Hey guys, it's me again! My first chapter seemed to have gotten a good response, so I will be continuing it! I hope you enjoy my second chapter, though as a warning, it will still be a fairly dull games compared to the ones I have planned.
"The games were an experience I'll never forget. Ever since that day I got picked up by the Hovercraft, one of the most prominent thoughts I've had is, 'I'm going to do whatever it takes to get as many kids out of there as I can. That's my goal.' When you win the games, you realize that it's not about just surviving until the end. It's about doing whatever it takes to help your tributes win their games too. Increase the number of Victors, and you increase the chances of one of your kids making it out." -Jessica Blake, Victor of the first hunger games.
Tributes:
1f: Pearl Judas, 16 (7) 1m: Apollo Hadley, 18 (6)
2f: Selena Gavrila, 15 (6) 2m: Sirius Tyrun, 18 (8)
3f: Alana Buscia, 14 (3) 3m: Corden Eriks, 16 (6)
4f: Aquamarine "Aqua" Drell, 17 (5) 4m: Ilius Olven, 15 (7)
5f: Diana Ferrenda, 15 (5) 5m: Dale Werd, 16 (6)
6f: Emily Acha, 13 (2) 6m: Rourke Wrane, 18 (8)
7f: Josephine Arcen, 12 (2) 7m: Ash Terry, 15 (6)
8f: Celia Ojos, 16 (5) 8m: Ivan Orson, 17 (7)
9f: Abigail Meyers, 14 (4) 9m: Elric Swanson, 15 (6)
10f: Chelsea Gaines, 12 (2) 10m: Henry Dolton, 15 (5)
11f: Iris Pella, 15 (6) 11m: Richard Dowe, 17 (8)
12f: Dove Rezzi, 12 (3) 12m: Charles Dodd
The first games had finished almost a full year ago at this point, and everyone had mixed responses to it. The Capitol loved the Games, for various reasons. Some felt vengeful towards the districts, and some relished the idea of something even more dramatic than their favorite soap opera. The districts, however, had a far different response. District 1, a long-time favorite of the Capitol, was enamored by the games and the fame and glory that awaited the victor. District 2, The peacekeeper district, felt it a way to fall even further in the Capitol's favor, and started training their kids, getting the first volunteers in the 3rd games. District 3 considered themselves blessed to have the first victor, but also recognized that they would be losing many kids to these Games.
District 4 saw this as a way to move up in the districts, as they were one of the poorer districts before they became careers. District five was intrigued by the games and felt that the chances of them getting many victors, especially considering the fact that multiple districts would most likely start training in advance to the games, was little to none and so didn't choose to prepare for them. District six feared the Capitol and the games, and started working harder so they could avoid the Capitol lashing out at them for whatever reasons. Massively increased workloads and the introduction of Morphling led to its eventual destruction and the capitol's almost complete abandonment later, which is why District six has had the least number of Victors in the history of Panem.
District seven felt they were already at an advantage for the games and chose not to train for them for many years, believing it was dishonorable and the Capitol would punish them. District Eight was the first district to fear for their children's lives, knowing they would be one of many districts to bring home very few Victors. District nine sympathized, feeling that their skills with grain wouldn't be very useful in a game of survival. District ten, a livestock district, might have had an advantage if they had established an academy like the lower districts, but they didn't have the money for it and so struggled when it came to victors. District eleven feared the Capitol and the peacekeepers, who horribly abused them, and felt the Games to be yet another oppression against them that they simply couldn't fight back against. And district twelve, which was once the poorest district, struggled to survive with its people dying already, the games just killing two more unfortunate souls every year. Until Katniss came. Katniss, commonly referred to in history as 'The Revolutionary Victor', changed twelve massively for the better, changing its reputation and legacy for the rest of Panem's history.
A Capitol favorite district would win this year, though the arena had not changed much. However, a new feature would be added. Sponsors. The first president, President Derile, would not be the one to suggest the possibility of using victors, however. That would happen several years from now under the suggestion of one Vice President Coriolanus Snow.
