Chapter 1: Prelude
A/N: Hello, my name is LegendBeast9O, or LB9O for short. As you probably deduced by the title, this fanfiction is about the 100th Hunger Games, or the 4th Quarter Quell. This has my own personal twist on it and does borrow some elements from other Hunger Games fanfictions. Hunger Games: The Victor's Chronicles (by Zulera301), The 76th Hunger Games (by USANAguy), and Escape from District 2 (by Paulaa2013). The title is a lyric from Warriyo - Mortals (ft. Laura Brehm) Do read those fanfictions, they were my collective inspiration for writing this fanfiction, and not to mention they're very good. This is also an AU, where Prim died in the 74th Hunger Games, but Peeta was not selected to go. Katniss won the 75th that had a different twist, and thus the Hunger Games continued on. This story will swap between first and third person view, so there's that. But enough of my rambling. Let's go.
DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING BESIDES THE TWIST, THIS FANFICTION, AND MOST OF THE PLOT. THE HUNGER GAMES BELONGS TO SUZANNE COLLINS, THE SONG AND THE FANFICTIONS MENTIONED ABOVE BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS, NOT ME.
Location: District 12, "The Seam"
President Amanda Snow walked up to the balcony of the mansion and cleared her throat before speaking into the microphone.
"Welcome, Panem, one and all. This year, we are celebrating the 100th Hunger Games, and also the 4th Quarter Quell ever."
This is quickly followed up by a roaring applause by the Capitol citizens who were spectating, seemingly ignorant of the fact that normally, 23 innocent teenagers die every year. This year would be interesting, since it was a Quarter Quell year.
"It was promised that every 25 years, we would hold a Hunger Games with a special and unique twist, to remind the Districts of their failed rebellion. Now, we must look back on the past Quarter Quells first.", boomed President Amanda over the microphone, her voice echoing throughout the City Circle.
She had an old wooden box in front of her, and pulled an an envelope out marked '25', and read the contents aloud.
"On the 25th anniversary, as a reminder to the rebels that their children were dying because it was their choice to initiate violence, the districts elected their own tributes." the President read with a calm and composed voice.
I could feel my eyes twitching and my stomach churning at the thought of betraying my friends, selecting them to go to save my own skin. I glanced at my elderly grandmother, who had a hardened look in her eyes, possibly thinking about those games. That year, we produced our first victor: a girl named Laurel Fox. Although she disappeared, she is still a living legend in District 12.
She reached into the box, this time pulling out an envelope marked with a '50'. Her voice boomed out once again.
"On the 50th anniversary, as a reminder to rebels that for every Capitol citizen killed, two rebels were executed. Each district must have provided four tributes: two boys and two girls."
That was the year that Haymitch Abernathy, our second victor, won. I can just picture it now: Forty-eight kids standing on pods, quivering in fear, knowing that they're likely going to die.
President Amanda pulled an envelope marked '75' on it.
"On the 75th anniversary, as a reminder to the rebels that there is no escape from the Capitol, the districts had to reap their tributes from citizens aged 16 to 35." Her voice not even wavering for a second.
That was the most recent Quarter Quell until now. It was also where our third victor, Katniss Everdeen, got the highest kill record: 12, earning her the moniker "Black Death". This was perhaps about how she was unable to protect her sister in time, and witnessing her death at the hands of the 74th Hunger Games' victor, Cato Hadley.
President Amanda reached into the battered wooden box for the final time, picking up an enveloped that was labeled '100' on it. This was the moment I was dreading yet oddly excited about at the same time.
President Amanda's unwavering voice boomed out, "As a reminder to the rebels that Panem is united, but the districts are yet separated, there will be two victors this year. However, they must be opposite genders and from different districts. If a district's two tributes are the final two, there will be only one victor per the standard. The two victors must also live together post-Games (not necessarily married), and they will live in the lower-numbered district for half a year, and the higher-numbered district for the remaining half of the year. That is all. Good night, Panem."
The TV turned off, a Capitol logo appearing momentarily, then fading out to a blank black screen. I thought back to the previous Quarter Quells. It seemed that our district, the poorest of them all, had a real knack for winning the Quarter Quell. I was pondering if we might win this year, when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I glanced at my grandmother, who was looking at me.
"Rain, my grandson… this might be our year…" my tired grandma spoke.
I responded, "Yes, grandma. This WILL be our year. It just has to be."
A voice called from the kitchen. My mother. My father already came home from work, and he headed straight to bed, conked out. I couldn't blame him.
"Rain, sweetie, go to sleep early. The Reaping is tomorrow. Please go tell Zephyr the same thing, thank you hon." my mother shouted from the kitchen.
I walked up the stairs up to our shared bedroom. I found Zephyr laying down, quivering. I slipped into bed, and felt someone tapping my back.
"...Big brother, the reaping is tomorrow. I'm scared, what if I'm picked?" Zephyr said with fear present in his voice.
"Zephyr, you won't be picked, you've only got one little slip of paper. You will not get picked, I promise. Now go to sleep early. It'll be ok." I reassured him, thinking of my twenty-four entries due to tesserae.
I closed my eyes as sleep claimed me, sinking into the darkness.
A/N: Did you enjoy it? I enjoyed writing it. Do review, it does help me out alot.