Tobias Harte, Head Gamemaker:
Last year's Games had been successful enough to keep me out of the President's bad books - there had been drama, angst, love, betrayal, loss and death, a lot of death. This year was going to be the same; I had spent another year sketching out another big arena complete with mutts and traps, and the audience were going to love it.
After another year of designing and planning I was finally back in the Gamemaker's little lab of horrors. Aside me was Ruth, her stony face contorted into a frown whilst she lectured a worried Dr. Carter, our recent environmentalist. Sighing, I moved over to her swiftly whilst grinning optimistically.
"No time for nagging," I smirked and grabbed onto Ruth's shoulders before whisking her out into the corridor and smiling. "These Games are going to be better than ever."
Ruth was my deputy. She always added the more conventional yet necessary details to my more flamboyant and unique arenas, and I appreciated it - we were like Bonnie and Clyde, only more legal and and without the killing... Without the direct killing.
"You say that every year," Ruth said indifferently. "And the President has requested a forest arena - not one of your eccentric pyramid, haunted mansion or medieval village ones."
"You know me Ruth," I beamed. "I'll listen to the President but that won't stop be from putting in my own twist - I'm even discussing one with Natalya."
"Natalya?" Ruth asked, shocked.
"Yes, me." A dark voice smirked. I managed to catch a mane of dark hair and the prominent pearly canines of Natalya's teeth whilst she observed me and Ruth in a predator like fashion. "Ruth, on Royal orders I command you leave - And you, Tobias, will follow me."
Royal orders. That was why I detested Natalya - she may of had the title of the 'Princess of Panem' but she used it to her advantage a couple of times too many.
I unwillingly tailed after her whilst Ruth stayed behind, looking insulted. Being alone with the President's bloodthirsty, spoilt daughter was never a good thing. We moved into an elevator which lowered us down a shaft that moved us down to the building's basement so quickly my stomach felt as if it had disappeared.
"So here is the ultimate twist," Natalya grinned, pointing at a skeletal figure curled up in the corner of the basement. "Last year's victor - Rayann Carter of District Five."
"She... She should be dead." I muttered, looking at the girl who had acknowledged us, though she didn't have the strength to speak. She had a pretty face from last year's plastic surgery, but her dirty and dishevelled image was unappealing to say the least.
"We lied," Natalya spat. "We had to get rid of her for belittling the Capitol. Executions were much too public, so we're sending her back in the arena as a 'twist'"
"This twist is too spon-" I started, but Natalya cut me off.
"On the President's orders." She grinned. "It's the only way we can finish her off - she will be sent into the arena and any tribute that kills her will automatically be announced as victor."
"Oh... Okay." I muttered.
How did I feel about this? I loved my Games twists but this girl had turned into a bony wreck on the stone floor. Still, it would make for good entertainment. I cast one more look and Natalya cackled as we stepped into the elevator.
"Oh, and we'll be sending her mother and best friend in too."
And the hurt began.
Welcome to 'Hurt or be hurt' - it is an SYOT, and a closed one at that.
It is the sequel to my other fic 'Kill or be killed' - if you haven't done so, it would be best if you read it to get a grasp of my alternate universe.
There will be no sponsoring system, as I like having complete control over my stories - However you'll find that if you review regularly your character will have a less bumpy ride (hint hint). The first chapter will hopefully be up by Saturday, and I'll update regularly from there.
That's all for now - once I recieve all my tributes the Games shall begin, I plan to do two POV's per chapter and there will be twelve chapters in all before the Games, and then a chapter with a brief point of view from every tribute before the gruesome bloodbath-
And then the drama truly starts...
Tribute list:
District 1:
Male: Luster Harbetto, 18.
Female: Astrid Evans, 18.
District 2:
Male: Archimedes Plutus, 17.
Female: Melanthe Hathaway, 17.
District 3:
Male: Karble Ive, 18.
Female: Danielle Wright, 16.
District 4:
Male: Blaine Odesius, 18.
Female: Naomi Lee, 16.
District 5:
Male: Callis Ray Carson, 15.
Female: Avalynn Hiebler, 17.
District 6:
Male: Holden Gray, 14.
Female: Aibileen Karpis, 16.
District 7:
Male: Sperren Prazna, 18.
Female: Veronica Vesna, 17.
District 8:
Male: Micah Miraude, 17.
Female: Tarren Keenan, 15.
District 9:
Male: Cardinal Volke, 16.
Female: Elise McElroy, 13.
District 10:
Male: Leonardo Brydon, 16.
Female: Helen Aspen, 14.
District 11:
Male: Broson Gray, 17.
Female: Petunia Hines, 16.
District 12:
Male: Vigil Hatzardys, 18.
Female: Reed Ardice, 17.