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chapter six.
get knocked down,
get back up.
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        Because June has bolted closer to Mount Weather before Raven or Sinclair could stop her, her injuries are worse than there's. Her skin from her legs up to her neck was burned, scarring a mix of white and red. Abby instructed her to rub a treatment on the injuries once a day to prevent infection and then wrapping bandages around it. June felt uncomfortable at the feeling of the wrap underneath her clothing, but she didn't have much of an option. At least she was alive, and that was more than what she could say for the rest of Farm Station.

The wounds didn't hurt as much as they did at first, so when June sat on one of the cots in medical spreading the medicine on her exposed skin, she didn't strain as much as first. She had wanted to be quick, knowing the funeral for all the lives lost was going to be held soon, but Abby warned her to be slow and gentle. As June rubbed her thumb across her upper shoulder, the doors to medical slid open and she looked up to see Kane walking in with a distressed expression.

"Thompson," Kane greeted, approaching June with a polite nod. "I'd like to have a word with you. It's about Bellamy."

Lowering her hand, June straightened at the mention of Bellamy's name. "Is he alright?" She asked.

Kane's lips press into a firm line as he thought of the right answer. "I suppose I'm not sure," he finally said. "He just came to me and quit the guard."

The words send a wave of both shock and ache through June. Bellamy quit the guard? "What?" Is all she can whisper.

"He blames himself for Mount Weather," Kane explained.

"But it was Ice Nation," June argued, struggling to wrap her mind around the information.

"It's Gina, too. He told her to stay," Kane continued. At least June could understand why. But Bellamy was always stubborn, headstrong, caring. He wasn't just on the guard because he was a great shot. "I'm not insistent, but I think it'd help if you talked to him," Kane recommended. "I've seen you two become close these past three months. He might listen to you."

It was a long shot, but June nodded to Kane, putting having a talk with Bellamy at the top of her list. Kane looked grateful, backing up to give her space. She finished wrapping her burns, shifting her limbs to get used to the feeling. Her skin was taut, pulling and making her wince, but she slid off the cot and grabbed her guard's jacket, dragging it on as she headed for the exit. June knew the funeral was starting soon, and she didn't want to be late.

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The memorial service is being hosted by Pike, and June assumed it was because these were people he not only led but ones he left in the mountain where they died. She didn't have anything to say about the deceased, having not known them, but she stayed to pay her respects and out of guilt. June knew she tried her best, did everything she possibly could, would have ran back into Mount Weather if Raven hadn't grabbed her, but the heavy guilt still weighed her down. She trusted Echo, she made it out alive.

"... All that's certain is that we die. How we die is up to us," Pike finished his speech. June sat back in her chair, making it creak, knowing what was about to begin. The crowd listening were in lines of chairs, quiet, and she had taken the empty seat beside Bellamy. His features were like stone, refusing to show any emotion, as he clutched a book so tightly his knuckles turned white. "Who will speak for Iris Jones?" Pike questioned.

A male stands up from the front. June recognized him, seeing that it was Bryan, the same boy from Farm Station that pinned her down. When he turns to face the crowd, she can see the pure grief on his face. "Iris was strong. Good with a knife," Bryan announced shakily. "She saved my life. I'm just sorry I couldn't do the same for her." He flicks his wrist, revealing a pocket knife that he slowly rests on the table of items. With his head bowed, he walks back to his seat with Miller, who comforts his boyfriend by wrapping an arm around him.

"We will miss Iris," Pike speaks. "May we meet again."

"May we meet again," the assembly of mourning people repeat.

"Who will speak for Gina Martin?"

From beside June, Bellamy stiffens. She frowns sympathetically, reaching out to gently pat his lower arm and catch sight of the title belonging to his book. The Iliad. He doesn't react much to her touch, only stands, slowly walking to the front. "Gina was real," Bellamy began quietly. "She always saw the light, even here. She deserved better." He doesn't stop when a buzz fills the room and guards enter, pulling Pike aside. He rests the book on the tabletop. "May we meet again."

June opened her mouth to repeat the words. Before she can, it's Pike's voice of fury shouting at both Kane and Abby stopping her. "You gave a grounder one of our radios?!" The crowd starts whispering to one another, having overheard. June can sense the fear herself, but she's more confused than scared.

"Sir, are we under attack?" Hannah Green questioned, standing, others following her like they're about to run.

"No, we are not under attack," Kane quickly reassured them. "The Commander sent a peacekeeping force to ensure that we can defend against any further attacks from Ice Nation." June feels more relaxed at that, grateful even, that Commander Lexa had done so, showing she cared about the Sky People.

But Pike has an entirely different reaction. "Peacekeeping force?" He repeated in disbelief. "Even you can't be that naive, Marcus!"

"Watch your tone. You're talking to the next Chancellor," Abby snapped back, warning. She gazes to the rest. "We're all grieving. This has been hard on all of us, but we can't let anger drive our policy."

"Anger is our policy!" Pike exclaimed. He stands on a stool, facing the rising ground. June pushes herself slowly to her feet, forehead creased. "Now if they're here to defend us, as you say, then tell them to go home! We can defend ourselves!"

