The Shadow Kingdom
Chapter 8: The Rightful King
The ride back to Tattooin had been uneventful. Izumi had taken the time to write a letter to Tokoyami explaining about the prophecy, and their plan to rid the world of Nomu for good. She implored to Queen Katana as well to send riders out to other kingdoms so that they could start gathering allies for the upcoming battle.
"You won't be able to come to the castle with me." Shoto explained with a sober face. "With your banishment still in place one step onto the grounds will get you arrested."
"I understand...I wish I could be there to cheer you on though." She dismounted from his horse, Bakugo already there lifting her by the hips to secure her down. "Do you know how to get to the Dagohban encampment from here?"
"Ah, but I could use a guide if you wouldn't mind lending me one of your men, Bakugo."
"Dunce Face," he nodded his head to Kaminari. "Go with him."
"Whatever you say, oh exalted one." Kaminari saluted and grunted when Iida pulled him to the wagon.
"If you're stepping before the kind you'll need proper garments. I've just the thing."
"Wha, hey let go, ow!" Kaminari complained as Iida outfitted him.
Izumi laughed and she glanced back at Bakugo.
"Kacchan… could you leave us alone for a few minutes?"
"Ha? No way!"
"Please?" She took his hands looking in his eyes with an affectionate pleading look. "Just give us a few minutes. I promise I won't run away."
"Tch…" he looked at their hands and then into her eyes. "Fine… you have five minutes and then we're leaving."
She nodded and bid Shoto to follow her. He dismounted his mare and walked after her the two of them going into the shadow of the trees to be alone.
"What is it, Izumi?" Shoto asked, unsettled by the privacy.
"This…" she pulled out her necklace with the red fang, and laying beside it was the engagement ring he'd presented to her. Shoto looked at it and reached out stroking the gem.
"You're giving it back to me?"
"I never gave you an answer… I didn't get the chance to say anything at all before we were attacked. Then Kacchan showed up and everything's been kinda muddled." She took it and clasped it between both her hands. "I was going to say yes."
Shoto's eyes went wide with shock.. But then hurt filled them.
"Was?"
"I'm sorry, but I'm all kinds of confused Shoto." She pressed her palms to her lips eyes shut tightly as her heart painfully rolled around in her chest. "Both you and Kacchan mean so much to me. You in particular have been nothing but kind and patient with me. You stood by me when my world was crashing down on my shoulders and you gave me comfort when I needed it most. I don't know what to do."
"Izumi…" He took her hands in his and brought them to his lips. "I'm sorry. I've put you in this predicament by shoving my feelings onto you. I never meant to do such a thing." He watched her shake her head but he kissed her fingers again. "It's true. I was so desperate to make you forget about Bakugo, and feel affection towards me that I ignored your feelings. I'm truly sorry."
"You're not selfish, Shoto. I'm the selfish one. I'm the one who should be apologizing. I've been so hesitant and unsure of myself." She stepped closer to him laying her head on his shoulder. "All I know is I don't want to say goodbye or have you hate me because I care so much about you!"
"I know… I know you care, and that makes me happy, Izumi." She looked up at him with a flushed expression and his heart turned over in his chest. "I appreciate that you care for my feelings, but because of what's about to transpire I think a decision needs to be made." He lay a hand on her belly. "I don't know if the child you carry is mine… but even if it is I want you to choose Bakugo."
"What?" her eyes went wide. "Why? I thought…"
"I'm going to be King… I had done everything I could to runaway from that responsibility because I didn't want to be anything like my father." He held the left side of his face. "He's a fair enough ruler, he treats his subjects well, but I've seen just how selfish and unkind he can be. I didn't want anything to do with him or his so called legacy, but it's not something I can just remove. I denied my birthright, told myself I wasn't going to be what he wanted, told myself I would reject him and the title he thrust at me… but I see now that I was just being ignorant and childish."
"Shoto…" Izumi's eyes went wet and she lifted a hand to stroke his cheek. Unable to resist he leaned into her touch and sighed.
"I've cherished this time I've had with you, Izumi. You've taught me so much about myself and what I'm capable of. Now it's time to put that into action. I'm a noble by birth, a prince by blood… but a King by choice. I choose to accept this power, and use it to bring the world peace."
"I know you will…" Her lips curled a little but then turned down as hurt built up again. "...is the reason you're cutting me and the child out because you're taking on that honor and burden?"
"Yes… please hear me out." He took her hands before she could pull away. "This royal life destroyed my family. The strain of power, the stress of always being at the center of attention, and the burden of carrying the well being of so many others is hefty. You're finding that out by taking on All Might's power. Still once this threat is over you and the child are free to do as you wish. You want to see the world, you want to study and explore it and I want to give you the freedom to do so. Marrying me would just lock you in chains and keep you from doing what you love."
