AUTHORS NOTE: Hi everyone! Sorry for not posting for a while! This chapter was a bit of a doozer as it's one of my more dialogue-centered ones so no fight scenes until the next part. This is part 1 of 3. Thank you all for being patient with my inconsistent uploading schedule. My personal life and some health issues took president over this.
Not much else to say here. Enjoy the show! *Busted down door sound effect .MP4* Aw crap Myxlplyx got out again.
"Bring, bring, bring, bring, bring." A deafening phone ringing was heard buzzing waiting to be picked up. Another phone rang, and another rang, and also another. Footsteps of people rushing to get their office cubicles were seen across the entire floor, ruffling papers, and even the smell of coffee from the barely working expresso machine wafted from the coffee corner.
In the center of this madness was a long black-haired woman who walked with fierce steps, the sound of their heels loud and clear. She reached her hand on the doorknob down the open hallway and opened it quickly so that you could feel a gust of air like a fan blow before she slammed the door. She looked at the aged balding man in front of her and yelled out in fury.
"Why the hell didn't you approve of my story of the Nazarick takeover Perry!". The one who yelled it was 3 time Pulitzer prize winner, the daughter of one of the highest ranking and highest performing generals in United States history, wife of mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent, and proud mother of Jonathan Kent. The intrepid reporter Lois Lane Kent.
"In a moment Lois-Yes still on the line sir. Yes sir I understand, yes, hmmhmm. But what am I supposed to tell them?" Perry White, the editor-in-chief of the Daily Planet was on the phone walking back and forth stuttering and constantly being interrupted by the other end. After a moment of silence and a cross-armed glare from Lois, Perry gave a tired sigh.
"FINE! And tell your senator friend that if she even so much as tries to hurt any of my employees their little fling with those girls in the Philippines will be front pages news. Good bye sir!" Perry slammed the landline phone on its stand hard instantly cutting off the line before the voice could retort.
"Great Caesar's ghost! It's like the government doesn't care about free speech anymore! What is it you want Lois?" Perry white said as he went to grab his cold coffee mug and chugged down the contents of cold caffeine.
"I wanna know why you blocked my article on the Nazarick Takeover Perry. You even gave me and Clark the plane ticket to go over there. We even had clearance to go there from the U.N. and even the Justice League keeping us safe! I fail to understand why an article about a violent takeover of two countries that had been at war with each other for almost half a century by a literal undead skeleton wizard is suddenly being thrown out the window!" Lois yelled as she was furious not for her story to be thrown out the window. That has been done several times, some for good and some for bad reasons. Regardless of the reason though she did see how in the long run it was for the best. Unfortunately, every instinct of hers told her that this time was different.
Her article showed the brutality of the takeover, the rebuilding, and the people who died and who survived. This wasn't some Lex Luthor knockoff trying to run a country. She felt in her gut that the world had changed. Like when Aqua man revealed Atlantis and when the Thamescara opened its borders. Lois just knew that the new country Nazarick was one such world-changing event, but it was not one most of the world would welcome at all.
"Because if I didn't then Waller would have scrubbed all of us Lois!" Perry White said back to her.
"What? Perry, you can't be serious. The general and I don't have the best relationship right now but it was better than before. I highly doubt he would stand back and let his family die!" Lois said in shock. She had run-ins with the government her entire life, but not to the extent they would warrant her death. At least not this openly.
"It wasn't just Waller on the phone Lois, I was talking to the general himself. I'm sorry Lois but I can't risk the lives of everyone here if the guy was willing to count you a casualty." Perry white said falling to his chair and sighing in exhaustion. His age shows from the decades of keeping the Daily Planet afloat and free from intimidation to ensure the truth of the press. Unfortunately, the stress of such a career adorned his face with his head nearly turning bald in half a year compared to last year.
Lois sat on one of the chairs across Perry's desk and let out a deep sigh. "So that's it? We just bury the truth?"
