Chapter Text
Episode 1: The Good King
Last, Best Hope of Humanity - OST
It has been two years since Alexandria had fallen, and McCarroll Ranch Burned and the State changed for the worse. Nearly every settlement and camp had fallen under the sway of the Saviors, and the ones that did not existed under the cruel machinations of the Slags.
The only force capable of contesting the Saviors. Although their rulership could hardly be called ‘Benevolent’.
Often enslaving entire populations to construct railways and run factories. Having spread across one side of the James River and even pressing into the Savior’s home territory in Roanoke - Virginia.
The War has been grueling and cruel to the citizens of the State.
Yet tucked within the hellhole that has become one of the Thirteen Colonies was a Safe Haven. Utilising the Refuge of Arlington City, The Kingdom rose up and has spent two years attempting to match the ever-growing strength of the Saviors. However, with little trade, there is only so much the Good King can do for his subjects.
Soon, very soon, Gavin and his Saviors will be expecting another Delivery on Sunday, Tomorrow.
Their rate has quadrupled in demand, and the Kingdom, without the backing of the New Frontier, has much less ground to stand on.
Over time, the Deal has gotten more unfair, and Savior Forces amasses on the King’s Realm.
This is why Richard, one of the King’s Generals, has become an open advocate for War.
Having revealed the situation of the trade to the King’s subjects, nearly half the Population desires war, a quarter supports the King’s hesitation, and most? Await the Decree and remain neutral.
Even Members of the King’s Court have begun to urge Ezekiel to choose Strength and power, but Ezekiel is no longer as confident that the Saviors can be beaten. Their numbers have swelled, and the Slags still exist across the borders.
Not to mention the Millions Strong Super-Horde has only grown vastly in size as something has redirected populations of nearby cities to herd with their fellow Walkers at the forever broken D.C Ruins.
While the King Deliberates the complex bind he finds himself within, Morgan Jones has steadily become… Unstable.
Just as Eastman had warned, the delirium and the symptoms of his Personality Disorder have been advancing.
He resorts purely to meditation and his drills to keep his focus. In the least, Benjamin has advanced quite a bit and is now old enough to be knighted, while his Brother Henry only began their squire-ship.
As for Benny, he and Misa have been going steady in the time since.
Now that Oceanside has been reformed, the King hopes for a speedy resolution of affairs at home. That perhaps the positive change and the earning of a Trading Partner might calm things down.
All he has to do is survive one last trade, and then they can declare Independence and consolidate their Borders.
Just… One… More… Trade.
Day 1886 - Saturday, 24th of October 2015
1 Day Later
The Kingdom - Huntley Meadows Park
37.99 FF
Once a Nature preserve within the City, the Meadows Park has blossomed into a vibrant forest that covets larger and larger parts of the city with each year that passes. As the plants continue to flourish, species were going to enter their hibernations as the temperatures drop soon.
Hunting is top priority.
Daryl Dixon sits within a half-awakened bush, holding a hunting bow and having his hood thrown up. Spotting this beautiful stag standing in the grass field, sipping at a water stream that’s formed from some piping burst.
It was an innocent little creature, but a man had to eat. So Daryl notched an arrow against his bow… and began to pull the string.
Creeaaakk… The cable of his bow strains from the flexed arrow.
Steadily, Daryl settled the tip of the arrow toward the rabbit…
Almost…
Nearly…
Launch-!!!!!
“BOO!” Sherry scared the deer, and Daryl missed, “The hell!?” Standing up in protest to face the giggling Sherry, covering her mouth with a gloved hand, “We don’t need to eat a deer, honey.”
“We’re less than a few hours from the Capital. You’re just hunting for the sake of it.”
Daryl rolled his eyes and walked out from the bush to collect his stuck arrow, “Yeah, well, maybe I wanna eat a deer I caught.”
Trailing behind, the woman teased with a grin, “That or you’re trying to ignore the fact that we made out all night.” Daryl blows air and dismisses her, “I was drunk, that was a mistake.”
Daryl’s been skirting the fine line of getting with Sherry for a while now.
It was funny, but she's beginning to tire of it, “C’mon, it’s not like I am swimming with other suitors.”
Hopping onto a wooden pathway with him, grassy reeds poking out between the wooden crevices, “One of these days, we’ll just have to make it official. Done these jobs with you for two years now.”
“Tch.” Daryl averted his eyes, still being difficult.
So she surrendered for now and held up her gloved palms, “Okay, grumps-a-lot, continue brooding.”
12 Minutes Later
They find their bike, and Daryl gets on, slotting in the key while Sherry straps some loot they got against the bike, and then swings her leg over the bike and plops down. Suddenly, she scooted herself firmly against him and pressed her arms around his waist. “Hmn?”
The Man shifted his head back silently while she shot a teasing grin, “You could just ask me to stop, any time.”
Facing his head forwards, Daryl starts the bike, “Psht, whatever.”
Lying her head against his back, Sherry snickered, “Sure.” The Bike roars as it starts, and he begins wheeling it back and revving the bike, “Hold on.”
“Believe me.” She winked, “I’d never let go.”
Cracking the slightest smile, Daryl said, “You’re a pest.” And then drove off with Sherry and out of the park.
The Capital - Main Gate
Diane lingered by the gate, leaning on the battlements as she fixed the cable on her bow. “Eyes up.” Said Richard in the watch tower, looking through his sniper rifle’s optic, “Daryl and Sherry are back from the job.”
Diane leaned off her battlement and skipped a step as she paced towards the gate lever, “Ready to open.”
Richard slacked his rifle and leaned against the railing of his tower, “Mhm-hm.” In comes Daryl now, his bike rumbling and thumping in the distance until he slowed down before the big gate house. “You gon’ interrogate me still?”
“Ah, no.” Assured Richard, checking the area for any straggler Walkers, “How’d the trade with New Canton go?”
Wafting his hand back and forth, Daryl answered, “Easy. Paid Tappahannock a visit, they’re wanting to start a trade too.” Diane leaned out from the gatehouse, “Tappahannock? That place was a ruin a month ago. Did someone settle in?”
Sherry spoke from behind Daryl, “Yeah, they’re folks who fled Slag Occupation in the Carolinas. Used to run this entire gas station settlement. Now they’re starting a new enterprise on the coasts. They got a dock, so they want their shipments from the water. I am gonna go visit the King with their proposal.”
Signalling Diane, Richard welcomes them in, “Feel free to come in there. My home is your home.” The Gates slide open, and Daryl slows his bike roll to move through the gates.
The King’s Chambers
Shiva, the lovely tiger, was gnawing at a stake bone for any remaining morsels of meat while the King was receiving audience with some Survivors, “We would like the Kingdom’s support in re-settling Port Royal.”
“It’s a small river place at the Rappahannock River.”
Another survivor, a woman, brought her hands together, “We would just require a patrol to come through every Sunday, and help us with our problems. We promise to contribute to the Kingdom for your support.”
Stroking his greying beard, the King raised out his gloved palm, “Rejoice, for the Kingdom has elected to support your effort. As promised, you shall be given a Starting Contribution.
My Merry Knights shall patrol your lands every Weekend, not just Sunday, and lastly, we will expect the first contributions in 5 months' time. I wish you luck and good tidings. My Knights shall clear the way for you to start.”
The Gracious guests of the King bow their heads, “Thank you, Lord.”
Before moving on. Daryl ends up holding the door open for them while Sherry strutted down the centre aisle, “Lots of visitors these days.”
The King plucked a grape from his bowl and spoke with it, “The Kingdom must support its allies if the economy is to keep growing, our numbers continue to swell, Immigration and Integration is the name of the game. Even if there are loud elements who argue for isolationism.”
“It helps that the Carolinians are an Industrious and Persistent Folk – all they need is this leg up, and they shall become notable parts of our Virginian Land.”
Daryl strolled up with hands in his pockets, “In other words, Taxpayers.”
“Pretty much.” The King winked and then resumed his character play, “Now my Errant Allies, what news do you bring from the Southlands?”
Reaching into her leather jacket, Sherry pulled out and provided the King the Trapphannock Proposal. Also taking the time to pet Shiva and get hand licks, “Good Girl.”
