So, we're back here huh. Let's see how deep this rabbit hole goes, shall we? Anyway, same characters as before. And I could really use some name suggestions for the Emperor.
Again, if you liked it, tell me why. If you hated it, tell me why. And if you have no strong feeling, uh, tell me what your favorite game is.
Joseph and James could only stare in awe at what stood before them. What were they staring at you may ask? Why, they were staring at the Imperial Palace in all its architectural glory. You see, by sheer chance they managed to befriend the Inkling Emperor himself. About a week ago, the two young men met the Young Sovereign during his Turf War debut. The Inkling, Joseph, had taken a chance and walked up to the emperor, asking him if he wished to Turf War with them. To his and James' surprise, he accepted. Today, the Emperor has summoned them both to the Palace for one reason or another. The Agents that visited them both simply told them that His Excellency would explain it personally. As for how he knew their addresses, well, there are some things the public is better off not knowing.
"I sometimes forget how breathtaking the Palace is." Young Joseph commented, James simply nodded, slack jawed in awe. It was his first time seeing it up close, and it was every bit as magnificent as he had heard it was.
"The Capital Building back in Octoburg has got nothing on this place." The young Octoling replied.
"Welp, guess we should ask the guard to let us in." And with that, the two young men walked up to the Guard Post at the front gate of the Palace grounds.
"Halt. The Palace is not open to civilian visitors now, state your business and provide your IDs." The Guardsman ordered. Joseph was the first to speak.
"Hello. My name is Joseph, and this is my friend James." He began, the two providing the soldier with their ID cards, "And uh, we were requested by His Excellency himself."
The Guard nodded while he checked their IDs in his computer.
"Name: Joseph. Level 63. Overall B-rank. Born in Inkopolis. Age 23. Species: Inkadian Squid." The Guard read aloud, before looking to the young Inkling to confirm.
"That's me, alright."
"Name: James. Level 45. Overall B-rank. Born in Octoburg. Age 20. Species: Octarian Octoling." The Guard read out, before directing a subtle glare towards the young Octo. James shifted his feet, intimidated by the Soldiers sharp eyes, nodding to confirm his identity. The Guard was quiet a moment while he confirmed some things on his computer, before handing their IDs back, seemingly satisfied.
"Alright, I was told to expect the two of you today. Thank you for your patience, the Head Maid will be waiting for you in the Foyer. Behave yourselves and do not disgrace His Excellency." The Guard said, pressing a button on his desk which opened the large metal gate.
The two young men were visibly relieved and quickly wished the Soldier a good day as they entered the Imperial Palace Grounds. The gate closing behind them shortly after.
"Oh, my Cod. I think my heart stopped for a second there." James wheezed out, hand clutching at his hoodie over his heart. Joseph laughed and gave his Octarian friend a firm pat on the back.
"C'mon, it wasn't that bad, he still let us in after all."
James gave his fiend a look, before sighing, "Yeah, I guess. Why are these soldiers so terrifying though."
"The Imperial Brigade has always been like that. Only the best of the best is transferred to their unit." The Young Inkling replied, his hands resting behind his head.
As the two walked down the driveway, they looked upon the immaculate lawn of the Palace grounds. Throughout the Palace grounds were numerous groomed bushes, each trimmed in such a way as to shape it. Some took the form of cones, others were orbs, two were even shaped like Inkling silhouettes. However, what truly got their attention were the marble statues of past Emperors lining the driveway. Soon enough the road fed into a round-about, at the center of which was a grand fountain, and on a pedestal in the fountain's center stood the statue of the Imperium's founder, Count Adrian.
Count Adrian was an ancient Inkling Lord who waged a civil war against the Old Empire, leading to his conquest of it. After being crowned emperor, he made the decision to establish a Senate and disband the ruling Nobility, leaving his Noble Household as the only Aristocrats in the Empire. Now the Imperial territories elect governors and senators to represent them in the Imperial Court and Senate. Technically, the Imperium of Inkopolis is an Autocratic Republic that operates on Rule of Law rather than Imperial Decree. Centuries of diligent rule have cultivated a strong sense of trust and faith between the Commonfolk and the Imperial Dynasty, allowing for a long and prosperous peace. Truly, the Imperium is the crown jewel of Inkling civilization.
The two climbed the short stairway that led to the ornate double doors of the Imperial Palace. Carved into the Great Oak wood doors was the Imperial Crest and Coat-of-Arms of the Imperial Household. Stepping up to the door, Joseph took hold of the ornate knocker, and knocked twice before stepping back from the door. They only had to wait for but a moment before the right door opened and a middle-aged Inkling woman poked her head out.
"Ah yes, it is you two. Please come inside, his Excellency is expecting you." She said, opening to door and gesturing the two inside. The Woman was the Maid that was with the emperor on the day of his Turf War debut.
The Inkling and Octoling duo's jaws dropped upon stepping foot into the foyer of the Palace. Paintings of past emperors and other notable figures in history decorated the walls, as did original pieces from some of the greatest artists in the Imperium's history. An ornate twin staircase leading to the second floor, backed by a grand stained-glass window. Large, paneled windows with curtains made of the finest materials lined the halls to the east and west wings of the Palace. All brought together by an ungodly amount of golden accenting, and there was a good chance it wasn't gold plated too. James found himself staring wide eyed at the grand chandelier hanging from the ceiling, perfectly carved from the finest birch wood and decorated in silver and gold. The Imperial Family was wealthy to a degree that was largely unheard of.
