Hey guys :( So yeah, if you saw my last update you know that I'm wrapping this SYOT up. It pains me deeply to do so, because I love all of these characters, as usual, but its been so long and I haven't written anything for it in so long, I doubt many of the submitters are reading anyhow. If you guys are, HEY!
So yeah, this is just going to be a wrap up. I'll go over the broad strokes of what I had planned and all that. I hope you guys are pleased with what would have been.
Chapter 9: District 9 Arrivals (Tributes Estrella Browne and Rye Brioche)
With the District 9 tributes, as they reach the end of their train rides, Estrella has to keep reminding herself to be calm around both Rye and Rye's mentor, due to her fear of men. Rye tries to talk to her, but she avoids the conversation and decides to go to the next car. Her mentor, Rhine, tries to talk to her, and Estrella simply explains that it's because of her father. Rhine leaves Estrella to calm down, reminding her to come out soon as they are arriving in the Capitol in about a half hour.
Rye is treated with great suspicion by his mentor, Benjy. He waits for the train to stop, and due to being a criminal (he and his friend Teff got into a drunken fight that ended with the accidental death of their other friend, Quinoa, and the reaping was the only chance he had to possibly survive). Meeting with his stylist, who wants to play up the criminal angle, Rye refuses this and proclaims his innocence. To his surprise, she believes him. To her, anyone paying attention could see that. She agrees to help him prove that he was not the only one at fault.
Chapter 10: District 10 Chariot Rides (Tributes Jedediah Stine and Lila Acadia)
Jedediah tries to focus as he is prepared in the cliched farmer with a scythe getup, but his district partner Lila doesn't help very much, with her out-of-it demeanor. When she looks around pretty confusedly at all the people who are cheering, she nearly knocks them out of the chariot, but he manages to keep them both from falling and being trampled. He chews her out once they make it into the training center, but it doesn't sink in.
As for Lila, she is nearly completely unaware of what's happening. She is imagining lots of things as usual, and has lots of strange thoughts that she occasionally expresses. When they arrive at their floor and are told to settle in for the night, Lila orders a ton of food, then promptly falls asleep to the chariot replays.
Chapter 11: District 11 Training (Tributes Hope Finley and Durian Stenning)
Hope makes a start training on the first morning, ending up at the running track with Estrella. She helps the younger girl with her form, and she is quite fast as well. She also starts to relax a bit being around Hope. They agree to share their lunch hour. After lunch, they decide that they should make a go of learning other things, and settle on the knot tying station. To Hope's surprise, after a while the knots station makes Estrella freak out, and she stops. She refuses to tell Hope what is going on, and fortunately training ends for the day.
Durian spends most of the morning at the scythe station, marveling at how something that he used everyday as a tool has been modified to be a weapon to kill someone. After lunch, he spends some time at the plant-identification station, and does well. Moving to swords, he is okay, but fumbles a few easy shots. The Careers see this, but, impressed by his skill for an outer-District tribute, come and try to offer him pointers. He avoids answering them, and heads over to the camouflage station. Shortly afterwards, the training ends.
Chapter 12: District 12 Training (Tributes Flint Blackwood and Zera Tarren)
Flint spends the day training, and Zera ends up following him to a couple stations. He feels bad that such a young and clearly uncared for child is being forced into this situation, but doesn't want to make the commitment to helping her quite yet. He ends up at the fire station with Rye, and they start chatting about their families. Rye seems envious of Flint's unusual but close family. They spend lunch together with Zera and agree to make an alliance.
On her own after lunch, Zera tries her hand at knives, showing minor promise but still absolutely a novice. She moves on to the plant identification station, where she does much better. She finds herself there with Jace and Kamden, and Jace is friendly, but they don't talk much. She is quickly replaced by Scarlett. Heading to the camouflage station, she quickly leaves after Lila freaks her out. Later. She overhears Rowans joining of the Careers.
