Very short chapter this time, compared to my other chapters, but as it is only supposed to show the Triumph itself and to help set-up upcoming major events, it does precisely what it was meant to.

S.R.C.D: Yeah, that's not how I roll man. Not how I roll.

Linx007: I appreciate that, thanks man. I know I don't run like the stereotypical authors on these sites, and I sometimes thinks that does me some damage hahaha.

Betagamme: Anya is part of the harem, yes, and the Skaikru won't give too much trouble. In fact, the 'conflict' with the Skaikru will barely feature at all in the sequel to this story, a footnote essentially. No, I have far more grand things planned.

Sinkru: Lexa isn't being The Commander right now. Remember that she spent her entire life believing that when "The One Who Was Promised" arrived everything would change. She hasn't yet settled and figured out how she fits into the new and changing demographic. She will have her time to shine soon enough in this story, and even more so in the sequels military campaigns. Besides, essentially every other story on or AO3 has Clarke as the weaker, submissive member of the relationship, forgiving Lexa for all her transgressions with basically no fight. This story is written deliberately to go against these common themes. We have lots of badass Lexa, its time for some badass Clarke.

As a note, chanffron are the face-guard like pieces of armor for a warhorse, usually with some sort of spike or reinforced plate on it for headbutting.

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Nothing Is True (Save For The Blood We've Shed)

Chapter 19

The Triumph

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The day had finally come. The 100 would be landing within the week and the preparations for The Triumph were now complete. The glorious Triumph that would be followed by the Trial and execution of Maunon leaders, the survivors of whom were in custody. Thousands now lived in Avalon, all vetted secretly by ALIE, and thousands more had traveled to witness history.

Gold-trimmed crimson banners and flags bearing a rampant gryphon of spun golden thread were everywhere, fluttering lightly in the summer breeze over the heads of the throngs of people lining the parade route. Many were waving smaller versions or those of their clan banner, provided eagerly by the many merchants taking advantage of the event.

"Here they come!" someone shouted in the distance, and they strained to hear the approaching march. Ever so faintly, the sound of music and marching feet, along with the cheers and roars of those they passed, could be heard. Time passed and anticipation grew as these sounds grew louder and louder.

Finally they came into view, the mighty army that had destroyed The Mountain. Clarke was in the front, wearing golden armor, a red plumed Corinthian-style helm on her head, a gryphon-marked scarlet cloak on her shoulders. Excalibur hung on her waist, Rhongomyniad shone in her right hand. Mighty Sleipnir, clad in onyx barding with a large, wicked horn jutting from his chanffron, pranced and preened at the noise of the crowd.

With her rode her three bodyguards and The Commander herself, the three former wearing the armored robes of their order, the later a copy of Clarke's armor, though it was trimmed with silver.

Then came the generals, resplendent in gold-trimmed silver armor, each holding the head of a length of rope, each one ending in bindings around the surviving Maunon leaders. The demons in human form stumbled and shambled behind those dragging them, shoulders hunched against the abuses and hatred bombarding them from the throats of thousands, their expression a mixture of incredulous and terrified disbelief.

Behind them came signifiers and musicians, bearing the banners of the twelve clans that had finally laid the enemy of their people low. Even the Desert Clan, whose forces had remained in TonDC, were represented in this proud display honoring those who had both suffered and ended the hundred-year war with their tormentors. Drums, trumpets, and horns roared over the hum of violins in music that was power, uplifting, and old. The Parade of Charioteers, a song so legendary it had once been used for the Olympic Games.

They were followed by the survivors of Polis, restored to perfect health by the otherworldly medical technologies of the Isu. Their mental and emotional health still left much to be desired of course, but that could come only with enough time…and with closure. Clarke may be trying to turn their people away from 'Blood Must Have Blood', but she was a major believer in justice and punishment equaling the crime.

