39th Hunger Games

## Arena

The 39th Hunger Games were set in a vast wetland biome with a large lake at its center. Near the outskirts of the arena were power line poles. The cornucopia this year saw the absence of the traditional golden horn and instead was placed on floating platforms. Near the edge of the lake was a power generator with a full battery of power.

## Synopsis

Upon entering the Arena, the tributes were concerned. Most looked all over their platform and saw only water for about 2 kilometers where the faintest hint of land was discovered.

As the countdown inched closer and closer to 0, it began to rain. Some eyes were on Caius Vulso (D2) as he was this monstrous boy of 18 years old with bulging biceps. Most tributes were intimidated, but the tributes from 1 and 2 looked confident.

When the countdown ended, the race was on to the Cornucopia. Mostly everyone went to try to claim supplies that would help them win. A few moments later, Caius would claim first blood by cutting open Dean Lamyeon's (D5) throat with his gladius. Nearby Dolly Darton (D10) impaled Annalisa Delanny (D12) with a trident. As she fell to the floor, he saw Caius running towards him. Dolly was petrified with fear as this mountain wandered closer and closer to her. With one swift movement, Caius slashed at Dolly's abdomen which caused her to bleed out rather quickly. As the careers watched Caius's carnage, Ayesha Nasty (D1) noticed Andy Cutler (D11) drown. The bloodbath saw the deaths of 7 tributes, all but one from the hands of Caius.

In the Control Room, Ravenna Thames (Vice Gamemaker) watched the end of Caius's carnage and the Careers taking the Cornucopia. Ravenna was impressed by his physique and asked a Gamemaker nearby to pull up his files. As the Gamemaker was reading off that Caius's family were stonemasons, Lucius Cascadia walked over and announced that Vallerianella Spud's (D11) death at the hands of Amelia Dawson (D12). Ravenna remarked that the Games are going along very well. Lucius smiled with pride and remarked that he designed a good arena. Ravenna partially turned their head to him and corrected him by saying "we". Lucius rose his eyebrows and said pridefully that it was he that came up with the idea to use wetlands. Ravenna turned fully to him and said that it was Cyrus and his group that made the layout and Botanica's group who added the grass and other features. Lucius glared at her, defeated. Then retreated back to his office. Several Gamemakers including Medius, Oracle, and Judiciary kept their eyes trained on Ravenna with shock. When Ravenna turned their head, the trio went back to their posts. Ravenna crossed their arms and watched the screen intently.

The Outlier Alliance reached the edge of the Arena. Maize Baggs (D9) asked how far they should go. Her partner, Azure Elphare (D9), said that he didn't care as long as they are very away from the Careers. Zapp Watson (D5) said for them to stop because he could see the forcefield ahead. They heard some chopping nearby. They turned towards the power line poles to see Forrest Sanders (D7) hacking away at the base of a pole. The pole groaned and collapsed onto the ground with a thud. Azure frantically asked what he was doing. Zapp said that it was alright because the sound of rain would disguise the sound as thunder. The team went closer to the fallen pole and Zapp remarked that he was lucky there was no power connected to the lines or else it would've electrocuted them all. Forrest remarked that they needed resources if they wanted to stand a chance against the Careers. Azure muttered "or even Caius" under his breath. They began constructing some miniaturized boats and tools.

On the other side of the arena, Fender Michaels (D6) was all alone. He rested his hands on his knees as his panting slowed down. He looked back towards the Cornucopia to spot no one coming for him. He took this opportunity to hear a distinct humming of the forcefield. He took notice of the potential of an already collapsed power line and began to chop away at it.

Northwest of the Cornucopia, Bromnk Bytes (D3) had made a small shelter in a depressed portion of a wetlands. He and his two allies Alexa Mac (D3) and Amelia, hunkered down to wait out the storm.

The Careers stood on the Cornucopia while Aurum Albright (D1) looked outwards towards the northern part of the lake. When the storm stopped, Cadmus Scaramanga (D2) nudged his district partner on the bicep and said that he made quite the impression. Caius stood up and said that it was our job to bring honor to District 2. The Careers turned to him and gathered on the central island. Caius said that when the sun rises, they were going away from the Cornucopia and hunt down Forrest's alliance as they stood the best chance. Laela Summerson (D4) asked what of Bromnk's group. Ayesha snorted and laughed saying that the little pip-squeak won't even get eighth place. Before Laela could argue, Caius stopped the conversation by saying a firm "enough". Both sides backed down. It was dead silent until the anthem boomed over the arena and The Fallen began.

