38th Hunger Games

## Arena

The 38th Hunger Games was set in an Arctic Volcano biome. The northern volcano's eruption sent lava down from the mountains to the wintery fields below. To the east were a series of spruce trees with a river that snaked around the arena. A small cabin was left over there. To the west was icy hills that went on endlessly. The Cornucopia was encircled by a pool of lava with basalt islands encircling the Cornucopia. Head Gamemaker Lucius Cascadia and the Gamemaker team purposely designed the Cornucopia to initiate a bloodbath due to previous Games having uneventful bloodbaths.

## Synopsis

Upon entering the Arena, most of the district citizens felt uneasy noticing the cold atmosphere. The District 4 tribute Kai Malraux felt particularly uneasy.

As the countdown began, Bran Heavensbee (D9) looked over to his district partner, and ally, Twinkle Farris (D9). As they made eye contact, Bran nudged his head towards the Cornucopia. Twinkle frantically shook his head "no" and motioned towards the other tributes. Bran turned his gaze to the other tributes, specifically the Careers, whom looked ready to run to the Cornucopia. Bran looked back towards Twinkle and gave him a frustrated look.

When the Games began, most of the tributes ran towards the Cornucopia and claimed some items. It took short work for Cornelia Street (D8) to gain first blood by taking out the most likely tribute, Aurum Albright (D1), with her gladius. Near the edge of the Cornucopia, Daphne Magnus (D2) and Bran Heavensbee were fighting over a shortsword. Eventually, Bran had enough and managed to knock her into the lava. Daphne's screams were incomprehensible and sounded unhuman as her hair burned up and her face began to melt. Bran grabbed the shortsword and slit her throat--ending her torment as she sunk into the lava.

Kai Malraux (D4) was desperately trying to escape the Cornucopia, and find his allies, after claiming a few items. Along the way he saw to the deaths of Allan Hacks (D3) and Nolan Jay (D11) using his combat knife. Unfortunately for Bran, as he was settling up to run away from the Cornucopia. Pius Slayte (D2) grabbed him and slit his throat in revenge for killing his district partner. He claimed his shortsword and admired its craftsmanship before using it to stab Sabrina Adler (D12) in the chest.

The bloodbath saw the deaths of 7 tributes. Back at the Control Room, Lucius Cascadia smiled broadly at his success before walking back into his office where the former Head Gamemaker Julius Moss sat. Lucius looked proudly upon Julius awaiting his reaction, but Julius was silent. Lucius asked him if he thought this was great. Julius Moss nodded but also noted that he sped up the Games as a result before pointing to the screen showcasing Twinkle and Pius hitting the forcefield--but survived; and Cross Jones (D7)'s team closing in on Kai Malraux's team. Irritated, Lucius turned to leave before Julius told him to marinate the Games and let them fight each other. Lucius took note and walked back to the Control Room.

Kai Malraux with Nicholas Cress (D11) and Pius (D2) ran for their life as Cross Jones's team closed in on them. Kai managed to slip on some ice and his right tendon snapped. Nicholas went back for him as Cross's team appeared less than a few feet from them. Nicholas turned to fight but was overpowered by Cross Jones who slashed at his neck and left him for dead. Kai tried his best to wade through the water, but with his leg out of commission it soon turned into a fruitless attempt as Cross ran and plunged his sword into Kai's neck. Pius ran away. Zachary Boeing (D6) spotted Cross and decided to charge at him when his back was turned to him. However Cross noticed and grabbed onto his arms, crushing them. Zach screamed at the brutality and frantically shouted at Cross what kind of person he was. Cross plunged his gladius into Zach's chest and leaned in. He whispered into Zach's ear "I'm the Victor of the 38th Hunger Games." Cross ripped his gladius out as Zach bled out. He turned to his team consisting of Faith Waves (D4), Cornelia Street (D8), and Dolly Darton (D10). Faith expressed some remorse in the death of her district partner, but Cross said that he was too dangerous to be left alive as his ancestor quickly won the 3rd Hunger Games. Faith pursed her lips in mourning. Cross announced that they needed to search for Fern (D7). He looked at Faith and suddenly his humanity resurfaced as he suggested taking a moment to mourn the loss of Kai and Allan Hacks. Dolly asked him why mourn Allan. Cross said that Allan was the only one not in his team to treat him as a human and not a monster.

On the other side of the arena, Fern made a burrow inside of the mountain and hoped that the Careers would miss her. Kush Lyfe (D5) thought the same and constructed a burrow in the snow on the other side of the mountain.

As night set in, Fern made note that the stars looked shinier than back home. She reached into her shirt and took out a small wooden horn necklace and grasped it tightly. While she was strong, she believed that her chances at survival would be slim to none if Cross's team found her. She heard three cannons sound as she closed her eyes praying for the Games to be over. She enjoyed the moment of silence before she heard screaming in the distance followed by a loud "oomph" as if somebody fell out of a tree. Another cannon sounded.