The only new thing about the arenas was the introduction of Mutts, a longtime favorite Capitol tool. These particular ones caused massive damage in the dark days with their ability to track prey for miles and deadly poison. They were called Tracker Jackers. It was also Jessica's first year mentoring. She advised her kids to grab stuff from the cornucopia before running far away from it, and to avoid making fires as they made you visible. This would also be the first of many years she would come home crying, though one of few her husband wasn't there to comfort her.
"Tributes! We advise you to please not step off your platform this year, as the mines will be an annual deterrent from leaving your platform early!" The gamemakers declared, as the clock could bred down. This year, no one jumped off, and most hoped to avoid death altogether since there weren't any criminals this year, though most of the respings were still rigged. 5,4,3,2,1,0! The timer ended and this time, seven kids ran to the cornucopia. Emily and Rourke, who were allies, and cousins, ran to the cornucopia and grabbed as much as they could carry off. Sirius and Diana were fighting over a sharp sword, while Aquamarine and Selena had chosen to become allies as well.
Both of the girls grabbed packs, and while Selena grabbed a spear, Aquamarine had gotten a Bow and Arrow, another rare weapon for the games. She immediately shot at the fleeing Alana, whom she automatically picked up as a threat when the little girl darted into the cornucopia and came out with coils of wire and two packs. BOOM!
Alana fell with an arrow in her neck, as Aquamarine stared in horror at what she just did. "Aqua, come on! Snap out of it!" Selena called. Aquamarine nodded shakily, running to catch up with her friend. Most of the other kids were still near their platforms, and as hey we're running, Selena stabbed Cordon in the shoulder, causing him to slump over. He wasn't dead yet, but he was close. At this point, however, most of the other kids were running towards the cornucopia. Sirius had gotten the sword from Diana, and halfway beheaded her, killing her instantly.
Dale, who wasn't actually that phased by Diana dying, chased after Pearl with a javelin until he finally threw it. However, instead of piercing her, it flew right past her and slammed itself into poor little Charles Dodd, who collapsed, trying to keep his insides from falling out of his mouth. Dove, who had been looting next to him, screamed loudly, before throwing a heavy pack at the five boy in response. It smacked into his head, knocking him down and into a pedestal, sitting his skull.
Dove scampered off with a backpack and a machete as she escaped the rest of the carnage, which would take four more lives. Sirius ran after the other 3 tribute, who was much less threatening. Cordon squeaked as he saw Sirius approach him from behind, and immediately started running. However, he only made it a couple of feet before Cordon knocked him over with a pack and slashed his chest wide open, not waiting for him to bleed out before finding his third victim in the bloodbath. Cordon gasped weakly for a couple moments, before District 3 was out of the running.
By this point most of the tributes had already fled, but a couple stayed. Chelsea Gaines tapped Sirius lightly on the shoulder, sniffling. "Can you please make it quick?" She asked him. The eighteen year old raised his sword tentatively, considering striking her down for some time before he placed his hand on her shoulder. "I'm going to help you, okay?" He told her. "Hide in the cornucopia while I finish up here." He whispered. She nodded, sniffling, while Sirius went to track down Ash.
Meanwhile, while Sirius was allying with Chelsea, Her partner Henry and Richard had both gotten into an argument over a scythe. It quickly got physical, before Henry finally grabbed a rock and slammed it into Richard's forehead over and over until his face was a bloody pulp. Much like Aquamarine, Henry was horrified at what he had just done. Unlike her, however, he didn't get to snap out of it. The person who next approached him was Ash, who launched a spear through his chest to the sound of a cannon.
Ash smirked as Henry's body slumped off of his spear. "There's only going to be one victor." He told their lifeless bodies, before gasping as a sword penetrated his stomach. "And it's going to be me." Sirius replied, watching as Ash fell off his sword.
