within seconds.

"Except this year, there shall be a slight tweak in the system."

..That was expected.

"This year, under the agreement of President Snow and Head Gamemaker Ms. Umbree, one man or woman will be selected to represent District 4 in the Games. And that also means that this year, only twelve tributes will participate. But who will be District 4's tribute?"

Suddenly, a mechanical crank fills the air. A flap opens up on the stage and I watch as a stand rises up. A large glass bowl wobbles on the wooden structure as it comes to a halt.

"Let's find out.."

Finnick dips his hand into the bowl, running his fingers through his hair with his other hand. He quickly swipes a small slip of paper out of the bowl and unfolds it carefully.

"And your tribute is.."

The crowd has been silent all this time, but for some reason, it feels even more quiet now. Not a single creep of movement. Not a single cough. Just silence. Dead silence.

The moment I hear the name call out, I look around at the crowds for the unfortunate child. I hear the crying already. I can see their shocked face already. Mouth wide open, everyone staring at them.. Except that is what I expected to happen.

"..Danix Tides."


Author's Note:

Well hello everyone!

Welcome to my brand new story: The Rebirth Games! It's certainly going to be splendid.. Expect lots of twists and turns along the way. I'm super sorry, but there's SO little that I can say about this story without giving spoilers. Let me just warn you that we're not getting a typical '24 tributes fight to the death, one lone victor' story. Oh no, if you've been a reader of my previous stories, you know that I like twists... And there will be a twist.

These Games will be totally flipped on their head. Get prepared. ;)

If you liked this short little prologue, stay tuned for the next chapter and leave a review if you have time!

Also, a special shoutout to AsgardianGrizzly for creating Danix for the story! :D

And a special announcement! Up until November 19th, I will be having a Hunger Games extravaganza... I love this franchise so much and I hope you stay tuned for.. well.. stay tuned for news ;)

This is Day 1 for the extravaganza, and I'm kicking it off with this brand new story! Woop de woop! :D

Thank you all so much for reading, byeeeee! :D