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Chapter 41

All eyes turned to Hosea, knowing not to dare pull a bullet.

Even Micah Bell wouldn't.

Goddamn it!

Micah had either wanted to get into Arthur's good books using his morals against him or to make him fall blind with the gang's code and finally put a bullet through Morgan's skull and make sure it stayed that way. He'd needed that Blackwater money!

He hadn't expected Bill to act so soon.

Perhaps he'd overestimated the man's stupidity.

Or perhaps this was planned for quite some time!

He had been convinced that Hosea would side with Arthur and John (should have killed Scarface when he had the chance). After all, they were his sons.

But to his astonishment, Dutch shot up in the air, drawing all of their attention. Even Micah wouldn't dare fire upon Hosea. It would risk turning Dutch against him, but Esucella as well, and the rest of the folks siding with Dutch.

Siding with Micah.

Except Cleet and Joe.

Those two were his boys...

And damn...

Meanwhile, Arthur had no delusions left about what would happen if they all decided to stand down now.

"Enough!" Hosea barked. "Enough!"

"Hosea, are you betraying me as well?" Dutch's darkened eyes landed on him, agitated.

"No one's betraying you, Dutch!" Lenny growled. "No one except him and his goons!" He motioned to Micah who stared at him coldly. Dark-skinned would have to be taken care of soon if Micah wanted a chance.

"You ain't got no proof of that, my dark-skinned friend," Micah growled back.

"Hosea, don't you see?" Morgan inquired. "He's betrayed us all. We're all trying to tell you!"

Hosea's eyes swapped from gunslinger to gunslinger, noticing none of them were aiming at him. Yes, Arthur was aiming at Dutch and the other way around, but whatever that came up between them may be irreparable. But even that could be justified with what Micah'd been plotting no doubt behind the scenes.

Hosea noticed Sean was aiming in the air. The kid looked so conflicted and utterly broken. No doubt, killing Bill hurt him. He always was extremely loyal, despite leaving the gang for lapses of time.

'He wants to side with Dutch, but is staying loyal to Arthur.'

That was the description that best matched most of the folks on Arthur's side.

And now, Hosea recognized why they were doing this.

"Come on, come on. I have a plan..." Dutch said, his voice barely maintaining its control. "All you all have to do is wait for us to make a little more of money!"

Hosea's eyes snapped to Dutch. "Dutch, can't you see what Micah is doing?! He's splitting us all apart!"

"He won't!" Dutch guaranteed in a croaky tone. "I will make sure he won't!"

"We'd lived without him and we'll live after him!" John exclaimed.

Fire burnt in his eyes. "I want to give him a chance. To open his heart. You all don't see the good inside of Micah? There's more than an savage killer! Now put your guns down!"

"No, Dutch, no, it's either you kick him out or we all leave," Arthur said, unflinchingly, receiving nods of agreement from the rest-most reluctant but still rather take their chances with him than someone like Micah.

"I am the leader."

"Well," Arthur started slowly at first before finding a sudden surge of courage, "maybe you ain't deserve to be any sort of leader no more."

Dutch's nostrils flared. "What. Did. You. Just. Say?"

The hiss would have made even lawmen afraid.

But not Arthur Morgan.

He stared back, without any thought.

"You tell us to follow you. You want us to do all these things?" Arthur elaborated. "And we all believe them. I've believed them. But then I take a step back, look at the amount of money that gets us closer to the west, and realize what the plan is. All that comes is putting others down for thinking about leaving. You blame us for making mistakes. You tell us to stay behind you. But when we come to think for ourselves and try to find a life outside of it, you'd either talk about one more score. How many scores are there, Dutch? You tell me."

Dutch's quiet was deafening. The birds in the background and the sounds that came with the early morning light were all that the gang leader could hear.

"Was there ever a plan?" Arthur demanded. "Ever a plan to get us out of this life? We can't just walk out in the sunset. Admit it, Dutch, you never wanted to move out west. You just want thoughtless killers like Micah who would follow you into schemes that will get more money. Everything you did was designed for one purpose and one purpose only. To keep us together and under your thumb. You didn't want to go no more, he wanted to stay where he was robbing those who he felt he should and maintain control of the gang. Every time we try do anything to actually change anything you get angry, cause that means you might lose power. The West and whatever else is the carrot you used and nothing else."

