40th Hunger Games

## Arena

The 40th Hunger Games was set in an Amusement Park with all sorts of themes, rides, and forms of entertainment throughout the vacinity. The Cornucopia sat in a depression against two sandbars on an artificial beach.

## Synopsis

When rising into the arena, the tributes were greeted with an eerie jingle permeating throughout the park. The scent of cotton candy, metal, and chlorine. The initial thought of the tributes was that this was some sort of beach; however they soon noticed the roller coasters and the Ferris wheel that towered over the park.

Jasper Twinkle (D1) looked around and felt rather comfortable as did the other Careers. The world around them smelt and felt like home. Skid Coleman (D6) saw the coasters and had a realization that they came from his district. He felt eager to study them and gain an edge.

When the countdown ended, the vast majority ran towards the Cornucopia. Laela Summerson (D4) ran quicker than most and saw a few of the tributes slip on the slightly damp sand. When she got to the Cornucopia, she was unaware of her attacker, Cedric Heavenfall (D7), as he swung his flanged mace at her head. The impact killed her instantly and Cedric gained first blood.

Aurum Albright (D1) fell to the ground lifeless as Cross Jones (D7) pulled out his gladius from Aurum's chest. Most of the alliances scattered and it was down to Cross's team to hunt the tributes.

Cedric was in hot pursuit of Poly Ester (D8). He managed to corner her. Poly tried to attack him, but was bashed in the head by Cedric's flanged mace. Cedric sighed and turned back to the Cornucopia as Cross's team claimed it.

Lentil Fortis (D11) had a panic attack after hearing the cannons and escaping the bloodbath. He grabbed his knife and stabbed himself in the chest repeatedly. Jenny Alloy (D12) watched Cross's team from afar, but silently ran away from the group.

Jasper looked around the miniature pink castle for his team. He saw from afar what looked like his team, but turns out it was Bromnk Byte (D3) and their team. They chased after Jasper but lost him due to Jasper's speed.

Rain Olsen (D4) hid behind a tree with her back turned against the park. She breathed deeply until she heard a small humming. She looked up and noticed a glass-like object in front of her. She worked up a bit of saliva and spat it at the object. It sizzled and instantly evaporated upon contact. She had made it to the edge of the arena.

Meanwhile, Cross's team had engaged in combat with Rufus's team. Rufus fought hard with his own blade but realized that he was no match for Cross's team. He turned and ran. He didn't notice a jagged part of the pavement and fell with his leg knocking against a metal pole. Rufus tried to get up but realized his leg was broken. He looked up as Cross's blade met with his neck. Rufus died shortly after. Skid swung his own sword at Cross, focusing all his strength into it. Cross reached up and grabbed his arm. Skid's eyes grew wide as Cross began to squeeze his arm. Skid moaned in pain as his blade fell. In one swift motion, Cross impaled Skid with his blade and quickly withdrew. Blood sprayed from his chest as Skid uttered some gibberish before finally dying.

Faith smirked and asked if he's worked their whole lives. Cross said he was just built differently. Alyssa Pastel (D8) said that he seemed rather cheerful to be in an arena where everyone was to kill each other. Cross said he was optimistic and will return home to his family. They heard a distinct chime. A silver parachute rained down upon them. Faith said that The Capitol sure loves sentimentalism.

Jasper eventually found the District 2 tribute Nina. They went hunting for the District 3 tributes to get revenge for chasing Jasper but had barely any luck. Nina suggested that they hide in the trees until a few more cannons went off. Jasper agreed and said that he will keep an eye out in case Rain shows up.

Bromnk and their team returned to the Cornucopia and dug at the pedestals. They retrieved a series of proximity bombs and made them into a series of traps. They hid one in the middle of the park.

While Cross's team walked throughout the park. She heard a whizzing noise nearby. She quieted everyone. Cross said that he heard it as well. They swung around their weapons at the area randomly until finally Alyssa smashed the stealth drone as it fell to the ground. Faith asked if they were ever going to get privacy. Dolly Darton (D10) said probably not from The Capitol.

Bromnk Byte, Alexa Mac (D3), Nicola (D5), and Harleen were looting a crate left for them by The Capitol. Nicola asked what the plan was since the Careers and seemingly strong Outliers were hunting them. Alexa said that the plan was to fight smarter, but harder; and the only way to do that was to use the mines The Capitol left them. Just then Cross's team found them. They began to ran but Harleen was caught by Alyssa early on, slicing Harleen's throat with her blade.

Nina heard the cannon go off and sighed. She sarcastically remarked that the Careers are supposed to be courageous and victorious. Jasper reminded her that the day was not over and there were plenty of tributes. Nina commented that if the Outliers are hunting, they will eventually become weaker while they had materials to sustain themselves.