Alana Buscia, 3 (24th), Killed by Aquamarine (Bloodbath)
Diana Ferrenda, 5 (23rd), killed by Sirius (bloodbath)
Charles Dodd, 12 (22nd), killed by Dale Olton (Bloodbath)
Dale Werd, 5 (21st), killed by Dove Rezzi (Bloodbath)
Cordon Eriks, 3 (20th), killed by Sirius (bloodbath)
Richard Dowe, 11 (19th), killed by Henry (bloodbath)
Henry Dolton, 10 (18th), killed by Dale (booodbath)
Ash Terry, (17th), killed by Sirius (bloodbath)
Sirius wiped his sword off on the ground before walking back over to Chelsea calmly. "Listen to me. I'm going to get you out of here. Don't worry." He told her. She whimpered. "Why are you helping me?" She asked. "I'll tell you if your promise not to laugh." He replied. She nodded. "You remind me of my little sister." He sighed. Chelsea stared st him for a second, before giggling, which quickly turned into full-on laughter. "You promised!" He protested, blushing. "I know! I'm sorry! It's just-it's so silly in a situation like this!" She giggled. "I guess it is." He agreed. He quickly started laughing himself, and they stayed like that, getting to know each other for the rest of the first day.
However, not all were so happy. Josephine Arcen was wandering the forest until she finally came upon Apollo. Apollo, who was a favorite to win due to his looks and charming personality, charged at the axe-wielding girl with a mace. He swiped at her, but she dodged. The force of his blow propelled him into a tree, and he fell down. "You know, I was planning on giving you a quick death. But here you don't even have the decency to put up a good fight!" Josephine sighed. She took his made from him, smashing it into one of his legs. Hard.
He screamed out in pain, no longer able to run away. "I'm going to kill you with your own mace, because you aren't worthy to die by my axe." She taunted him. He lunged at her, screeching, as he stabbed her in the leg with a knife he had hidden in his pocket. She screeched, slamming his mace into his skull and destroying the first face to ensnare the Capitol. But his would not be the last by far. Boom! His cannon sounded as Josephine panted, grabbing leaves to bind her leg.
Apollo Hadley, 1 (16th), mace to skull (Josephine)
Meanwhile, Selena and Aquamarine had been setting up camp deep in the forest, hoping not to be disturbed by anyone. Pearl saw the fire from her tree a couple yards away, and immediately fled despite her exhaustion.
And right before the anthem on the first day, the first sponsor gift was dropped down. Sirius and Chelsea woke up to the sound of bells tinkling as a parachute floated down to them. Sirius opened the large capsule, receiving a steak dinner for two. He saw a note below it, and started reading. "Looks like you two have quite a few fans! Enjoy your meal-Jessica." He read. "I thought Jessica was district 3's Victor!" Chelsea exclaimed. "I think she mostly just wants to help wherever she can." Sirius explained. Chelsea smiled as the two ate their dinner, before going back to sleep.
The next day was also quite active. The Gamemakers released a swarm of Tracker Jackers that quickly built a nest near Ilius, who woke up when he heard buzzing. He yawned, getting up and stretching, accidentally hitting a Tracker Jacker! It immediately stung him, causing him to scream out in pain. This attracted Chelsea and Sirius, and Chelsea quickly recognized the deadly insects. "Hide!" She whispered, leaping into a bush. Sirius quickly followed her as Ilius ran by screaming, before he was out of their view. "What were those?" Sirius asked. "Tracker Jackers. The Capitol used them during the war. There's still a bunch of nests in the trees on the outskirts of my district. Trust me, you don't want to let them sting you." Chelsea explained, before a cannon sounded, startling them both.
Ilius Olven, 4 (15th), killed by Tracker Jackers
"Wow. He must be a slow runner." Sirius commented. They both walked over to where the Hovercraft was picking up bodies, and Sirius nearly threw up at what he saw. Ilius was covered in pus-leaking lumps, his eyes wide open and his limbs splayed. Sirius stepped up to him, closing his eyes, before they went back to the Cornucopia. The Capitol was satisfied with those two for the day, so the Gamemakers focused on other kids. Rourke and Emily, who had escaped noticed until now, were being relentlessly hunted by Selena and Aquamarine. Rourke was carrying all the supplies while Emily was launching knives at the two when she had the chance.
