Author Notes:

It's been a long time coming, but I've finally posted my first fan-fiction. Before I get started I just want to thank Duncan for helping me flesh out the concept more than just a simple idea and giving me the confidence to post it. I also want to thank anyone who takes the opportunity to read this story. I truly appreciate it. Now without further ado, welcome to the 404.

I do not own the Walking Dead nor anything associated with it.


Chapter One: When You Wish Upon A Star

Every time Lee asked why Clementine picked the train, the answer was always the same. To Clem, the train was where everything truly started. Where Lee taught her to shoot. Where Lee taught her to cut her hair. Where Lee taught her how to say good-bye.

Over the last ten years, ever since the age of walkers began, Clementine was too used to saying good-bye. Her parents, Lee, Kenny, Duck, Christa, Luke, Jane, Javier, Gabe, Louis, Violet...the list goes on. The worst thing of all though was the feeling of regret; of asking what-ifs with no answer. If only she hadn't listened to him, maybe Lee never would've gotten bitten. If only she hadn't shot Kenny, maybe she wouldn't have needed to raise AJ alone. If only she had actually watched Javier's back, she could've convinced David and Gabe to help her save the now crumbled New Frontier. If only Christa's...no, Clem had long since vowed to forget that.

These moments had haunted Clementine in her dreams for years. One dream in particular though was always the most vivid: Her biggest success followed immediately by her biggest failure.


Wet.

Cold.

Dark.

Exhausting.

But Alive.

What was first envisioned to be a night of victory; a simple rescue mission for her new friends had been shattered by reality. Lilly had done much to bring up old memories in Clementine. For Clem, seeing how far Lilly had fallen since losing her father Larry had been disappointing to say the least. Clem had secretly hoped it could end any other way than a bullet to Lilly's head, but it was clear to Clem how, after finding Louis tongueless for no other reason than to shut him up, all that was left of the woman was a broken toy. The Lilly that Clem once called family was hard, but not evil; and dead long before Clem ordered AJ put a bullet in her brain.

Still, it had been the hardest three words in Clem's life. It's not like she wanted it to be AJ. Heck, she was still despairing over it hours later. Nobody else was in the position to take that shot. It HAD to AJ.

Yet James couldn't understand that. Honestly, if you asked Clem, James' philosophy, was terribly naive. Sure, she had been in that barn of walkers and seen their reaction to the bell, but Clem had lived in this world for eight years. Of course she wanted to believe it, but as she told James in the cave "it's not kill or be killed but it's awful goddamn close".

And now as was typical in the apocalypse, another friend and turned foe. Like with Lilly and David, those were the worst of enemies, and James' parting message firmly placed him in that category. She just hoped nothing would ever come of the threat.

After making some progress into the woods, Tenn and AJ began to slow down. Their discussion about who voted for Clem and AJ to stay or leave Ericson after the death of Marolon otherwise fills the quiet void. Knowing that Louis had voted against them still kinda stung. However, considering how much he was bound to be suffering right now, she simply hoped that he had made it back to the school ok - -

"Lou! Vi!"

Clem's attention turns to AJ who runs up to a kneeling Louis for a hug. Violet smiles fondly, giving Clementine a once over. It's not long before Clem, Violet, and Tenn join the two for a group hug.

"You made it. You're all alive. We're all safe." Violet's voice is drenched in relief. Louis' face reflects that same relief, if only for the second he gives Clementine eye contact.

Regardless of Clem's own feelings, now was the time to step up and be the natural leader they perceived her as. "Did everyone else escape?"

"Yeah. They took the cart and headed back to the school."

Louis tries to maintain a cocky attitude, giving a fake grin, but it was clear he was nowhere near okay. The fact he was so concerned for Clem and AJ's well-being despite just being tortured….Clem wasn't gonna lie, she loved him even more for it.

Clem takes Louis' hands. They're warm. "But you came to look for us."

Louis gives a genuine smile, before leaning into Clem's check for a kiss. She reciprocates, grossing Tenn and AJ out a little.

