TWD: Awakened As Rick

Rick stood in the war room, tracing a faded map of the old railway line east of their walls. The red X marked the meeting point—a supposedly neutral station just outside a collapsed industrial town.

Outside, the torches flickered in the wind. Judith was asleep. Lori watched over her. And in the shadows of the tower, Rick gathered Shane, Daryl, and Graves.

"Martinez thinks this is a conversation," Rick said quietly. "He thinks we'll play the game."

Shane scoffed. "Let me guess—you're flipping the table."

Rick nodded. "The Governor doesn't want peace. He wants leverage. That mark they left? That wasn't an invitation. That was territory."

Daryl leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "So, what's the play?"

Rick's voice was calm, but steel-cold. "We go. We bring Leah, Kara, and Morgan—they believe it's a diplomatic effort. We play the part."

He looked at each people in turn.

"But when the time comes… we take him out."

Graves grunted. "Any particular way you want him dead?"

Rick's answer was simple: "Fast".

The next morning, as the diplomatic party gathered at the east gate, Morgan led prayers, and Kara checked maps. Leah moved like a soldier ready for anything—but not betrayal.

Rick didn't flinch.

This wasn't a betrayal.

This was justice.

Before they rode out, Maggie approached Rick outside the wall, carrying a canteen and a folded cloth.

"You forgot your jacket," she said.

Rick took it, but didn't speak.

"You're wound up," she added. "Tighter than usual."

He looked at her then—really looked. Her hair tied back, her sleeves rolled from working the fields, the knife at her hip worn from use.

Five months ago, she was just a survivor. Now, she was his anchor.

He reached for her hand.

"You've made this place more than I ever could."

Maggie didn't smile.

But she nodded.

"Just come back," she said. "Whatever you're planning… come back."

Rick leaned forward and kissed her forehead.

"I will."

The diplomatic team moved with slow precision:

Rick

Leah

Morgan

Kara

Shadowing behind them at a distance:

Daryl

Shane

Graves

Each carried sidearms and small packs. Their expressions were unreadable.

The forest around them was thick, but not unfamiliar. The railway tracks had long rusted, but the station ahead had been cleared.

Smoke rose faintly in the distance.

They were close.

The Governor stood beneath the crumbling roof of the train station.

He was dressed plainly: dark coat, clean gloves, one eye still covered by his signature eyepatch. Martinez stood at his side, relaxed—but watchful.

Two more armed men flanked them at a distance.

As Rick approached, he saw the faintest twitch in the Governor's jaw.

They stopped ten feet apart.

The Governor raised a hand in greeting.

"Rick Grimes," he said, smiling. "You've built quite the kingdom."

Rick didn't smile.

"Governor."

Morgan stepped forward. "We're here to talk. Peacefully."

The Governor nodded. "As am I."

Kara didn't buy it. She watched the men in the rafters. Leah stood a little closer to Rick than before.

Martinez spoke next. "We've kept our distance. You've got farms. Structure. We admire that."

The Governor's voice slid in like honey over a knife. "We could trade. Resources. Medicine. Knowledge."

Rick's eyes never left him. "What do you want in return?"

"Only an understanding," the Governor said.

Rick already knew what that meant: obedience.

Up on the ridge, Daryl gave a silent nod to Shane.

Graves knelt behind the brush, assembling a suppressor on her rifle.

"Just say the word," Graves muttered through the earpiece.

Down below, Rick let the conversation continue.

But his fingers drifted subtly toward the inside of his jacket.

Toward the knife hidden under his coat.

The Governor stepped forward. "You're a reasonable man, Rick. But I know men like you. You build homes out of firewood. One spark, and it all goes down."

Rick tilted his head. "You here to spark something?"

The Governor smiled. "No. I'm here to offer you something better than fire."

Rick was done.

"No, Governor. You're here to be ended.

Before anyone could react, Rick drew the blade and lunged.

The Governor stumbled back.

A gunshot rang from the trees—Graves' rifle firing clean.

One of the Governor's guards went down.

Leah moved without hesitation, striking the second.

Kara tackled Martinez before he could reach for his weapon.

Morgan shouted, "Hold your fire! Hold your fire!"

But it was too late.

Chaos erupted.

Daryl fired a bolt that pinned one of the Governor's men to the station wall. Shane moved in from the south, clearing the rear flank.

Rick had the Governor on the ground, knife pressed to his throat.

"Say something," Rick hissed.

The Governor, coughing, spat blood.

"I knew it. You're not better than me."

Rick's grip tightened.

"But you are," Morgan said behind him.

Rick froze.

"Not because you let him live," Morgan continued. "But because you choose when not to kill."

Rick hesitated.

Then stood.

He turned to Graves. "Restrain him."

By sundown, the battle was over.

Two Woodbury men dead. Martinez wounded and captured. The Governor alive—but bound and furious.

They didn't kill him.

Instead, Rick stared him down and said:

"You're going to walk into my town".

The Governor laughed bitterly. "You're a fool."

Rick replied, "No. I'm a builder".

They returned to fanfare and guarded cheers.

Maggie ran to Rick, gripping him in silence before pulling him into a quiet, fierce kiss.

Leah stood watch on the walls.

And in the cell below town hall, The Governor sat in silence.

------------------------

Enjoying the story?

Support me on Patreon for early access, exclusive content, and more!

📖 Get 15 advanced chapters now:

👉 patreon.com/HighKingdom

💬 Share your thoughts!

Leave a review or comment with your ideas—I'd love to hear your feedback on the chapter.

🔥 Bonus Chapter Alert!

If this chapter receives 50+ Power Stones, I'll upload an extra chapter as a thank-you!

Thank you for reading!