However, when she was throwing a knife, she tripped over a tree root and fell. "Emily!" Rourke screamed. He rushed back around to Selena and Aquamarine, dropping the supplies to run faster, but Selena got there first. Emily screamed as Selena sliced down into the younger girl's chest. It was a clean stroke, and she quickly hit grass as she cut Emily in two. Rourke screamed in anguish, launching his spear through the two girl. Amber and Selena both screamed, though for different reasons, as Rourke picked up Selena and quite literally threw her through the forest, both living tributes hearing her cannon upon impact. Aquamarine trembled as Rourke turned towards her. "Which one of us were you planning to kill?" He asked her, glowering with a spear in hand.
She gulped. "You." She whispered. "Why?" He asked. "Because I didn't want to have to be the one to kill a little girl." She told him. He nodded. "Good choice." He told her, gesturing with his spear for her to leave. "You're letting me leave?" She asked in disbelief. "Our parents are dead. Emily was the only reason I had to live." He said simply. She placed her hand on his shoulder. "I know it's not much consolation, but I really am sorry she died." Aquamarine told him, before sprinting off. Rourke sat down heavily, stroking a piece of emy's hair. "I'm coming, Emily. Wait for me." He told her. He took a deep breath, before jamming the spear in his own chest. He ripped it out and threw it away, lying next to the young girl, as he closed his eyes one last time. BOOM!
Emily Acha, 6 (14th), cleaved in two (Selena)
Selena Gavrila, 2 (13th) spear through chest, thrown into tree (both by Rourke)
Rourke Wrane, 6 (12th) suicide
Josephine was on the prowl once more, and while she would come close multiple times to finding people, she'd go back to her camp today empty handed. Dove, however, would make her first kill towards the late evening. Elric from nine was wandering around, trying to ambush people at their campsites, when he happened upon Dove's. Dove had some pretty good equipment, but kept most of it hidden in the trunk of a nearby tree. So armed only with a hatchet, he waited for her.
When Dove finally came back, she saw he had started a fire at her site, and stealthily snuck to her tree, where she took out the javelin previously used to kill Charles. She came up behind Elric, stabbing through his back and watching him drop. She grabbed her things and fled to her hideout as the Hovercraft picked up his body in the fading dusk.
Elric Swanson, 9 (11th), javelin to chest (Dove)
On the third day, things got chaotic fast. Sirius went hunting, leaving Chelsea to guard the base with a hammer, a weapon she was proficient with since her father was a blacksmith. Early in the morning he found Pearl sleeping in the branches of a tree, tied down so she wouldn't fall. He didn't want to take the risk of a fight, so he climbed up and slit her throat in her sleep. She died a peaceful death as he untied her and carried her to the ground so the Hovercraft could retrieve her.
Pearl Judas, 1, (10th) slit throat (Sirius)
When Josephine heard the cannon go off for Pearl, she knew she had to start hunting. She went off towards the cornucopia in pursuit of a target, coming dangerously near Abigail and Celia, who had teamed up for better odds. They both ran away from the strong Seven girl, only to bump into Aquamarine. They immediately got into strike positions.
Abigail made the first move, slicing into Aquamarine's thigh as the four girl dodged. She screamed in pain, attracting the attention of many tributes. Only one, however, managed to run through the brush to find a gory scene awaiting him. Sirius stood in shock as the three girls turned to him, Aquamarine with a knife wound across her leg and a bloody axe in one hand, and Abigail with a missing hand! Sirius only thought about who to join for a moment, before stepping next to Aquamarine. Abigail and Celia knew they wouldn't get out of here without killing, so they charged at the opposing pair. Sirius pushed Aquamarine out of the way as he jumped back from Abigail's wide swing with her scythe.
