I must admit to you all, I never thought in a million years that I would ever like a show as apocalyptic, depressing at times and action packed as The Walking Dead. I've known about this show ever since it came out back in 2010 and I just never got into it. It was too gory for me and the thought of a Zombie Apocalypse kinda freaked me out, knowing that stuff wasn't my cup of tea I stayed away from it all this time. But now six years later here I am and I absolutely love this show and I don't know why! Maybe my tastes have changed or maybe it's the fact that I'm a sucker for great, badass characters and tons of character development as well as family dynamic and brotherly love.
With all that said, my urge to write for this show is too strong to ignore. More specifically I have to write about the racist, badass himself Merle Dixon. Honestly, I had no idea that Daryl had an older brother until I researching him. Naturally I researched him as well and I saw what an intriguing character he was as well as complexed. Seeing that he started off high as a kit on a rooftop beating up T-Dog and being a asshole, to then sacrificing his own life for his little brother is something I find very moving.
So much so that I have come to think to myself, "What if...?" And that's where this story comes in. Please forgive me if Merle or any of the characters are OOC (or if I don't nail how Merle and Daryl talk, I'm not familiar with writing for characters, like them) this is my first time attempting to write for characters that are so detailed and complex.
Daryl knew from the beginning that giving Michonne up to the Governor was wrong, doing something like that just wasn't them, it wasn't Rick. Sure, his friend was going through a difficult time right now but that doesn't mean that this was right and to say he was glad that Rick came to his senses was a relief to the archer would be an understatement. But Merle— damn him had decided to go through with the plan anyway and slipped out, unnoticed by the rest of them. And for the first time he didn't know what Merle was thinking. He has always been able, to some degree know what was going on his big brother's head, from the time he could form a complete sentence he'd always known. And now, not knowing pissed him off.
So Daryl decided to track Merle down, wanting answers. And when he came a crossed Michonne, freed and her sword in her possession with Merle no where in sight did Daryl think the worst, "Hey!" He called out as Michonne stabbed a Walker head with her katana. "Where's my brother?"
The woman gave him stared at him with a look that was a mix between expressionless and pity. "You kill him?" Daryl asked as he narrowed his eyes, feeling angry at himself because he understands why Michonne would kill his brother. She had every right too seeing how the kind of person Merle was, but angry that she killed the only family, by blood that he had left.
She shook her head. "He let me go."
And the look in Michonne's eyes changed and that's when Daryl knew exactly what Merle was doing, the very man that beat Glenn to near death, that is an all around bad person— was going on a suicide mission. A suicide mission to protect them, to protect Daryl. And it was so unlike Merle, so uncharacteristically un-Merle like that younger Dixon knew he had to go and stop his brother before he got himself killed. "Don't let anyone come after me." He ordered Michonne as he ran passed her and down the field.
Dammit Merle, the hell are you thinkin' taken on the Governor by yerself? Daryl thought to himself as he continued to run, barely even giving himself a chance to breathe as he bolted to the place where they were suppose to handing Michoone over, the same place that they had their first meeting with that one-eyed asshole. He knew that he didn't have that much time left so he ran and he ran because all this time Daryl thought that he was going to have to make Merle change, but in reality Merle had done that all on his own, or at least was trying too— was trying to be a better man.
As he neared his destination Daryl could hear gun fire and screaming in the distance. He ran faster and ducked down into some bushes upon as he saw Walkers eating some Woodbury soldiers, Daryl jerked his head to his left and saw Merle getting beat by Martinez and some other Woodbury soldier, then the Governor himself grabbed Merle and ragged him back inside the Mill where Merle's yells grow louder.
You're not killin' my brother, you prick. Daryl thought as he silently moved upon Martinez who was on the other side of the farm mill and knocked him out with his crossbow, unfortunately the other Woodbury solider came around the corner and saw him. Daryl raised his crossbow before the other guy could go for his gun, he was ready and willing to kill this jackass.
Then another scream from Merle within the Mill rang out and Daryl knew he didn't have the time. "Unless you want one between eyes, I suggest you start leavin'." He warned the soldier, his voice gruff and dangerous. The soldier immediately dropped his weapon and took off. Making sure to grab the discarded gun, Daryl crept inside the shack. He kept low to the ground as the sounds of his brother grew nearer.
"I ain't gonna beggin'!" Merle's voice echoed out and the younger Dixon moved closer. "I ain't beggin' ya! He moved to a gap where he was still concealed.
