Just another normal day at the kingdom. It's been a few days since Arthur Mouse defeated a big, dangerous dragon, saved Queen Karen Beverly's life and got officially knighted by her. His dream of becoming a brave knight came true and he lived a happy life.
But wait, what about the one who inspired him to become one in the first place? What about his idol, well known Sir Wilden Lightfoot? Well, after everyone discovered, that he's nothing than a fraud who was a knight just to both manipulate weaker people and that he was fearing death, he got demoted to a peasant, who didn't even had a shelter.
The townpesople treated him very, very badly, but one day... The queen decided to give him a rank of a... A squire? Him? But why? He was just an awful coward. Why would someone want a person like him to be their squire? That's a pretty good question... He got a cheap squire outfit, similar to Mick's, but with a small porkpie hat and an orange shirt.
Today was the day Arthur had to choose his first squire.
Wilden Lightfoot was standing away from the other people, trembling like a little pussy he was, as he did not really wanted to be chosen since he hated his own guts for everything he did in the past. As the smaller mouse was listening to big, strong and talented townspeople with fighting skills saying „I can be your squire!" „I want to be your squire!" he noticed someone at the back of the croud.
-Hey! You there! - he said as he pointed his finger at him, trying to recognize his face
-Me? - Wilden Lightfoot replied, being shocked as ever
He was not the mighty knight which he was before. He was one of the people now. Just a civilian. The crowd started yelling and booing, since they were not happy, but Arthur ignored it.
-Yes. Come here, please. Let me have a better look at you – he said with a kind smile on his face
The taller mouse really did not wanted to go, but one of the townspeople literally pushed him forward. He landed on the ground face first and covered his head yet again, laying there like a coward he was, not daring to look at the knight.
-Hm... - Arthur stepped off the „podium" if I can call it that way, walked closer to the taller mouse and looked at him - Wait... I think I know you! You're Wilden Lightfoot Mouse, aren't you?!
-He's the one that was using and manipulating you, Sir Arthur! - Queen Karen Beverly shouted with pure anger in her voice
Wilden Lightfoot just nodded, looking at the knight as the croud was laughing at him. As they laughed, Arthur just... Looked at him, gave him another kind smile and then stood up.
-Yes, that is true, but... I'm a knight now. And I still need a squire, right? Well... I know there are lots of talented people wanting to be by my side, but I think I just made my choice!
Everyone were shocked. Was he serious? Does he really want his first squire to be the person, that treated him like an absolute shit?!
-Wait, wait, wait... For real? But I'm a dirty coward! Just look! I took the fame from ya!
-Sir Arthur... Are you sure you want HIM to be your squire?! - the queen asked, still being in shock
The knight nodded in an answer.
-Yes. Because I don't think you know, why I wanted to be a knight in the first place. Wilden Lightfoot inspired me to be a brave knight and protect the kingdom from danger! When he chose me to be his squire, it was the happiest moment of my life... Some bad things happened later, I have to admit it... But I think he deserves a second chance... I'll teach him how to fight like a REAL duo! - the mouse said while he was still smiling
-Well... If that's your choice... We need to accept it. - Karen Beverly replied
Wilden Lightfoot fully looked at the smaller mouse.
-But you know, there are many people who would be good squires for you, sir. - He started calling him „sir" mostly because he was so scared.
-Well, I have already decided... Wilden Lightfoot Mouse, I am choosing you to be my squire!
-I'm not worthy of that title, the other people are, not me, I'm just a coward... Just a coward, a fraud and the bad guy here!
-I don't want any other person to be my squire... Everyone deserves a second chance, and even though you were a bad guy in the past, you don't have to be him now... I can help you change... Now... Get up. – Arthur said as he reached his hand out to help him get up from the ground
Even if other people tried to stop him, he grabbed Arthur's hand and stood up.
-So.. Now you have to teach me?
Arthur just nodded.
-You mean... Easy concepts? Like you teach a kid or somethin'?
-A kid? - the knight giggled - No, of course not! I just want to show you how does REAL teamwork look like! - he answered
-Hmmm...Well, then...go ahead!
Now their journey have officialy begun. Everyone we still in shock, because they simply couldn't believe, that Sir Arthur – the brave, cheerful knight choose Wilden Lightfoot Mouse – the scaredly fraud, and a manipulator to be his squire. Well, they better believe it, because it was real. It was really happening. Now, all of us can just wonder, how their big adventure will end.
Some time have passed. Sir Arthur and his new squire, Wilden Lightfoot were waddling through the kingdom, looking for possible danger.
The taller mouse was carrying some of the knight's weapons and other items, but there weren't too many of them, so it wasn't hard to do.
-I'm pretty sure you'll learn something today. But first of all... - he stopped - I have to give you a weapon! You're not going to fight with bare hands, right?
They both stopped and the smaller mouse took a look inside a small bag his squire was carrying.
-...A spoon, huh? - the squire asked. He was sure Arthur would give him something useless and something funny and pathetic like a wooden spoon he gave him in the past
-Nope! Give me a second - he looked at his belongings and started searching for a weapon he could give to Wilden Lightfoot, but then... - Oh my!
