"Ahhhhhh…"
Izuku's world was soft, warm, and comfortable. He couldn't remember the last time he had felt anything like this. His bed back home was perfectly fine, as was the one in his dorm room. But this…
"This…is the life."
The bed in which he lay was enormous. At least five people could have fit on it. It made Yaoyorozu's bed look small and quaint. A soft mattress lay below him, engulfing his body like a warm fuzzy hug. Silk sheets covered his body, while silk-covered pillows lay under his head; not too soft, yet not too hard.
"King Bach's got it good."
But slowly, reluctantly even, he clambered out of the bed. He stood on the soft carpet and stretched, his muscles creaking and clicking. He spent a few moments performing the stretching exercises he had learned at the academy, feeling himself waking up. He looked back towards the bed, and out of habit pulled the sheets back into place; leaving it neat and tidy.
He looked around for his clothes, quickly finding it lying on a sideboard, neatly folded, with the gloves laid upon the top and the boots set on the floor just so. For a moment he was confused. He couldn't remember leaving it like that.
Had they washed his costume while he was asleep?
Of course they had. This was a royal palace, after all; and he and Yamato were guests. And it didn't seem like there were any other guests aside from Doll.
He pulled on the uniform, checking it as he did so. Whatever they had done to clean it hadn't done it any obvious harm; and why would it? He had yet to hear of a hero costume that could be ruined by washing it at the wrong temperature. The boots and gloves followed, and he checked the whole ensemble out of habit.
All good. All ready. The way a Hero should be.
Satisfied, he strolled out into the lounge, thinking about the coming day. First breakfast with Yamato, then clothes shopping with Doll, then strategy meeting with Justinian Lawson. Lost in thought, he headed for the main door and opened it.
And walked straight into something soft and warm.
"Izuku! Good morning!"
Izuku yelped in surprise.
"Uh…good morning, Yamato."
He pulled himself back, and looked up at his friend. Yamato beamed down at him, eyes bright, full of energy. A night in one of those luxurious beds had done her the world of good. He actually wondered if it was her first time sleeping in a bed, period.
A long bubbling growl broke his chain of thought.
"Sorry!" Yamato rubbed the back of her neck. "Time for breakfast?"
"Yeah," Izuku smiled. He was feeling fairly hungry himself. "Come on in. I'll make the call."
He stepped away from the door, Yamato strolling in behind him, and headed for a cabinet standing against the wall. He opened the door, and there was the Transponder Snail, right where it was the night before.
It sat there, giving him a vague look. For a moment he wondered what Transponder Snails thought about, or if they ever moved around on their own.
Then he remembered what he was supposed to be doing, and tapped the shell.
"Ring-ring-ring-ring," chanted the snail. "Ring-ring-ring-ring! Ring-ring-click!"
The snail's face changed, becoming brighter and friendlier.
"Housekeeping!" it declared, in the voice of a young woman; almost certainly one of the maids.
Despite coming from a world of quirks where no power seemed too outlandish, the technology of this world still never ceased to surprise him.
"Hello, Midoriya Izuku here," Izuku introduced himself. "Could we possibly order breakfast to eat in my room, same as last night?"
"By all means sir. Will there be any particular preference?"
"Uh…" Izuku glanced at Yamato, who was simply gazing happily out of the window. "No thank you. Whatever Miss Willow is making will be fine."
"Of course sir. Your meals will be with you presently."
"Thank you."
Izuku disconnected the snail, and closed the cabinet.
"Okay, that's breakfast on the way," he said, turning back towards Yamato. She was still staring out of the window, towards the distant mountains. Izuku headed over to join her, and took in the view.
"This is a beautiful land, Izuku," she said. "I can see why the King and Lawson love it so."
Izuku felt the same way. And he understood Yamato's feelings. Onigashima was harsh and threatening; while the mountains of Doyle were mighty and somehow regal. Onigashima's interior was garish and grungy, while Londinium was elegant and sophisticated. Onigashima was a place of greed, lust, and desperation. Doyle's people were at least civilized, and some were even kind.
Like King Bach; regal and noble, like a King from a fairytale, but still human for all that. And Lawson, generous and considerate, the English gentleman who just happened to be a mouse mink.
He snapped his fingers. So that was it!
"Huh?" Yamato glanced at him.
"I mean, I just remembered what this place reminded me of," Izuku replied, awkwardly. "There was a country in my world that was a lot like this one."
"Oh?" Yamato cocked an eyebrow. "Which one was it?"
"It was…"
A knock on the door interrupted him. A moment later the door swung open.
"Good morning Lady Yamato, and Master Izuku!" It was Willow Judith, leading the way for a team of maids. "I trust that you slept well, sir and madam?"
"Oh, uh, very well, thank you," replied Izuku, a little flustered. It hadn't taken them long to bring the food up.
"I slept very well!" declared Yamato, beaming. "That was the nicest bed I've ever slept in! Actually, it's the only bed I've ever slept in."
"This is Holmes Hall, my lady," replied Judith proudly. "We've never fallen to an enemy, and never sent a guest away unsatisfied. Now, shall we serve breakfast?"
