Act 1 - "Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown"

Chapter 1 - Day 1

The crowds gathered as the new king prepared to announce himself to the playground. It was a time of celebration for the kids of 3rd street, but TJ Detweiler, now a sixth grader felt uneasy.

'My arms still red from that injection earlier.' TJ moaned

'So, who is the king now Gretch? I lost track after Freddie crowned that Kid that moved to Australia.'

'Well, I have some news on that actually. So we know the kid who was going to be king left school so the title should have fell to the oldest kid in the school by default, according to the constitution of the playground. That would be... Gus... Unless someone got called back a year, those students only come back today.'

'Well I'm not up there guys! So it can't be me, can it?' Remarked a somewhat panicked Gus.

TJ thought back to when Gus took the place of King Bob for a few days back in forth grade, when he went mad with power and had kids digging cookie mines!

'Gus Gus oh mighty Gus king of all the playground!" Chanted TJ mockingly. "Gee Gus I sure hope not, no offence' TJ replied.

'No problem Teej, anyway...'

Gus was cut off by the musical commotion created before the King spoke to his people. The crowd edged closer in a semi-circle around the jungle gym, behind a curtain on top a shadow revealed the figure of the new king.

'Its not me then' Gus groaned.

Suddenly the curtain fell and the king marched forward to the edge of the jungle gym.

'It can't be' Cried the gang in unison. The king stood ready to begin his speech.

'Kids of the playground, welcome to my delayed start to a new year at 3rd street! I know some of you were expecting someone else to wear this crown, but the library kid has found in the constitution of the playground that the oldest student is to take the throne if no king is named. But don't fear, I will to make this year the best, better then any king that came before me. I will use all my power to create a playground that is fair and free for all and crush those who stand against me! Now go enjoy your recess. And TJ Detweiler, come speak to me...'

The crowd dispersed, but all TJ could do was stare at the L engraved into the new golden crown. 'Lawson' TJ mumbled as he left his friends and went to meet to the new king. After climbing up the jungle Gym TJ stood face to face with his old adversary.

'Leave us alone' Lawson said motioning his two advisers to leave. They did as he wished and slid down the slide.

'How did you get back here Lawson? D'ya get held back a year?'

'Yah, but I didn't ask you here to help my problems. I need your help'.

'Excuse me!' TJ interrupted, taken aback.

'You might not like me being king but you wouldn't like who wants to be... emperor either. Read this'

Lawson passed over a battered letter. It read,

"Dear King Erwin of 3rd street, We're at war. No one wants to admit it but our schools are under attack. Information is scarce but the pattern is there to be seen. People being beaten up, the balance of power starting to shift on the playground. This could be the greatest threat to not only our reigns as king but the freedom of our peoples. My sources indicate it is the work of the Holy Ronan empire moving to dethrone us both and take over, like what has happened to many schools in the past. If the empire is targeting us, trying to wipe us out, I will stop them. But I can not do this alone, I need your help, if you are wise you will meet me at the park at the address below 4:20PM."

'It arrived about an hour ago, it was left on my desk. I don't know how they found out I was going to be King because I was supposed to be kept a secret until the announcement.'

'Your kidding me? If this "empire" is such a big deal of come I've never heard of it before?' Asked TJ, not believing Lawson's words.

'You don't have to believe what it Detweiler! But I knew King Freddie well, and talked about it. He never believed it was real, but if it is I need to do something, with or without you!' Snapped Lawson.

'Ok Lawson, what do you want me to do?'

'Come with me to the meeting, you can get things done and the kids here trust you. Wait for me by the gates after the end of school, oh and read this it was left with the note. And TJ... don't tell anyone about this'.

Lawson passed TJ a small blue school book and with that TJ left just as the bell rang signalling the start of class. The letter had TJ so confused, an empire? TJ thought to himself. He was certain the book Lawson have him would have some answers. After getting to class TJ sat adjacent to Vince and Gus who starting asking, or as TJ saw it interrogating him about what Lawson said.

'Well he must have said something Teej' Gus said questioningly.

'Not really guys, you know just Lawson challenging us to a kickball game next week is all'.

'Next week!' Vince replied ' I could take him on right n...'

Vince was cut off by Miss Finster slamming the door as she entered, demanding silence.