After a moment he pulled out his old weapon, which was... You guessed it! A wooden spoon.
- Hehe... Do you believe I still have this thing? I remember the day you gave it to me. I have a better weapon now, but I like to keep this spoon with myself. It brings back old memories...
Wilden Lightfoot stayed quiet. He didn't wanted to say anything to that and he felt bad about acting like such a jerk yet again. Arthur put the spoon back into the bag and continued. Then he pulled out a small, wooden sword.
-This looks nice!
-Huh?! A sword? But I- I cannot use one well – the squire replied
-Don't worry, I can show you, how to use it! And I'm sure you'll learn pretty quick. It's not that hard! - Arthur said with a smile on his face and then he handed the sword to his „friend"
-...Thank you? I guess...
-No problem! - the knight said as he stood up – Now let's get going. Remember, that something might attack us anytime! There's no time to waste!
-Ooh! Let me choose a starting point! A giant? That would be too difficult. A dragon? Nuh-uh. Ooh, a giaant spideer~! - Wilden Lightfoot said and when he was saying the last sentence, he was moving his arms ahd hips a little bit, which made him look like he was dancing
Arthur giggled.
-I see you have lots of motivation and energy! That's good, because if we want to protect the kingdom, we should be confident! But using our weapons isn't enough. We also need a good strategy of how to attack each monster and defeat it without failing.
The squire stopped, and looked at the knight.
-...That's exactly what I said before. But what kind of a stratedy you're talking about? - he asked
-First of all, we're not leaving each other behind, ok? Teamwork is our key to defeating a monster succesfully. And by saying "teamwork" I don't mean that one person is doing all the job and the other one is just standing there, doing absolutely nothing.
-...Why not?
Arthur's smile turned into a frown. „Here we go again", he thought. He knew, that sometimes he will have to be more tough in order to teach his squire the right things.
-Imagine you wanted to fight something big, but you failed. You're in danger. Would it feel good, if I just leave you there and hide inside of a bush? I bet you wouldn't feel the greatest. You would feel just like I did then you did the exact same thing to me.
Hearing the knight saying all these things made Wilden Lightfoot realize how rude and dumb he used to be. When he said that he was a coward, he was right.
There was a pause.
-Y'know, Mick. This world isn't a colorful, happy place. You may think it is, but it's a lie. It's actually nothing than a filthy dump where you can't trust anyone, but yourself.
The squire tried to walk away, but Arthur managed to stop him.
-Wait, don't go just yet! - he started – I'm sorry for raising my voice at you, but you need to unserstand, that-
Before he finished the sentence, something interrupted him. Both he and his squire heard a loud „CRASH" in the backfround.
-What was that?! - the smaller mouse shouted
Wilden Lightfoot got scared, and crouch-hid behind him. Looks like they had company. A big, scary monster was attacking the town, and they needed to do something about it!
-Well, looks like we have company! Ready for our first quest? - Arthur asked with a smile on his face as he took out his weapon, which wasn't a spoon, but a shiny sword
The taller mouse wrapped his hands around Arthur's waist, trying to gain balance, while he was trembling in fear.
-I can't do this, I can't do this, I can't do this... - he repeated quietly
-Huh? - Arthur blushed and turned around to see, what's wrong - Hey, don't be scared! Everything will be fine, just follow my lead!
Even if Wilden Lightfoot was a coward, Arthur didn't care about it at all and tried to be positive all the time.
-That's why you should've chosen a better squire... I'm just a dirty coward, and there were a lot of good people to choose from.
-Maybe there were some other people that wanted to be my squires, but I have already chose you and I don't regret that decision! Now... - Arthur replied as he looked at the beast - We should go. It'll be okay, just stay close to me. I don't want you to get hurt...
-I don't want to go anywhere! Do you see this thing?! It'll kill us! - the squire shouted as he pointed at their oponent
-But if we won't defeat that monster, the whole kingdom will get destroyed! Just go with me, I promise we'll be okay!
Then Arthur grabbed Wilden Lightfoot's hand and started running towards the enemy, dragging his squire along with him.
The monster was still destroying the kingdom, attacking everything and everyone around it, but our brave knight and his squire were ready to fight it. They were ready to protect the queen and the civilians!
-AAAAAHHHH! - Wilden Lightfoot shouted, trying to catch up with Arthur and run fast enough – I did not gave you permission to drag me by my hand like that!
-There's no time for chit-chat now! I have a good feeling about this!
They stopped right in front of the monster. Arthur held his sword in both of his hands and attacked the creature. It was clearly visible, that he wasn't scared of it. While attacking, he looked at his squire and smiled at him, to show, that he doesn't have to be afraid and that they can easily defeat the danger.
The taller mouse took a few steps back.
-I can't...
Arthur kept on attacking the enemy, but it was too strong for him to do it alone. He needed some help.
-Of course you can, just- while he wasn't paying attention, the monster hit him and that hit was pretty strong.
Our brave knight fell on the ground due to the attack.
