Price to Pay

"Hands-free from laws,

yet still got bills to pay.

May be free from jaws,

but no other place to run away."

The two went down Mt. Poker, both in silence. John grins up while Ace kept his cool.

"Fuck, I just broke out a psychopath." Ace thought to himself. "I wonder what's inside his mad mind?"

"If you tear a red card... do you call that a broken heart?" John wondered deeply in his thoughts.

After they set foot off the mountain, John then led Ace to the Spider Mountain Range.

While on the track, all puzzled and clueless, Ace confronted John.

"Alright, what the actual fuck? Why are we walking North?" Ace said in frustration.

"First of all, watch the language. Second of all, that's North-West, and third, To pay you back."

"This is going away from my home."

"That's the point, Spade man."

"I am now slowly questioning our agreement here." Ace said.

"Okay look, I have a task which involves YOU and something important. So if you could kindly follow along, and not complain, I might tell you just why." John elaborated.

Ace then went silent and walked their way.

That following night, under the night sky. As the two rest by a campfire, John then started talking.

"The land needs you..." John said, but his smile slowly faded away. "Everything's going down."

"What do you mean?" Ace asked.

"The land's been breaking apart ever since that wicked queen started running things. The Hearts are getting stronger , the Diamonds are now taken over, the Clubs' brains fucked, The Spades dead... except for you"

"You are the last resort, the key. The only person the other two kingdoms would listen to. The only one who could lead the freedom of this forsaken land. The one and only Spade." John briefly explained.

"At the center of the ruins within the Spider Range, there's a statue. It was used by Jokers to smuggle their goods into the cities. If we are able to get in there and get you through, I can get you to Gregory..."

"Who's Gregory?" Ace asked.

"The Jack of Diamonds..." John answered. "He's trying to form a resistance, and only him and I are in it. If I get you into the Diamond walls without getting caught, we can start up the resistance and kick the queen out of her throne."

"Why are you even trying? What's your gain from this anyway?" Ace wondered.

John paused. And as the campfire sparkles along the burnt wood, John answers,

"It's the right thing to do. Plus, I still have a price to pay."