A Few hours earlier.
"One must say the condition of these streets is far from ideal. This is the capital city, not some backwater homestead. One dreads to think upon the conditions inside the local establishments." Queen Elizabeth spoke. The young woman strode down the busy streets, her bright blond hair and frilly dress a stark contrast to the dark grey of the surrounding buildings.
"Yes, your majesty." Warspite spoke. Walking a step behind her. Unlike her sister who's clothing had given off an aura akin to royalty, the epaulettes on her shoulders along with the armour piece covering her chest, had given her the appearance of an officer or a royal knight. The look only betrayed by the lack of leg wear or the pink bows tied onto her shoes.
Elizabeth corrected the crown atop her head, it's size an assistance to her shorter frame. "Quite right, we will have to put forth acts to swiftly improve the quality of these main streets, this is the capital of our glorious empire. Its condition portrays otherwise, I have yet to even see a union flag. The people have become too relaxed during our absence."
"Your majesty." Warspite sternly spoke while adjusting the scarf around her neck. She had been humouring her sisters rambling for a while now. Her main concern was constantly looking at their surroundings for any form of danger that might befell her sister. A hand was constantly by her hip, as if resting on an invisible sword, ready to draw it along with her rigging to defend her queen in a moment's notice.
Elizabeth turned to look at her sister. Either through the fraternal bond they shared or just instinct she understood what Warspite had meant. "Ah yes, if it is true that we have been gone for over a century then I dread to think what hardships the commoner has had to endure, I am sure they are worthy of commendation."
She moved to stand in front of a man who had been quickly walking down the street. "You needn't worry anymore subject. With your queens return I shall restore this country's former glory."
He angrily looked down at her. "I haven't got time for your games kid." He pushed her aside before continuing down the road.
Elizabeth stood still for a moment; her face turned red, shocked at his response. "K-ki, kid? What disrespect, one was laid down while his grandfather was just a child. Why I have the right mind to…"
"Your majesty." Warspite once again commented. The two tufts of hair on her head swayed as she gave her sister a pleading look.
"I guess you are right, he was probably late for work or something. But that still doesn't excuse his behaviour. However, I am a forgiving queen and upon hearing your plea I shall let this transgression pass this one time." She ensured her hair was proper before continuing. "Oh Warspite, one would be lost without thine guidance. You are as much a consort as you are my sister."
Warspite put her free hand against her chest. "Your praise flatters me so. However, her majesty mustn't sell herself short I'm sure even without me you would lead this nation to glory."
Elizabeth nodded in agreement. "Very much so. Ones actions are at heavens command." She went to turn before quickly looking back with a slightly panicked face. "But that doesn't give you leave to abandon me! You are to always remain at thine side, your queen orders you so!"
"And I obey, your majesty." Warspite bowed her head. Happy to know that deep down her older sister depended on her.
"Good, now let up continue onward, our first destination shall be…" Elizabeth's words were cut short by an audible rumbling coming from her stomach. "Breakfast!" She yelled, trying to hide the noise.
Clearing her throat, she continued. "You must be famished for it has been many an hour since our last meal. Come, I will not let any under my charge go hungry" turning she begun to walk away, hiding the embarrassment on her face.
Warspite chuckled. "Yes, your majesty." A smile formed on her lips as she followed.
A short while later a scent in the air caught Elizabeth's attention. "I must say what a delicious aroma." Turning to find the source she came upon an old worn-down stall selling crepes. Her eyes seemed to shine at the sight of all the creams, berries and pastries available.
She went to speak, only for her gaze to fall upon the board depicting the prices. she was penniless, the last few days Warspite had stolen most of her food, they had even jumped on the train when nobody was looking. For someone as regal as her to end up resorting to such actions made her want to find a quiet corner in her ship and cry until someone came and told her everything was ok.
Elizabeth steadied herself before looking to Warspite, she had leaned on her far too much these past few days, it was time for her to be reliable for once, not just as her queen but also as her older sister. "Observe Warspite. The ever-present goodwill of the people is what set this country a cut above the rest."
Taking a deep breath Elizabeth prepared herself. she walked up to the stall and spoke as diplomatically as she could.
"Listen kid, I'm not running a charity here. No money means no food. I've got paying customers waiting, now scram!" The irate worker spoke. He had gotten angry at Elizabeth's constant pestering as was one step away from getting the police involved.