-Ouch... - he whimpered quietly
Wilden Lightfoot shouted the knights name. He was scared as ever, but at the same time he didn't wanted Arthur to get hurt. He didn't wanted him getting killed by the monster. But then he realized... That now he's got the creature's full attention.
He was standing there, holding his sword tightly and looking at the oponent. He didn't knew what to do, but then... He heard his own words in his mind: „What we need, is a distraction. That would be you!You'll get the troll's attention, then I'll swoop in and defeat him!". But was it a good idea to just make the monster chase you and wait for the knight to get up? On the other hand, he didn't had any better ideas coming up to his mind, so I guess he didn't had a choice either.
-Hey, you big goof! I'm right here! Come and get me! - he shouted
Then he began running away and screaming, and the creature started to chase him.
After a moment the knight slowly began to open his eyes.
- -straction!
-Huh...? - he whimpered as he fully opened his eyes and sat on the ground – What's that...?
-Distraction! Distraction! - Wilden Lightfoot screamed as he was still running – When will he finally see what's happening?! - he said to himself
The knight heard his squire shout as loud as possible. As soon as he recognized his voice, he got up as fast as he could and saw the taller mouse being chased by a dangerous creature. He was in danger and Arthur had to do something about that!
He decided to take the opportunity to attack the monster. He grabbed his sword and ran after the two. After a moment he jumped and attacked the beast with his shiny weapon
-I got you know! - he shouted
He was feeling very confident and happy at that moment. Things weren't going the way he wanted at first, but they made it. They managed to protect everyone and defeat the danger, that was now laying dead on the ground.
Arthur landed right next to it and looked around. Everyone were safe now...
-Oh my God! Wilden Lightfoot, we did it! - he said as he put his hands up in a sign of both joy and victory
-Wait...Did we? - the squire asked in disbelief
-Yes, we did! You distracted the monster so that I could easily attack it! I'm so proud of you!
Lots of people, even Queen Karen Beverly herself started gathering around our heros. They were praising... Not Wilden Lightfoot, but Arthur. And only Arthur... They were cheering and shouting "Our brave knight have defeated the monster! He saved the kingdom!", but the knight himself wasn't happy about what was happening.. His squire wasn't happy either, but he didn't wanted to say anything, because he was sure, that no one would praise someone like him. He was just standing aside and looking away.
-Wait! All of you have to listen to me!
The croud stopped and looked at him.
-What's wrong, Sir Arthur? Aren't you proud of yourself? You saved us all! - the queen replied
-Well, you see... I'm.. Not the only one, who should come in for praise here... That dangerous creature is now dead because of him... - Arthur said as he pointed at the taller mouse – He distracted it and that's how I got a chance to kill it and save all of you, so... It's kinda his job too. - he continued, smiling
The townspeople and the queen were schocked. They just couldn't believe.
-But Sir Arthur, you have to be kidding us right now! That man is just a coward! He would never even TRY to fight such a big monster! He would be too scared! - someone have said and made everyone laugh
The knight quickly became mad because of it.
-No! That's not true! Maybe he was a coward in the past, but if not him, I would be DEAD! That huge beast could've kill me if he didn't goad it to chase him! It probably may have looked funny to you, but it saved my life! It gave me enough time to come around after I hit the ground!
Everyone went all quiet. There was a pause.
-Is that true, Sir Arthur...? - Queen Karen Beverly asked – Did that mouse really helped you beat the monster?
-Do I look like I'm lying right now? Yet, it is true, Your Majesty!
-Well... - she started – Then I must say, that I'm very impressed by your braveness – she continued while she was looking at the squire, who was standing aside, still being tired from all the running
-Oh! Um... If you let me say something, Your Majesty, I... It's not a big deal, I just-
-Not a big deal?! - Arthur interrupted him – You literally risked your own life in order to let me regain my strenght and kill the monster! It really shows how you listened to me saying that we can't leave each other behind and that we should help one another...
-Well, then... Then I say, that it's true! And I did used the right strategy to fight that awful beast!
Aaahh here he is. Here's the Wilden Lightfoot we all know and hate!
The croud then began cheering again. This time, they were praising both the knight and his squire. It seemed like everything now was going the be just perfect, and it also seemed like Wilden Lightfoot DID learnt something in the end.
It's been quite some time since our heroes had their first adventure together.
Now they were fighting forces of evil on daily basis! Giants, dragons, witches, spiders, anything you could imagine.
Wilden Lightfoot became more confident and he wasn't that „scaredly cat" he used to be. He also learned how to use his sword as well! Arthur teached him everything he needed to know. All of the different strateges, techniques and attacks.
Because of that they also have became closer friends. „Best friends" we can say, or.. Maybe something more? No, no! That's just stupid!
The knight was proud of how his squire was becoming less and less scared with every fight. To be honest, is someone would tell his younger self how he'll end up, he wouldn't believe it at all! But it was true... He and his idol have swiched their roles. Now Arthur was the brave knight and Wilden Lightfoot was just helping him.
Did he made the right desition by choosing him to be his squire? Yes. And he believes that he wouldn't choose a better one.
THE END.