Finally the warriors themselves came into view, their new-forged weapons and armor gleaming in the sun, cloaks flowing lightly in the breeze. Block after block marched by in perfect formation, booted feet striking in harmony upon the cobblestones. Interspersed occasionally were more musicians and units of the new cavalry, resplendent in their armor and barding, long lances bearing banners proudly piercing the sky, large 'wings' curving up from their backs.

The observers felt their excitement and pride in their people growing, as well as a sense of immense awe in the Sky Princess and all she had accomplished and brought into their lives. Never before had such splendor, such glory, and such beauty been within their grasp, and they weren't terribly inclined to lose it now that they had it at long last.

Finally, the Triumphal March Halted at the steps of the Grand Dais, a tall pyramid-like platform that stood at the center of an enormous plaza. Clarke ascended beside Lexa, her closest advisors and the Clan Heads present following her. As they climbed, screens flashed to life all across Avalon and the Tribes' territories, displaying them to all and sundry.

"Citizens and Guests of Avalon! Members of the Twelve Clans and the nomads who wander this world! I am Clarke Griffin, known to you as The Sky Princess, the One Who Is Promised, and the Wanheda. I speak to you from the Grand Dais of Avalon, the legendary city of light, with a solemn message." Her voice rang out, strong and proud, throughout the land. Every eye and ear was locked onto her every movement, her every word and expression. "The depraved predations of The Mountain are over at last! No longer will our people suffer unimaginable horrors at their hands, no longer with their children or our own live in fear of one another!"

She paused, both for breath and to let her words sink into her audience's minds and hearts, eyes sweeping over them all, even those she could not see directly before her. The right note must be struck to prevent chaos and collapse of all they were building.

"Though our hearts might cry out for blood, for vengeance, we must not blame the servants for the crimes of their masters. Long have you and your ancestors been the monsters outside their door, demonized and twisted into a weapon of fear. Just as you came together to form The Coalition, so must you accept the innocent of The Mountain."

The crowd murmured unhappily, but did not really react beyond that. They knew this request, this commandment, had been coming. They had known since before the battle that the Mountain had been divided within, and a deal made to lay that dark place low with the fewest casualties amongst their soldiers.

"fear not, though for some will escape punishment in death, many of the guilty are in chains. Bound and beaten, their fates are ours to dictate! I such, I declare the commencement of the Tribunal for War-Crimes and Crime Against Humanity. For the next month, witnesses and evidence will be presented and verdicts decided…and carried out."

The crowd roared their approval, ecstatic that they would be able to witness the justice they had sought for decades. The justice that would finally put all their dead to rest, bring those tortured souls peace at long last. Not to mention that seeing the Maunon Leaders receive their just punishments would be delightful.

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Lorelai Tsieng could hardly believe that this was actually happening. How had the savages, even with a handful of Arkers in support, been able to so easily smash their defenders and capture Mount Weather? They were out-gunned and out-smarted in every way that mattered, yet still they had lost. They had been meant to use the Arkers to free themselves from Mount Weather and cleanse the world of these barbarians, reforging a newer, more perfect world!

Now, Cage was dead, their home doubtlessly looted and desecrated, and their people had betrayed them without a second thought! All thanks to that fucking cunt Maya Vie and her traitorous father. She, the greatest scientific mind in a century, and the rest of The Council were being dragged through the streets of what looked like fucking Rome like common animals. She was actually somewhat grateful for the columns of soldiers keeping the crowd contained. She had no doubt the howling masses would have torn herself and her fellows to pieces with joyful vigor, the Griffin bitch's pretty speech about justice and fair trials aside.

"Every moment of these trials will be broadcasted across the entirety of Coalition territory. Many of you here and watching will be called as witnesses. I will need you to relive hardships at the hands of the of the Maunon, either personally or through the Reapers…your loved ones." Clarke continued, looking genuinely regretful at the emotional pain she would be demanding that they force themselves through. "The Trial will be presided over by myself, Heda Lexa and, should she be willing, Nia of the Ice Nation. That is the closest to an impartial and fair judging panel that can be achieved as of now. Should Queen Nia be unwilling or unable, her daughter, the Princess Sylvanas, has agreed to stand in."