As for the Huntsmen, he squinted up at the King, “So? They're getting support too?”
Closing the scroll, the king placed it beside him, “Of course, they’re quite large. I shall send word to them to bring their diplomats to work out terms. It appears that some of them have trucking experience.”
“Lots of trucking experience in the Age of the Walker. I was merely salivating at the prospect of housing such mercantile neighbours.”
“Sure.” Daryl flourished a hand at him, “If the Saviors continue respecting your signatories. The fuck happens when the Saviors finally decide that you’re growing too powerful for their comfort?”
Jerry tapped the bottom of his battle axe against the floor, “We fuck ‘em up, Dude.”
The King shoots some eyes at him, so Jerry clears his throat to be the character he ought to be, “We… uh, We claim retribution for their treachery!” Happily throwing a thumbs up for Ezekiel, who sighs and smirks, “Yes, we’re still quite serious about our Sovereignty.”
“The Kingdom and its allies are an Alliance of the Willing to defend the American Right of Existence and the Pursuit of Happiness. We are guardians of the venerable traditions of this land, and we will not abandon the Settlers & Returners to flee and cower before the Saviors. We are still mighty.”
“Besides…” The King suddenly takes his stand and swings the cane to rest behind his back, “I have good news, the Rebellion has grown by two settlements. Sunnycove & Monroe, which makes up the Oceanside Trade Association.”
What?
Daryl’s eyes widened at the mention of Sunnycove, “What do you mean? Is Sophia and Lizzie, and Judith, and-!”
“They’re fine.” Promised the King, “Lizzie is on her way with some friends to escort Cyndie and hash out more terms. With the Acquisition of Oceanside, our entire Northern Flank is secured with the issue of Monroe’s Piracy, at long last, put to a swift and permanent end.”
“In other words, Mister Dixon, as of today, we have never been closer to starting the Fight that you have so patiently awaited for.”
All of that was good news to Daryl, especially the part about the kids being okay, yet still he wasn’t gonna rest, “Except we still got that trade tomorrow, 12 PM Sharp. Why are we still giving resources to those People if we intend to fight soon?”
Sherry pats and strokes along Shiva’s head, “He makes a very good point, my lord. The Saviors get stronger with every single Tribute they’re given. At this stage, every calorie of food, every bullet, and Car Battery we provide is just more stuff for them to use against us.”
The King nodded towards them both, “I am aware– however appearances must be kept. We must deal with the Saviors before we can clean out D.C and remove our greatest threat.”
“In order to do that, I need them fat and content enough to suspect nothing for when we attack them sometime next week. There are forces to gather and position – if we turn the trade into a bloodbath? We will only successfully defeat anywhere between a quarter and a half of our immediate opposition, which has grown in number.”
“The Strike must be masterful and well executed.”
Daryl wasn’t so convinced, but Sherry did seem satisfied, “Well, you have our support for when it happens, King Ezekiel.”
Arlington Ruins - The Kingdom
27th & Crystal Metro Station
Walking out from the stairs, Carl Grimes tips up his hat to squint at the sunlight, “Sounds quiet up here.” Lizzie, Sophia, Duane, Beatrice, and Cyndie all go up the stairs with a small grouping of Huntresses in tow.
When he reached the top, Carl looked both ways with a hand over his pistol, “No Saviors either.”
Cyndie was holding a radio and keeping in contact with the Kingdom Scouts the entire time, “The Scouts know what they’re doing. If they say a street is clear, it’ll be clear.”
Duane, in the meantime, strides forward with his best pal, hands tucked behind his head, “You worry too much, man. If my Dad trusts these guys, then so do I. Besides, we’d never reach Sunnycove if not for ‘em.”
“I think Carl is right to worry.” Lizzie said while guiding a horse carrying supplies with a lead, “The Kingdom is in a fragile place, and that’s not helped by us agitating things. Eventually, the Saviors will realise that Monroe has changed Leadership and that also means they’ll figure out that Oceanside is back in play.”
“The Saviors might try to prevent us from growing further.”
Sophia looks up to all the highly abandoned, overgrown structures around. Many of them are high-density, roughly 12 - 18 story structures. Hiding Loot unknown within their long untouched remnants, “I would’ve liked to have explored these. Though there probably isn’t too much left to scavenge.”
They can see a Kingdom Banner now, hanging from one of the buildings. An office inside that being was being used by a Kingdom Scout who waved them down.
Beatrice panned her suspicious eyes back, “As we speak, the Resources from the Frigate are getting distributed, and our new forces are being trained. We can’t afford any escalations if we can help it.”
“Agreed.” Cyndie looked into the distance, “All we need right now is a place to garrison our troops. I don’t want to use Sunnycove as a staging ground if we can help it. That place isn’t going to be effective against a siege regardless of what I do.”
Carl peered back and smirked at the lot of them, “That’s why I chose the spot I did. Marymont University is not from the High-School they occupy now. If we can base inside of it, we’d have a lot of room to house all of our Militia. It’s also far away from the borders, so the Saviors are not gonna notice too quickly.”
“All we gotta do is convince the King that it’s a good idea. Which you'll help with, right, Liz?”
A little doubtful, she caught up with him, holding out a hand, “It’s not that I disagree with the plan, I think it’s high time to remove the Saviors. It’s more than I detect a lot of hesitation in the King.”
“I also know things about him – and that characterises to me that he would rather the Fight be averted. Think on the fact that he knew that Natania was bad but didn’t do much about it, or how Monroe’s Piracy wasn’t at all a secret.”
Poking up a brown, clogged finger, “The King prefers it when other people do the work for him. He and most of the leadership have this sort of ‘Turtle’ Mindset when it comes to this. The only one who really wants to fight… is Richard.”
“I am just saying this because it could be harder to move him than you think, and what he’d broadcast publicly.”
With a bow-legged stride, Carl held up his hand in a way not too dissimilar from his Father, “We’ll convince him. Made it this far, we’re not be turned away.”
Woodbury Park - Arlington Ruins
Staring blankly at the welcome sign, Carl shifted slightly towards Cyndie, “You’re joking.” The woman darted her eyes between him and the sign, “What of it?” Carl waved away his hand, “Don’t worry, just- Names being names.”
The Park was a surrounding area of a few blocks of apartments. It had an overgrown community garden, a play park, a tennis court, a basketball court, and finally a running park. Between the Blocks of apartment buildings was a series of overgrown parking lots with long-abandoned trees.
“Ey, Carl.” Duane knocked his friend’s arm, “Look at that shit.”
As if the name wasn’t enough of a reminder, somebody at some point hung an actual pirate flag on their facade balcony, and you guessed it, it had an eyepatch. Carl dead pans it, “Sometimes the Universe just fucks with me for the laughs.”
Sophia cracked a smile, “We've got time, we can probably go and get it if you want, Carl~?”
“Tch, nah.” Carl shakes his head, “I’m good.”
Stopping with a horse, Kathy searched the rather abandoned surroundings. Including finding a mossy-ridden walker trapped in piles of vines gathered up at the side of the buildings, “So are they going to meet us here or are we just going to pitch a tent?” Cyndie decided to open comms, “We’re at the meeting point, where are you?” Richard’s voice emerges from the other side of the radio, “Look to the road.”
The Trotting of hooves summoned their attention to the curve and the posse of Kingdom Knights making their way around. Richard was at the front, holding a banner of the Kingdom, a Spear tip at the top, “Welcome to his Majesty’s Domain.”
“I am Richard, General of the King, and these are my forces.” Sophia always loved how cool they looked in the armour.
Meanwhile, Carl walks up to take the stage with Lizzie and Cyndie, “We’re here to have an audience with the King.”
Richard peers down towards the Young 17 Year-Old stoically standing before his horse, “You are quite bold. Ordinarily, there is a process to seeing the King.” Cyndie intercedes with a handout, “It’s for business. The Business of fighting the Saviors, of resistance.”
Lizzie leaned to her side, “It’s Christmas Day, Richard.”
“That uh… so?” Richard met eyes with Lizzie in particular, the one he trusted the most in the whole group arranged today, “It’s been two years. I would’ve thought you were more prepared.”
