The 101st Hunger Games: Deadly Attachments
Disclaimer: The Hunger Games doesn't belong to me.
Hello. This is a SYOT (abbreviation for Submit Your Own Tribute), just in case you didn't know. It's my first time doing, so please tell me what you think. More information is below. Happy reading!
President Nectario Iphus
The President's Household
The president of Panem sat by the window in his dimly lit room, his eyes trained on the visual images transmitted on his television screen. The recaps of the past Quarter Quell, the 100th Hunger Games, were certainly disappointing. 'Well, until the last half, that is', he thought.
The kind inhabitants of the Capitol had elected Iphus as President twelve years ago to replace the late President Snow. The former President had lived until he was 88 years old, and died of old age. 'A long, glorious life he lived,' thought the current president.
Nectario Iphus was the youngest president Panem has ever been blessed with. At forty-six years of age, he took over the long line of rulers of the country, and of course, maintained their clear visions. Now, he was fifty-eight years old. He was smarter and the Hunger Games were his to control.
Sweat and angry cries were exuded from the teenagers on screen as they battled out for their right as victors. The girl from District 1 swung her axe, and it thudded into a tree as her district partner ducked. A stab from his dagger made her freeze. Blood gushed out of her mouth as he twisted his knife deeper into her abdomen.
With a flick of the remote, the screen changed. Iphus sighed heavily as he saw the seven victors on stage, sharing their honored win of the 4th Quarter Quell. It was a mistake to allow seven districts to gain a Victor, but it already happened. Nothing could be changed.
A rap on the door made Iphus pause the TV. "Come in," he said.
The door opened to reveal his newly elected Head Gamemaker, Mandrew Sibley. A tall, lean man clad in a classy grey coat walked in. "Good evening, sir," he bowed in greeting. "You asked for me?"
"Indeed, I did," replied the President, sitting up straight. "You do remember how the past Quarter Quell had the, uh, lowest appraisal in the history of the Hunger Games, yes?"
"I am aware of that, sir," Sibley nodded. "I am hoping to make up for those games this year."
"Yes, of course. We wouldn't want another Jovan now, do we?" Iphus raised an eyebrow, almost as if he was threatening the newly appointed head Gamemaker.
Sibley gulped nervously at the mention of last year's Head Gamemaker. He had conveniently—and also suspiciously—resigned after the Victory Tour. Firmly, he responded with, "I assure you, sir, nothing of the sort will occur under my command."
"And I'll make that sure too," said the President. Picking his remote up, he changed the TV to show Sibley a recap of another Hunger Game—the 3rd Quarter Quell. "Do you remember this year, Sibley? The star-crossed lovers; Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark?"
"I remember, sir. The District 12 Victors from the previous year."
"And the ratings for that year…was unusually high, wasn't it?"
Sibley shuffled his feet, nodding uncertainly. "It's unmistakable, sir. The Quell had Victors fighting for their lives."
"Yes, but most attention were on three Districts only," answered Iphus. He narrowed his eyes on the images of the District 1, District 4 and District 12 tributes. "Cashmere and Gloss, brother and sister from District 1. Katniss and Peeta, lovers from District 12. Finnick Odair and Mags Whiten, an affectionate unrelated mother and son from District 4. Is was a rather saddening Game, with the favorite sibling Victors, Ms. Everdeen being pregnant, the wedding, an old tribute, and so on, wasn't it?"
At a loss to where his president was going to, Sibley only nodded. "I suppose so, sir."
A moment passed, with Iphus thinking hardly. Not a minute later, he smiled in satisfaction. "I have an idea for the tributes this year, Mr. Sibley. If you would consider…?"
Knowing that he had no other choice, Sibley nodded. "Yes, sir. What do you propose?"
"A twist," the President announced. "We'll make it the twist they've always expected yet dreaded. The twist that will have mothers quiver in anxiety but teenagers vying to volunteer."
"But…it's, um, not a Quarter Quell, sir. Twists are only-"
"The last Games were horrible, you agree? To make it up, we shall convolute this Game," said Iphus firmly, leaving no room for arguments. "I propose a twist everybody has once thought of at least once in their lives. A Hunger Game with relatives, lovers, siblings and the best of friends as district partners. Twelve pairings with relationships of their own."