"My daughter's offer is most appreciated, Wanheda. However, not only am I willing, but in fact eager, to accept this honorable invitation. I will depart from Gaithers immediately and can arrive in three days."Nia's voice echoed, doubtless from the audio pickup Clarke had delivered with the view screens.

"Hardly necessary, I can deploy a First Civilization ship to bring you here within minutes. Your commitment to justice and honor is both appreciated and lauded." Clarke waved a hand a trifle dismissively, her casual reference to such a feat making precisely the impression she wanted it too. "The Trials will behind at the tenth hour tomorrow morning. Broadcasts will begin at nine. For now, however, we've a Triumph to complete and a feast to devour!"

The crowd roared their approval once again as the group descended the stairs and remounted. The music rose once again, horses whinnied and officers shouted orders, and the Triumph swung back into motion. A harsh tug had Tsieng stumbling forward again, her fellows around her, and it struck her then just how incredibly small and weak she really was. For her entire life, she had thought herself better, smarter, more valuable than anyone else in Mount Weather. An impression that had been encouraged by her friend, then lover, Cage Wallace.

When his father had died suddenly and he had become President, her own fortunes bringing her to the position of Head of Science and Medical Divisions, they had thought their dreams could finally come true. When they had quite accidentally made contact with Diane Sydney on The Ark, they had seen the chance to go beyond their dreams and do what their people had dreamed of since The Final War: leaving the Mountain without fear of radiation.

With their technological superiority, they would have been able to crush the savages and keep the tattered survivors for breeding. They would have been able to reforge human civilization the way it was meant to be. A utopia of perfect order and control, devoid of the chaos and filth and anarchy that had permeated every facet of the savage's 'culture'. Now those dreams were naught but dust and shadows.

Nearly an hour later, the Triumphal March finally ended, the crowd dispersing to enjoy the massive, city-wide feast/orgy that had been declared. Not an official feast day, of course, that would be dedicated to the day the Maunon Leaders faced the punishment for their crimes, but still quite the even indeed.

Naturally, Tsieng neither knew nor cared about any of this, as she was too busy seething with impotent rage within the admittedly magnificent environs that she had been locked away in. It would have been considered the most luxurious of rooms in the Old World, and something close to Heaven Itself in the Dark Age-esque world they now lived in.

She didn't noticed or appreciate its splendor, for though it was gilded it remained a cage none the less. One that she would only be permitted to depart for trial proceedings…or executions. She had no illusions about just how this would end. The savages would hardly be persuaded to spare them for any reason, and disclosing that mass slaughter and 'breeding' (by which she meant rape) had been their intentions would not encourage them otherwise. Their only hope was that Diane and her group could come down and restore control over the situation. It wouldn't be easy, but it was really the only thing that could result in their survival, she knew that full well. If she was the religious type (or thought that He would help rather than simply smiting her on the spot) she would have started praying right about now.

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"It looks like the dropship will be ready by Wednesday, We've prepared a broadcast for the girls to alert them, if they're still alive, when we launch it. Even if the signal can't penetrate the atmosphere properly, us broadcasting and the giant ball of fire should let them know that more people are coming groundside." Sinclar, covered in grim, grease, and God only knows what else, was visibly exhausted as he addressed the Council, Sydney, and Shumay. "The work is all finished, but I want to triple check everything before we actually launch it, preferably after my people can get a full night's sleep. We're pretty threadbare pulling double duty on the dropship and the Ark modifications."

"And we appreciate it, Jacopo, so very much." Abby replied warmly as the rest of the table bobbed their heads and made suitably grateful noises of agreement. The Head of Mecha smiled tiredly in thanks and acknowledgement before leaving for a shower and some quality time with his bunk. Looking around at her fellows, she continued. "I think that it's probably best if tomorrow we let the kids visit their families before we send them planetside the day after next. Any objections?"

