I stood near a stage in the center of the Capitol. On the stage, the new President Lucian cleared his throat and adjusted the small microphone in front of him. The entirety of the crowd was frozen in an electric silence, anticipating the speech that was about to be given.

And right after the anthem finished, the baritone voice of our President rang loud and clear as he began to discuss the rising up of Panem and the Dark Days. He then goes on to remind us of the most recent rebellion that took place around the 75th year of the Games. All of us Capitol citizens nod along eagerly, as if we actually saw the rebellion with our own eyes.

He progresses into the story of the rebuilding of the Capitol's power; how they created a rebellion of their own to fight the wayward citizens of Panem. The part that always catches my attention is when he describes the 76th Hunger Games involving Capitol children. Apparently, they stood hand in hand around the cornucopia, refusing to move or speak. The districts were outraged by the lack of blood and gore, so they made plans to bomb the entire arena, killing all of the children inside as a message.

But, while the entirety of Panem was focused on the rebellion inside the arena, a small group of Capitol elites infiltrated their headquarters and captured their leader. They killed him brutally and ran a special broadcast from his office. As the citizens of Panem stood crowded around television screens waiting to see the arena go up in smoke, their screens suddenly changed to a display of their newest President's head. It was not attached to his body.

And thus a whole new series of battles begun from which the Capitol citizens and their loyal followers reigned victors. The Games were put back into place, effective immediately, and a new game immediately began with random boys and girls from the districts stepping in for the Capitol children. The games were brutal that year, and the last two tributes killed each other at the same time in an act of defiance.

After the story is finished and the Quarter Quells are explained (as if anyone needs to be reminded of what they mean), the President begins to explain the previous Quarter Quells.

"As a reminder to the rebels that their children were dying because of their route of violence, the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Games required each district to elect and vote for the tributes that would represent it."

I can't imagine how exciting it must have been to see the districts turn on themselves, nominating children to head off to inevitable death. It brings chills down my spine. As I look around at the multi-colored citizens that surround me, I can see that we all share the same wishful thinking. After all, the Capitol does love its Hunger Games.

"And on the fiftieth anniversary, to remind the districts that two rebels died for each Capitol citizen, each district was obligated to send twice the normal amount of tributes."

I begin to get lost in my own thoughts as he explains the rest of the Quarter Quells, eager for him to state the new twist for this year's games. Surely it will not disappoint.

"And now we honor our ninth Quarter Quell," my attention snaps back to President Lucian as he breaks the seal of the envelope and speaks, "On the 225th anniversary, as a reminder to the rebels that knowledge and learning are luxuries, there will be no training sessions."

A flurry of questions begins, but the President only smiles and walks off the stage, leaving all the citizens in Panem shocked.

So there we have it, the beginning of the story. Hope you all enjoy! As of March 12, 2012, all of the tribute spots have been filled.

I hope you enjoy reading my SYOT!

Let the Games begin!

Also, if you noticed, the tribute list has been deleted. I was made aware that having it in a chapter was against the rules, so I deleted it. I have put it on my profile in case you might like to look at it.