Chapter 23

I do not own Destiny or Rising of the Shield Hero

I do however own this fanfiction account

Sorry with how long this chapter took, I've been up to some other things. Also, soon there will be a month-long pause on this story as I decide what to do while I wait for the next season of the Shield. Currently, I could write the sequel of this story or write one of the stories I have included below...you get to choose

Also, the next chapter will take a while as I want to write another chapter of Effected Destiny as it has been too long since I've posted a new chapter for that story

Story Start

It had been a week since my first meeting with the Queen. A week filled with many long meetings with the Queen, her advisors and multiple lords and nobles to get my demands met as well as discussing the punishment for the princess and king. There were many attempts by various nobles and other characters to derail my goals of freeing all demis and making slavery illegal. Still, after managing to keep things on track for a week, it finally happened. What really decided things was me informing everyone that using the beacon I had built to contact my world and my knowledge of the crests, I could override and erase all slave crests within the Kingdom. The only thing they could do was decide whether to go along with it and make everything easier or stubbornly refuse to give in and face the consequences of a massive workforce no longer listening to the demands of their so-called masters plus a possible revolt when the now freed slaves fought back to keep their freedom when the slave owners decided they wanted things to go back to how they were and tried to take them as slaves once again by force. Still in thought, I walk past the three stoges, Motoyasu wondering out loud where Melty was.'

"Maybe she's busy planning a party for us defeating the pope...though I have to wonder why it took so long?" said an arrogant Itsuka

'Still a little shit.' I thought to myself

Thankfully I was saved from further stupidity by the same weasel looking man that was in the throne room previously saying that the Queen was ready to see us...once more, I found myself in the throne room. Still, this is the first time I felt that my party and I would actually be shown the respect that we deserve.

"I thank you for coming, Four Cardinal Heroes." said the Queen regally, her daughter Melty and Filo giving each other a small wave in greeting

Looking around I can see multiple people at different viewing points holding viewing orbs...most likely sending images of the trial to other location.

Also looking around Motoyasu immediately notices Malty is nowhere in sight, and so he asks "Wait where's Malty?"

"Yeah and I also don't see the King here either?" questioned Itsuka

"Bring them in." said the Queen after giving a sigh

The stoges were then completely surprised by the sight of not only Malty but also the King being brought forward in chains and under armed guard

"Malty!" exclaims Motoyasu in shock

"What the king is in chains too?" asked Itsuka surprised

"What on earth is going on?" asked Ren

"It is really quite simple, the ones you see before you have both been charged with multiple criminal charges. Now let the trial of the foolish king and the tyrant princess begin!" Ordered the Queen

"What! Your being too cruel mother!" cried Malty.

"My Queen, what makes you say such outrageous things?" denied the king.

"With the Four Cardinal Heroes in attendance, this trial seeks to punish those that shook this kingdom to its core when stability and unity were needed. As the Queen of Melromarc I will be the judge and executor!" said the Queen

"What?! Don't tell me that the Devil of the Shield has brainwashed you too!" exclaimed the King angrily.

With a motion of her hand, the Queen encases the King in ice.

"The Shield Hero has no such ability...you know this as well as I do, or at least you should have." said the Queen as a man brought forward a tray of small tools such as ink and a small paintbrush

"W-whats that?" asked a nervous Malty, who by the tone already knew what was going to happen next.

"In order to ensure a fair trial you will temporarily be given a slave seal, of course, if you prove to be innocent they will be removed immediately after the trial." said the Queen firmly, brokering no argument ignoring the Malty's cry as she was forcibly restrained and brought to her knees.

