The Thirty Seventh Annual Hunger Games


Introduction

Coriolanus Snow ruled for his first full year. His tough iron grip on Panem quickly put it in a choke hold that would last for the next 43 years. At this point, most Presidents would already have competitors and enemies frothing like a sea during a storm at every turn, but Coriolanus had cleared the playing field. The smart politicians hid and took refuge until their names were long forgotten, and the stupid ones, which was the majority, were already dead from Coriolanus' harsh and efficient assassination squadron. With politics entering a forty-something year near stagnation, the Capitol could no longer find drama and joy in their leaders and all their scandals and campaigns. Focus turned to food, drink (especially wine and spirits, imported from Districts 11 and 9 respectively), and physical pleasure. The so called "Dark Age" of Panem descended upon the nation as taxes skyrocketed along with prisoners and starved-to-death corpses in all of the Districts, even 1 and 2. Food, drink, and pleasure were all swell and dandy, but the Hunger Games became even bigger, if such a thing was possible. The HGBA's amount of bets increased by about 35% from the previous year to this one, and dozens of new stations burst up on Capitol TVs as speculations and replays of the Hunger Games crowded for attention on the station listings. The replays of the Hunger Games in the Capitol gave President Snow a dandy idea, and whenever rebellion bubbled up in one of the Districts, he would air the nastiest Games their District had yet to experience, putting emphasis in the review on the deaths of both tributes from that District that year. The first rebellion simmered in District 10. The disembowelment of Yaichiro by the Black Knight and the slow, tortuous infection death of Fusae from the previous year filled the District's every screen, and submission returned to the streets of 10. The same tactic was used two weeks before the Games in 12. The 24th Hunger Games aired, and little 12 year old Emmalynn, was once again pushed to the ground and slaughtered by Glass Nordonia of District 1. Later on, Jebediah Lot died 2nd last as Dorsal Rance, the Victor, used his scimitar to split the boy's head in two in slow motion. Rebellion was wiped from the minds of 12's citizens. Burtlas Curvanith returned yet again as the Head Gamemaker, displaying the arena fashioned after District 3. This seemed to be the last of his District-themed arenas, since all 12 Districts had been used up. Everyone was wondering what this fantastic Gamemaker would pull out of his hat for what seemed to be his final masterpiece in his long, creative series of District arenas. Caesar Flickerman also returned as the host of the Hunger Games, adding his personal flair to the Games as always. In the terms of tributes, the Careers were what was becoming standard fare. District 1 was sexy and tantalizing and rather skilled and everything sponsors ate up. District 2 was brutal and harsh and the highest scoring. Aprila Shale entered the arena for District 2 a year after her sister's Victory. And District 4 was the least of the 3 Career Districts, still strong but overshadowed by its flashier, better peers. The Careers would earn 1 11, 3 10s, and 2 9s. There were no other volunteers besides the Careers, and the rest of the tributes scored between 8 and 3. Here are the tributes:

District 1: Carmine Agrenic, 18 (10) 5-1 and Flashing Calecson, 18 (10) 6-1

District 2: Aprila Shale, 17 (11) 3-1 and Gnaeus Deccum, 18 (10) 5-1

District 3: Dawnn Klero, 15 (4) 42-1 and Gist Lodii, 13 (4) 43-1

District 4: Clomah Waters, 17 (9) 8-1 and Briod Wavesy, 18 (9) 8-1

District 5: Mariann Haugaard, 16 (5) 32-1 and Ivan Fevold, 18 (7) 18-1

District 6: Hyda Willon, 15 (5) 33-1 and Syracuse Fulton, 17 (8) 15-1

District 7: Tansy Common, 13 (6) 23-1 and Walnut Traveller, 16 (6) 24-1

District 8: Reira Yogi, 17 (5) 33-1 and Alvino Peralta, 16 (6) 22-1

District 9: Sla Isson, 16 (5) 32-1 and Hop Yiran, 16 (5) 31-1

District 10: Jessica Scott, 18 (6) 22-1 and Camren Ernest, 13 (4) 44-1

District 11: Guarana Brown, 18 (7) 19-1 and Parsnip Cavern, 14 (3) 52-1

District 12: Suzelly Lorro, 16 (4) 43-1 and Tymothy Coesens, 15 (5) 35-1

HGBA Odds: 26% on Aprila, 19% on Carmine, 16% on Gnaeus, 13% on Flashing, 8% on Clomah and Briod, 2% on Syracuse, 1.5% on Ivan and Guarana, 1% or less on Dawnn, Gist, Mariann, Hyda, Tansy, Walnut, Reira, Alvino, Sla, Hop, Jessica, Camren, Parsnip, Peach, and Tymothy


