What would have happened if
1. Katniss didn't volunteer for Prim, so Prim and Peeta compete in 74th Games.
2. Gale and Katniss compete.
3. Katniss and Peeta's brother compete. Before, he volunteered for Peeta.
A.What strategy would Haymitch made for District 12?
B.What would Katniss do to them? Would she become an ally with those 2 boys?
C.Who would be the winner in the end?
hi!! thanks for the ask :))
What would have happened if:
1. Katniss didn't volunteer for Prim, so Prim and Peeta compete in 74th Games.
I think the 74th Games would've definitely been a more organized year for the Careers, as they wouldn't have Katniss as a distraction. Haymitch probably would've been an absent mentor as he knew Peeta and Prim's chances of winning were pretty low.
I could 100% see Peeta protecting Prim as much as he could in the Games because of his feelings for Katniss. He might have even revealed his feelings for Katniss in the Interviews, to coax pity from the Capitol audiences. I could also see Prim and Rue becoming allies. Regardless, I think the final showdown would've been some combination of Cato/Clove/Thresh. And I think ultimately, the Victor would've been Cato.
2. Gale and Katniss compete.
I think overall, an Everthorne alliance would be much weaker than the Everlark alliance. I think Haymitch would've stepped up and tried his best to mentor them as they'd be by far his most promising tributes in twenty-five years. He'd probably pick Gale over Katniss as Gale probably would have a better shot at winning. However, despite Haymitch's attempt to coach Gale, I feel like Gale would absolutely refuse to play up to the Capitol and would likely mirror Thresh's interactions with the Capitol. And while he definitely has qualities that stand out -- between his older age, his good looks, and his probably high training score -- there are other more likable tributes with the same qualities. Their lack of a "story" to captivate to audience, Katniss' own "forgettable" interview, and the fact that there are other, more interesting tributes probably would've left District 12 a little overlooked.
Gale and Katniss would definitely still create an alliance, but it wouldn't have had nearly as many sponsors without the "star-crossed lovers" angle. I also think Gale would've convinced Katniss not to ally with Rue. I can imagine the final showdown either coming to Cato vs one of them, or Gale vs Katniss -- in which case, I can 100% see a defiant double-suicide occurring.
3. Katniss and Peeta's brother compete. Before, he volunteered for Peeta.
I think Katniss and Peeta's brother would've definitely turned heads for being the only two volunteers ever in District 12. But after the initial excitement wore off, I can't really see the Capitol rallying behind these two. Haymitch would've likely ignored Peeta's brother and focused his efforts on mentoring Katniss, but it'd be much harder for him to build an appeal for her without Peeta. I don't think Peeta's brother and Katniss would've really have much of a relationship or any interest to create an alliance. I think they probably would've just gone their separate ways in the Games, and Peeta's brother would've likely died very early in the Games -- maybe in the Bloodbath itself.
And while Katniss is a very formidable tribute, I think it'd be unlikely for her to win on her own. Again, Victor would likely be Cato.
