"Take me to your darkest corners
and watch your demons
surrender to mine.."
― Anjum Choudhary, Souled Out
Dear Diary: I don't know what I expected. I just know I wanted to spend time with him and I was running out of it. I knew an abundant amount of time can be had in the Kingdom and no real amount of time would be lost in this world. Every hour is equivalent to 3 months in the Kingdom. I took him there when he finished the card game.
I essentially purchased my first Man under the guise of charity. Andrea had purchased hers and Sasha had the best payoff-A Warrior Angel.
Art Gallery, level one. Negan didn't kill him. We maneuvered well. Birthday Party, level 2. Uncle Charley didn't kill him because he handled himself well by listening...now the Kingdom was a different story...Level 3.
...
Uncle Charley led Mabel to the third level away from his Birthday Party where she entered what appeared an empty viewing room. She had expected the Lords of Dominion, but all thrones were vacant except for one seat that turned and revealed Deanna from the house of Alexandria.
"You said we would have everyone here today." Mabel turned to Uncle Charley clearly disappointed.
"LebaM, I know I did. I had to say it that way. No other way to convince you to join us."
"Your deception has been duly noted, Uncle Charley."
"It is very important that you join us today. We need you to view and give your opinion. Your opinion is just as important when we view the grand scheme of things." Deana interjected. "This situation that has been presented to us is very delicate. All from the Dominion are not and will not be on the same accord. I am certain you know that Mabel."
"We want to know what you think, you being the eldest here." Uncle Charley led Mabel further into the room that had no windows.
"Think about what?" Mabel was hesitant, but she was easily swayed with flattery and when anyone recognizing her importance that gave her more value. Her opinion was needed.
"We need you to help us observe." Uncle Charley admitted. He did not like giving Mabel too much importance or value, conceit could be unruly.
"Observe?"
"Observe this man that, One has acquired." Deanna added.
"A man?" Mabel questioned.
"Yes. You were at the table where the man of this world sat with Cherub, and you did not notice." Deanna described what she witnessed from the viewing room the interaction before Uncle Charley escorted Mabel to the third level.
"I certainly did not." Mabel admitted with great indignation.
"One is taking him to the Kingdom. He has performed exceptionally well compared to the other Bitch Bastards. He has even made it out of the Art Gallery alive, unscented. Negan made a note of this and feels he has been slighted. He has been offended and noted. He's going to kill this man."
"Michonne is reckless. Losing her sensibilities among the living. This is not a game and it seems that most of you think of it as such. She is an Angel of Darkness, as are you and as am I. We are to be feared. We are a threat. We are the beginning before there was light. We are not here to intermingle and-"
"We are not Evil either. She is the Queen of the Seraphim. One."
"The Governor and Negan have been at this for so long spewing deception and they have worked so closely with the living while we worked within the words, nature, and the spirit. It is time that we come from out of the background. It is time that we make our presence known." Deanna implored.
"We will be turning the Bible upon it's head." Uncle Charley added.
"No, we will be closing a book of fairytales and giving the world it's first rebirth." Deanna smiled.
"More like writing it backwards is what the believers would think we have done. The many that are invested in the light won't accept anything but their version of GOD and the Trinity. What would they think if they knew it was just the Whim of Angels?" Mabel suggested soberly.
"Chaos. Panic, Witch hunts..."
"We will find out soon."
"Viewing room show me this man." Mabel spoke to the wall that reacted and immediately the face of the man in question appeared. Rick Grimes.
"What is special must be hidden." Deanna remarked looking to discern from the video of Rick Grimes sitting at the table earlier playing spades before finishing and following Michonne out of the room.
"Yes. I agree. Has to be a reason. Will you please observe with us?" Uncle Charley asked Mabel again.
"I have no idea why I should care. This is complete madness." Mabel could not understand the reasoning.
"Should be entertaining to see if he makes it pass Ezekiel or NIV for that matter."
"NIV would kill him with one touch from his pinky finger." Mabel was visibly amused by the idea of crushing the man so the nonsense could end.
"The battle between NIV and Michonne would cause-"
Deanna raised her hand for Uncle Charley to halt in his thought process. She didn't want to alarm Mabel. "He would not fight Michonne. He would Kneel first. Ezekiel on the other hand is a fool and is there more for the theatrics. Same as your Jesus who visits." Deanna eyed Uncle Charley and nodded towards Mabel who was in agreement with her assessment about Paul Rovia.
"His name is Paul. He can't help that they call him Jesus." Uncle Charley defended the very agile young fighter.