The chanting that follows makes June uneasy. She takes slow steps back, remembering the last time she was in a crowd like this when Murphy was hung. People full of adrenaline and anger; there's no predicting what they'll do. She would know. June doesn't see how right she is until a man snarls, pointing behind her. "You!" She turns her head to see he's pointing at Lincoln, who had been hanging back shyly and was startled at the uprising. "You don't belong here!"

June doesn't see it coming. One second, the crowd is shouting in agreement with Pike's speech while the one angry at Pike hurls a rock in his direction with a scream. "My boy is dead!" She hardly notices the blur of the stone as it flies over everyone, striking the side of Lincoln's head with a sick thud. Repulsed, June's hand shoots up to cover her mouth as she watches Lincoln stagger, blood dripping from the now open wound.

The peace funeral turns bad within seconds. People began shoving one another, attempting to attack Lincoln of all people. The same incredibly sweet grounder who showed up to pay his respects, spoke of nothing but peace, was doing his best to fit in because his own people rejected him. June has never met a kinder person, and he doesn't deserve this.

"Alright, stop!" June shouts, attempting to be heard over the mob as she tries to push them back. "Enough!"

A piercing whistle fills the air and all at once, everyone stops. "We do not attack our own!" Pike calls. "Fighting each other only makes us weak. The enemy is not in this camp. The enemy is out there!"

"Lincoln, are you okay?" June hears Abby ask, her gentle hands trying to inspect his injury.

"I'm fine," Lincoln slurred, dizzy, as he stumbled away. June watches for a second as he slips away, squeezing through an opening before she hurries to follow.

"Lincoln!" June calls for him, stepping outside. She doesn't see him at first, not until she turns. Having fallen to his knees, Lincoln grips the corner of Arkadia, breathing heavily. "Lincoln," she repeats more gently, rushing over to get a better look at him. "You need to go to medical."

The fresh wound is still bleeding badly and June imagines it feels worse than it looks. A blue and purple bruise is already beginning to form around it, hardly audible under the crimson blood that drips far enough down to his neck. Lincoln ignores her, opting to hit the wall once before speaking stubbornly. "Ge smak daun, gyon op nodotaim." (Get knocked down, get back up again.)

June admires as Lincoln stands, struggling for a moment before he's steady on his feet. He's refusing to show any signs of weakness. But she still tugs the armor of his suit, softly speaking. "Come on. You still need to go to medical."

But the words repeat in June's mind as Lincoln reluctantly leaves with her. Get knocked down, get back up.

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The talk promised to Kane with Bellamy would have to wait longer than June hoped for. Usually, the pair had the same shift and would spend it having each other's backs and protecting their people with the time spent together that she enjoyed. Now, since Bellamy had quit and she was with Monroe, Harper, and Lincoln, once he was cleared by Abby. June could still see the scar it left, along with the stitches but she didn't pay too much attention to it. She had her eyes glued to the field in front of them, waiting.

There was no doubt June trusted the Commander, Lincoln's people, and most of all, Clarke. She believed that a peaceful army was being sent to protect them, to be prepared to help if Ice Nation attacked their home. Polis was a good journey from where they were, so June didn't expect the army to be here by tonight, not even tomorrow.

"Um," Monroe speaking up on edge snapped June out of her thoughts. "What the hell is that?"

Finger pressed lightly on the trigger, June whirled around, prepared to see what was wrong. She's confused when she only sees a moving shadow in the dark. When she squints, she's able to see the barely lit lights illuminating their faces. It's a small army of people, all holding weapons, heading straight for the gates. And they're being led by Pike, Bellamy by his side. "What are they doing?" June mumbles to the other three.

Harper cocks her head in their direction as a sign to follow. June hesitated, having a hunch that made her feel uneasy. She strolls forward with them, keeping her gun lowered in a position near her hip as they come to a stop in front of the group. Her eyes meet Bellamy and for a moment, she's positive she can see right through him. He's trying to seem tough, but the facade crumbles, at least to her. "You need to step aside," Bellamy orders, voice wavering.

"What are the guns for?" Harper shoots back.

"There's an army out there," Bellamy answered. "We need to hit them before they hit us." June stares back in shock. She didn't recognize Bellamy now, not the cold look on his face or the words that come from his mouth.

"That army was sent to protect us," Lincoln reminded them.

"Do we have a problem?" Pike questioned hardly.

June steps around Monroe so she's in front, staring him down. "Yes," she spit out boldly. "You are not going through those gates. Not with us here."

This time, Bellamy looks from June to Lincoln. "I have always done what is best for us," he defended. "I need you to trust that I'm doing that now."

June speaks before she can think. "I don't."

The words seem to hit Bellamy hard. But he covers it, pretending June had never said anything at all as he nods tightly. "Monroe." To June's astonishment, Monroe leaves like he commanded her to do so in the one word. "Harper," he says next.

At least Harper hesitated. But then she caves. "Sorry, Lincoln," she apologizes, refusing to meet June's stunned stare that follows her as she leaves after Monroe. It only leaves June and Lincoln now, and neither are showing any signs of backing down.