"No. Remember When Catharine was press secretary when Lex was president? I called her and turned out she has access to some pretty damning evidence for a lot of the lower and some mid lever politicians and B-rate super scientists." Perry said going through the business card rotary stand.
"So if something happens to us she'll make sure the government gets caught while doing it. I'm surprised you're willing to go scorched earth with this Perry." Lois said in her surprise at Perry's ruthlessness he did not typically display.
Perry opened a drawer and took a sip from a metal flask with the Superman insignia. "Even better, It'll make the general reconsider the threat once he knows we have a bunch of whistleblowers that personally know Superman. It also helps Cats is look for a way to get the story out, she mentioned working with Galaxy Communications to do it but I haven't got any updates yet."
Perry wheeled his chair to the window and looked at his city, Metropolis Deleware. The city of tomorrow. Built on the principles of America pursuing truth and science. He looked down into the street and saw a newspaper stall selling the paper of the Daily Planet. There were people of all ages and walks of life buying it, flipping through the pages of what the truth of the day was.
"Something wrong Perry?" Lois asked him.
Perry was still looking out the window as he spoke. "You remember when Superman first came to town? At the time everyone saw him as some kind of freak or invader and the people kept on crawling to Lex Corps gate hoping to be some lucky bastard to get anything they wanted only to not be seen again. Then Superman came and showed us that to believe in the good of each other over power and to look in the sky not in fear of some possible doomsday missile but with hope that one day… we could fly in the sky with him." Perry said as he looked up into the clouds.
"I remember Perry. He saved me from falling to my death and caught a helicopter like it was paper. Kinda hard to forget your first impression of the Man of Steel." Lois said hoping to get a smile out of Perry. But he still stared out the window. No, it was more as if he was staring at his reflection in the window.
"I wonder when the world became so…evil. It's hard to hope when you constantly have to tether the line of keeping your people safe, making sure that tabloids and false news don't hit our papers is getting harder by the day, and I'm not getting any younger either. But despite the literal demons, aliens, or spandex madmen. I can't help but keep going, no matter how hard it gets, kinda like Superman you know?" Perry said smiling out the window as he saw some kids playing on the street, all of them wearing some kind of Superman symbol on them, throwing rocks at a poorly made toy figure of the new king of Nazarick, Momonga.
"Yeah, I know. 'There's Always A Way. When The Odds Are Impossible - Do The Impossible.'. I remember him saying that. So what's the game plan, Perry?" Lois said with a determined look on her face.
"For now just stay out of trouble. Right Now Clark is still in Nazarick, the U.S. doesn't have an issue with an interview, apparently. We're just gonna have to wait till he gets back and an update from Cat and move on from there. Right now though I have another story that's just as good as the one you did." Perry said as he rolled back to his desk ruffling through several papers, loose coffee-stained newspaper head page titles waiting to be cleared, and some empty snack and candy bags and wrappings.
"What is it? Another all-around trip and helping Clark with his interview?" Lois said waiting for the information and contact list Parry was looking for.
"Clark will be fine Lois, you two went through hell and back together. He'll come back this time Lois so don't worry, he wouldn't want you to stress yourself out of something we all know he'll come back from. So keep your chin up Lois, Clark wouldn't want you sad." Perry said placing a hand on her shoulder trying to comfort her stress.
"I know Perry, it's just…I don't want another Doomsday situation again is all. But enough about that, what's the assignment." Lois said crossing her arms and holding herself a bit tighter but quickly changed into her persona of journalist professionalism.
"You are going to be interviewing some ambassadors Nazarick sent over to Metropolis. Two of them are his inner circle members. One of them is the head of their head food and environment production and protection. The other is in charge of their medical division and, I kid you not, sex department. One more thing, they are bringing their families with them so you're gonna be dealing with some superpowered bodyguards. Fortunately, the League is sending some of their people as your protection in case things get….dicy.
