This Au has been done to death, but has it been done for Wizard101!? I don't think so. Of course to give them some concrete characters to get behind I used the characters from my fanfic again. How did I choose the contestants...? Randomly is the answer! I put all the available names for each group inside a digital raffle and I shuffled. If it's a character who isn't an NPC or one of mine, they are meant to represent other players in the MMO. Basically told me original character and I randomized a name together. This works on a slightly different logic than the book, as it takes place in the Spiral's own dystopian. As for the game itself, I put it in the generator to see who would die when, but maybe not necessarily how. Until that point we have a bunch of before games events to go through. First off, the Reaping, who will be reaped?
I woke up in my dorm room. I dreaded today, because today was…the Reaping. A boy and girl from each school of magic were to be selected, including some obscure schools, as well as the honorary school of dueling. It was all for one purpose, to have them fight to the death in a spectacle event otherwise known as the Hunger games.
This was not supposed to happen; if I knew this was going to happen I wouldn't have invited my friends here. They were innocent people who just wanted to learn magic like we doing. Moreover, this is our fault this is happening; mine and my sister's. We were going against Morganthe and her reign of terror, but we always a few steps behind and she seized control while we were still investigating the threat she posed.
We're still not entirely sure what she's after or what she wants. If it was spiral domination, she achieved that. While we were on Avalon, every other world we had already been to was swarmed with her spider minions, trapping and threatening the denizens. She used her shadow magic, a rare art, to summon cataclysmic storms that threatened to tear the worlds apart if they did not surrender to her. She then became known as the Spider Queen, not just of her home world, but nearly every other world as well.
Since she was now in charge, my sister and I were labeled as insurgents, with not just her minions against us. We were forced to cease our public opposition of her. Now we work in secret, with an organized resistance faction.
She has quickly become a tyrant, with her acts of dominance and suppression. She is still worried about potential threats against her control, so now she has garnered this little event. She has clearly been paying attention to earth media. There's this recent book series I haven't read, but they're making movies of. I've seen the trailers; basically it is a "game" where 24 people fight to the death, between the ages of 12 and 18, using skills of combat and survival. That was a sci-fi dystopia, and this is a fantasy world dystopia. Magic can make things a little easier, and a little more brutal.
I hope this doesn't become an annual thing like the book series. The only hope of stopping this is for the resistance to take her down in the mean-time. My sister and I may not be able to help. Morganthe's spiders made sure to round us up too, to make sure we were a part of this. We were kept in Ravenwood as everything was being organized, and now has come the day to see if we will take part in the death games; you actually have to be at the reaping to have your name put in after all.
Well, there are a few exceptions…apparently if get a penalty, cross one of Morganthe's lines, you get another ballet with your name on it in the raffle, adding another chance of being selected. In the preparation for the event, Morgante also said that if you wished for support or protection for your friends or family (now that trade has been cut off, resources are poor, and laws can be broken anyway you turn) you could purchase bundles of food, electricity, or limited time guarantees of protection all you needed to do was put another ballet with your name in the raffle. Also depending what year of schooling you were in, the higher you were, the more ballets you got in the raffle.
Once you were picked from that raffle, it was decided you would be fighting for your life. Of course that could be negated from a volunteer. If someone volunteered to take someone's place, then that choice would have to be respected, no backing down.
I was going to be among the possible candidates for the female body of the Fire School of magic, while my sister in the female body of the Storm school. There was a chance we could both be in these games, and to get out we'd have to try to kill each other. My hope was that neither of us would be selected, but if one of us was then the one wouldn't be. I wouldn't dare hope someone would take my place by volunteering, then I would feel guilty that they were in there and not me.
Counting makes me feel calm, but it also puts me on edge in a paradoxal sort of way. I was counting every ballot we had in this raffle. My sister and I are in our third year of school, which were three ballots each. However, we stood against Moragnthe in three worlds already, so three more ballots each. Of course, we also helped ten worlds of people, having them side with us over her: ten more each. That should be sixteen for each of us.
I also have some friends here; some people are in the restoration committee, so that gave them some ballots, not to mention being higher level than me, so that's more ballots for them; still probably less than me and my sister. Some people are concerned about their families on other worlds, so they bravely gave themselves more ballots to help them. I have some other friends, second year of schooling, but only one transgression each. So that's probably three ballots for them, as they don't have family to concern themselves with.
I got out of bed, the only sound was sister still sleeping peacefully beside me. The dorm was more empty than usual as all of our stuff, all of our pets, they were back at our castle. This was more akin to a cell. Morganthe is hoping we die, if not, then our friends will die while we suffer. I've been in this game for a few years, facing the possibility of death is not new to me; however, facing my friends and family in a potential fight to the death, I'm not sure if I could handle that.
I just sat on my bed, quiet, hoping today wouldn't happen. I was hoping if I willed it hard enough, I could undo everything. I could make the games not happen, I could defeat Morganthe, I could free the Spiral, and I could get my family and friends out of danger. Of course, I wasn't that powerful. Is this where I'll meet my end, in a blood sport for the villain's amusement? My hands and breath were shaking. My eyes welled up with tears, I bet I wasn't the only one this morning crying. I cried into my pillow, during which Genevieve woke up.
She immediately came over and started to comfort me.
"We've been lucky so far," said Gen.
"We didn't stop her before this," I said.
"That doesn't mean we'll lose to her."
"We know a lot of the student body Gen; even if we're not picked, someone we know will be."
"We could-"
"We're not volunteering!" I said, turning to look at her. "We can't kill our friends."
"We don't have to kill them, we just have to outlast them," said Gen. She was starting to tear up now.
"You really want to degrade them to that," I said. "As competition? A sea of bodies to outlast? It dehumanizes them. I don't want to start thinking like that, it's scary."
"We might not have a choice," said Gen, starting to cry. I hugged her. "If you get picked you have to promise me you'll do whatever it takes to get out alive."