Elizabeth was equally angry, in a part from his attitude, but mostly from being called a kid. "Why I never, to speak so brazenly towards thee. I am thine queen, One should."
A hand on her shoulder stopped her ranting. Warspite used her head to gesture towards the crowd who'd stopped to watch her outburst.
Fear crept into Elizabeth's face before she quickly hid it with anger. Giving a single "humph." She hurried away.
Trying to defuse the situation, Warspite bowed to the stall owner and the crowd giving multiple apologies before promptly catching up with her sister. She found her sitting on a nearby bench adjusting her crown, it had begun to feel heavy.
Warspite sat next to her, unsure of what to do she tried to console her sister. "Don't worry your majesty, I will get us some…" she was stopped by Elizabeth shaking her head.
Her royal tone had gone "No Warspite, I, I…" the words caught in her throat; her bottom lip begun to quiver. The reality of the last few days starting to finally settle in. Everything had changed from the world she once knew. She herself had been granted a wonderful body to see the world anew, only to find glory of the Royal Navy was no more. Its actions forgotten, it's sailors unremembered.
All Elizabeth wanted to do now was burry herself in her sisters embrace and cry until everything was right again. Just as she had failed the legacy of the name granted to her, she had failed in her position as the older sister.
Just as she was about to swing into her sister's chest a voice spoke out. "Couldn't help but see you back there. I understand, I get really cranky when I'm hungry as well."
Elizabeth looked up. A young man stood in front of them holding two creeps in each hand. "Here, I would hate to see two young ladies go hungry."
Warspite studied him, he had obviously not properly washed in a few days from his messy brown hair and unshaven face. then there was his clothing, all of which had seen better days. She would have been suspicious of his intentions yet his genuine smile seemed to be trustworthy.
Elizabeth finally found her words. The shock of the situation seemingly ending her moment of self-pity. "One cannot accept, we are far above any form of pity."
He leaned back, still in amazement of how she spoke. "I wouldn't see it as pity, more so a gift in a sign of respect for your household."
"That it may be, however one still." A nudge from Warspite made her realise what he was trying. "Well yes, I will accept these upon the promise that one will repay the favour within good time."
As soon as they had taken the food, he stepped back ensuring she couldn't go back on her word. "That's good. I used to eat these back when I was younger, I would hate for anyone to miss out on them" he looked round. "Speaking off I need to get going, it was a pleasure speaking with you, I hope to meet again soon." Before he had finished speaking, he was already quickly walking away.
Elizabeth looked at the food in her hand. Taking a bite, she squealed in glee. "Oh, Warspite you must try this, both the smooth texture and sweet flavours are to die for."
"Yeah." Was all Warspite said. She had watched the man with curiosity while he walked away, previously spying something in him while he was talking. A tiredness had made itself known in his eyes, one that made Warspite think of her crew. Elizabeth's ranting brought her back to the present, finding her assessment of the crepes to be accurate when she bit down on her own.
"Quite a delectable treat indeed." Elizabeth had finished her crepe and had returned to her usual demeanour. "One was right to rely on the goodwill of this nations people. However, I will stay true to my word and repay this kindness, I believe granting that young man a boon would suffice. Warspite be sure to make a note of his name."
"Did her majesty catch a name?"
"Eh." Elizabeth realised she hadn't asked his name, looking around she could find any trace of him. "W-well not entirely. We will have to believe in fate crossing our paths once again, and if not then we will make an example of his generosity. Now come, we have sat idle for far too long, there is work to be done." She stood up holding her head high.
"May I enquire our destination your majesty. The Houses of Parliament perhaps?" Warspite begun to walk a pace behind her again, noticing she was going at a faster pace than before.
"Nay. We shall head straight to the top; the palace shall our destination." She put one hand on her hip and pointed the other straight forward. She tried to hide the fearful expression on her face.
A short while later the two found themselves standing outside the old palace grounds.
"What sort of insult is this!" Warspite shouted, her usually calm demeanour breaking as she tried to comprehend the sight in front of her.
Expecting to find the ornate Palace grounds with its ancient marble and gold structures. Instead, they found a dilapidated old building. All the precious metals had gone, stripped away with barely an afterthought for the condition of the building they were removed from.
The courtyard was cracked with weeds and even some trees beginning to grow through. Vines had begun to creep up the walls, only partially stopped by a minute conservation effort to save some part of the nation's history.