Violet coughs into her hand awkwardly. "All we gotta do now is find our way home."

"Any idea which way it is?"

"There's an old bridge that's not far from here. If we cross it, we're not that far from the school". Louis points dramatically in the direction Violet was talking about. He might've lost his tongue, but that doesn't mean his personality vanished with it. At least he was still great at easing the tension.

"Let's go."

And so they did, the group continuing to make small talk along the way. A little about Violet joining Clem in the missing fingers club (also Lilly's doing). A little about Violet's feelings over losing Minerva. A little about everyone's first kill. A little about their dream home. Most important is a new name for Ericson….or rather, Texas Two.

Yet, as they reached the bridge, this moment of peace wasn't bound to last. Their own voices, stuck in debate over how to jump the gap, were replaced by the echo of song.

"...the night will be over soon."

Minerva, with a chunk of flesh literally chomped off her face, had somehow tracked the group. Her last desire was to bring her brother Tenn to the grave with her, and not even Violet could talk Minerva out of it.

As the ensuing battle begins, AJ knocks Tenn to the ground to keep Minerva from shooting him. The latter had been almost as delusional as his sister, so Violet takes it upon her own hands to get him and AJ across the gap. Only AJ listens, Tenn absolutely refusing, like he's a natural part or judge in this conflict.

Shot after shot, Clem uses her bow to fend off Minerva and the walkers, but it's completely ineffective. Minerva was quickly upon them.

Rolling out of the way of an axe strike aimed for her head, Clem is grabbed by a walker. A quick kick quickly releases her. As a well aimed arrow from Violet put the walker down permanently, Minerva lunges at her now obvious ex-girlfriend, stunning her. Louis, trying to prevent Minerva from shooting Clementine, takes the abandoned axe and lodges it into Minerva's back.

Then it happens.

Screeching in pain, Minerva's natural reflexes kick in, knocking Louis right off the bridge. In the last second before tumbling over the edge with the axe, Clementine swears looks at her.

"LOUIS!"

He doesn't scream. There's only a splash. And Tenn just stares down the creek like the world is perfectly peaceful. Like his sister isn't trying to kill him and everyone else. Or like how walkers aren't biting at the chance to eat his brains out.

Clementine, blinded by misery and rage, goes for the gun in Minerva's hand. With the help of a headbutt she is able to overpower Minnie.

So the tables turn. And while Minerva does stop Clem from blowing her brains out by spitting blood in Clem's eye, the second shot lands in the redhead's stomach. Minerva fails to get back up before getting swallowed by the horde.

In a stunned silence, Clementine throws the gun to AJ before jumping across the creek.

"Minnie!" Tenn rushes toward his sister only for Violet to pull him away.

"TENNESSEE! MOVE YOUR FUCKING ASS NOW!"

"Let him go, you'll die if you don't!" AJ's plea falls on death ears. Desperate to save Violet, AJ raises his weapon.

...but AJ couldn't make that call. Clementine had yet to trust him to make the right one after Lilly. So AJ watched as Violet was devoured by walkers after tossing Tenn to Clementine. Another friend lost back to back.

And it hurt. It could be argued for days who it hurt the most. For AJ, he had lost the only two people besides Clem he truly trusted. For Clementine, she had lost her boyfriend and best friend. And for Tenn, he had lost his only reason for living.

So AJ punched Tenn. Hard.

"They died for you stupidhead! Wake Up! NOW! Or we'll die too!"

With walkers closing in, Tenn did as AJ said.

The trio ran toward the fence, seeing it as the best route for escape. Before Clem and AJ could climb over to join Tenn, walkers had cut them off. They told Tenn to just meet them at the school. Tenn was never seen again. Walkers or guilt...nobody is quite sure which did him in first.

As for Clementine and AJ, they still had a gun and speed to make up the difference. It took some luck and climbing, but they got away unscathed.