"How can you do that! She's your own daughter...or does that mean nothing to you!" said Motoyasu

"I would mind your tone Spear Hero, you too have much to answer for...besides, I have no choice in this matter as Malty is a pathological liar who delights in the manipulation of others." said the Queen

"That's not true! I'm a sweet, honest girl!" argued Malty as she furtively tries to fight as the slave crest is applied

After the crest is also applied to the king, the Queen gives a call to order

"Now that is done, let the trial officially begin! However, your crimes are clear for all to see and you will not be able to worm your way out this." said the Queen firmly

"We don't know that their guilty just yet!" protested Motoyasu "What are you are even charging them with?"

"Very well... let's begin with their latest crimes. Using a long lost replica of the cardinal weapons the now deceased Pope of the Three Hero's church tried to murder the world's heroes but he was defeated by the Shield Hero. As I speak the last of his followers and those that provided funding are being rounded up...even if they are nobles."

"So what? That has nothing to do with Malty!" protested Motoyasu

"Disgustingly, the king and first princess have been colluding with the church the entire time."

"H-hold on, that can't be right! Malty would never do something like that." once again interrupted Motoyasu

Frowning at the interruptions, the Queen continued "Well let's ask them, do you deny these charges?"

"Of course, I deny them! Why would I ever collude with The Three Hero's Church...AHHHHH" screamed Malty as the slave crest reacted to the lies she was saying, purple lightning arking from the seal

"To think that the first princess would try to overthrow the state." said the Queen with disappointment

"NO! Forget the Shield, they even tried to kill the other three heroes! Not to mention the royal family as well! I swear I would never involve myself in such a heinous plot!" shouted Malty, everyone watching the seal carefully as it doesn't react.

'Hmmm very carefully thought out words.' I mentally whisper to Casper

'Yes, it seems that half lies or truths do not cause the seal to activate... it's a good thing you planned for such loopholes.' said Casper back

"You see, Maly didn't do anything wrong!" said Motoyasu relieved

"Oh really, then Malty didn't try to kill her very own sister and frame the shield hero ?" asked the Queen

"N-no I would never do AHHHHHHH." screamed Malty as the seal once again reacted

"Malty!? Please tell me this isn't true!" said the king...the devastation he was feeling leaking into his voice

'So I was right, the king didn't know about the plot to kill Melty. His eldest daughter just played him like a fiddle.'

"Of course it isn't true, daddy! I AAHHHHH!" screamed Malty

"You conspired with the church to kill Melty, all because you wanted to take her place as the heir to the throne. Such selfishness is the very reason why Melty was chosen to be the next queen instead of you." spoke the Queen

"Melty is my sister! I never harmed her!" protested Malty, this time the seal not reacting, much to the relief of the King and Motoyasu

"Oh? And what about planing her death?" asked the Queen, "Just because you never personally harmed her doesn't mean you didn't conspire to kill her. So I'll ask again, and you will say yes or no...did you plan the death of Melty?"

"...AHHHHHHHH" screamed Malty out of nowhere

"I should mention that if you choose not to answer a question, the seal will activate anyway." spoke the Queen answering the unasked question on what just happened

"No! I never conspir...AHHHHHHH!" screamed Malty

"Malty! How could you!" exclaimed the King

"Your not any less guilty, husband you and the church went against all orders and summoned all four cardinal heroes!" spoke the Queen

"I did that because we needed the Heroes to counteract the waves!" Protested the King, "But since we are talking about crimes, what about the Shield? He defended the actions of a machine that assaulted Malty! Just because poor Malty was confused about what happened doesn't mean that it should be allowed to get away with its actions!"

"That's right! Malty is a victim here, she was assaulted!" defended Motoyasu

"Oh, really? Then let's ask Malty...did the metal man actually assault you?" asked the Queen

"Of course he diiii AHHHHHHH." answered Malty, for some reason the crest reacted more aggressively this time

'It's a good thing she doesn't have the time to think otherwise, she could think of ways around the questions.' I thought to myself

"N-No that can't be true!" stammered Motoyasu

"If you are so sure why don't you create your own slave pact with Malty and ask her yourself?" prodded the Queen

"Alright then I will!" responded Motoyasu firmly

A short time later the Motoyasu also had a slave pact with Malty and was kneeling in front of her.

