Chapter 2

Sour Lies

"'Cause everything that you thought I would be, has fallen apart right in front of you"

Coriolanus Snow, President of Panem.

I sit on my carved mahogany chair, letting the sweet and overpowering scent of the hundreds of perfect roses invade my nostrils. The rose garden, located within the walls of the mansion, had been one of my favorite places for a very long time. Here I can find a sense of calm and peace that is quite hard to get in this days. Especially after last years events. I want, as I've never wanted anything before, to see the Girl on Fire burning. She managed to become a threat to the whole system, and this is something I would not tolerate. If only Seneca had been competent enough as to eradicate Katniss Everdeen before all this happened, everything would still be going as it is supposed to, but instead of that, I'm constantly seeing footage of the many acts of rebellions that are taking place in the districts. But, that isn't what is troubling me so much. The worst is yet to come. I can take back the control of the districts, however the latest discovery had shaken me badly, I certainly didn't expect anything like this to happen. The treason can really feel as sour as the blood…

It all started in a cold midnight when the confirmation of what Alric had been suspecting for a while arrived. The new Head Gamemaker, successor to Seneca Crane, seemed like a great addition to the Hunger Games, and with his willingness to solve the whole Girl on Fire issue he proved to be of extreme usefulness against the rebellion. Little did I know of the great lying abilities of Mr. Plutarch Heavensbee, until that night, were it became undeniable that this matter was beyond what I've imagined. That night, I found out about District 13's involvement in the war I've been trying to avoid. Unluckily for me, Plutarch decided to take away his own life, as soon as he saw that his plan failed, and a dead traitor is of no use. He did manage to trick me, the real master of puppets, who got used by a man who I wrongly decided to trust. I clench my fists and frown, as anger builds inside of me. I can't believe I let such a mistake happen, I can't believe someone was able to beat me at my Game. But, I always win in the end, no matter what, and this isn't going to be the exception.

District 13 had broken the pact, they didn't play dead as they were supposed to, but at least it is not of common knowledge that it still exists. And, because of that, any measure taken against it must be done in secret, out of the public eye, and with extreme precautions. Nobody wants to engage in a nuclear confrontation, there'll be no winners if that happens. However, I need to know who else is aware of the existence of that forgotten district. The investigations didn't lead to any other suspect, but I highly doubt that Plutarch was working alone. Even when I need to know who are the accomplices, making erroneous guesses would be immature, as well as dangerous. I have to think very carefully what I'll do about 13, and there's an immediate issue that must be taken care of: the 75th Hunger Games, a quarter quell. The victors were supposed to be reaped, that was the agreement I reached with Heavensbee. But, that isn't going to happen anymore. Nothing that that man suggested, and looked forward to, is going to take place. Thankfully, I'd be able to devote tremendous amounts of my time in what to do with District 13, and our broken non-aggression pact. Because, to my advantage, the Quell was to be announced tomorrow, which gave me just enough time to rearrange the structure, and assign a new Head Gamemaker.

Choosing who'll take the place was relatively easy. Dr. Adam Thompson was the perfect candidate. He used to be a Head Gamemaker, however he decided to temporarily leave that job, after several successful Games, to make the Legends Project possible. Now, he'll be able to put it in practice, we'll just need to change the story behind it a bit. I've personally witnessed the capabilities of the test subjects, everybody has in some way, and I acknowledge the fact that they'll be a great distraction for the people of Panem, which is exactly what I need right now, in order to solve the real problem. They'll be so shocked, that not only will I have enough time to take the necessary measures to confront the rebels, but also, the Girl on Fire will be quickly forgotten, as a much interesting story than that fake star-crossed lovers acts comes to the focus of the cameras. I'm looking forward to seeing the reactions of certain people, after we make the impossible, possible.

Sebastian, District 8.

The thin, and small man walks to the center of the stage. He is wearing a black suit, with a white rose, like always, placed in the lapel. President Snow faces the enormous crowd in front of him, as he puts his hand in that small box, and takes out a little yellow envelope. He opens it, and it suddenly seems as if the world had gone silent. In this envelopes the instructions for the Quarter Quells are written. I wonder how many did the founder's of the Hunger Games really planned by themselves, or if that story is made up, one more lie they tell us to make us obedient. President Snow clears his throat, as he begins reading.

"To show the mercy of the Capitol, this year's Hunger Games will acknowledge those who gave their all, but got the triumph taken away. A second chance to the most notorious fallen tribute of every district will be given. They'll fight against the normal twenty-four tributes, until only one stands. Let this Quarter Quell be one we'll never forget.", announces President Snow solemnly, making an emphasis in the 'only one' part, that makes me grin.

That's just impossible! They can't revive the dead, it's just plain and simple non sense. Many murmurs can be heard in the crowd. I stand up from my sit, getting closer to the television. Is this really happening? Did they totally lose their minds? Around me, people start asking questions, but the peacekeepers order them to make silence immediately. They can't be blamed though, this announcement is just insane.

"This specific Quell got created by our predecessors with extreme care. That's why they gave the order for the initiation of the Legends Project, which was meant to be secret until the day this envelope was chosen", says Snow as he puts the small envelope up.

"This Project selected every year a tribute that stood out from the others, but for some reason didn't end up becoming a victor, it made the cannon of his or her death sound when their vital signs were almost non-existent, in that way they'd be recovered and cured before they were completely gone", continued Snow.

This is insane! But, it's actually kind of smart. Yes, they did keep a secret as big as this one to the whole Panem, but it surely is a twist nobody expected. Not only is it extremely surprising, but also it will make people recover the hopes they had lost of getting their son, daughter, brother, lover or whoever they lost, back. I see it now… They are trying to create a distraction, and I'm sure they'll be able to get it with this , I mean, they even have my attention now. Who are they going to bring back?, I wonder.

After he said that controversial information, he added that the fallen tributes that will go to the Games will be announced tomorrow night. With that, he leaves between the cheers and claps of the, now extremely excited, crowd. Surely this Games will be unforgettable, I'm sure they'll bring the most blood-thirsty, and cunning tributes back. The 75th Hunger Games will be covered with the blood of the present.

AN: Fast update! This is a chapter that needed to be done in order to understand what is going on, and what this Quarter Quell is about. I'm trying to keep this story as related to the real one as possible. There'll be another chapter announcing who are the fallen tributes going to be, as stated by Snow in here. Some will be real ones, other will be made up! The quote at the beginning is from Linkin Park's song Numb. See ya later,

Izzy