Dutch recoiled in surprise. "No, I... I have a plan. We're all just unfortunate. I have listened to you lately, ain't I?"

"Only because the doubt in your leadership that everyone is showing," Arthur challenged. "If it was up to me, we would be lying low and avoiding the law. Instead, everything you've been doing is anything else, and you have that rat-" he nodded at Micah, "ruining everything we've built."

Still, no one dared to fire a shot.

Arthur looked at his allies and Dutch's supporters both. "I can't promise I'll be perfect. I ain't good at giving speeches but I will do my best to make sure no more folks fall. That we depend on each other. We'll be a community, not a gang. We'll listen to older members," he nodded to John and Uncle, "and new ones." He nodded to Charles and Sadie.

"You can't do this," Dutch said darkly. "I am your gang leader. You all can't betray me." His hand tightened over the hammer of his revolver.

"Don't do it, Dutch," Charles said.

"I used to believe being a good member was doing everything he tells you. That's how me and John were raised. But we're capable of feelings. We have to make our own decisions."

The Morgan Gang, or whatever it would be, stood straighter.

"Prepare the horses, grab your items, leave everything else," Arthur beckoned. "We'll make sure nothing happens."

They all dispersed, save for the gunslingers.

Dutch's chin throbbed. "So you're really doing this? And you too, Sean? I thought you were loyal."

Sean grimaced.

"Sean is loyal," Karen growled, "you aren't, Dutch van Der Linde."

Dutch clearly was thinking about what would happen if he fired a shot. So did Micah. However, none decided to do so if they wanted to live. Not now. It was going to be a disaster if they all went and got themselves killed.

"Come on, Hosea, you don't have to stay here. You know what Micah wants to do."

"I know," Hosea nodded before staring at Dutch one last time with disappointment, "it shames me that you're choosing to heed the words of someone who causes nothing but trouble, Dutch, I hope you wake up."

Dutch's jaw descended, a weak "...Hosea?" slipping out of him. "You're betraying me?"

Hosea looked at him, pained and saddened, "I'm staying loyal to my sons, Dutch."

"You did this..." Dutch growled as Hosea moved down in the direction to help Karen and Mary-Beth. His temper rose. "You did this!" He repeated. "All of you!"

"You did this, Dutch," Lenny snapped back, "Arthur told you to do one thing and you'd done another." His face flashed with disgust. "Maybe you aren't the man we'd all thought you were."

When finally supplies were loaded on a single wagon, Pearson said behind them nervously if anything else. "We're ready."

Sparing one last glance at Dutch and motioning for the rest of the gunslingers to follow, they all kept their eyes on them until they were assured that no one was to fire.

It took a few minutes, and the tension was still in the air as Charles, Lenny, and John kept their eyes out on Dutch's followers.

Moving over to the wagons, he heard his name being called out.

"Arthur!"

He turned around.

"Arthur!" The voice said again.

Closer now.

And he looked down to see a dark-skinned girl. Tilly. It pained him to know that she would side with Micah. After all, she had gotten out before he died last time. She was smart enough to get out this time, right? But then again, Bill didn't die, nor did everything proceed the same as they did.

"So that's it, huh?" Tilly asked emotionlessly. "You're just leaving us all."

"Tilly..." He addressed with some bitterness, unable to deny the pang. She was his sister. While she didn't aim at him or John, it still was a painful wound to know that she would always be loyal to Dutch more. She didn't make it to the draw on their final day before everything fully went to shit and he finally died.

She'd also believed that Molly'd deserved to die, something that Arthur and Mary-Beth were both conflicted over.

"I know you're not lying, Arthur," she said, placing a hand on his wrists before he could have walked off, capturing him in her grip.

Still unable to ever hurt her, Arthur replied, "But you decided to side with Micah."

"Dutch, Arthur, Dutch..."

"Why, sweetheart?" Arthur asked. He had to know Tilly's reasoning. Maybe he did but hearing from her would explain everything.

