So some of you may or may not know but this story is not new. It was recently taken down by FanFic admin but I've gone back and adjusted the story so it fits their guidelines (which were followed but they still took it down!). Anyways, this is going up again as I spent a lot of time on it and like for it to be on this site for people to enjoy.
For people reading for the first time, enjoy this 51 Chapter monstrosity which is about to be posted. For people who have read before, feel free to read again and favorite and/or review for the heck of it :)
I DO NOT OWN THE HUNGER GAMES. ALL CREDIT GOES TO SUZANNE COLLINS. ANY CHARACTERS OR LOCATIONS OR PLOT LINES NOT FEATURED IN SUZANNE COLLINS STORY BELONG TO ME. ANY TRIBUTES SUBMITTED BY OTHER AUTHORS AND/OR REVIEWERS BELONG TO THEM AND WILL BE CREDITED.
Prologue: A Reminder of Power
When one is a leader of society, it is important to know how people in your society think. That way there can be no surprises.
Surprises are the worst. They can lead to misinterpretations of actions, dissenting opinions, and outright rebellion.
And now President Snow was faced with all three of those problems. All thanks to those damnable Hunger Games.
The President understood the importance of the Hunger Games. Why, he was guilty of enjoying the Games when he was still a young boy. He enjoyed betting with his friends to see which tribute would win, die the worst possible way, or even which tribute was the most attractive. But the days of childhood innocence were gone for President Snow, and even then he was never truly 'innocent'. His former friends had left him, some from this world by his hand and others simply because of fear of his power. Snow had also come to truly understand the real purpose of the Games.
And for the past two years they had failed to do their duty of keeping the Capital in power and the Districts cowering.
Snow was prepared for the backlash from the 75th Games. As President, he already knew what the Quarter Quell would be before announcing it. Having knowledge of such things was expected of a President, he even knew what the 100th Games would be. When he first read the card that outlined the 75th Games he wondered what the original Gamemakers were thinking when they conceived the idea. Snow could certainly see the objective in the idea, being crowned Victor was official one way for the District Citizens to escape their miserable servant lifestyle. For the Capital to force Victors back into the arena sent a powerful message that nobody was truly free from the Capital, no doubt what the original Gamemakers wanted. That message though didn't help Snow disperse the thoughts of rebellion, which were brewing among the Districts after the 74th Games. Nor did it help his position in the Capital. The 75th Games had not been a popular Game on the home front; with citizens of the Capital feeling actual emotions of sadness and horror when they watched Victors they had come to love kill each other.
The Bloodbath killed off most the drunks and addicts. Snow took some personal satisfaction in seeing District 12's victor Haymitch have his head split open by an axe from Cashmere, District 1's lovely female Victor. The irony of his death actually brought a smile to Snow's face, as he was sure Cashmere had done that on purpose. The Career alliance had been formed in short order, minus the two from District 4. It didn't surprise Snow that Finnick and Mags had not joined, Finnick hadn't participated been in Career alliance in his first Game and the Careers probably didn't even want Mags due to her age. Both of the District 4 Victors did quite well on their own, surrounding themselves with Johanna Mason from 7 and Beetee from 3 whose partner had drowned in the Bloodbath.
Over the course of three days the Career alliance had hunted down the remaining tributes until there was only Finnick's small group left. It was a bloody battle when they came to blows, everything citizens of the Capital normally would be looking for. Mags hung back with Beetee while Finnick and Johanna took on the Careers. Johanna managed to kill Cashmere and wound her brother Gloss badly, but was stabbed in the neck by a knife and bled out. Finnick held out quite well against the remaining, taking down a wounded Gloss and skewing District 2's female Victor Enobaria with his signature trident. But the sheer physical power of Brutus from District 2 overwhelmed Finnick who died in a bloody fistfight with him.
Beetee was killed shortly after and when Brutus snapped the neck of the elderly Mags, Snow could hear the wails of horror coming from the Capital Citizens. He had heard them before when the star-crossed lovers from District 12 had died; their death equally as traumatic on the Capital citizens as the Districts. To the Capital citizens it created a sense of guilt for not saving the young lovebirds and accepting the brutish District 2 boy Cato as their Victor. For the Districts it only deepened their hatred for the Capital and lead to a few rebellious acts from Districts 3, 5, 8, 11, and 12. All of the perpetrators were killed or detained in the Capital Prison, but the thought of rebellion never left the minds of the Districts.