In their quarters, Haymitch is unsurprised at her limited success, but is pleased that Flint has agreed to help her, and that they are joining Rye.
Chapter 13: Scoring
At lunch on the third day, Hope and Estrella officially decide to be in an alliance. Kamden and Jace. Kamden and Jace are considering the same with Scarlett, and agree to ask her where they're waiting to be scored. Scarlett agrees.
Scores-
District 1 Female: Gemma Rowe: 9
District 1 Male: Hayden Pierce: 10
District 2 Female: Amelia Roosa: 10
District 2 Male: Riley Adrian: 9
District 3 Female: Lani Fuse: 5
District 3 Male: Albert Spark: 5
District 4 Female: Khanna Shine: 8
District 4 Male: Storm Colter: 8
District 5 Female: Isabella Martin: 6
District 5 Male: Isaac Martin: 7
District 6 Female: Kamden Vercetti: 5
District 6 Male: Jace Vercetti: 4
District 7 Female: Scarlett Atwood: 7
District 7 Male: Rowan Scorrus: 6
District 8 Female: Tahlia Windstone: 7
District 8 Male: Thomas Windstone: 7
District 9 Female: Estrella Browne: 5
District 9 Male: Rye Brioche: 8
District 10 Female: Acadia Brown: 5
District 10 Male: Jedediah Stine: 5
District 11 Female: Hope Finley: 8
District 11 Male: Durian Stenning: 8
District 12 Female: Zera Tarren: 3
District 12 Male: Flint Blackwood: 6
Most of the tributes think they did as well as they could, even if they didn't get as high of a score as they would have liked. Riley is pretty angry that Amelia got a higher score than he did, and Rowan and Lila both think they should have gotten better.
Chapter 14: Interviews
District 1: Gemma keeps pretty superficial, but allows that this is quite personal that she volunteered. Hayden goes in all confident, but Caesar forces him into a moment of vulnerability by asking about his family.
District 2: Amelia and Riley keep in on the lovers' angle, avoiding Caesar's attempts to remind them that they can't both win. Amelia does go into her personal doubts, but Hayden remains confident.
District 3: Lani relies on charm, stating plainly that she refuses to attack, only defending herself. Albert shoots down the claims that he and Lani are romantically involved, as it's been clear over the last few days that they're close. He plays his family cards.
District 4: Khanna plays on her confidence, but gets more notice for directly asking for help for her aunt. Storm plays the everyman, being relatable and charming, showing his drive to win and be his own person
District 5: Isaac and Isabella strongly play their sibling card. They gain sympathy when Isabella states that she knows she and her brother will die, but that they will die defending each other.
District 6: Jace plays the tiny but mighty angle, being protective over his big sister. Kamden is a little quiet during her interview, talking about Nora and her bakery job, trying to be sweet and mostly succeeding.
District 7: Rowan plays his confidence, but doesn't gain many fans with his heavy handedness. Scarlett jokes around with Caesar, they have a pretty good rapport.
District 8: Tahlia and Thomas play their subtle differences. Thomas gains lots of support from the crowd, and Thalia, while similar, isn't quite as successful.
District 9: Estrella is very terrified while with Caesar, but tells a story about a bird she befriended (leaving out the unhappy ending). Rye is a much bigger hit. Having planned with his stylist and a reluctant but slowly coming along Benjy, he calls out Teff for laying all the blame for Quinoa's death on his shoulders. He directly threatens to turn the tables, claiming "They'll believe a Victor."
District 10: Lila doesn't have a very successful interview, ignoring Caesar for the most part and freaking people out with a terrifying outfit. Jedediah goes into how he is the main provider for his siblings now, and that they will be done for if he doesn't return. "Does the Capitol really want to subject four others to death as well as the ones already here?" is his final statement.
District 11: Hope plays a serene and calm role. She talks a lot about her dad. Durian talks a little bit about his family situation, but remains evasive about his actual plans and how he might win.
