Welcome to the 128th Annual Hunger Games! I'm dandelioninthespring16, long time reader of Hunger Games fan fictions and this is my first story.

This HG takes place in an alternate reality where Clove won the 74th Hunger Games instead of Katniss so the Rebellion never happened and the Games have continued.

Several tributes are characters I've submitted to other stories so if you recognize any tributes that have similar backstories that is why, I thought I'd put a different spin on them.

This isn't an SYOT but I hope you will vote on a Victor as the story progresses as I haven't decided who it will be yet.

District 1 Reapings

Sapphire Penchant, D1F (18)

There's no greater thrill than the moment my shuriken embeds itself into the mannequin. Right where the juglar would be on a person. Im rewarded with a steady gushing of red liquid. The Academy now has lifelike mannequins with a system replicating where all the veins and arteries would be in a real person. Even the skin was made to act like human skin, taking the same amount of force to tear. This way we know how fatal our hits are.

I've been training for a decade. I didn't grow up with the dream of training to volunteer like many of the other careers here. When I was 7, a virus swept through our household, we all caught it. My younger brother and I survived but both my parents didn't make it. My aunt and uncle took us in and despite being not too well off by District 1 standards, they did their best to give us both the best life they could. So when my Uncle asked my brother and I the year after we moved in with them if we wanted to train, we both said yes wanting to make them proud.

I turned out to be a natural and have gotten through all my training on scholarship. I've tried my hand at different weapons and over time gravitated towards the nunchucks and shurikens. I've always wanted to make my aunt and uncle proud for all they've done for me and my brother, that's why when I was selected as the female volunteer for this year, I accepted. Next year my 17 year old brother wants to be chosen. We've planned to be the next back to back winners for District 1 since Cashmere and Gloss. We're going to start a family legacy of Victors.

I finish up my early morning training session and head back home. I shower, then put on a slim fitting blouse and dress pants that show off my muscular and athletic build. I sweep my long black hair into a neat pony tail and put on a touch of mascara. I want to look good when I volunteer today.

I eat some breakfast of eggs and oatmeal. I was supposed to head down to the reaping with my brother but he's not home and I don't want to be late so I make my way to the town square where the reaping is held and join my friends in the 18 year old group. I know my brother will come visit me when I'm allowed my goodbyes but I was hoping to eat another breakfast together before heading to the Capitol.

The district escort, Valen, a lanky man that's probably in his early 30s and dressed in a suit with layers of multicoloured feathers comes onstage to start the reapings. I respectfully pay attention through the proceedings until it's time to draw the names.

"Ladies first" Valen says as he jumps to the female bowl. I stand as straight as I can and put a fierce and determined expression on my face. Before Valen has a chance to announce the name, I confidently yell out "I volunteer!" Valen beams in excitement as I walk up to the stage. "Anything you would like to say to the crowd?" Valen asks. I speak into the microphone "it's an honor to represent District 1 this year and I hope to make you proud in the Games!" Valen squeals and claps, "I'm sure you will darling! Now let's see who's joining you."

Valen plucks a slip from the male bowl and reads "Ruben Herminer" I find Luxe in the crowd of 18 year old boys, my chosen district partner for the year. The voice that volunteers sounds so familiar, but not like Luxe at all. When I see the 17 year old section splitting up to let someone through, I see that the volunteer is not Luxe, it's my brother.

Platinum Penchant, D1M (17)

I skip the Academy this morning. I know it'd probably be for the best to get one last sparring session in, but I can't risk seeing my sister before the reaping. Besides I'm already the best with the katanas in the Academy, one more session won't make or break me. I opt for a jog around the villages instead to clear my head.

As I jog my familiar route, I go back and forth on my decision. I'm set to be the chosen volunteer next year and for awhile I really did like the idea of Sapphire and I being back to back Victors, but nothing I ever do seems to be good enough for our aunt and uncle. Sapphire is too absorbed in her training and trying to make them happy to even notice it, but I can't take their constant comparisons, their praise of her and snide remarks to me. "Oh you make us so proud Sapphire, you're going to be the first Victor in our family, your parents would be so proud." They don't gloat over me like that. I made my way through Academy training on scholarships too, I can't help that she's a year older.

Sapphire is good no doubt, but she's not better than me, my aunt and uncle will see that in the arena, and when I come home as Victor, they'll have no choice to admit that I'm better than she was. It's a shame for Sapphire really, but if she's the best then she shouldn't worry about facing me in the arena.

I grab a quick breakfast at the house and sneak out before she returns from training and head to the reaping.

"I volunteer" I cut in before the volunteer can say anything. I smirk as I walk to the stage and can't miss the look of furry and betrayal my sister throws me. She'll get over it. Or not. Won't matter what she thinks when I come back as Victor.

"Wonderful!" Exclaims Valen, "and what's your name?" "Platinum Penchant"

Valen gives each of us a once over and I'm convinced there's no thoughts in this man's brains because then he says "oh cool are you two related?" "You bet!" I say, still smirking. I can see Sapphire trying to contain her rage.

We're made to shake hands then lead to our separate goodbye rooms in the Justice building.

Sapphire Penchant, D1F (18)

My aunt and uncle come to see me first.

"Oh Sapphire you were wonderful!" My aunt says. "We're so proud of you!" My uncle chimes in.

"Did you know Platinum was going to volunteer? He avoided me all morning! I thought he was getting nervous about me going in, I had no idea he planned on coming with me, why would he do that?"

"I'm sorry, we had no idea" my aunt says. "I thought he was going to volunteer next year."

"I know it's a shock" my uncle continues. "But this is your year, don't give it any less because of the choice he made, whatever his reasons are, you were chosen as one of district's volunteers this year, fight just as hard to come back."

I'm blinking back tears thinking that my victory will now come at the cost of my brother, but my uncle is right, this is my year, and I'm still going to come home as the Victor. It's not my fault he's throwing his life away. "Okay, I will" I reassure my aunt and uncle. They give me one last hug each and then they're gone. My friends from the academy come after, all wishing me well. Soon the hour is up and we're led to the train.

Platinum Penchant, D1M (17)

I was not expecting the first person to come see me to be Luxe.

He storms in, his face is so red it's almost comical, it doesn't help his temper that I chuckle at the sight of him. "What was that about? Why would you be stupid enough to volunteer outside of the Academy recommendations. This was my last year, you stole my spot!"

"Relax, I did you a favor, now you get to live and not be killed by my sister" I wink at him. "You're welcome"

"So you want to be killed by your sister instead? I don't understand!" He yells even angrier.

"No, I'm going to show everyone that I'm just as good as her, that I can be even better, and I'm going to win!"

"It's your funeral." Luxe says, then he storms out.

Next my aunt and uncle come in and our conversation starts out a lot like it did with me and Luxe. When I explain that I want to show them that I'm just as good as Sapphire my aunt starts crying. "Platinum, we didn't realize how you felt. We're so sorry we made you feel that way. The only reason we cheered on Sapphire so much was because she was volunteering first" my aunt says. "We've always admired your talent, and we're expecting you to win next year" my uncle continues.

What have I done, I think to myself. Was I really so blinded by my jealousy that I couldn't see their admiration for me too. It's too late, I already volunteered and I'm not going to throw my life away so I still have to win.

What do you think of the District 1 pair? Who do you think will go furthest?