When night fell, Cross's team set up camp and watched the neon signs start to illuminate the area. Dolly sighed and grumbled that they would have to get used to bright colors in their faces as they slept. The Anthem of Panem boomed in the distance as the Fallen began.

**The Fallen (Day One):** Laela Summerson (D4), Aurum Albright (D1), Poly Ester (D8), Lentil Fortis (D11), Rufus Martinez (D10), Skid Coleman (D6), and Harleen Greeves (D12).

Jenny pursed her lips and bowed her head as Harleen's face appeared in the sky. Bromnk said she should get some rest. She nodded as Bromnk took first watch.

When morning came, the Careers walked onto the monorails and looked for some water. Jasper said that he's surprised that no deaths occurred in the night. Nina said that everyone was probably blinded by the neon signs. They moved into the snowy roller coaster area but froze as they saw Cross's team walking about 60 feet from them. They walked down the street before an explosion was heard where they just walked to. The Careers decided to retreat back to the monorail.

Cross cursed up and down the dictionary. Alyssa questioned how a bomb made it into the arena. Faith shrugged and said that [District] 3 probably found a way to incorporate them to their own uses. Cross furiously said that he was going to kill them.

Jasper and Nina heard groaning behind them. A crazed man had appeared and was stumbling with each step to reach them. Nina climbed onto a roof and reached down for Jasper and pulled him up just in time. The crazed man hissed at them with an otherworldy screech.

Bromnk's team had the same issue as crazed men chased them through an alleyway. One of the crazed men latched onto Nicola's shirt. Nicola threw him off and punched the crazed man in the mouth. It scratched at Nicola as it fell to the ground. Bromnk said that they needed to go. Nicola saw the small army nearing their position and ran away with the rest of the team.

Rain Olsen was chased out of her hiding spot and began hitting the crazed man with her weapon until it scratched her stomach. She noticed the small traces of blood and ran away from the crazed man.

The rest of the day was uneventful, except for the explosion near the middle of the park where Germina Barley (D9) blew up due to a proximity mine.

It began to rain and thunder as lightning struck around Rain's location--starting a small fire. She went from tree to tree determined to outlast the barrage of lightning and fire. Eventually the rain stopped and the fire raged on.

As night fell on an uneventful day, Nicola asked Bromnk what he misses most from home. Bromnk shrugged and said that they missed their family. Alexa said that District 3 was caked with factories and the sky rarely was blue.

The Anthem played as The Fallen began.

**The Fallen (Day Two):** Germina Bales (D9).

Nicola announced the end is coming. Alexa asked how he figured so. Nicola said that both sides have been preparing and that the end is near. With those haunting words, the team tried their best to sleep.

Jasper and Nina had dug holes and hid in there. Jasper turned to Nina and announced that they were the "hole careers". Nina smirked at his attempt to make her laugh.

The morning sun was nice. It was warm, gleaming with hope and promise. Until, of course, the pitter patter of tributes running ruined the vibe. Bromnk's team was being chased by the Outliers who were hell-bent on killing them. Jenny Alloy tripped on her own feet. As Cross neared closer she put her hands up and said for him to wait. Not wanting to give her an advantage, Cross stabbed his gladius into her throat and kept up the chase.

Lucius Cascadia watched on the monitors as the chase unfolded. He watched as the stealth camera followed them. Lucius yelled from his office that Viceroy had better not lose another drone. Viceroy squinted in annoyance and Ravenna Thames patted his back. They were all slaves to his will, but at least they had each other. Ravenna made sure Viceroy zoomed in on Cross killing Alexa. Alyssa knocked Nicola to the ground. Nicola frowned and looked at her with empathy saying that why must they all die in this arena and why not push onwards together for a better future. Alyssa thought for a second before she saw Nicola reaching for his knife. Alyssa got angry and slammed her mace onto Nicola's skull and kept slamming it and screamed until half of his face was caved in. Faith looked at Alyssa with a surprising face. They continued hunting Bromnk and bypassed the pirate ship. Little did they know, Bromnk was hiding on the side of the pirate ship. They looked at their bag of explosives and had a dastardly idea.

Jasper asked where Rain would be at. Nina said she'd be probably in a place they weren't. Just then a cannon sounded. Nina's face turned pale. Jasper calmed her down saying she didn't know if that was Rain's cannon. But he secretly knew it was.

Cross's team was fighting Lars Watts (D5). Lars managed to slice Faith's cheek and impale his other knife into Dolly Darton's neck. She collapsed. Faith believed that the day would end with a victor and made the judgement call to slam her sickle into Lex's neck--decapitating him. Cedric slammed his mace into his team mate Lars' face and ran away. The Outliers raced after him. Cross yelled "truce" to Cedric. He slowed down and looked at Cross in the eyes asking if he's serious. Cross asked if his best friend would lie to him like that. Choosing to believe him, Cedric teamed with the Outliers.