"I understand… but I can't say I like that you're forcing me out this way, Shoto." She lowered her head and clutched the ring in hand. "If… if I said I'd be willing to give all that up… that I'd be willing to accept the chains and responsibility would you let me?"
Shoto's heart ached at her words. He wanted so much to say yes, to tell her he'd give anything to be with her, and for her to stand by him as his queen. He knew she could help him become a better King, the kind of king who ruled with both kindness and strength. Her eyes however told him a different story. He didn't want to be the one to chain down such a free and giving spirit.
"No…" he held his hand out for the ring. "I'm sorry."
Tears slipped down her cheek and she stepped back clutching the ring tightly.
"This isn't fair… this isn't right… you're not letting me have a choice in the matter."
"I think that's a moot point by now. You and I both know your choice was pretty obvious the moment Bakugo stepped back into your life. So long as he wants you, you'll always want him back."
That snapped her back. Her head jerked up as if she'd been slapped and her eyes went hard as stone.
"Is that what this is really about? Is the real reason you're shoving me away because of Kacchan?"
"You love him, that much is clear to me. It's only a matter of time before you accept him completely, especially since you don't correct him when he calls you his mate." Shoto could hear himself getting irritable over it, but didn't expect Izumi's snap of temper.
"Yeah well I didn't correct Dabi when he called me your fiancee' either. I didn't correct Gran Torino when he told the league of villains that this child I'm carrying is yours and the future of the royal lineage. I don't correct it because they're all still possibilities that I can't deny. Yeah sure I love Kacchan, but I also love you, you dumbass!"
Shoto's eyes went wide with disbelief as Izumi burst into tears.
"Both you and Kacchan are so different, but somehow I managed to fall in love with both of you. You're a kind, patient, and caring, man but you can be so stubborn. You're naturally gifted, a bit conceited, and at times stoic, but I've seen you laugh, cry, fluster, and all other manner of emotions. Your noble blood keeps you from truly letting loose but it's this quiet nature you have that makes every other emotion so precious and pure. Kacchan is different, he's not patient nor is he all that kind, but he's loyal, and strong, and the fierceness of his emotions leave me breathless. I love you both so much that it's ripping me in two. How could I possibly choose between you two?"
She held her face sobbing. All of the pent up emotions and frustrations she'd been feeling over the past several months just suddenly came to slap her in the face and squeeze her heart. She fell to her knees and Shoto held out his hands not knowing how to handle the situation, or the feelings in his own heart.
"Izumi I… I'm sorry I…"
"Don't take it away…" she whispered and pulled her hands back from her face so she could clutch the ring again. "Give me this at least… so I can give it to our child. You can cut me out, that's fine… but if this child is yours Shoto I can't just ignore that fact. What if the child looks like you? What if they have your eyes, or your smile… what if one day they ask about their father? What am I supposed to tell them when they ask to see you but you've cut us out? Please...let them have this piece of you, the piece of your heart that you offered to me."
"Izumi…" he knelt down and pulled her to his chest and buried his face in her hair. "Don't… don't do this to me please. I was finally willing to let you go but if you keep telling me all this I-" He squeezed her tight tears forming.
Izumi held onto him her fingers digging into his shirt.
"Kiss me… if this is really goodbye, then kiss me so I'll never forget the taste or feel of it." She whispered to him and gasped when his mouth crushed onto hers without warning. She held on for dear life letting their mouths move and tongues tangle. When they parted, both of them panted and Shoto ran kisses along her face and down her neck.
"You're really cruel when you want to be you know that Izumi?" He said between breaths. "I'd been willing to give up everything to be with you, but you told me to become a King. Now that I am, and I can no longer keep you you throw this at me. You're so fucking cruel."
"I am… I am.." she panted back and arched letting his mouth just feast on her. "I'm absolutely horrible."
"If you decide I'm worth it…" he said after calming a moment, and took her face in his hands so that he can look her straight in the eyes. "If you decide I'm the one that you want and are willing to accept the burden royal life offers… then nothing would give me greater joy than to have you rule by my side."
"Shoto…" tears fill her eyes and she smiled at him.
"In return… I want you to be absolutely sure it's what you want." He stood up and brought her to her feet. "If you choose me I don't want you to have any regrets, which includes any pertaining to Bakugo." He kissed her once more and stroked her face. "Promise me this…" he touched the ring around her neck. "...and give me a proper answer when you're ready."