Carl arcs his head up towards the knight with a suspicious squint, “What, you want us to fight them now? Forget it. We need another few weeks. Tops.”
Obviously, Richard was quite impatient, having waited actual years for this, and now he was being told he had to wait even longer.
“The King is a busy man…” Tilting his head to the side, his tone scolding and testy, “...And the Kingdom is in grim times. This is a dangerous world, so I can’t afford any waste of my time.”
The hell is this? Carl scoffs at him, “Hey Asshole, we’re moving as fast as we fucking can. Now, how about you take us to your boss?”
Before Carl & Richard can be allowed to further bicker, Sophia involves herself, “What we have to offer is going to make the world less dangerous. All we want is a chance to level our offer.”
“Perhaps the King ought to judge what is a waste of his time, and what isn’t?”
Snagged, Richard gives up the pressure for now, “Fine… but you’re going to hand over your weapons and submit to a search.”
Instantly, Cyndie took issue with this, “How dare you! We’ve been doing business with the Kingdom with no issues for years! The fuck got into you?”
Her fellow Huntresses, like Kathy and Beatrice, guard their weapons closely.
Steadily, Carl nears his hand to his pistol, “Thinkin’ the same shit.”
Indeed, this was a more hostile posture than Lizzie was used to. Gone was the whimsical cosplay; these knights were intense, and they were ready to attack. The General soon elaborated, “The War has never been closer to triggering. I don’t anyone I can’t trust to have weapons inside the Kingdom. This is Policy, and you’re going to follow it, or we’ll have a problem.”
Spears and crossbows get pointed; they were inches away from becoming trespassers.
Oceanside also levels out their weapons, notching bows, raising guns and drawing their weapons. Cyndie gravely narrows her eyes as she’s almost ready to draw herself.
Carl drawing the Colt M1911 and flicking off the safety, “Maybe I want a chance to talk to the King first. Maybe I don’t care if you’re comfortable or not. This talk has gotta go down.”
Drawing his own pistol, Richard pointed it straight at Carl, “Either you follow orders, or you get removed from the Kingdom. Stop wasting my time, there is a war to prepare for.”
“Oh, there is.” Carl’s dark eyes flared, “Question is, what’s your interest in it, Richard?”
Flicking off the safety, he now had a finger on the trigger, “The Safety of this land. You are not someone I am sworn to protect, Carl Grimes.”
Any second, bullets will fly.
“Making Friends?” Jesus’s Voice carries across the courtyard, rousing both sides to stare at him as he rides in with a happy little smile, “Richard, you really must work on your manners.”
Both sides almost breathed a sigh of relief when Jesus swung about like that.
Coming to a stop even though there was a crossbow pointed at his head, Jesus made his soft-hearted remark, “You’re too wound up these days, might wanna lighten up before you make a mistake here.”
Slacking the Pistol, Richard flicks on the safety and holsters his weapon, but doesn’t retract that suspicious glare whatsoever, “Oceanside hasn’t a great track record, didn’t feel right letting them in with weapons.”
Carl spits at the ground after lowering his own Colt Handgun, “The fuck you do, we’re the reason anything is even possible.”
“If there’s anybody who hasn’t dragged their feet?” Motioning up his handgun to say with a lethal glare, “It’s fucking us.”
Jesus politely lowers the crossbow from the knight and places two hands over his heart, “They’ve been extraordinarily helpful to the cause.”
“If you continue to threaten them, then you’ll have an issue with Hilltop and Alexandria. Not just Oceanside.”
Offering his hand towards the mature man, “Please, Richard, if you don’t trust them, trust me. Have I ever led you astray?” Suspiciously, the man nods, “Not yet.”
Richard briefly and fiercely eyes Carl and Cyndie.
“Well…” Jesus presents his hands, “Then trust that Track Record. Please, they’re gonna be fine. Let us see the King; both Oceanside and Hill-Top have business with him. We’ll enter as a United Force.”
Finally, Richard signals his men to ease up, “Follow us and don’t be any more of a pest.” Rolling his finger in the air to tell his men to gallop, “Don’t slow up.” Before gathering his reins and trotting away.
Riding away with his men, expecting them to follow.
After that dramatic showing, Cyndie checks with her two lieutenants, “Be ready to move. I don’t trust the Kingdom anymore.”
After they move on, Jesus dismounts and leads his horse, walking beside Carl and Sophia, “Apologies for being late, I missed the meeting point by about 30 minutes.”
Sophia tucks her hand within her cream jacket, curiously asking, “Why is the Kingdom suddenly hostile to us? We’ve been doing everything for them. That seems like the kind of scenario that produces good relations, right?”
“Not quite.” Jesus strokes his beard in a deeply troubled manner, “As the War has been getting closer and closer, an Isolationalist & Factionalist sentiment has risen within the Kingdom.”
“Essentially, the militarised elements of the nation do not trust anyone. Richard suspects you, Alexandria, and anyone else of being untrustworthy. The long wait has eaten into his opinions of others, and his beliefs are spreading far and wide.”
“The King may like you, but the fact you’re foreigners may mean you will be judged harshly.”
Sophia began rolling her eyes, “Wow, that’s sure smart. Sowing dissent and hatred between allies right before a large war. I am sure that won’t cause any problems.”
Simply shrugging, Jesus walks over some of the pot holes and avoids old bones on the road, “Hill-Top has had to handle a similar problem. Under Maggie, the divisions within our Group have been sealed shut, and through her leadership, we now have a united face.”
“Sadly, it seems that the King isn’t so effective at handling dissent in his ranks. He doesn’t command the same type of authority that Maggie can. The flaws of being a Monarch as opposed to a Mayor.”
Striding along with them, Carl was boiling in mistrust and suspicion towards Richard, “Sounds like the perfect kind of environment for a Coup d'etat to me.” Jesus shoots some eyes towards Richard, “I sure hope not. The Average Wastelander thinks he’s crazy and divisive.”
“If Richard did, for some reason, overthrow Ezekiel. The Kingdom would become a non-factor in our fight against the Saviors. Purely self-interested and hostile to anyone not themselves. That’s a dangerous path for a nation to take.”
“Happened before.” Sophia fussed to herself, kicking her boots on the asphalt, “We’ll be ready if we gotta fight. Though I sure hope not, the Resistance can’t handle any more points of contention between us.”
As Jesus walked forward and caught up with Richard, he said, “Not so neighborly these days.”
Trying to gauge where Richard is at and if Oceanside’s fears are valid. The Knight known as Richard casts his eyes down towards Jesus for a moment, “Before we go in, you have a brain and a backbone. So I’m glad Gregory has been removed and stayed that way over the last two years.”
“Whatever you’re trying to start here, another protection pact, a trade… We’re not doing hand-outs anymore. The consensus amongst the ones that matter is that we need to deal with the real problem here. The Saviors.”
“So answer me this: is Oceanside and Hill-Top ready to stop fucking around? To fight? Or are we doing this alone?”
A brief smile formed upon Jesus’s face, “You know, Richard, I’ve never seen you smile. I think that’s gonna change soon.” As hopes of lightening the man’s disposition. For Jesus doesn’t observe a man on the precipice of a betrayal, although he isn’t far from that now. There’s still hope.”
The Capital - The Kingdom
It was another beautiful day out in the sunny capital. The plants were getting harvested and replanted with new winter crops. Knights trained within their yards, and more were out drilling and jogging across the roads.
A new small windmill was being built with a grind mill at the bottom, and last of all, the traders were bartering and doing business. The vibe of the Capital was everything Lizzie still recognised. The school was being used, and the choir was still practising.
They were ready to face the Winter, in fact… it seems like they haven’t feared winter in years.
Families were enjoying food at the park tables, and artists were creating new pieces on their canvases. Carl lifted one of the potatoes in the tire planters, “Not bad.”
Jesus plucked one carrot and wiped it off, and showed the rest of them, “The Kingdom has been upgrading its agricultural output. The King has opened an Agrarian guild, which oversees more expansions and profitability in the sector. It’s not -the- best but added with Hill-Top and we rival the Saviors in food supply.”
