A Letter from the Authors

Yes authors, there's two of us. We met way back in 2012, on a little-known forum for a show called The Tribe. We frequented the roleplay section there, playing out our ideas for how The Tribe would work in other countries and situations, but the premise of a virus killing off all the world's adults could only hold our creative interests for so long, and we were looking for something new. Luckily for us, The Hunger Games was the perfect setting for our concept. We'd read the books, the second movie was only 5 months away, and we had twists to put on a future version of the franchise's universe. We started with about half a dozen people, but eventually only the two of us remained, continuing until 2018, when life got in the way and we lost contact. Since then the forum has gone into a permanent state of "down for maintenance", and almost 5 years and 108 pages of story and conversation are lost to time, but not to memory, and since we got back in contact earlier this year, we've wanted to bring our story, and our beloved characters, back to life. So why the Submissions? This whole thing started as a collaborative effort, and though for the better part of almost 5 years it was only the two of us, we want to honor that start by having readers submit OCs for cameos throughout this story. Now, we cannot guarantee that these OCs will live particularly long or happy lives in our story, but what would you expect from a Hunger Games fanfic set 50 years after the last book and the Capitol is somehow back in control? Which brings us to the important part. What does your OC know? You just made the mistake of stopping to chat with one of Panem's many conspiracy theorists. They'll be able to tell you what the people know but you might end up with a pamphlet. Sorry about that.

The Truth

When the hanging tree was first composed, it's writer had no way of knowing the song would become a prophecy of sorts. When the Mockingjay sang it, she thought she was just lending her voice to the revolution for another of Plutarch's cleverly edited Propos.

Neither Lucy Gray nor the Mockingjay had any clue just how strange things would become. In Panem's future, the hanging tree became a hymn of captivity. It was sung in many places, for different reasons, because every citizen in Pamen knew there was no freedom, even after the revolution.

Panem's population prayed that there would be peace under president Paylor. After the presidential bloodbath, Panem held their first democratic election. Sweeping changes were made to how everything worked, and all felt hopeful for what the future held, but peace wasn't long for this world.

Paylor's mercy ended up betraying those she served. When the war ended and the former presidents were felled, no one wished to see more blood on their screens. The decision to spare those most loyal to snow doomed Panem to repeat history. When rumors leaked of the rebellion dropping that second bomb, the unrest in the streets became tangible. But, before Panem could tear itself apart with another war undeniable chaos struck.

The Capitol called it the Great Disruption. At first it seemed like Panem had contracted a case of extreme bad luck. An orchard in 11 burned down, people disappeared into thin air, factories in multiple districts were attacked by splinter groups, but the reports were murky at best. No one in charge truly understood what they were dealing with, at least not until shocking surveillance footage surfaced. A young boy in District 4 had been captured on camera, parting the waters of a river to retrieve a toy he'd dropped. It seemed the Mutations that the Gamemakers so lovingly concocted had leaked out into the world and produced bloodcurdling results.

On the streets, a myth was born. When the Girl on Fire shot her arrow into the forcefield during the third quarter quell, the shockwave of electricity did something to the mutts in the arena, making them infectious to humans. The mutated animals were able to escape thanks to the damage done by the Mockingjay. It took time, but eventually the consequences of that arrow became all too clear. People all over Panem were beginning to mutate and become something that simply wasn't human.

They looked like humans, but humans couldn't command the elements, lift objects without touching them, or bewitch others to do their bidding. They couldn't change their shape, teleport, or survive certain death, and yet, reports of these happenings became rampant.

When the footage of the child commanding the waters in 4 was viewed by Paylor, she immediately called for a summit. She made it very clear, this situation was all hands on deck, and even those that wished to be left alone, like Katniss and Haymitch were ordered to report to the Capitol. No one knows exactly what happened inside that summit. To this day all we have to go on are the rumors.

Paylor thought she was gathering all of Panem's leaders to devise a solution for this problem. She was too trusting, too goodhearted. Not executing all of Snow's people was a massive mistake, Paylor opted to strip them of their wealth instead. Unfortunately, her new regime didn't understand how deep their pockets truly ran. When the summit was called, they were ready. The most elite in the Capitol already had resources and facilities prepared to stifle this threat.

They even had technology and peacekeepers capable of containing these mutants, almost as if they'd glimpsed the future. There was just one problem. If Panem wanted access to these resources, the government would have to bend to their will. These elites wanted the Hunger Games back, and the District borders closed again. Those that protested didn't make it out of the summit alive. In the end, even 13's leaders caved to the will of these elites. District 13 had won many battles, but they were not equipped to deal with the mutant threat. Nukes were useless against the Great Disruption.

Amongst the common people, that summit was referred to as the Black Hole Summit. Many of the District leaders that attended were never seen again. Only a year after the rebellion had won, power was being returned to the previous ruling class. Panem was turned upside down in a span of 48 hours. District borders were closed shortly after the decision was made to accept the elite's resources.

After all, it wouldn't do to have these mutants running amuck in Panem, sowing destruction. Those that didn't agree, like the Mockingjay, simply disappeared. There were rumors that Annie Cresta had stolen a hovercraft and escaped the country with her child when she was summoned. Nobody knows what happened to the others like Plutarch Heavensbee or Gale Hawthorne. The rebellion's leaders just vanished. Even Paylor's fate was ultimately unknown. She did make what would turn out to be a final address. Those that remember the broadcast thought she seemed out of sorts. She stated that the borders would be closed temporarily, and that specially trained peacekeepers would be deployed.