"No." The Governor said with a smile as he pulled out a pistol and that's when Daryl moved, he couldn't explain what happened even if he wanted too, his legs just moved without thinking as he tackled the man to the ground, his hearing temporarily leaving him as the gun went off right next to his head. They tossed and rolled on the ground for a minute, each getting the upper hand a couple of times before Daryl found himself on top and proceeded to punch Philip repeatedly. "You. Don't. Mess. With. My. Brother!" He grunted loudly as his fist continued to slam against the Governor's face only for him to be flung off a few second later.
Daryl scrambled towards his crossbow, shoving and kicking off his assailant who tried to drag him backwards. When he felt the familiar object brush against his fingertips, he clung to his crossbow and pulled it towards him, jerking around Daryl aimed his weapon at the Governor and fired. And Philip, somehow in those few seconds, was able to move his head slightly to the left, causing the arrow to only graze his temple and he fell to the ground, seemingly unconscious.
Falling on his back, the archer let out a sigh of exhaustion as his head pounded in his ears and he panted from the over exertion. "The things I do for ya, Merle." Daryl gasped out, his tone filled with annoyance at the man who made him do this in the first place, that put them both in danger like this because he was so stubborn. He found it odd when Merle didn't say anything back because Merle always had something to say, always had a quick remark or snappy comment when ever someone's spoke to him. "Merle?" The younger Dixon repeated once more as he turned his head and realized in horror exactly why Merle wasn't replying, because he was on the floor with a hole in his chest.
Daryl shot up like a top and was by his brother's side in seconds. He inspected the injury, and saw that it was cause from a bullet. Blood flowed freely from the wound, and just when he started to wonder just how his brother had been shot he figured it out instantly as he remembered the Governor's gun going off when Daryl had knocked him to the ground. Merle started to look slightly pale and his brother was shivering, letting out small moans. "No, no, no." He muttered softly, realizing didn't have much time left that he didn't to get him back to the prison now.
"C'mon, big brother. Talk ta me." Daryl instructed as he lifted Merle's shirt, tearing off his own and bandaged the wound as best he could to try and slow down the blood that was done, he stood up and heaved his brother onto his back.
"A–Ain't no-o baby, Dar—Darlina. C-C-Can walk on ma' own..."
Daryl puffed out a breathe of laughter, "Yeah, that's it, Merle. Keep takin'. Stay 'wake for me, okay?" He said as he grabbed his crossbow and running out of the shack as he took the same route he used to get here. Daryl knew that his fast pace probably was causing Merle even more pain given all the jostling, but he was on a strict time crunch as he could feel his brother getting colder from the blood loss. Why'd ya do it, Merle? Why did you have to be so fucking stupid? He thought, feeling more and more panic and frustrated that it was taking forever to get back home.
"Hadta' help ya, ba-baby brother..." Daryl heard Merle's voice stutter quietly in his ear, not realizing that he had voice his thoughts aloud. "Wan-Wanted ta make— things right. Do— Do right by you. After what I did ta the Lo-Love Birds... and Nurbian Queen... Tired of bein' the bad guy..."
Daryl ran even faster, "You did, Merle." His throat felt tight and he found it hard to swallow. "They might not see it now but they will, I promise." The younger Dixon vowed as he finally broke through the clearing of the forest and saw the prison up ahead. He saw Michonne in the distance, dealing with the few Walkers they had by the fence. "HEY!" He called out to Michonne not even caring that he attracted four Walkers and were now chasing after him. "OPEN UP!" Michonne actually dropped her katana on the ground upon seeing him, she called out to someone by the prison and made her way to the gate and let him inside. Daryl's legs finally gave out as he collapsed to the ground with Merle hanging off him loosely.
"Is he bite?" The Samurai asked, getting him back on his feet again while supporting some of Merle's weight.
"No." Daryl panted out, looking up he saw Rick and Carol making their way towards him.
"God, what happened?" Carol asked concern on her face, when they finally got there and but Daryl ignored her as Rick gently push Michonne aside and helped him get Merle inside their home.
"Hershel!"
When they reached their living corridors Hershel was already coming towards them, "Place him here." The doctor ordered firmly, gesturing them towards an empty cell bed. "Has he been bitten?" As the old man knelt down and looked Merle over.
Daryl shook his head. "No, it's just the gun shot wound."
"He's lost too much blood." Hershel announced gravely. "Any minute now and his heart'll stop."
"Take mine!" He offered without hesitation as he pushed passed Rick and extended his arm. Hershel motioned him over and proceeded to prick his skin and took the amount of blood that was necessary for his brother to survive this ordeal.
"Don't go too far, son. I'm gonna need ya close by just in case." Daryl nodded and stood up. Only to sway abruptly as dizziness blackened his vision, almost falling backward if not for Rick supporting him with a hand on his back, with both hands on his shoulders, his friend helped him out of the cell so Hershel could work in peace. Daryl leaned against the cement wall, he rubbed his eyes and sweaty face, wasting no time as he slide down it. Rick joined him on the floor while Carol, Beth, Carl, Glenn stood there was nothing but silence within the prison, nothing but the gentle, quiet working of their Doctor, no one said anything for a while, to which Daryl was grateful for.