"Now Malty you told me that the reason you didn't know that...that guy was a robot was because you were so scared and confused right?" asked Motoyasu

"That's right!" said Malty without being shocked

Before Motoyasu could voice his relief, the Queen quickly spoke up

"Motoyasu please get her to specify if she is saying that those events actually happened or if she is just agreeing that she said that."

"Malty...those events actually happened, that guy actually assaulted you right?" asked Motoyasu worriedly

You could see the reluctance to answer on Malty's face, but she knew that she had no choice but to answer

"...yesss AAHHHHHH." screamed Malty

"As you see Malty is not the victim here, and what makes things worse is what she did to her own team mate previously." said the Queen, disgust slipping into her voice

"What did she do?" asked Ren speaking up for the first time

"For three gold coins, she sold her own party member Rino, now known as Ino of the shield hero's party to a brothel. If it weren't for the quick actions of the Shield Hero, she would have suffered a fate that no woman should suffer." answered the Queen

"No Malty couldn't have, surely not...right Melty?" asked Motoyasu hesitantly

"No, I never wooouulllll AAAHHHHHHHHH!"

"No...this can't be happening." said Motoyasu in disbelief

"Do you understand now? Despite being royals, they used the dirtiest tricks to get what they wanted. A royal is supposed to be an example to others, to do what is best for the nation. They are not supposed to use their position and titles out of selfish desires that tear apart the nation they are supposed to protect." said the Queen

"I have to admit that perhaps my actions were unbecoming of royalty but what I did, no everything I did I did for my beloved kingdom and my family! And that is why I had to get rid of the Shield! He is the Devil of the Shield, and he will surely bring the same calamity that our family faced in the past!"

"Enough!" shouted the Queen "Despite your noble intentions, there are consequences for your actions. Because of you, the other kingdoms were left vulnerable as you left the Cardinal Heroes oblivious to the fact that kingdoms other than Melromarc were facing the waves. In fact, if it wasn't for the actions of Queen Fitoria and a handful of vassal heroes, I dread to think how many innocents would have died because of your actions. No, even though you had noble intentions when you summoned the Cardinal Heroes, your actions afterwards were far from noble. Now it is time for your sentences."

Taking a breath, the Queen continues

"As Queen and current ruler of Melromarc, I find both Aultry Melromarc the 32nd and Malty Melromarc guilty of high treason and conspiracy to commit treason and herby strip them of all statuses and privileges that they normally would be allowed to them. Even if the entire royal family were to die they will still not be able to inherit the throne...also all and any records of them will be destroyed. It will be as if they never existed...as far as history will be concerned I had no husband and only one daughter." noticeably struggling the Queen continues "Furthermore Aultry will herby be banished from Melromarc and forced to become the Vassal wielder of the Seven Star Cane under the name Trash, replacing the previous wielder who died in the last wave. He will fight to protect the other kingdoms until the waves are over. When that happens, he will be permitted to live a simple life under his original name. Malty, however, will forever be called Shit-shoveller. For the rest of her natural life, she will live a life that not even the poorest beggar can envy. She will spend her days shovelling the offal of every beast and animal under the sun. You will have only two sets of clothes and a lumpy straw bed anything you are given will be earned! Nothing will be given freely! Days off must be earned! Clothes will be earned! Any form of comfort will be earned! And everything can and will be taken away should you cause problems. You will never have the life you once had, though with time and effort, you can have a modest life with modest comforts."