Warspite began to walk forward. "Such disrespect! I swear, whoever is responsible for this shall pay deerl…"
She was stopped by a tugging on her arm. This time it was Elizabeth's turn to halt her sister's anger. "Don't Warspite." She took a long sigh, preparing for a conversation long overdue. "I'm sorry, I've been misleading you these past few days. I learnt back in Bristol that the monarchy had gone, I guess some part of me just hoped it was not true. It seems so much has been lost in our absence."
"Your majesty, I." Warspite struggled to find her words, a pain cutting her deep at the sight of her sister being sad.
"You don't need to call me that, I'm just a Dreadnought, queen Elizabeth was just what they called our class, you know I have no real claim to the throne."
Warspite shook her head, bringing her sister into a hug. "Nay, you are a queen. You are my queen, and I your loyal subject. And while you may not be the monarch of this land, you still lay claim to being the queen of the Royal Navy."
Elizabeth looked at her sister. Her deep purple eyes lending her the confidence she needed "Do you really believe so?"
She nodded. "Yes, whatever gave us these forms placed that crown atop of your head for a reason, I will always see you as my queen."
The two remained quiet for a while before Elizabeth eventually broke the hug. Standing straight one more, she corrected the crown. finally finding where it sat comfortably. "It is good for one to have a sister as reliable as you. Thank you, Warspite"
Elizabeth looked around, trying to think of their next step. "You have brought a rather interesting point to one's attention. The navy has spent far too long without our presence. We can meet with what remains of the admiralty down at Greenwich and hopefully get an understanding of the situation."
"A excellent plan your majesty, we might even find out if there are others like us out there."
Elizabeth took one last look at the ruined building before turning her back on it. "Yes, we should make haste. Destiny waits for no one.
As they begun to walk a loud bang echoed out from not too far away. "I wonder what that was." Warspite questioned.
Ignoring the sound, the two began to traverse the city's streets, finding the winding labyrinth of buildings confusing to navigate. Elizabeth, who had been leading the way had seemingly only been able to find the palace through instinct, was now completely lost.
"This is preposterous, how can anyone navigate these streets. Oh, what one wouldn't give to see the sea again." Elizabeth was starting to become irate. She looked up; the tall buildings covered most of the sky. She wanted open oceans and wide horizons.
They stood at a turning, unsure whether to go left or right. Nobody looked willing to give them directions. Elizabeth took a deep breath; she wasn't going to lose herself again. Collecting her composure, she felt a strange draw to her left. Deciding there wasn't any harm in going that way she trusted her instincts.
"Ah the Thames, I knew my intuition would lead us to it." After following the road for a while, it had eventually turned to show a bridge going over the river. Upon seeing it Elizabeth ran ahead and leaned against the railing.
She closed her eyes and felt it's calming effect. While it was no ocean, the openness of it all was a welcome relief. Opening her eyes again she found her attention drawn down to three people walking down a pathway.
While she didn't recognise the two women the man they were with looked familiar.
It clicked in her head, he was the young man who had given her the crepe earlier, she could finally get his name. "Hey!" She called out. leaning forward to try to get his attention, suddenly the railing broke and Elizabeth found herself falling.
"Elizabeth!" Warspite shouted, she had just caught up only to see her sister fall off the bridge.
I didn't have time to fully register what was happening before I was diving forward to try and grab whoever had fallen from above. Grabbing their arm just before it went out of reach. The pain in my shoulder from stopping such a weight was drowned from the pain in my chest as it hit the ground.
Wishing I healed as quickly as Javelin I looked down at the woman I grabbed. She was silently staring at the ice-cold water below her.
I started trying to pull her up. Another hand reached down to try and grab her. "Your majesty! Are you injured?" She sounded panicked.
That seemed to bring her back to reality, looking up she grabbed the other hand and we both pulled her back up.
Finally getting a proper look at the two, I recognised them from this morning. "Oh, it's you two. Didn't expect to see you again so soon."
"You know them?" Hood asked.
The one who had helped me pull the other up was frantically going over her, looking for any sign of injury. "Yeah, we crossed paths earlier. They were by the stall that sold the crepes." From the way they were dressed a suspicion had begun to grow in my mind.
Finally getting over her shock the one I had grabbed shook her head and looked over to me. "It seems this meeting was fate. You have my upmost thanks for saving me."
"Don't worry about it."
"'Nay, I am now indebted to thee twice over. Your majesty wishes to repay her debts by granting you a boon."
