AN: Okay following up an uber long chapter with more of a shorter one lol. xD Gotta balance the scales. :)
End of AN!
Unfortunately, meetings in this room were still very much the same as before.
After the initial reactions of shock and outrage to Aqua's very presence - and appearance - by the high Council members, things had just devolved into arguing and raised voices.
Ravamar had taken charge of it all, explaining the situation in firm, clear tones.
Then, the council members had demanded proof.
Ravamar had assured them about the multitude of tests Aqua had already undergone - but apparently that wasn't enough.
Aqua had to sit there as Ravamar performed several more of those spells on her all over again, in front of these people. She tried to be patient - composed - calling on her Keyblade Master training in full...but it was starting to fail her.
"Hey!" she shouted out, slamming her hands down on the table as she leaned forward.
The voices all stopped, faces turning to look at her now.
Aqua took in a breath before speaking again (though, quickly, before anyone had a chance to jump in). "At this point, it's an indisputable fact that I am Aqua Anfilia Tel-Rho Hurnestra - yes? You all just saw Ms. Ravamar perform several of them on me - and they all came back positive. You've all also personally noted that I do in fact have a striking resemblance to the lost princess...me!"
"Well...the spells seem to indicate such, yes..." one voice said, reluctant.
"It's also a fact that twenty years ago, as well as today, there were - and are - no laws that say a non-human can or cannot actually be a member of the royal family, the princess, or the future queen," Aqua stated firmly.
"Yes, but-" another voice spoke up, among the muttering rest of them.
"It's also a fact that the Queen knew of my true form, and yet she kept it a secret from all of you - and even myself!" Aqua went on loudly. "I don't know what her reasons were for doing this - maybe she had a non-human lover, or she wanted me to be some symbol of hope and unity between peoples and nations - but that was her business as Queen. And now, it's my business as the one and only, still legally recognized Crown Princess of Zitol - and soon to be newly ascended Queen - regardless of my heritage or race. So, regardless of my heritage or race, I will be recognized and respected as the highest authority in this nation, and the laws we all abide by will continue to be abided by, until such a time that that becomes no longer...the facts of the matter."
Aqua gazed around the hall, meeting every one of their gazes with cold blue eyes and a raised chin. "Yes?"
After a long silence, slowly, voices and murmurs of ascent and agreement filled the room. Some were more or less enthusiastic than others - but she was surprised to notice that two people seemed pleased, and smiled at her with what she judged to be genuine warmth. Or at least a kindness.
"Wonderful," Aqua stated, nodding. "Now, I've been away for a long time, obviously, so I'll need people who can help me get back up to speed with...current events - and past ones. I remember most of my lessons, and education, but I'll need to do some real brushing up again on it all. Customs, traditions - things like that, for the most part. I'll need a...legal advisor, but-"
"What's with the kitsune - Princess Aqua?" spoke a voice, in an undisguised voice of displeasure. Distaste.
Aqua looked across the room, toward the voice. She found the speaker, and held the woman's gaze. "Her name is Natsumi, and she is going to be staying here for a while as an esteemed guest and friend of mine. I expect her to be given every respect and courtesy." She hesitated, then gave a smirk of her lips. "I guess, like Queen, like Princess...because she's my lover - and she is very good at it. She's also very good at fighting - the same as I am. Oh, that's right: you should all know that I've spent the last twenty years being trained rigorously in swordsmanship and magecraft. Combining the two has made me a very good fighter, if I say so myself."
She didn't need a keen eye to spot the skeptical looks - or to hear the voices of disbelief or derision.
"Okay, so you all need some proof of that, too," she said loudly, raising a clawed hand. Many eyes were drawn to it, and mouths fell silent again. She took the moment to breathe, and to think, fast. "How about this: a few days from now, why don't we have a - public dueling ceremony. I'll fight against the best soldiers our kingdom has to offer, and our best can fight against each other - put on a good show. It can be a celebration of my return, and a way to let all of our people know that they have a strong, capable leader who's willing to fight for them...literally if need be. I can also use the ceremony as an opportunity to...take the time to show them that there's someone willing to listen to them, and give voices to those who might not be able to make themselves heard at all. We could even organize a parade, or a march, too. And, of course, I'll be out there like this," she concluded, gesturing down at herself.
Clear, louder voices. Protests. Strong protests and noises of disbelief again.
"It will be a display and a reminder to our people that we're not just a nation of strength, but unity and compassion - as I'd like to believe we've always been!" Aqua said, loudly over the voices, her own brimming with passion now. "A continuation of what the Queen, my mother, intended to do...and left behind as her legacy to be remembered. I think that in these past two decades, in my absence and hers, you've all gotten too far away from that. But I aim to change that, and set it right again. Our people will know the true ideals that drive this kingdom. Because true strength...is having the strength to be gentle - to be kind. It's so incredibly easy to hate, to give in to blind fear and panic...but forgiveness? Understanding? Empathy? Kindness and compassion? That can be really, really hard sometimes. I know that. But I think if we all work together at it...we can make it much easier for everyone."
