The Hunger Games Galaxies
District 2 Introduction: Part 2
Will finally had to return to the stage, as the enormous screen above them began to change. The usual static image of the night sky came across it, and everyone present at the Reaping put their hand over their hearts, a universal symbol of respect for the Gods. The Voice of the Gods came across loud and clear as he always did, which sent a ripple of anger through Senel. Shirley felt his fists clench and laid a soothing hand on his shoulder, shaking her head. Even as the Merines, she was powerless in the face of the Game Gods.
"Citizens of the Twelve Districts…" said the Voice of God. "Welcome to the Reaping. As you send your courageous Tributes off to the field of battle, keep in your hearts the hope for them to return victorious! It is only with your encouragement and prayers that they may have an edge in battle."
"That never helps… obviously…" muttered Senel, darkly.
"Yeah…" Shirley added.
"As with each year…" continued the Voice. "We attempt to up the entertainment value for the Games, finding new and exciting ways to increase competition and spectacle, and this year is no different… however, this year's Hunger Games will be an undertaking like nothing we've seen before, with multiple, surprising changes hidden around each corner.
"You've already experienced the first: the relaxation of the age restrictions. But, this is only the beginning. Another is that we will not be permitting any Gods to act as sponsors; the tributes will be on their own…"
There was an outcry at this. Sponsorship often meant you were blessed with better weapons, food, medicine, powers, whatever was the part of the Hunger Games that went through. This was unprecedented; indeed an entire staple of the games was being ignored. But the Peacekeepers quickly silenced those cries.
"Each year, the 24 tributes provide ample opportunity for not only the Gods but all of you in the Districts to observe each other in a cultural exchange of sorts… but we were wondering… how could we make this exchange even stronger and more varied…?"
"Oh no… you don't think…" said Shirley her eyes widening.
"And therefore, the Gods have decreed that, from each District, we shall Reap a second group of tributes, ensuring this year's Hunger Games provides even more entertainment than the last!"
With this shocking revelation, the Peacekeepers actually ended up having to fire warning shots into the sky to silence the furious crowd that surged forward, trying to reach their family members. On stage, Will tightened his grip on Harriet, as Chloe dropped her serious face in a mask of surprise. Madam Musette, already suffering so many shocks thus far, seemed practically floored by this one, her hand over hear heart as she used the mic stand for balance.
Once order had finally been restored, the Head Peacekeeper approached Musette and assisted her in approaching the bowl with the female names once again. Senel and Shirley tightened their grip on each other; they didn't know what was about to happen. They were right back where they'd been minutes ago, with no certainties about each others' future again.
"Our… our second fe-female tribute…" stuttered Madam Musette. "Is… … it's a single name… oh no… it's Grune."
"Oh… me?" said Grune, who had been pacing absent-mindedly behind Senel and Shirley without being noticed. "Well this is quite unexpected, isn't it?"
"No!" cried Shirley, spinning around. "Grune, you can't go to the Hunger Games! You…"
"G-GIRL!" came Norma's frantic cries, as she again shoved her way through the crowd to try and get to them.
"Norma's going to get herself shot if she doesn't stop freaking out like that," Senel muttered. "But… Grune in the Hunger Games…?"
Grune merely skipped out of the group of people, still smiling blankly, as she linked arms with one of the Peacekeepers that took her to the stage. Once there, she approached the white-faced Chloe and Will, giving each of them a hug before spinning around gracefully to smile into the camera floating near her head.
"I will give it my all," she said, her high monotone ringing across the stadium. "Charge."
Grune succeeded in silencing the crowds. Nobody was sure what to make of a statement like that. Meanwhile, Musette was dragged off again to draw another boys' name. She took the paper in her hand and, shakily, walked to the microphone again. She opened the paper, and sighed heavily.
"And… yet again… single name: Jay," she said.
He was on stage before they could say anything and before the shock could register with anyone in the crowd. Jay stood on the stage, smiling pleasantly next to Grune, but there was a difference in his smile. Though pleasant, it was also… dangerous.
"I have no intention of losing these games… so we shall see how it goes," said Jay.
"But… Senel… they have to fight… and only one can come back…" Shirley muttered, collapsed and with her tears flowing.
Senel didn't say anything. He couldn't. How was he supposed to choose between four of his closest companions? But even as the crushing weight of oppression came over him, the Voice of the Gods rose up back over the enormous screen behind him.
"This shall be my final announcement," he said. "To each of our Districts… and to our viewing entities… there is one additional rule change to this year's Hunger Games. If the last 2, 3, or 4 tributes are from the same district, they shall be declared the victor, and the Games will end."
And suddenly, there was hope for District 2. And the Tributes realized that as well. They looked at each other, grinned, and instantly it became clear that they were ready to band together and fight.
Once the Reaping ended, the four tributes were moved to Musette's house, where they were each given a room to receive guests. But, after a few minutes, they simply left their rooms and entered the central living area area. The entire group sat in silence for a few minutes, save for Norma and Harriet's occasional, quiet sobs.
"We can win this, you know," said Chloe. "We just need to work together. We've fought together hundreds of times in the past."
"That's the spirit, Chloe!" said Moses, the only one with any energy in the room. "And look at it this way, you've got two Iron Erens and two Crystals, one of which could still crush a man to death with his hammers."
"They'll seal our Eres, though," said Will, his brow furrowed. "Granted, some of our combat ability will remain, however it will be a level playing field for every District… which means they'll have access to our powers, and ours to theirs."
"So… so you just have to try really, really hard," said Norma. "There's no way you guys can lose… right…?"
"Well, death in battle is always a possibility," said Jay, pensively. "We understood that even as we worked to change things here on the Legacy. And we know our jobs aren't finished here, too."
"Right," said Chloe. "That's why I think we should make a pact. No matter what happens to any of us in the arena, those left behind in District 2 must continue the work of the group."
"I agree," said Will. "Senel… Shirley… Moses… Norma… it is imperative that you carry on in our stead."
"I understand," said Senel, standing. "You can count on us."
"Hell yeah!" cried Moses, standing and waving his spear around. "We got this! Nobody's gonna bring us down!"
"We'll pray for you every day…" said Shirley. "Just… please… survive…"
"You can all count on me!" said Grune, smiling faintly and raising her fist limply in the air again. "Charge!"
Just as she said that, the Peacekeepers entered the room. Time was up; it was time for the four tributes to board the ship that would take them to the portal and to the training center. One final goodbye hug from everyone (including a rib-crushing one from Grune) and suddenly they were sailing away, waving with Madam Musette from the stern of the boat, as the others watched from the shore of the Legacy.
Author's Note:
This completes the introduction for District 2. Once the remaining introductions are uploaded for the remaining districts, I will finally be able to start writing the story of the actual games to begin with, starting with the introductory parade and interviews.