Title: All the King's Men
Author: A. Lynne
Rating: T
Warning(s): Character death(s), violence, some adult content, language and situations
Timeline: Caleb and Pogue have already Ascended
Disclaimer: Don't own anything in here that you recognize. Any other names, events, places, etc. that are unfamiliar to you have been created by me
Summary: The four sons of Ipswitch never thought it possible that they could determine a whole world's future. But eleven days before Reid's Ascension, they are pulled into Sarda, a world filled with magical creatures, angry and frightened humans, and the two greatest Evils that this world has ever seen. With literally the world's fate resting upon their shoulders, will they be able to defeat the Evils? And more importantly, will they make it out alive? Join the boys as they make their way through the coldest of forests, across hottest of deserts, and face problems (both physical and psychological) that one could only dream of.
A/N: This is an AU fic. The boys still have their Powers, Caleb and Sarah are still together (as are Pogue and Kate), however the Chase ordeal which happened in the movie, did not and will not occur in this story.
Chapter One: The Beginning
-
December 31, 2006
There were times – not many, but a few – when Caleb felt an imminent, weighted dread telling him that something bad was going to happen.
Like the time, years ago, when the 4 sons of Ipswich and their families got together over the Christmas holiday: Caleb had stood on the snowy ground watching, laughing as Pogue, then 10 years old, Reid, also 10, and Tyler, 9 years old (but, as he constantly reminded everyone: only 3 months younger than Reid), chase each other gleefully in a game of tag. And then, suddenly, just like now, he was hit with the most horrible sort of anxiety and panic that he'd ever felt, and Caleb nearly stumbled to the ground from the shock. He was terrified – knew something absolutely horrible was going to happen – and that's why only moments later, when Pogue tripped over a root, lost consciousness and broke his arm in 3 places, Caleb felt utterly to blame. Had he warned his friends of his sensation, the incident could have been completely avoided.
And now, 9 years later on New Year's Eve, Caleb stood against Paul Daley's livingroom wall, tense and watching as his friends danced away the night to the pounding music, occasionally sipping alcohol from the plastic cups in their hands, and not having a care in the world.
"Haha, Emily, relax, baby doll."
Caleb turned and saw Reid leaning into a tall and attractive girl (one of which he had never seen before), his hands brushing up her sides and up to her breasts. Reid grinned toothily and leaned in to kiss her neck, but with a quick and unexpected shove, he was pushed backwards and nearly tripped over the rug beneath him.
"Jerk!" The girl's eyes were dark and glaring, her hands planted firmly on her full hips, "I've spent all day, all night with you, and you can't even remember my name!"
Reid held out his hand, attempting to make a gesture that would calm her down, but it only looked as though he was swatting away a fly. Caleb could tell he was drunk.
"But Emily – "
"Amy! My name is Amy! You just think I'm a quick fuck, don't you? Well, guess again, asshole! Go fuck yourself." She then threw her beer cup at Reid's feet, grabbed her purse from the corner of the room, and a few seconds later, Caleb heard the front door slam shut with surprising strength.
Reid just stood there a moment, oblivious to his friend's who had watched the whole thing out of the corner of their eyes, looking a little shocked, then he walked over to Caleb. Leaning against the wall, he watched the others continue to dance, and said to his friend, voice slurring a bit,
"I coulda swore her name was Emily."
Caleb let out a frustrated sigh. It was a little disconcerting to see how poorly Reid treated women.
"You're drunk, Reid. You hooked up with Emily two nights ago. Amy is Emily's best friend."
There was a slight pause, then his friend emitted a small "oh", which was barely heard over the music.
Returning his gaze to the dance floor (or, in this case, the living room rug), Caleb saw Pogue and Kate, holding each other and swaying together in time with the beat, a display of utmost affection written upon their faces. To the left of them, Tyler was leaning shyly into a petite but pretty girl, his face close to hers so that he could listen to her speak. It was with a bit – only a small bit – of jealousy that Caleb watched them. Sarah had left hours ago to be with her mother as it approached midnight, and now here he was – stuck with a drunk and sulking Reid.
"Uh, Caleb?"
Caleb turned to Reid, who he now noticed had turned a small yet sickeningly shade paler. His eyes were glazed over now more than ever, and looked as though he was going to keel over at any second. The dread Caleb had felt in his stomach earlier returned tenfold. He felt a rush of adrenaline rush to his toes.
"Are you okay, Reid?"
"I need…I need…" Reid gulped, eyes searching the room in what Caleb could only assume to be a door to a toilet.
Not knowing where the nearest bathroom was, Caleb dragged Reid by the elbow out into the backyard, where the blonde proceeded to heave into the nearest set of bushes.
"Is Reid okay?"
Caleb looked over his shoulder and saw that Tyler had followed them outside. The youngest son looked worriedly over to his best friend, who at the moment, had regained control of his stomach, yet still knelt, panting.
"He's fine," Caleb said with distinct displeasure doused across his words. Admittingly so, he was getting tired of Reid's constant antics, "Just drunk."
"Are you sure – "
"Yes, Tyler. Look at him."
There was not a moments pause before Reid responded, defiantly, "No… Not drunk."
Caleb sighed, "Reid – "
"Is everything alright out here?" Pogue had walked through the doorway, a look of concern on his face. He stepped next to Tyler, "Did I miss something?"
"No, Pogue. Reid is drunk and throwing up. That's all you missed."
"Not drunk." The blonde's hand came to brush away his sweaty bangs as he looked up to his friends. Slowly, he stood up, seemingly in an attempt to size-up Caleb.
Caleb sighed once more and lifted his eyebrow. "Oh? Than what are you?"
"It's…It's something different." He swayed a little as he spoke. Caleb noticed his hand trembling as he pushed away another stray lock of hair.
"Do you think it could be because of his Ascension?" Tyler asked, taking a step forward. He had noticed Reid's distress and was ready to be the first to catch him if he fell.
"He still has 11 days," Caleb answered him, "That's not possible."
"You know, Caleb… I haven't been feeling that well, either." Tyler trailed off, his hand going up to massage his temple.
"What the hell did they put in the drinks?" Pogue was kneading his stomach, and was now bent over slightly at the waist.
Caleb frowned and looked at him, who, like Reid, looked incredibly dizzy. He thought it an oddity when his own head began throbbing, and he winced.
"C-Caleb?" Tyler called out to him, sounding unusually sick, but he took no notice. A tingling sensation gripped his toes and started moving upwards.
"C-Caleb?"
There was a loud thump, but he did not realize that it was Reid's body hitting the ground, for he himself was falling too.
Without knowing what was really happening, he let himself fall into unconsciousness.