Cornelia walked alongside Faith Waves proudly holding her heavy axe. Cross remarked that her axe came in handy when it came to finishing off Rufus (D10). Dolly shrugged as she held no remorse for him, but felt a little sting at the realization that she would be treated like an outcast if she were to return home to District 10. As they trekked across the icy hills, the Anthem of Panem roared across the arena and the Fallen played.

**The Fallen (Day One):** Lavas Sharak (D1), Daphne Magnus (D2), Juniper Walker (D3), Allan Hacks (D3), Summer Thorne (D11), Bran Heavensbee (D9), Sabrina Adler (D12), Nicholas Cress (D11), Kai Malraux (D4), Zachary Boeing (D6), Rufus Martinez (D10), Tiberius Carrington (D1), Amelia Dogson (D12), and Sheen Cressna (D6).

Dolly audibly realized that the scream they heard must've been from Sheen. Faith shrugged and said he probably tried climbing a tree and failed. Faith and Cornelia offered to take first watch. The team made their encampment using tent supplies they got from the Cornucopia. The winds began to pick up. Faith and Cornelia retreated into their tents. Faith suggested that they abandon Cross near the end. Cornelia agreed but said that they should be careful because even together Cross's vengence will know no bounds. Faith recalled his rage back in the training center when he basically decapitated a training dummy. Cornelia poetically commented "Fern is the peace, Cross is the chaos; they keep each other in check." With that last comment, they went to sleep.

The next morning, Kush was running for his life. He continuously swore as he climbed a tree to the very top to escape Cross's team. Cornelia said that they should wait him out and conserve their energy. Cross thought differently and began to climb the tree. Kush prepared a snowball with a rock at its center and threw it at Cross. Cross grunted sharply as a large gash appeared on his forehead. Cross sneered as he called Kush a Jackass and climbed the tree even faster. Cross reached Kush as Kush tried to swipe at him with his knife but was no use when Cross stabbed upwards into the top of his neck. Blood ran down the tree as Kush's grip on the tree loosened and he fell into the snow. Cross came down triumphantly and pressed onwards. Cornelia turned towards Faith whom seemed to nod in agreement.

The Gamemakers called a feast at the Cornucopia and warned that each of them needed something desperately and consequences would follow if they took the items not belonging to their district.

Cross's team began walking towards the Cornucopia as they managed to count down their threats. Cross mentioned that the District 5 tribute Dian Lee was the only real threat because of his speed and dexterity. In the minds of Cornelia, Dolly, and Faith they all counted Cross as the biggest threat and walked with him cautiously.

They managed to get to the Cornucopia and spotted the basalt islands with banners of each of their districts. Dolly sarcastically asked Faith if she could swim in lava. They debated on how to get across. Cornelia suggested that they use the crates to build a bridge across to the islands. Cross shook his head and remarked that the crates wouldn't be able to hold them. Cross remarked that the planks leftover from the Cornucopia's bloodbath were spruce and could be strong enough to hold them if he made a makeshift bridge. As he went to get them, Cornelia whispered to Faith about leaving him tonight. She agreed. Dolly looked at the two wondering what they could be talking about. She snapped out of it when Cross made a bridge to an island. He looked down to the lava as he walked on the bridge. It wobbled slightly but it held together. He used this bridge to connect to the other islands so that his team could collect their items. From afar, Fern watched as they collected their goods and Cross sneezed. She seemed shy because she knew Cross caused the majority of deaths and wondered if he'd hesitate to kill her as well.

When they left, she carefully made her own bridge and went onto District 5's island. She touched the crate before immediately feeling a sharp irritation in her eye as blisters formed on her face and arms. She let go of the crate and went into the fetal position as she waited for the pain to subside. After regaining her vision, she left for the mainland. Later on, Pius and Twinkle made it to the Cornucopia and spotted Dian (D5). They mutually agreed to stay together for the sake of surviving an encounter against Cross.

Faith and Cornelia traveled across the mountain but noticed Dolly kept a closer eye on them. Cornelia told Faith that splitting up was now impossible. Dolly asked what they were talking about and Faith said they were talking about home. Dolly looked at them with her trained eyes before continuing onwards as The Fallen played.

**The Fallen (Day Two):** Meadow Shadow (D8) and Kush Lyfe (D5)

Soon after, a snowstorm happened and seperated Cross and Dolly from Faith and Cornelia. They sheltered themselves using their makeshift supplies. Cross looked at Dolly and felt as though the entire audience was screaming at him to kill Dolly. While his bloodlust was adamant, he stood strong against the calls and refused to kill Dolly. When the storm subsided, Faith awoke with Cornelia watching the Grooslings nearby. Faith said that mother nature intervened and helped us. Cornelia agreed and said that if they somehow run into Cross, he will think they're still allies and not immediately butcher them. They heard a low growling as the Grooslings hastefully ran away. They turned around and noticed timber wolves looking down upon them. Faith took note of the mange and rabies they carried. They quickly ran down the mountain after being chased for a while.