She was at a disadvantage, since a scythe was a two handed weapon, and she knew it. Sirius darted forward as she stumbled from the weight, jabbing his sword through her stomach, and ripping it out to help Aquamarine. However, he quickly realized she didn't need help when she used her axe to impale Celia's forehead! Both girls slumped over, Aquamarine panting. Sirius rushed to her side as two cannons sounded loudly.
Abigail Meyers, 9 (9th), sword impalement (Sirius)
Celia Ojos, 8 (8th), axe to skull (Aquamarine)
Sirius took some gauze out of his pack for Aquamarine, about to wrap her leg, before they heard a tinkling sound. They looked up and saw another capsule! Sirius cracked it open, revealing Capitol medicine. He gently applied it to her shin, before wrapping it securely. However, the noise had attracted Celia's district Partner, Ivan. He saw the two from the bushes, and, sensing easy prey, lunged with his spear! "Look out!" Aquamarine called out to Sirius, knocking him out of the way. However, she pushed too hard and knocked herself over too, leaving herself defenseless as Ivan walked closer. "I want you to know I'm sorry in advance." He started, raising up his spear to impale her. "So am I." Sirius agreed, stabbing down into Ivan's head.
Ivan Orson, 8 (7th) split skull (Sirius)
Sirius pulled Aquamarine up carefully, smiling. "Look, I know I can't promise you victory, but do you want to have an alliance with me and Chelsea, the 12-year old from 10 until the final three?" He asked. "Of course." She agreed. "So what do we do now?" She asked. "We go back before Chelsea gets hurt." Sirius replied. Aquamarine nodded, before they started trekking to the cornucopia.
As they were walking, Josephine saw them headed towards the cornucopia. When they called out to Chelsea, she knew there was no way she could win, and retreated for now. Dove, however, was trying hard to track down the elusive Iris Pella from eleven, who was so hidden that even the gamemakers had mostly forgotten about her! Dove was about to give up for the night, as dusk was approaching, before she heard rustling in a bush! She tenses up, her machete raised, as Iris casually exited the bush, yawning. However, when she saw Dove, she screamed! Dove's features hardened as she immediately pounced on the girl, who was now crying. However, when Iris finally opened her eyes, she started laughing!
"What the hell are you laughing about?" Dove asked in shock. Iris's left hand had gripped a rock, and she threw it as hard as she could behind Dove. "You missed!" Dove proclaimed. Iris smiled, pointing at the now fallen Tracker Jacker nest. Dove's eyes widened, recognizing the bugs. "You bitch!" She screeched, as she started getting stung repeatedly by the angry insects. She slammed down her machete into Iris' stomach. "I hope you win, Chelsea." Iris coughed, before both girls slumped over.
Dove Rezzi, 12 (6th), Tracker Jacker stings (Iris)
Iris Pella, 11 (5th), machete impalement (Dove)
This left only four in the arena. Josephine, who glowered as the three others got another sponsored meal, laughing and having a good night as they joked around a warm fire. Meanwhile, she was shivering and alone and miserable. She finally made up her mind when she went to sleep that night about her strategy the next morning.
On the fourth day, Josephine woke up extra early to get the drop on the others. She climbed the cornucopia and waited, knowing her best shot was to take two of them out when they exited from its cover. However, she didn't expect her leg injury that was still open to suddenly cause her leg to fail right before they came out! What she didn't know was that she had developed blood poisoning overnight from rolling in the dirt, and her left leg was now practically useless. The three others gaped at her when she fell on top of one of their supply bags right in front of them, shocked at their luck! Sirius prepared to give her a quick death, before she lunged at Chelsea!
She screamed, reaching for her hammer. If she had had even a second's warning, she might have blocked Josephine's blow, too. But instead, it pierced right below her heart. Sirius screamed in horror, throwing Josephine off of Chelsea. He growled, before hacking into her chest until it was nothing but a bloody pulp. He rushed to Chelsea, his hands shakily unwrapping the gauze to bind her wound, but Chelsea pushed it away, gasping.