The Games

24 silvery pedestals opened up as 24 tributes of varying heights, gender, and skin tone rose up into the arena of District 3. Giant walls rose around the tributes, made of a patchwork of wood, metal, cloudy glass, and stone. Vines were strung across the walls, and the walls made up a 3 mile by 3 mile circular maze. Contraptions such as large magnets or generators pockmarked the walls, and metallic beasts crafted out of rusty metal and colorful wires prowled the switchbacks and sharp turns of the confusing maze. The Cornucopia, boxy and made of chipping cement, held a variety of trap making supplies including but not limited to nets, wires, batteries, and shards of metal. The only other weapons inside the Cornucopia where swords and flails (a flail had been the chosen weapon of 3's first Victor, Chaplin). This arena had the makings of another District 3 or 5 Victor, and while low-scoring Dawnn and Gist would probably not make much of the opportunity, higher scoring Ivan of 5 might make an appearance in these Games with his possible trap making prowess. Water was pretty scarce, while food was rather abundant, fresh fruit easily found growing on the multitude of vines that grew across the walls. The Cornucopia sat inside an open courtyard with slick cobbles and a few skeletal, leafless trees. Many tributes did not like the looks of their surroundings and decided to run forward.

5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

Hop from 9 and Suzelly from 12 sprinted into one of the many passages sprouting off of the Cornucopia courtyard while the other 22 tributes dashed for supplies and weapons. The Careers took the forefront of the charge, a fact that sent Camren of District 10 turning on his heel to leave behind the Bloodbath. But suddenly a shard of metal hit him in the back. Its thrower, skilled knife thrower Carmine, dashed up to his side and used the blunt, rusty hunk of metal to butcher the boy as the Careers fanned out. Carmine had taken several other shards of metal, and Clomah and Briod had taken flails. Flashing, Aprila, and Gnaeus had all taken up swords, and they set to work thinning the field as Camren bled out beneath Carmine, his death the first of 10.

Camren Ernest, District 10 Male; 24th, Killed by Carmine, Bloodbath

Aprila made the next kill, smashing her sword into the abdomen of a boy who had smacked into her. He wailed in fear as his guts spilled out onto the cobbles. Aprila puked, and was almost taken down by a thrown, lopsided ball of metal, launched by Alvino. Gnaeus intervened and slapped the projectile from the air with his blade. It shattered, and he swept up a new one.

Tymothy Coesens, District 12 Male; 23rd, Killed by Aprila, Bloodbath

Clomah and Briod teamed up on the pair of tributes from 3, Dawnn and Gist. Gist distracted them, throwing a bundle of wire in Clomah's face. He pushed her to the ground and ran. Before Dawnn could act, Briod's flail was buried in the base of her neck, and she fell to the ground silently.

Dawnn Klero, District 3 Female; 22nd, Killed by Briod, Bloodbath

Moments later, Flashing was kicking a boy in the gut before beheading him with a flourish of his gleaming blade. Parsnip's head rolled across the cobblestones as Flashing searched for more victims in the courtyard around him.

Parsnip Cavern, District 11 Male; 21st, Killed by Flashing, Bloodbath

The District 9 girl and the District 10 girl were tussling on the ground, fighting with shards of metal. Sla, from 9, plunged her shard into Jessica's throat, effectively killing her. Sla jumped off of Jessica's corpse, grabbing the pack they'd been wrestling over before running away at full speed.

Jessica Scott, District 10 Female; 20th, Killed by Sla, Bloodbath

Meanwhile, Ivan was trying to make his escape with bundles of wire in his arms and a large plasticy net draped around his shoulders like a cape. Gnaeus shoved him to the ground, and slashed open his chest with a roar.

Ivan Fevold, District 5 Male; 19th, Killed by Gnaeus, Bloodbath

Reira from 8 seemed to have a death wish as she launched herself at Flashing as he circled the small girl from 7, Tansy. Tansy sprinted away with a small orange pack and a dagger, and Flashing quickly tore open Reira's chest with his sword. She died in moments.