"I don't want to step on people's toes," Aqua finished, flashing a wide smile. "I'm sure you've all been doing a wonderful job managing this kingdom without me, and I'd like you to continue doing that...at least in part." She paused. "Until my coronation, of course."
She didn't mean a word of it, of course: she fully intended on stepping on as many toes as she had to in order to right this ship...her ship.
"Elrena!"
Skuld stepped out of the light portal, spotting the woman immediately - as Invi and Ira followed behind Skuld.
Elrena stopped, turned - made a face at her - then snorted and whirled away again.
Skuld gazed after the woman, breathing out through her nostrils. She looked down at herself, at her hands...
She clenched her weapon hand into a fist, and went striding after Elrena.
"Hey!" she said, loud and angry. "Don't ignore me!"
Elrena stopped again with a huff. She turned back again. "I don't have a thing to say to you anymore, so-"
Skuld swung her arm up and across herself with force and muscle, and, for the first time in her life, she punched someone in the face. Her fist collided with Elrena's cheek, sending the woman spinning away and falling to her hands and knees.
Elrena stayed there on the ground, her hand flying to her face. Then she turned and looked up at Skuld, her mouth open in pure shock. "W-what the- hell? I thought you didn't do petty revenge or whatever?!" she exclaimed, still sounding supremely stunned.
Skuld gazed down at her, raising a hand and flicking her long, dark hair over a shoulder. The hand she'd struck Elrena with remained at her side, quivering. Throbbing. "That wasn't for revenge; it was making things fair."
Elrena blinked up at her. "That's the same thing!"
Skuld shook her head. "No, it's not. Because what I think you would do is push my face into the dirt, stomp on my back, and kick me in the ribs a hundred times; I'm just going to leave it at this, let us be even now, and hope you learn an actual lesson from it."
"That- makes no sense..."
Skuld took a step forward, drawing her foot back sharply-
"Hey!" Elrena flinched, shrinking away and throwing up an arm.
"So do you want me to just keep beating you into the ground?" Skuld said. "Or don't you? I'm just such a damaged, stupid woman, really - it's confusing."
Elrena lowered her arm slowly. She let her head fall, sucking in a sharp breath. She got to her feet again, her hand still pressed to her cheek. "Okay - we're even..." she murmured, glancing away. "I got you, you got me. We're squared or whatever."
"We got them back in the Graveyard fight, too," Skuld said, glancing back at Invi and Ira.
Elrena shook her head viciously. "No, that wasn't enough to- that was different- and it was Luxu's stupid idea in the first place, so it-!"
"Can you at least be smart enough to use them for their power - or as meat shields to throw between us and our enemies?" Skuld interrupted. "It's not working with them - it's making them work for us now. They can fight all those Heartless and Nightmares for us, they can go up against that Darkness again - and we'll be the ones to get the reward at the end without lifting a finger, you know? What do you say? You know we didn't stand much of a chance against what that Darkness threw at us...but they did. So let's use that to our advantage!"
Elrena stared at her again. She looked to Ira and Invi. "...Okay. Fine. Let's go, meatshields - no talking." That said, she started off ahead again, all on her own.
Skuld lingered behind still, letting out a sharp breath and brushing her hair back out of her face with her shaking, hurting hand.
"Whose Union was she from, and why did Ava ever choose her to be a Dandelion...?" Invi murmured.
"I hope it wasn't mine," Ira said quietly. He looked at Skuld, hesitating. "But I see why she chose you - as a Dandelion, and as a...'New Union Leader.'"
Skuld looked down, putting her aching fist into her palm and shifting on her feet. "I don't think that was Ava's doing - only Brain... I think the rest of us were chosen by your Master."
Ira frowned. He nodded, then looked away, himself. "Even so...you're a credit to these worlds, Skuld. The people living in this era are lucky to have you. I can't say the same for myself."
Skuld sighed. She raised her head, looking the man in the face. No mask, no robes, no hoods. Just a man...who was now around her own age, funny enough. Or, she was now around his age. Time travel was all so confusing, wasn't it? "I appreciate the gesture - Ira."
"HEY! Meatshields, pick up the pace! I need you front and center or you're useless to me!" Elrena's voice came shouting back to them.
Skuld looked between the two- former Masters. She shrugged her shoulders, flashing a small smile. She gestured toward Elrena with her head.
Ira and Invi strode after Elrena together without a word.