Metamorphosis: The 100th Hunger Games
Update: A Quick Recap Into Tyler's Universe Post-Second Rebellion
Early-Mid HG 70's (2143-46)
So Close, Yet so, so Very Far
All events are canon compliant until the Battle for District 2. District citizens young and old are captivated by the Mockingjay, and after seventy-five years of oppression, rise up once more against the Capitol with the help of the thought-obliterated District 13.
The military (Panem Peacekeepers) rife with lax doctrine and mostly inept leadership due to favoritism or liquidation, fail to suppress uprisings that topple district after district. Overwhelmed, Minister of State for National Defense Antonius Knepper consolidates his forces within the Cheyenne Mountain Complex aka The Nut in Acropolis, District 2.
Meanwhile, as the nation crumples around them, small-time bureaucrat Gideon Montresor, while chatting with senior members of President Snow's Presidential Cabinet, goes on a tirade about how the Capitol is failing to properly quell this rebellion. His rant wasn't just filled with empty words, however, but genuine policy. Impressed with this, Gideon Montresor was then appointed as a security advisor.
All in all, with his appointment began series of counterattacks, from Three and Seven all the way to the heart of this scourge, Thirteen, prompting the utter routing and destruction of rebel forces from coast to coast all within the span of three or so years.
Late HG 70's – HG 90's (2146-2160)
Panem's Post-War Boom
The death of President Snow served as a blessing to all parties involved. Like canon I assume that his years of utilizing poison have caught up to him around the same time it did during Mockingjay. With his death, the citizens of the districts are spared a harrowing fate (mostly) and the Capitol elites get a change of doctrine after nearly thirty years of micromanagement and paranoia.
With most of the Capitol's dirty laundry out in the open (a la Finnick Odair and other salacious Propos), obvious policy change was needed to keep the population pacified.
- To put less emphasis on the Games, the normal Georgian Calendar resumed regular use in conjunction to the 'HG' Calendar. For example September 1st, 2163 (HG 100) is used nationally although since the Games are staple within Panem, referring to years by the current number Hunger Games is more than common.
-Wealth was more equally distributed, thus the growth of the districts. Sizable middle classes are becoming more prominent. Electronics, telecommunications and automobiles were becoming more commonplace.
-Panem's intellectual community since it's inception has had an affinity for the past. This reflects in many cultural facets such as architecture, music, television, fashion and automobile design. This reached fever pitch during this era. Gone was the garish makeup, and 'clown-like' outfits. Capitolites, having been rationed during the war, adopted a minimalist culture. Clothing was still outlandish, caught up in Panem's take of Mid-20th Century retrofuturisim, but designs were muted enough to add a splash of colour to many district citizens' drab wardrobes. This social trend continues to remain popular as of 2163 (HG 100).
-Many of the Capitol's scientific elite sought so further pacify the population by making this style of retrofuturisim staple. Wide open suburbia, emphasis on family units and citizens doing their part to make Panem great are ideals that many people can tentatively get behind.
-Centralized urban hubs were now devolving as the Captiol began to revitalize derelict cities of pre-Panem.
-District governments were more pronounced. Municipal governments in larger districts were formed as governors were appointed for more independence. Instead of hyper-focus on a singular industry, tertiary services were beginning to grow (Mining in District 6's Upper Peninsula, Natural Gas in District 9)
-Teenagers and young adults outside the Capitol were no longer solely considered reaping stock. Due to both policy and upbringing by rebel parents, they were beginning to have more access to society like in modern times and carried with them certain idealisms.
-The HG Seventies and early HG Eighties were mainly used to kill off the children and relatives of Panem citizens both Capitol and District involved in the Rebellion. Many Capitol citizens implicated in the War were deported to districts. Upwards of the usual 24 tributes was commonplace.
Mid HG 80's – Late HG 90's (2150-2161)
A Return to Democracy?
After a slew of caretaker presidents, Agesilaus Kane was elected president via Capitol vote. He's the longest serving president post-Snow. The districts were taken aback by this president. Only before The Dark Days have they been so politically engaged on a national level.
An elderly man, he was affectionately called "Uncle Kane" in the media due to his warm personality and benevolence when the overall government still carried the taint of President Snow's ruthlessness.