Izumi smiled and she nodded clutching the ring and tooth between her hands.
"Okay… I promise I'll think it over carefully and listen to what my heart says." She closed her eyes as if praying. "I won't make any rash decisions until I know for sure what it's trying to tell me."
"Good… now then-" he gave her one final kiss. "I have a crown to claim."
"Go…" she smiled and walked out of the clearing teary eyed but smiling. Bakugo was immediately beside her and hoisted her up in his arms. She placed a hand on his chest to keep him from leaving so she watched Shoto mount his horse. The beautiful mare kicked up her hooves, her white flank glistening in the sun, and Shoto looking strong and determined upon her back.
"Long Live The King." She heard Kacchan murmur and had her eyes looking up wide with surprise.
"Kacchan?"
"What? I'd much rather him be king than that stupid blowhard father of his." Bakugo grunted and carried her off towards his village. She smiled wide and hugged him tight around the neck, her eyes looking over his shoulder at Shoto's retreating form.
"Good Luck, Shoto."
~Kingdom of Tattoin~
Kaminari jumped off the back of the wagon and eyed his outfit once again with a bewildered expression. The material was surprisingly comfortable, even with all it's buttons and fuss… and the hat… he adjusted it with a sort of puzzled smile. For some reason he loved this hat.
"Whoa… this is like… surreal." He laughed.
"Those clothes look good on you, Kaminari-kun." Uraraka complimented earning her an overzealous bow that made her giggle.
"Why thank you milady… whaaa that was cool, I could get used to this!" He grinned ear to ear.
"Don't tell that to your chief or he might exile you. At any rate thanks for coming along."
"No problem." Kaminari gave a thimbs up. "After everything all of us have been through I consider us friends."
Shoto smiled at that and turned his head up to face the intimidating castle.
"This is it, the point of no return."
The guards made way for them, announcing to the long that the Prince had returned. The double doors to the throne room opened and Shoto walked ahead, front and center of the ragtag group consisting of Iida, Uraraka, Kaminari, and the Vanguard Squad.
The Endeavorous King, Enji Todoroki, sat upon his throne tall and proud, eyes piercing, smile wide and frightening. His body seemed to glow from his magic that simmered on the surface, threatening to boil.
"So you've finally come to your senses and returned, Shoto." He looked to the Vanguard. "League of Mercenaries, I had my doubts but you've done as I asked and returned my son to me." He clapped his hands and two guards come in with sacks of gold for each of them. "Your reward, as promised."
"No thanks…" Dabi waved his hand, his face and body hid under the cloak. Behind him Toga let out a small squeaky laugh at the anticipation of a battle. "We didn't actually bring him. We're just here for the show."
"I'll take it!" Twice shot a hand up but Compress shoved his hand down making him slump. "Or not.."
"Show?" Endeavor's eyes narrowed and he leaned back in his seat waiting for his son to speak.
"They didn't bring me. I came back on my own accord because I'm tired of taking your orders. I thought if I could run away far enough you'd leave me alone… but I was wrong. No matter how fast you run, your blood ties are always linked. I'm a prince, a man of noble blood, and I can't change that on just a whim."
"So you finally see…" Endeavor started to smile but Shoto's glare stopped him mid sentence.
"I see that if I truly want to live my life the way I want it, I need to become what I always was meant to. I need to become a king… but I won't do it your way. I'm doing it mine." Shoto unsheathed his sword and pointed it at his father. "I'm not waiting for you to decide when my time is right. I'm challenging you for the throne!"
"Shoto…" Endeavor rose to his feet shocked and enraged by this.
"The world is in peril and our forces are needed in battle. If you're too stubborn and too blind by prejudice beliefs to see it then I need to take matters into my own hands. So either step down, or fight."
Endeavor snarled in response. He slowly descended the steps from his throne to approach his son and towered over him.
"You're making a big mistake son,"
"My biggest mistake in life was in thinking that just because you raised me doesn't mean I'll turn out anything like you. I can be my own person, my own king… and marry the woman I choose for a queen!"
"That girl…" Endeavor snarled and flames started to sprout from his shoulders. "I knew she was trouble the moment you brought her in here. I should have never allowed her inside these palace walls she's nothing but a nuisance!"
"A nuisance or not she's the woman I love." Shoto raised his chin proudly. "I've already asked her to marry me and she's carrying my child."
"What!?" That sparked something in Endeavor. "You let that filthy peasant-"
"Shut it!" Shoto screamed at him letting loose some of his own fire. "One more negative word about Izumi and I won't hesitate to kill you where you stand. Now I repeat myself, stand and fight me… or bow out gracefully. The choice is yours, old man!"
