Note: This fic is rated T. Not for the reasons you might think. Yes there is (mild) swearing and violence but that would only give the fic a K+ rating. I'm not sure if "Mature Content" is only for sexual encounters and suggestions (which I might put in giving it a M) but I'm pretty sure you wouldn't try to explain the situation in the Middle East or the complexity of WWI to a kid without dumbing it down 10 notches. This will also contain subject matter (chemistry, politics ect.) which an average 6th grader wouldn't understand.

Genres (full list in decreasing order of importance): Politics, Philosophical, (albeit early) Steampunk, Low/Science Fantasy, Drama, Romance

Pairings: Pairings are not going to be announced and this will shape sorta like a love dodecagon in the end, if you do not like a pairing, don't panic because it might not happen anyways (I tend to like the popular/canon ones) and it's not going to be a) fluff nor b) very prominent.
In case you don't know CE means Current Era. I use this to denote timeframe in my story. We'll find out more later. The first arch is dedicated to Alfred learning about the World of Cards.

Pilot: The Announcement

~We were the Kings and Queens of Promise~

Time: 165 CE

Location: Royal Castle, Capitol, United People's Republic of Spades

Matthew knocked on the door. "My Lord? It's time for the conference."

He waited. Unlike previous times, he could not hear any shuffling to either get the door or to pretend he wasn't there. Just silence.

"Alfred?" he called. There was no answer. Hesitantly he tried the doorknob and to his surprise it turned. The room was empty; Alfred's usually cluttered office desk was clear of any overdue paperwork and the usual blueprints for various contraptions he was always working on.

Instead a single letter bearing the royal seal lay there. On the back -in Alfred's distinct writing- it read:

To: Whom it may concern

Curious, Matthew broke the seal and began to read.

Moments later he dropped the letter; he needed to get to Alfred. Fast.

~We were the victims of ourselves~

Location: Royal Memorial, Capitol, United People's Republic of Spades

Alfred ran his hands over the smooth wooden fence. How strange that only a barrier three feet high was supposed to keep people from falling off the edge.

"Alfred!" He turned around and saw his brother running towards him.

"Well I wasn't expecting someone to read my letter so soon."

"How can you not! Today's the conference; it starts in half an hour! Not to mention we were supposed to be there an hour early."

Alfred chucked, it was weird to hear him chuckle. "Just another miscalculation on my behalf I suppose."

He looked out over the cliff.

"Hey Matthew have you ever wondered what's on the other side?"

"The other side of what?"

"The ocean. We're constantly trapped here because if we go any further south, it'll be too hot to endure."

"I dunno. I bet Francis would be able to find out for you."

"Still on first name terms?"

Matthew nodded.

"But I want to see for myself. I bet we could, with modern advancements."

Matthew looked at Alfred curiously.

"What if we had enough electricity that we could move multiple fans up and down!"

"Alfred this isn't like you, stop acting this way."

"What way?"

"So… so damn philosophically!"

Alfred laughed, but this laugh was throaty; from anyone else it would have seemed encouraging, amusing. From Alfred… "You don't hate me then."

"Of course not, why would I?" Matthew instantly recognized his question as as a stupid one.

"Why wouldn't you?"

"Because I am your brother. And blood runs thicker than water." The two brothers stayed silent for a while.

"Hey Mattie, how do you think we came to be like this."

Matthew's eyes opened in surprise. It had been a long time since Alfred had used that name.

"I dunno." The twins turned around and looked upon the ruined capital city of Spades, knowing this destruction wasn't limited to their view but to most areas of the deck. "I guess it all started when you became king."

~Maybe the children of a lesser God~

Time: 153 CE

Location: A farm in North America, United People's Republic of Spades

"Quick Mattie! Turn on the radio" Alfred F Jones, stormed into the farmhouse.

"I thought you went to the market?" Matthew Williams asked.

"Yeah, I did," Alfred said.

"In five minutes?"

"Well no... I meant to, but I met Julie on the way and she said that something important is happening right now."

Matthew turned the dial on the radio.

"This is just in: the King Clock has begun to spin in the Capitol and is pointing towards the east. To recap, the Queen, Arthur Kirkland was found in England a few months back. We have been waiting for the King ever since King George IV and Queen Elizabeth III died 4 years ago. To this day Jack Yao I, has been the only royal in Spades. Most of the other royals from other countries who died in the last shuffle also remain unchosen."

"Hey! Do you think it could be somebody we know?" Alfred asked excitedly.

"North America is the only territory east of the Capitol. Besides most people here do live in Washington."

"Well I guess. Still'd be cool though"

"Maybe. Who knows?"

"It appears the clock is pointing towards the region of America."

*Knock, Knock*

"I'll get it!" Alfred said excitedly and jumped from the bed to rush to the door, his brother close behind.

In front of the door, a bunch of people in fancy dress with scrolls and books geeted their sight. One of them was... a man? Who was in his late-twenties, with black hair tied in a ponytail. In his hand was a clock held parallel to the floor. He moved it around, then looked at Alfred.

"Name?" he asked. He was obviously trying to hide his Chinese accent.

"Err, me?" Al asked; pointing to himself. "Alfred F Jones."

The man dropped to his knees. "Gentlemen, I present to you: his Royal Highness King Alfred the First."

"The king has been found on a farm in America; his name is Alfred F. Jones and appears to be around 16 years of age."

Except the voice wasn't only coming from the radio this time..

Alfred stood there with his mouth agape. "Say what?"

~Between Heaven and Hell~

A/N And Cliffie XD