The Bloodbath Begins
The tributes rise up onto their plates.
"Ladies and gentlemen, let the 57th Annual Hunger Games begin!"
Every tribute is wearing the same tight, black jumpsuit with their district's number stitched onto the right upper arm and on the left side of the chest. Right over the heart. Some tributes look intimidating in their jumpsuits, like the tributes from districts 1, 2, and 4. The jumpsuits cling to their muscular limbs and toned torsos. Others, however, look sad. Pathetic. Their hipbones and ribs are easily visible through the stretchy black fabric.
They each wear a sturdy pair of charcoal grey hiking boots which reach to their ankles. Perfect for running and walking. In addition, they all have a dark grey leather belt wrapped around their waists, four empty sealable pouches hang limply against the tributes' thighs off the belt. Some tributes had hastily stuffed their tokens into one of the pouches – their last remnant of home that so many of them are never to return to. They must hold onto this object that reminds them so much of home - of their loving families and friends, of the scent of their birthplace's own air as they stepped out of their door in the morning – until their very last moments.
The plates that the tributes stand on are arranged in a circle around the shining golden Cornucopia, overflowing with weapons and supplies that are vital in a player's journey from tribute to victor.
The Cornucopia sits on a circle of perfectly cut green grass, which looks very well maintained, almost as if it has been looked after and cared for every day. Surrounding the circle of grass is a wide yellowish dusty rock path, splitting off to the North and the South of the arena. On the other side of the path is a ring of many tall dome shaped trees, again, perfectly trimmed, each equidistant from the next.
Looking up the North path, the tributes see a huge manor house - dark wooden doors thrown open wide, white framed windows glinting in the bright mid-morning sun. The house – just like the ring of trees and the grass circle that houses the Cornucopia, looks perfectly looked-after. Almost as if some rich benefactor still lives within the arena.
Behind the house stands a gargantuan wall of slate coloured rock, covered with crevices and dotted with a few small caves and tunnels. This rock formation looks natural, unlike the house, which obviously is not.
Winding around from the back of the house is a shimmering river, rippling its way towards the south of the arena.
Looking down the South path, the tributes see that it winds its way through a tall green forest, promising safety for some tributes who are familiar with the terrain. What is within the forest, or if there is anything on the other side of it, none of the tributes know.
The climate in the arena is warm, and a cool breeze ruffles the tributes' hair as they stand, frozen on their plates, too scared to move.
The countdown begins.
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Indigo Stormwell from District One itches to go, practically bouncing on her plate. She has spotted her signature twin short swords propped up against a food crate. She doesn't need to worry about supplies for now – she and her alliance have control of the whole Cornucopia after the bloodbath. All she needs for now is those swords…
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Demetrius Knight has spotted his weapon of choice sat inside the Cornucopia, a long broadsword. He knows that that's what he needs, but he thinks he can take down a few tributes with his fists on his way to get the sword…
54
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Caecillia James from District Two silently thanks the Gamemakers for putting her weapon of choice in the arena. Tucked neatly into the mouth of the Cornucopia sits a blue shoulder sling containing three dark stone discuses. She's rearing to go, but isn't sure how to feel about her little 12 year old brother, positively beaming 5 plates to her left…
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Julius James knows that he's the youngest in the arena, but also knows that doesn't mean anything. He thinks he's going to make history as the youngest Victor ever. The golden horn is chock-full of knives, and all he's worried about for now is grabbing one and using it to kill that girl from Three…
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Lynx Xin doesn't know what to do. She can see a sling lined with black darts and knows she needs it along with a pack of supplies but knows she can't go straight into the bloodbath and get them. Especially with that Julius around and thirsting for her blood. Her hair whips across her face as she snaps her head around looking for somewhere to go. A small smile flits across her face as she formulates a plan…
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Kory Spelunk stands on his plate shaking with fear. He yearns to be safe back in the smoggy grey concrete jungle that is District Three. He spots Lynx across and to the left of his in the circle of plates and knows he has to get to her, for they will have a better chance of surviving for longer…
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Victoria Hendrick's wavy golden-brown hair is tied back in a high ponytail, which she flicks over her shoulder as a cocky grin spreads across her face. She's got this. All she needs are a few knives from the Cornucopia and she can wipe out lots of competitors within the hour…
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Derek Foxx has spotted a sleek black trident right inside the Cornucopia. He knows that his tough demeanour during training should have been enough to ward off any tributes who are thinking of trying to pick off the Careers during the bloodbath. Once he gets that trident, the Game can really begin…