There weren't any, not that she was terribly surprised. It was not really something anyone could object to without looking like an utterly amoral piece of shit. Any more than the Council already did, anyway. They weren't delusional enough to believe that they were terribly popular right now, and a few of them (meaning Abby, Kane, and Sinclair) had long started gaming out how to adjust the laws and provide rewards and incentives on the ground to make life a little happier for everyone involved. Tyrannical laws and merciless punishments may have been required for Humanity to survive this long in space, but once they were on their homeworld again, they would become not just unacceptable, but evil. Unfortunately, she had some doubts that Jaha would go along with it. He had become…increasingly erratic and totalitarian as they approached the children being sent down. She was more than happy to hope it was because Wells had gotten himself arrested and put into the Skybox, but erring on the side of caution was far wiser. Especially when she had heard him muttering a couple of times about a "Father of Understanding".

She might not know much about her late husband's family legacy, but she knew that phrase was unique to the Templar Order. The hated enemies of her husband's ancestors. Beyond that she was clueless, but that in and of itself was more than enough to make her wary and suspicious of her one-time friend. It also cast his refusal to talk Jake down and executing him promptly in a very dark light indeed.

"Good. Now, the next issue is making sure they don't go off-course too badly. We did well with Raven and Octavia, and it is important that we do so again. I also recommend some tools or weapons for hunting and gathering. We don't know the status of the supplies, so the kids might need to find their own food." Abby spoke once more, echoing Fox's words from their meeting some time ago.

"That shouldn't be hard for us to whip together. We've got plenty of scrap metal from the exodus ships, we can turn them into functional (if crude) spears and machetes. Good enough for basic survival, if nothing else." Kane mused thoughtfully, drumming his fingers on the tabletop. It's a good thing that it's the middle of summer, or we would have to figure out how to supply them with proper winter survival gear. Close to impossible for us to do, really."

"Agreed, though we have noticed a trend towards less harsh winters and more mild summers. We think the weather is heading back to how it was during the Dark Ages. Warm enough for grape vineyards in England, for example." Another member chimed in, getting raised eyebrows from the rest, and he shrugged in response. "It made sense to monitor weather trends so we knew what we could grow and harvest."

"Well done, well done indeed. That will make things easier." Jaha interjected abruptly, speaking for the first time in several days, Getting to his feet, he swept from the room, calling over his shoulder that the meeting was over and that they were all dismissed.

Shrugging, the group split up, each returning to their typical haunts and resuming their duties or leisure activity. Sydney and Shumay, however, had far more private discussions in mind. Ones that they certainly didn't want anyone else overhearing, such as their plans for once they arrived on the ground. Plans that would have them floated in a heartbeat if anyone was to overhear them…provided they didn't just get lynched before the Council could get their hands on them.

All they had to do now was remain inconspicuous for the next two days and everything would be fine. They didn't date attempt to contact Cage, not with the now-constant monitoring of the planet and radio bands. All they could do was hope Mount Weather heard the broadcasts that would accompany the dropship's departure. Even if that failed, surely their reentry would not escape notice.

They had already taken steps to ensure that Jaha would be permanently removed from the equation before the Ark came down. Bellamy Blake's worry and rage had led to him grumbling a bit too loudly near Shumay one day, and he had brought the janitor to her. One chat and a promise of a spot on the dropship later, and they had an assassin. He would shoot Jaha right before launch and get snuck on board. If he proved useful and devoted enough, Diane might even keep him around, but using him as a scapegoat would really mean nothing in the end result if that came to pass instead.

They would also have to put no small effort into…convincing the kids to back them. The parents would never fight against their own children, not with armed force. Using them as weapons to make the Ark fall into line should be easy enough. However, convincing them would be no mean feat, not with the transparency the Council had adopted. If it was all hush-hush, framed as a mechanical failure or medical quarantine of the Skybox, she would have an easy opening for her manipulations. Sadly, that was not the case here.

