9th Hunger Games

The **9th Hunger Games** took place in 9 ATT. The victor was 17-year-old Clara Russo from District 10. These Games were the shortest ever, ending after less than a full day. Ironically, these Games had the most tributes still alive to participate in the Games in 9 years of Games.

## Before the Games

### July 3rd - Reaping Day

Reaping Day took place July 3rd, as it has since the inception of the Games. The reapings, the selection-by-lottery of the 24 tributes, took place as normal. No volunteers were among the tributes due to the absence of the volunteering system. Tributes from each district were selected as follows:

* The same day, July 3rd, tributes were transported via cattle car to the Capitol.
	+ Rhodes Mayer throws himself from the cattle car enroute to the Capitol. He is shot by Peacekeepers and is left to die.
* Tributes are kept in makeshift cells in a retrofitted factory on the outskirts of the Capitol.
* Slight improvements are made to the living arrangements this year, but tributes are still given minimal food and water.

### July 4th-5th

* In order to promote more fighting, the Games are held sooner this year. Tributes are held in the Capitol for only 2 days before being released into the arena.

* In these two days, 2 tributes die.
	+ Petra Wells (District 4 Female) dies July 5th when she attempts to escape her cell while a Peacekeeper brings food. She is shot and bleeds out while other tributes watch in horror.
	+ Oscar Johnson (District 9 Male) dies July 5th as well, succumbing to an unknown illness.
* 21 tributes survive to fight in the arena. This is a record number up to this point.

### July 6th - The Games Begin

* The Games were held in the Capitol Arena for the 9th consecutive year, an old stadium converted into a fighting arena.
* Tributes are released from horse chutes previously used for horse racing into the barren Capitol Arena. The arena is a dirt floor littered with rubble, rocks, and random debris.
* As this was the early years of the Games, no traditional Cornucopia horn is present; instead, a pile of weapons is scattered around the center of the arena. No food or water is provided.

#### The Bloodbath

* 11 tributes die in the initial fighting.
	+ Dixie Bright (District 5 Female): Ambushed by Anakin Carter (District 3 Male), Dixie attempts to grab a weapon but is swiftly overpowered. Anakin pierces her with a sharp blade, ending her life.
	+ Anakin Carter (District 3 Male): After defeating Dixie, Anakin is targeted by West Evans (District 8 Male). Despite his best efforts, Anakin is ultimately outmatched and killed by West, who impales him with a spear.
	+ Delta Hues (District 6 Female): In an attempt to escape the chaos, Delta is spotted by Breaker Gohl (District 6 Male). He ruthlessly attacks her with a knife, and she collapses, succumbing to her injuries.
	+ Astoria Harper (District 3 Female): Astoria seeks cover behind some debris, but Tilly Bennett (District 8 Female) spots her. Tilly, armed with a knife, brutally attacks Astoria as she hides, stabbing her repeatedly.
	+ Maisie Parks (District 12 Female): Amidst the confusion, Maisie attempts to flee but runs directly into Winston Vera (District 1 Male). The larger, more experienced tribute slashes her with a long blade, leaving her fatally wounded.
	+ Walter Grindwald (District 12 Male): Walter encounters Brack Tennent (District 2 Male), a formidable swordsman. Brack attacks relentlessly until little is left of Walter, who falls under the onslaught.
	+ West Evans (District 8 Male): After defeating Anakin, West is ambushed by Florence Pinket (District 7 Female). Despite her young age, Florence surprises West and takes him down with a swift stab of a dagger.
	+ Brack Tennent (District 2 Male): Brack's victory over Walter is short-lived as he is attacked by Adelaide Monroe (District 2 Female). Adelaide, using a mace, brutally bludgeons Brack to death.
	+ Breaker Gohl (District 6 Male): Amidst the chaos, Breaker faces off against Clara Russo (District 10 Female), falling victim to her spear as she expertly strikes him down.
	+ Florence Pinket (District 7 Female): After taking down West, Florence is mortally wounded by Questa Seems (District 9 Female), dying from a fierce slash of an axe.
	+ Adelaide Monroe (District 2 Female): In her weakened state after defeating Brack, Adelaide is found by Clara Russo (District 10 Female). Clara swiftly overpowers Adelaide and stabs her through the chest with the spear she wields.

#### More Bloodshed

* Though the initial bloodbath had ended, the surviving tributes wasted no time in further fighting and killing one another.
* Deaths continue over the next 15 hours:
	+ Albie Sullivan (District 4 Male): Discovered hiding, Albie is found and killed by Winston Vera (District 1 Male) with a sword, who strikes him down without mercy.
	+ Tilly Bennett (District 8 Female): Ambushed by Evelyn Naya (District 1 Female), Tilly is struck with immense force by a mace, instantly ending her life.
	+ Nora Adams (District 11 Female): Nora is killed by Questa Seems (District 9 Female) with a throwing knife. The knife finds its mark, hitting Nora directly in the heart, killing her instantly.
	+ Asra Tiller (District 11 Male): Engaged in a fierce battle with Noel Tims (District 5 Male), Asra fights valiantly but is ultimately struck down by Noel's axe, succumbing to his injuries.
	+ Noel Tims (District 5 Male): In an attempt to attack Clara Russo (District 10 Female), Noel finds himself outmaneuvered. Clara skillfully dodges his strikes and impales him with her spear, ending his life swiftly.
	+ Henry Augustus (District 10 Male): Bludgeoned to death by Questa Seems (District 9 Female) with a heavy brick, Henry's life is brutally ended as Questa delivers the fatal blow.
	+ Winston Vera (District 1 Male): Disarmed and defeated by Clara Russo (District 10 Female), Winston faces his own weapon, a scythe, wielded by Clara, who strikes him down with lethal precision.
	+ Evelyn Naya (District 1 Female): Overpowered and impaled by Clara Russo (District 10 Female) with a spear, Evelyn puts up a strong fight but is ultimately outmatched, meeting her end at the hands of her opponent.
	+ Questa Seems (District 9 Female): Attempting to attack Clara Russo (District 10 Female) one final time, Questa is countered by Clara and killed with a fatal spear thrust, ending her life in the final moments of the Games.
* After 16 hours of bloodshed, Clara Russo emerges as the Victor and sole survivor.

## Post-Games

* Clara Russo (District 10 Female), as the victor, receives no special rewards or treatment and returns to District 10 to resume her former life.
* She is nicknamed "The Fortunate Fighter", rememebered for the short timespan she had to survive in the arena.
* Similar to the 8th Games, the 9th Games are considered a failure. However, Clara is fondly remembered and was able to mentor three tributes to Victory, including Titus Wood (25th Games).
* After the 30th Games, she retired as a mentor and let the other three Victors take turns mentoring tributes.
* Clara raised 4 children with her husband Thillis, and enjoyed grandchildren as well.
* Clara died of natural causes in her sleep at age 71 in 64 ATT.