**The Fallen (Day One):** Dean Lamyeon (D5), Annalisa Delanny (D12), Dolly Darton (D10), Andy Cutler (D11), Alyssa Pastel (D8), Josh Weaver (D8), Nile Fletcher (D4), Vallerianella Spud (D11).

Ayesha reaffirmed that they would go out and hunt down Forrest's group. Caius confirmed and said that eventually they would come to the Cornucopia and raid them. Aurum questioned if he wanted to trap them. Caius nodded firmly stating that they are weak while we were strong. With the plan in mind, they fell asleep.

As the sun rose, the outliers began eating what they got from the Cornucopia. Maize pulled a watered down, moldy piece of bread from her backpack and rolled her eyes in disgust before discarding it. A cannon sounded. Rufus Martinez (D10) smirked and sarcastically asked if that was Caius's cannon. Zapp shook his head with a smile and looked over at Maize. His smile faded as he froze at the sight beyond her. Soon the others took notice, except for Maize. When Maize asked what was wrong, Azure told her to walk towards them slowly. Maize got up slowly and walked towards her team. She turned her head to see a purple heron breathing deeply two meters from them. It called out to her aggressively before it began to fly towards them. The entire team ran at that point to evade the bird. After 10 minutes of running, Maize slipped in the mud and fell onto the floor. She quickly scurried onto her feet, but that gave the heron enough time to reach her. Azure turned around and shouted her name. He tried to run to her, but Zapp held him back saying that there was no hope. They watched as the bird dug its claws into Maize's shoulders and peck at her throat. Her scream echoed throughout the arena before the beak pierced her throat. Her head fell lifelessly with her body being jerked around by the heron that was trying to free its beak. A cannon sounded. Forrest sorrowfully announced that they had to go. Azure nodded and turned back to see his partner being pecked on and eaten by the purple heron.

A second storm brought down torrential rain. Bromnk's structure gave way from the added rain and began to flood their hideout. Amelia noticed a pufferfish swim into their enclosure. As she went to pick it up, Alexa said to leave it. She paused as the pufferfish began to swell up with water. They scurried out of the hideout and began running.

The Careers spotted Bromnk's team and closed in on them. Caius ran ahead of them and threw his gladius into Amelia's back. She fell to the ground as the cannon boomed. Caius ignored to pick up his gladius and grabbed onto Alexa. They watched Bromnk run off, much to Ayesha's displeasure. Aurum smirked and said that maybe he'll make it to 8th after all. She coldly turned to him as his sarcastic face faded. Caius interrogated Alexa on what Bromnk had and if she's seen Forrest's group. She didn't tell him and simply smiled. Caius quickly snapped her neck and left her to die. Another cannon sounded as he reclaimed his gladius. They heard something dropping behind them. Cadmus turned around and saw Laela laying on the ground unconcious. Ayesha asked what was wrong with her. Aurum kneeled down and checked her pulse and breathing. He said she was OK just passed out. He offered to carry her. He picked her up with ease and carried her onwards.

As Bromnk gained more and more distance away from the Careers, he noticed Aaron Chrome (D6) in the distance. Bromnk muttered under his breath that this wasnt personal. Bromnk threw his knife as it hit Aaron's back. Bromnk cursed under his breath that he was aiming for the neck. Aaron collapsed onto the mud and began to rise up before Bromnk forced his head into the mud. Aaron scrambled all parts of his body as Bromnk firmly held Aaron's head in the mud. Within a few seconds, his body stopped moving and a cannon sounded. The rain ceased. Bromnk debated committing cannibalism but noticed that Aaron had some food. He began to make another shelter under the mud.

The Outlier Alliance made it to the Cornucopia. Azure sat on the edge of the floating platform as Rufus sat next to him. Rufus apologized for his loss. Azure looked up, shaking his head with his eyes full of tears saying that he could've saved her. Rufus shook his head and said that the Gamemakers purposefully enhance these creatures to be killing machines. He said that if Azure went back for her, then the bird would go after him next. He nodded in agreement. Forrest said that Azure was right and that she may be gone from the world, but her memory lives on. Azure said he guessed he was right.