"Only if you do the same," I told her.
"Okay," she said. We pulled back and wiped our tears.
"Okay," I said. "But I'll also try not to lose myself as well. I don't want her to make a monster out of me."
"You are very brave, willing to fight for what you believe in. All I know is how to keep going."
"Hey," I said, putting a hand on her shoulder. "We'll be okay, no matter what happens. We just have to believe in that fact."
"We are both powerful wizards," said Gen, smiling a little. I touched her forehead with mine. A few more tears escaped us.
The event would be held at Noon. I looked at the clock, it said 10:30. We had an hour and a half before the event that decided our fate. I guess it was because we couldn't sleep last night due to nerves, we ended up falling asleep late.
Morganthe said those who didn't take the time to freshen themselves up before the event wouldn't get any penalties, but they surely wouldn't get any sponsors during the games; sponsors being the stuff sent by people during the games to help us to better survive. That meant we had to freshen up before the Reaping. We had to make ourselves look nice for when we are chosen to die.
I washed my face and hair, then straightened up my hair afterwards to remove frizz, adding hair oil just to be sure. I applied a tad bit of moisturizer and cover stick to make my face seem smooth. I brushed and combed my hair thoroughly, then put it back with a hair band. I made sure to flatten any cowlicks I had.
I saw Genevieve applying antiperspirant; I guess she didn't want pit stains showing up highlighting her nervousness. I applied a small amount. The only way to make sure Morganthe doesn't get what she wants is to make it seem like she is not scaring us.
I decided to wear the basic uniform, a white blouse, brown pants, and a purely red overcoat, hat, and boots. Genevieve also didn't feel like putting much effort into it, wearing her purple and yellow uniform. After we were all cleaned up, we ate our breakfast the room provided for us. A muffin, a couple eggs, and some toast, as well as a glass of milk. We ate slowly; we were nervous and lacked an appetite. A part of me felt that Morganthe was going to rig the draw so that it would definitely be us. It was already rigged enough with all the ballots we had.
By the time we were done eating, it was 11:15. Each second counting down increased my anxiety. We were of half minds, part of us felt too anxious and depressed to even do anything until noon, the other half wanted to get one last look at Ravenwood before we are carted off to die. We eventually decided to not let our emotions get the better of us and headed out at 11:30. Before we left, the room reminded us that the gathering in front of Bartleby would begin at 11:45, we would have to be there so we could get our names grafted, like our names weren't already in there. Of course, this was mandatory.
We headed outside, seeing students gathering near their schools reflecting on what they knew, how it could help them and getting counsel from the trees. We stopped by the life school first, my friend Skyler was there. She had about three ballots with her name on it in the raffle. When Skyler first came here I didn't know her that well, being just a friend of a friend that wanted to come. Now Skyler is one of my closest friends.
She was with the Life tree Blossom, as well as a few others, Ceren, Selena, Abby, and Daisy.
"Hey," said Skyler solemnly.
"Hey," I replied.
"Did you know you get to bring a personal item with you into the Arena? It's supposed to remind you what to stay alive for or a token of luck."
"Did you read the books?" I asked.
"I got started on them; I have an idea of how things are going to go."
"Still," said Gen, "This is a different setting. There may be more magic."
"Yeah," said Skyler. She looked at Blossom and hung her head. "I fought something adventurous would happen if I came here, but a fight to the death?"
"Your name only has three ballots, there's plenty of other life students who have that many or more," I tried to reassure her.
"Now I'm being forced to hope someone else will take my place."
"It's terrible, I know, it's what Morganthe wants. She wants us to start thinking 'us vs them.'"
"Isolating us?" said Gen. "Is that really what she wants?"
"We don't know what she wants, not really," I said.
Skyler walked toward Blossom and we followed.
"What will your personal item be, if you are selected?" asked Skyler.
"I'd say my teddy bear, but I don't want to bring him into a war zone," I joked. It got a chuckle out of a few people.
"Not entirely sure," said Genevieve. "Never thought about what I'd want to have on me in my final moments."
"I already have something," said Skyler, and she pulled out a locket from under her clothes which held a picture of her family.
"I'd probably want something to hold a bunch of pictures in," I said.
Skyler forlornly smiled, and turned to Blossom. "Do you mind?"
"Not at all, Skyler," said Blossom. "I've been lending my blossoms to all I can. They have life energy flowing through them; it should help anyone hold onto life a bit longer."
A couple cherry blossom buds floated down to us.
"If I am picked I will cherish it," I told her.
"You may end up fighting her," said Gen.
"We'll become allies then, and hold off on killing each other."
"That will end tragically."
"What will happen will happen, we cannot change it," said Skyler.
"In the meantime, we'll learn as many protection and healing spells as we can," said Ceren.
"I'm teaching everybody all I know," said Selena.
"Hopefully, we can pick it up," said Abby.
"If you're not chosen, you'll help us right?" asked Daisy, putting an arm around Abby to comfort her. We looked at each, and hung our heads.
"We can't do as much as we used to, but we'll try our best," I said.
Genevieve was looking at her wand. "We have ten minutes before the event."
"I feel as if we should see how the others are doing," I said.
"May the odds be ever in your favor," said Skyler.
"May they be in yours as well," I said back. I realized that must have been the slogan of the book.
We walked by the center square, there was already a big stage set up around Bartleby, and banners for where the students were supposed to stand. Little sigils also marked the ground to separate us into groups. Separated based on age and gender, as well as what school we were in, it was almost as if we were livestock.
My friend Colin was hanging out with Austin in front of the boy's dorm. Colin was a Balance student and Austin was in my school.
"Hey," we greeted sadly.
"Hey," they greeted back.
"There isn't much to talk about," said Austin. "Who do you think might win this thing?"
"Morganthe will probably rig it so the Shadow students win, just to show her magic will always dominate," I said.
"What about Dueling," said Gen. "If you are honorarily throwing in another school, it might have some advantage."