The control on his temper unleashed. The small embers that had formed along his shoulderblades now spread out throughout his entire upper torso and burned off the tunic and robes he'd been wearing.
"Fine I accept your challenge on one condition."
"What's that?"
"If I win you will take the crown when I deem you ready for it, you'll forget about that woman and marry a proper lady of my choosing."
"I expected as much…" Shoto frowned.
"If you win, I will give you the crown and you can live your life as you see."
"Fine… then let's get started." He looked to Iida. "Iida will you be the officiator?"
"Of course…" Iida stepped forward between the two monarchs and straightened his shoulders. "In accordance to the rules… since Prince Shoto initiated the challenge it is your duty to choose the method in which the battle, My King."
"Traditional battle, dueling swords."
"Dueling swords it is… as always death is not condoned, the first to concede loses." Iida lifted his arms up. "Fighters are you ready?"
"Ready." Both called out at the same time, eyes locked and hands gripping firm on the handles of their blades.
"Bet you five gold pieces Shoto tears him apart." Dabi whispered to Compress.
"Tis a fool's bet, but I'll take it." Compress removed his hat and pulled out his half of the bargain chips.
"Prince Shoto…" Uraraka held out the crystal her chest. Because she knew Izumi would want to see the battle she was projecting the fight directly to her through the crystals. Kaminari stood beside her shifting from side to side. He was both excited and nervous for the outcome of this fight.
"BEGIN!"
Endeavor lowered his sword, his hand stretching out and bursting flames out in a barrage around his son. Uraraka screamed and felt Kaminari yank her back and out of harm's way.
Izumi who was watching the fight through the crystal gasped. She sat on Bakugo's bed wrapped in a loose shroud and her hair pulled up and out of her face. Behind her Bakugo was sharpening his weapons but the sharp inhale had him jerking his head to look at her.
"Shoto!" She clasped her hands over her mouth, tears welling up in her eyes. She could only see fire and smoke through the projection.
"What happened?" Bakugo leaned into her as he too watched the hazy projection. "Was that a fire blast? I thought this was supposed to be just a sword duel."
"The use of magic wasn't prohibited in the ruling so it's still technically a legal move… but-" Izumi glared through the tear. "It's just like with Touya… he used that technicality to his advantage and got the drop on Shoto."
Bakugo snarled. He wasn't sure why it pissed him off. He couldn't say he liked Icy Hot, but the prince has his respect whereas the king did not.
"Bastard... That's no way to win … Tch and he calls himself a king." The picture focused and his smirk spread wide. "Unfortunately for him, Icy Hot isn't like his brother."
Izumi wiped at the tears and her smile slowly spread as Shoto came into focus. Fire and smoke blazed around him, but his right rise was frosted over. He'd created a last minute shield to protect against the worst of the heat and allowed him to not only survive, but come away practically unharmed.
"If that's the way you're gonna play this game, then I know I have the advantage." Shoto drag the tip of his blade across the ground and flicked it out. The entire room became encased in ice. Bodies shivered, the fires died out, and Endeavor was frozen in place, his shoots rooted to the floor.
"Humph… I always knew you'd be the prodigal. A perfect blend of lineages, and power… you're my masterpiece Shoto… I spent years waiting for you and now I'm seeing the fruits of that labor." He grinned and his heat flamed out melting his shoes and allowing him free movement again. He launched an attack, blade meeting blade now but he continued to talk, continued to rant. "Your other siblings were all failures. Cowards, and weaklings… but you… you're perfect. You'll be even more perfect once I show you your true place."
"I may not have known my siblings for long but I know they weren't weak nor were they cowards." Shoto grit his teeth and fought back, blade against blade, temper against temper. "You just couldn't see them for the people they truly are, and lived blinded by the prejudice views of the crown!"
"A view in which you'll one day come to see." He pressed his blade against Shoto's and leaned in snickering. "Even if you win today, you'll one day be sitting on the throne with that welp of a woman beside you and come to realize how truly beneath you she is. We of royal and noble lineage are given superiority for a reason… because we're destined for greatness while they're dirty hands and strong backs support the kingdoms we forge."
"You're a scumbag!" Shoto pushed him back and his sword caught fire as his temper rose. "You talk of peasants as if they're beneath us, but they're not! We're all the same, rich, poor, tall, short, fat, skinny none of that matters! What matters is our hearts and our souls. The value of a person's heart and soul is infinite!"
"Pretty words, and fluff to hide the true grit of reality!" Endeavor kicked out flames of his own again but shoto encased himself in ice to defend.
