[Disclaimer: This is a fan based fanfiction. I OWN NOTHING. These characters and places are owned by Riot]

Chapter 4: Demacia Needs Heroes

Several people filled a small room. All of them were focused on a table that had the blueprints of the Demacian Palace laid out on it. They were rebels plotting to overthrow the King who had lied to his subjects for his own selfishness.

Arguably, he did it for Demacia, but at the same time, he went against everything Demacia stood for, thus what would be left after the dust cleared was questionable. Demacia's enemies would fall, but so would Demacia. Demacia would have become its own enemy, making all their efforts to rid the world of evil fruitless as they had become evil themselves. To protect Demacia, the King had to be removed from power.

" I still can't believe the King lied to us. " Lux admitted.

Lux was of the noble house of House Crownguard, and sister to Garen Crownguard. She had chosen to participate in the rebellion as well, believing in her brother. The King, after reading Quinn's report, ' Journey Into The Freljord ', had twisted the truth. He had told Demacians that Sejuani had sided with Noxus, saying that she shared the same vision of ' Strength above all ' that Noxus had. That was what mobilised the troops. They thought Sejuani was an enemy, when in truth she had no intention of attacking Demacia. It appears that they may have given her a reason to do so now, though.

" Well he did, and now we have to make things right. " Quinn said in reply.

Quinn, who knew the truth, had to be silenced, but that had to occur after Sejuani had agreed to join Demacia. It seems the King had caught on to their relationship, and exploited that fact. If it weren't for Quinn, Sejuani would never have joined such a rotten country. Hopefully, after she reformed Demacia, it would become a country Sejuani would at least ally herself with.

" What's the plan? " Shyvana asked.

Shyvana was a hybrid between human and dragon, and was largely feared due to her savagery. But it was also her ferocity that earned her a place within the soldiers of Demacia, by the request of Jarvan IV. Quinn was hesitant to befriend the hybrid at first, but the encouragement of Valor's knock-knock joke- " I bet She-Vana talk to you too! " prompted Quinn to have her first conversation with Shyvana. The half-dragon was overall not a bad person and quite likeable, in truth. She was also especially likeable for the Prince. Jarvan IV practically jumped for joy when she agreed to join. It was due to the reason she had given. She told them she had first joined Demacia due to the display of strength he had shown her, and would thus continue to follow that man. Whether she realised his feelings or not was unknown, however.

" The main force will launch an assault towards the main gates. " Jarvan IV replied, pointing at the blueprints. " This should force them to direct their forces towards us. At the same time, Quinn and Valor will split from the main force, and enter through the East Wing of the Palace. From there, they will sneak behind enemy lines and apprehend the King. "

Quinn and Valor nodded. " Then we get him to confess his crimes in front of Demacia. "

" What happens then? " Garen inquired.

No doubt this revelation would cause panic and confusion. The rebels would have to do something to contain the chaos, otherwise Demacia would fall.

" I step down as Prince. " Jarvan IV announced.

The others stared at him in disbelief.

" With the King being a liar, I think the people would have second thoughts on accepting his son as their new leader. They would need someone else. Someone who has earned their respect. Someone who is known for his dedication to Demacia and its ideals. " Jarvan IV turned to Garen.

" Someone like The Might of Demacia. "

Garen was stunned. " My Demacian friend… " he began.

" Please, Garen. You're the perfect candidate. The people trust you, and as a nobleman, you have credibility within this nation. "

The others nodded in agreement.

Garen acceded. " Then it will be both an honour and a privilege as a Demacian, to step up as the new ruler of Demacia. I will rise to whatever occasion Demacia asks of me. Even if I may not meet the Demacian standards. "

" You're more than enough, I'm sure. " the ex-Prince reassured.

After the meeting was over, everyone had left, in order to make preparations for the attack, except Jarvan IV and Quinn.

" Are you sure about this? " Quinn asked. " You'll lose your father and your kingdom. "

Jarvan IV smiled. " Yes, I will. But I think this is the best course of action for this nation. I think my father lost his way because he hadn't earned his way to kingship. That caused a crack. He was corrupted by power since he hadn't gone through the hardship one needs to undergo before becoming king. He couldn't grasp its significance nor this country's. I was once like that myself, until my capture at the hands of the Noxian Jericho Swain. My opinion is that a leader will need to achieve greatness rather than having it bestowed upon them. Greatness from birth is a hit-and-miss concept at best, with more misses than hits. I would not let my people's well-being rest in the hands of mere chance. My hope is that elected leaders will give this nation a better future. "

Quinn was amazed at the ex-Prince's wisdom. It reminded her of someone else she knew.

" After all, I can't even say my country's name right…" he added gloomily.