Lizzie picked up a watering can and took the time to water some dry-looking herbs, “It’s beautiful, it must be hard for locals to remember that the State’s become a hell hole.”
“Not just Virginia.” Carl noted, “But Maryland & Delaware too.”
Taking the lead, Jesus brought them towards the blacksmiths at the other end, who were currently hard at work building more swords and armour. Preparing new pieces of Kingdom padded suits, “The Hill-Top has been sending excess materials to the Kingdom to help with the preparations. The Kingdom’s forces have grown five times the size they were since the last two years have passed.”
“Pretty much anyone with a will to fight and protect the kingdom has joined the King’s Army as levies. Attempting to deal with the manpower imbalance between our forces. Every one of them is a skilled swordsman and horse rider. They make purposeful use of no guns as they excel in Archery and Siege warfare.”
“Dad!” Duane suddenly called out, finding his Father drilling with Benjamin, “Wha-son!” Instantly running up to catch his boy and give him the biggest loving little cuddle, “Oh my Boy! Look at you, you’re so tall!”
Duane chuckled and patting at his father’s back, “Thanks, Dad… It’s really good getting to see you again.”
Parting from his father, Duane introduces the others, “Our whole crew is alive and fine as well!”
Bowing her head, Lizzie happily greets Morgan, “Hello, Mister Jones.”
Then Morgan went to hug Sophia and Lizzie, “Oh, the Girls, good to see you’re okay. Are the others good too?” Lizzie crossed her arms with a smirk, “Yep. They’re hanging back since this is a war zone waiting to happen. It’s safe where they are.”
“Good.” Morgan finally hugged Carl and fixed his hat, “Still wearing this raggy ol’ thing, huh? You the Sheriff?” Carl shoots a wink at him, “Soon. Only 17, legally, I can’t be a cop yet.”
It was a joke, but Morgan figured he’d done enough to already be considered Rick’s equal, “This is Benjamin.”
Benny rolled up and held out a hand, “I’d say nice to meet-cha but… we actually already met.” Shaking hands, the other boy chortled, “We did. Benny here is the guy who told me about the thing in the New Frontier.” Being a little vague to avoid long drawn-out explanations, of which Morgan would surely want.
Letting go, Benny poked a finger at the orange-wrapped machete, “How goes that? The sword.”
“Good.” Carl briefly drew it to show Ben, “Did what you suggested and replaced the blade. Thing cuts twice as well as it ever did.” Appreciating the blade, Ben smirks, “Courtesy of Mikey. Glad that the new blade worked out.”
Morgan wonders why he might’ve been left so out of the loop on all this, “Anything else I should know about?”
Huffing, Ben bows in apology, “Sorry. I was sworn to secrecy.”
Ah, the Realm’s Knights and their word. Nothing more serious. Speaking of swords, Carl cleared his throat, checking around, “Hey, has Michonne shown up yet? She went ahead.”
“She did.” Morgan turns back his head, looking for her, “I’ll try to get her; she’s been with Henry. They’re eating some sweet bars right about now.” Carl gives a thumbs up in approval, “Sure, we’ll just wait for her to hop over before we go in.”
Meanwhile, Duane got to meet Benny for the first time, and oh boy howdy did he look mad, “So… I heard you were the buster trying to kiss my girl? When I wasn’t there?”
“Hhh!?” Benjamin’s head jerks about, “What-!? I-!”
Trying to excuse himself anyway he could, “Duane-!”
Duane abruptly knocks his arm, “Nah, fucking with chu.” Chuckling to himself, “It’s all good, man. She’s pretty as hell, can’t blame ya for shooting a shot.”
Settling down, Ben wipes his brow in deep relief, “Phew… Yeah, sorry, I was kinda mixed up. Been real happy with Misa instead.”
“Good.” Lizzie enters the conversation with a warm cuddle for Ben, “Believe me, it’s great to hear you got over that hurdle.”
Parting from him and holding hands with Duane while Ben glances back to Carl and Jesus chatting, “Sure has, you guys have been busy. Is the Rebellion ready to go? Lotsa people in the Kingdom are itching to go.”
Lizzie rubs and caresses at both sides of her neck, kinda wishing she was in the shade right now, “Not yet, Carl wants to garrison people in the Marymont University.”
“It’s so we don’t risk Sunnycove after we deploy the Army we’re building. Richard didn’t like that so much and nearly turned us away.”
Eye-rolling, Ben tisks his tongue about it, “That’s Richard for you. Yeah, he’s like that with the soldiers, too. A lot of knights and levies don’t really like how he expects everything to be done almost as soon as he thinks we should do it.”
“Lotta of them call him ‘General-Hurry-up’. He wants everyone to fight the Saviors and thinks that if no one else gets ready, then it’s us who have to shoot first.”
“To hell with anyone else, you know?”
Lizzie squints again, pieces of the Kingdom have seemingly changed for the worse, “Well, General-Hurry-Up can stick it up his ass. If we want to win, we need everyone on the same page. That’s the one thing Negan got right at the beginning: he never acted out of turn.”
“Hey, Carl.” Michonne happily greets, coming over with Henry in hand, who zips over to hug his brother! Carl turns and hugs his Mom for a second, “Hey there… Everything good? Our entry was frosty.”
Misha straightens his hat and brushes a little dirt off his cheek, “Lucked out with Diane. She wasn’t so bad, but warned me things with Richard might be tense. Sad to see that’s the case.” Before more could be said, Richard himself strolls over with Jerry, “The King will come see you now.”
Standing up from Carl, Michonne gives her approval, “We’re good to proceed. We have everyone we need.” Cyndie backs her up with, “True that. Unless you wanna get any further threats out of the way first.”
Jerry cocks his head, “Threats?” Before the King’s right-hand man can debate it too much, Richard intercedes, “It’s nothing.”
Moving on, Richard leads the way, “Come now.”
The King’s Palace
Out on the front steps, the group is gathered up in front of the High School Building. Carl has his hands over his belt while waiting beside Sophia, “They sure love showing off.”
“Tch.” Sophia snickers to herself, “It’s part of the gimmick, Carl.”
Creeaakk! Clak! Clak!
The Double Doors soon swing open, and out the King struts, “Behold! It seems only in recent history that we were once in each other’s company!” Throwing on a whole show about it with his gallant stride and wide smile.
Shiva prances up along with him, and much to everyone’s shock! That was a real one–! A massive real-life tiger with her strips, fangs, and claws all before their very waking eyes!
Beatrice jerks her head up, “You weren’t kidding, Cyn. What the fuck?”
Chuckling along, Jesus has seen people freak out over this tiger several times by now, “It’s pretty safe, guys. Just don’t poke the tiger.”
“Won’t end well.”
No Kidding.
Ezekiel gallantly holds out his eagle-headed staff, pronouncing his speech, “Long ago, there was a promised return of allies in vast numbers!”
“To pray for the oncoming war! Not nearly enough time is left, and still, despite tremendous challenges, impossible odds! Carl Grimes, Michonne Hawthorne, and the wonderful Cyndie have manages to band together! Restoring much of what was!”
“Remarkable!”
Staring at the living, breathing tiger, Michonne couldn’t believe what she was seeing, “You gotta be fucking kidding me.” Jesus cupped his bearded chin, “I kid you not.”
Striding down the stairs, the Good King leans down and gently lifts Michonne’s gloved hand, “And what, pray tell, is bothering you? My Fair Maiden?”
WHAT IS HE DOING!?
Tearing her hand away and staggering back, she growled, “Don’t touch me!”
“Excuse you!?” The King stands firm and straight, “I merely asked a question? How do you show me such disrespect within my Kingdom! This is an Outrage!” SWRING! Michonne projects her machete blade out at him, “Disrespect could be the least of your concerns.”
“Mom!” Carl tried to restrain her, only for the roar to send nearly everyone back! Shiva would not tolerate a single trespass or raised weapon at her Friend, not one. “Shiva– Please.”
Trying to keep her from picking a fight, “Let us not soil this meeting.” Carl already had his colt half pulled, “That’d be good. Don’t think my pistol can kill a tiger.”