"N-no I refuse, I would rather die!" pleaded Malty hating the idea of anything less than a pampered life

"Very well, guards, please take Shit-shoveller to be executed." ordered the Queen to the shock of both Malty and Aultry

"W-wait I'll accept the punishment! I'LL ACCEPT THE PUNISHMENT!" shouted Shit-shoveller as the guards started to drag her away

"It will all be okay...I'll take you on adventures from time to time!" promised Motoyasu

A twitch of the eyebrow was the only thing the Queen did to show her annoyance

"Spear Hero you seem to be misunderstanding something...Shit-shoveller will no longer be allowed to be an adventurer, any and I mean any days off that she earns will be spent in the capital. Also, the fact that you are even willing to overlook her crimes so easily and so soon speaks leagues about how the current Cardinal Heroes are failing." said the Queen

"Hold on what are you talking about?" asked Itsuka

"The Bow, Spear and Sword Hero have each made grievous mistakes that have cost innocents their lives." stated the Queen

"What! I would never do such a thing!" protested Motoyasu

"Oh but you did, when you removed a cursed seed from its hidden and sealed location and proceeded to plant it. The very moment you left things started to spiral out of control, costing the villages not only their homes but their very lives! If it wasn't once again for the timely intervention of the Shield Hero that village would have been wiped out. Much like the village where the Sword Hero slew the Dragon Emperor whose rotting corpse poisoned the surrounding land, people and before eventually becoming reanimated into a zombie. Finally, we have the Bow hero who unthinkingly intervened in a dispute over taxes, which later resulted in the death and misery of more people than the cursed seed and rotting dragon combined!"

"What?! But I had no choice, someone had to teach him a lesson!" exclaimed Itsuka in protest

"Lesson? Lesson? It seems you are the one that is in need of a lesson. Running any land, kingdom or otherwise takes money, those taxes while more than they should have been, were needed to maintain that land. However, because of your actions that tax had to be increased drastically in order to pay for the take over of that domain as well as paying to rebuild damages occurred during that take over as well as the not so modest fee that you demanded! All of this left the people far worse of then they would have been if you and simply left things be or just bothered to have a closer look at things! Because of these actions, myself and all the other rulers have come to a unanimous decision. From now on you three heroes will be accompanied by a shadow of whosever kingdom you are currently in, or at least a shadow of one of the major four. Not only will they keep the ruler of those kingdoms informed of your decisions but also inform you of any mistakes you are going to make. But to make things clear they do not take orders from you and you do not take orders from them but depending on how well they get along with you depends on how much effort they go to in helping you. Finally, should you be deemed unsuitable as heroes your Cardinal Weapon will be confiscated and will be given to one of the people chosen by the four major kingdoms to replace you."

"Wait, us three? Why is Callum excluded?" said Ren angrily

"Because unlike you three the Shield Hero actually takes things seriously and has been the one to clean up all your messes. However, he has asked to be included in replacement scheme so that there can be no claims of favouritism as unlike you he doesn't care if he has access to a Cardinal weapon and has stated his intentions of helping this world even without his shield." the Queen would have continued if not for the interruption of Motoyasu.

"That's just because of him cheating! He has access to weapons that we don't and can't use, he's the Shield Hero, and thus he shouldn't be able to use anything else than a Shield."

"That's right! If it weren't for that bow, he wouldn't have been able to defeat the pope. In fact, if anyone should have a bow like that it should be me! In fact, I demand that I be allowed to copy it!" said Itsuka

"...You demand?" questioned the Queen dangerously

"Your majesty, if this brat thinks that he can copy my prised bow that I say let him try." I piped up

"What! Callum you can't be serious!" protested Raph

"Relax Raph it will be fine." summoning Leviathons Breath I ask "Well Itsuka? Do you want to try to copy it?"

Without even answering Itsuka snatches the bow out of my hands and tries to copy it, after a lot of difficulty a golden glow washes over the weapon showing that it has been copied. With a smug grin, Itsuka shoves the bow back in my direction and tries to transform his bow into a copy of Leviathon's Breath. What happened then completely surprised almost everyone except myself and Ar'na. Instead of forming a perfect copy what instead formed was a lumpy and misshapen form of what could only be called an abomination of a bow due to how misformed it was...it couldn't even be fired. The closest comparison would be if someone made a copy of the Eiffel Tower or Statue of Liberty out of cheese and then proceeded to put it in the microwave until it started to melt.