District 12: Zera plays the sweet little girl, just managing it with Caesar's help. Flint talks a lot about his dad, his remarriage, his stepmother, and stepsister. He plays subtle.
Chapter 15: The Games Begin
The tributes are woken and make their way to the Launch Rooms and the Arena, despite minor interruption as Lila has to be forced onto the hovercraft at gunpoint. The tributes are given their uniforms: this year, a shirt with one large stripe on the side, a thin but sturdy canvas jacket, practical cargo pants, and sturdy hiking boots.
The tributes are risen into the arena, which this year is an African savanna, with one difference: there's no color anywhere, even the greenery. The only color comes from the Cornucopia supplies and the tributes themselves. The temperature is quite hot, and most of the tributes take off their jackets and tie them around their waists.
BLOODBATH: The Careers quickly assemble to defend the Cornucopia. The first kills come from Gemma, who kills Lila with her spear, and Zera, slashed by Hayden's sword. Rowan is killed in a fight with Albert and Lani (Albert gets the credit for the kill) over a large backpack. The pair take the sword he had in addition to the backpack, and flee. As they flee, they run into Tahlia and Thomas, and after a short standoff, agree to ally (mainly to deter the Careers from targeting them as they're all at least moderately capable). Everyone else gathers nearby supplies only and runs.
Alliances…
Hayden, Gemma, Amelia, Riley, Storm
Albert, Lani, Thalia, Thomas
Isaac, Isabella
Kamden, Jace, Scarlett
Hope, Estrella
Flint, Rye
Alone: Khanna, Durian, Jedediah
Deaths, Bloodbath: 21 Remaining
Rowan Scorrus, District 7 (stabbed by Albert)
Lila Acadia, District 10 (dagger by Amelia)
Zera Tarren, District 12 (stabbed by Hayden)
Chapter 16: Day 1
Once they get away from the Cornucopia, Hope and Estrella catch their breath and check over their supplies. Hope got a small backpack containing a small pack of trail mix, a coil of rope, a water bottle, a pack of cookies, a small hatchet, and some matches, which they decide they will not use unless truly desperate, or during the day. Estrella got an extra coil of rope, some goggles, and a flashlight. Once they've rested, they decide to keep moving, as they know that the Careers will be out hunting within the next few hours. They keep going until sunset, and then they find a small copse of trees to sleep in.
Isaac and Isabella keep running for a while, but eventually stopped to catch their breath. They clock their meager supplies (a sword, a pack of dried sausages, and a small tent). They keep moving for a couple hours, but stop when they encounter Jedediah. They agree to allow him to join them at least for the night, and set up their camp.
Flint and Rye don't stop at all until they almost run into Khanna. Despite the boy's attempts to get her to join them, she refuses and starts the fight. Flint receives a severe cut on his leg before Khanna reluctantly is killed by Rye. They take her supplies (a large backpack with lots of supplies in it) and sword before leaving the site and allowing the body to be taken.
That night, Jace is on watch (after arguing with Scarlett and Kamden to allow him a turn. He is killed by Amelia as he investigates some noise, turning out to be the Careers on the hunt. Jace's screams act as an alarm for the girls, however, and they manage to hide long enough for the Careers to pass, despite them searching for Kamden as they know she'll be with Jace.
Later, Jedediah wakes during the night. Considering that he can't make friends and that he needs to return to look after his siblings, he decides to try to kill Isaac and make it look like the Careers. This doesn't work, as Isaac holds him off. The struggles wake Isabella, who thinks quickly, grabbing their sword from Jedediah and stabbing him.
Deaths, Day 1: 18 Remaining.
Khanna Shine, District 4 (sliced by Rye)
Jace Vercetti, District 6 (stabbed by Amelia)
Jedediah Stine, District 10 (stabbed by Isabella)
Chapter 17: Day 2
Having spent most of the first day searching for water, Durian returns to the Cornucopia and spies on the Careers, watching until they send Riley and Gemma to a nearby water hole, and then sneaking up and stealing a few supplies from underneath the noses of Storm, Amelia, and Hayden. He quickly flees, hiding out at another watering hole.