Ezekiel smirked and stroked along his pet’s head, “Yes, that’d be a terrible tragedy.” Gazing his dark eyes past Michonne’s machete blade, “Please forgive me for the theatrics – I sometimes get carried away.”
“I do hope you understand, Miss Hawthorne. I want our people to be united against a common enemy.”
“It’s essential for us to work together. Would you please put down that sword?”
Tilting her head a little, Michonne seemed suspicious, “I dunno, been given plenty of reason to not trust your ass. How about you put away your weapon, and I’ll withdraw mine.”
“Oh?” The King turned down his head to his loving companion, “You mean Shiva? Shiva, my dear, is my pet.” CLANK! Suddenly drawing a blade from his staff and banging it against her machete, “This! Is my Weapon.”
Looking him up and down, Michonne huffs, “You weren’t kidding – you do get carried away.” Ezekiel retracts his blade and flirtatiously smiles, “It’s who I am. I figured I ought to be upfront with a warrior of your legendary caliber. All I wanted was to see if mine was bigger… It was not.”
Carl blinks, “What-!”
Now casting his arm out, the King beckoned them in, “Make yourselves at home. I never talk business on an empty stomach. Also, your friends, Sherry and Daryl, are already inside, enjoying a fine glass of champagne and bread.” Winking at Michonne as she passes along, making her huff with darkened cheeks. Carl quirks a brow, “Wait till Dad hears a load of this.”
“Oh, shut it.” Michonne held open the door for them.
The King’s Private Chambers
While everyone went to get ready for a lovely feast coming tonight. The King was settling his tiger down and giving her plenty of blankets and pillows to rest on, “Here goes my Fur-baby, some things to rest on, eat, and drink.” Shiva chuffs and nuzzles into her blankets, resting beside her food as she isn’t hungry yet, but clearly appreciates having it there.
Creeeakk.. Clak! Carl stepped through the door and pocketed his hands within his fur-lined jacket, “Your Lead Man is kind of a Stooge.”
Ezekiel was impressed that Carl managed to get here without causing a fuss, “I trust something happened and prompted you to intrude upon my quarters?” Carl nodded and looked over the red and orange carpets and the numerous candles.
The Leopard print blankets over the couches and a series of Caribbean antiques from his culture, “Yeah. Richard’s a problem. I know you just met me, but I figured we should talk about that behind closed doors. I know my Father would.”
As the King stood, he cupped his own chin for a moment, “Your Father played a massive part in bringing Sunnycove to its senses, and now I hear you played an equal part to your mother in Liberating Monroe of the Raiders that held it captive and avenged the Mobjack.”
“Your Actions are equal to that of your Father – so I shall heed your word. Speak plainly, if you please.”
Carl walked over to the window and stared out into the increasingly dark night, “Richard held us up and was prepared to turn us away over the idea that we were gonna ask more from the Kingdom. More on that later.”
The King nodded respectfully, “Of course, I don’t mean to do back door deals.”
“He’s gonna replace you.” Carl said boldly and openly. He may not know the Kingdom well, but he’s seen this type of thing before, “Richard thinks he’s the only one who can save the Kingdom, and he’s gonna eventually think you’re not fit for it.”
“Now I know you don’t wanna kill him, but you gotta remove him.”
The King sat against his big leather couch and propped a boot up on his knee, “You’ve not been here a day, and yet you speak confidently on who I should and should not have in my cabinet?”
“Well…” Carl turned, figuring he’s gotta be stepping onto some kind of friendship here, but for the sake of resistance, he has to tread and tread hard, “I know that he held a gun at me, that flicked the safety off and would’ve shot me if Jesus didn’t intervene. Does that sound like the type of person you want inside of your court?”
Exhaling deeply, the King understood where he was coming from, “Are you a Father, Carl? I know you’re only 17, but it is depressingly common these days.” Carl opened up a palm at him, “Sure, I’m a dad, but an adoptive one.”
That brought Ezekiel some peace, “Good… well, as a Former Dad to a Current. I must stress to you the underlying context that pervades this whole situation. For you see? Richard himself was once a Father. As somebody who has lost their children, I know of the terrible agony a dead child can inflict upon a Father.”
“Her name was Katy, and she was a casualty of the Saviors, simply put.”
“Tell me…” Ezekiel sat forward and leaned at his knees, “If your child were to die? If you were to hold their body in your arms? How aggressive would you become? Would you lay waste to whatever contributed to it?”
“Would you become bitter and spiteful? Would grief torment and contort your mind out of shape?”
…
…
The silence of the boy told Ezekiel the answer, “I am well aware that Richard is a danger; I am not foolish.”
Dipping his head low with a big exhale, “However, it is not only Richard that I must contend with. The Kingdom is divided, and I no longer wield popular support. My rule is one of Coalition and Compromise.”
“If Richard says something, there are many who will follow, for they feel the anger and hatred that he does for the Saviors.”
“Exiling Richard would only increase the division brewing within this place. The Capital by a large majority wants war and wants it soon. Whereas the Frontier of our Kingdom desires us to wait and strategise as it is them who’ll suffer the brunt of attacks when the war inevitably begins.”
The state of affairs was most terrible for the Monarch and his subjects, “If I divide the Inner Core, the Frontier will be without back-up, and they’ll all die. In pursuit of keeping the capital safe. The only way unity stands in the Kingdom is if I wear the crown and Richard exists as my top general. Anything less would break the fragile balance.”
Carl shrugged a bit, “Then I’ll just kill him.” If there is no other option.
“No.” He firmly declared, “You do not get to kill anybody in these walls. Do not forget he is still a member of my court. I would not be able to protect you from justice. Let me handle Richard, while you handle your affairs, Young Grimes.”
The shadows obscured Carl’s face under his hat, “It’s not gonna go how you want it, Ezekiel.”
“It has.” Ezekiel stood up and fixed his furred collar, “It will and always shall. Now let us commence with the feast. They will not start without me.” Bringing a hand to the boy and escorting him out.
Shiva chuffs at Ezekiel with some meat in her mouth, good kitty.
The King’s Mess Hall
Rows and rows and rows of people dotted the room, all partaking in their food, which was servings of Duck, Lamb, Venison, and even a Boar.
The King strode out into the middle of the room with Carl in hand, “DINE! Enjoy the Boar we’ve slaughtered in your honour! Eat and be Merry! For on the Eve of War, it is always good to enter with a full belly, a stern heart, and a stride in your step!”
Carl sat down at the table beside Sophia while Kathy arched a big brow at Cyndie, “This man is kinda much. Does he need to sell the character quite so thoroughly?”
Then Carl picked up a fork and prodded at the slab of boar meat, “I can't argue with that.” Cutting free a piece, “I can’t really read him, but if Jesus & Morgan trust him? I trust him.”
Chomping ambiently in thought…
“You guys.” Sophia softly wags her head at them all, “He’s just a person who wants to enjoy life. The Saviors are in the way of that, so let’s just humour his gimmick, make a deal, and secure Marymont University.”
Cyndie very much agreed with that, “The less time we spend at the Kingdom, the better. The air here has changed, and I would feel a lot safer back at our beach.” Suddenly, the King raised a big ol’ point of Ale and gestured it all to the room, “I propose a toast! To New Friends – the End of Old Enemies!”
“HUZZAH!” The room cheered, tipping brew and beverages down the hatch.
Taking up a glass of simple wine, Carl raised it with Sophia and drank along with everyone else. It’s just wine, it won’t do much. Besides, Carl’s sorta already tried worse at this point, “Tch, still tastes like Garbage.” Wiping her lip, Soph grimaced to herself, “Yeah, I’m not a fan.”
“I prefer wine.”
Carl scoffed, the memory just struck him, “Right- yeah. At the CDC. I remember now, you alcoholic.” Frankly, she would’ve entirely forgotten herself, “Oh- Wow. I think you have a better memory than me. Shesh, five years ago… wow.”
Tell us about it.
Meanwhile, Michonne was busy watching the King greet some Teachers and happily chat about an upgrade to the school functions. He seems kinda…
At Lizzie’s position, she was chatting up with Misa for the first time, “He actually fell?” Misa cackled into her palm jovially, “Oh yeah, it was super funny.”