"She's just doing that as an excuse to throw in more kids," said Colin. "Death or life might make it; they have an advantage in the whole survival element."
"An elemental school is still pretty powerful," said Austin.
"Raw power alone? Will that be enough to win, or do you actually need skill," said Jaimy approaching us. She was an old friend of my sister, even in the same School of magic as her. This is probably why my sister considered volunteering. Of course, Jamie is a friend who likes to keep herself at arm's length. I know she probably wouldn't volunteer to save my sister.
Jamie was probably referencing Colin and his skill of altering magic to his favor as a Balance student. This was turning into a question of which of us would win in a fight?
"This might be another reason Morganthe is doing this," I brought up. "Sadistic curiosity; to see which school has the strongest magic."
"Question is what she would do with that knowledge," said Colin. "Would she fear that School or try to recruit it?"
That was a good question. Morganthe had once offered us power, to work with her instead of against her. Would she do the same to other people? I blushed a little knowing me and Colin were brainstorming together. I've had a crush on Colin since I met him.
"The ones of us that are not selected, we should try our hardest to try to stop her so this doesn't continue," said Austin.
"You might want to keep your voice down," said Genevieve, she then started to whisper. "We can't be public anymore, or we would be immediately squashed. With the event so close you don't want to say anything that might give us away in case Morganthe or her minions suddenly show up."
"Sorry," said Austin. "So are we?" he whispered.
"Of course," I said hushed. "We should try not to die in the meantime though."
We all got quiet.
"You should probably go check on Adam," said Colin.
"Where is he," asked Gen.
"He's in the Fire school with Simeon," said Austin.
"May the odds be in your favor," said Jaimy.
"Yours as well," said Gen. She looked at her wand as we left our friends, "It's closer to five minutes now." We headed quickly to the Fire school.
Inside we found Adam and Simeon. Simeon was already graduated from Ravenwood, but was still within the age range to participate. He also had some penalties for being a prefect and in charge of the Restoration committee, and Morganthe decreed anyone within the age range that had penalties would have to participate in the reaping as well. As for Adam, he's in the Fire school like I am. He's older but started later, and was within the age group to participate. He also has a learning disability, so he might as well be my younger brother. Unlike Katniss however, there would be no volunteering for each other if we got picked unless I wanted to put my life on the line to protect him. He wouldn't do the same for me; it would be a big decision for me to make.
"How's he doing," I asked Simeon. I had gotten closer to him over the years, we were both working to protect the same town, and he was my prefect so I turned to him for help.
He looked at us, "He hasn't said a thing since he came in here."
"I don't blame him," said Gen. She approached him, "Adam?"
When we first heard the Hunger games were going to be happening and explained what it meant to Adam, he had a panic attack where he started to sweat and he collapsed, and then he sobbed for days. After he had calmed down from that, he yelled at us consistently, voicing things we were already blaming ourselves for.
Mom and Dad were equally furious and sad. They were barred from the games for being too old and not magical. They weren't ones to visit the Spiral often, so they didn't have to watch. Knowing their children were forced to be a part of this, and they could do nothing to stop it, they had to take it out on somebody. We couldn't get back to earth, the way was blocked, but communications could be open because Morganthe wanted us to make our parents suffer. They lashed out at us for several weeks, then mom was inconsolable for several days, and dad started to take up drinking again.
Not only did we not stop her, now we were allowing her to have her to have fun with us, and worse, we brought our brother into this.
Genevieve went over and wrapped her arms around him where he sat.
"I want to go home," he said quietly. "I don't want to die."
"Adam," I said, kneeling in front of him. "I'm sorry, for everything. You have to have faith you'll be okay, that you won't be picked. You only have three ballots in there with your name on it, that's less than some others."
"Yes," said Simeon. "It's less than me. I have fifteen ballots with my name on it." Simeon was forlorn. "It's more likely to be me than you."
"Simeon," I looked at him apologetically.
"Well, on the upside, you're pretty talented," said Genevieve. "If you do get picked, you will probably last a long while, you might even win."
"That will mean sacrificing everybody else," said Simeon. "I'm not sure if I'm willing to do that."
"You might have to," said Gen, "it's called survival."
"It's cruel," said Simeon.
"Who said it wasn't. This whole thing is cruel; Morganthe was already evil enough now she has to force us through this?"
"I can't help but feel that this is directed towards us," I said.
"It's also directed towards Ambrose," said Gen. "I mean, his students are being forced to fight each other to the death. That would be horrible being forced to watch that." I got determined hearing that.
"Anyone who isn't fighting will work doubly hard to make sure that this stops."
I turned towards Adam, who was still scared and sad, "We'll make sure you and everyone else doesn't have to do this ever again."
"What if you get picked?" said Adam.
"Then we'll become martyrs for a cause, and all our friends will fight for us."
"Yeah," said Genevieve, "Morganthe made a mistake making sure we were a part of this; if we die, everyone we ever helped will be livid. There'll be riots everywhere, and she'll lose."
"That's a bright way at looking at your possible death," said Simeon smiling.
"Really," said Gen, "I didn't think I had that in me."
Well, it worked. Adam was smiling now, it was a sad smile, but he was smiling. We gave him enough courage to move forward. Our wands started flashing; looking at them we saw it was 11:45.
"It's time," I said sadly. "We better get going."
"I don't want to," said Adam.
"Okay, if you want to be publicly executed anyway, or otherwise become a silent slave on her home world you don't have to go."
"Em," said Genevieve sternly. He was spooked enough, but it was the truth. She then turned to Adam. "She does have a point Adam. There'll be consequences if we don't go, we'll be made an example of. Going to the reaping…it at least gives us a chance of survival."
"We are being forced into a corner," said Simeon. "Right now, the only choice is to comply."
"It'll be okay," I said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Have hope, alright."
We were all tearing up. We technically had fifteen minutes before the event, but that was the time they took to get everyone settled.