Quinn didn't want to comment on that. It was a sensitive topic.

" And besides, now I can…umm…" Jarvan IV stammered. "….try to make a move on Shyvana. "

Whoa.

" Before, I was worried that the whole monarchy thing would prevent me from having a chance with her. Because she's not exactly human, you know. They probably would never even consider it. " he added.

" You threw away your rule over one of the largest kingdoms in Valoran for a woman? " Quinn asked, shocked about this piece of news.

" Well, I'm just following her example. " he remarked.

Quinn's eyes lit up. He was talking about Sejuani. The woman who had given up Freljord due to her feelings for a certain woman.

Quinn felt a mix of both joy and sadness at the thought of the Freljordian warrior. On one hand, she was delighted that Sejuani held her so dear, but on the other hand, she was guilt-ridden about Freljord's current state. It was also Freljord's downfall that had caused a rift between the two women.

" By that logic, it'd seem that you won't have much luck with either. " Quinn murmured sorrowfully.

" It's true that Shyvana feels insecure about her identity, and that would inevitably lead to some problems down the line…and this country's future may still be uncertain…but I know we can make it work. " Jarvan IV placed a warm hand on the falconer's shoulder. " We have to believe that things will get better. "

Quinn beamed. " Yeah, I hope it will. "

" We're ready. " Garen reported.

" Initiate phase one! " Jarvan IV ordered his troops.

An army of rebels that rivalled the numbers of those who resided at the place roared as they charged forth, storming through the gates. The palace guards immediately readied their weapons, anticipating a fight. Garen, who led the charge, spoke up.

" At ease, fellow Demacians. There is no need for Demacian blood to be spilled. We brothers and sisters of Demacia have come here as we have discovered an ugly truth about our Demacian King. I have witnessed with my own two Demacian eyes that he has gone against the morals and teachings of Demacia itself. As such we will deliver the judgement he deserves in the name of Demacian Justice! "

The palace guards looked at each other in confusion. Some of them refusing to believe in the Demacian's words. Then a Royal Guard rose up and spoke to his men.

" Do not listen to him! He has been deceived by the traitorous Quinn! He now thinks our Great Leader is evil, but that is impossible! Has there ever been a time where the King has betrayed us? Never! Now seize these rebels! "

The palace guards began their assault.

Garen shook his head, hoping it had not come to this, but what must be done had to be done. He brandished his massive sword, steeling himself for the battle.

" For Demacia! " he yelled, and his troops followed him into battle.

As the battle by the main gates grew more intense, Quinn and Valor were able to sneak into the East Wing unnoticed. Most of the guards positioned here had gone to fight off the rebels, allowing Quinn a smooth passage. She traversed through the East Wing, gradually closing in on the King's throne room. But it would appear that this path was going to be just as difficult.

Xin Zhao, the Seneschal of Demacia, guarded the door to the throne room. He was the King's personal steward, so being the King's last line of defence was not to be unexpected. Quinn had asked whether they should include Xin Zhao into the rebel forces, but her allies had told her he would never betray the King, no matter what. He believed in the King before he did anything else. It was the result of the previous King's actions for him. Jarvan II had risked his life to save Xin Zhao from ' The Fleshing', a death-match where Xin Zhao would have died for mere amusement. Xin Zhao would thus never turn his back on the son of the man who had given purpose to his life.

Quinn prepared herself for round two. Xin Zhao had beaten her before. However, this time he was facing not one, but two Demacian legends. And the spearman would come to know why Demacia's Wings were so highly regarded.

Quinn whispered to Valor. " Operation: Harrier. "

The Valor nodded and took off to the high ceilings. Quinn then launched a bolt towards the Seneschal, who deflected it with ease. The spearman ran at Quinn in an audacious charge, but was interrupted by the raptor, who had swooped down to attack him.

Operation: Harrier. Highly skilled warriors were trained to avoid creating openings for their enemies. Still, no one was perfect, and at one point, they would make an opening. Valor's keen eyesight would ensure that even the tiniest of openings would not go unnoticed. And once he exploited the openings, he would leave the opponent vulnerable for Quinn.

Quinn shot three bolts at the spearman, aiming for the unarmoured areas of his body. Xin Zhao's lightning-quick reflexes, however, enabled him to block the bolts with his elbow pad. He then delivered two quick slashes towards Quinn. Quinn narrowly evaded the attacks. The first was a thrust, which Quinn had moved backwards to avoid. The second had gone for her legs, to which she had jumped. The spearman suddenly halted his second strike when she did, instead changing the trajectory of the spear, bringing it upwards. Quinn reacted almost instantaneously, vaulting off the flat surface of the spearhead. She had used his own attack to her advantage, creating distance between them. Range was one of the advantages Quinn had against the Seneschal. Although her crossbow had less range than a bow, it was still more than a spear. Quinn had to capitalise on that fact.