Snow knew that the rebels didn't have enough power to challenge him. They were scattered and in hiding, afraid to stand publicly behind their beliefs in fear of the very real punishment of death. He also knew that the Capital citizens would not challenge his authority, publicly at least. Snow had taken measures to insure his safety after the 75th Games, carrying around antidotes grown in his garden and doubling the security around his mansion, in the Capital and out in the countryside as well. It seemed silly but there had been attempts on his life for a lot less. And with so many fellow Capitalites feeling hurt, one of them might feel embolden enough to attempt assassination and be declared hero.
Snow sighed and slowly lifted his teacup up to his lips. He drank slowly, enjoying the hot drink, which served as an elixir for his aging body. Snow had the best medicine to keep him alive and well but something about the simplicity of tea always enticed him. He sat in his study looking over reports from the Districts, official and non-official. He started to clean up his desk when he realized the time; he had a meeting with Head Gamemaker Seneca Crane for the 76th Hunger Games.
When he finished clearing his desk he lounged back in his chair and waited patiently for Crane to walk in. Snow ran through his head all the possible scenarios of what could happen, or what would have happened, if he killed Seneca Crane. It would certainly please many people even though nobody would officially know Crane was dead. Capital Citizens always turn a blind eye when somebody disappears, knowing they lost the ever-changing game of Capital politics.
But it was too problematic to kill Crane. The Head Gamemaker held a very important position in government, despite having no ruling power. They were responsible for the Games, the very tool used to inspire fear into the Districts and keep the citizens of the Capital docile. Head Gamemakers had to be thoroughly vetted before being allowed the position, a process that took several months since the last thing Snow wanted was somebody who was soft on the Districts. Sadly Snow had no other candidates who would truly be up for the task, so Crane was allowed to live. There was still an active search for a replacement on Snow's part that felt he had finally found a replacement for Crane. He was quite pleased to see him walk in with Crane.
"Mr. President," Crane began, walking cautiously towards the President's desk with his head bowed, "It is truly an honor to meet with you again."
"The honor is all mine Seneca." President Snow said, rising from his seat to shake Crane's hand. He turned to the man beside Crane. "May I ask you to introduce me to this young man with you?" President Snow asked, though he already knew everything about this man.
"Of course, Mr. President! May I introduce Plutarch Heavensbee, the Assistant Head Gamemaker this year! He's quite the star among Gamemakers if I could be so bold to say."
Snow had to agree with Crane's statement; Plutarch was certainly a star Gamemaker. He was relatively young for a citizen of the Capital and looked like he had fewer surgical changes than most citizens. Snow could respect that as he too had minimal surgical alterations to his body. The citizens of the Districts would fear somebody who looked more like them and not some diamond infused, multi-hair colored airhead.
"Mr. President." Plutarch said, bowing his head slightly. "I'm afraid that Mr. Crane gives me too much credit." Snow smiled and extended his hand to Plutarch who shook it lightly. 'This man fears me.'Snow thought with satisfaction.
"Mr. Heavensbee it is an honor to meet you. Please both of you sit." President Snow said, motioning to two chairs in front of his desk.
Both men sat and Plutarch let out a moan of comfort. When he realized what he had done he looked at Snow with embarrassment. "Sorry sir. These chairs are just amazingly comfortable."
Snow continued to smile, "It's perfectly alright to enjoy them. The chairs are carved from the finest wood from District 7 and the pillows sewn by the best in 8."
"I wish that some day I might own such a comfortable chair." Crane remarked, smiling through his ridiculously flamboyant beard. Snow turned to Crane, whose smile disappeared under the President's stern look.
"You have come here today to show me something Seneca." Snow said, getting straight to business.
"Yes sir." Crane said, clearly nervous about the President addressing him by his first name and not Mr. Crane. "We have just completed the final version for the 76th Games and let me tell you sir it is quite the arena."
Crane pulled out a pad and clicked some buttons, allowing a holographic image to appear on Snow's desk. The arena was large and filled with interesting mutations with an interesting arena location. Snow gave it the appropriate consideration before remarking, "This will not do."
Crane and Heavensbee looked stunned, "S-sir?" Crane said meekly.
"This arena will not do for the 76th Games." Snow said with no edge in his voice. Crane was already nervous and was easier to control that way. Plutarch however was bold.
"Why is that sir?" he asked. Seneca shot Plutarch a look of fear and seemed to mentally be trying to tell his understudy to shut up. Snow glared at Plutarch who was trying his best to keep eye contact with the President, though eventually looked away. His was face red with embarrassment. Instead of becoming enraged like they expected, Snow replied calmly.