-The districts grew even more socially. All the above changes during the 2140's-50's were amplified under Kane. Executions were stalled, unless the offender was a key player such as a general or infamous soldier. Quotas were cut significantly, social programs were beginning to sprout.
-Peacekeeper doctrine was less strenuous. Yes, Peacekeepers managed but also better served the population beyond domineering control. Troop numbers in each district were cut.
-This drew the ire of conservative elites, who still wanted the rebel population suppressed. Following the death of his Vice President, Viondra DeWynter, eldest daughter to senior statesman Chauncey DeWynter, was reluctantly selected to fill the role mainly to quell the uproar of conservative members of government.
The hate for President Kane among the elite came to fever pitch when he began denouncing the Games and advocated for reconciliation between the Capitol and its districts. In 2158 (HG 95) President Kane called for the outright dissolving of the Games after its one hundredth year.
Late HG 90's-HG 100's (2160-63)
Same old, Same old
(I assume that you've read my 'Calamity' story?)
President Kane opts to tour the nation in fall of 2161. He often did this to continue to build upon his relationship with the districts, especially with the looming cancellation of the Games.
In Helena, District 1, President Kane was assassinated while parading through One's downtown core. His wife, Cruella Kane and Hunger-Games-Victor-turned-Governor-of-District-1 Serene Westenfluss was also wounded. And one Capitol Guardsman (Peacekeepers known for their iconic black leather greatcoats) was also wounded. Rushed to hospital, there was little they could do, as the president suffered from multiple body wounds and a mortal head wound.
Viondra DeWynter assumes power Halloween evening.
-The districts are beyond livid. It was obvious that he was killed because of his plans for Panem not aligning with the elite, but the 'official' story of him being killed by angry rebels muddles any descent. Small scale riots ravage the nation as Kane's body continues its tour of Panem via train. Millions of Panemians nationwide stand by routes to pay their respects.
-President DeWynter is quick to quell any doubts about her presidency, opting for a nationwide election, the first in nearly one hundred years barring Capitolites having the power to vote for presidents. Kane's Son, Archibald Kane, is quick to throw his hat into the ring.
-Therefore Panemians were treated to a civil exercise unseen before, with 2162 being treated like a modern-day election year, mudslinging and all. "Third Rail" issues such as the Hunger Games were barely mentioned, for obvious reasons. Archibald Kane was eager to drop obvious hints about his father's aspirations regarding them. The 99th Hunger Games were intentionally muted because of this election. They continued yes, but viewing wasn't mandatory. Although due to the Games and their place in Panem's society, people still watched regardless.
-By the fall of 2162, the election was heated to say the least, following a nasty debate in which no holds were barred. Too much was exposed for either party, what with President DeWynter and her likeness to that of President Snow, and Archibald Kane and his eagerness to see his father's work done "By any means necessary".
Most Capitol insiders knew that any transition of power was going to be a bloody one. However while Archibald Kane was plotting to take the office by force, a more muted President DeWynter silently worked on a contingency plan.
Things all came to a head in December of 2162, Election Day (Chapter 3 of Metamorphosis.)
Archibald Kane and his allies allowed for dissidents alongside pro-democracy Peacekeepers, from throughout Panem access to the Capitol. The entire evening was spent seizing important officials and government buildings including that of the Presidential Mansion.
This played out on holovisions throughout the nation. Gun battles through the Capitol streets, Guardsmen hustling officials into armored trucks as Peacekeepers attempt hostage rescues. Archibald Kane played right into DeWynter's hand. Just as people were still going to the polls, Archibald seized the national news headquarters and delivered an ominous address, which offered him no favors. President DeWynter and the ruling Nationalist Party solidified their grip over Panem...although through manipulation on Kane's part and fraud on their part.
With the coup failing due to overwhelming odds, President DeWynter took the opportunity to settle scores. Throughout that evening and the next day, citizens throughout Panem who were deemed a risk or complicit in the coup were liquidated with many vanishing during the night or if they were brave enough to fight the 'ghosts' went down fighting.
It seemed that any hope for genuine democracy was over.