"What the Hell! What did you do!" demanded Itsuka angrily

"Nothing, the Leviathon's Breath is an exotic bow. Exotic weapons are different from other weapons, much like the Cardinal and Vassal weapons. Though it is hard to explain in simple terms they can choose who can and can't wield them." seeing Motoyasu becoming confused I tried to explain again "Each of your worlds has Harry Potter, right?" seeing their nods I continue "Well like wands it isn't just about the wizard choosing the wand but the wand choosing the wizard."

"Regardless such behaviour cannot be tolerated, if nobles and royalty can be held accountable for their actions then so must the Cardinal Heroes and so far you none of you have displayed the appropriate behaviour befitting a Cardinal Hero which is the reason why your titles of Cardinal Heroes are under threat. Originally I would have pushed for greater leniency because you were summoned unwillingly to aid us and are obviously still trying to fit into the roles of Cardinal Heroes and all the stress that comes with the responsibility. That was until I learnt one important fact, you think this is merely some kind of game! That this is all make-believe! With such opinions, all rulers have agreed that anyone with such beliefs are not suited to protect us. After all, what is more important? An imaginary person or a real person?" questioned the Queen

"You can't do this!" protested Itsuka with Motoyasu nodding his agreement while Ren seemed a bit more reserved

"You find that I can, if you wish to test this, you are more than welcome to try. Lastly, due to its actions, the Three Hero Church has officially been disbanded, and now Melromarc will have The Sentient Church as it's the official religion. This religion sees all sentient beings as equal. Because of this, all slaves are herby free, any slaves that choose to remain with their previous owners will be treated like any other servant...anyone going against this decree or mistreating servants, especially those that were previous slaves will face severe punishment. Now that will be all as this is quite a lot for anyone to deal with and I understand that it will take a long time for people to get used to these changes. But! If we are to survive the upcoming waves we must work together! Now before this meeting ends, Callum would you please do what we discussed?"

"Walking over to the previous king and princess I place one hand on their shoulders and channelled my light into their crest, the crest then began to change and become much more elaborate and branched out over there entire bodies.

"What the Shield Hero has just done is extensively modify the slave crest is such a way that you will no longer be able to manipulate or harm others without cause. You will no longer be able to tell half-truths like Shit-shoveller did through out the trial as anything less than the full truth will activate the seal. Trying to manipulate someone will also activate the seal as will any attempts of harming others that do not personaly and unquestionably attack you. Now it has been a long day for everyone and I herby bring this trial to an end."

Chose which story will be next

Rising of the Fist

My name is Makoto, Makoto Ito. I'm a high schooler in his last year but you can easily spot me at school to how different I look. I'm 5'11 with slicked backed hair and well-toned muscles...not overly large like a bodybuilder's but taut and compact like a car spring under tension and just as strong. This is because, just like the rest of my family I am way into martial arts, even my mother Aiko is into it and she's a nurse. I remember one time that a drugie came to the hospital armed with a gun demanding drugs...he got his drugs alright, drugs from a drip after mum put his head through drywall! While my mother is a sweet person you do not want to piss her off...if you do you'll have to go to her to recover from the very injuries she gave you in the first place. She and dad met at an MMA tournament, infact they were even opponents with dad as the favourite to win the entire thing due to his name and teach...my grandfather Hiruzen Ito. Unfortunately, dad didn't even get past the first round as when he saw mum, a no name combatant from a small providence with no prior experience with tournements he got cocky...too cocky. She surprised him with a high punch followed by a duck and spin under the returning punch aimed at her middrift. Coming out she slams the back her hand into his sternum which was then followed by a knee in the exact same place and finished by a high kick that laid him on his ass. No matter how many times I've seen the fight I'm still surpised about how brutal it was. After the fight and after he woke up dad went to apologise for his behaviour, an apology that mum accepted, one thing led to another and soon they began to date even meeting his father Hiruzen after their second date as he wanted to personally meet the girl that KO'ed his son. Mum and dad were quite nervous about that meeting but it turns out that he was over the moon that his son was able to find a woman that could knock him out when he did something stupid just like his own wife did. Unfortunately, grandmother died when dad was still a kick, complications from a disease that was cured not 5 years later leaving grandad to raise dad by himself.