"I won't let you down Perry!" Lois said as she exited her office and went to her cubicle. She flicked through the folder and got to work writing her questions and prepping her recording equipment for the date of the interview.
Lois picked up a paper with the names and a picture of the ones she was set to interview. 'So, Head of F&E is Bukubukuchagama a pink slime bringing her other two slime kids…who are elves, Mare Bello Fiore and Aura Bello Fiore.' Lois said in surprise at the sudden biological difference between the entirely different fantasy creatures as she went through the contents of the folder. Though given the complete lack of knowledge of Nazarick culture it could be they are either her kids like how some people say their pet dogs are, or adoption is a common practice amongst them.
'Then there is the head of their medical and sex department. Huh. Thought it would be an orc and not a literal golden Birdman. Looks like Hawkman has some competition. But his daughter, is a human? No… something is different about her. Things are getting interesting giver her name is Shalltear Bloodfallen.' Lois thought to herself as she read the current known information about them.
Lois was a woman of many skills. But the one skillset she prided herself the most aside of being the wife of the man of steel and mother to her son? Her journalist integrity.
Lois got to work focusing on writing, rewriting, and even completing redos of questions and topics, counterpoints, and information to write about.
'Regardless I can't let my guard down. If I can't get the story of what's inside Nazarick out then maybe I can get information about Nazarick from them. Only one way to find out Lois Lane. Hopefully, Smallville will get back soon. I really want him to use his gladiator outfit he got from War World again.' Lois thought to herself as she smiled slightly with a small blush on her face.
Maybe Diana has some spare armor she uses for herself? After all of this is said and done first.
Nazarick meeting room August 09, 202x
In the room was a round table large enough to fill up 3 rooms, surrounded by chairs with insignias of the chair's owner. On the center clockwise sat. Momonga, Albedo, Ulbert, Demiurge, Touch-Me, Yamaiko, Peroroncino, Bukubukuchagama, Takemikazuchi, HeroHero, Punitto Moe, and sitting on a smaller but equally as 'important' table was Tabula Smaragdina…..who was facing a wall.
Each of these beings is of immense strength holding the powers of death, destruction, creation, healing, and leadership.
All had a body pose indicating deep thought as they sat on their respective chairs and absorbed the soundless room.
Tabula was stretching his head with one of his tentacles trying to complete a crossword puzzle on a separate table.
As the silence rose in intensity it was broken when Momonga cleared his throat, despite the lack of flesh to do such a thing.
"It has come to my attention that a large problem has plagued all of us ever since we came to this world," Momonga said, diving straight to the main concern of this meeting.
"The fact that none of us here know how to run a fucking country, recently took over two doctoral governments with democratic and Western influences to its very roots, and the fact we instantly declared ourselves a monarchy in a world where most government superpowers are republics? Yeah, those problems are ones we can put on the back burner!" Punitto Moe said sarcastically in his tone of anger.
"Hey, we did what we needed to do to prevent us from getting bombed again. Besides, not like these dictatorships were ones the people of what used to be Pokolistan and Bialya liked." Ulbert Alain Odle said to counter Punittos sarcasm.
"I couldn't just stand by and let innocent people on both sides get injured from our inaction. It's just common sense!" Touch-Me said, adding his stance to the fire.
"Yeah, but it also meant that people know about our families now! You're lucky I managed to take out the surveillance equipment those missile silos had when I took over them. I don't even want to think about what kind of creeps might want to do to Aura and Mare." Bukubukuchagma said.
"The Tomb would have been found if we didn't take over sis! You remember that missile. Imagine if we just holed up in there and let our home get bombed by two power-hungry genocidal factions. They would have declared war on us! We'd be seen as villains regardless of what we do after we killed that general and destroyed the base!" Peroroncino said, trying to reason with his angry older sister.
"Plus we saved all those people that were being trafficked on the base too. They didn't even care that they used to be enemies once we saved them. Momonga even appointed that one woman as one the people to help Ulbert." HeroHero said, trying to add his input to the conversation.
