"I know it sucks and it's scary, but it's time to be brave."

~Tara Chambler

"They're still not back yet..." Aaron watched the sky darken ominously from atop the wall, tensing up as he heard the distant thunder.

"Should we be worried?" Tara asked beside him, eating a candy bar. 

"I'm not sure..." He trailed off as a sense of unease came over him. "They should have been back hours ago."

"Maybe things just took longer. Maybe they're on their way back," Tara replied, trying to remain optimistic. 

"I hope so," Aaron sighed, shifting on his feet. Meanwhile, Tara took the binoculars off from around her neck and brought them to her eyes.

"See anything?" Aaron glanced at the woman, but she shook her head.

"Nothing."

"I don't trust those people. I never have," Aaron suddenly stated.

"Well, that was random, but yeah. I agree." Tara finished eating her candy and crumpled the wrapped into her fist. "The way they run things reminds me of another place we encountered. Terminus."

"Back in Georgia?"

"Yeah. They had this radio system and everything. Signs advertising safety along the train tracks, leading us to a sanctuary. But what was at the end of those tracks was something far from that."

"What was there?" Aaron stared at her with anticipation.

"These people- They were cannibals." A haunted look came across Tara's eyes as she remembered a ghost of an ancient past.

"Oh my God... " Aaron's jaw dropped at this statement.

"I get that they're different, but that's what makes them scarier. Those cannibals- They knew what they were doing was wrong. But these kids, I'm not even sure they know. It's like they really believe they're doing something to help humanity."

Aaron remained silent for a moment, thinking over her words deeply. "I think that's exactly what makes them dangerous. Like Negan-," He practically spat out the name. "They both believe their actions are for the greater good."

A clap of thunder made them both startle, and grow even more anxious. 

"I-I think something went wrong," Aaron stammered. "I don't know if it's a sixth sense or what, but something doesn't feel right. It's like a knot in my stomach, and I just know something went wrong!"

Before Tara could respond, Eric and Gabriel called out to them from below.

"Any sign of them?" Eric tilted his head back, looking up at his partner.

"No," Aaron murmured; his shoulders falling back in disappointment.

"It's going to start raining soon. The roads are going to be unsafe," Eric frowned. 

"I know..." Aaron looked absolutely miserable. 

"Do you think something happened?" Gabriel wondered. 

"That's what we were just discussing. We're both getting bad vibes and these clouds aren't helping with that feeling," Tara answered, placing the binoculars back over her eyes.

"The radio," Aaron blurted out. "We can radio in The Kingdom and Hilltop and see if any of them made it back."

Before any of the others could agree or object to this idea, Aaron had already started climbing back down from the wall. He did not plan on waiting for anyone, not even Eric. He needed to know- He needed to confirm that his friends were in danger so he could start acting.

----

"Hilltop, this is Alexandria, over," Aaron spoke into the radio, struggling to keep himself from shaking.

"...This is Hilltop. Aaron is that you? Over." Aaron recognized the speaker's voice to be Jesus's. 

"Who went to D.C.? Over." Aaron's hand continued shaking as he held the radio.

"Abraham and Sasha-"

"Have they returned?" Aaron interrupted, noticing that Eric, Tara, and Gabriel had followed him into Rick's garage.

"No." Jesus's voice sounded tired, not like his old self. "Oceanside just returned a few minutes ago."

"What? Where did they go? Were they with them?" Aaron felt his sense of dread expand upon hearing the name 'Oceanside,' though his conscious mind did not know the reason for this.

"No- I don't think so." Jesus sounded unsure of himself. "They had no reason for going there..."

"Shit." Aaron glanced back at his companions, all who wore a troubled expression. "Alexandria to Kingdom, have your people returned?"

No answer.

"Alexandria to Kingdom, have your people returned?" Aaron's patience was wearing thin.

Silence.

"Someone pick up, dammit! Have your people returned?!" Aaron shouted into the radio.