Reira Yogi, District 8 Female; 18th, Killed by Flashing, Bloodbath

Aprila had been chasing the girl from 8, Hyda, around for ages. She finally managed to catch her when Hyda tripped over a chip in the cobbles and went sprawling. Aprila easily buried her sword in the girl's back, dragging it around and killing her.

Hyda Willon, District 6 Female; 17th, Killed by Aprila, Bloodbath

Clomah twirled her flail around, watching as the spiked spheres whirled through the air and smashed into the skull of her victim, Walnut from 7. The boy's flimsy skull shattered underneath the might of her weapon, and he was dead instantly.

Walnut Traveller, District 7 Male; 16th, Killed by Clomah, Bloodbath

Moments later, Mariann screamed her head off as Carmine tackled her out of nowhere. The girl struggled, but Carmine quickly overpowered her, ending the scuffle by inserting one of the metal scraps into Mariann's forehead cleanly. Mariann's screams quickly dropped off as Carmine slipped off of her still body.

Mariann Haugaard, District 5 Female; 15th, Killed by Carmine, Bloodbath

The Bloodbath was officially over as the last outliers disappeared into the shadows of the many passages that lead out of the Cornucopia courtyard. These Careers, while not very extraordinary in weaponry skill, were great in work ethic, ingenuity, and determination. They quickly split into groups of 2 (Carmine and Gnaeus, Aprila and Briod, and Clomah and Flashing) and headed down a passageway of choice. They took lots of food and water, and they left little trail markers crafted out of the colorful wire so they knew their way back to the Cornucopia. This strategy proved effective, as none of the Careers became lost as they searched through the first night and through the second day. On Day 3, after no deaths had occurred since the Bloodbath, the Careers searched with fervor. Aprila and Briod discovered little Gist, sniveling and wounded, hiding in a corner of the maze. They stepped forward, and traps set by conniving Gist swept them up. The traps squeaked and squealed, and Briod and Aprila were flung to the floor, ropes and wires twisted tight around their bodies. Gist made a racket as he dragged himself to safety up one of the walls, and soon enough the metal monstrosities appeared. Gist buried his face in his shirt as Briod and the fourth Shale sister, Aprila, were devoured by these creatures.

Briod Wavesy, District 4 Male; 14th, Killed by Gist and metal mutts, Day 3

Aprila Shale, District 2 Female; 13th, Killed by Gist and metal mutts, Day 3

Soon after, in the early hours of Day 4, a cannon fired, soon followed by another about forty minutes later. Suzelly of District 12 had left the bloodbath with nothing, and she was dehydrated to the point of death. She found Gist wandering the maze, and she went on him in a frenzy after his water. The precious bottle of clear, life giving liquid was spilled as Suzelly choked Gist to death. Wounded from the fight with Gist and still weak from dehydration, Suzelly died from dehydration around forty minutes later, and the two enemies were next to each other in death as the hovercraft's claw grabbed them both up in one snatch.

Gist Lodii, District 3 Male; 12th, Killed by Suzelly, Day 4

Suzelly Lorro, District 12 Female; 11th, Killed by dehydration, Day 4

Days 5 and 6 passed without consequence, although Clomah and Flashing had a run in with metal mutts, and Flashing was injured. On Day 7, a feast was announced to stir the pot. All four Careers, Alvino from 8, and Guarana from 11 all headed to the Feast, while Syracuse from 6, Tansy from 7, and Sla and Hop from 9 stayed out in the maze. As the six heading to the feast marched towards the Cornucopia courtyard, a cannon fired. The metal mutts had discovered Sla and had ripped her to shreds.

Sla Isson, District 9 Female; 10th, Killed by metal mutts, Day 7

Several minutes later, Guarana stepped into the Cornucopia courtyard only to find a sword buried in her skull. Gnaeus pulled his blade from her head with a loud squelch as he smiled grimly. Her cannon fired as Alvino darted into the open area, grabbing his pack and sprinting off. Carmine threw a shard of metal into his right calf, but he hobbled out of the courtyard with his life.

Guarana Brown, District 11 Female; 9th, Killed by Gnaeus, Day 7

The Top 8 had been determined: Carmine Agrenic from District 1, Flashing Calecson from District 1, Gnaeus Deccum from District 2, Clomah Waters from District 4, Syracuse Fulton from District 6, Tansy Common from District 7, Alvino Peralta from District 8, and Hop Yiran from District 9.