Forrest heard water sloshing about. He grabbed his sword and noticed Fender Michaels coming towards them on his boat. Forrest and Rufus readied their weapons. Fender raised his hands up and said that he comes as a friend. Azure joined them and asked why Fender came to them. Fender said that Aaron was dead and he needed help. Rufus initially declined the offer, saying that he'll betray them the second the situation doesn't suit him. Forrester reminded him that they were the best chance against the Careers--and that even saying that was an understatement. Realization hit Rufus: They needed more people. They accepted and together they sailed north.

The Careers reached the southern bank of the lake and began to set up camp. Aurum began to talk about the next day, but was interrupted by The Fallen.

**The Fallen (Day Two):** Cross Jones (D7), Maize Baggs (D9), Amelia Dawson (D12), Alexa Mac (D3), Aaron Chrome (D6)

Aurum asked how much food everyone had. They had enough to last them three more days. Cadmus offered first watch as the rest went to sleep.

Before the sun rose, Rufus Martinez was on watch duty as the others slept. He noticed some fog in the distance coming closer. He gingerly reached out to touch the moistness of the fog. Instead of calming pleasure, he gasped and groaned as blisters erupted onto his hand. He screamed at the team to run that the fog was poisonous. They scrambled and ran south. The fog licked Rufus's back and covered them with blisters as they ran. After about a half an hour of running, the fog seemed to stop.

Rufus groaned as he held his hand and why was it just them getting attacked. Forrest said that the Careers knew how to play the Game while we didn't.

In the Control Room, Lucius was smiling as he observed the two teams getting closer and closer together. Ravenna strutted towards him and asked why he was only attacking the Outliers. Lucius ignored Ravenna. Ravenna said that they needed to be fair. Lucius said sarcastically that "being fair" wasn't in his job description and the Careers were terribly entertaining. Ravenna said that it was expected of him to be fair because that's what other Gamemakers such as Julius Moss, Rhea Monarch, and Orcus Richings have done. This struck a chord in Lucius as he turned his full attention towards Ravenna. He said that when he promoted her from nothing that he wasn't aware they'd be so different. Ravenna said that they weren't a "yes man". Ravenna kept coming at him as Lucius leaned on the central console. They mentioned that his only focus was on his "dollhouse" and that nothing else mattered. Lucius proclaimed himself a God in this room. He turned to them and spoke without remorse that he will fire them and send Ravenna's once famine-stricken family back into the dark ages if she kept tantalizing him. Ravenna called him a monster. Lucius said that he's climbed mountains to get to this position and nobody would stop him now. As Ravenna turned away, he zoomed in on Laela Summerson waking up.

Cadmus asked Laela if she was OK. She replied that she didn't know what was going on. Ayesha said that she passed out due to heat exhaustion. With the Careers now operating at 100%, they continued to hunt.

As the Outlier team was trekking the terrain, Azure asked Forrest how he remained so resolved. Forrest says that he owes that much to his team and that he's trying his hardest to get back home. Azure smirked and asked what he'll do when he wins. Forrest says that he will return to 7 and take care of his sister and give her the best life possible. Azure asked about his parents. Forrest said that his mother died giving birth to him and his father blamed him so much for the death of his mother that he abandoned them. Azure frowned as Forrest said that he's lived on the streets for most of his life--often in and out of homes.

They watched the sky. As no faces appeared in the sky.

**The Fallen (Day Three):** None

Caius heard Aurum and Cadmus chatter to Laela and offer her food. Ayesha rolled her eyes as they babied her. Caius had enough and approached her. He grabbed her by the throat and Cadmus and Aurum rose to her defense before silently sitting down. Caius snapped her neck and dropped her frail body onto the ground. A cannon sounded. Caius said that they were wasting time and resources on a frail girl who couldn't even survive in a biome that resembled District 4. Aurum glanced back at Ayesha, trying desperately to ignore Laela's corpse.

Lucius watched the center console with the teams distancing themselves from each other. Lucius looked to the right monitors to see Ayesha Nasty and Rufus Martinez's bios and saw they both had acquired swamp fever. Lucius suggested a feast and that they should put medicine in there for them and to put materials to create a bomb in District 3's bag.

Pleased, he announced to the tributes that a feast would occur on the southern bank of the lake.