"Yes, Ezekiel and his knights have returned," someone spoke on the other end, much to everyone's surprise.

"Morgan is that you?" Aaron gripped the radio tightly. "Where's Ezekiel?"

"Yes, it's me. He is with Shiva at the moment." Morgan paused. "What's going on?"

"Rick and the others haven't returned. And neither have Sasha and Abraham," Aaron said desperately. "Get Ezekiel on the radio, and ask him what happened in D.C!" 

"...Okay. I-I'll ask him what- where they are." Morgan hung up, leaving a painful silence in his absence.

~

Dante couldn't help but look at his commander skeptically as she answered his question about her plans.

"I plan to send twenty of them to draw the bridges and block the roads." She glanced at him, trying to see his eyes through his ghastly mask. "There will be about five snipers at the towers and a dozen more on the wall."

"Did you truly think this through?" His words came out laced with suspicion.

"Of course, I did," She gave him a wan smile. "No one will be coming here. If our people don't stop them, the rain will. Now, enough wasting time. You have work to do." 

"Maiya, you honestly think they won't come for their leaders?" He gave an audible sigh.

"Well, if they do, we'll be ready for them. But honestly, why should they even risk their lives for these leaders? All they've done is gotten their people killed and treated their lives as fodder. At least that's what Glenn's mentioned before," Maiya frowned suddenly. "Speaking of which, where is he? He should be back by now..." 

"I'm sure he's on his way. He's probably just driving slow because of the rain-"

"Yeah, you're probably right." A worried look crossed her face as she stated this. 

"Look, we'll get to work right away while you're away. And when you come back, Glenn will be here and we'll have our vengeance through knowledge," Dante reassured, placing his gloved hand on her shoulder.

"You're much braver than I am, Dante. Going through something like this- I could never do this. Probably why I wasn't cut out to be in the medical field," Maiya smiled. "I sometimes wonder why you weren't the leader here. You certainly had more of a connection to these people."

"I think that's exactly why. I had too much of a history with them. They needed a stranger; they needed a fresh beginning."

~

Ezekiel stood solemnly by a caged Shiva's side, stroking her fur gently. She looked up at him sadly, letting out a low moan.

"May this medicine stained with the blood of my friends cure you. May death pay for your life," Ezekiel gazed down upon the now-empty syringe. 

Suddenly, the door to the theatre was thrown wide-opened, revealing a concerned Morgan. He ran in, yelling as he did so.

"Ezekiel! Where is Rick? I just got a message from Alexandria that-"

"He's probably dead by now." Ezekiel couldn't even look at the man as he told him this.

"W-What?" Morgan's frantic breathing had slowed to a shallow intake. The disbelief and heartbreak evident in his eyes.

"He's dead! They all are! And I killed them!" Ezekiel became hysterical, turning to face Morgan with a crazed grin. 

"Ezekiel... What did you do? Tell me what you did!!" Morgan roared, clenching his fists as he approached the king.

"I sold out my friends for medicine! For Shiva!" He pointed at the tiger. "For my livestock! For my people! Those kids told me I could only get the medicine if I helped them capture Rick and-"

"You coward!!" Morgan lunged at the man, punching him in the face. "You weak, phony, damn, coward!"

Ezekiel made no attempt to fight back, believing he well deserved Morgan's fury. However, Shiva, with the little strength she had, was on her feet. She jumped at Morgan, clawing at the cage that separated them.

"I did what I had to do," Ezekiel's voice cracked. "I'm their-" He couldn't finish his sentence, breaking down instead. "I'm no king like you say. I am a fake, a sham, an imposter! I'm just some guy."

"Then be some guy who can make this right and be a hero." Morgan stared at the sobbing man sternly.

"I'm too weak- I don't think I can be that anymore. If I ever was," Ezekiel shook his head sadly. "I sold my soul to the devil."