Present Day, May 2163 (HG 100)
Metamorphosis
President DeWynter has solidified her power. Ushering in a Fourth Republic, she now utilizes the presidency like a modern-day sovereign. 'Madam President' seemed outdated to the much more commonly used 'Your/Her Excellency'. To further placate the nation, she has re-utilized the position of Prime Minister of Panem, appointing Gideon Montresor to the post. Montresor's moderate approach to politics contrast with her authoritarian approach to governance, putting a smile on the regime. Loyal, upper class district citizens were also offered moderate-level jobs within the National Government, stimulating the growth of a more loyal and compliant population against the naturally skeptic ones.
The imprisonment and execution of former rebels reach fever pitch under her rule, with every week there being a televised killing of a former general or significant figure not yet culled.
Jumping the gun, DeWynter called for the Fourth Quarter Quell to consist of adult tributes causing further strain throughout the districts.
Socially, the ideals of President Kane and the reforms he's brought have significantly affected the population. Citizens are far more aware and questioning about their roles within society, wanting a less binary approach to living.
Like the mid-century of our time, counterculture is prevalent within Panem, with 'Bohemian' lifestyles becoming popular amongst young adults. As the 2160's progress, so does the growing dissent. But unlike previous generations, the dissent the Capitol faces is taking place in a less obvious form.
In general, many circles within the districts were coming to terms with the Games being here to stay. The issue was a "Third Rail" one yes, but that doesn't mean that other issues weren't off the table, such as equality, labor rights, so on and so forth. Metamorphosis serves as the beginning of this.
This year's tributes:
Aurelia Baudelaire – Businesswoman
Thames Montgolia – Businessman
Solomon 'Sol' Kohli – Former Career Trainee
Sarissa Levesque – Former Career Trainee/Current Militiaman
Maia Clear – Student/Athlete
Tobias Ledger – Con artist
Nautia Novakova – Peacekeeper (Navy)
Warren Holt – Student/Career Trainee
Tuesday Suetos – Doctor/Surgeon
Geronimo 'Gio' Busan – Photographer/Explorer
Thelian Caldron – Doctor/Psychologist
Zahira Kazimirova – Doctor/General Practitioner
Chris Samara – Lumberjack/Construction Worker
Verona Kinsley – Caretaker/Nurse
Alana Oskoii – Famed Author
Russett Gilmour – Factoryhand
Hermia Rhodes – Businesswoman/Mother
Lars Malatic – Convict/Drug Runner
Laelia Alvarado – Student
Emmanuel Cade – Hunter
Wondr'a Okafor – Doctor/Scientist
Linden Norton – Fieldhand
Kaviraya Parathi – Civil Servant
Veradisia 'Vera' Smith – Miner
This year's Hunger Games have gone off to a fair start. As you can see via the Opening Ceremony, despite the pomp and glitz, there are cracks. And with some tributes harboring their own personal agendas or just looking to get by somehow, it will all come to a head once the gong goes off.
Some side plots include:
The Capitol: President DeWynter, Prime Minister Montresor her cabinet attempt to quell any attempt to throw the Games off schedule as the security situation nationwide continues to falter.
Joyceta Rodriquez and Francisco Noriega: Once together like a dog and a flea, their relationship has dissolved over the past year. Mind you, they were 12 years old when they won and are now seventeen...the transition from child, to young adult victors as we know are...troublesome.
Gwendolyn Faraday: Our mousy yet intrepid victor from District 3 was given a last-ditch transmission from Archibald Kane, ending with her in contact with a foreign nation adversarial to Panem. She struggles with the potential in her hands. Who has the gall to help her? Could she fan flames anew?
And that, is a recap of what has happened so far. Expect by late Sunday evening (EST) or Monday.
Happy New Year everyone,
To Whom It May Concern...I apologize for my absence over the past couple of months or so. Though I doubt you were holding on to your seats too too much. If you were, I genuinely apologize.
In all fairness, my longest hiatus was over a year, and I finished that SYOT regardless. So take that as you will.
Things have been going okay these past couple of months. I joined the army, albeit in the reserves, but it still consumes time in terms of training. Training is over the weekends in the reserves, so it eats into my time. By this summer, I will be qualified as an infantryman, so I shouldn't be as busy.
I'm in university as well. My GPA is a solid B. As for January-April...we'll see what I can do, but I'm constantly writing in the background, so not finishing my story here is out of the question.
Again, sorry for the lapse in updating.