Behind the scenes: Why Friendship is Greater Than Alliance
Fletcher Blackwell and Ace Berny were best friends,
despite being apart in age. Perhaps it had something to do with their shared
responsibility of being the eldest in their families, the heir to their family
name, or simply that when they played the game “If I ruled the world…” they
never meant it as an anecdote spun out of their creative brains. Ace Berny was
the loyal, level-headed council that the witty, charismatic ruler without the
crown Fletcher Blackwell needed. Fletcher was a trustworthy ally who understood
and embodied Ace’s family values like his own. Growing up, they were
essentially two peas in a pod.
While Ace had a fair amount of time preparing for his
responsibilities before it was passed down to him, Fletcher had no such luxury.
In a highly uncertain environment where the Hillwoods were sweeping away as
much land as they could, the poor were pushing back, he was shoved to the
forefront after his father passed away, unexpectedly. A teenager, enjoying his
youth, turned to an adult with far more responsibilities than his fragile
shoulders could handle overnight. With the support of his best friend, Ace
Berny, Fletcher Blackwell settled into his role that he was totally unprepared
for. So, when Ace Berny acquired his family business, Fletcher returned the
favour by boosting Berny & Co. with investments with his now stable
business.
The game of “If I ruled the world…” was within an
arm’s reach for both Ace and Fletcher. The economy of Sitciny relied heavily on
the production of non-mineral products that EDGE Group could provide and on the
heavy machinery that Berny & Co. could give to aid the development of the
city. The government was pushing for their growth, and people held their breath
to see which friend would step on others’ shoulders to gain absolute power over
Sitciny’s economy.
Wits won over the power struggle. Fletcher and Ace
understood and embraced the secret the other old families had forgotten.
Together, they could rule the economy. What were they to do with absolute power
anyway if there was no one to share that joy with? The young men joined their
forces. Blackwell family’s affluence with Berny family’s manpower. Fletcher’s
brain with Ace’s loyalty. They swept through the city together as allies
instead of as foes as the people expected. “If I ruled the world…” turned from
a game to reality. Hillwoods and the other old families, except the Kings, were
put on the back-burner, as Fletcher and Ace took total control of the economy.
Always in sync, always looking out for each other’s
best interest. Not only did the Blackwell and Berny family flourish, but the
people of Sitciny caught a break at last. No one was at each other’s throats.
Now on the top, neither Fletcher nor Ace cared much for making people on
whatever side of the city suffer just to maintain the status quo. To do that,
there were other ways that did not include cruelty. More opportunities opened,
everyone in the city saw improvement in their conditions, and as a result, the
duo earned the love and respect of the people.
The only chink in the armour was the deal with Colt
Hayes. Though the poor tried to elevate their situation, no one was daring
enough to go to the heart of the city and target the man who changed the tide.
When the deviation from the status quo became too noticeable and given Colt’s
violent history, Ace Berny and Fletcher’s younger brother Bryan tried to warn
him. However, Fletcher always admired talent above all else, and cruelly
turning away someone in need, he considered beneath himself. Even if it was
someone like Colt, the infamous thief. That was the first time an open
disagreement rose between the two best friends. Fletcher hoped Colt would fail
on his end of the deal signed in their contract but found himself a new
business partner.
Just like that, Fletcher Blackwell had planted the
seed to what was to come. A force that would undo the empire of mutual trust, admiration,
and unattainable riches Fletcher and Ace had spent years building.
Comments
Post a Comment