The Element Games
"Fire is the element of power. Earth is the element of substance. Air is the element of freedom. Water is the element of change."
The Avatar
Republic City. Residents and visitors alike call it the "Mistress of Lights". I couldn't have thought of a more fitting name. Skyscrapers, piercing the landscape, give off a sort of radiance not seen in any other province. The quality of life, I hear, is unmatched. In one word, it is only alluring.
"Sir?"
The ice cubes in my glass suddenly fizzle and crack, and the hapless servant has already realized his mistake. I don't even turn around to acknowledge him, but I could already visualize what he looks like. Wearing the typical uniform, he's probably terrified right now – for good reason.
"Now, just why would you interrupt me while I'm observing the landscape?" I say in a smooth voice that just slightly betrays my irritation.
"But, sir, it looked like you had the time –"
"I think I should tell you myself when there is time or when there is not time," I snap. "Your message, whatever it is, better be worth it or else" – I move my hand slightly over the water in my glass, and it rises out to coat my fingers and palm (I can hear him gulp in the background) – "there'll be dire consequences for a lowly servant like you."
"It's the rest of the gamemakers; they've asked for your permission to move forward with the plan." he explains, gulping again before he continues. "They're hoping for your approval with what's been drawn out so far."
"Fine, so be it." I announce irritably. I leave my throne and begin to walk to the hallway, the same nervous servant in tow. As I reach the doorway, I steal one last look at the city's vista. My gaze is returned by her once again.
Oh, Republic City, the "Mistress of Lights".
Author's Note: Hello readers, and welcome to the "Element Games". If all you've read so far makes no sense, I'll explain here.
Basically, this is a story that revolves around an alternate version of the Avatar world. It features The Last Airbender characters in world with a The Legend of Korra-esque level of technology (which is why Republic City exists). It uses the concept of the Hunger Games, but readers do not have to have read the trilogy in order to understand this fanfiction.
Here's the backstory, as of yet:
About a century or so ago, the most recent evil Avatar (unnamed as of yet) declared a war of conquest on all of the four nations because he believed the spirits told him to do so. Only the Fire Nation sided with the Avatar, but more on that in a minute.
Eventually, the Avatar won, at the cost of many, many lives. This is why, among other things, only the Northern and Southern Air temples are currently occupied. In his new world, in general referred to as the "Republic". It consists of twelve provinces, each specializing in its own industry. Most of the provinces are poor, though on differing levels. Travel is prohibited between provinces. If you're aware of the "Hunger Games" series, all of the provinces are pretty much counterparts to the districts:
1 - Luxury - Fire Nation capital
2 - Weaponry /Masonry- Southern Fire Nation
3 - Technology - Northern Air Temple
4 - Textiles - Eastern Fire Nation
5 - Electricity - Northern Water Tribe
6 - Transportation/Medicine - Ba Sing Se
7 - Lumber/Printing - Southern Earth Kingdom/Foggy Swamp Tribe
8 - Fishing/Shipbuilding - Southern Water Tribe
9 - Grain/Processing - Northern Air Temple
10 - Livestock - Kyoshi Island/Southeastern Earth Kingdom
11 - Agriculture - Western Earth Kingdom
12 - Mining - Northeastern Earth Kingdom
The Fire Nation provinces (1,2, and 4) are the wealthiest and get preferential treatment from Republic City. Also, they hold internal contests for "Elites", who are children trained before the games to win for honor.
Also, unlike in the books, volunteering is NOT allowed. In Elite provinces, the tributes are handpicked by a panel of trainers. In outlying provinces, they are instead chosen at random.
Each year, a boy and girl "Tribute" between the ages of twelve and eighteen are taken from their province to Republic City, where they are trained for a week. There are numerous, televised pageants to "showcase" these tributes, but I won't get into detail until later.
After the week is up, all 24 children are plunged into an arena, each year in a different location, to fight to the death on TV. Like before I won't get into detail, but essentially 23 of them will die leaving a sole "Victor". Once the Element Games end, the victor will reap the rewards. (Essentially, lots and lots of money :P) The "Gamemakers" are in charge of all things Element Games (the Avatar is the Head Gamemaker). Their job is, essentially, to think up hundreds of ways to kill innocent, unsuspecting tributes.
Because this is my first story ever, I really need some feedback here. Is this a great idea? A terrible one? Is my writing awful or awesome?
P.S.: I am already aware of the "Black Games" series, written by Mrs Pettyfer. I have not read it yet, though I plan to. I'm pretty sure that she is a far better writer than I am, so I ask that you don't rub it in my face how different/similar her series is to mine.