Gus Andrews, Victor of the 50th Hunger Games

Gus Andrews at the age of 25.

## Background

Gus Andrews was born into a moderately middle class family in District Eight, his father working as a floor manager at a textile plant. With his father's good position, consistent food allowed Gus to grow uniquely tall. Despite his dominating presence, he was always calm and well liked in groups. Even during the annual Reaping, Gus would try to keep a smile on his face, crack a joke, and make his friends feel comfortable. Still to this day, his friends would call him humble, fairly stoic, sympathetic, stubborn, loyal, and pleasant.

When Gus was twelve, District 8 welcomed back victor Gigi Couture: their first Victor since the 6th Annual Hunger Games. Gus became part of a unique generation of Eighter's that enjoyed the benefits of Parcel Day and media attention from the Capitol, especially prolonged as Gigi was a fashion icon. This generation attended exciting, awe inspiring displays of patriotism often forming more loyalist parallel sympathies for the Hunger Games. District 8 even saw various volunteer tributes emerge during this time. Gus, like many of his generation, rode this wave with high hopes for the approaching Quarter Quell. District 8's confidence was riding high.

A District-wide party was in full swing in the central square in anticipation for the announcement of the Quarter Quell's twist. Gigi Couture made her usual iconic appearance, taking photos and making a patriotic speech from the bandstand. Gus even got to take a cheeky photo with her, something that all the squealing high school boys dreamed of. Finally, President Trebonius Rouge's pale face appeared on the square's television screens. With the gleaming Avenue of the Tributes as his backdrop, he read, “On this 50th Anniversary, as a reminder to the rebels that status cannot overcome the power of the Capitol, an additional twelve victors will be reaped from Panem's existing pool of victors. These twelve victors will be reaped prior to the traditional reaping that will occur. Victors will be able to volunteer, and may volunteer regardless of district. Furthermore, any alliance formed in the Games can only hold two Victors.” The shock electrified the crowd. For the first time in her life, Gigi Couture didn't quite look completely in control of herself up on the stage. Every eye was on her. While the crowd eventually tried to shake off the uncertainty of losing their prized symbol, Gus Andrews was excited. However, when Reaping day came around, he wasn't prepared to accompany Gigi Couture and Sable Hatuski on the speeding train to the Capitol.

## The Games

Participating in the Hunger Games is already a terrifying social call for anyone. But this was a Quarter Quell. The Capitol had gone all out for the 50th, and trying to stand against the glittering pomp and twelve of Panem's most charming personalities proved nerve wracking for Gus. Fan clubs rioted in the streets, and lines for betting ran for blocks as the twelve icons arrived in the Capitol:

* Marcus Williams, Victor of the 31st from Four
* Thelona Magnus, Victor of the 23rd from Two
* Cross Jones, Victor of the 41st from Seven
* Aurelia Perlman, Victor of the 35th from Two
* Grayson Adler, Victor of the 33rd from Twelve
* Kelani Malraux, Victor of the 36th from Four
* Aeron Pentier, Victor of the 26th from Four
* Flicka Joules, Victor of the 29th from Three
* Marvel Albright, Victor of the 34th from One
* Ajax Magnus, Victor of the 14th from Two
* Gigi Couture, Victor of the 43rd from Eight
* Eclipsa Maraj, Victor of the 24th from One

With their combative expertise, prior experience, and cult followings, they were all favorites to become the "Victor of Victors." The remaining 24 normal tributes barely received enough screen time to even be pitied. Their youth could be their only real advantage now. During the Pre-Games Events, Gus wasn't heavily noticed. He wasn't as glamourous, stunning, or even as charismatic as the television crews hoped for. Mentors, however, worked overtime to get their tributes into advantageous alliances. At the very least, as glorified support teams. Gus' mentor, Brock Oldan (Victor of the 2nd Annual Hunger Games), managed to get the "military man" Ajax Magnus to recruit Gus as "muscle." In the meantime, Gus created a friendly truce with Sable Hatuski, his female counterpart from Eight. Something which Ajax Magnus yelled at Gus for.