"We're going to have to be separated while it happens; no hands to hold; everyone will be thinking against everyone else in their group. Just know, we'll be thinking of each other and hoping for the best."
Genevieve and I hugged Adam tightly, and he hugged us back. Simeon seemed a little out of place but I dragged him into it as well. Genevieve used his wand to dust off Adam's robes, and I smoothed down his frizzy hair and tucked it under his hat.
We gave each other another hug before we headed out the door, led by Simeon. I took Adam by the hand to give him courage, and Genevieve took his other hand. We walked towards the stage area. The place was quickly becoming packed, what with the four extra schools arriving.
If I'm correct, in the books each district had their own event. However, for some reason, we are having only one reaping in one place. We'll be squished together like livestock in a meat pen. They could have had the Astral schools reaping in Celestia, and the Shadow school reaping in Avalon or Khrysalis or whatever, but no; since we had to have an honorary school of Dueling which any of the students could be a part of, our names have to all be collected in one place.
The fence around Bartleby had to be removed for the event in order to fit everyone. Heck, the teachers towers had to become floating in order to fit people. The Schools even had to be moved back. A platform had to be made in the chasm for extra standing room. Its twelve students a class, and three different class years, also including some graduates, so it's at least thirty maybe sixty people per school; based on my memory you'd need a large gymnasium for eleven different groups of that size. We couldn't all fit in front of Bartleby. We'd be standing next to our schools, except for Astral and Shadow schools, which would be standing around where the Death school used to be along with the Death students.
People were filing quickly to where they were supposed to stand. I wasn't sure how long this Reaping would last; maybe long enough to draw everyone's names and present the tributes to the crowd, hopefully less than an hour. I guess its torture enough to make us stand for that long. I looked around; we had to find our spots quickly before it would be too difficult to maneuver.
Adam was nervous; he'd have to stand with the other 18 year-olds boys, nobody from his own class. They'd be mentally older than him, so they could support him. Still, it was no one he knew. Simeon is a graduate, but still a year younger than him. Adam would be all alone.
I gave Adam another quick hug. "We're going to have to spend some time apart, alright?"
"Emily, Genevieve," he whimpered.
"You'll be okay," said Genevieve. "We'll all be okay. I have to go stand with the Storm students now. You'll be okay, remember that Adam."
"Okay," said Adam. He still trembled as she released from the embrace. I held her hand briefly, with a look that said, 'Please be okay.' She released, and walked away towards her group, out of our sight. We weren't far away from where we were supposed to be. Adam would be standing on the right side, far to the back. I would be standing on the left side, more to the middle. Hopefully Simeon would be standing near him; it would do me a solid.
"Adam, you need to stand back there with the other eighteen year old boys. Find a sigil and stand there until this is over. Just think, after this year, no matter what happens, you won't have to do this anymore." I looked at Adam, and he looked like he was going to cry. I touched his face. "It's going to be okay."
"I hope so," he warbled. I gave him one last hug, and then let him go. I then went to find a spot with the other 15 year old girls of the Fire school. My friends would not be a part of this, if any of them were in the school with me. I was all alone. I knew Anna Flamebright and Regina Flametalon, but those two had already graduated Ravenwood, only here due to their age. I technically wasn't graduated yet, but I couldn't say I was in school either.
There were five other girls standing with me, I recognized all of them as they were my classmates back when I was in school. I wondered if they were still in school. Looking to my left I saw the boys from my year as well. I never really paid attention to them too much, always hanging out with older kids. To think, any of us might be sentenced to death and I never had a chance to get to know them. I took a deep breath as we filed ourselves into place along the sigils. I looked back at Adam; he was folding his ear over like he usually does when he's anxious. Simeon was back there too, luckily right in front of him. He was trying to reassure him. I smiled.
Spiders started to come along, pushing us around so we weren't out of place, also making sure there was enough room for tributes to walk past. Another couple of spiders were coming around with a box each. They were going up to each student and each student was placing their wands, books and cards into the boxes, and then they were…shaking or rubbing their hands. As they got closer I could hear them speak as they asked for us to put our wands, books and decks in the box, and that we'd get them back after the event. They then would ask for the students to hold out a hand. Weird, I thought, until they got closer and I saw what they did to those hands: the spider would bite the student; what was the point of that?!
A spider eventually made its way up to me.
"Place your wand, spell book and spell deck in the box please, you'll get it back after the event."
I pulled out the wand I had equipped on me as well as my spell deck from my bag on my hip, placed them in the box, and then did the same with my spell book. I could have just placed my book in there and saved time since that's where I put most of my stuff, but I guess they needed to know I wasn't hiding my wand and deck on my person.
"Hold out your hand please," said the Spider.
"Why," I said.
"I need to collect some of your blood."
"Why?"
"In order to register you," explained the spider.
"Aren't I already registered a few times already?"
"It's to prove that you're present here."
"Can't you just tell them I'm here? Why do you need to take blood?"
"I need to move this along," muttered the spider. "It's to prove it's actually you and not a fake identity that could be engineered by you. We need to prove that the person potentially drawn can be presented as tribute."
"Shouldn't my possessions be enough?"
"You could have borrowed them from someone not present."
"Fine, be paranoid and extra cautious, here's my hand; make it quick."
The spider quickly bit into my hand, it stung but only for a moment. The spider then scurried over to the next person as I noticed my possessions sink into the holding dimension of the box. It repeated it's mantra with them. I looked over to the boys, Simeon was reassuring Adam, at least he could be there for him. Adam was not a fan of blood pricks, inserts or withdrawals. I kept my eye on them until the spider came up. Adam did start freaking out when he saw the spider bite Simeon. Simeon really had to calm him down then, Adam actually teared up a bit. I couldn't leave my spot. When it came time for Adam, he shakily put his possessions into the box. Simeon held his hand for when the bite. His ow was quite a bit louder than most others. He was still tearing up; Simeon was great with emotional support.