Gears of Destiny

In space above the colony planet Sera there is a copper coloured exo looking at the sleep pod where she had spent the last few years in her journey from Earth to the lost Colony Sera, only waking up periodically to check the ship for repairs to make sure nothing went wrong with the ship while she was in stasis.

"You picking anything up anything Krista?" she asks her ghost

"Yes Eda, but not much...there is however a number of weaponized satellites above the planet though." replied Krista "and judging from the state of the planet they have been used quite often."

"Shit...well lets see whats going on." I said as I angled my ship downwards "also send a message to the vanguard that we have arrived and everything your picking up."

When the ground gets closer I transmated out of the ship and land gently the roof of a building as my ship flew up and returned back to orbit where it would remain safe until I needed it again...well would have if something hadn't collided with it destroying it in the process and sending what remained into a demolished building nearby.

"Mother fucker!" I swore

"Yeah that not good." said Krista

"You think!?" I said angrily

"Well you have more important things to do...like saving that guys life." said Krista

Looking down I see a group of men crouching behind a low and crumbling wall with one foolishly leaving his cover and running over to a man wearing a bandana. Blinking over I sweep his leg from out underneath him, saving his life as I did so as a bullet passed right where his head was. Sliding over the wall I raise my sniper Bite of the Fox with the shader Calus Chosen and let loose three shots taking out all three enemy snipers.

"You boys alright?" I ask with my gun slung over my shoulder and a hand on my hip

"That was amazing! Who are you?" asked the guy who's life I saved

"They call me Eda, Eda-13 and thirteen was their unlucky number."

(may have to change Eda as a name)

The Shielded Spear

My name is Drake, I am a human, I am a Titan but most of all I am a Guardian! For the last three hours I have been fighting hive on the moon with a fireteam of four, two hunters and one warlock. I had just unloaded my last shotgun blast when I saw a hive knight behind one of the hunters, sword raised, running forward I drop my shot gun...by ghost Teka holstering it as I went. When I reached the knight I immediately started grappling with it, but suddenly in a flash my surroundings changed from the moon to a dark room full of people and a spear appearing in my hand. Taking advantage of my surprise the knight breaks by grip and with a howl swings is sword down at me. Stepping quickly to the side the sword misses me entirely and digs into the tiled floor, I then thrust my new spear into its chest before kicking it off and crushing its head beneath my boot.

Turning to face the surrounding people I ask in a voice that expects to be heard

"Where am I, who are you and how did I get here!?" I demanded

"Please sir Spear Hero please hear us out. You see our world is under attack from pure evil and the Cardinal Heroes are our only hope of salvation!" said a man in robes

"And whats in it for us?" asked a boy holding a sword like it was a toy

"Yeah, you summon us here against our wishes and you can't expect us to help you out for nothing." said a child with a bow

"Hang on we should..." said a boy holding a shield before being interrupted

"Please save all your questions for the king, he is very eager to meet you all. said the same man from before

As we left I looked over the other three Cardinal Heroes? Is that what they called us? Those with the sword and bow seemed way to sure of themselves despite being completely new to combat. Their stance, the way they carried their weapon and everything about them screamed rookie, but the one with the shield...he seemed promising. Unlike the others he seemed more interested in trying to help and less eager to take advantage of the situation, but maybe that's me being biased towards him, after all he does carry a shield and everyone knows that Titans are the shields of humanity.