"You got what you wanted with this-this Faustian bargain!" Morgan took a few steps closer, trying to drive his point home. "There's nothing preventing you from going back on this deal! Nothing preventing you from fixing this! Nothing except yourself!"

"You don't suppose it's too late for me then? Isn't a Judas one of the worst things to be?" Ezekiel wiped his reddened eyes and rubbed his swollen cheek.

"Of course not. I used to be a killer driven to insanity." Morgan paused again, breaking his now sympathetic gaze with the king.

"It's just a matter of wanting to and working towards it. There's still time."

"Then let us gather up our weapons. We shall fight for freedom and justice tonight! Morgan, radio Alexandria and tell them we are coming. But before we go, I want a moment with Shiva. In case, we do not come back." 

Morgan nodded his head, seeing that Ezekiel had made up his mind. "It'll just be us two right?"

"Absolutely. No else needs to die because of me. I am only letting you come along because nothing I could do or say would stop you," Ezekiel chuckled softly.

"True, except maybe feeding me to Shiva," Morgan gestured towards the tiger. "And I'm sorry for hitting you. I-I overreacted."

"I would beg to differ. In my opinion, you underreacted."

~

He had finally arrived back at The Castle.

But he felt no relief or joy when he saw its walls and structure. He felt only fear. 

Glenn climbed out of the car, feeling the rain pour down on him. He had barely stepped outside and already he was drenched. He hurriedly walked towards the gate, trying to ignore the cold that ran through his veins.

That's when the guns started firing at him.

"What the fu-" He dodged behind the car as the bullets hit it. 

"IT'S ME!! GLENN!" He shouted, cupping his hands to his mouth. He raised his hands in the air, and slowly peeked over the car.

No bullets whirled past him; all was still with the exception of the rain above.

He hurriedly ran towards the gate, trying to ignore the cold that coursed through his veins and most importantly, avoid any potential bullets.

"OPEN UP!" He pounded his fist on the gate, shivering from the downpour.

"WE DON'T HAVE ORDERS TO!" Someone on top of the wall yelled back, but due to the water in his eyes, Glenn could not see them clearly.

"YOU KNOW WHO I AM! I'M MAIYA'S BROTHER! GLENN RHEE!" He was growing frustrated with their refusal to let him in, banging on the gate even harder.

"SHE LEFT NO SPECIFIC ORDER TO ALLOW YOU IN! JUST WAIT UNTIL SHE RETURNS! WE'RE ON STAND-BY RIGHT NOW!"

"STAND-BY?! FOR WHAT?!"

No response.

"Screw this then!" Glenn back away from the gate and went around to the side.

What he saw there made his blood run colder than any rainstorm. 

Alexandria's and Hilltop's cars.

"They're still here?" Glenn asked himself doubtfully. He looked back up at the castle walls; his eyes narrowing with a fierce determination.

He began checking the cars, searching for something, anything he could use to scale the walls. To his surprise, they were still unlocked.

It was a couple of cars later where he found the rope in the backseat. He began to tie a loop at one of the ends, ensuring it would be big enough to fit around the battlement of the wall. Giving it one last tug to test its strength, he stepped back into the rain and prepared for the climb.

Glenn panted tiredly, staring up at the immense wall above him. Swinging his arm with all his might, he nearly lost hold of the slippery rope. The rope went up into the air, hitting the wall and sliding back down to the ground.

Desperation was starting to set in as the rain continued soaking him. He tried throwing the rope up again.

Missed.

Again, this time offering up a silent and last-ditch prayer.

The loop fell over the battlement, catching onto the wall. Glenn couldn't help but give an eager smile, giving a resounding cheer. But that cheer would soon turn to soreness as he used all his upper arm strength to pull himself up.

He lost his footing several times because of the wetness, and his fingers were burning with redness. But he couldn't afford to fall back down, he had to push on. He had to push past his limits; past fatigue. 

"I should have taken gym class more seriously," He grumbled to himself as he paused to catch his breath.

