Welcome!
As you can tell, this is my first ever story on this account. I'm very excited to get this story underway! I've been in the Hunger Games fandom for years and I was very into SYOT's many years ago! I've lately gotten more involved with the fandom again and wanted to try an SYOT of my own. I love to write so I'm really excited to get this started. This series obviously is not canon, as it is set over 100 years in the future. In this universe, Katniss didn't volunteer, and there was no rebellion.
This means things have changed a bit in Panem in comparison to canon, which you will get a sneak peek of in this intro. Although some things in the Capitol have changed, for the most part, life in the Districts is the same.
The Games are widely hated, aside from Districts 1, 2, and 4, who still train volunteers to form a pack in the arena. The industries are still the same for each of the Districts, with poverty common. Despite rebellious acts happening in the districts on the daily, they are quickly stamped out by the Peacekeepers.
As you will see in this prologue, a new era of the Games is starting.
But enough of that. Please enjoy this intro Chapter! The Tribute submission form will be at the end of the chapter, as well as on my profile. Please send in tributes via PM!
Enjoy!
It was the beginning of a new era in Panem.
Innocent blue eyes gazed out upon the crowd of people gathered in the center of the Capitol. Today was the mark of a new beginning for one of the most important events ingrained deep within Panem's history; The Hunger Games.
President Eden Snow stared in awe at the sheer amount of Capitolites who were here just for this event. Today, Eden had to announce the newest Head Gamemaker that would be presiding over this years Games. This task seemed simple, but the weight behind this decision was immense. The importance of the Games had never been more important in Panem then they were right now. With more and more acts of rebellion and unrest happening in the Districts, this years Games had to be spectacular; it had to be the perfect reminder for the people of Districts that their place was beneath that of the Capitol.
The difference between this year compared to previous is that the people of the Capitol were starting to lose faith in the concept of the Games. Once a form of entertainment and a way to keep the Districts down, the Games had become...stagnant. It began to feel like the same thing over and over again, with the excitement of the event all but gone.
This phenomenon came to a peak during last years 196th Games. The male tribute from District 1, Aras, was one of the most charming and unique tributes the Games had seen in years, and just his inclusion alone had lead to a resurgence of interest in the Games. He was a dominant force in the Arena, slaughtering tributes without a second thought and gaining countless sponsors. After a showdown between him and the boy from District 7 had been brewing the entirety of the games, the two found themselves the last two remaining at the finale of the Games.
Despite his many injuries, Aras was able to overpower and defeat his rival in a brutal manner. The moment of glory was short lived as Aras was suddenly shoved forward and off the cliff he was standing next to, plummeting down the side of a mountain to his death.
The cameras zoomed in to where he was standing, revealing the small twelve year old girl from District Nine, Lena. She had been such a non factor in the Games that everyone forgot about her. She had hidden for weeks, surviving off next to nothing. As she watched the two large boys fight at the end, she waited for her moment to strike, sneaking up and shoving Aras off the cliff when he wasn't ready for it.
With his death, Lena was the last one left and crowned the winner of the 196th Games.
The Capitol was outraged. She became one of the most hated winners in memory, and all of the post-Games traditions she was expected to do were cancelled for her own safety as her life was threatened by hundreds of angry Hunger Games fans.
As a result of yet another disappointing Games, the Head Gamemaker was hung for his incompetence, and a new replacement was scouted.
As all of this was going on, Calince Snow, Eden's father, had taken his own life as he saw the country he was in charge of, and loved so deeply, falling apart. Eden was shook to the core by his death; they were the only family each other had, and Eden was now alone, fresh into adulthood.
As the last remaining member of the Snow bloodline, the duty to be President of Panem fell on Eden's small shoulders. Eden, who was so young that he still would be eligible to be reaped if he was born in the Districts, didn't look, act, or speak how you would expect the most powerful man in Panem to behave. He still looked like a child, with a small frame, dirty blonde hair, and blue eyes that shone guiltlessly. He was timid and unsure of himself; he knew deep down that he had no business being President.
However, he put on the façade that he was born for this. He did his best to act bold and confident, although he was sure anyone with a head on their shoulders could see through it. At the ceremony that named him the new President of Panem, he vowed to not be the coward his father was.
This was a promise he wasn't sure he could keep.
At least I have Jericho. Eden thought to himself as he took another look at the mob before him. Eden turned and made eye contact with the man he mentioned. Jericho, who gave a reassuring smile to Eden, had black-indigo hair with a connecting beard and bushy eyebrows of the same color.
Jericho was one of Eden's advisors. Although Eden had multiple, Jericho was by far the closest to him, and Jericho knew it. He placed a hand on the back of the boy-president and lead him to the podium where he was to speak.
Don't mess it up. Jericho said inwardly as he stepped away from Eden. Jericho had been preparing Eden for this moment for months. If he wanted to regain the trust and respect of the Capitolites, this ceremony had to be perfect, and leave the people wanting more.