Faith said she had no regrets seeing that the end was near. Cross got in her face and said that Lex could've led them to Bromnk. Alyssa stepped in between them and said that they need to stick together and possibly go for the feast.

Jasper noticed Bromnk off the corner of their eye. Jasper raised his sword, but Bromnk approached them. Bromnk raised their hands up and asked to be in the Career alliance. Nina said that Cross was hunting Bromnk and what good would Bromnk be to them. Bromnk took off the backpack they had on and showed the Careers some explosives. Nina realized that Bromnk was the one that probably made that explosion yesterday. They agreed to team and said that they should go to the Cornucopia and that the likelihood anyone would be there was slim. They heard a cannon in the distance as Julia Bales had eaten a nightlock and collapsed to the ground, dead.

Cross's team, however, was at the Cornucopia preparing to go after the feast with his team. Cedric lit a nearby bridge on fire to prevent any advantages from the other teams in crossing the artificial beach.

The Outliers reached the Ferris Wheel and was confused where the feast was. Cross looked up and spotted them on the passenger pods. They climbed the Ferris Wheel and claimed their prize.

In the Control Room, Lucius gathered outside of his office and watched as the Careers move closer and closer to the Cornucopia. Lucius ordered all stealth drones to surround the Cornucopia as the endgame approached.

The Careers reached the Cornucopia and saw the Outliers. The final battle had begun.

The Careers tried climbing onto the horn but were attacked almost immediately. Jasper fought with Alyssa to try to save Daena (D2)'s life but was sadly struck down by Alyssa's mace. Daena's torso was sliced into by Cross's gladius as she fell to the ground. Cedric caved in Nina's chest with his mace.

Alyssa saw Bromnk and began to charge at them. Bromnk was fiddling around with a proximity bomb trying to arm it. She came closer and closer before the bomb finally announced it was armed. Alyssa ran over it and the bomb exploded right below her--sending her body in chunks throughout the vicinity.

Cedric ran after Bromnk as he dropped everything he had to try to gain distance. It was no contest. Cross grabbed a hold of Bromnk's shirt from behind and yanked them to the ground. Cross said that Bromnk almost blew him up and taunted Bromnk by saying that no one gets away with something like that. Cross looked into Bromnk's eyes as his gladius pierced Bromnk's stomach.

When Bromnk's cannon sounded, Cross went over to Faith and Cedric. Faith asked if it was just them three. Cross corrected her by saying just those two. Faith looked at him puzzled and her eyes widened. She tried to make a run for it but was stabbed in the back by Cross. She fell to the floor, still twitching but dying rapidly.

When her cannon sounded, Cross sighed in relief but then a realization happened. He turned to his partner and best friend who shared the same sorrowful expression. Cedric noticed Cross gripped his blade and said that Cross didn't need to do this. Cross said that he's been in this arena for three days and killed 8 people. Cross apologized and said that he will be damned if he wasn't going home.

Cedric said that he didn't want to fight him. Cross said he wouldn't want to fight himself neither. They stood there silent until Cross said "Happy Hunger Games".

Cedric gulped and said "May the Odds be Ever in Your Favor".

The two engaged in a fierce, but emotional, duel. They ran around and parried with one another. Cedric noticed the loose sand and threw some in Cross's face. Cross groaned and wiped the sand from his eyes before turning to Cedric. Cedric took this opportunity and whacked his mace hard against Cross's now shattered kneecap.

Cross collapsed and held his leg. He saw Cedric and his shadow looming over his body. Cedric's eyes welled with tears as he said that Cross was his brother and that he loved him. Cross said that he knows. Cross took off his necklace that he had taken into the Arena as a token and gave it to Cedric. Cross made Cedric promise to be there for his family. Cedric swore to do so. Cross closed his eyes as Cedric slammed his mace against his head then again into his chest.

Cedric Heavenfall was declared the Victor of the 40th Hunger Games. Cedric dropped to his knees as he heard the Hovercraft coming and cried.

## Notable Flora/Fauna

The Crazed Men were a humanoid muttation that were controlled by a parasite created by The Capitol. This parasite hacked into the central nervous system and controlled their movement and voice. These mutts were modified to resemble the faces of The Fallen tributes. Their most notable features included a ravenous hunger, decaying skin, and slow speed.

## 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)

Aurum Albright (1)Jasper Twinkle (1)Nina Decian (2)Alexa Mac (3)Rain Olsen (4)Laela Summerson (4)Lars Watts (5)Nicola Grande (5)Lex Fuega (6)Skid Coleman (6)Cedric Heavenfall (7)Alyssa Pastel (8)Polly Ester (8)Julia Bales (9)Dolly Darton (10)Jenny Alloy (12)
## Reception

The 40th Hunger Games was considered to be a good games. The Approval Percentage for these Hunger Games was 86.25%.