"But are the people loyal out of fear or because they truly admire us for stopping their war for them? I highly doubt the majority see us in any positive light aside from the ones we directly saved. We might have been human but all of us felt a shift in our humanity and morals in our new forms. I wonder if we act because of it or because we are reacting to the new change we found ourselves in." Takemikazuchi said, stern in his voice with his folded arms.
"It shouldn't matter at this moment! You saw how some of the children in those sorry excuses of 'countries' didn't even know how to read and write their own countries' language. That one girl from the base was born in the trafficking ring and didn't even know what the sun looked like! None of us saw it before we came into this world because of its pollution. That girl didn't even know what it was on an earth that still had clear skies! Why are we arguing about why we did the right thing or not here?" Yamaiko said in her confusion of their conflict with each other in the first place.
"Sorry if I'm concerned about keeping, you know, US alive rather than the people outside the tomb! It would have been better to not take over the government in the first place! It's the whole reason I voted against the measure! It was 7 in favor of taking over, which included you, and 4 votes against! That included me!" Punitto Moe said, throwing his vine arms in the air, thornes pointing along the arm turning a once smooth surface vine into a spiny death grip.
"I trust a government run by us who knows the consequences of their actions! You remember our old world!" Yamaiko said back in a rising tone of her voice.
"Oh, so you know what's best for them now? Treating the people like the children you liked to coddle back in your job?" Punitto moe snapped back.
" At least I showed them it's not impossible to be a good person you pragmatic asshole!" Yamaiko said, slamming her fist on the table forming a small Crack on the surface odeon the table, and her armored gloves fist clenching.
"At least I live in the real world you naive-!" Punitto Moe rose from his chair and was nearly yelling, his usual hollow yet firm voice mixed with the rustling of leaves and small snaps of branches.
"ENOUGH" Momonga yelled the loudest he could as he slammed the [Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown] loudly on the ground. A loud ringing noise came that rang throughout the room. Everyone's attention went to the Overlord as those who stood up sat back down.
"It's clear that not all the consequences of our actions have been fully thought out but regardless of our personal feelings, we all agreed that regardless of the outcome of the vote, it would be honored by all of us. Remember Punnito Moe? A house divided will not stand, after all, you said so to me." Momonga said looking at Punnito Moe, the two stared at each other before Punnito let out a deep sigh.
"I know I agreed Momonga. But what we're doing isn't just something we can just put a save file and come back to later. I know all of us, me included, don't have the experience necessary to run a nation. I just don't want us to make a mistake and rush headfirst into something that will cost all of us, even if it's something we all agreed to do." Punnito Moe said, revealing the exhaustion and concern in his voice as his body looked like a stack of slumped thorny vines stuffed into druid clothes.
"We are in a situation where we must work together, we are no longer the biggest fish in the pond. Staying calm is what will and making our decision within reason as much as possible will get us through, not anger Yamaiko." Touch-Me said as he hugged his wife from the side. Yamaiko held to touch-Mes arm.
"I know. I just don't want us to forget where we came from. We're all so different now. All I want is for us to realize that as much as we change, we can't forget who we used to be. No matter what." Yamaiko said leaning her head to Touch-Me's chest.
"From now on we must act under the assumption that in every major engagement, we are not the strongest. We live in a world with superheroes, and people of such a stance don't look kindly at a tomb full of what's practically a world of nightmares and evil." Albedo chimed in trying to set the meeting back to its course of action.
"So how do we make sure some hero in muscle-tight spandex doesn't come in here and start killing us? Do you remember those PK roleplayers who kept attacking us based on our race alone? What if they are similar to that mindset?" Bukubukuchagama questioned Albedo.
"By making them look like the bad guys, or inefficient at the very least. We already have sprung the trap and they fell for it." Demiurge said pushing his glasses up.
"I knew it was the right choice to convince the others to let you join the meeting. So, what's boiling in your head right now little bro?" Ulbert said leading his chair back, his arms resting behind his head, and legs crossed on the table.