Mabel relented. Her curiosity got the best of her and she allowed Uncle Charley to lead her to her Throne made of Gold and Amethysts before he sat at his equal in size but just as elaborate seat made of gold and Citrine stones. They turned their chair's, and the wall began to show the various colors in the world before focusing in on Michonne and Rick walking side by side through a narrow tunnel three levels below the viewing room.
...
"This is in this house?" Rick marveled.
"A house with many rooms and passages. Yes." Michonne was surprised that dashingly handsome man beside her wasn't hesitant upon entering.
"This isn't a room, Michonne, this is a tunnel. This is crazy."
"Do you want to stop?" Michonne paused for a second in her stride.
"No." Rick stopped suddenly because Michonne had slowed to a halt.
"Why?" Michonne asked.
"This strange desire to know where this leads outweighs common sense." Rick smirked.
"I like your lack of hesitation. It has been noted as a positive." Michonne smiled. She knew they were being watched. She sensed it the moment they left the party and entered lower levels.
"I am fascinated that your dress has changed into a black leather-"
"Jumpsuit. I think it is the name for this. It is not leather. Latex. It easily conforms. Less restrictive." Michonne responded matter of fact, absently touching along the contour of her body that instantly distracted Rick.
"How'd you do it?"
"Never thought about how? Just what I need to wear. Where we are going, it makes more sense. Less confusion with my presence when I'm dressed this way versus some designer dress."
"Michonne," before Rick could continue they had stepped in front of a door that slowly creaked open, revealing nothing more than darkness. Similar to sticking one's hand into a box and not knowing what contents it holds but expected to touch what is inside, Rick felt apprehension.
"Ready?"
"It's dark." Rick pointed out the obvious.
"It always is at first."
"I have no idea what we, what is going on." His senses were coming back double fold. He was wary.
"Do you want to stop?" Michonne said not only to him but also in his mind.
In his mind, she brushed against him. Uncertainty had him in its grip and Michonne spoke again and had him unwound, and together they unbound over the edge.
He had fallen into the darkness when he thought he was stepping into her embrace. Rick thought he was looking into the most soulful eyes when he realized he could not see, but he could hear a distinct sound that he could only describe as the flapping of wings or a high wind rustling against heavy curtains. Rick was unsure of everything, including what was happening at that moment.
'I am still with you."
"Michonne." Rick spoke.
'I am."
As quickly as those two words were spoken, light. He could see even though the bright sunlight was practically blinding and he shielded his eyes with his arms. Splayed out on the grass, Rick grasp for understanding where there wasn't any. He was disoriented and he could hear the padding of feet running over to them. Closer.
"What happened?" Rick asked. His suit was gone. He was dressed in clothes that weren't his but were his. A worn brown T-shirt, faded worn jeans a gun belt with cowboy boots.
"Michonne! Welcome. Long time."
"Long time," Michonne responded back.
"We have found some third spheres. Quite a few. Thought you would like to take a look at them."
"Yeah. I would like to do that."
"Who do you have with you? What Sphere?"
"None. He's mine."
"Really?"
"Yes. Really. Unless he fails." Michonne felt slightly troubled by the look of Rick not taking the change in Alternate Universes very well.
"He?"
"Yes. Man."
"Art Show and Birthday Party?"
"Yes."
"He still has his head. Pretty amazing."
"Not sure how much longer he will have his mind." Michonne and Morgan both watched Rick take in the surroundings as they stood outside the gates of the Kingdom in the grassy fields. Rick alternated from being in intense pain to perpetual confusion.
"Maybe if I distract him?"
Michonne shrugged at the offered suggestion.
"Hi. I am NagroM. I am Morgan here." Morgan walked closer to greet the man with a colt that had the engraving of a LION that was easily visible. Ezekiel with his tiger would not be happy. "Let me, help you?"
"I think I am going to be sick." Rick felt himself dry heave uncontrollably.
"Which is he?" Morgan looked to Michonne for clarification on Rick's status.
"Scented."
"Do you plan to mark him?"
"He's not ready."
"I'm ready." Rick vomits and then passes out.
"He says he is ready." Morgan laughs before whistling for assistance to carry Rick inside the gates of the Kingdom.
...
"Run!" Raphael urged Enid who hesitated to glance back once again at the man in a Coma which caused him to go into Cardiac arrest. She was tearing his soul from him.
Enid wanted her wings. She inhaled the Deputy Sheriff's essence as if she was only inhaling the scent of a flower.
The nurses at their stations heard the alarm and began to make haste to the room where Rick Grimes Monitors were indicating a life-threatening situation was happening. Carl was escorted out of the room the moment he set eyes on the man who was in the doorway just minutes ago but began to work on his father at his bedside. Resuscitate. Chest compresses. Paddles were brought in. Doctor Raphael did not give up, would not give up as long as he could hear the commotion in the hallway that soon escalated.