Now that there was distance between the two, the falconer had to think of a better way to land her bolts. They weren't fast enough to top Xin Zhao's speed. She needed a bigger opening.

" Operation: Tag Team. " she told Valor.

Valor swooped down, unleashing a flurry of attacks on the King's Steward. Valor was faster than the man, swiftly evading the spearman's attacks, while dishing out some of his own offense, using his whole arsenal; wings, talons and beak. However, Valor was still a mortal being, such speed and precision would put a lot of stress on his body. He couldn't keep up the assault for long. Luckily, he had a partner to tag him out. Valor abruptly halted his attack, flying away from the spearman. At that exact moment, Quinn unloaded a massive barrage of bolts at Xin Zhao. But he was the King's Steward for a reason. In a battle cry, he lashed out with his spear, striking in a crescent sweep. If the spear itself had not deflected the bolts, the displaced air from the sheer force of the attack would blow the bolts away. This caused all the bolts to be deflected.

The three fighters paused. Quinn and Valor were almost on par with Xin Zhao, and their fight had reached a momentary stalemate. All three of them had given some of their best shots, yet none had taken any damage. That was about to change soon, though.

Xin Zhao rushed forth, spear in hand. Quinn had previously moved backwards from this attack, but she had planned a different strategy this time. She slid down, avoiding the spear while going in point blank. This way, she would be safe from the spearhead, as well as give Xin Zhao less reaction time for her bolts. Quinn shot two bolts, one for each of the Seneschal's thighs. This time, the bolts connected, plunging themselves deep into the man's flesh. Quinn nimbly rolled out of the way before Xin Zhao could bring his spear down on her.

Getting up a safe distance away from the spearman, she sent three more bolts his way. With the previous injury slowing him down, he only managed to deflect one, thus taking two bolts to his left arm. As he shifted his grip, he failed to manoeuvre himself in time before Valor went for his eyes. And Valor's shadow was the last thing he saw. The Demacian Great White Owl had used his razor-sharp talons to gouge out the eyes of the King's Steward, rendering him blind. Groaning in pain, he struck wildly with his spear, hitting nothing but empty air. Quinn then finished him off with a bolt between his eyes, puncturing his brain and ending his life.

Quinn stared at the now lifeless body of Xin Zhao. She shook her head, knowing there was no alternative, except for her own death, which she wouldn't allow. She had a mission to do, and two countries to save. Now wasn't the time for regret or mourning.

Now it was time to apprehend the King.

" This is a terrible mistake! " the pathetic King cried as he was dragged by Quinn towards a balcony where the people of Demacia had gathered beneath. Quinn ignored the man, shoving him violently to the balcony's railings, forcing him to face his subjects.

" You want me to say your lies?! " the King protested. He had been beaten up by Quinn back in his throne room. Now he had to make sure that he kept his mouth shut enough for the people of Demacia to believe in his dishonesty.

" It's not about what I want. It's about what Valor wants. " Quinn said in a threatening tone.

Valor perched himself onto the railings, staring the King dead in his eyes. Valor then puffed his chest menacingly, causing the King to shudder in terror.

" And I think he wants big serving of fresh meat. " Quinn added.

On cue, Valor brandished his talons.

The King almost wet himself.

" Alright, alright! It's true! I tortured some people in a dungeon, and went against the Demacian ideals. " Jarvan III relented, accepting his defeat.

The crowd gasped in shock.

" But it was for Demacia-"

" That's a LIE! " Quinn bellowed. " It wasn't for Demacia, it was only for power and control! You went as far as conquering other countries and indoctrinating prisoners of war, just so you could win a fight you weren't smart enough to win on your own. "

The King fell dead silent.

" But Demacia is too good for that. Demacia is too good for you. " Quinn said, before releasing her death grip on the King. The King tried to scramble away, but was halted by the Might of Demacia.

" For your crimes against Demacia, your punishment is death at the hands of a Demacian blade. " Garen declared.

The King opened his mouth to retort, but was silenced by Garen.

" DEMACIA!" Garen roared, as he brought down Demacian Justice onto the King of Demacia.

In a flash of golden light in the form of an enormous sword, the King was slain.

Jarvan IV then took centre stage. " My father has let us all down. But that does not mean Dehmahsiah has fallen. No, Dehmahsiah will merely enter a new age. I will no longer be Prince, though I will still devote my life for this nation. "

The crowd once again gasped at yet another surprise.

" In my stead, Dehmahsiah will be led by your very own elected leaders. This method ensures a person will have to earn his way to leadership. I believe that Dehmahsiah will evolve for the better. And for that, I propose this man to be your first President! " Jarvan IV said as he pointed towards Garen.