"You too, Lincoln," Pike demands, stepping forward. "You want to prove you're one of us, let us pass."

"You're sick," June sneered in both anger and disgust at the use of blackmail. Lincoln had done more to prove he's on their side than Pike ever had while on the ground. "He is one of us."

Lincoln gently touches June's arm before she can move. "I'm not moving," he declared.

The same man who threw the rock at Lincoln storms forward, holding his gun up. "Get out of the way, grounder," he commanded. He doesn't get much farther, not when Lincoln rips the firearm from his hand and swings it around, striking him in the head without breaking a sweat. Lincoln drops the rifle, grabbing the man by the neck before he can crumple to the ground and pulling him in a tight headlock with a knife pressed to his throat.

Every member of the army they're against raise their guns. "Stop!" June shouted, stepping in front of Lincoln. "Don't shoot!"

"Put the guns down," Bellamy orders once June is in the way. "Guns down!"

"Do what he says," Pike adds. "Now."

One by one, they comply with looks of distaste. "So much for the good grounder," Hannah mumbled.

"There was a gun in his face," June fiercely defends him. She remembered when she and Finn had broken into his cave to search for the medicine for Raven, and he held a knife to her throat as well. It's just a reaction.

"Quiet," Pike barks at both June and Hannah. "Whose people are you defending here, Lincoln?" He asks.

"Lincoln," Bellamy says, more tender than before. "Put down the knife. No one has to get hurt here."

"What were you planning again?" June challenged, bringing her free hand to her belt. She presses the red warning button that every guard had on their radio in the case of an emergency to alert Kane and Abby, positive this qualified.

But Lincoln doesn't move from his still position. "June is right," he said. "We can't let you start a war."

"We're already at war," Pike argued.

"You can't stop this," Bellamy inputs. "June... You once said, do what you have to do. Stand by that now."

As if either Bellamy or Pike would fight her on moving, June plants her boots down more firmly in the ground. "I am," she stated angrily.

On cue, a buzzer comes from the speakers. "All Arkadia security personnel, report to the main gate now. All Arkadia security personnel, report to the main gate now." Bellamy's face drops as he looks at June with an expression of betrayal like somehow she was in the wrong.

It doesn't take long for Octavia to push her way through the crowd. She studies the scene around her for a moment; her brother with a gun, Lincoln with a knife held to a man's throat before demanding. "What's wrong with you?" Bellamy drops the look of betrayal, suddenly ashamed as he drops his head.

"Calm down, people," Pike orders his army as they shuffle, clutching on their guns tightly. "Farm Station, guns on the ground." He drops his gun before holding his hands up in surrender. "On the ground."

"Lincoln," Kane's voice calls over the crowd before he appears. "It's alright," he tells him calmly. "Let him go." Lincoln complied, lowering the knife and shoving the man away with a glare.

Abby is much more angry than any of them as she stops in front of Pike. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"What you didn't have the guts to," Pike fired back coldly.

Once Lincoln backs down, Kane turns to Bellamy. "Did you arm these people?" He asked. Bellamy doesn't respond, lips pressed together tightly. It seems enough to convince Kane, who nods to Abby.

"Guards," Abby announced. "Take them to lockup now." June calms down when they do so, watching as the supporters are starting to be tugged away and handcuffs are clasped on Pike and Bellamy's wrists. "Everybody, back to your quarters," Abby orders the audience having been drawn in. "It's over."

"Nothing is over!" Pike shouted. The guards leading everyone away stop, interested. "We are surrounded by warriors who want us dead."

"That's enough," Kane warned.

"No, it isn't. Not even close," Pike disagreed sharply. "Why don't you show us all what you let the grounders do to you yesterday?" He requested. Kane hesitated, unsure. "Come on, Kane!" Pike urged him. "I think that the people who are about to vote for you have a right to know."

Even though June knows what is on Kane's arm, she understands his hesitation. Pike has their people scared, and this wouldn't help much, but they don't have much of a choice when a few cheers follow. Kane rolls up his sleeve, revealing the branding permanently burned into his lower arm and holds the limb up for everyone to see. "It's the mark of the Commander's coalition," he explained. "It means we are the thirteenth clan. It means we are in this fight together."

"No," Pike protested. "It's what farmers used to do to their livestock."

"Right before the slaughterhouse!" Hannah adds loudly. June grits her teeth.

"Pike for Chancellor!" Someone suddenly exclaimed.

The man who Lincoln restrained eyes glint as he looks to Pike. "Sir, you should be on the ballot tomorrow," he suggested. A few outcries follow in agreement.

"That's enough!" Abby said over them, nodding to the guard who handcuffed Pike. "Take him away."

June supposes that's the end of it. The cheers have seemed to die down once Pike is out of her view until Bellamy suddenly chants. "Pike! Pike! Pike!" June's jaw drops as she watches in horror as her friend is taken away, but the name carries on until everyone in the crowd - even the residents watching - is chanting it.

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author's note:

hey there!! i posted a pov of raven's side from the last chapter in my misc book if you're interested! it's super sad. angst. it's a fun time.

- koda