"Because I have my own idea for an arena."
Both of them now looked shocked, though Seneca recovered first and happily indulged the President on his idea. "And what idea is that sir?"
Snow closed Seneca's hologram arena plan and pulled out his own, displaying it for the two Gamemakers. Both of them moved closer to look at the plan, no doubt surprised by the fact that their President had created such an impressive idea.
"This will work I hope." Snow asked.
"Of-Of course sir!" Crane said, happy to make the President happy. "We can start working on it right now and have it done just in time for the Games in six months."
"Then get to work." Snow said calmly. Both of the men stood up and nodded their heads before leaving. An Avox closed the door behind them, leaving President Snow once again alone in his study.
Snow smiled again, happy that his arena idea was already underway. He clicked a button on the side of his desk and soon an Avox appeared with another cup of tea. Snow sipped it softly, enjoying the warmth while reflecting on the next Hunger Games.
The Games were going to be quite a show for the Districts and Capital alike. They would show the Districts that the Capital ruled for a reason and the Capital Citizens that they stood above the Districts because it was there right too. All of it would go down according to Snow's wishes and the message would be clear to all. There would be no other outcomes, and no surprises.
Because President Snow hated surprises.
'Let the Games begin.' he thought happily.
List of Tributes:
District 1 Male: Auron Metzger (Age 18)- With a troubled past due to his homosexuality, Auron is no stranger to hardship and beating the odds. Now he fights for more than just his District, but for a chance to live his own life and not one laid down by others.
District 1 Female: Charm Acelynn (Age 17)- This bubbly tribute hides her sadistic tendency quite well under a facade of sensuality and Capital egotism. Her only real qualm is getting blood on her, preferring her kills to bleed as far away from her as possible with the help of a well placed knife.
District 2 Male: Nicolae Viscorion (Age 18)- A career who has the necessary training to win the Games, Nicolae has been bred to show no mercy in the Games. But a hostile Capital, a vengeful tribute, and a secret morphling addiction may cripple Nicolae's chances of winning the Hunger Games and marrying the girl of his dreams.
District 2 Female: Cyra Mystral (Age 16)- Having received no mercy from her abusive father and addict mother, Cyra believes that mercy is something that nobody deserves. Cold and heartless, Cyra is beyond saving as she craves the sweet release of death, though not before the death of every other tribute in the arena.
District 3 Male: Wren Makari (Age 13)- A young brooding teenager who has more fight in him than he lets on. With a personal distaste for the Capital following a series of riots in his District that lead to his sister's unmerciful death, Wren doesn't plan on becoming the Capital's pet tribute like the Games require.
District 3 Female: Ivy Sparks (Age 17)- This purple eyed, pyrotechnic possess potential unseen in a District 3 tribute for a long time. Ivy plans to win the Games and show Panem that even the weakest can gain victory in such a dystopian world.
District 4 Male: Caspian de Burgh (Age 17)- The protégé of the late Finnick, Caspian is every bit as deadly as his mentor/best friend was. Filled with the need for vengeance, Caspian enters the Games to avenge Finnick's death and bring glory to District 4 as his best friend once did, no matter the cost.
District 4 Female: Isabella West (Age 16)- Driven out of her rather isolated life style by the Reaping, her deadly skill set with ranged weapons is only matched by her reluctance to even fight. Yet Isabella will do whatever it takes to return to her District and the life she left behind.
District 5 Male:Delvin Winters (Age 15)- A son of a drunk who lost his daughter in the Games five years ago, Delvin fights for more than his life and District but for a better future for his family away from his abusive father and memories of suffering.
District 5 Female: Daira Brites (Age 14)- After her brother was taken by the Capital, Daira's parents attempted to shield her from the horror that is the nation of Panem. But not even they could protect her from the Arena and the horrors she will be forced to confront.
District 6 Male: Jonathon Kale (Age 17)- Fame is the name of the game for Jonathon who considers himself as good of a tribute as the Careers and fully capable of winning the Games. The only thing that holds Jonathon and his ego back are 23 other children, a problem Jonathon is trained to deal with in appropriate Hunger Games fashion.
District 6 Female: Azzura Blue (Age 16)- Stuck in a life filled with constantly helping and pleasing others, Azzura will for once have to put the needs of herself before those of others. Entering the Games on her own, Azzura hopes to win the Hunger Games and create a better life for her battered family with the statues of Victor.