Garen bravely accepted the offer. " I am Garen Crownguard. I hail from the noble house, House Crowguard. I am a Demacian. My whole life, I have dedicated my Demacian mind and body to the one purpose of carrying out Demacian Justice. I may not be the best Demacian for this position, but I will try my best to meet your expectations! "

The Demacians stayed silent for a moment to digest this information. Then they began nodding their heads in approval and cheered. " Garen, the first President of Demacia! "

Garen felt tears in his eyes, but forbade them to fall. He was now the President of Demacia, he had to stay strong, at least in his people's presence.

Quinn grinned at the people's reception. She was glad they accepted Garen. Who knows what would have happened otherwise.

" President Garen! The Freljordian has returned! " a messenger called out as Sejuani followed his lead into the balcony.

Sejuani stood there, arms crossed over her chest, and her face was impossible to read.

Quinn shifted uncomfortably.

" I have bad news. " Sejuani said simply. " After fending off the raid, I saw the Noxian army gathering around Demacia's borders. "

" What!? " Garen and Jarvan IV said simultaneously.

" I'm unsure how, but it seems they caught wind of your internal strife, and chose this time to strike." Sejuani said with a hint of mockery. " Sounds like a popular tactic these days. "

Touché. Sejuani wasted no opportunity to insult the Demacians for their attack on Freljord.

" Our forces are drained after today's fight, how will we fight off the entire Noxian army? " Jarvan IV pondered aloud. They had fought between themselves and now their troops were mostly injured or killed in action. Things looked bleak. And just when he thought he had saved his country from an evil threat!

" Real shame. " Sejuani remarked emotionlessly. The same thing had occurred at Freljord. This was Demacia's just desserts.

" Will you fight alongside us? " Garen asked the Freljordian, knowing that her services were desperately required now.

Sejuani stared at him as if he was stupid. " There is absolutely no reason…" Sejuani said as she turned to Quinn. " No reason why I should help Demacia. " she added spitefully.

Quinn couldn't utter a word.

" Demacia has changed! If you lend us your aid, we can show you- " Jarvan IV tried to retort.

" You say you have changed…" Sejuani interrupted. " And yet you want exactly what the late King wanted: to use the Freljordians in a Demacian war. "

The Demacians fell silent. They couldn't argue what she was saying.

" My answer is no. The Winter's Claw- or what's left of it- will not aid you. " Sejuani declared, throwing in more guilt for the Demacians. The loss of her men was partly their fault.

" But the Avarosan will. " Ashe said as she appeared on the balcony.

" Yes, I'm sure she'll be a great help. " Sejuani mocked the Frost Archer.

When the Demacians struck, Ashe had been the first to raise her hands in surrender. As such, she retained her title and received royal treatment from Demacia while Sejuani suffered the opposite.

" You all should learn how to surrender from her. " Sejuani said, continuing to mock the Queen.

Ashe didn't reply, only showing a face of guilt on her face. In order to save herself, she had submitted Freljord to the shame of servitude, and made no efforts to defend Sejuani. It was to ensure that her own freedom was secured.

It was deathly silent.

" HOOOT!" Valor yelled, breaking the silence.

Of course! Val is always the clincher! Quinn thought hopefully.

" Knock, knock. " he hooted to Sejuani.

" He says knock, knock. " Quinn translated nervously. Things were pretty tense right now, and she needed every ounce of knock-knock joke magic this bird had to set things right.

" Tell me by who." Sejuani followed up, surprisingly.

Valor hooted again.

" Baby Owl. " Quinn translated.

" Tell me by Baby Owl who. "

Valor hooted energetically.

" Baby Owl do anything for your forgiveness! " Quinn screamed embarrassingly.

Sejuani stood there blankly for a moment.

Oh for the Skies, kill me now.

" Then let me go. " Sejuani stated finally.

" You can't turn your back on- " Jarvan IV began, but Quinn stopped him.

" No. She's right. There's no reason for her to stay. We….we'll let you go. You'll get your people and your gear back within the hour. "

Valor had failed to reconcile the two. He was hoping for a happier outcome. Crestfallen, he flew away out of sight.

Sejuani and Quinn stared at each other.

" So you don't want to force me. " Sejuani said.

" No… " Quinn said in response.

" You'll be obliterated. "

" Maybe. "

" You'll die, Quinn. "

" Possibly. "

" … "

" … "

" Fine. "

" Fine. "

Later that day, Sejuani was gone, and the Noxian troops were closer than ever. Demacia was still recovering, and weren't at all ready for an attack. As Sejuani predicted, this may truly be their end.