"He found me, Arthur. Took me from the pits and gave me a purpose in life. Before that, I was tossed from person to person. He gave me a community. Friendship. All of it. But you're still my brother. You and John." Tilly answered, clear emotion in her tone. "And I'm not staying just cause of him."

Arthur frowned, his forehead scrunching, "Javier?"

Tilly nodded slightly, "Yes, Arthur, I know that he's capable of doing good, and... he... Won't allow Micah or his boys to hurt me. But I have something to give you. Dutch won't notice. He'll think Abigail or someone else took it. Maybe I can... do some more work from the inside."

"It's too dangerous, Tilly," Arthur pleaded.

Tilly straightened, "It is, but I have Grimshaw here to protect me too. You know, she also isn't blind. We both know what have been happening. And, well, Dutch doesn't need to know everything."

Unsure of what she was talking about, Tilly pulled out a box from the blom of her dress. The camp donations throughout so many years were in her hands, offered to Arthur. In his haste, Arthur didn't even think about taking them. After all, it was a way only to cause a rivalry from Dutch; the official confirmation that they'd all betrayed him and none of them cared.

And yet, while Arthur did not doubt that they could maintain themselves for a while, they would have to do something to get back on their feet.

"Tilly... why I..." Arthur started, his words a slur as he was caught off guard.

"Don't say it. Get out of here, Arthur," Tilly declared. "Or I'll have to whack you for taking our payrolls." She winked at him, a mischievous smirk across her lips. "You and me, we ain't decent."

A small smile crossed his lips, "We ain't."

The remaining gunslingers got to their horses and pulled on the reins.

Arthur moved to the wagon and pulled on the reins which consisted of four horses, Ryan included. Hosea and Abigail sat next to him. The wagon took off seconds later, dragging itself out of the Clemens Point.

"Where are we going to go now?"

Arthur'd thought about a location. He had to take them somewhere that they won't all lose faith in him and return to Dutch's services. Yet, so large of a committee couldn't be found in a city. He'd considered Shady Bell since it worked the last time they'd gone to last time but decided that was far too close and allowed Micah to pick them off one by one.

The forest near the Balfours could work, though it would require a negotiation, and unlike Dutch, he didn't want to compel them to feel like they had to welcome their presence. A bunch of killers, they were. But they would have to make the best of the situation.

"We'll have to start new..." Hosea said, his voice grim. "I never thought it would come to this."

"Dutch hasn't been the man we'd thought we knew for a long time, Hosea," Arthur said weakly, producing the camp funds for both to see.

"Arthur..." Hosea said slowly, his eyes widening. "When Dutch finds..."

"Tilly gave it to me."

"Tilly?" Abigail asked. "I thought she was with Dutch."

"She is, but she's still a good kid," Arthur answered with a bit of defense in his tone. While he would worry 'bout Tilly for perhaps a very long time, he knew that she wasn't stupid and that she deserved no anger.

After all, she was just doing what Abigail and Karen did of Arthur, just riding with Dutch.

Grimshaw was much the same.

"Where we're going?" Charles inquired.

"Roanoke Ridge," Arthur answered. "Tell the rest."

Charles nodded, "You got it, Arthur."

It was a day of relentless traveling. They had to stay close to the sidelines and lowly populated streets, driving through Saint Denis to beyond. All were confused and even a little afraid about where they were going, but none questioned Arthur's decision-making, knowing that he must had a plan.

They'd stopped briefly for Lenny and Sean to grab new camp supplies in the city before continuing on.

Roanoke Ridge was located in eastern New Hanover, bordering the Heartlands and Grizzlies East to the west, and Lemoyne to the south. Along the region's eastern border was the Lannahechee River.

With rugged and mountainous terrain, Roanoke Ridge was a heavily forested area. The hills were abundant with coal and precious metals, making mining one of the largest industries in the area. Aside from Annesburg and Van Horn Trading Post, the region was quite isolated, with a few scattered villages and homesteads that had little contact with civilization.

As they set up the campsite here, it was only a matter of time before the women could finish. Karen, Mary-Beth, Abigail, and Sadie were no Ms. Grimshaw, but they learned much from their environment and had adaptability skills that made them.