TJ had been unlucky enough to have Finster not just for fifth grade but also sixth! After handing out papers Finster stated that the students were to write about what they did in the holidays, what she described as a "pointless task" they had to do for a school competition to find the best story, and it was to be done in silence "like good little boys and girls". As TJ sat near the back of the class he took out the blue book and started to read it. It had written of the first page "a very brief history of the Holy Ronan empire (know your enemy)" Underneath was a note "This information came from many sources within the empire and our library kid who gathered it into a book, some of the information may be incorrect". TJ turned the page and started reading the main text of the book. "The Holy Ronan Empire is a group of schools located around the entire state that formed from the coronation of Ronan I as emperor in 1989 after King Francis II was deposed in the same year during a rebellion at 56th street school which transformed this school from a kingdom to the capital of an empire. This capital is now the largest school within the empire, but the empire also includes 5th street, saint Hope's and holyfast schools among 8 others currently. The title of Holy Ronan Emperor was traditionally frequently controlled by the ruling family the Williams dynasty. The empire grew out of 56th street, after the rebellion against the King Francis "The terrible". This marked the start of the Williams dynasty which would last until 2002. After which the title was passed to Ronan II and marks the start of the Caffrey dynasty. The empire grows by adding more schools to its territory by many methods, some volunteer after being persuaded to by the emperors "agents" whereas if a school does not want to be part of the empire more direct intervention is deemed necessary. This includes violence, blackmail, and controlling trade into the playground such as gum. Rebellions were common during the early 1990's but all failed. The Holy Ronan Empire achieved a political unification unseen before with the Emperor controlling every school from his "capital" using regent "overlords" to implement his wishes in their local school. But Before 1996, it was merely referred to as the Ronan Empire (after it's founder Ronan Williams.) The term holy, in the sense of "consecrated" in connection with the mid Ronan Empire was used beginning in 1996, under Tiber I when the church of the Ronan mainframe was created. The term was added to reflect Tiber's ambition to dominate schools thorough radical religion and is also the reason why his holy palace, created under his jungle gym was title "The mainframe". Some hate the empire but many of its subjects have been indoctrinated and uphold its religious views on spreading hate and blind obedience to the emperor. As such The title of Emperor now carries with it an important role as protector of the Ronan faith. It's military strength is made up of Kindergarteners forming the bulk of the army with a leadership of chosen sixth graders specially used for schools resisting the empires control. One such..."

'Mr Detweiler, doing some history homework are we?' Finster cackled snatching the book off TJ. "Your ability to spell Roman Empire incorrectly is incredible, your dedication to history Is really veeeery touching but DO THE WORK I SET!'. The women then flung the book back at TJ. After reading the start of the book TJ had more questions then answers, but one thing was for sure, the playground could be in grave danger. The time soon rolled round to meet Lawson, TJ slipped out of class just ahead of his friends and hid in the toilets for a few minuets waiting for them to leave. Lawson waited by the gates just as he said he would and they both started walking towards the park discussing what the book said. At the park the pair stood under a shelter out of the rain. The rain looked set in for a long time as the black clouds rolled in and thunder rumbled periodically. Time past and TJ wondered if the mysterious person would ever appear. A figure emerged out the rain, he was quite tall for a sixth grader and was sipping out of a cocacola can as he approached. Sat down at the bench next to them and said.

'I'm glad you came, I trust this kid you brought with you can be Trusted Erwin?' Lawson nodded.

'Good, now let's get down to business. I propose an alliance, both of our schools working together to stop the empire from annexing both our schools, I hope you have read the book I gave you, or you will have no idea what I'm talking about. It's this simple, we stand together or we fall alone.'

TJ interrupted 'we need a information, we need to know what their plan is so we can make a plan to stop it'.

'I totally agree' replied the figure. 'That's why we need someone to send in to the empire to gather information. Erwin is there anyone you have in mind?'

'Call me Lawson, and I think you should use TJ here'.

'Good, I have word the emperor's agents will probably contact you in the next few days. Pretend to be interested in joining the empire and tell them your sending TJ as your representative to their capital'.

'How will I get to their capital?' TJ inquired.

'Oh it's not too far so you could take the bus, they will likely meet you after school when there are no teachers.'

'Right, I could bug the place if I got Gretchen's help'.

Lawson pondered this for a moment and then replied 'ok sure, I will send you both'.

With that the group soon fished up their meeting and were about to part ways.

'What's your name?' TJ asked to the stranger.

'For now it's best you don't know my name, I serve my king at 5th street as a spy. My code name at the moment is Vulcan. Oh and if the empire takes over your school, I imagine you will be put in a jungle gym prison for the rest of your recesses, just In case you needed more motivation.'

And with that he began to walk off into the darkness.

'Wait! How when will we meet you again.' Called TJ.

'I will find you...'