The spiders made their way up to the front and climbed the stage. They dropped off their boxes and then spat on a sigil. Names then appeared above the sigil along with a symbol of a school and a number beside each one, no doubt how many times someone was registered.
Once all the spiders were done, they jumped down behind the stage. I could tell it was time for the event to begin. I held my breath. Morganthe appeared in front of Bartleby, yet thanks to magical projection she was visible on all sides of him, in front of every school. She appeared out of a swarm of tiny spiders in all her shadowy glory.
"Welcome, Welcome," she cried with flamboyance. "Now why the long faces? History is in the making here." Yeah, a history of death. "I would like to thank all the schools for gathering their students, despite the inconvenience; we tried to make sure everyone could attend." All of her projections looked around at us. "Let's see who we've got assembled."
She moved closer to the storm students. "We've got the elemental schools of magic: Storm of the Sea Tritions, Ice of the Sky Giants, and Fire of the Land Dragons; each mighty in their own way."
She moved closer to the life students. "We've got the spiritual schools of magic: Life with its songs of creation, Myth with their power over true names, and Death with its whispers into the nether."
She moved back to center stage. "We cannot forget about the school of Balance, which mainly hails from Krokotopia with its order magic."
She then teleported to the other side of Bartleby, leaving a projection in her place; I could actually see her now. "And a special welcome goes out to the Astral schools of Celestia, Sun, Star, and Moon, their secrets resting in the void of the Spiral. As well, I should welcome the obscure school of Shadow, power that comes from all magics." The shadow students cheered. They knew they were the favorite. She teleported back to the front of Bartleby.
"Let us start this event by having me detail the origin of these games."
Oh I already knew the origin: She intercepted a book from earth called The Hunger Games, thought 'oh that sounds cool' and decided to do it for real-zies. If she wanted to lie to everyone on what it was really about, that was fine by me.
The sky went dark, so that meant she was putting on a show.
"Long ago, the Spiral was one world," a large orb floated above Bartleby. "It was created by three primordial beings: Grandmother of Ravens, Grandfather of Spiders, and Bartleby himself, the Grandfather tree." Beside Bartleby there came the images of a large spider and large raven. "They all had themselves some children: The Grandfather Giant, The Grandfather Triton, and the Grandmother of Dragons, they inherited the world they created, along with their children, the giants, tritons and dragons." Three new images appeared, a frost giant, a triton, and a large dragon, the dragon was nestled on the ground around Bartleby, the giant was in the air next to the raven, and the triton had waves around it under the spider. "The Dragons claimed the land, the Giants claimed the skies, and the Tritons claimed the seas. However, peace did not last; these three titans began to fight each other, claiming themselves better, stronger, and deserving of more than they were given. We do not know who started this fight, nor who ended it. The only ones who could tell us are slumbering, sealed away, or otherwise have their memory gone." She was glancing at Bartleby as she said this. He'd probably be a lot more active in stopping this if he could remember things, but his eye of the past is still missing.
"I see death," said Bartleby, sounding like he was going to cry. That did not bode well.
"Yes Bartleby," said Morganthe. "There was much death. Your children fought each other until the world the Spiral was, was shattered into pieces. Some say the titans chose to end the war by falling into a deep slumber, ending their destruction unless they were to waken." She projected images of Dragonspyre and Celestia, both the result of Titan destruction. "Hope was not lost for the shattered world, as Bartleby himself used the Song of Creation to string the shattered world back together into the Spiral we know it to be today."
"From death and destruction, comes rebirth, comes a new world order. Yes, shadows have come to plague your lives, but the strong will prevail. Magic has might, and now we will see which magic is the mightiest like the Titans once tried to. It's time to prove if you can endure, if you can survive in this new world order."
That was stupid! That war didn't have a winner; are we really going to sacrifice lives just to see which magic was the strongest?! Just to see if we could survive? She just didn't want to admit that this was for her own sick entertainment.
The sky went light again; Morganthe's projections faced the crowd, "The winner of these games will get special prizes within this new world. For starters, they will be exempt from participation in later except for the roles as a potential mentor in the training period."
Not only will they be forced to live with the trauma of being the last one standing, they'll have to prepare others for potential death and hope they live. Once you're in the games there is no escape.
"The second prize is a high seat of power among my inner circle. You will be one of my many agents, anyone who sees you will look upon you with respect and fear."
Or pity and scorn, seeing as they'll be a victim forced to Morganthe the tyrant's bidding in order to get by.
"The final prize is luxury: your school of magic will also be seen with respect as a powerful magic. Classrooms teaching the magic will be given extra support, new uniforms, books, wands, spell decks provided entirely by the empire. Your family will be given their own high estate castle, several if needed. Your world of origin will also be given leniency and support of food and power for your world."
In one way it could be seen as a trade-off, surviving the hellish games in return for living a lavish life afterwards. Of course, it could be a way of turning us against each other. Some of us live comfortably while the rest still have to struggle; not only that but it will only last until the next games so it's a short lived prize, a fleeting victory.
"This is how we will proceed," said Morganthe. "First I will draw for the tributes of the Balance school, then I will proceed with Storm, then Ice, then Fire, then Death, then Myth, then Life, then Shadow, then Sun, Star, and Moon. Once everyone has been drawn for their schools, we will then draw for the representatives of the Duelists using everybody's present ballots. If the name picked for the Duelist's school has already been declared tribute, it will be discarded and a new name will be drawn." She turned towards the Balance students. "Drawing procedures for each school will be done as follows: first, I will draw the name for the female tribute, and then the male tribute's name will come after. However, once the tribute has made their way up to the stage, I will ask if anyone wishes to volunteer to take their place. We will only take the first volunteer, once you volunteer however, there is no turning back. If no one volunteers for said tribute, it is final; they will be the representative for their school in the games."