"Its simple really, we already stopped a traffic ring as our first major action in this world. After that our wetwork operations were done in secret for the past 3 months before our takeover. Most of you remember how we mainly targeted bases and checkpoints prone to the constant shifting of territory and established shadow demons to eavesdrop on the thoughts of the soldiers in the war. It was surprisingly easy to convince most of the younger generation of soldiers to turn their backs on their flags when we promised them power to stabilize their homeland." Demiurge said pulling out a timetable in the middle of the meeting room table.
"I remember, I was a part of those. I was surprised how much brains tasted like chicken, reminded me of when I was In America for a treaty mission between the US and Japan. Man, the legs on the madam president where something else entirely." Tabula said barging in the conversation.
"Wait what? Where you a soldier?" Takemikazuchi said in surprise.
"I'll do you one better!...what were we talking about?" Tabula said as he, somehow, pulled out a piece of toast and started eating it.
"Please Father, let us continue with the meeting and please take your medication," Albedo said rubbing the temple of her head with one hand, her index finger and thumb rubbing them in a circular motion.
"Ah come on! I dont need reminders to take my medicine young lady I remember our meeting so far just fine!" Tabula said puffing up his chest and crossing his webbed hands across. Every single member in the room simply gave Tabula as much of a deadpan expression as possible.
"Fine, fine, fine. At least I get the handicap space suckers!" Tabula said walking back to his chair and continuing to read a Daily Planet newspaper….upside down.
"Ahem. As I was saying, the results of the wetwork operation to raise discontent and entertain the idea on online forums of a united front was quite easy. All we needed to do was release the people we saved back to the public and show how our rule was better. After all, humans would sacrifice liberty and freedom for comfort and survival. The only thing we needed to do was commit actions that said 'we are not the bad guys' and fill in the power gap left behind. Bringing us to where we are now." Demiurge said
Most of the room was now coming to realize the past three months of hiding behind shadows and the secret expeditions to the outside world were now for.
"So by using the agents we had to ensure we were never found we could use to overthrow the immediate threat of discovery to us and take over if we needed to. Like what just happened now. You are quite the tactician Demiurge." Punnito Moe said admiring the young man's breakdown of their action.
"I am to please Supreme One," Demurge said with a respectful bow.
"So the vote was meaningless?" HeroHero asked.
"Not at all. If the majority had voted against a takeover I would have scrapped the plan I had explained and formed a new one centered around misinformation to parties investigating our existence and focus on subterfuge. I may be highly respected amongst all of you on a personal level, but we have to follow rank no matter how much we don't wish to do so in a situation like this. I act within the duties of a Floor guardian, not a Supreme being like all of you." Demiurge said as he sat back down on his chair rolling us his timetable and putting it back in his inventory.
"Thank you Demiurge, you do Nazarick proud. To recenter our focus, what is done is done. I am as much in the dark as all of you, but we must at least act according to the titles given by the NPCs and by each other." Momonga said.
"That's gonna be hard as shit to do. I and sis have that interview in Metropolis with that Lois Lane woman, maybe I can use some of my charms on her?" Peroroncino said rubbing the bottom of his beak in contemplation.
"If you try to make some bedsheet magic with one of Superman's personal friends then be my guest. We'll at least know it wasn't the chlamydia that got you." Bukubukuchagama said trying to snuff her brother's plans to seduce what was most likely the most protected woman on the planet if half of the tale of Superman they heard was even remotely true.
"For now we act as Albedo says, assume that any confrontation you are in we are not in the advantage. We don't just represent ourselves now but also our families, our children come first regardless of what happens." Momonga said gaining a unanimous yes from the room.
'Whatever happens, Pandora, Nigredo, and Rubedo always come first. Always' Momonga thought to himself.
"For those who are currently known to the public and are traveling overseas for our ambassador missions, please report to Pandoras actor for acting lesions and script. For now, our goal is to make relationships and ensure the world we do not seek conflict." Momonga said in a tone used by mighty kings to give out orders.