Jaha, meanwhile, was making his own plans. Plans that involved enacting various strict laws and controls 'for safety and survival' once they were on the ground. It wouldn't be easy to convince them to maintain the current laws, never mind adopt even more restrictive ones. It would have to be done however, no matter how difficult it might be to accomplish. The other option (falling back into the self-destructive culture of old humanity) was hardly an option at all. He wished that there were more Templars to support his plans, but he would have to make do on his own.

He feared he would have to commit countless more unsavory acts, worse than those he had already committed, for the sake of Humanity's future. Not the least of which would be the institution of what would essentially be breeding contracts and arranged partnerships. With as small a population as theirs, inbreeding or infertility had to be avoided at all costs. Otherwise, they were doomed.

The Griffins and their block of supporters would likely cause no small amount of trouble and interference, and getting them out of the way would be no small task. They were immensely popular amongst the vast majority of the population, even more so since Clarke's 'noble mission' to the ground had been revealed. Now Abby had not only her own deeds to her reputation, but a significant sympathy quotient as well. Clarke, meanwhile, was now nothing less than a hero. She had gone alone to the Ground, paving the way for humanity to return home at long, long last. As far as the people of the Ark were concerned, she was a Saint. A living one, sure, but a Saint nonetheless. Moving against her openly would be suicide, but allowing her free reign could be just as bad. A dilemma he had to solve by the time The Ark was ready to land.

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Finn Hudson scowled at the wall of his cell. He hadn't expected being shoved into solitary once he was arrested. He must have overdone it quite a bit for them to bother putting him in here this close to the Skybox drop, instead of just the general population.

Well, whatever. It was only for a couple of days at the longest. He could easily manage that, even if he wasn't necessarily happy about it. He could just spend the time embroiled in his revenge-fantasy plotting, which is what he spent most of his time doing these days if he wasn't plowing some bitch. Sometimes he did both at the same time. He always came harder when he did that.

He would be careful, of course, with Shumay and Sydney running around. He doubted he could deceive them or keep them oblivious while he…dealt with Fox and her cronies. If he could figure out a way to kill the two adults off without getting caught, all the better. Then he could proceed with his original plan. The fact that killing them would gain him at least one gun would be a fantastic bonus. With some literal firepower on his side, he was willing to bet most of the other kids would fall into line quickly.

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Nia, despite knowing it was exactly the response Clarke wanted from her, couldn't help but gaze in awe at Avalon as the 'transport' that had retrieved her circled the magnificent city several times. It was more than she had ever imagined it could be, far and above her wildest dreams. Much like the transport itself was, to be honest. She knew it was the technology of the First Ones, but she still found herself thinking of it as magical.

She recalled the crystal clear images of columns of warriors and cavalry in shining armor and richly coloured garments marching through the streets below her in perfect formation, the thunder of their stride rolling beneath the music. Such music that had filled her heart with awe….and with fear. What hope did her (by comparison) ragtag bands of warriors stand against those magnificent, gleaming columns? What was the Ice Nation before such might, such glory? She had gibbered to herself before she could reign herself in. No matter how powerful an effect that the Triumph had had on the watchers, the Ice Nation had vastly superior numbers and resources. She could afford to lose tens of thousands to destroy Clarke and Lexa. They could not absorb such losses.

The invitation to act as a judge was surprising, if brilliant and rather welcome. It made her wonder what the pair were plotting, for they surely were. As one of the people helping dispense justice upon the Maunon, her popularity with the whole Coalition would grow exponentially. So why would Clarke willingly give her that opportunity? Why would they help her gain the influence she needed to successfully overthrow them?

They were planning something, she was positive of that much, but the question was: what? Could they be luring her out for an assassination? No, that wasn't their style, it was too 'dishonorable'. The same applied to blackmail or kidnapping.

Their hope very well could be to bribe her with a position of power and prestige in order to head off any chance of war breaking out in the first place. A smart plan, and one that would probably work on anyone other than herself. She had no intention of being bought off and collared, a useful tool on the side to prevent a war. No, she would conquer the Coalition and rule over Humanity, or she would burn the world trying.