Duane grinned at the embarrassed Benjamin being exposed for his poor initial performance as a boyfriend, “Ey, why the long face?” Morgan sipped from his mug of ale and calmly said, “Duane, be nice.” So the boy holds up his palms, “Oh, alright, I’ll be gentle.”
“That’s my son.”
Lizzie then swung her head back around to Misa, “Well, it sounds like you two have had a good time. We should totally catch one of your performances to see how you've advanced.”
Lying a hand over her heart, Misa blinked, “Oh? How about I catch you at your apartment’s recreation area, and I’ll sing you all a bit of something. Ben’s gotten pretty good with a guitar; he could totally back me up.”
“Yeah.” Duane teased Ben with a grin, “Sounds cool as shit.”
Obviously, Ben has never played in front of people with how red he’s gotten. Henry, the totally cool teenager, now turns up his head, “Not cool, Big Bro.” Duane winked, “Tch, yeah? Big Bro has gotta girl. What’s your excuse?” Henry plugs his nose and wafts his hand, “Girls are stinky and stupid! I wanna be a Knight, not a Husband!”
“For now.” Duane chuckled with Ben as he added, “Yeah, you’re gonna find somebody some day, Henry. Watch.” It was good for Morgan to see the Boys and Girls getting along.
It was the first bit of real mental quiet he’s had in a long time. It felt… Liberating to be this close again to his son. Maybe that was the root cause of the instability?
Elsewhere in the party, Daryl watched Carl and them eat, having not yet worked up the courage to say hello. In a twisted sort of way, he felt responsible for how things got split up.
Like that, the punch had as much impact as it had. Sherry soon swings over, “Strange, I would’ve figured you’d be all over the reunion with a part of the group, most of all the teens.”
Daryl huffed and sighed, “Not so easy.” She tilted her head to the side, “Why not? Daryl, they’re your family. They deserve to see you.”
Yet on he lingered in the lonely self-isolating way he had become infamous for. Luckily for him, Sherry was much more persistent, “C’mon.”
Snaking her arms around his own, “I’ll help.” Pressing affectionately against him, “I can cover for all the bits you wanna be quiet about. Support you when you need it. It’ll be fine.” Finally, Daryl conceded, if only just barely, “You’re lucky I like you.”
“Tch~” Sherry pulled him along, “I know you do, now c’mon.” Realising what he said, the shy hunter became bashful, “Hmgn…” Within microseconds of entering her field of view, Sophia launched out of her chair and crashed into Daryl, “Uncle Daryl~!!! Hiii!!!!” And all of his doubts washed away, “Hey, Soph…” Patting the top of her giggly head.
“Wow…” Daryl couldn’t believe how big she’s gotten, “Still small as fuck.” She huffed and punched his gut lightly, “Pfft! Liar!”
As he rubbed his belly, realising how strong she’s gotten, Daryl decides to reintroduce Sherry, “Remember her?”
“Nawh, totally not.” Soph hooks hands with the older woman, “Good to see you again, Sherry.” Soon after, Sherry got her attention dragged away by Nabila, “Sher-sher! Aw c’mere honey!” Old friends, it seems.
That was when Daryl slyly leaned in, “So… Little Ass Kicker? How's she?” Bringing her hands together, Sophia was very much content, “She’s currently five years old. We got her started on schooling, and she pretty much depends entirely on her sister, Adora. She’s six and pretty healthy. Got a gun too and never lets her sister out of her sight.”
“Perfect.” Daryl slanted to the side, finding Carl at the table now, “How about that twerp? He kicking ass still?” Sophie swayed happily.
Her day was already pretty good, but being here with Daryl Dixon again?
Tops it all off, “I try to wrangle him, honestly, he’s not so bad these days. There’s still growing to be done, but I really don’t need to keep an eye on him as much.”
“Not like I had to back at the Greene Farm.”
“He’s trying to step into his Father’s boots, and it’s been going well… still, Carl’s rough around the edges. Which is why he still needs me to balance him out, else he’d be insane.”
“Or dead.”
The way that boy carries himself? Daryl can see it. He’s almost the stature of his old man nowadays, “He finally got over himself and put a ring on your finger or ‘sum?”
Sophia curled some hair on her finger, “Hmn~ No, but I feel that we’re getting pretty close to that stage. Mostly, it’s been about trying to get used to things. Enid has been our centre; her music, art, and demeanour have helped us a lot.”
“I think Carl’s almost ready. Still needs just a bit more time.”
“Enough about us, though!” She clasped her hands together, “I wanna know about you! Gosh, Daryl, I mean, you hardly look like you changed a bit. Like, years didn’t just fly past us.”
That… was a topic that had a lot more barriers to it… in typical Daryl fashion, he was more the stoic, quiet watcher. Deflecting with his outrageous talk and jokey burns, “Not much happened.”
“Been working as a scout and runner… just grinding and finding resources for the Rebellion. Trying to keep Negan blind about our activities and shit. Killed some guys, saved some guys.
Sherry’s hung off me like a monkey, following me around.” Drifting her eyes towards Sherry chatting with and hugging Jerry, Sophia smirked, “Ooohhh, I see. She’s your girlfriend.”
“Nah.” Daryl denied, but Soph is smarter than that, “Ah? It’s serious.”
“No, it ain’t.” Daryl averted his eyes, but the truth was out.
Mess Hall Balcony
With just a spent glass of wine, Michonne leaned against the railing. Marveling at the golden lights of the King’s Garden glimmer in the light, along with the Braziers.
She loved the way it rustled at night; it was serene… relaxing.
After all the chaos that’s happened these past few days, it was exactly the kind of thing that she needed. Especially as she remembered Pete and his kind laughter.
Hoping they’re having fun in Greenland by now. The King also managed to slink his way over with a half-full mug of mead in hand, “Calming, isn’t it? The bountiful youth of the Garden.”
Indicating to the many ivy bushes, winter seasonal flowers, and magnolia trees.
“You can thank Nabila for it. More than a year ago, some weevils devastated the place. I was gutted, but she imparted some wise words… she said, ‘You can tear it out, burn it up, and toss the soil. But you can always make it grow back’. And would you believe it? She was right.”
“She was.” Commented Michonne empathetically, “For a while I would’ve said otherwise, but now? I know people get to come back.”
The King leaned on the railing with her, “Nabila just married my second, Jerry. That was who this feast was for. Celebrating a beautiful beginning to a relationship. Ironic how so few went to see the Garden of which she poured her heart and soul into, on one of the brightest eves of her life.”
Quietly, he notes the Machete in her holster, “The legend told of you being a Samurai, and yet you carry a common implement and carry the scent of the sea with you, like a Sailor.”
Then he notes her hands, “However, you wield the Blade with surety, and your stance has grown precise. Whereas I got my training through fencing, you’ve gotten it through the field. So I ask, what became of your sword?”
“No idea.” Michonne rubbed against the side of her neck, “The Saviors stole it, and no one has seen where it is yet.” This bothered her to no end. Hanging it up? That is one thing, but losing it entirely? That never not going to mess her up a little. As at peace as she is with her daughters, she still wishes to carry their reminder.
The King’s face settled into a look of sincerity for her, “Then what if I told you that I had a new blade prepared for you?” Michonne furrowed her brows, “Bullshit, no one knew I was alive until recently.”
Ezekiel maintained that look. He can’t of? Could he?
“You’re a storyteller.” He said gently to her, “You act the part of a Samurai, and that calms those around you. Makes them feel safe. It hasn’t been long enough for someone as old as you to have always lived this way. The choice to hold a sword and a cloak was deliberate. The Mystery is within the cloak, and that is your shield.”
So he begins walking towards a nearby flower pot, “It’s not that I am all knowing - rather, I just understand you well enough to know that the Saviors would fail to extinguish you… and word of your existence had spread while you were sailing.”
Holding out the black and gold weapon with purple wrappings, “I present to you the twin of your missing blade. I took a few embellishments as the descriptions of your legendary katana were a little vague.”