Day 8 passed without death. On Day 9, Syracuse showed his prowess as he buried his flail in the back of Hop from 9. This earned Syracuse a hot sponsored meal of mashed potatoes and steak as Hop's disemboweled body was shipped back home to 9.

Hop Yiran, District 9 Male; 8th, Killed by Syracuse, Day 9

On Day 10, the Careers (now hunting in a single group of four) were split up by metal mutts. Flashing was brought down without much show as metal jaws crunched into his abdomen. They left him, and he staggered around, trying to hold in the blood, as his three allies tried to regroup at the Cornucopia. Tansy from 7 discovered Flashing wandering about, and she happily showed her skills with a dagger, using a shard of metal to torture Flashing until he bled out.

Flashing Calecson, District 1 Male; 7th, Killed by metal mutts and Tansy, Day 10

Day 11 passed, deathless. On Day 12, Syracuse Fulton ambushed the Careers. Clomah fell under his flail, surprised by his appearance. Carmine and Gnaeus were also stunned, but they gathered enough of their wit to grab their weapons and chase him away from the campsite.

Clomah Waters, District 4 Female; 6th, Killed by Syracuse, Day 12

On Day 13, Alvino met his end at the brutal hand of infection, as his inflamed right calf brought an end to his life. District 8's hopes for a third Victory were terminated as Alvino's cannon rang throughout the maze.

Alvino Peralta, District 8 Male; 5th, Killed by infection/Carmine, Day 13

Day 14 was the final day of these Games as Carmine, Gnaeus, Syracuse, and Tansy were herded into the Cornucopia courtyard by metal mutts. Carmine and Gnaeus had split up to hunt earlier, and both of them were wounded from the mutts while Syracuse and Tansy were unharmed. This did not hinder Gnaeus, however, and he managed to fell Tansy with the sweep of his sword across her chest.

Tansy Common, District 7 Female; 4th, Killed by Gnaeus, Day 14

Syracuse burst to life, his flail swinging around. It tore into Gnaeus' sword arm, and he dropped his weapon with a screech. Syracuse then proceeded to chase Carmine about the courtyard as Gnaeus retreated into the Cornucopia to wrap his arm in gauze and get a new sword, as his had been shattered by Syracuse's flail. Speaking of that flail, it was soon buried in Carmine's skull as Syracuse tripped her before delivering the final blow with his flail.

Carmine Agrenic, District 1 Female; 3rd, Killed by Syracuse, Day 14

Gnaeus was near the point of passing out within the Cornucopia, and it made Syracuse's job much too easy. Too easy, in fact. Syracuse sloppily approached Gnaeus, acting as if he'd already been proclaimed Victor. This was his downfall, as Gnaeus used his last ounce of strength to fling his sword into the boy's chest. Syracuse fell to the ground with a wounded whimper, and his cannon fired about six minutes later as Gnaeus nearly bled out.

Syracuse Fulton, District 6 Male; 2nd, Killed by Gnaeus, Day 14

"Gnaeus Deccum of District 2, you are the Victor of the 37th Hunger Games!" Caesar hollered. Gnaeus chuckled throatily, trying to staunch the blood flow as he raised his tightly clenched, bloody fist into the air in celebration.


Aftermath

Gnaeus was a District hero after winning and earning his District a multitude of titles. They were the first District with repeat Victors, the first District with unrelated repeat Victors, and the first District with repeat Victors of different genders. District 2 had now securely pulled ahead of the other Career Districts, now possessing an astounding 7 Victors. Gnaeus was mostly a stereotypical Career, although his experience with strong outliers from his Games humbled him a bit to Outer District Victors. He would often help out around the Academy as a swords instructor or a hatchet instructor (his other weapon of choice). He wasn't the most memorable Career Victor to those outside of 2, but many inside 2 take Gnaeus' Victory as the turning point for District 2, the year that they solidified themselves as the top dog among top dogs. He wasn't a great public speaker and was rather reclusive even before his Games, but he still had District pride and made many local appearances. He would be an average District 2 Mentor, but all District 2 Mentors were good compared to the others to be honest, so there really isn't much to comment on.

Gnaeus would live to age 68, dying from a heart attack three weeks after the 87th Hunger Games. He would marry but would have no children.