"No wonder the Tax rate is so low…" the young Octo mumbled. Joseph said nothing as he took in the Palace interior. It was by far the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.
"My apologies, but his Excellency could not greet you personally, as he is currently engaged with his Court. However, he did say that you are welcome to observe should you wish." The Maid said to the young men. The two looked at each other before shrugging, why not, not everyday that a commoner gets to witness the government at work.
With a nod of her own, the Head Maid guided the two deeper into the Palace, passing the twin stairs and through the double doors between them. The doorway fed into a small waiting room, small by Imperial standards anyway, and directly across from the double door was an even bigger double door. Standing on either side of it were a pair Royal Guards from the Imperial Brigade, the soldiers tasked with guarding the emperor and his family. This Grand Door led to the Throne Room, the seat of power for the Imperial Dynasty. As the trio stepped closer, they could hear muffled shouting coming through the thick oakwood. Seemed the matters of state were getting rather heated.
"Greetings Gentlemen, these two are friends of his Excellency and have been given permission to observe the matters of the Court." The Maid said to the soldiers. The soldiers, recognizing the maid and her apparent authority, quietly opened the doors enough for the three too enter. They two boys were bombarded by the surprising fury of there new friend as they had entered in the middle of his scathing dressing down of some politician.
"Now you listen here, Governor, you are here by the good graces and support of the people of Calamari County! I have the sole authority to dismiss you from office, and given your record of incompetence, I very well should! However, your complete disregard for my authority would have you thrown in prison at the very least! You should be thankful that I am such a patient man, if it were my father you were disrespecting, he would have executed you where you stand!" The Young Sovereign roared. The target of his fury, an older Inkling who seemed to be getting on in his years, shook with indignance.
Joseph and James couldn't believe their ears as the Head Maid guided them off to the side, where they sat by some nameless statesmen they didn't recognize. Statesmen that barely acknowledged them with a glance before turning back to the "show."
The Governor was stood in the center of the Imperial Court, his Excellency stood across from him in front of his throne. It seemed the man's insubordination had driven the Young Emperor to his feet. The two glaring at each other as the Court looked on in silence.
"You-you impudent child! I will not be lectured by a boy playing King! Did your father not teach you to respect you elders! I'll have you know that I served as Governor fo-", the old man shouted before he was cut off by the sharp thud of the Emperor's scepter on the Marble tiles.
"SILENCE!" The Young Emperor roared, striking the fear of the Elders into the old Governor. Suddenly, the Young Sovereign was a blur of motion as he marched up to the now terrified Governor.
"I have had it up to here with you insubordination, Governor. Time and time again you were given a chance by me, my father, and the citizens you govern. But time and again you have failed us all! And now you dare to come to MY home, insult me, and disrespect my authority!" The emperor shouted, now standing in front of the old man. The Young Sovereign was much shorter than the old Governor, and even still the man seemed to quiver in his boots. "You are now relieved of duty immediately! And furthermore, you are to be placed under arrest for treason, dereliction of duty, and your record incompetence! GUARDS!"
With that, the few Guards in the room rushed over and forced the now former Governor's arms behind his back and cuffed him. All the while he struggled and shouted indignantly, the soldiers were forced to drag him kicking and screaming out of the Throne Room.
"Minister." The slowly calming Emperor said, drawing the attention of another older Inkling man.
"Yes milord?" The suited man said.
"Inform the Calamari County legislature of the Governor's dismissal and begin preparations for an emergency election in the County." The Young Sovereign ordered.
"I'll begin immediately, Milord."
Satisfied, the Young Emperor promptly dismissed the Court, stating that they would reconvene tomorrow. With a sigh, the emperor handed his scepter to a servant and exchanged his ceremonial crown with a smaller, more casual one. Upon turning around, he caught the eye of his commoner friends, his face brightened immediately. Much to the two boys' relief.
"Ah, my friends! I am so glad you could make it! Though, I do apologize, I hadn't intended for you too see such a sight." He spoke, walking over to the two.
"It's fine, Sire. Anyway, you had a surprise for us?" Joseph asked. The Young Sovereign smiled, before asking the two to follow him. Leaving behind the throne room, ascending the stairs, the three young men walked though the halls before the they reached their destination. Pushing the twin doors open, the Young Sovereign welcomed his two friends to his room. Once more the Inkling and Octoling duo found themselves awed by the wealth on display.
"Bro…your room is so cool!" Joseph exclaimed. James said much of the same.
"Thank you, uhm, this is the first time I have ever had friends over like this. I hear this is a normal thing for commoners, is that right?" The Young Sovereign awkwardly asked. The duo looked surprised by that, before Joseph laughed and tossed an arm around the emperor, to his bemusement.
"Oh yeah, it's totally normal! So, no need to worry about it man." Joseph reassured, "So, what was the surprise anyway?"
"Oh, yes. Um, I got a new TV and the latest console and games. I was hoping you would play them with me?" The Young sovereign asked. Joseph and James were silent for a moment before they both turned to said tv, eyes shining like diamonds.
"Hell yeah!" They both cried, startling the Young Emperor. To his joy, they both rushed over to his brand-new gaming set up and began to gush over the latest titles and currently popular games. He smiled as he walked over to join them, happy to be able to share such simple things with friends.
Meanwhile, peaking in through the partially open door, the Head Maid observed her Lord and his friends, bearing a smile of her own. Closing the door, she calmly walked away, happy that her Master had found such good friends in the Inkling and Octoling duo.
The End.