"Since the law doesn't pay much attention to the poor community in Roanoke Ridge, we'll have to be careful," Arthur announced as the new members walked around. "This area allows vicious gangs like the Murfree Brood to be a bunch of killers. We'll have to take care of the problems and show that we're not here to terrorize the community to build good-will."

"We'll need an enforcer to take Arthur's role now that Arthur can't do it anymore as much since he'll be the leader," Hosea declared.

"Who said I can't do it anymore?" Arthur insisted. "I ain't helpless cause I decided to be a leader, Hosea..." He started in protest. For twenty years, he was an enforcer. Being that for a gang means more than having heavy hands and being able to take punches. Arthur was the main enforcer because when there was dirty work to be done he would do it. When someone needed to be beaten or killed he would do it.

And he learned that they couldn't run from their past.

That everything won't be better cause they wanted it.

They would have folks after them, seeking their blood.

"But you're going to be needed here, son. They all decided to follow you, not me." Hosea persisted, staring at him. "And you might need to be around if Dutch and Micah decides to turn up."

Arthur saw all was staring at him back and he realized that Hosea was right. "Alright fine, but I... want everyone to vote."

"Everyone?" Mary-Beth asked.

"Everyone," he confirmed.

That was... new.

Most of Dutch's choices ultimately came from leadership and that alone. However, that choice also just won the complete loyalty of the vast majority of the gang members.

"Why not Charles?" Karen asked.

"I want to stay close and hunt for the same reasoning. I also don't trust that Micah and his goons will stay away." Charles declared.

"What 'bout Sean?" Karen teased.

Sean spoke with his usual chipper for the first time in the past day, "Aye! I can strap, but I ain't no Arthur Morgan! All English does is stare down anyone and make 'em follow him! I would make it a lot more fun for everyone! We need some joy in our lives."

"If you want anyone who tries to whack us to get their ears talk off," John mumbled, "that will be a good idea."

"Oh, shut up, Scarface!" Sean leaned in. "I ain't the one who got eaten by wolves!"

"Alright, alright, we get it," Arthur grumbled. "I will always wonder why I never left you in Blackwater."

"You woulda missed me, Arthur! You need me and I need you!" Despite how much he irritated him, it was good to see that there was a possibility of Sean recovering from what he did to Bill.

"John?" Hosea looked at the younger brother of Arthur.

Many didn't want to leave that life because it was all they knew. To them, running off and becoming citizens were unrealistic. Just cause they sided with Arthur didn't mean that they were able to walk off into the sunset. No, they needed each other, and with Dutch cut loose, many of them were terrified.

And perhaps a part of Arthur didn't want to be as disorganized as they were. They didn't have to rush into heat and get the law over them all of the time. Robbing was a thing of the past, but cons could be pulled off, and perhaps growing.

John nodded.

"All of you?" Hosea asked.

It received agreement from all, and it was expected. John Marston would be the new main enforcer of the Morgan...

What was it?

The Morgan Gang?

"Mr. Morgan," Kieran spoke up, turning the matter to the question at many's thoughts, "what is going to be the name of this... gang?"

"The Morgan Community?" Lenny recommended, earning a glare from Arthur. "What? Don't blame me, boss, I'm just thinking of names."

"Hey, I like that name!" Karen shouted. "Come on, the Morgan Community doesn't sound bad! Ain't I right?!"

Agreement followed again.

"The Morgan Community it is," Hosea said with a smirk at Arthur.

"So it is," John said, nodding.

Goddamn them...

Oh, he hated that name, and they all knew it.

Author's note: Some people thought I was ending the story just because Arthur was splitting from Dutch. That's not happening. I want to go into the "Morgan Community" and the difference between them and the Van Der Linde gang. It will probably take a while because the original ending of this fic was going to be entirely different before I decided to have them split apart.

It's important to note that the reason Arthur wouldn't dissolve the gang is because he doesn't know where they would be able to go. In the game, he continues to be quite standoffish with Dutch and tries to help people leave. But now, Morgan has years of his life and is now forming his own community with a less cult-like mindset.