Although Jericho knew somewhere within himself that he did actually care for the young boy, most of their relationship was based on Eden's youth and impressionability. Eden was so lost on what to do in his position, and Jericho was always there for him, telling him what to do. But Jericho was always acting out of self-interest, unbeknownst to Eden. Being this close to the President had it's perks, and Jericho was always ready to take full advantage of them.
One day, that'll be me. Jericho thought as he stared at Eden's back. Jericho so desperately wanted the power Eden had, and one day it would be his.
But for now, he had to play along. The Hunger Games weren't the only game being played; the political game was just as alive, and perhaps even more cutthroat.
"Greetings," Eden began, his voice breaking as he addressed the nation. But he pushed himself to keep going. "Tonight, we are gathered here to launch a new era of not only the Games, but of Panem." Eden continued. "I am honored to be serving you as your President, and together as a nation we will do great things..." Eden was beginning to feel anxious as he struggled to remember the next lines Jericho had taught him. "Um, a-anyways, I suppose we shall proceed to the main reason we are here."
Eden took a deep breath as he focused intently on a distant skyscraper, not wanting to look down at the crowd again. He knew it would only increase his nerves. "It is my honor to present to you, your newest Head Gamemaker, Xanthe Dysomnia!"
Eden stepped aside as the cameras broadcasting his speech to the Districts and the Capitolites at home zoomed in on a new figure that had appeared on stage.
The person made their way to the podium, hips swaying side to side. She reached up and pulled down her hood, revealing a head of striking violet hair. She had yellow eyes, and was extremely pale with an unreadable expression on her face.
She stood in front of the podium for a few moments, wordless. Then, she smirked for a brief second before returning to her neutral expression.
"Hello, citizens of Panem." She finally said, her voice quiet, almost disinterested.
She had a calm demeanor about her as she surveyed the mass of Capitolites. "I am Xanthe Dysomnia, and I will be serving you all as Head Gamemaker for the time being. It is an honor." She then bowed.
"But enough about me," Xanthe said with the wave of her hand. "I want to start by saying that I find the current state of the Games to be...appalling." She said after a pause, speaking each word slowly, but clearly and with meaning.
"After last years atrocious Games, there were even rumors that the Games were indefinitely cancelled. But I am here to put those rumors to rest. Perhaps you could say that that Era of the Games is over, but the Hunger Games are still very much alive. Although I do plan on keeping tradition, I'll be making the rules this time around, and it will be to the benefit of all of us." Xanthe threw her hands up for affect.
"Although we will still watch twenty-four young men and women battle to the death," She explained, smiling and putting an emphasis on her last word. Her expression had started to grow into a wicked smile as she discussed the more violent aspects of the Games, and the power she now held. "I will be changing it up. Although we we still have a Quarter Quell every twenty-five that affect which tributes will be reaped, from now on, each year will have a different twist that will affect the tributes in the arena. Every year will have a new gimmick that will change up the way the games are played." Xanthe paused for a moment as the audience stirred with excitement at the potential the Games may have.
"The details of this, I cannot say, but you will find out soon enough." Xanthe explained. "But as you may know, we are only days away from the Reapings, and getting this years historic Hunger Games underway. But for now, Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favor." Xanthe finished, before bowing again, and then exiting the stage.
The audience roared in applause, hopeful that the Games they once loved were back and better than ever.
Jericho had a scowl on his face as he watched Xanthe strut away. He hadn't expected her to be this instantly popular with the people of Capitol, and she seemed smart enough to know what she was doing. That's why he pressured Eden to pick her for the Head Gamemaker position, after all.
But now Jericho was regretting his decision. With Xanthe in the way, his own rise to power would be that much harder.
On the other hand, Eden looked pleased with the results of the ceremony, relieved that the people of the Capitol seemed pleased with his first decision as President.
Eden was much more confident as he closed out the ceremony and signed off the broadcast.
The cameras stopped recording and the crowds began to disperse. Jericho was already in Eden's ear, warning him to keep an eye on Xanthe.
Meanwhile, somewhere within the building that held the Gamemakers Headquarters, blue light from a monitor reflected onto Xanthe's pale face as she placed the finishing touches on this years Arena. She looked with pride at the finished product in front of her, imagining all the different ways tributes would die.
And she for one, couldn't wait to watch.
And that's that for Chapter One! I hope you enjoyed, please let me know your thoughts in a review!
There will be an overarching twist to these Games that will be revealed later in the story, I'm looking forward to seeing how it plays out.
As promised, the tribute form is located below! (as well as on my profile)
Tribute Form
Name:
District (Top 3 Choices):
Age:
Gender:
Appearance:
Backstory:
Personality:
Family / Friends:
Reaped or Volunteered?:
Reaction / Reason?:
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Weapons:
Open to Allies?:
What would they do during Training:
Predicted training score (be realistic):
Any preference on preferred placement or cause of death (Optional):
Token (Optional):
Interview Angle (Optional):
General reaction to being in the Capitol? (Optional):
Anything Else?:
.
I'm very excited to see the great characters you come up with! Please PM with any questions you may have!
I will post a tribute list on my profile and update it as spots are filled.
Thank you so much!