Those who worked in the hospital felt the hairs on their arms raise and goose bumps unexpectedly run along the length to include the back of their necks with a slight gust of air as if someone had went past. Incredibly fast, Maggie approached. Each step she morphed from Andrea to One and back to Maggie. Each step until she was upon Enid who was exiting the room.
ONE did not step forward. She kept Maggie from going to the forefront. It was Andrea.
"Andrea?" Enid was surprised.
"You were expecting Maggie?" Andrea asked.
"Andrea?" Enid tried to gain her equilibrium. Something was off in an enormous way.
"Who sent you here?" Andrea asked.
"Doesn't matter if I am under authority and always do as I am told under authority."
"Under who's authority?"
"Rules have changed." Enid informed and tried to walk around Andrea who stepped in front of her.
"What rules are those?" Andrea asked.
"This." Enid said suddenly.
Enid was going to send her right palm in direct contact with Andrea's chest. Andrea was faster than Enid had anticipated. Andrea had stopped Enid's palm with her left fist. The impact of the palm and fist caused Maggie to gasp. Andrea became marked. Tattoos of the snake that she represented and the one that united with the Black Mamba left no skin visible. Battle.
Enid tried to distract with her left hand, and Andrea blocked with her Right and then left.
Enid continued to make contact with Andrea's arm and shoulders, but she was unable to get clear aim for the heart area. She moved faster. Her right palm must come in contact. She tried to distract. Right and left.
Andrea met each blow with her Left, and Right, left.
Enid tried a different tactic using a variation of speed and aimed again Right, Right, Right.
Andrea's left was faster no matter the variation Enid tried to use.
Enid tried the low roundhouse kick to get Andrea to lose her balance but that too was taken on her shin, and Enid eventually found herself kicked with so much force into an empty hospital room.
"Don't fuck around with me, Azrael." The voice commanded.
"ONE?"
"I AM."
"What do you want with him?" Enid sensed what had to be equivalent to fear course through her veins. Noted. Fear. She was already wingless. She couldn't grasp what more she had to lose.
"I want his soul. Now give it back, or I will snap your head off like a Dandelion."
Michonne had Enid up against the wall her feet off the floor.
"I want my wings." Enid insisted.
"I will burn your wings and place the burnt remnants at your feet myself. There will be no good deed that you could do from this time through eternity to earn one feather back. Not one. Do you understand the hell I have just described to you?" Michonne threatened.
"You described no mercy."
"Yes, you will no longer bend God's ear."
"But you aren't GOD. You can't punish, Angels." Enid declared.
"Who do you think tossed you out of the heavens? Who do you say I AM?" All three voices asked in unison.
"Oh my God. I am more confused in your presence than I am with Negan." Enid exclaimed.
"There is a difference between the God we want and the God who is."
As quickly as the words were spoken Michonne with her right hand sent her palm with a quickening force into the chest of the Angel of Death. It was the beginning of the Walking Dead.
...
"If you are not a demon than who the fuck are you?"
"Negan."
"Are you writing the names down I have called out? I haven't repeated?" Negan looked to the frail man who kept record next to him.
"No, Master." The much older gentleman responded.
"Stop playing with me. Reveal yourself." Negan demanded.
"Negan. Isn't that how it works here in the Underground Circus." Michonne mocked.
"I could make you tell me." Negan threatened.
"You think?" Michonne adjusted herself for more comfort on the couch.
"I have ways." Negan hinted.
"You wish it moved me."
"I could whistle for Rosita." Negan wanted to know if there was any sense of fear. There was none.
"I will throw a bone, and she will run in a different direction." Michonne countered.
"Viper." Negan revealed Rosita's true name and clarifying that she to was from the Seraphim.
"I thought we were talking about a dog." Michonne appeared unbothered. She knew Rosita very well and the betrayal would not be forgiven.
"I should have chosen you, but I don't know who the fuck you are."
"I am here for one reason, Negan, and that is to ask you politely to don't come for him. To go for him is to come for me."
"This conversation is very amusing. Very tickle me in the fucking gut amusing. Let me get my bearings darling. I need to ask the right questions."
"Do we have an understanding?" Michonne asked.
"Do we?" Negan asked in disbelief.
"Tell your Bitch to stand down." Michonne knew the hissing level had escalated and a strike was imminent behind her. The rattle indicated it was Sasha who felt threatened.
"So fascinating." Negan remarked. He was unaware of what was transpiring other than the demeanor had changed in his number 3 woman who kept guard along with six others that stood throughout the small office. Three were on NIV. NIV was a chest piece Negan would love to acquire if he only knew the Angel's weaknesses.
"I will not be responsible for Sasha." Michonne informed.