"We won't let you down Momonga buddy!" Peroroncino and Bukubukuchagama said simultaneously.
"Ill see if anyone in Gothom is friendly, plus I can take the girls on a real vacation!" HeroHero said giving a small curled slime tentacle reminiscent of a clenched fist.
"Meeting Dismissed!" Momonga said as he slammed the staff once more. Everyone teleported out of the room. Momonga held Albedo's hand and teleported out of the room.
He appeared in the Surface Country of Nazarick's main office building, the former capital of Pokolistan.
"It looks as if the people grew accustomed to the undead here," Momonga said as he looked out the window, he saw what was once complete rubble and dust mounds of a city destroyed by his [Fallen Down] spell being rebuilt into proper infrastructure. Workers of all kinds instructed undead and various elementals in fixing and erecting powerlines and homes resembling their old countries' architecture. Some children Momonga noticed as some of the ones he had saved were treating a still death knight as a jungle gym.
"They have your majesty. Reports predict reconstruction of the city and reformation of food and water production to be complete in 2 more months." Albedo said as she walked side by side with her husband down a hallway with various of the homunculus maids cleaning the building passing by occasionally, bowing in respect as they did.
Soon they stopped in front of a door with a plaque labeled 'media room'.
"You'll be fine my love. After all, you're the leader of the Supreme beings. Act like it." Albedo said giving a reassuring smile to her husband's fleshless face. She could tell that her husband was nervous, even if lacking the muscles to give the biological function of nervous shales. Albedo knew her husband like no other and in moments like this, it reminded her of how much her husband gives such life to her.
"My own words against me? You hurt me, my dear. Still, please take care of yourself as well. You are speaking on behalf of us at the UN this weekend. I can still make time to go myself." Momonga said trying to recuperate his wife's comfort.
"I am capable of doing something as trivial as this my love. You are already as busy as is, just follow the advice of the [undead buricrates] and you'll be fine dear. I must go though, I'll see you at dinner." Albdeo said tipping on her toes to kiss her husband on the cheekbone.
However, she let out a small yelp as Momonga grabbed her and kissed her back on the lips. More accurately placed his teeth against her lips, but for Albdeo it was enough to set her heart aflutter and even cause her to lift a leg in joy.
"I'll see you there Aimi," Momonga said as he turned and entered the door.
Albedo held her face and smiled with a bright pink blush, the maid Ciouxus nearly bursting with tears of zealous joy at witnessing such a scene of love between Supreme Beings.
Momonga entered the room and saw a mild-mannered reporter with thick-rim circle glasses, a grey suit, and a red tie, with neatly combed hair sitting nervously and adjusting his tie before stopping upon seeing him.
"Apologies for coming late, state manners that required my attention needed to be dealt with," Momonga said as he sat down on a cushioned chair across from the reporter.
"Not at all, your majesty. I hope it's alright if I record the interview for journalistic purposes." The reporter said.
"You may," Momonga said. 'I don't sense anything strange about him, still. Can't help but feel like I'm talking to someone familiar.' Momonga thought to himself.
"The date is August xx, 20xx. 5:30 pm eastern time. This is Daily Planet reporter Clark Kent giving an interview to the king of Nazarick, Momonga."
AUTHORS NOTE: BACK IN THE 6TH DAMENSION ITS MY TURN NOW! BACK I SAY! *Whiping noises. MP4* *slamming the door. MP4.* Sorry about that had to deal with some 6th dimensional shenanigans.
I know it's not my best chapter but I want to explore how Nazarick and the guild of Ainz Ooal Gown confront their new world outside their starting area! Plus I can now tie in the Halloween special in the next arc! Hurray for plot points! not much else to say here so goodbye for now.
Thank you for giving this ambitious story a chance, have a good day, and see you in the next chapter! Also, does anyone have any myxlplyx repelant?