Kamden spends most of the day grieving and crying, and Scarlett's attempts to comfort her do little. Kamden receives a sponsor gift, a calming medicine and a note from Nora. The note puts Kamden to sleep. When she wakes, she has put aside her grief for anger, and decides that she wants to face Amelia and take her down for Jace. She asks Scarlett to help her practice swordplay and fighting, and Scarlett agrees.
With Rye and Flint, Flint's wound is beginning to grow infected despite being cleaned and covered, and he suspects that the blade might have been poisoned. He keeps this from Rye so as not to appear weak. However, he slowly grows weaker and weaker over the day.
The large alliance of Tahlia, Thomas, Lani, and Albert, on the move, find themselves approaching a ravine. As they can see that no one is down there, and reasoning that anyone who saw them might not be eager to make the trek down into the ravine after them, especially if there are more readily available tributes out there. They make their way down along the precarious ledges. Unfortunately they trigger a rock slide, and Albert falls to his death.
Hope and Estrella, having been on the move most of the day, finally stop at a small oasis. This is welcome, as Hope is nearly suffering from heatstroke. The girls have been getting to know each other a bit, as much as Estrella will open up. Eventually, after she freaks out because she thinks she'll have to undress to get cleaned up in the small lake, she is finally forced to explain things to Hope. Hope is understanding and sympathetic. Estrella remarks that Hope's name is apt, as she is giving her hope that her life isn't meant to be all doom and gloom. That night, they sleep just a few feet apart, the closest Estrella will allow her.
Isabella has freaked a little that she has actually killed someone, despite Isaac being glad because she saved him. She regrets it, because she knew that Jedediah just wanted to go home, like them. That evening they are woken by an earthquake. Unknown to the tributes, they are near the ocean, and this sets off a tsunami. Isaac and Isabella, the main ones in the area, flee, but end up separated.
The Careers were also nearby, and also flee, but Storm is overwhelmed by the wave, and despite being a strong swimmer, is swept away.
Deaths, Day 2: 16 Remaining
Albert Spark, District 3 (fell off cliffside into ravine)
Storm Colter, District 4 (swept away by tsunami)
Chapter 18: Day 3
The next morning, Isabella wakes and determines to find Isaac, even though she doesn't know whether the cannon she heard was his. She begins, eventually coming across Durian. He confirms that it was not Isaac's cannon last night, and agrees to help her find him. They set off.
No new developments today for Scarlett and Kamden, Flint and Rye (besides Flint continuing to get weaker) and Estrella and Hope (besides continuing to talk about their lives and the differences in their districts.
The Careers are pretty indifferent about Storm's death. Amelia and Storm debate whether they should kill Gemma and Hayden, but Amelia eventually decides that there are still quite a lot of strong players left and their alliance is useful. They head out hunting.
Lani, Tahlia, and Thomas have hidden out in a cave along the ravine base. Lani has been inconsolable, and Tahlia and Thomas decide to just leave her alone for a while to mourn. Unfortunately, they see the Careers approaching (their gamble has not paid off). Tahlia uses her bow to shoot at the Careers, killing Gemma and injuring Riley, but it's not enough. Thomas tells Tahlia to stay hidden with Lani, and despite her reluctance, she agrees. They watch Thomas gain the Careers attention and lead them away, followed by a cannon. Tahlia attempts to send arrows after them, but her emotions throw off her aim. Lani forces her to stay hidden, or they'll be next.
Deaths, Day 3: 14 Remaining
Gemma Rowe, District 1 (stabbed by Thomas)
Thomas Windstone, District 8 (stabbed by Gemma)
Chapter 19: Day 4
Nothing new for Durian and Isabella,
who still look for Isaac. Isaac is also looking for Isabella, having no luck. He follows the Careers, thinking that he may be able to pick up clues.
