Hello :D I posted this story before, a couple years ago, but life totally got in the way (as it often does) Now I have nothing to do for two months since my first year of uni is over so can actually devote more time to writing. I'm very sorry to let go of some of my old tributes but very excited to see what new ones you guys come up with :) Hope you like it!

Chapter 1: Attention, citizens of Panem

For Panem, the world had ended. Not in fire. Not in ice. Not even, as the citizens of the country formerly known as North America previously thought, in war. It ended with a television announcement.

"Attention, citizens of Panem." The words sounded all around the districts. Every surviving person was watching their scratchy screens with fear in their eyes. They knew something bad was coming. Something that would change everything for a very long time. But they didn't know what it was.

For decades Panem had lived peacefully alongside its Capitol, a gleaming beacon of hope for the people desperately trying to survive in the terrible conditions of the 13 districts. They provided food, luxury, fuel, electronics, even an army. Blindly following because they knew no different. But one day, a rebel from district 2, the peacekeeping district, decided enough was enough. He looked around at his struggling world, falling apart before his eyes, and he knew something needed to be done. But how could one little man disrupt the entire government system? He began to secretly plan. Piecing together the perfect uprising.

And thus, the rebellion began.

The Districts, all joined in unity for the first time, fighting against the tyrannous Capitol. And they were doing well! For the first part of the rebellion, it seemed as though the Capitol was going to be overthrown. That the rebels were going to succeed.

This notion was quashed immediately by the introduction of Muttations from the most secretive laboratories in the Capitol. Jabberjays, one of the first species of Mutt, were released into the Districts and proved to be very effective. The Jabberjay was a bird that could replicate human speech exactly. These mutts were positioned to overhear the rebels' plans and bring them straight back to the President and his advisories. After the rebellion, the remaining Jabberjays were freed and were expected to die off. But they didn't. The all male species of Jabberjay breeded with the Mockingbird creating an entirely new species; the Mockingjay. Mockingjays had lost their ability to recreate human sounds, but could replicate any tune. The Capitol's most powerful weapon had become a songbird.

Before the Districts knew what was happening, they began to lose.

To remind the Districts that no force could ever bring down the Capitol, the 13th district was obliterated. Many believed that District 13 had been supplying the Districts with nuclear weapons throughout the majority of the rebellion and that the Capitol deemed it too dangerous to allow them to survive, but this is just a myth.

"To remind the rebels that the Capitol is the strongest force in existence, we have destroyed your 13th district."

The citizens of Panem knew this much.

"However, officials have pointed out the fact that this may not be enough. That we, the Capitol, need to bury the idea of another uprising completely. Ergo, as punishment for your misdeeds," The President took a breath. His eyes gleamed with malice. Panem waited with bated breath.

"We are introducing a reality television show to be held once a year as a celebration of the Capitol's victory as well as a reminder to the rebels that the Capitol has control over you and what you hold most precious. We are introducing the Hunger Games."

The announcement carried on to describe how 24 children, two from each district, would be reaped from the rest. These 24 would go on to participate in the Hunger Games. They would be locked in an arena, unable to escape for as long as required. The Capitol and the Districts alike would be able to sponsor their favourite tributes. The winner of the Hunger Games would be granted a new home, all the money and food they could imagine, as well as grain and oil for every member of their district. Other food and gifts would be given throughout the year to the Victor's district.

"The only rule in the arena is as follows: kill or be killed. Reapings will take place in exactly 2 months for 12-18 year olds. Remember, the Capitol cannot be beaten. We are a stronger force than all 12 of your Districts put together."

And with that, the televised announcement ended. Shock. That was what followed. Silence. Silence across the entire country. 12 districts sat, glued to their seats, still watching the television, though it had moved onto images of what was once district 13. A mockingjay flew across the top corner of the screen.

24 children went to bed that night, tossing and turning, like the all the others. Worried by the notion of the Hunger Games, like all the others. Worried for their siblings, worried for their friends. Not even considering the fact that they could ever be chosen to represent their district. Not even considering the possibility that in just over two months times, it would be them locked in an arena, forced to fight against one another to the death. But only one of those 24 was going to survive. Just one.

Remember: reviews are lovely We writers really do appreciate them!