One-shots

The Street Sweeper

People who were new to the city would often trip. The streets were uneven and some of them never finished. Anyone who had lived there longer though, would know them like the back of their hand. Uncluding four kids, currenly running past many closed doors. Running as hard as they could.

If you're wondering where everybody is, the answer is simple. They were all gathered in front of the caste, awaiting the king's speech. 

The children were also heading that way, but stopped in an alleyway close to the castle. They listened to the busteling sound of people who were eagerly waiting for the king to step onto the balcony. 

As the sound of the church's bell rang over the crowd.

Four kids were running down the streets. Because of the uneven pavement, people who were new to the city often tripped. But not these four, they knew the streets like the back of their hand. They ran passed all the closed doors. Not that there was anyone at home anyway. Everyonewas gathered in front of the castle. Awaiting the kings speech. The children were running as hard as they could. When they arrived at an alleyway they stopped. They listened to the sound off all the people who were also waiting. As the loud bells of the church were rang, everyone quieted down. The king stepped forward on the grand balcony and spoke to his people.

"Everyone. I thank you for gathering here today. As the king of this land you have my gratitude for hearing me out on such short notice. As you all might know, my son will celebrate his 10th birthday in a few days. Because of this special occasion I would like to invite all of you to the celebration. The invites will be delivered in one to two days for everyone." After the king was finished speaking, a great applause began. The kids ran off immediately after the Kings speech. Suddenly one of the kids jumped on a box. "One day I'll be king." He said as he raised his fist to the sky. He pointed to the only girl between the four of them. "You'll be my mirror." After he pointed to other boy. "You'll be my sword." And after he pointed the the youngest of them. "And you'll be my shield." He exclaimed. "This way we'll always be together." The other three kids yelled happily and with that all of them ran off again.

Unknown to the children there was an old man who had heard the whole conversation between them. "So young, so naive." He said to himself as he continued sweeping the streets.

(15 years have passed)

The old king had died and his son was crowned on his 17th birthday. He is currently 25 years of age. But unlike his father, the boy was a horrible king. He didn't give anyone a second glance. The people of his kingdom were noting more than pawns to him. He really thought he was better than everyone else.

The four kids also grew up in these past 15 years. Theso-called 'king' between them was now 21. The mirror and the sword were also the age of 21. And the youngest was 20. They were still together after all these years.

It was a silent evening and the king was reading a book to pass the time in his throne room, for he could not sleep on this oh so peaceful night. He had dismissed his guards with the guaranty that he would be just fine.

The clock was heard nine times for the ones who were still awake. The king heard some rustling and looked up from his book. A few meters in front of him stood a young man, a cape gently fluttering behind his back.

"Good evening my king." The young man spoke and bowed slightly.

"Yes it is indeed a lovely night." The king spoke back, not responding to the greeting.

The young man stood back straight again. "Pity it has to end with so much blood." He spoke as he lunged for the king that hadn't stood up from his chair. Just as the king was about to stand up, he felt something pierce his chest. He looked down and saw a long piece of metal sticking out of his chest. He looked back up and looked into the young man's eyes. The young man looked back and could feel the fear in the kings eyes. After a few seconds the kings eyes closed and the young man pulled his sword back. As he did that the king fell to the ground. As the king came in contact with the ground, his crown fell from his head and clattered on the ground before coming to a stop.

The young man picked up the fallen crown with his bloodied hand just as his mirror, his sword and his shield walked into the room with some guards. The young man looked at them and put the crown on his head.

"Like I said all those years ago." He turned and walked to one of the windows.

"One day I'll be king."

(A week has passed)

The young man had just been crowned and walked onto the balcony like so many kings before him had done. Hewas welcomed with loads of claps and happiness. "Now the old king is dead. Long live the king!" They sang.

That same day his three friends visited him. "I want to make this kingdom even bigger than it is." He had told them. "And for that I need my mirror, sword and shield. So, will you be my missionaries in a foreign field?"

"Sorry my king but, we are already someone's mirror, sword and shield." The oldest of the sword had said.

"Of whom, may I ask?"

"Of an old friend. We made a promise to him. He is and will always be our true king. He wouldn't do something so irrational to get the throne." The mirror said.

"And we never go back on our promises. Now if you will excuse us." The shield said. With that they walked out of the room as the king watched their leaving backs.

After a few days he realized. His friends really weren't coming back and that he would be all alone. For the first time in years. "I don't need them." He had said to himself. "I have everything I could ever want! And more! I don't need them. Right?" He asked his advisor that stood beside him. "Of course not my king." The advisor had said with a sly smirk. "You are the king, after all."

After his friends left, his light left with them. Once they were gone, there was never an honest word.

His wicked advisor only opened the door to the wrong path.

One day he heard a sound that he had never noticed before. "Are those ringing bells?" He had asked his advisor. "No, my king. Those are just the church choirs. But we must make haste. You still have a meeting to attend."

The new king was loved by all. But after a few years that love started to turn into hate. He had started wars and had made his people suffer. Hundreds had died. They couldn't believe what their lovable king had become.

Right now, everyone was gathered in front of the castle. As if the king was about to give another speech. But it was different this time. Instead of cheers, there were angry shouts. Instead of a bright blue day, it was dark and the smell of burned wood was in the air. They threw rocks at the guard or anyone in their way, in the process shattering the windows of the castle.

'It sounds like angry drums.' The king had thought to himself. He knew that they were waiting, waiting for his head served on a silver plate.

After a while he stood up. He had had enough. As he walked onto the balcony and climbed on the edge of it, there were no guards in sight, for he had locked the doors. As everyone fell silent he looked over the crowd and saw his olds friends. They looked back at him with pity and sadness. His eyes met with all three of them. "I am truly sorry for what I have done." He spoke. "And I take full responsibility. There are no excuses for it. I just wanted to give you all one advise. Viva la Vida, my friends. Even though I shouldn't call you that but, who would ever want to be king?" Those were his last words before he let himself fall forward to the ground below.

Years had passed since then. No one had ever found him since his so-called 'death'.

There is an old man though. In the morning he sleeps alone and sweeps the streets he used to own.

So yeah. This was kinda sorta based off of the song Viva la Vida from Cold Play. I've had this idea in my head for a few weeks now so yeah. Blub.

~Sureytje.