"That's not truth, that's just your ideals! I refuse to abide by such a blind set of laws." Shoto stabbed his sword into the ground, both of his magics mixing together, heat and cold blending and building creating a pocket of air from the dramatic change of temperature. "You always said you wanted me to be a better king than you, and all the predecessor's before. Well I'm gonna show you that I already am… by defeating you!"
He unleashed his magic, the blanding flash of ice and heat rushed around them… Endeavor struggled to remain on his feet, the icy floor making it hard to keep his balance, and the blinding light made him lose sight of his quarry.
"This is the end of your reign Endeavorous King!" Shoto raced forward with his magic, the blade swirling with his magic power and he beat the metal against his father's block… and shattered the king's blade.
For a moment everything went still. Calm and quiet everyone stare in awe at the outcome of the match. Endeavor looked at the broken sword in his hand, eyes wide with disbelief.
"Shoto…"
"Concede father…" Shoto stood in front of him, still on guard but standing tall and proud. "Concede and accept your fate."
"Tch… you always manage to surprise me." Enji lowered his hands, the broken blade laying at Shoto's feet. "Alright… I concede. You win."
"The King has fallen, and a new king rins the crown!" Iida called out as Shoto removed the crown from his father's head and placed it upon his own brow. "Long Live King Shoto!"
"LONG LIVE KING SHOTO!" The room echoed with shouts of joy and applause. Around them the servants both celebrated and ran around to spread the news of Endeavor's defeat at the hands of his son. Enji Todoroki kept his head down, he lost, but he was not yet defeated.
"You've won, my son. You've got your crown… now kill me."
"What?" Shoto looked down at him shocked and the cheers of the room suddenly silenced again. "That wasn't the bargain."
"I said if you win you could live your life as you see fit… but if you want that life filled with peace you had better kill me. Because if you let me live, and banish me… you'll surely regret it." Endeavor promised.
"It is not your death I wanted but your understanding… I've no reason to banish you or kill you. I may yet need your advice as I know despite your flaws you managed to keep this kingdom at peace for a long time."
"I'll not remain at this castle if you choose to throw away your prospects by marrying that common wench." He snorted and Shoto's own temper rose. His eyes lit with anger and he gripped the hilt of his sword.
"… even after I've won you still refuse to see the truth. You'd rather die than to see me happy?" Shoto stared into the determined eyes of his father and sighed heavily. "Fine. If this is what you choose… far be it for me to deny the wishes of a washed up king." Shoto raised his sword prepared to bring it down over his father's head. He swung down… and gasped when Dabi's sword came up and blocked the killing blow.
"I wouldn't do that your highness…" His cloak fell off and his face was revealed to all. Endeavor took a good long look at this man and it finally clicked.
"Touya?" Endeavor narrowed his eyes but remained confused.
"Touya…" Shoto frowned at his brother and relaxed his shoulders. "Now it makes sense. That's why you saved Izumi why she trusts you."
"Yes, and I've got to hand it to you little brother you picked an interesting future queen… and I can tell you she won't like what you're about to do. You need to rally the people, and gain morale and trust among the soldiers and people. You can't do that if you're seen as a murderer. " Touya looked down at Endeavor with a wry smile. "Besides...If anyone gets to kill this old man it's gonna be me."
"He's right, your majesty." Iida bowed to his new king. "Killing your father would not be a wise course of action. It leaves a bad impression on your subjects."
Shoto sighed and looked around the room then back down at his father.
"You're both right… Izumi wouldn't want this, and frankly neither do I." He sheathed his sword. "Violence begets violence… and that's not the kind of kingdom I want to create."
"Spoken like a true king." Iida bowed and the rest of the room followed suit. Touya also took a knee laying his sword out in front of him as a sign of loyalty and trust.
"So what are your first, King Shoto?"
Shoto looked to his father then around the room.
"Spread my word to every corner of the world. I, King Shoto Todoroki, am calling every able bodied man to arms. We will train everyday in preparation for a great war that is to take place in the Shadow Kingdom. This is not a war of power, or a war of supremacy… it is a war for survival, and the greater good. We will fight for families, we will fight for our friends… and we will fight fight for our freedom!"
As the cheers called out around him Shoto felt a sense of self rise up. Yes, this was it… this is who he was, who he'd alwasy been born to be." He turned his back to his men to stare at the throne. The big ornate chair was both intimidating and welcoming… but as his eyes shifted slightly to take in the shorter crimson throne he knew now there was only one thing missing to make his life complete… and that was a queen.
~Ask Briry~
Briry: Woot that went on a little longer than I planned but I got it finished! YAY! You guys excited? I know I'm excited!
Next Chapter: Training and Research