The duo stumbled upon a cabin near the river and decided to check it out. Inside were dry blood stains and an unmistakingly visible skeleton of a human lying in the corner next to fresh supplies. Faith horrifically asked if these tributes were cannibals. Cornelia said that no one could be more bloodthirsty than Cross.

At this time, Twinkle and his team walked back to the cabin with their supplies. They stopped dead in their tracks as they saw Cornelia through the window. They circled the house a couple of times before walking up the stairs with their weapons drawn. They noticed Cornelia equipped with a crossbow. Cornelia took notice and shot at them as she alerted Faith. Pius and Dian went in and fought them while Twinkle broke a window and sliced at Faith's shoulder. Twinkle ran where Cornelia was fighting Pius. Pius swung at Cornelia with his heavy axe and managed to partially decapitate her. He yanked the axe out of Cornelia's neck and caved in Faith's ribs as she was slammed to the floor already deceased from the impact.

Pius asked Twinkle where Dian ran off to. Twinkle remarked that he didn't know. Time seemed to stop as Cross wandered into the cabin and noticed Faith and Cornelia's bodies on the floor. Enraged, Cross charged at Twinkle and stabbed him in the neck. He saw Pius and had whatever strength Twinkle had and wrapped his arms around Cross and pulled him down tightly. Pius took this opportunity and stabbed Cross in the neck with his gladius. Cross appeared shocked as his vision began to blur. He ripped the sword out of his neck and weakly began to swing at Pius before collapsing to the floor dead. Dolly walked in and saw the bodies on the floor and a weakened Pius at the center. Angry, she grabbed her sword and tried to attack Pius in order to avenge his allies. Dolly's sword became lodged in Pius's shoulder. He screamed in agony before jamming his own gladius into her heart. She fell to the floor lifelessly. Pius gasped and ripped out the sword in his shoulder. He held it and breathed deeply before having a heavy axe being swung onto his head and cracking it open. He fell to the floor with Dian panting for a breath.

The Gamemakers announced that all tributes needed to make their way to the Cornucopia in 5 minutes for the final fight.

As Fern walked towards the Cornucopia, she heard the anthem of Panem and the Fallen.

**The Fallen (Day Three):** Cornelia Street (D8), Faith Waves (D4), Twinkle Farris (D9), Cross Jones (D7), Dolly Darton (D10), Pius Slayer (D2).

Dian made it to the Cornucopia and began to search around the Cornucopia. Dian didn't notice Fern standing behind him and tried to stab him in the back. They ended up disarming each other and Fern punched Dian in the mouth. She noticed a gladius nearby and Dian even closer. She grabbed the back of Dian's head and slammed his neck and back as hard as she could against the metallic cornucopia as she reached down to grab a gladius to finish Dian. Dian took notice and grabbed onto the gladius before Fern did. She quickly looked at Dian before he impaled her in the chest. She looked up at Dian's heavily bruised neck as reality set in: She had become Cross. She had become chaos.

She passed away moments later.

Back at the Control Room, Cyrus Magnus leaned in to the microphone and said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present the winner of the 38th Annual Hunger Games: Dian Lee of District 5."

With that being said, Lucius embraced his Vice Gamemaker Ravenna Thames as she congratulated him on a great Games. He exclaimed that the ratings are going to be through the roof. He caught Julius Moss leaving and asked him why he was leaving, also reminding him of the after party. Julius Moss turned to him and said that Gamemaking is not about sport--it's about empowering The Capitol. Lucius scoffed and remarked that he gave The Capitol a show they'd never forget. Julius admitted it was entertaining, but he told Lucius he lacked restraint and he was arrogant and often forgot the reason why The Games were implemented. Lucius said that he didn't need Julius. Julius left without another word.

Dian Lee was returned to The Capitol and the surgeons noticed a severe injury to his spine. He was forced to wear a neck brace for the rest of his life.

## Notable Flora/Fauna

The Wolf mutts were designed to withstand the cold winters and acted like a generic wolf, except for their ravenous hunger. Because of this hunger, they became desperate and attacked any tribute they could find--even if the tribute appeared bigger and stronger than it was.

The Groosling is a bird native to all over Panem's forested regions. Resembling turkeys, these wild birds often roam the wilderness in flocks and are largely omnivores. Their diet consisted of worms, bugs, and small vegetation.

## Tribute Analysis

Scores were given on a range of 1 to 12, with 12 being the best possible score. The odds were calculated as (How many Games)-(How many you'd win)

## Reception

The 38th Hunger Games was considered to an outstanding success with praise going to Lucius Cascadia's use of new weaponry to the Arena as well as enhanced optimization, and the fact that he managed to turn a traditionally unpopular central theme (Snow Arenas) into one of the highest rated Games in history. The Approval Percentage for these Hunger Games was 98.64%.