By now, Flint's wound has grown so
that he can't hide it or excuse it on exhaustion anymore, as he can barely move, and he has to tell Rye. There is nothing that they can do, so they stay put for the rest of the day, and Flint dies that afternoon. In tribute, Rye shows the 3-finger salute that Flint showed him.
Kamden and Scarlett continue to
practice their fighting, and Kamden is pleased when she ends up beating Scarlett once, but is quickly tempered when they remember just how skilled Amelia is, especially backed up by Riley and Hayden. They decide that they have to wait until at least one more Career is killed before they make their assault on Amelia.
Today it's Lani's turn to take care of
Tahlia. In the evening, they tell stories about Albert and Thomas, thinking about what they can do to make their deaths worthwhile. Tahlia expresses her feelings of annoyance at always being connected to Thomas, and Lani says that that just means that she cared, like she did for Albert.
Hope and Estrella, in a moment of
calm in the late evening, share a kiss. Estrella starts to realize that maybe not all forms of intimacy will be awful. Later, as they are asleep, they are woken by Isabella and Durian. The two aren't aggressive, but Estrella and Hope attack anyway. Hope is dealt a fatal blow by Durian, who easily outmatches her, and this distracts Estrella, who is killed by Isabella.
Deaths, Day 4: 11 Remaining
Estrella Browne, District 9 (stabbed by Isabella)
Hope Finley, District 11 (stabbed by Durian)
Flint Blackwood, District 12 (lingering effects of wound inflicted by Khanna)
Chapter 20: Day 5
Nothing new with Kamden and
Scarlett.
Tahlia and Lani wake to another
earthquake, and try to flee their cave, but are too late, and the exit is blocked by tons of rock. Neither girl is strong enough to move any of them, and they know that, stuck in here, they have only enough supplies for a couple days. They decide to eat a deadly fungus they had found the day before, in order to avoid a slow, lingering death.
Woken by the earthquake, Amelia and
Riley head out to hunt, specifically hoping to come across Durian or Scarlett. They get their wish as they find Isabella and Durian that afternoon. Riley wants to kill them both immediately, but Amelia, realizing that Isaac isn't with them, guesses that keeping Isabella will bring him to them. She allows him to kill Durian, though, and they bring Isabella back to the Cornucopia as a prisoner.
Isaac wakes, cursing himself for
missing the Careers leaving. He waits, and sees Amelia and Riley bringing Isabella back. Hayden is surprised, but upon Amelia explaining her reasoning, agrees that they'll keep Isabella alive for a day or two at least. Isaac knows he can't fight the Careers on his own. That evening, he finds Rye at a watering hole, and enlists his help to rescue Isabella.
Deaths, Day 5: 8 Remaining
Lani Fuse, District 3 (suicide by poison fungus)
Tahlia Windstone, District 8 (suicide by poison fungus)
Durian Stenning, District 11 (stabbed by Riley)
Top 8
Hayden Pierce, District 1
Amelia Roosa, District 2
Riley Adrian, District 2
Isabella Martin, District 5
Isaac Martin, District 5
Kamden Vercetti, District 6
Scarlett Atwood, District 7
Rye Brioche, District 9
Chapter 21: Day 6
Kamden and Scarlett come across a
herd of hippopotamus, and are shocked when the seemingly gentle creatures prove extremely violent. They flee as quickly as they can, but Scarlett isn't fast enough, and is trampled.
Isaac and Rye form a plan to get
Isabella back, and take out at least one Career. Isaac digs up one if the bombs around the tribute plates and reactivate it, with a control this time.
When Riley is off relieving himself in
the woods, Rye sneaks up on him and places t bomb on him. Isaac sneaks into the camp behind Amelia and Hayden' backs and give the bomb control to Isabella, explaining how to control it. It's not powerful enough to kill multiple people, but it'll blow Riley and whatever around him in a two foot radius to pieces. They want to also destroy some of their supplies so that Amelia and Hayden have more trouble afterwards. Once Isabella sets off the bomb, killing Riley, severely damaging the supplies, and minorly injuring Amelia, Rye and Isaac enter and place their ultimatum: let Isabella go or they'll set off another one (they have a fake dead man's switch that appears to control more bombs.)