She turned back to the teachers, "Have I missed anything?" Some of the teachers piped up, but we couldn't hear. "That can wait until later. Let the Reaping begin." She was almost gleeful when she said that part.
"Let's start with Balance!" As she said that, there was a projection of the raffle boxes as they suddenly filled with ballots. "Ladies first," she said as she moved over to her left side. She reached her hand into the box and pulled out a ballot. I get why they call it a reaping, it feels as if she is taking lives as she draws names. "Caitlin Silverwalker," she called out. I didn't recognize that name. "Come on up here, Caitlin," said Morganthe with a grin. The projection then switched to show a girl in beige robes, who looked about fifteen, with a grimace on her face as she walked up to the stage. Once she was up, the projection of Morganthe returned beside her. "Now for the order of business, does anyone wish to volunteer to take Miss Silverwalker's place? Anyone? No one?" It was unlucky that anyone would chose to die, unless they loved someone dearly.
A voice rung out, "I volunteer as tribute!" The projection showed whose voice rung out, another girl who was about fifteen, she looked a tad different, they didn't look to be siblings. She wore a different style of robe, more old-fashioned, with prominence on red instead of beige. "Our first volunteer," said Morganthe happily, "Come on up!" This girl looked sad but determined as she made it to the stage, like she had made up her mind. She must've been very altruistic. Once she was on stage, Morganthe asked her name. "Sarah Goldstalker."
"What a kind heart you have Sarah," said Morganthe. "Caitlin, you can get off the stage." Caitlin was crying; I wasn't sure it was because she was happy to live or sad someone was taking her place for her sake. "Now for the Boy's;" she reached her hand in the box. Colin's name was in there a few times. Not Colin, not Colin…"Stefan Diresign."
I knew that name, he was in Zafaria, in the exchange program. He was in danger from Morganthe before, but we saved him. Now he's in danger again. Hopefully Colin doesn't volunteer. As he's walking, he turns back, shakes his head no at someone with a solemn look, and continues to the stage. "Anyone who wishes to volunteer to take Stefan's place," said Morganthe, scanning the crowd. "No one? Very well, our tributes for the Balance school this year are Sarah Goldstalker and Stefan Diresign. Shake hands you two, and may the odds be ever in your favor." The projection showed Sarah and Stefan shaking hands, each with a solemn look on their face. "These are your mentors, teachers of the Balance school: Alherzhad, Jaki Whisperwind, and Arthur Wethersfield. Train hard tributes!"
"Now for the Storm school," said Morganthe grinning as she moved over. I could slightly see her, standing in front of my sister's school. The ballot boxes magically made the ballots appear inside all shaken up. "Ladies first," she said menacingly. She reached her name inside the box. Not Gen, not Gen, not Gen… "Jaimy Wicker." Oh no! Not Jaimy! My sister's friend, if she'd volunteer for anyone it would be her, but Jaimy would not do the same. No Gen, don't volunteer! I felt my sister was tempted to pull a Katniss, and just scream herself a volunteer. Gen, do you have any idea what that would mean? I didn't hear her screaming, she must've been as terrified of death as the rest of us. As soon as Jaimy was on stage, stoically holding it all together, Morganthe called out for potential volunteers. Not Gen, not Gen, not Gen…
"I volunteer as tribute!" That didn't exactly sound like Gen's voice. The projection came up…it was Electra Stormcloud. I saved her life once when she was captured on Cyclops Avenue. I guess she felt she owed us one, so Genevieve wouldn't have to volunteer to save Jaimy. Electra was stopped before she made it to the stage, I turned to see. It was hard to make out, but I think my sister had stopped her before she made it up. Once she made it up, Morganthe asked her name, and almost seemed a little disappointed when she asked Jaimy to get off the stage. Jaimy actually looked happy.
Next she went to draw the boy's names, it was some boy named Brandon. I don't know much about him, but he's about our age. He seems to be taking a similar path to me and taking multiple secondary schools. He seemed more determined than the rest of those who went up to the stage. No one volunteered for him. "This year's tributes for the Storm school, Electra Stormcloud and Brandon. Shake hands you two, and may the odds be ever in your favor." It was weird he didn't have a last name. "Your mentors, teachers of Storm: Halstrom Balestrom and Ione Virga. Train hard tributes!"
"Now for the Ice School," She was closer now; I could see her full body. I didn't even need a projection. The ballot boxes filled. "First the girls," she said as she made her way over to the left box. She reached in, and then read the name. "Gabrielle Trollsword, come on up here Gabrielle." The girl looked fourteen, and she certainly looked scared. Once she had made it to the stage, Morganthe called out if anyone wanted to take Gabrielle's place.
"I volunteer as tribute!" It was Mindy Pixiecrown, she was slightly older than Gabrielle. I don't know if they were friends or if she was an older classmate doing her duty. We once helped her when she struggling with Gobblers on Colossus Boulevard. She approached the stage, and Morganthe asked Gabrielle to leave the stage. Her name was then revealed. Morganthe moved onto the boys. "Lalil Brighteyes." He was someone else we saved on Zafaria. He made his way up to the stage, but stopped on the way there by Garrick Goldenhawk, someone we saved on Cyclops Avenue. I guess they were friends. Lalil put a hand over his and shook his head, and then continued onto the stage. "Anyone wish to volunteer to take Lalil's place?" Garrick looked like he had to hold himself back, he was certainly holding back tears. "This year's tributes for the Ice School are Mindy Pixiecrown and Lalil Brighteyes. Shake hands you two, and may the odds be ever in your favor." The two shook hands, looking solemn as ever. "Your mentors for this year, teachers of the Ice school: Lydia Greyrose and Tarrick Hadfield. Train hard tributes!"