"Neither will I." Negan responded.
"Snap her neck." Michonne gave the command. The woman anticipating movement from Sasha and had not prepared for the deftly quick action from Andrea who did as told.
"In my home? In my domain?" Negan placed a hand in the air that settled his people who were ready to react even if it were a delayed reaction and it was to his dissatisfaction. The body lay crumpled on the floor. "Dwight stand down. Get some one to throw the dead bitch into the furnace." Negan look to Michonne, "We killing third tier like we tossing brown pennies out the window now?" Negan stood from his desk and began pacing.
"Yes, sir." Dwight responded before leaving the room.
"Hospitality was lacking, and I gave warning."
"She only touched her." Negan shook his head still stunned by the quick turn of events.
"No one is permitted to touch a Seraphim who is fully marked and ready for battle. You don't live to talk about it." That touch indicated to the woman that had her neck snapped that Michonne was the true Black Mamba. One. "To touch a Seraphim is like looking upon God without permission. You never have permission." Michonne was wary of Negan walking about. She sent a message to NIV who was prepared to kill all of Negan's men in the room if Sasha or Andrea were to be touched again.
Michonne would save Negan for last and make him bend his Knee or kill him so fast that he wouldn't know that death was upon even him until the moment she sent her palm into his chest. Death was worse than damnation. He was already damned. He would lose his wings and become, man. That was death to an Angel, good or bad. It had to be a Palm to chest blow to turn an angel into a human delivered by the very few that had the power to do it.
"I chose the wrong one. You control Seraphim?" Negan was clearly amused.
"I wasn't an option. You had your sights on the one you wanted." Michonne ignored the question. She was focused on his direction and if he were to ever walk away from the desk shit was going to get ugly.
"We could have made beautiful music together, Michonne."
"You liked the way Rosita danced. The pied Piper."
"Shortsighted."
"Matches your memory."
"Ahh...Rosita danced and spoke little. You spoke and danced around the subject." Negan fist pounded the table, and his voice raised, "REVEAL YOURSELF!?" Negan had lost his composure before gaining it again.
"I am what you find before the Sun. I am where the Moon likes to glow. I am leaving every Beginning. I am in the wings waiting for every farewell and curtain call. When you close your eyes, you see me. I am the End."
"You?"
""Darkness. I AM. Eternity. Do we have an understanding?" Michonne wasn't sure if Negan understood and if he did was he aware of his Faux Paux? To reveal she was the Black Mamba he would have to kneel or die. She wasn't ready to reveal and rule without a King.
Negan gave the impression that every word she spoke was touching some part of him. A truth so raw that was almost unbearable if not frightening to consider. The façade he presented easily peeled away by his sudden boisterous laughter, "Now you are shitting me." Negan bellowed. "I AM the world and my greatness will swallow you up." He declared. "You are one conniving demon and when I discover your real name-your true identity I am going to break you bit by bit. You will be Negan. I need you on my side more than ever before; God is damned. What I saw on the Dash CAM indicates you are some novelty. Different from when I knew you when we served under the same Tyrant."
"You don't know me, Negan," Michonne informed coolly.
"I am certain, I know you, worked with you, served in the heavens with you before being discarded. We didn't all start out like demons. WE are all fallen Angels."
"Very few remember the beginning and those who do distort the truth for gain." Michonne accused.
"There are a lot of souls to gain. The Underground Circus has a revolving door. Fetish business is out of the closet, and every conceivable selection is at the front desk provided at any room of choice. Slave to the flesh these favored humans are to their very own destruction." Negan did not deny his intent.
"I don't want a war with you, Negan."
"You had an unmarked in my domain as if I was running a public training camp and it was all to see if you could get him pass my nose undetected in a room full of DOMS. You think this is a damn game? I am not to be played with and I am not backing down. This is my playground and you don't come here and tell me how to play when you broke the damn rules. Where do you think you are? There is no forgiveness here. There aren't any second chances. Next thing you know you will look for a third. No. To what end? You shit on me when I asked for a golden shower? I am going to make it right and noted that no one shits on Negan. You have 48hrs. I will send Rosita, and I want to see how well your trio dances with the Viper."
...
A/N: Shorter Chapters to make it more digestible. If you have given up, like I said, when you are bored out of your mind at least you know this is something you may want to revisit.
Still reshaping...If you haven't caught on this my weaving nonsense. Straightforward storytelling is hard. Rick is still in the hospital. This is going back to revisit the Birthday party and what happened while he is in the hospital. Deanna Uncle Charley and Mable are Viewing Rick and Michonne's time in the Kingdom and this is before she takes him home. We have seen glimpses in other chapters that she drove him home. Yes. Confusing but this is my spider web. LOL.