The payouts of his Victory were okay, as 16% bet on him.

His Victory Tour was rather average, and not anything of note.

Fun Fact: District 2 is the first District to have repeat Victors (from the previous Games and this Games).


Victor's News

Gnaeus moves into the Victor's Village of District 2, in the house next door to Januaria's.


List of Victors

1st: Kelan Thather, District 4 (1, 1 Male)

2nd: Dillon Tripp, District 9 (1, 1 Male)

3rd: Tugra Ertra, District 5 (1, 1 Female)

4th: Noor Tuskararus, District 2 (1, 1 Female)

5th: Ishania Patel, District 7 (1, 1 Female)

6th: Guild Tonneroy, District 1 (1, 1 Male)

7th: Chaplin Nastaro, District 3 (1, 1 Male)

8th: Irmentrude Marley, District 5 (2, 2 Female)

9th: Vissarion Chamantel, District 11 (1, 1 Male)

10th: Greason Trails, District 6 (1, 1 Male)

11th: Mags Flanagan, District 4 (2, 1 Female)

12th: Salandra Valour, District 1 (2, 1 Female)

13th: Barcelona Sepias, District 10 (1, 1 Female)

14th: Freeha Indepp, District 11 (2, 1 Female)

15th: Clermont Lackrey, District 1 (3, 2 Male)

16th: Bex Martin, District 4 (3, 2 Female)

17th: Jaguar Crusoe, District 10 (2, 1 Male)

18th: Deana Mitchellson, District 9 (2, 1 Female)

19th: Romulus Armidale, District 2 (2, 1 Male)

20th: Grover Elms, District 7 (2, 1 Male)

21st: Fitore Renoro, District 2 (3, 2 Male)

22nd: Mascara Curler, District 1 (4, 2 Female)

23rd: Woof Parsons, District 8 (1, 1 Male)

24th: Dorsal Rance, District 4 (4, 2 Male)

25th: Venice Grammar, District 12 (1, 1 Female)

26th: Calculata Fenceley, District 3 (2, 1 Female)

27th: Florianna Urnston, District 2 (4, 2 Female)

28th: Mercedes Benson, District 6 (2, 1 Female)

29th: Fox Rennolls, District 5 (3, 1 Male)

30th: Tarquinius Isselhardt, District 2 (5, 3 Male)

31st: Ivelisse Horner, District 1 (5, 3 Female)

32nd: Pomona McCrea, District 7 (3, 2 Female)

33rd: Beetee Latier, District 3 (3, 2 Male)

34th: Flotsam Bresten, District 4 (5, 3 Male)

35th: Organza White, District 8 (2, 1 Female)

36th: Januaria Shale, District 2 (6, 3 Female)

37th: Gnaeus Deccum, District 2 (7, 4 Male)


A/N: Here is Gnaeus! Did he surprise you with his Victory? It did seem like Syracuse was going to win, didn't it? Sorry I sort of tried to mess with you guys, because I have a feeling none of you were betting on Mr. Deccum this time around after Januaria's Victory the year previous. Isn't it fun to surprise readers? xD

Sorry for the slow update, but school has officially begun, and I am swamped already with school work, cross country meets, and family and friend obligations. As much as I would love to update as much as I did this summer, it just isn't humanely possible. My best guess for this story is maybe once or twice a week, thrice if I'm not supremely busy. Sorry, again, but I just can't carve the time out of my day to do updates every 2 days.

Okay, so now I have to address some reviews. Most of my reviewers and readers are splendid, wonderful people who actually critique my story and tell me what they like or dislike about it. There are some reviewers, however, who just say "update" or "can we get an update?" While I understand that you love this story, it would be better to give me an actual review that inspires me to write or gives me a good idea to use or something to fix instead of simply pestering me to update. Again, most of you are great and I love reading all of your reviews. This is not directed at most of you. Stern Tracee is now done speaking. Perky me's back! :D

Okay, thanks for reading guys. Really. The compliments really do mean a lot, and I can't believe we've broken 100 reviews! This story has sort of grown a lot in popularity recently, and I'm grateful for that. Thanks again!

Oh, and with this update, we should be past 100,000 words! :D

(P.S. That moment when you read your preface's A/N and realize that you said you wouldn't be doing any A/N's...oops! XD)

Until Next Time,

Tracee