"Now for the Fire school," she was definitely eyeing me. She teleported in front of our school, and as she did the ballots magically appeared in the boxes. "Ladies first," she said as she moved over to the right ballot box. She reached her hand in there, my name in that box sixteen times. Not me, not me, not me… "Anna Flamebright." Phew, now that I knew it wasn't me, I had time to register who it was. She was house sitting when we were tackling the problems on Firecat Ally. She helped us make a harpsicord, and she accidently lost something to help me in my studies once. She seemed pretty average; I'm not sure what chance she would have in the games honestly. After she had made her way up to the stage, I noticed her eyes seemed scared. I glared at Morganthe, which I'm sure she noticed. "Anyone wish to take Anna's place," said Morganthe. I bet she was hoping I'd volunteer myself, but if I was to take her down and stop this I needed to be free. I'm sure Anna knew that.
"I volunteer as tribute," a slightly older voice piped up. It was Regina, Regina Flametalon, one of the top students of the Fire school and a friend of Anna's. I'd definitely salute her for this. She made her way up to the stage, and I noticed Morganthe glare in my direction. She didn't manage to get me. Morganthe asked Regina's name and told Anna to get off the stage, Anna had tears in her eyes as she descended the steps. "Now for the boys," said Morganthe with renewed confidence. Shoot, she might get Adam. Not Adam, not Adam, not Adam, I can't volunteer if it's Adam and he won't survive in the arena. "Allan Ghostdust." Phew, not Adam, but not someone I recognized either. He had black hair, and was slightly older. He trudged up the stairs looking determined; he looked at me as he went up and nodded. What did that mean? I looked back at the older guys, hoping they'd know something, Simeon maybe. Simeon was looking at me, also determined. Adam looked relieved it wasn't him; he would never be a victim of these games. He had survived them.
Morganthe looked really disappointed when she called out if anyone wanted to volunteer to take Allan's place. No one responded, I guess Allan wanted this. "This year's tributes of the Fire school, Regina Flametalon and Allan Ghostdust, shake hands you courageous two, and may the odds be ever in your favor." She was calling me out for not volunteering to save Anna. She just wants to get rid of Gen and I so we can't put an end to her reign of terror. "Your mentors for this year, teachers of the Fire school: Dalia Falmea and Ignus Ferric. Train hard tributes!"
"Now for the Death school," she said as she teleported away from us. I would have gone to hug my friends in congratulations, but it was too early for that. Ballots magically appeared in the ballot boxes. "Ladies first," she said as she went to the box on her left. "Penny Dreadful." Penny was our friend; she tried to help us against Malistere. She was so brave as she made it to the front. "Any volunteers who wish to take Penny's place?"
"I volunteer as tribute!" cried a slightly older voice, also unafraid. That's Death students for you. It was Joanna Crowflyer. We had saved her in Zafaria, and now she was unafraid to face what Morganthe had in store for her. Johanna made it up the stage; Morganthe asked her name and asked Penny to leave the stage. Penny seemed a little upset, but not much. "Now for the boys," said Morganthe moving to her right box. She reached in, "Duncan Grimwater." The guy was a jerk, but he at least helped us when it counted. He was also unafraid, he seemed proud. "Does anyone wish to volunteer to take Duncan's place?" Duncan glared at the crowd, almost as if getting them to back down.
"I volunteer as tribute!" cried a familiar voice. He was eighteen, and he used to be the stand in professor for the Death school. Malorn Ashthorn, if anyone could take Duncan's place at this point it would be him. Shame, he was one of the nicer ones. Duncan seemed furious that he was being replaced. Those Death students really don't fear death. When Malorn made it onto the stage, Morganthe asked his name, and demanded Duncan remove himself from the stage. Some spiders ended up having to web him up and drag him off. "This year's tributes for the Death school, Johanna Crowflyer and Malorn Ashthorn. Shake hands you two, and may the odds be ever in your favor." The two shook hands, resolute and understanding. "Your mentors for this year, teachers of the Death school: Dworgyn and Qismah Shasha. Train hard tributes!" Turns out they had this Arabian cat training them, Malorn was a teacher and now he's going to be taught.
"Now," said Morganthe. "I know you Astral school students must be anxious seeing your Death school neighbors get selected. However, since Ravenwood is our host, we will finish off with the Ravenwood Reaping first. So that means now I will be reaping tributes from the school of Myth." Morganthe teleported next to ballot boxes in front of the myth school; ballots magically appeared in the boxes. "Ladies first," she said reaching a hand inside the left box. "Jorden Rainbowgrove." From the projection that appeared in front of us, the girl looked to be another fifteen year old. Jorden made her way up to the platform, steeling her nerves. "Any volunteers that wish to take Jorden's place." Jorden bit her lip as no one spoke up;
"Alright, now for the boys," said Morganthe moved over to the right box. She reached her hand in and pulled out a name. "Nolan Stormgate." Nolan…was in charge of what happened on Cyclops Lane. In all honesty, he was a bit of a jerk. A projection of him showed up, and he was actually smiling. He turned back to someone, smiled at them and shook his head. He then walked up to the stage. I can't believe someone actually wanted to volunteer for him, moreover I can't believe he didn't want anyone to take his place. I guess he saw this as a moment for him to become a legend. No one volunteered for Nolan. "This year's tributes for the Myth school, Jorden Rainbowgrove and Nolan Stormgate. Shake hands you two, and may the odds be ever in your favor." The two shook hands, Nolan smiling, whilst Jorden's was forced. "Your mentors for this year, teachers of the Myth school: Cyrus Drake and Baba Yaga. Train hard tributes!" Cyrus was no easy teacher, but Nolan liked him well enough, and they actually got Baba Yaga to teach; that was impressive.