Left with no choice if they want to
survive, Amelia and Hayden are forced to let Isabella go. However, she kills Rye with an arrow, as there was no condition for him. They try to flee into the small savanna forest near the Cornucopia, but the trees here are too thin, and they see Amelia pursuing. Isaac sends Isabella to run away, and intercepts Amelia. He puts up a good fight, but is unsuccessful, and is killed.
Deaths, Day 6: 4 Remaining
Riley Adrian, District 2 (blown up by Isabella and Isaac- Isabella gets the credit)
Isaac Martin, District 5 (stabbed by Amelia)
Scarlett Atwood, District 7 (trampled by hippopotamus)
Rye Brioche, District 9 (shot with arrow by Amelia)
Chapter 22: Day 7
In the morning, Amelia kills Hayden when he makes a callous comment about the previous day's events. She mourns Riley deeply, though she knew he would die in the Games.
Isabella grieves for most of the morning as she gains distance from the Cornucopia and Careers. When she comes upon Kamden, she asks to be killed. Kamden refuses and comforts the younger girl (it works a little). She reminds Isabella of the cannon that went off earlier, and they guess that it was probably Hayden. They agree to take the day to rest and recharge, and go after Amelia in the morning, and then they will fight against each other, as they aren't too badly matched.
Deaths, Day 7: 3 Remaining
Hayden Pierce, District 1 (killed by Amelia
Top 3
Amelia Roosa, District 1
Isabella Martin, District 5
Kamden Vercetti, District 6
Chapter 23: Day 8, The Final Day
Having decided to go after Amelia, Kamden and Isabella fortify themselves in the morning before making their way to the Cornucopia. Amelia waits there, on watch for either of them, and while not surprised to see both of them, it seems to worry her slightly. She ignores it however, and the three girls engage.
Kamden's new sword skills prove a minor match for Amelia, and paired with Isabella's smaller size and speed, they kill Amelia, but it's a hard fight. Afterwards, Isabella notices that Kamden has not gotten by unscathed, and has received a mortal blow from Amelia. They speak briefly about the lives they might have had without the Hunger Games, before Kamden dies, and Isabella is announced as the Victor.
Deaths, Day 8
Amelia Roosa, District 2 (stabbed by Kamden and Isabella, Isabella gets the credit)
Kamden Vercetti, District 6 (stabbed by Amelia)
VICTOR: ISABELLA MARTIN, DISTRICT 5
Tribute Rankings
Isabella Martin, District 5
Kamden Vercetti, District 6
Amelia Roosa, District 2
Hayden Pierce, District 1
Isaac Martin, District 5
Rye Brioche, District 9
Riley Adrian, District 2
Scarlett Atwood, District 7
Durian Stenning, District 11
Lani Fuse, District 3
Tahlia Windstone, District 8
Estrella Browne, District 9
Hope Finley, District 11
Flint Blackwood, District 12
Thomas Windstone, District 8
Gemma Rowe, District 1
Storm Colter, District 4
Albert Spark, District 3
Jedediah Stine, District 10
Jace Vercetti, District 6
Khanna Shine, District 4
Rowan Scorrus, District 7
Lila Acadia, District 10
Zera Tarren, District 12
So yeah, I hope whoever reads this is pleased with the placement. I tried to be realistic as much as I could and not personal opinions on my favorites get in the way of where someone placed (though admittedly I almost let Estrella get a higher placement because she has such a terrible story and I wanted her to have a happy ending. I consoled myself with the fact that she got a couple days of happiness befriending and possibly falling in love with Hope.
So thanks everyone, and I'll see you when I post the introduction chapter of my next one, that will absolutely be COMPLETED! It has a title: Close Calls!