"Oh, uh, go right ahead."
Izuku watched in amazement as the maids filed in, carefully arranging dishes and plates on the lounge's main table. In the blink of an eye, it went from blank to fully laid; with two places all properly set. The lids were removed from the dishes; revealing poached eggs, smoked fish, fresh ham, white bread with butter and jam, and a selection of fruit.
Izuku could hardly believe it. For a moment he wondered if they could possibly eat it all, and at a time of food shortage.
Then he saw the look on Yamato's face. They likely had her measure in mind after she had demolished that Beef Wellington the night before. And he hadn't exactly held back himself. Given Yamato's appetite he suddenly wasn't too concerned about the amount of food.
"I trust all is to your liking, sir and madam?" asked a still-beaming Judith.
"Oh, yes, thank you!" Izuku replied, bowing in reflex.
"Yummy…" Yamato was drooling happily, and some of the maids giggled.
"Will there be anything else?" Judith asked, as she had done the night before.
"No, thank you," Izuku said, smiling. Judith nodded, and the maids curtseyed and filed out. The doors were pulled shut, and they were alone.
"Let's eat!" Yamato hurried to her seat and sat down. "Itadakimasu!"
Izuku smiled, and did likewise; helping himself to the smoked fish. He was more than a little touched by Yamato's adoption of that Japanese custom. Did they also do it in Wano? Or had she copied it from him?
Was Wano this world's version of Japan by chance? He had been wondering ever since he first arrived in Onigashima.
"Ouch! Hot!" cried Yamato, as she took a bite. She blew on it to cool it, then put the forkful back in her mouth again. Her face fell as she chewed and swallowed.
"Is it okay?" Izuku asked, concerned.
"It went cold," Yamato grumbled. "I hate it when that happens."
Her lip curled. Was… was she pouting?
Izuku saw the look on her face…and burst out laughing.
(X)
It was a beautiful day.
Yamato beamed as she strolled along the street, Izuku by her side. Doll led the way, eyes scanning the streets as she led the two, a stiffness in her stride that spoke of military training.
"And this, basically, is central Londinium," Doll said, her tone clipped. "Beyond here are the outer towns, like Morantown and Minktown."
Yamato regarded her for a moment. Doll had seemed content to show them the center of the city; the great buildings and monuments like the Tall Toby clock tower, and describing the friezes on the plateau below Holmes Hall. But her mood had faded as she ran out of sights to show.
"Prime Minister Lawson said there was some trouble going on in those places," Izuku spoke up, trying to break some of the present tension.
"There is, and there's nothing to see anyway," Doll replied. "Morantown is basically a slum these days, and Minktown isn't much better. It's a bad place, always has been," the black haired girl went on. "And it's gotten worse since I left."
"Oh?" Yamato looked at her in surprise. "Did you come from Morantown?"
"I was born there," Doll replied, eyes looking ahead. "And it's only continued to rot since then."
Her tone was hard, her eyes bitter. Yamato was about to ask more, then saw the look Izuku was giving her.
"Can't King Bach or Prime Minister Lawson do anything?" he asked cautiously, hoping not to stir up more bad memories.
"Not by themselves. The only thing you can do with a slum like that is clear it out, tear it all down and build it brand new. Parliament won't back something like that, not after what happened with Jansentown."
"Which was what?" Yamato could not help but ask. The goth Marine scoffed.
"An old part of the city, worse than Morantown is now," Doll went on. "The old King tried to clear it out a few years back, following the advice of some king from… I think it was Goa? Total disaster. Massive riot. Had to send the guards in."
"But why?" Yamato pressed. "Didn't they want new homes?"
Doll stopped suddenly. There was a shadow hanging over her.
"A rumor started that they would all be sold into slavery" she said, causing Izuku to look utterly horrified. "There was a panic, and when the order came down the whole place erupted. It spilled over into Morantown and Minktown too. By the time it was over, Jansentown was a pile of rubble and half the fools were dead. Like I said, no one wants to go through all that again."
Yamato glanced at Izuku. He looked haunted, as if this was all painfully familiar. Had things like this happened in the Dark Age he was talking about? Was that why he didn't want to talk about it? Or was it the brief stay at Onigashima that gave him such a forlorn look.
"Bach… wouldn't do that right?" she asked, appalled. "Sell people into slavery?"
"Course not!" Doll's eyes flashed. "There's plenty that would, but not him! He's not like King Basil! He doesn't suck up to the Ce…!"
She trailed off, and shook her head.
"I doubt you want anything else to pile on your mood. Kingdom's going to hell as it is… you guys enjoy breakfast at least?"
"We…did," replied Izuku, seemingly thrown by the change of subject. "It was the best I've had in a while."
"You clean your plates?"
"Oh yes, we did!" Yamato cut in, grinning as she remembered, her bright demeanor helped lighten the mood somewhat.
"Good, so did I." Doll seemed pleased about that. "Anyway, if you're getting hungry, I know a good place where we can get some lunch. But there's something we need to do first."
"Oh, the clothes?" asked Izuku, noting again some of the looks from the locals they were getting.
"Yes, just along here."