Indeed, it was like an inverted version, with a space left in the filler for her engraving as she chose, “...Really?” Glancing up from the sword, “You just went and got me a second sword? You don’t even know me?”
“Do I need to?” The King flicked a finger her way, “You’re a Samurai, and that means you need a Japanese Sword. It’s like how I am a King, and therefore have a Throne. It’s in the Title.”
Unsheathing the long blade, Michonne marvelled at the intriguing noise pattern; it glimmered a little like a night sky, “...I name this one Colette.”
Looking past the sword, “...The other one was Elodie. I used to whisper to it like it were my daughter. Only Rick knew about that.”
He never realised that before? Now the Twin Blade makes even more sense to him, “How accidentally perfect. Now you are ready for the Saviors.”
Sheathing the sword, Michonne had a clear blush all over her cheeks, “You are far too much, Ezekiel.” Much to her surprise, he tried to lift her hand and then planted a flirty kiss on her palm. Her face softened a little bit, “...Ezekiel, I am with Rick. He’s my Husband.” Retracting, the King planted his palms together, “Gracious me, I am far too reckless then.”
“Apologies, I hope you are well?”
Brushing and wiping at her hand, Michonne let out a charmed smile, “I am… and you are nice. Perhaps we can be friends?” Reaching out his hand for a handshake, the King announced, “Then that is what we shall proceed as. As Friends and Fellow Actors, playing their roles.”
It wasn’t as though she didn’t like him. He’s tall, cute, strong, and loving… but she misses Rick too severely to start anything else.
After all, Pete already sacrificed his relationship with her for the sake of her Family. She wasn’t gonna make light of that, “As Friends.” Taking and shaking his hand.
The Mess Hall
At the zenith of the dining, the King takes the stage once more, holding a microphone, “My fair friends…” Attracting the attention of all in the room.
Misa widened her eyes, nudging Benny’s arm, “Hurry, he’s gonna call us up!”
Prompting the couple to awkwardly bump and struggle to get out of the rows of seats. Carl cracked a smirk at it, “Ey?”
The King would soon explain, “I asked dear Misa & Benjamin if it would be possible to play us a song this night.”
Finally, Misa managed to get to the stage with her boyfriend and receive the microphone, “Ah- yes.” Tapping it to check the audio, “Can everyone hear me?” Prompting the room to respond with a loud, “Yes!” Carl sipped from his mug and leant his arm against the table, “She’s nervous.” Lizzie tilted her head admiringly at the couple, “I would be too.”
“Umh-” Misa cast her eyes out to the whole of the Kingdom and Allies arranged in this very room, “I thought of a special little song to mark tonight with. It’s by Coldplay, an old-world band that was all the rage at the time.”
The stage light glistens in her eyes as she did her best to recall the speech with no punch cards, “The song I’ve picked is named the Scientist… and it was released in 2002… 8th of August.”
Darting her eyes to the Coalition Members within the room, “When it was written, produced, and released, it featured as a mellow song about a broken relationship. Like most songs in the old world, it spoke a story of love and loss.”
“But music is an ever-evolving art… and the meaning of lyrics and instruments shifts over time… To me, in this day and age? The song is about us.”
“Not me and Benjamin, thank god.” The room chortles a bit.
“Heh… yeah, we’re uhh…” She met her loving boy’s eyes, “We’re really good, actually. Fantastic.” Instead, she returned her attention to the room at large, “I mean the world, I mean the many broken people in it… The empty towers and the shattered streets.”
“The thousands -no, millions of graves that got unattended to this waking day.”
“Somehow, despite everything breaking… We, people, continue to try to make something of it. Something urges us to fight, to try. And I think back to Coldplay, to the story of a shattered union between two lovers… what would inspire two people to persist in such conditions? The song… never elaborates…”
“But you know what I think?” Smiling at the curious crowd, “It’s not that they’re stupid or dumb. That they are just broken in a way anyone else could never understand.”
“It’s not the love, or the spite… It’s not habit, and it’s not instinct.”
“It’s conviction… and conviction is fueled by so many things. That’s why we’re all here today. Why we’re in this room, holding each other… loving each other. Why we keep going in this broken world… is because we believe.”
“I believe, in you… in us… and I believe in this…”
She stammered for a moment… she didn’t have the words… not until… Carl raised his mug, “Coalition.”
Misa’s eyes sparked with inspiration, “Yes. Exactly, thank you, Carl. Our Coalition. We all came here from different paths and different pains… but no matter what… Music… Music connects us all.”
“Benjamin, if you would…”
Regally, he strode over to the black raven Piano and took a seat… slowly opening the cover and cracking his fingers… Sophia brushed some hair over her ear, not wanting one obstruction for this, “Listen closely.”
As soon as the first few keys of an old-world pop song struck the room, faces changed and hearts fluttered. Carl… didn’t recognise the song from his past; he witnessed the teary eyes of Duane, Lizzie, and Sophia. Yet it was the first lyrics that called to them the most…
“Come up to meet you, tell you I'm sorry…
You don't know how lovely you are…
I had to find you, tell you I need you…
And tell you I set you apart~!
Tell me your secrets and ask me your questions…
No, let's go back to the start…”
Yellow rays of light spilled forth as the heavenly lyrics escaped Misa’s lips, her light brown hand gently rose in the air, the other caressing the Microphone. Michonne, in between the serenade, briefly met eyes with the King, the two thinking about the past… about things that they both lost. Her hand caressed the handle of Colette the Sword, “H-hmn…”
“Runnin' in circles, comin' up tails…
Heads on a science apart~”
Duane and Lizzie's hands touched under the table, as Lizzie tearfully revealed, “Mika loved this Song…” Before he could speak, Sophia gently said, “I know… she likes to play it on her headset…”
Causing Duane’s frown to grow… about how he wasn’t able to get to save her. That he was just a little bit too slow…
“Nobody said it was easy~
It's such a shame for us to part…
Nobody said it was easy~
No one ever said it would be this hard…
Oh, take me back to the start…~”
Misa swayed forward with her microphone, singing with such passion that it makes Ben smile at how strongly she stood there, exposing such fragile emotions, and not stuttering for a word or verse. All that pain and insecurity that once dragged him down… he didn’t feel it anymore. He felt more sure and more able to be a knight than ever before.
“I was just guessin' at numbers and figures~
Pullin' your puzzles apart~!
Questions of science, science and progress…
Do not speak as loud as my heart…
And tell me you love me, come back and haunt me…
Oh, and I rush to the start~~!
Runnin' in circles, chasin' our tails…
Comin' back as we are…”
In the wings of the party, Daryl puffed his cigarette, watching Nabila and Sherry hold each other, wiping their tears and reminiscing about the song.
Yet for Daryl… he still thought about the song, close to its original meaning… about his Brother. About how they were forever divided. Their inherent contradictions never allowing for anything more than bitter betrayal and resentment…
He tried… for so long, with Merle.
Tried to fix it… But there was no fixing it… It was over long before they reached that Overpass.
“Nobody said it was easy~
Oh, it's such a shame for us to part…
Nobody said it was easy~
No one ever said it would be so hard…
I'm goin' back to the start…”
As for Carl, for reasons he can’t describe, he ended up looking at Clementine’s picture once more… Why? Why did the song…? Why did he feel…? How could he miss her? He never understood…
He always goes back to the start…
How can you feel heartbreak for somebody you never met?
“Ah-ooh~
Ah-ooh~!
Ah-ooh~
Ah-ooh~!”
Misa settled with the final keystroke of the piano… and like her, the room… was silent… Jerry, looking at both sides of himself, wiped his eyes and gave it a big round of applause, “Woooo! MISA! Go girl, GO! HAHA!”
The room ascended in cheer and celebration. Misa cleared her eyes and felt her partner take her hand… and so they bowed. The King gave praise with both his palms, “Magnamious performance~!
“ENCORE! EEENNNCOOREE! HAHA!”
“HUZZAH!”
Pocketing the photo, Carl wiped his eyes, not noticing that Sophia saw the whole thing, “Oh…” She whispered with hushed realisation… Before gently curling her lips into a smile, that makes sense.
She had her suspicions.