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Madilynn Ruse looks around nervously for her allies. They have already agreed that they will all go into the Cornucopia and try to get their weapons, Madilynn's being a bow. She's going to grab a supply pack too. Even though she is convinced that her and her allies are going to do well, maybe even one of them will win, she still wishes she was sat at home. At least she's here, rather than her sister…
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Obaid Jamieson has selected his loot. A large length of rope that is not that far from where he stands. A survival pack a few metres away from that. And then a large dagger a few metres away from that. After he has them he can chase a tribute off into the woods…
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Lexie Lewis nods her head at her allies, Madilynn, Carry, and Azula, as they silently agree to head into the forest after they have collected their goods from the golden horn. She has seen a rack of spears, and wants to get 2 or 3. She can only hope that she gets there before the Careers do…
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Carry Fawn is terrified. He doesn't want to go into the Cornucopia, but his alliance have told him to. He just wants to be back home in District Six, where he spent his short 13 years…
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Celeste Hettie has seen a hip pouch of throwing stars not about three quarters of the way to the Cornucopia. She is planning to grab them and then run into the huge house. There must be something useful in there…
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Fry Yeardley knows what he wants. A sleek black axe resting against a food crate, and a large dark green survival pack. Unfortunately there is no hatchet suitable for throwing, but maybe his sister, his mentor, can send him one later. For now, he is itching to grab that axe…
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Azula Markham pulls her long copper ponytail out of the hole in the back of her green cap after pulling it on her head. She has already looked around for a club or a mace, but can't see anything. So for now, she'll grab as many supply packs as she can. She thinks that if she can find a good sturdy tree branch in the forest, it'll be as good as any club…
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Kal Olin knows he has to get a pack and a knife if he wants to survive. Not that many tributes from the textiles district often survive too long, but he's going to try…
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Daisy Brunswick feels content in the fact that many tributes will avoid her thanks to her little show in training starring the Avox. She thinks that when she runs in to the Cornucopia, she can grab whatever she wants and face no problems. Or, at least, she hopes…
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Ganymede Leonis hopes he can avoid that girl from Six as he goes in to get a spear, because surely that's where she's headed. After grabbing his spear and hopefully a pack, he's heading for the manor house for sure…
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Kelsey Ferguson slips her first baby tooth into one of the pouches hanging off of her belt. She pulled it out herself, and has it to remind herself that she can fight through this. She is planning on heading straight into the thick of the battle, to show her competitors that she isn't afraid. Even though she is…
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Kaiden Johnson feels almost no emotion as he stands on his plate watching the countdown. He wants to grab a sword and a pack, and get killing quick…
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Hazel Jackson is scared, but she knows that she is one of the stronger contestants this year. All she needs is a knife. Over the steady beat of the countdown, Hazel can hear the voice of her deceased abusive ex-boyfriend urging her on, telling her she can do well…
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Andrew Tillings is terrified. He can't wait to get off his plate and run away. He just wants to go home. He just wants to go home…
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Casablanca Coal thinks she won't survive if she heads into the bloodbath. Tributes from 12 never do. So she plans to run as fast as she can towards the house. There is sure to be something she can use as a weapon or some food in there. If not, at least it's shelter…
12
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Matt Matthews has got this. He's the best. He'll win. He's heading straight into the bloodbath, grabbing a knife, and stabbing anyone and everyone. He just thinks it's a shame that Casa has to die on his way to Victory as the third District 12 Victor…
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The gong sounds, tributes fly off of their plates in all different directions, and all Hell breaks loose.
So I just wrote this to introduce the arena and the arena outfits and stuff. I hope you liked it. The proper bloodbath will begin next chapter!
Sorry for not updating in ages!
Also, since having the story taken down, the amount of readers has gone down hugely. I PM'd everyone who submitted a tribute, but only a few replied… And even some who replied didn't add the story to their alerts/favourites. So if I don't think you're reading the story then I'll kill your character, no matter how much potential they had. Soz.
Please review!