Finally, when the podiums rose into the 50th Arena, a stunning scenery dubbed the "Ancient Valley" surrounded the 36 tributes. In Gus' circle of trust was Seraphine Ren (District One), victor Flicka Maraj (District Three), victor Ajax Magnus (District Two), Romulus Vulso (District Two), victor Eclipsa Maraj (District One), and Sable Hatuski (District Eight). This was a unique game of politics and relationships. However, the bloodbath ran as usual. Although a majority of his alliance escaped with weapons, Sable Hatuski (District Eight) and Seraphine Ren (District One) were slaughtered by Clermont Cruise (District Six) and victor Thelona Magnus (District Two) respectively. The initial theatrics by the victors were sensational, with commentators comparing the 24 regular tributes as "sacrifices" to the 12 minotaur victors. From then on, these twelve became known as the "minotaur victors," something that directly correlated with the minotaur mutts from the last Quarter Quell.

As the Games progressed, the gamemakers had gone all out reviving long extinct lifeforms for their dangerous Dinocreep mutts, ensuring constant bloodshed. The scene was initially exciting, but many later criticized the mutts as "overkill" that simply didn't keep up with their expectations. Eventually, the pacing and overall structures of these Games throughout the center were considered "repetitive." Gus' first kill occured the second day of the Games when he bludgeoned Wiro Watts (District Three) to death. He was filled with a confusing mix of guilt and elation, but a pat on the shoulder from Ajax Magnus kept his excitement up. That same day, Romulus Vulso killed Maple Mayleaf (District Seven) and Ajax Magnus killed Solano Ramshorn (District Five). A fight on the morning of the third day, however, changed the public's outlook on Gus.

Ambushed, Gus Andrews violently slew victors Gigi Couture and Grayson Adler. Even the victors in Gus' team were a bit taken aback. While many in Eight were upset at Sable Hatuski's premature death, almost everyone was outraged at the death of Gigi Couture by the hands of someone from Eight themselves. These controversial, high prestige kills made Gus a real contender. "The Victor slayer," "Poor Man's Muscle" . . His immense stature, serenely stoic attitude, and powerful blows were quickly forming his own celebrity. Initially using a Mace to kill Wiro, the kukri proved a natural extension of his deadliness.

While his allies Romulus, Ajax, Eclipsa, and Flicka performed well, Gus was dangerously gaining favor. But, his strength ended up preserving him. The victors by his side still needed strong allies. By the fourth day, all tributes without alliances were dead. As the games further progressed, Flicka killed Aquario Banner (District Four) and victor Aurelia Perlman, Ajax Magnus killed Christopher Kirntson (District Nine), and Romulus Vulso killed Rippa Dalt (District Ten).

Finally, flaming lights streaked across the sky the evening of the seventh day. With rain and ashes sprinkling over the arena, the alliances splintered apart. They quickly descended into a grand finale. While Rufus Pooja (District Ten) was being mutilated by Romulus Vulso (District Two), victor Flicka Maraj moved towards victor Aeron Pentier. Victor Kelani Malraux jumped in front of Aeron having followed him into the arena after having given birth to their fifth child. Attempting to sacrifice herself for Aeron, Gus slashed his kukri into Kelani's neck. Flicka elbowed Gus' mouth and slammed her axe into Aeron's skull, District Four's beloved couple dying seconds apart.

Victor Eclipsa Maraj slammed her mace into the face of Valyra Caedem (District Two) killing her instantly before bolting from a crazed look in Ajax Magnus' face. Distracted, Ajax was slashed in the gut by the swift movement of victor Marvel Albright’s kukri. They proceeded to ravenously claw at each other, but Ajax didn't last much longer. Meanwhile, Gus body slammed the approaching Leah Otel (District Nine). Flying back, her neck cracked as her head hit the side of a large boulder. She barely hit the floor when her cannon sounded. Eclipsa Maraj (District One) then fell to her death whilst running and took fatal impact as her cannon sounded, while Marvel Albright (District One) slashed his kukri at Flicka Maraj ripping her neck open; the contents of her neck sprayed everywhere. The many cannons fired almost musically.