"So..." Carl's voice finally broke through the silent air, "What happened?"
Daryl looked towards Rick and gave him a tired expression then went back to rubbing his eyes.
Rick sighed and patted Daryl's knee in an act of trying to comfort as he stood up. "When I told you all about the deal to hand Michonne over to the Governor, I had asked Merle if he could be the one to do it only when I made up my mind. When I choose to go against it that's when I noticed that Merle had made the decision for me and took Michonne on his own."
"But he let me go." Michonne interjected. "Said that he had something to on his own."
"The Governor." Daryl said as he chewed on the inner part of his cheek. "Merle went to kill the Governor by 'imself."
"But he got caught?" Carl asked curiously.
Daryl nodded his head once. "He woulda' died there if I hadn't gotten there in time." He paused as he inhaled a breathe before continuing. "Knocked out Martinez and walked in on the jackass pointin' a gun at my brother, I knocked him to the ground. We fought for a bit, I landed a few good punches in and I let one of my arrows grazed the bastards temple." The younger Dixon bit his lower lip and ran a hand through his hair. "I didn't know Merle was hurt until after that one-eyed asshole was on the ground."
"Did you kill him?"
Daryl looked up and stared at Glenn. "What?"
"The Governor." The Korean said as he took a step forward. "When he fell to the ground did you finish him off?"
Daryl scoffed softly. "No, I didn't."
"Why?"
The arched narrowed his eyes at Glenn and gave him a warning look, knowing exactly where this was headed. "Didn't have the time."
"It doesn't take very long to kill someone, Daryl." Glenn retorted and Daryl could hear the anger in his voice. "We all know that by now."
"Merle was dyin', I had to get him here, killin' the Governor didn't cross my mind."
Glenn crossed his arms, "So in other words you weren't thinking about the rest of us?"
"Merle—"
"Merle this, Merle that! You know what kind of person he is, you know all the shit he's done, what he had the Governor do to Maggie so why do you defend him!?" The Korean said loudly, his voice echoing off the prison walls. Daryl got to his feet and glared at Glenn.
"He's my family—"
"No! We're your family! He's not, not after the things he's done!"
"He would have died!"
"Maybe you should have let him then!" A split second later Daryl found his fist connecting to Glenn's jaw. The Korean fell to the ground clutching his already bleeding lip.
He glared dangerously at the man on the ground. "I know Merle ain't the best person. Hell, he's asshole most of the time. But he's my brother. Yeah, he wasn't there for me most of my life but he was there when I needed him most. Got me outta my old man's house, saved me from those beatin's, protected me, cared for my sorry ass when no one else would." Daryl swallowed as his vision swam and his head ached. "And you're pissed, I get that. But don't stand there and say I should've let my brother die. Not when he did all this to make things right."
"He gave us a chance." Carol said softly, coming to his defense as she held Judith in her arms and Daryl nodded agreeing with her immediately.
Hershel cleared his throat, interrupting the argument. "Need more blood, Daryl."
The younger Dixon walked over towards the cell. "My brother had the balls ta do the one thing none of us could do, he tried to kill the jackass that threatened us, I know he still has a long way to go but he's earnin' his right ta stay here. What kinda people would we be if we denied 'im that?" He gave Glenn one last look of warning before he went to the aid of his brother.
I know, I know I made Glenn a bit of a dick here but he's just a bit angry that Daryl didn't kill the Governor when he had a chance, the lil' Korean wants revenge for what the guy did to waifu Maggie (and yes I know what I just said). But he's not going to stay that way forever. No one, not even Glenn, can resist the charm and hilarious nature that is Merle Dixon.
Everything that played out in this is the same way it played out in the actual episode, the only differences are:
1. Merle is alive, (of course)
2. Philip didn't bit off Merle's pinky and ring finger (because Merle has lost enough of his limps in his life.)
3. Daryl tackling the Governor, (which caused Merle to get shot anyway. But he was left alone to turn so Daryl was able to save him before he died). Doing this was probably a mistake since I'm still working on my Star Wars Rebels story, but I can't help it, this Zombie series has got me hooked. Forewarning that the chapters I add next may or may not be in order (or as long as this chapter) from the show's episodes. One moment we could be on Season 3 the next we could jump to Season 4, it all depends on what moments I think would be different with Merle in them.
Anyway, I'd love to hear all of your thoughts. Was it good? Bad? Or did I just waste my time with writing this? Please leave them in a review and I will see you guys soon.