"Now for the Life school," said Morganthe as she went back to the front. The ballots magically filled the boxes. This was the last school that could select someone I knew, aside from the Dueling school. I've been lucky so far; I had to hope it wouldn't run out. "Ladies first," said Morganthe, moving towards the left box. She reached her hand inside and pulled out a name…
"Skyler Heuber," Morganthe smiled. Skyler! It was Skyler! My first girl-friend outside of Genevieve; a projection of Skyler displayed itself. I couldn't volunteer for her. Skyler made her way up to the stage. Someone please volunteer for her! "Any volunteers who wish to take Skyler's place?" Someone please volunteer for her! "Anyone? No one?" SOMEONE PLEASE VOLUNTEER FOR HER! "Very well," said Morganthe smiling, "Onto the boys." No one volunteered…my friend Skyler is entering the games. Skyler will be forced to fight other teenagers to the death just to survive. Skyler might not make it out alive.
I looked back up and saw a sixteen year old boy making his way up to the stage; he was similarly dressed to Ceren Nightchant. "Any volunteers who wish to take Carson's place?" Carson? Who was Carson? "This year's tributes for the Life school, Skyler Heuber and Carson Spiritthief, shake hands you two, and may the odds be ever in your favor." Carson was somebody Gen and I saved once, recently actually; how fate is ironic. Skyler was putting on a brave face, but so was Carson. "Your mentors for this year, teachers of the Life school: Moolinda Wu and Zander. Train hard tributes!" A Zen cow and a Zen Koala, hopefully they would be able to help those two survive.
After that, my resolve started to harden; I was barely paying attention to the rest of the reaping. I knew then and there, despite everything, Morganthe had to be stopped. Despite the control she had seized, we had to break through it. We had to discover her true plans, find a way to defeat her, and stop these games before too many people are killed. Let's just hope that Skyler can survive until then.
Morganthe had moved on while I was lost in my own thoughts, emotion and determination. She had moved back in front of the chasm to reap the Astral and Shadow schools. She had drawn the girl's name for the Sun school, Alia Goldwraith. Apparently this other girl was going to volunteer but she was stopped. Alia looked twelve, the other girl looked fourteen; Alia must've told her no. She had then drawn the name for the boy, Cody Ashhammer, another twelve year old. I started paying attention again when Morganthe had asked if anyone wished to take Cody's place.
"I volunteer as tribute!" A slightly older boy, thirteen he looked, walked up to the stage. Cody looked grateful, they seemed to be classmates. Cody was asked to leave the stage while the volunteer gave his name, Gormen Greenwhisper. They shook hands.
Morganthe then moved onto the Star school, which was a tad different. The ballots reshuffled, exchanging schools no doubt. Emma Emeraldriver was called, she looked twelve. When volunteers were asked to come forward, an older girl volunteered herself, Emma looked stunned and heartbroken; they must've been friends. The girl's name was Fallon Moongrove, she was eighteen. The boys' tribute was then called, it was Galen Moongrove. He looked to be Fallon's younger brother by three years. I pity their parents, as well as them. They were now going to be enemies going forward in an effort to survive. They shook hands, and I could tell they looked mortified. It turned out that the Sun and Star schools would be sharing a mentor in Qyburn Stellergaze, someone who looked to be an alien. They probably ran out of mentors, but now these schools would be at each other's throats even more, because mentors got you sponsors in the games, so it would be a competition to see who he likes more.
Next was the Moon school, the ballots reshuffled and Morganthe drew names. It was a seventeen year old girl named Morgan Nightblossom and a twelve year old boy named Mason Lioncaster. No one volunteered for them. Last I checked, no one under fifteen survived these things, at least that's what Skyler and Gen told me. Their mentor was a shapeshifter; I guess that was the real essence of their magic after all.
Morganthe then reaped the Shadow school, her undoubting favorite. She reaped a fourteen year old named Victoria Owlgem and a fifteen year old named Blaine Owlflame. No one volunteered for them, and their mentor seemed to be a kindly woman named Velma von Venkman.
"Finally we have the Dueling school," said Morganthe teleporting back to the front. This was it, anyone of my friends and family not selected already could be drawn here and forced to enter the games as well. If I'm entered, I won't be able to stop it. I'd have to fight Skyler. Anyone of my friends or family could die. This extra set of tributes was just Morganthe being cruel. I held my breath. "First, the girls," cried Morganthe. The ballots reshuffled into giant bowls this time. Everyone's names were in those boxes. She opened a slot, and reached her hand inside, she pulled out a name. "Alia Goldwraith? Oh this won't do," said Morganthe. "She's already our tribute for the Sun school, she can't represent two schools. Let's draw again." She reached her hand inside once more. "Brooke Trollstalker of the Myth school," said Morganthe. I let out a sigh of relief. It wasn't me or my friends. Brooke made her long way towards the front of the stage. "Any volunteers who wish to take Brooke's place? Any volunteer from any school is welcome." I could volunteer to protect Skyler, but my duties were needed on the outside not the inside. Besides, Brooke looked eighteen, she could handle herself. However, surprisingly a voice rung out, "I volunteer as tribute." It was Rosie Ironheart, a Balance student. I don't think she was joining for Brooke's sake, maybe instead for Sarah's.
"How brave you are Rosie," said Morganthe as she made her way up. More like reckless, she might have to kill Sarah or herself if she wants Sarah to live. Morganthe then moved onto the boys, I hoped it wasn't anyone I knew. She reached in and pulled out a name. "James Willowmask of the Star school." He looked to be about fifteen. No one volunteered for him.
Once they had shaken hands and their mentor Diego had been introduced. Morganthe held out her arms and declared,
"I GIVE YOU, THE CONTESTANTS OF THIS YEAR'S HUNGER GAMES!"
I'm sorry if that was too lengthy for you guys. Most first chapters of Hunger Games end when an important person is called, so normally it would have ended with Skyler being reaped. No one was going to volunteer for her, and we had to see if anyone else important would get reaped with the unfair Dueling school category. Now I haven't played the game that far yet, so forgive me if I mixed some things up. Also, I might not be following the girls as they try to put an end to Morganthe before Skyler is killed. This story will mainly focus on Skyler and see how she fares. A little unconventional, but this is a Hunger games fanfiction after all. Until the next chapter, stay tuned!
-Admiringroseblossom11