Sibley's eyes widened for a moment, before he smiled a little. "That's actually feasible, sir. We can get that done."
"Good."
"But may I ask, sir...what do you mean by vying to volunteer?"
"I have that under control. Oh, and don't reveal the twist, if you will, Mr. Sibley. We'll make them figure out that attachment on their own," the president said. "In the mean time, I have an announcement to make."
"Very well. An announcement, sir? About the Games?" Sibley inquired.
"Certainly. The reapings so far have been quite boring, don't you think?" he smirked malevolently. "Let's ensure a more, uh, interesting reapings. Like I said, I have it under control," he said, tugging his coat on properly. Before he could step out of his room, he added, "And don't forget, Mr. Sibley. No matter who volunteers, they both must have an attachment to each other."
"But what if the second tribute volunteers? And they are not related?"
"Then make sure they volunteer because of the first tribute."
With a wicked smile of his own, the Head Gamemaker nodded and trailed behind the President of Panem, excited to hear what else the President has in store.
As he stood behind the blinds separating him from the podium, Iphus remembered the potential threat almost two and a half decades ago.
Katniss Everdeen—the girl on fire.
Fortunately for the Capitol she died in the 75th Hunger Games. When her lover hit the forcefield, he stopped breathing immediately. Even with the cardiopulmonary resuscitation from the District 4 victor, it was already too late. Katniss Everdeen soon met her end after hearing his tortured screams through the Jabberjays. She shut down and was eventually killed by Enobaria, the District 2 Victor.
Such a love, Iphus thought. Such a love they owned. The same thing was seen with Cashmere and Gloss and Finnick and Mags. They all died. The rest of the Career pack and Johanna Mason died at the hands of Beetee from District 3. His idea to electrocute them succeeded.
The threat was eliminated, but the Capitol was furious. They let their voices out after the death of Katniss Everdeen and her unborn baby. They hated the fact that the Victors they grew to love had all died—except for one of course. But to say the least, Beetee was never really their favorite Victor.
President Iphus knew what steps to walk on to avoid any raises of mutiny. He knew that the District couldn't live with too much control and poverty. So kindness every once in a while was what needed to be served.
That was why he allowed seven Victors for the 4th Quarter Quell. He was feeling generous—but then realized maybe he was too generous. The Districts started showing their thanks to the Capitol, and that was good.
But they must know that it was never repeating again.
"You're on in a minute, sir," someone said, snapping him out of his thoughts.
President Iphus lifted a palm, acknowledging the person. He waited patiently until the signal for him to go was shown. He stepped out into the flashing lights, embracing the cameras recording him and the admiring cheers from his fellow Capitolians. Stepping onto the podium, the President smiled.
"Citizens of Panem. It is my honorable duty to announce the 101st Hunger Games," he started, receiving a loud applause from his audience. Grand drumrolls played in his background as his lips curved. "But that isn't all."
The crowd immediately silenced, straining their ears to listen to their President carefully. Nectario Iphus smiled evilly. He was certain that his idea would secure multiple volunteers. Other than that, he was feeling generous. And the Capitol's generosity is never bad.
"During the last Quarter Quell, the generosity of the Capitol had permitted seven victors," he began; resulting in loud hurrahs and whoops from his spectators. "And to remind you that the Capitol's generosity has not run out," he paused, smirking wickedly to the cameras filming him.
"The sole Victor for this year's Hunger Games will possess the ability to grant his or her family immunity from the games…for as long as they all shall live."
I hope the prologue was okay and it didn't sound too far-fetched. Tell me what you think! This is my first time writing a SYOT. The forms and rules are all in my profile, but don't worry, it's mostly loose. I'm not going to pressure you into not sending in a type of tribute or chide you if your OC is too perfect. You can feel free to do submit any type of tribute you want! All submissions only through PM though, please. I hope to receive lots of tributes and reviews! :)
Oh, and just know that I am working on a Maze Runner fic, so my main focus will be on that, but I'll make sure this story holds my attention too and will be frequently updated!
Thanks for reading!