By the time his blistered hand clawed at the top of the wall, he nearly collapsed from exhaustion. He pulled himself up onto the wall, rolling over on his back and breathing heavily.

Then, he heard the approaching footsteps.

He groaned, sitting up to face the four guards. His scowl matching their displeasure.

"You can't be up here! Get off!" One put their boot on his rib, pressing down.

"Go ahead and try. But you know I have privileges here as Maiya's brother. SO WHERE IS SHE?!" He pushed their boot off of him roughly. 

"She is not here at the moment. But when she returns, we will allow you in on her perm-"

"No, I'm staying right here," He growled, glaring up at his captors.

"No one is allowed in or out of the castle right now. Not even Commander Rhee's brother," The one seemingly in charge reached for their gun as an intimidation tactic. 

"I know you're not going to shoot me." But he didn't give any of them a chance to respond, opting for shoving two of them off instead. He didn't wait to see what happened to them as he knew the other two would be distracted and he could escape. 

He heard gunfire and shouts of surprise as he dived headfirst over the wall into The Castle grounds.

His body met the ground with a splat, and the thought of something sickening occurring made him panic.

But to his relief, he had just hit the mud; something he was sure wasn't on the outer part of the wall to break the guards' falls.

Glenn remained close to the ground, crawling through the mud towards the front door. He didn't hear any more gunfire, but didn't even think of getting up to run. He only hoped that the rain and camouflage of mud obscured the guards' vision as it did his.

It seemed to take hours to get to the door; each moment more painful than the last. But the pain was the last thing Glenn could focus on. The thought of crossing the threshold, finding his sister, and his friends. 

He needed to know they were safe.

That his intuition was wrong.

When he was about a mere, few feet from the door, the gunfire started up again. He ditched the notion of crawling and made a mad dash for the entrance.

Tired, covered in mud, and wet, Glenn had made it into The Castle. 

But there was no one in sight.

And his fear only increased in the strangely vacant building.

~

"King Ezekiel!" Jerry called out to a soaked Ezekiel and Morgan loaded up their truck with some weapons. "Where are you guys going?"

"To right our wrongs, Jerry!" Ezekiel barely acknowledged his knight as he finished his preparations. 

"Then let me come too! I can bring my ax-"

"No, Jerry. This is our responsibility. Especially mine! Alexandria and Hilltop's blood is on my hands," Ezekiel ordered solemnly. 

"Nah, it's all of ours," Jerry stated reassuringly. "We were just following orders."

"And I apologize for putting you up to that. As your leader, that was irresponsible," Ezekiel lamented.

"And as your knight, I'm telling you that you don't have to apologize. We're here to protect you. We promised to," Jerry smiled.

"We?" Ezekiel's eyes widened.

"We're your knights." Jerry pointed to the group of knights approaching from around the corner.

"No. I order you to stay behind. Protect the citizens. Protect yourselves!" Ezekiel cried out.

"Ezekiel's right. We- We probably won't be coming back from this," Morgan said bluntly.

"I know," Jerry simply stated. "And that's why I want to thank you." He looked at Ezekiel earnestly.

"For what?" Ezekiel was trying to hold back his tears as he saw Jerry and the other knights stand huddled together.

"For being a cool guy. And for being our king."

~

"Wait," Jerry suddenly put his hands up while Ezekiel was backing out. "We need some music to jam out to."

"Jerry," Ezekiel pursed his lips, turning towards his passenger. "Now is not the time."

"It makes things less depressing..." Jerry lowered his head disappointedly. 

"Alright," Ezekiel sighed. "But I did not bring any CDs-"

"Don't worry, king. I got this," Jerry grinned, sticking a disc into the CD player.

With rock music blasting and their weapons in hand, Ezekiel, Morgan, and the Knights pulled out of The Kingdom for perhaps the final time and drove towards a stormy Alexandria.

A/N: I should start advertising this story as The Walking Dead where Glenn, Abraham, Sasha, Shiva, and Carl are still alive...