Marvel was soon overpowered by a crazed Romulus who stabbed Marvel to death. In the chaos, Romulus hadn't realized how many people were left. As he repeatedly stabbed the already dead Marvel, Gus body slammed Romulus to the ground. There wasn't much of a fight, however, as Gus quickly stabbed the back of his head with his kukri. When Romulus’ cannon sounded, viewers were stunned. The fanfare of the Pre-Games, the Games to crown the "Victor of Victors" ended with Gus Andrews of District Eight. No doubt, it was exciting. The final fight had been exhilarating, albeit there were later complaints that it was "too fast." Even further, the fan clubs didn't get the glamourous victor they were expecting. This quiet giant emerged from the shadows to slay three former victors and the expectations of the nation. The horns of victory blared, and Gus Andrews was ushered into the life of a victor.

## Life as a Victor

"Business is business; death is death" became Gus Andrews' famous catch phrase from his first interview back in the Capitol. Gus, although showing no real signs of mental instability or permanent physical injury, grew more quiet than normal. While he received the usual welcoming praises when he returned to Eight, he received plenty of backlash for killing Gigi Couture, their prized darling. Although many in the Capitol mourned the death of twelve Victors in a single Games, they admired Gus calling him, “The Dark Horse of Eight”, “The Victor of Victors”, “The Victor Slayer”, and “The David of Eight.” He was seen as the quintessential underdog, a boy from the factories of Eight that defeated the expectations of even the most seasoned Hunger Games betters. Despite this reputation, Gus was not well received amongst citizens of District 4 and the outer districts. He killed their most prized citizens, and he was a Capitol sell out.

Despite the constant action of the 50th, many criticized the Games from its pacing to the sheer loss of well beloved personalities. Consequently, Polaris Charm was found dead in his apartment and replaced by Jan Couture, the sister of Gigi Couture. She was the first and final appointment direct from the districts. She’d die later as well, likely because of the regime change, and be replaced by former minister Octavia Noir. Although Brock Oldan was devastated to lose Gigi Couture, also his mentee, business was business. At least the new victor was from District Eight. Settling into his new life of controversial celebrity, Gus eventually met Spindle Larcom, a middle-class woman with beautiful physical features, a kind countenance, and an outspoken Loyalist allegiance. Gus was able to gather his celebrity influence and newfound wealth to carve for the pair of them an idealic life in the District Eight’s Victors Village. Settling into his roll in District 8's public life, Gus had twelve photogenic children with Spindle. Well beloved by the Capitol, the family regularly appears on heartwarming family television programming. Their show isn't always considered as "charming" in the outer districts.

As the years passed and District 8 saw how sincere a father Gus was, he became easier and easier to forgive. "Business is business." However, as the political atmosphere becomes more intense, his smiling family and outspoken loyalty to the Capitol isn't considered "helpful." Gus and the aging Brock Oldan would continue to mentor the District Eight tributes, but none of the tributes from Eight even came close. Years of losing talented, bright eyed kids to the Hunger Games made the pair hopeless of any District 8 Victory. That was, until the 59th Annual Hunger Games. Gabe Windsor had potential, but the pair of mentors had lost strong tributes before. Careful to not get too connected to Gabe, they trained him best they could and sent him off. To their immense joy, he came back. The 74 year old Brock Oldan was finally retired as a mentor, but collaborated with Gus and Gabe in the Victors' Village's growing community.

Another victor joined the group after the 63rd Annual Hunger Games: Smith Marquez. Gus Andrews was able to retire much quicker than old Brock Oldan, and has been living a relatively peaceful life with his wife and children. His television show continues to be popular in the Capitol and most districts. With Gabe Windsor and Smith Marquez the young, energetic mentors of Eight, Gus and Brock spend their days talking over the loss of their many tributes. Children and grandchildren jumping over shrubs, chasing each other around the Victors' Village, the old victors spend their evenings smoking pipes and remembering characters such as Sable Hatuski, Gigi Couture, Gavin Star, Denim Cottone, and too many more. Gus has been blessed with peace, but he can't help but grow anxious as the next Quarter Quell quickly approaches. Panem was turned upside down last time, and his fragile peace could just as easily be shattered. The public will want to see District Eight's talented victor on the stage again, and with the political atmosphere growing more and more hostile, what part will he be forced to play?