District 7 Male: Joshua Awerdee (Age 12)- The mischievous prankster, Joshua is always looking for the punch line in any situation. He quickly find though that there are very few punch lines in the Hunger Games, only laughter from twisted monster known as Capital Citizens and speedy deaths by fellow tributes.
District 7 Female: Willow Bark (Age 15)- Broken by years of physical and mental abuse at the hands of Peacekeepers, Willow is a bomb waiting to exploding. Willow isn't afraid, won't back down, and plans to win it all with as much bloodshed as possible.
District 8 Male: Choux Crumplefoot (Age 15)- The bratty son of District 8's mayor, Choux will have to swallow his pride and attitude if he plans on making it past the bloodbath. Though perhaps he'll end up surprising everyone with his deadly efficiency with a peculiar weapon and be a serious contender for this years Games.
District 8 Female: Danielle Dashwilliow (Age 16)- With her Father killed by the Capital for being a rebel and her mother hanging herself shortly after, Danielle has been forced to grow up quickly for her younger siblings. Traumatized by her parent's death, Danielle must now enter the arena and survive Gamemakers who eagerly look to make an example of her.
District 9 Male: Raven Keller (Age 17)- A master of mystery and persuasion, Keller is a shadow figure in his District. With a mother who preaches the values of long lost religions, Raven fears for the safety of his family though holds such teachings of salvation as nonsense. Though it is his safety that is now in danger, a danger that only a higher power might be able to save him from.
District 9 Female: Anastasia Louivere (Age 13)- In District 9, Anastasia's innocence and kindness served her well, endearing her to her fellow citizens. In the arena though she will find just how little those things truly matter when faced against killers.
District 10 Male: Kaden Fenton (Age 18)- A shaky upbringing have lead Kaden to develop multiple personalities, his two dominant 'personalities' showing his true self as a kind soul who helps out everyone in the group home he's lived in since he was little. For the arena though, Kaden may come to rely on his dark self that threatens to overtake this troubled young man and wreak havoc on everyone else.
District 10 Female: Willabeana White (Age 16)- A young girl whose blissful life and dreamy view of the world is rudely interrupted by the harsh reality of the Games, Willabeana is now forced to adapt if she wishes to survive; though something's, like many things in Panem, are easier said than done.
District 11 Male: Damian Hoult (Age 18)- The downfall of his wealthy family has forced Damian into shady activities to support the rest of his family. Well known in the Capitol and his District for all the wrong reasons, Damian will continue to rely on the good nature of his fellow man to help him through the Games and back to his broken family.
District 11 Female: Tianora Athodille (Age 14)- Wise beyond her years and humbler than a beggar, Tianora knows she will experience horrors in the arena and is ready to face them. Two years earlier, Tianora was forced to watch her best friend Rue die in the arena. She has no plans of following in Rue's steps.
District 12 Male: Axel Coaler (Age 17)- The self-proclaimed savior of District 12, Axel plans on winning the Games and giving District 12 a proper Victor worthy of the Career Districts. Axel maybe more than just talk, capable of serving his district well and giving them a much needed victory.
District 12 Female: Demi Nico (Age 15)- An indecisive and scared girl from District 12, Demi embodies what many people have come to expect from District 12. But she may end up surprising everyone with just as much conviction as the Girl on Fire.
WELCOME TO THE ALTERNATE WORLD OF THE 76TH HUNGER GAMES!
This story takes place in a world where things went quite differently from Canon. Katniss and Peeta died in the 74th Hunger Games while Cato was crowned Victor. The 75th Games occurred the following year and were extremely unpopular among Capital Citizens and the Districts, all of whom watched as Brutus won the Games for a second time. Both Games, matched with increased rates of starvation and poverty, led to several riots taking place across the Districts which threatened Capitol control. In the Capital, Snow fears it won't be long before the non-political inhabitants he rules take charge and publicly question his leadership.
Faced with an uncertain future for his position of power, President Snow personally oversees the development of the 76th Hunger Games. He hopes to use these games to quell any thoughts of rebellion in the Districts and reduce sympathy for them in the Capital.
However, rebellion is still fresh in the minds of the Districts. Though without the rallying figure that Katniss was able to provide, the Districts remain divided and un-convicted. With the arrival of the 76th Games, will someone emerge as this rallying figure for the Rebellion? Or reaffirm the brutality and division that the Hunger Games are meant to provide?
You'll have to read more to find out...
Enjoy the 76th Hunger Games!