Hey all you people. This is the author speaking. But you already knew that.

Anyway, this is a story just asking to be written: a LotF and Hunger Games crossover. And I mean a real Hunger Games crossover (just so you all know, a bunch of kids forced to kill each other is not an idea unique to the series). With all the people making connections between the two, it had to be done. It isn't supposed to be overly serious, because I rarely take anything I write seriously—especially fanfiction.

For LotF, it's alternate universe. For HG, it's sort of alternate universe (I have to rearrange some canon stuff to make this work...bear with me).

DISCLAIMER: Neither of these belong to me. HG © Suzanne Collins; LotF © William Golding

Without further ado, here is Chapter 1:

It was Reaping Day in Panem. The 75th annual Hunger Games was just about to begin, and it was Ralph's first time in the Reaping. Just his luck. This year's Quarter Quell was going to be even scarier than a normal Hunger Games. Not too long ago, it had been announced that the Reaping age would be lowered from twelve years to nine. So, lucky him, his name would be in there three times instead of one. On top of that, because of the increased number of kids, they'd double the tributes. A one in forty-eight chance to live, thought Ralph. Fantastic.

Being from District 12, though, Ralph thought he might have a slightly better chance. All of the people applying for tesserae lowered his chances for being picked.

"Ralph, let's go, dear—we don't want to be late!" his mother called. She was trying too hard to sound cheerful. He knew it wouldn't be like all those other years, which mostly consisted of showing up and watching other people scream and cry. For the first time ever, it was his family at risk. As an only child, the chances of their family losing a member to the Reaping were lowered substantially...but it also meant that, should he be picked, their grief would be multiplied.

Ralph bit his lip as his mother straightened his outfit. "Why do we have to dress up, anyway?" he asked. "I mean, we're just going to come back home, right?"

"I hope so," his mother said. His father, standing in the doorway, held the door open for them. They headed to the town square to await their fate.

When he arrived, Ralph signed in with the rest of the children—seeing some of the now-eligible nine-year-olds made his skin crawl with disgust for the Capitol—and took his place in line. His stomach hurt and he was afraid he might throw up. He just wanted to get this over with and go home.

Before long, Effie Trinket walked onstage, smiling brightly in the faces of the somber District 12 residents. "Welcome to the 75th Annual Hunger Games!" she announced, grinning. "As you know, for this year's Quarter Quell, we are lowering the qualification age and doubling the tributes. Won't this be fun? And all because of a little uprising, not so long ago..." The video on the history of Panem played again, one that almost everyone had been seeing since their childhood. After what could have been a revolution, the Capitol had set up a new system to control the people. Part of it was the Hunger Games: sending one male and female tribute from each district to fight to the death. Except this year it would be two. Four tributes from each district...

When the video ended, Effie continued her speech. "And now, it is time to select the tributes for this year's Quarter Quell. As always, ladies first." She reached her hand into the girls' reaping ball and jumbled the tiny slips of paper; even at a great distance, Ralph could see her bright pink nail polish. Finally, she selected one.

"Primrose Everdeen." Heads turned in the direction of a small, pale girl with blond hair in braids. Just as she started forward, an older girl with dark hair rushed forward.

"I volunteer! I volunteer!" she cried desperately.

"No! Don't, Katniss!" Prim shouted. But it was too late. The deed was done, and Katniss headed to the stage, staring at her feet. Effie welcomed Katniss to the stage and reached into the reaping ball for a second time.

"Susanna Golding." The girl who came forward was about fourteen, with light brown hair tied into a messy bun. Shakily, she ascended the steps to join Katniss and Effie. There was a moment of silence to acknowledge any volunteers, but none came forward.

"All right, then," said Effie, "now for the boys." She pulled out a slip of paper from the second reaping ball. For Ralph, seconds turned into minutes. His heart thumped wildly and he stared at the small white strip in Effie's hand. And then, his name was called.

For a moment he wasn't sure it was him, but when everyone turned to look at him, there was no denying it. He was going to die in the Quarter Quell this year. He moved up to the stage robotically, trying to focus on keeping his balance—the shock had made him feel faint. There was that dreadful moment of silence for any volunteers, but Ralph knew there wouldn't be any. He had no siblings to take his place.

The second boy was called soon after, Peeta Mellark. He was in many ways an older version of Ralph: tall, strong, and handsome with messy blond hair. He and Katniss glanced at each other and shared a look of faint horror. There was something going on between them, and Ralph wasn't sure what. They didn't appear romantically involved.

He didn't have much time to think about the other tributes, though, because soon Effie was clapping loudly. "There you have it, folks: the tributes representing District 12! Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor!"

Ha ha! Yep, there's Chapter 1. It's short, I know. Too bad. Will get other chapters out soon. When I have time, that is. Thanks for reading.