Makoto visited Alicia, bringing her flowers and homemade cake.

"Are you feeling better?" Makoto asked with concern in his voice

"I am fine." Alicia said with a small smile.

She placed the cake on the table, before pulling out a small glass bead from under the pillow. It contained a powerful neurotoxin capable of killing a man in a matter of minutes. She injected it into the cake.

"A special gift for prime minister. He enjoys such delicacies." she said with a lopsided smile "I am an assassin hired by you for this task and I shall carry it out."

"You'd better make it up to me with another cake, though." Makoto said with a smile of his own

"Of course. I am making a buffet to celebrate the end of the era. Free for all." Alicia promised, taking his hands in hers.

"Guards!" Makoto called

Two young men came running

"Call Grand General Budou immediately." Makoto ordered

Minutes later, the intimidating man was there. Both Makoto and Alicia remained undaunted, though

"This is my last request as the Emperor." Makoto said "Secure the perimeter. Block every entry and exit. Nobody is to enter and nobody is to leave unless I specifically allow it. Keep an eye on Esdese specifically. I think her loyalty is to Honest and not myself or the Empire. I am avenging my parents tonight. I am stepping down as Emperor afterwards. I am unfit to rule, having fallen for Honest's tricks. Besides, I'd rather live my life by Alicia and Koro's side, unburdened. Wave of the Jaegers will take my place."

"Understood." Budou said "All right, you heard him. Move out!"

And Imperial Guard did, leaving the chamber as one entity. Alicia walked out of the room and made her way to prime minister's headquarters with the cake.

"Good afternoon." Alicia said politely "I brought this cake. I heard you like confectionery. Bon appetit."

Prime Minister devoured the major portion of the cake, before noticing that Alicia wasn't eating.

"Why won't you eat?"

"Oh." Alicia said "I am still a little sick and..."

The neurotoxin began to act and Honest dropped on all fours, his eyes bulging

"...and that cake will be the death of me." Alicia finished with a melancholic grin "It contains a poison which is shutting down your brain and by proxy, your bodily functions. And don't bother calling for help." she added, noticing his hand moving towards emergency bell "This palace, I am afraid, is in lockdown."

"Who would dare do...?" Onest drawled out

"I requested from Budo that he and his Imperial Guard keep it that way." Alicia lied smoothly "Given how much he loathes your control over the Emperor, he agreed easily."

It was a partial truth.

"Bye bye." Alicia said, opening the door in a smooth fashion and closing them behind her just as smoothly "I leave you to your fate."

Her knees buckled. Fortunately, Budou was there to catch her. She rested against him for a while before taking a deep breath.

"It is done." she said "Take me to see the Emperor."

Budo nodded and led her down the corridor. When they entered the room, Makoto looked up from the paper he was folding

"Ah." Alicia said "Origami?"

"My mother was an expert." Makoto said wistfully "Before Honest killed her and my father, that is."

His face darkened at these words.

"The task is done. The new era is upon us."

-x-

"People of the Empire." Makoto spoke

To his right was Alicia, to his left was Wave and behind them were Budou and Kurome. Wave and Kurome wore crowns on their heads.

"As you can see, I am stepping down from my position as the Emperor. My successors have already been chosen."

Wave and Kurome stepped forward and the crowd cheered

"Wave and Kurome will give you back what was taken from you. Freedom and equality among all." Makoto continued "Furthermore, Budou is retiring from his position as well and going with me and Alicia to live in countryside and replace the father I lost."

The crowd cheered louder.

Wave took the scepter from Makoto. The double doors opened. Run and Esdese entered hastily, bewildered expressions on their faces

"With my authority, I strip Run and Esdese of their positions. Guards, take her away."

Two men came in and dragged Esdese away. Coincidentally, her ice powers didn't work."

"The Ring of Orthos." Makoto said, showcasing the ring he held, used by Honest until recently "Immediate cancellation of any Teigu powers in the vicinity. Excluding living ones." he added, turning to Alicia.

Koro yelped cutely at him.

"But blood is living." Run pointed out

"It doesn't count as such for the purposes of my heirloom Teigu which Honest stole from my family." Makoto explained "Alicia, Budou, Koro. We are leaving immediately."

"As for you, Run." Wave said "I give you free reign over that matter."

"Thank you, your majesty." Run grinned

"And I'll help." Alicia said with a similar grin

In a nearby tavern, Champ felt a chill running up his spine.

(A/N: The reality made Makoto and Alicia mature for their age. They're both twelve years old, by the way. I have a sequel planned. It will be called 'New Era. It will depict everyone's lives in the new era, and will be longer than this. Consider this a prequel of sorts in that regard.)