"A Boon?" Her way of speaking was still strange.
She walked up to me. Her height wasn't much more than Javelins. "Tis true. I believe introductions are in order, you find yourself in the presence of none other than I, Queen Elizabeth." I heard a small gasp from Hood, practically confirming my suspicions.
I decided to play along. "Queen? Forgive me, I didn't know I was in the presence of royalty your majesty." I slightly bowed down. Her lips curled into a wide smile at my reply. The other girl gave me a confused look.
Our conversation was cut short by the sound of footsteps coming from behind us. Turning I saw several men quickly making their way over to our group. Their clothing similar to the security back at the university.
When they had closed the distance what I assumed to be the leader of the group took a few extra steps before speaking. "This is as far as you get, those two women are to come with us, along with the property you stole." He moved his jacket to show a holstered gun. "Let's not make a scene now."
I was still trying to figure out how they'd found us when Elizabeth walked up to him. "I know not of the transgressions between you, but this fine gentleman has just been granted one's favour. You are to drop all charges and apologise for interrupting us."
He took one look at her before shoving her to the ground. "Get lost Kid, this doesn't concern you."
I went to move, only for hood to place a hand against my chest, with a sly smile she gave me a wink.
Elizabeth held her now grazed knee, the white sock had ripped when she hit the ground. her face was red with anger. "Why I… Warspite! Hurry up and take care of these ruffians!"
Warspite stormed past us, fury on her face. "You dare to lay a hand on her majesty! This insult I cannot overlook." She moved her hand down to her hip, light shone as a sword appeared. Clasped to her back two turrets appeared at her side, each shielded by two sections of hull easily the same size of her.
A ships mast came up from where they were connected, almost doubling her height. Two more armour panels materialised on her hips, each supporting a turret.
Finally, a pair of fins appeared on the metal clasp that held up the two tufts of hair on her head. She levelled her sword, its tip pointed directly at the man who had attacked her sister.
Despite the massive size of her rigging, she moved ridiculously quick, swinging her sword at the first man, turning the blade at the last second to hit him with the flat end. The resulting impact sent him flying into a wall.
Before the others could react, she was upon them, kicking one to the ground as another was sent into the river by her rigging. Grabbing the fourth by the collar she threw him into the rest with ease.
She stopped. Slamming her sword into the ground she aimed all her turrets at the rest. They looked terrified at what had just happened. "Consider yourselves fortunate that I have spared you your lives! You are to leave us, and never to accost either her majesty or those in her favour again. Do not take my mercy as weakness!"
They stood still for a second, frozen in fear, Warspite stared at them, daring them to act. Deciding their lives weren't worth it they turned and ran, barely giving a moment's notice to their injured companions as they too fled as quickly as their injuries would allow.
With the threat gone Warspite sighed, her shoulders relaxing as she did. Turning she went to her queen. "Your majesty! your knee."
"Never mind the knee, look at my sock! It's ruined." Assisted by Warspite she slowly stood back up.
Warspite looked at us, then her rigging, then back at us. "Uh, I can explain."
Elizabeth razed a hand and took a few steps forward. "Nay, I believe proper introductions are in order." She stood tall, in her hand a sceptre made out of a ships mast appeared. Followed by two turrets clasped to her hips, the clasp also supported two ships funnels that ran the length of her back.
Finally, two armour panels appeared on each of her legs just above the knee along with a ships bow and fins on her shoes. With a smile she pointed towards me. "You bear witness to the super Dreadnought; Queen Elizabeth, along with my sister ship, Warspite. We are the mighty warships of old, returned once more to bring glory to this nation! And we… uh, why aren't you looking surprised by any of this?"
I scratched the back of my head. "Well, I think it's best for us to introduce ourselves. My name is James Dawson, this is Javelin and Hood, they too are ships." To further my point, they both brought out their rigging.
"It is an honour to meet ones as esteemed as you two."
"Hiya I'm Javelin, nice to meet you."
I was now surrounded by armour panels and turrets. "Do you think we could lose the rigging, it's impressive and all but we are trying to keep a low profile." In a flash of light, the rigging was gone. I felt myself sigh in relief, now we just looked like a normal group of people. Well, minus the clothing they all wore.
"So why were those men after you? They were dressed far to formally to be the local authorities." Warspite asked. Elizabeth seemed equally interested in our situation.
