Chapter Text
The Ace in cards is the most versatile card, as it changes from game to game. It often represents the one in more simple games, but in games such as Euchre, it is almost second to none. So in a sense, the ace is often overlooked, until it proves just how stupid overlooking it was. As it is, the phrase “an Ace up the sleeve” is used often in regards to tricks or special plans for a reason.
Philza Minecraft has never been seen as much more than a rat, a low life. He is nothing but a poor orphan wandering around, trying to not get crushed beneath all of the city folk. But when he sleeps, he dreams of a castle, an Empire. With friends and a family surrounding him, a wonderful life where he didn’t fear others. Where he was loved.
But that doesn’t exist, for Phil is but 6 years old, he has a long way to go. A lot of training and development needs to happen. He needs to be a warrior, a survivor. He needs to be the most hard core of people. So no, that perfect dream doesn’t exist, not yet.
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When he is 14, he has as much muscle mass as his body allows. He is no longer the malnourished tiny child he was and he knows for a fact that he is stronger than the city kids ever needed to be. The same ones that would beat him up till he couldn’t move, simply because he was below them. It brings him endless joy knowing that they could never lay a hand on him again.
He traveled far from his home city, out into the woods until he found mountains, rivers, and fields of flowers. Everything that has yet to be destroyed by civilization. It’s out there where he lives and breathes. He flourishes, learning everything from making a small farm to enchanting armour. He is stronger and smarter than he was 8 years ago, when soldiers march past him.
Its the first time he sees another person in those years alone. When one of them spots him, they pause and stare. The Soldier looks much older than he is, but something says that they are a kindred spirit to his own. The leader of the little army sees the man pause and looks to him, and before Phil can blink he is being given orders.
His armour is strong, as are his weapons, all enchanted with everything he can think of. This army, no matter how much older, seems to be made of simple people with very little experience. He knows that if he wanted to, he could take most of them. He could easily go back to his life and farm. But curiosity killed the cat and maybe he wants to talk to someone, anyone. So at age 14, Philza Minecraft joins an army for a country that he doesn’t know, to fight an army for another country he doesn’t know.
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Phil learns that the first man’s name is Pete and even with the age difference they get along like a house on fire. Phil’s skill in fighting is good, after spending so long defending against mobs, but he learns quickly that fighting people is very different. Without Pete helping and teaching him, he has a good bet that he would have died in his first battle.
Pete is also the one who teaches him that war is foolish. That this war was started purely because of disagreement over a piece of land, one thats definitely not big in the grand scheme of things. Pete tells him that its mainly an ego thing, that his king won’t let them have this tiny bit of land, going to war mainly to prove a point rather than be righteous and kind.
When Phil goes to sleep those nights, among the sea of other tents and soldiers, he dreams of a strong king. One that cares about his citizens, that uses the resources that are usually spent on war to instead help care and make sure that everyone has a home. To make sure that people have food on the table and a roof on their heads. A king who knew what it was like to be without it, so he cares and he loves.
When he wakes to the breakfast bell and Pete putting on his shoes, the hope only grows. Pete doesn’t know why he smiles like he does in the morning. He would not understand the dreams he has of the benevolent king. But that king does not exist. Not yet, but soon.
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When He is 19, the war is over. The war taught him things, but the most important thing he learned about was trust. Phil is easy to care, he will always lend a hand if given the option. He made friends with his fellow soldiers easily and cared for them when they left on missions and returned with wounds. But Pete was the only one he trusted and in that he is thankful.
It is because of his care that others trusted him but it is because of his untrustful and cunning ways that the higher ups noticed him. It is because of those both that he rises in the ranks from random soldier to royal advisor by the time the war is over. He is the king's best assistent and even if these are not his dreams, he brings with him peace and prosperity upon the kingdom. Behind every king, there is the brain, and even if the egotistical king is bloodthirsty, he trusts Phil.
But Phil is smarter for more reasons than one. A rebellion is starting. People who lost their family members and friends to the war are angry. But the soldiers that are left make it known that Phil was kind and caring. They tell everyone how it is him that brought peace to the land. Phil is smart, he knows what is coming and while the King shouts of war and power, Phil smiles and waits. When the day comes, Pete leads the troops, and Phil’s dream starts to come true. It’s not over yet, not just yet.
And so, the 21 year old King Philza Minecraft waits. He doesn’t quite know what he is waiting for, but he knows it’s important. He helps the people, but he stays away from politics and war. As any good card player knows, you want to have more than one good card in your hands. So the Ace of Hearts waits.