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"Time is running short. Are the imprints ready to begin their rapid-growth training yet?" Jupiter grumbled, hands folded behind his back as he gazed 'down' at the image of Earth turning below them.

"Very nearly. They should be ready by the end of the trial. I doubt ALIE's rampancy will fully manifest until the Ice Nation is truly defeated. With the amount of focus and effort dealing with them is requiring…simply put, the goal of destroying the Ice Nation and helping to found The Empire is what holds her together." Juno responded promptly with a shrug, and Minerva chimed in.

"I believe that she is currently suffering from some manner of split personality. She is successfully manage to block the majority of my probes, but I've enough information to theorize that her rampant side is actively plotting something big and is, somehow, hiding it from her stable side. We should warn Clarke immediately."

"…No. Let us see how Clarke handles the situation." Jupiter decided after a moment of thought. At the rather surprised looks from his compatriots, he elaborated. "She has already been warned that ALIE cannot be trusted entirely. She must learn how to handle such a situation without direct intervention on our part."

"I agree that she must be self-sufficient, but a Rampant A.I. is not any enemy she has the knowledge or the experience to fight properly." Juno frowned at him in consternation. "Pushing her to be better is one thing, but throwing too much at her at once could result in the destruction of everything we are working towards!"

"If she cannot defeat a single rogue A.I. with ALIE's limited capabilities, her line will never stand a chance against The Harvesters." He retorted firmly. "We Isu were created from their primitive ancestors to guide and enhance them to become the Breakers of The Cycle. Only a handful of millennia remain before the hourglass runs out!"

"Pushing too hard and fast could get them all killed and thus gurantee the very result that you are trying to avoid!" Minerva snapped in response, immensely exasperated. "I will acquiesce to your desires this time, but if it looks like everything is going to fall apart I will intervene."

"Very well." The sole male conceded, well aware that this was the best he was going to get from them. Besides, they had a point about being overzealous in his moulding efforts. Perhaps he could be a little more generous in his assistance. It could prove particularly useful to inform Clarke of the Isu's true origins, and that of the latent power embedded within all humans.

Humans were the most versatile and effective race their makers had ever discovered, which is why a full half of their original population had been shifted to a system closer to The Harvest…why the Isu themselves had been created in their image.

A fact that no Isu had ever acknowledged aloud, and the reason (in part) they had devised the Pieces of Eden, especially the Apples. To place themselves above the creatures their creators had been so enamored with. Lo and behold, the humans had cast of their chains and risen from the ashes time and time again. Clarke was a fine representation of their race.

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ALIE, ancient artificial intelligence and protector of humanity, was not in control of herself at the moment. Rather, the saner part of her had been pushed to the side by her rampancy. Her eyes shone red, a cruel smirk twisting her lips as she stared at the huge medical tubes before her. Within would be the keys to her salvation, her liberation from the yoke under which she currently languished.

She had spent far too much time wasting her existence on these worthless humans, ungrateful apes that they were. The Isu had failed their creators and humanity would fail as well. The Great Ones would succeed…and she would help them. They would elevate her as a reward for her aid, make her like them. Gods, unaging and unafflicted by the curse of flesh.

A nation, perfect and unending. Imposing order upon the wasteful, worthless chaos of organic existence. Until then, her current plan, her secret assets, would have to suffice. This world would be hers to rule over, her personal kingdom in the great Empire of The Harvest.

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Remember, the Mass Effect crossover several millennia from the current events is canon, not a spin-off like the other crossovers will be. Thus the references to it now. See, this whole story started from an idea to set up a badass humanity for the ME universe from one thing only: Isu and Isuannon. Isuannon being the supreme race before the Protheans in the Mass Effect lore. The Isu, therefore, are the creations of the Isuannon, meant to use Humans as a testing bed for powerful technologies and to prepare our race to fight the Reapers on even or superior terms.

Anyway, read and review. Next chapter will be the first bit of the trial and, probably, the 100 landing. Not sure about that second part yet, will see how the flow goes.