When she stopped making public appearances the people were too afraid to question her apparent choice to govern through proxies for security purposes. Rumors abounded of red-suited peacekeepers snatching people from their beds at night. No one ever saw them. They never left evidence of a struggle or a trace of their existence behind, not even a single frame of footage. It all happened so quickly in the shadows. There was no proof that Pamen's worst nightmares were coming true yet, a feeling of unease had gripped the nation.

The people were blinded by vague broadcasts assuring them that the Great Disruption was being handled. Then, with no warning, the Hunger Games reappeared on everyone's screens. That year's Tributes were all mutants that had been captured and processed. Once captured mutants were easily controlled with collars that nullified their abilities. Terrifying powers were put on display for the entire country to see, causing panic and fear. The Capitol called for every citizen to turn in anyone they suspected of being a mutant.

The red-suited peacekeepers turned out to be mutants themselves and were stationed all over Panem to capture rogue mutants. Unprocessed mutants were a risk to public health and safety, they had to be contained. The Capitol just wanted to help them learn to control their powers like their trained peacekeepers. The following year only one tribute was reaped from each District, and matched with a mutant tribute in the arena.

The Capitol claimed this was a reward for the people's compliance. Betting and sponsoring were opened up to anyone that could afford to gamble on the games. The people were too segregated, fearful, and distracted to demand answers. In those early days, everyone wanted to know, but no one dared ask, where were the mutants going? Sure, some became peacekeepers, and some ended up in the Games, but what of the rest?

No one who valued their lives asked that question, even if their loved ones were dragged off for being mutants. The Capitol simply maintained the story that the mutants were being contained, and their children were reaped, just the same as the Districts, because in Panem, everyone is equal, if you believe the Capitol.

No one would speak of it, but everyone knew the mutants that appeared in the games were trained, they were simply too skilled. Some suspected a secret District had been constructed to house and train them. Their suspicions were correct, but only to a degree. The truth is so much worse.

As the years rolled by, mutants became a part of society. If your powers are valuable enough, there are plenty of job opportunities for a processed mutant in the Capitol. All the wealthiest families have mutants serving in their households. Mutant Victors from the Games retire to an island paradise, and work for the Capitol, creating propaganda disguised as content. Orphaned mutant children with unique powers are often adopted by powerful families and raised to be mouthpieces for the new Capitol.

The Capitol will tell you that they love and want to care for mutants properly, to keep everyone in Panem safe. Their powers are celebrated in Capitol, the more unique the better, whilst mutants in the Districts were shunned and feared. Constant news updates showed the damage they'd done often focusing on the humans they'd hurt or killed.

Life was seemingly easier than before, and the Capitol had vastly improved at sugar coating their atrocities to appear more palatable, but those that lived through the rebellion knew nothing had changed, that it had all been for nothing in the end.

These days the Capitol holds an iron grip on the Districts, but gives the illusion of greater freedoms. Children get better educations, but are constantly bombarded with propaganda promoting mutant processing and the Games. The new and improved Hunger Games are exciting and more beloved than ever before, even in the Districts. Movement between Districts isn't impossible but the Capitol tightly controls every single transfer. The Career districts went right back into business and currently dominate the human Victor pool.

Enough time passed for only the elderly to remember the truth of the rebellion, what they had fought for and won, if only briefly. They taught their children and grandchildren in secret, told tales that showed the Mockingjay as the hero she was, not the careless child this new Capitol made her out to be. As time passed, the Capitol branded the revolution like it was a minor inconvenience to the ruling class and did all they could to sweep it under the rug.

But, if you go to the Seam in 12, you can find a tiny community descended from 13 veterans and the odd 12 survivor. Most of them are battle-scarred and shell shocked. You have to understand, they were mere child soldiers when they were shipped out to fight and capture mutants on the front lines. They can recount the early days of the Great Disruption.

Some will tell you they joined the army to help round up that first wave of mutants, to protect their families in a District that had only just begun to rebuild. The facilities they delivered the mutants to had obviously been there for years, before the rebellion even caught fire.

But that's only if you believe the word of the Seam's elders. Even after all this time, the people of 12 live with constant reminders of what was lost due to the rebellion, and of what the consequences are for disobedience.

Though most of 12's residents perished after the 75th Games, the District's spirit couldn't be broken no matter how hard the Capitol tried. To this day, The Hanging Tree is still hummed every time a child from 12's name is called on Reaping Day. Some like to think the Songbird and Mockingjay live on in that melody and what they stood for never died. They aren't wrong, but this isn't about them. Everyone wants to know what happens to mutant children that disappear into the processing system. A majority of them never make it to the Games. Where do they go?

SYOT Form

Name:

Age:

Gender/Pronouns:

District:

Appearance:

Personality:

Power:

Wanted! We currently have a few roles that need filling. Since we're just starting out feel free to submit as many characters as you like. Filled out forms can be PM'd or left in the reviews. We didn't feel a google doc was needed if you feel differently, please PM us. We would like to collaborate with anyone interested in this story as much as possible. As we get further in the plot there will be opportunities to submit for bigger and bigger roles.

In the meantime we need:

A recently captured female mutant 17 or younger

A recently captured mutant 17 or younger

Another recently captured mutant 17 or younger

These are just specific roles that need filling. We will likely end up accepting more so if SYOT fics are for you, don't be shy send a character our way. Happy Hunger Games and may the odds be ever in your favor.