"What are you doing? Stay still!" Sirius protested. "Sirius…" Aquamarine started, placing her hand on his shoulder. "Don't say it!" Sirius told her. "Sirius, it's too late for me. Please don't be sad. You tried. You really tried, and that's more than anyone's ever done for me. Thank you." Chelsea whispered. "No!" Sirius sobbed, hugging her softly. Chelsea closed her eyes, the last thing she heard being a cannon. Sirius, however, continued crying, before Aquamarine gently rubbed his back. "I'm not going to say I knew her as well as her, but you have to let go. You have to honor her memory by showing you won't let her death ruin you." She told him. Slowly but surely, he did calm down, though the capitol didn't do anything to speed up the process because they all were touched by the friendship the two shared.
Josephine Arcen, 7 (4th), sword strikes (Sirius)
Chelsea Gaines, 10 (3rd), knife wound (Josephine-posthumous)
When he finally had calmed down, he used their remaining water supply to wash off Chelsea's blood from her would, and Aquamarine carefully stitched it up. They carried her out with her hammer rested on her chest for the Hovercraft to pick her up, and only when it was gone did they face each other. "Before either of us dies, I want you to know I'm glad it's you I'm facing right now. You're a strong opponent, and I really do like you." Sirius told her. "Me too. It's a shame one of us has to die, or maybe we could have been friends. Can we agree not to feel bad about killing each other?" Aquamarine asked. He nodded. "It's what we had to do." He responded.
They both lunged at each other, sword against axe, both of them putting their all into this. Suddenly, Sirius jumped back, causing Aquamarine to stumble. And if it weren't for her bad leg, she might have stayed up. However, she fell on one knee, and immediately knew it was over. But she still gave it her all, and managed to slash a sizeable gash on Sirius' leg, forcing him to the ground again. However, he fell on top of her since he was in motion, and so was able to get up first. He swung his sword down, giving her a clean blow to the heart, and ending her almost instantly. She gasped, giving him a smile. "You won." She breathed, closing her eyes. Sirius immediately ripped his sword out of her and threw it as far away as he could, closing his eyes as he brought his fist up in triumph.
Aquamarine Drell, 4 (2nd), sword through chest (Sirius)
Jessica may have been the first victor, but Sirius was actually the oldest. Born a year ahead of Jessica, he would die in the mid-seventies, two months after Katniss' games. He never saw the legacy she left, but knew that she'd be a powerful victor who brought home many tributes. In his time, however, he would live through many things. He established the District Two academy in the eighth year of the games, and helped to create the careers. He saw many children after him watch their friends die, but also brought home many children. In fact, 6 of the 19 District 2 victors in the first 100 years were direct results of his mentoring, excluding him! Not as many as Jessica, but he would be known as the Fatherly Victor for multiple reasons, the first and foremost being how he treated his tributes and trainees at the career academy.
Sirius would marry 3 times, twice to women and once to a man. One of the three was a victor, and he would have two children with them, one of whom would later grow up to win their own games. He also had 3 children with his first wife, a neighbor in district two who he had a very amicable divorce with, and remained friends with until he died. He was loved by the Capitol for his looks and ability, as well as his kind disposition. He would become friends with almost every victor, and in particular became best friends with Jessica soon after his games. He only made 8 kills, low for a district two victor, but impressive for someone with no training. He named his first daughter Chelsea, and his second Aquamarine, as it had become tradition among Victors to name their children after the friends they had lost in the Arena. He also would be too old to be used by the capitolites by the time the President set that in motion, and would live a very happy life because of it. When he finally died, it was in his sleep, next to his husband, after a long battle with heart disease.
List of Victors:
1: Jessica Blake, 3, Death: 83 years old. 'The First Victor'
2: Sirius Tyrun, 2, Death: 91 years old. "The Fatherly Victor"