"We had just come from the university of London. To make a long story short, a scientist that worked there had drugged Javelin and tried to take her away to be studded, things got rather confrontational and resulted in a wall being blown open in the building. Those men were probably some of the university's security sent to discreetly recover these two." Thinking about it, they had probably figured we would try and get out of the city as quickly as possible while remaining relatively unseen.
I looked at the two, if we could get them to come with us then recovering the last cube would be a cakewalk. "Where heading east to get to the sea, there's apparently a laboratory somewhere in Inverness with a cube. I'm afraid that with the knowledge of what they're capable off they will try anything to harness its power."
Hood seemingly caught onto what I was implying. "If her majesty was to assist us, we would be more than grateful. A Dreadnought of your calibre is far more powerful than a simple battlecruiser such as I. The two of you would be a mighty boon."
Judging from Elizabeth's face, Hood had obviously figured out exactly what to say. She nodded in agreement. "Why yes, one's hull is rather magnificent isn't it. And far be it from me to deny those in need." She looked over to her sister. "Warspite, change of plan. Destiny has given us opportunity to further the navy's glory's more than what would have been achieved in some dusty office. You said Inverness, then that shall be our destination."
Warspite looked over me, a sigh left her lips before saying, "yes your majesty."
We soon found ourselves once again inside of a busy train station. It was difficult to not be pushed around by people quickly walking past. Javelin with her smaller frame looked nervous, as if she would get swept away by the crowd. Warspite also was having a hard time, constantly scanning the crowds for any signs of potential danger.
I saw some benches nearby. "Why don't you three go sit over there, hood and I can go grab the tickets."
Elizabeth nodded. "One's feet are rather in need of rest; we shall await here for your rerun."
Javelin however did not like the idea of being spit up. "But it might be dangerous!"
I gave her a pat on the head, receiving rather curious looks from the two latest additions to our group. "Don't worry I'll have Hood, and nobody is going to want to make a scene with how crowded this place is."
"Fine, but I'm coming to find you if it takes too long."
With Javelins warning we begun to make our way over to the ticket office. "I'm surprised you were able to convince Elizabeth to come, you seem to know exactly what to say to people."
Hood gave me a wink. "I saw her reaction when you called her your majesty. She would have agreed to come regardless. However, I don't think you spit us up just to question my methods."
"Nothing gets past you eh. Yeah, I wanted to talk to you about this morning, when we shook hands, I saw something." I scratched the back of my head. "It's all fuzzy now but I think I saw your sinking."
"I was afraid of that, I believe I saw something similar. If you ever want to talk about the Endurance, I'm more than willing to lend an ear."
"So, you saw my old ship go down then." She nodded. "I would say it makes sense but it doesn't give any answer as to why it happened. I've held Javelins hand multiple times and been fine."
She put a hand to her chin. "Another mystery to be solved then. I would be lying if I said it didn't excite me." She gave me a coy smile.
"I have the feeling it won't be the last. But the pursuit of knowledge can wait for now, securing that last cube is our main priority."
"Quite right." Hood spoke as we reached the ticket office, glancing at the schedule I found the first train that would take us east. Knowing I would never hear the end of it I purchased five adult tickets before promptly retuning to the others, Javelin immediately moving to my side as soon as I arrived.
"Right, I got us on the next train to leave the station." I looked at the large clock suspended on the ceiling. "It should take us around two hours to reach the sea, there are quicker routes but I'd rather get out of the city."
Everyone seemed to share my viewpoint on leaving the city and we soon found ourselves getting onboard an old looking train. Finding somewhere we could all sit together with Elizabeth and Javelin taking the window seats.
As the train begun to pull away, I noticed my hand had subconsciously moved to the cubes in my pocket. I still didn't have the same strange connection with them that I did with Javelins, but the warmth they provided helped me relax slightly. "Last time I left this city I had just picked the furthest train away and got on it without a moment's hesitation. I was alone back then."
Javelin looked over. "Well now you have you have us."
I smiled. "And I wouldn't have it any other way."
(A/N) So apologies if the authors notes came weirdly in the last few chapters, for some reason the breaks don't appear properly. from now I will also use (A/N) to show them.
So you may be wondering why its been less than two weeks since the last chapter. well one reason is due to me being motivated to get it out, the other is because I was exactly a year ago today I first started writing down my ideas for Azur waves, so I thought it might be best to celebrate by getting a chapter out.
thanks for all the reviews, to know that people enjoy reading this makes me happy and I hope you look forward to reading in the future.