Within a few moments, the Careers and Outliers found each other. Initially, the Outliers stood a chance but that was before Aurum grabbed Zapp's head and smashed it against the structure in the center of the feast. His body dropped to the ground with a large dent in Zapp's temple. Outliers grabbed some materials and ran.

Curiously Ayesha saw a man-made structure nearby. Cadmus was oblivious to what it was. Ayesha said that it looked like a generator of sorts. She also remarked that it could possibly electrocute the entire lake. Cadmus smirked and asked if she was from District 5 instead. Ayesha shrugged and said that she prefers the lifestyle of District 1.

When the Careers returned to the Cornucopia, another storm appeared overhead; but this one was much worse. It erupted into a series of lightning strikes around all the tributes. The Careers hurdled together as the lightning continued. It suddenly stopped and they noticed Bromnk rowing towards them. Caius grabbed his gladius and was about to go after him when he raised his bag full of materials. Bromnk said that the Careers weren't working out correctly and the Games could go on for even longer. Aurum asked what he wanted. Bromnk proposed this: he joins the Careers and in return he can create a series of explosives for the Careers. Cadmus mentions a generator nearby. Bromnk said that 5 was gone, 6 was with the Outliers, his partner was gone--only Bromnk had the mindset and the ability to kill the Outliers in one stroke. Caius grunted but relented.

In the distance, the Outliers rowed towards them and circled the Cornucopia--raining arrows down onto them and then going in for a direct assault. Forrest slammed his gladius into Aurum's neck. In retribution, Caius impaled Fender through the eye with his gladius. Cadmus was struck down by Rufus's flanged mace as Cadmus's lower jaw detached itself and Cadmus fell into the water dead. Forrest noticed Caius going towards Rufus and was determined to run to his defense, but noticed Ayesha swing her flanged mace at him. Forrest had a monologue and apologized to his sister before his head was skull was cracked open by Ayesha. Rufus's neck was snapped by Caius seconds after Forrest's death. Azure took this chance and hoped into his boat and began to row as fast as he could. Caius got into his own boat and chased after him. Fortunately, Azure found land and figured he could run away. Unfortunately for him, his boat got stuck. Caius abandoned his boat and swam towards Azure. Azure was petrified in fear as Caius reached him and impaled him in the neck with his gladius.

Both Ayesha and Bromnk heard the cannon go off. Bromnk moved behind her. Ayesha asked, waiting for Caius, if she believed he'd make it this far. Bromnk replied that he knew he would and he would win. Ayesha grabbed her mace but was too slow as Bromnk slit her throat. She held her neck as blood splattered all over the platform. She swung strongly at first and missed. The next several swings were getting increasingly weaker until finally she collapsed and died. Bromnk knelt and said that he's going to see if a god can bleed.

Caius reached the Cornucopia and immediately set his eyes on killing Bromnk. Bromnk slashed at his chest and leg but saw it made no effect. He glanced and tried kicking his groin in order to make him collapse and to cut his throat. Caius saw this strategy and grabbed onto Bromnk's neck, restraining him. Caius said that Bromnk lacked honor and it wasn't his destiny to kill Ayesha. Caius continued his monologue and said that he will return home and bring pride back to District 2. Caius impaled his gladius into Bromnk's stomach and twisted the blade for good measure. Caius watched as the light left Bromnk's eyes. He collapsed onto the ground, dead.

Caius Vulso was declared the Victor of the 39th Hunger Games.

Back in the Control Room, Lucius sent a hovercraft to pick him up. He went to congratulate the team but only saw them around Ravenna. He glared at them before walking out of the room.

## Notable Flora/Fauna

The Purple Heron mutt was a large bird that presided all over the arena. Usually only aggressive to protect its young, the bird itself was equipped with a sharp beak that was used to pierce the throats of its victims. Their genes were spliced as these birds had heavy aggression against tributes and would often die because of their attempts to attack them. While they were frightening to be around, their beauty and simplicity cannot be overstated.

The Freshwater Pufferfish was originally not native to Panem, but towards the eastern hemisphere. The Gamemakers brought these creatures back to life and were able to genetically modify them. Naturally, they were carnivorous, however they were also modified to produce spikes within their skin as they inflated. One jab and you'd be infected with their toxin.

## 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 39th Hunger Games was considered to be a good games. While the majority of the Capitol citizens loved the design and aesthetic of the arena, a sizable minority didn't enjoy the flatness of the arena. The Approval Percentage for these Hunger Games was 86.36%.