The Texas Two survivors had not taken kindly to the loss of Louis, Violet, and Tenn. More than ever, it was up to Clementine to keep the group safe.

…not even Clementine could've anticipated James would go as far to overrun Texas Two with walkers in his second attempt to kidnap AJ. While the attempt had been unsuccessful, both James himself and Willy had not survived the infestation and shootout.

After that, morale had dropped further and things had only gotten worse. Omar, still grieving from Willy's death and suffering from survivor's guilt, had been too aggressive when dealing with the passing caravan and got himself killed. Luckily, the caravan had passed over the remains of the school.

For a while, things remained peaceful between the "final four", as they had jokingly called themselves one night after stumbling upon an old bottle of the principal's scotch. Aasim and Ruby even officially sorted out their feelings for one another and "hooked up". But even the strongest of survivors can be done in by a stupid mistake. In the case of Ruby, when Aasim went to find her after she failed to return from checking the traps, Ruby was found stuck in one of them...bitten.

It wasn't long after that Aasim packed some supplies and walked out of Texas Two. His last words to Clementine had stung the most.

"I thought that the school might've been safer with you here. I know now I was wrong. Maybe we never would've been found by Lilly. Never would've provoked that asshole James. But you've been good for me. Take care of Texas Two for me Clem. Thank you. For what...I wish I knew."

They found Aasim dead on the road a day later.

Clementine was supposed to be their leader and failed. It was her baggage and trust in James that got Willy pointlessly killed. It was her inability to steer negotiations that ended in Willy's outburst. It was her carelessness that allowed both Aasim and Ruby to break the cardinal rule: never go alone.


Texas Two had been relatively safe the last six months since, like every group Clem had been in before, the rest had either died off or gone missing. Maintaining the school had become a lot of work for just the two of them, but fishing, hunting, and greenhouse farming had all come together to guarantee that they should have food for years to come.

Clementine and AJ had made a habit of sleeping at the top of the watchtower. After building a ladder and rope to make the climb a little less dangerous, it was probably the safest place for them to do so. Having a good view on the whole property was only an added bonus.

Clementine wasn't one to lie to herself often, but even she could tell things between her and AJ had been strained for a while. Offering AJ her trust would be so easy too.

Something in AJ still scared her. He had certainly matured these last few years. Honestly, she doubted anyone they would ever meet in the future would think him to only be seven, but his physical and mental maturity simply what was needed to survive. Even if she didn't like it.

Yet surviving was everything. There weren't any card games. Nor piano playing. Nor any moments that, as Lee described to Clem so long ago, were the ones you live for. All except one.

Stargazing from the top of the tower were always a sight to behold. Their beauty was enough that sleepless nights of avoiding memories became bearable. That and the times AJ joined her, himself unable to sleep as well. At the very least, looking forward to this one thing they could share kept the duo from becoming complacent with the boredom and loneliness that had become the price of food and safety.

Tonight was one of those nights.

"See any new constellations AJ?"

"I think I see a mustache." Clementine notices immediately exactly what stars he was talking about. She...had mixed feelings about that one honestly. It reminded Clem of Kenny, and thinking of Kenny brought up so many bad memories. She'd play along for AJ's sake though. Anything to keep the kindles of their relationship lit.

"Really?"

"Yeah, to the left."

Just as Clementine starts looking in that direction, her eyes fall upon a moving star. In their last two years of stargazing, not once had the duo seen anything like it. This obviously catches AJ's interest too

"What was that?"

"I think...maybe that's what's meant by a shooting star?"

"Shooting...star?"

Clem smiles at his confusion. She couldn't help herself. "In the old world, there used to be stories about them. Supposedly, if you made a wish after seeing one, it would come true."

"A wish huh?"

AJ ponders for a moment.

"Do you wanna know my wish?" Clem asks.

His ears perk a little. Obviously interested but putting up the guise of a tough guy.

"I wish that I could fix even just one of my regrets. My mistakes. I'd give an arm and a leg just for the chance to prevent any single death. Heck, I'd even take Mitch."