The King’s Road - The Capital
Walking along the main street at night, Daryl had Sherry around his arm on their trip home, “That was lovely.” She swooned about it, the friends, the warmth of a reunion, “The kids seem all grown up, how’s it make you feel?”
Like an old man, Daryl thought to himself, “Soph’s never needed much growin’. World was a piece of shit to her from the start - and she had her stuff in order long before the Walkers came into the picture - least that’s how I see it.” Watching the stars soar above, Sherry sighed with content, “And Carl?”
“Guilty…” Daryl mumbled beneath his breath, “Couldn’t do anything for his old man… Boy’s had to step up, I can tell. The way he looks at people… It’s got that same aged suspicion Rick used to have. I know we had to stay separate to regroup… but I dunno, maybe I should’ve gone to Sunnycove.”
Releasing an exasperated sigh, she stopped him dead and stood in front of him, “Daryl, please. If you so much as set foot there, you’d endanger Judith. The Saviors hound us, wherever we go… and the Kingdom is safe because of its immense army.”
“Anything Carl had to face wasn’t your fault.”
Well… Daryl sniffled a little, “Is a bit. Satellite Outpost.”
“I did that.”
Quietly, he parked himself on a metal bench and stuffed a foot against it, arm over his knee, “Rick warned us… he had a plan, and we broke it. Seein’ as how it turned out? Not sure our way was better. He wasn’t, but we didn’t help things at all.”
“Forgot the one damn rule that Merle always taught me…”
Holding one finger up in the night air, “When you start a business, you end it. Always.”
Then, slumping back against the metal bench, the night light of the lamp above casting rays over him, “That’s why I shot him… back at the overpass, back with the Governor. When we got to that point… I knew Merle wasn’t gonna let go. He’s dogmatic… dedicated.”
“Stubborn as hell… and he ain’t ever leaving no business standing. No, sir.”
“I shot him ‘cus… I love Judith. Like a Daughter… or Niece, probably niece. I dunno… I just do. And I got to thinking… if I spared Merle and shot Rick? Merle would never care for that little kid. Rick and I… we’re brothers but we ain’t no monolith… Now his son is in the spotlight, makin’ choices.”
“Everything’s fucked up. Outta Whack.” Flicking with his hand.
Hooking her arms around the lamp post, Sherry leaned off on it, “Can say that again… Still, kids grow up. One day, it’ll be Judith’s turn to hold the gun. Her turn to make choices, to change the world… and there’s hope in that.”
“Just think about Sophia and Carl… how much they achieved so far.”
“They are going to fix this; all we have to do is be there for them. To support them… We can get it right this time, I genuinely believe that, I do.”
Then maybe… Daryl can too… he caught himself admiring Sherry, watching her lean off the post, and marveling at her, as she slowly brushed back her brown hairs, “Hm~ Come on.” Sherry got off and suddenly stole his arm, pulling him up, “We need to head to bed.”
Later That Night - Carl and Sophia’s Apartment
While Sophia was undoing her hair bun, Carl lay against the bed in his simple white T-Shirt, his eye coloured with doubt and thought.
Sophia then approached in a bedrobe she found and sat on the bed, stretching her arm, “Misa is a very good singer.” Carl hummed a little, “Sure is.” Obviously, she can tell that something was wrong with him yet again, “Still fussing about Richard?”
Laying to the covers and batting her eyes as he turned on the bed so he could see her, “Ezekiel can’t see that he is a threat. He’s convinced that things are under control, but they are not. Everyone’s pretending here, just like Alexandria.”
“Carl…” The girl scooted in and placed a hand over his heart, “...I know it was an upsetting introduction, but statistically speaking, not every single time we go somewhere is going to somehow end up in us fighting and risking our lives. That’s just science.”
Gently, he cupped her cheek in the way she liked, “Do you really believe that?”
Resting a hand against his, Sophia creased her eyes with affection, “I do. Now c’mere, I wanna be big spoon tonight.”
Carl blinked once or twice, “Sorry, what-! Whoa!”
She tugged him in and cuddled his head against her heart, “It’ll be okay… we get to rest now, when it’s time to fight, it’ll be time to fight.” It was alarming at first; he’s actually never been like this before. He can hear her heart beating, it was- kinda… Kinda relaxing.
Blushing like a red bloom, Sophia nuzzled in at his head, “Goodnight, Carl.” Feeling his arms wrap around her back, “Hmn~ Thanks.”
Benjamin’s Room - The King’s Palace
The School
Sitting on the bed in just his shirt and jeans, Benny was inspecting the old photo of his dad… How he… used to smile. “What-cha got there?” Henry curiously said, coming in, having snuck over to his brother’s room to get a bit of extra time with him. Ben briefly looked at him and then back at the photo, “Just saying goodbye.” Slowly handing the younger boy the photo and parking a boot against the bed, “It’s of dad. It’s yours now, with mom and all.”
Goodbye? Henry thumbed at the photo, “Why? Why’re you giving this to me, brother?”
Ben shot a smile, it wasn’t of hurt… it was hope, “I don’t want to look back anymore. You’re growing, so I figure it’d be better for you to have this in your pocket now. You’re the one who needs them most.”
He was so young when it happened. Henry never truly understood their absence until all too recently, even then, he never felt the full sting. It was more like an ambient sustained tingle. Like he felt a bad pain once, but it’s past, but not entirely, “Are you sure?”
“Course.” Benny brought up a Polaroid Camera and waved his hand with it, “Gonna be making plenty more memories with Misa and you, and everyone else. Today was the last day I let myself be a kid… I’ve been squiring for a long time now, and my true knighting could come any day. As soon as that happens, everything changes, Henry.”
“Everything.”
Parking beside his brother, Henry frowned at the photo like an absent gaping wound in his life, “I don’t want everything to change.”
So, Benny puts an arm around his bro’s shoulders, shaking him a bit to assure, “Everything changes, Henry… all the time. I think that by the time you grow up, the world will have finished transforming.”
“T-transforming?” Henry swerved up his head, “What do you mean?”
His hand gestured to the beautiful, bright night sky outside, “I mean the world. The Apocalypse is just a period in time, Henry. Ever since the world broke, something new has been taking shape… and right now, that shape is pretty malformed.”
“But he’s the benefit of transformation… Nothing’s set in stone yet.”
It was then that Henry first started imagining what tomorrow could be. Ben helped him see it, with his soft words and nurturing arm, “No matter how bad things are out there… we have the time to correct it.”
But that came at a cost… didn’t it? Henry’s been thinking a whole lot. A lot about his life, about the orphans that populate the kingdom far and wide, “I wish things could change in a better way.”
“I wish the Walkers never got up… I wish our Family-...” Settling into sorrow… and loss.
Yet he was still peaceful, still smiling, “Ah, Henry… makes me think of an old story once… about somebody as small as you. Trying to make it in a big world… full of… trouble and death.”
“We don’t… don’t choose where and how we live. Things happen, things change… and sometimes, they’re in a real bad way. Some people decide to go bad, turn into monsters, and kill people. Others decide they’re going to become kings and knights, to stand for something that matters, a code.”
“Some decide to write books or plant gardens… It’s that kinda thing we decide.”
“Negan is one thing… but he isn’t everything. He isn’t the only one who gets to choose.”
Right now… Henry only could feel fear, of loss, of failure… of not being enough to stand with his brother, “...What happened to that little person? The Character, in that book?”
Reaching into his drawer, Ben brought it out… The Lord of the Rings… By J. R. R. Tolkien. Slowly, he offered it to the boy, “...Find out.” It was a big book… but it was the compendium for all the tales of Middle-earth in that era. Ben pointed at the name, “John Ronald Reuel Tolkien… He lived during the world wars, you know. Fought them too. Should read it through, I think there’s a fair bit in there you’ll need Henry.”
“Can’t be here forever, can’t read you all the stories.”
It was so large that the small teen felt utterly intimidated, “...Could you read me this one?” You know what? Ben opened the book for him, “Sure…” Tapping his hands on the aged paper, “Prologue… Concerning Hobbits…”
The entire time, Morgan was outside their room, listening… basking in the love of two brothers, and their big book…