That one gets a laugh out of AJ. While the two had respected Mitch, that didn't mean they had to like him. He was well-meaning, but it's like he always was fighting against them. Truthfully, it wasn't meant to be a joke. She truly would save almost anyone for that price.

The mood quickly turns somber.

"I miss them."

"I know ya do goofball." For once, AJ doesn't even acknowledge the nickname that he had come to despise. A minute passes in awkward silence.

"I'm sick of nightmares. Of that feeling in the pit of your stomach that maybe you could have done better. I can't put you through that. Not yet." The unspoken "won't" goes unsaid.

Clem misses the "You haven't done a great job of that, have you" that AJ bitteraly states under his breath.

I just...I'm so proud of us and what we built, but it's so empty. When I envisioned a home, I had hoped it would mean something more than just a food source. Or a place to rest our feet and be better security from the walkers than a car window. All that pain and loss. Just for this? I'm sick of feeling like I failed.

She doesn't realize that she had said all of this out loud until she saw AJ's tears.

"I like your wish. I think I'll wish for the same thing."

"I win." AJ playfully punches Clem in the arm.

"Sorry. Thank you AJ. But we gotta focus on the future. The past is gone. There's no going back. No matter how hard we wish."

AJ nods as he gives a half yawn.

"Maybe we should actually try and get some sleep tonight kiddo."

"Right. And Clem?"

"Yes?"

"Tomorrow, I think we should throw a party."

"A party?"

"Yeah. Just the two of us."

"For what?"

"Those that we lost. Honor their memory. Stuff like that."

Yep. Even Clem herself was surprised by that maturity at times...even if she still saw him as the little boy she had raised on her own in a world out to kill them at every step. And it was so very difficult to say no.

"Sure."

AJ smiled, and was more eager to jump into his sleeping bag that he had dragged to the top of the watchtower. Clementine quickly did the same for her own, and, for once, her dreams were peaceful.


When Clementine woke up, she thought she was somehow still dreaming. Probably due to the fact that there are now walls around her. More specifically, the walls of her old treehouse, not looking a day more decayed than when she left it.

That was the problem: she hadn't been in her house since the start of the apocalypse...ten years ago.

And then Clem examines herself. Often her dreams had aged her down to fit the setting. Seems like this particular dream was the exception. She was still 18. Same age that she went to sleep as.

"Clem?" After AJ blinks a few times, the grogginess in his eyes is replaced with shock. He obviously doesn't recognize the treehouse like Clementine does. Unsurprizing considering he wasn't even born yet last time she was here.

"Where are we!?" He brushes past Clementine as he runs toward the entrance. And Clem felt it. But...this has to be a dream? Right?. To confirm it, Clementine grabs her cheek and pinces hard.

Nothing.

She does it again.

Nothing.

A third time.

Nothing.

She slaps herself in the face.

Pain. But she's still in her treehouse. And AJ is still panicking in front of her. And everything got so confusing.

And as she loses her balance and leans back against the walls, it dawns on her.

"The wish AJ."

The boy, who had been staring out at the suburban neighborhood below with both admiration and bafflement, seems to barely process what Clem had said. So she continues her ludicrous hypothesis.

"We wished for a chance to fix our mistakes and the next morning we ended up in another state? Those wishes...must've taken us to the past."

Both, neither the speaker nor listener, could comprehend what had just been said. Time travel was real. Repeat. TIME TRAVEL WAS REAL.

"It shouldn't be possible AJ but...it is."

The boy had snapped out of a stupor. "Then...when are we?"

Clementine's eyes reginted with a fire under them. Maybe she'd be forced to go through all those horrible events all over again, but as Clem said, she'd give an arm and a leg to save just one person. Now she had the chance to save everyone...and maybe not lose an arm or leg in the process.

"That's...what we got to find out."

And so, for the first time in two years, or two years of time for Clementine and AJ, the two were ready to embark on another adventure. This time….things would be different.

Because going back allows them to change everything.