Doll led the way along the street. Yamato looked around, taking in the now-open shops. They looked familiar, somehow. There were a lot more people around, many of them hanging around the shop windows, taking in the wares. But few seemed to be going inside or coming out. They were looking, but not buying.
Of course they weren't. Not with the kingdom cut off, and food supplies tight. They would keep their money safely in their pockets, in case the price of food went up again. And the shopkeepers would have to go without. Shopkeepers, like that angry old woman from the night before.
No wonder she had been in such a foul mood. She was probably wondering how she was going to buy food; let alone pay for her shop.
Yamato looked down at Izuku, opening her mouth to comment. Then she saw his smile, a smile that did not reach his eyes. He was hiding something, and so was Doll.
"Here it is."
Doll drew up in front of a large, elegant shop front. Yamato looked up at the sign, and gaped.
MINELLI SISTERS FINE DRESSMAKERS
"These are the best dressmakers in Londinium," Doll explained with a shrug. "They make anything for anyone. Lawson's handling the money." She patted her breast pocket. "It's what I do for most of my casual stuff."
She led the way inside, a bell jingling as the door opened. Beyond the door was a large room, richly decorated in the same style as the palace. There were chairs and sofas, and various sets of clothes arranged on mannequins; clearly for display. There were suits and dresses of all the kinds she had seen outside, and a lot more. Some of the dresses were big and puffy, while others were close-fitting and practical. There were suits with narrow waists and big puffy pants, while others were tight and streamlined. There were sashes and belts on display, along with hats and bonnets, and even some shoes and boots.
"Good morning sir and ma'ams, welcome to…"
Yamato looked to see a young woman of about Doll's age come striding through a door at the rear of the room; hidden by a curtain. She had long red hair, and was dressed in a maid uniform similar to the one Judith wore.
"Oh Doll!" Her face broke into a smile, her eyes brightening with recognition and joy.
Yamato watched as Doll stepped forward, and the two women embraced like old friends.
"I'm sorry, Angela," Doll replied. "I've been laid up in Holmes Hall since the attack. My Transponder snail's back in the base somewhere."
"It's all right," insisted Angela, sniffing. "I was just so worried."
Doll turned to Yamato and Izuku.
"This is Angela, an old friend and fellow Morantown escapee," Doll introduced the maid. "Angela, this is Yamato and Midoriya Izuku, his Majesty's guests."
"Oh, good morning my lady, sir." Angela remembered herself and curtseyed. "Please excuse me for getting all emotional. When the attack happened we all feared the worst."
She was doing a fair job of composing herself. But Yamato could tell that she had been worried, on top of the fear and despair that hung over the city like a storm cloud.
"It's all right, really," insisted Izuku, smiling gently. "These are bad times."
Angela seemed to relax, and Yamato could not help but smile. Izuku was probably the most unthreatening person she had ever met; a useful feature when trying to go unnoticed. But he was also kind, and when it shone through, people took to him.
"Angela, my friends here were stranded when the pirates attacked," Doll cut in. "The Prime Minister has taken an interest in them. They're in need of clothes."
"Clothes?" Angela looked from Yamato to Izuku and back again. Yamato did not much like the look on her face. She remembered the old woman from the night before.
"Will that be a problem?" she asked.
"Doll…did you just say…clothes?" Angela was shaking. "Are they…customers?"
"CUSTOMERS!" The call echoed through the building, making Izuku and Yamato jump. All at once, two shapes emerged from the rear door; a pair of human-sized tops spinning around and and around.
They stopped, resolving into two short, round women, clad in plain dresses and aprons, striking poses. They were twins, with graying brown hair in beehives with bright wide eyes.
"Angela, you said the c-word!" declared one of them.
"You distinctly mentioned customers!" added the other.
"Yes, ma'ams," replied a nervous-looking Angela. "Lady Yamato, and Master Midoriya Izuku. They're in need of clothes."
"Clothes!"
"Customers in need of clothes!"
The pair began twirling again, spinning around and around each-other across the room towards them. They came to a sudden halt, striking a pose once again.
"Minelli Benita!" the one on the left introduced herself.
"Minelli Bettina!" the one on the right added in turn.
"At your service, Lady and Sir!" they chorused in unison.
Yamato glanced at Izuku. He was gaping at the two women in stunned disbelief. She couldn't blame him.
"Clothes for the very tall lady and the short gentleman!" sang Benita.
"Clothes for the beautiful lady, and the handsome gentleman!" added Bettina.
"It's…it's not going to be a problem, is it?" asked Yamato, blushing and fidgeting. "I know I'm a bit…well…taller than you're used to."
"Tall ladies and short ladies!" trilled Bettina.
"The Minelli sisters meet all demands!" added Benita.
"Especially when we're paid!"
"It is especially important that we are paid!"
Both pairs of eyes gleamed in unison.
"Regarding that." Doll reached into her breast pocket and pulled out a scroll of paper, opening it up for the twins to see. Both heads snapped around, and both twins scooted across the floor to stare at it, so fast that Izuku jumped.
"A promissory note!" warbled Benita.
"Signed by the Right Honorable Prime Minister!" added Bettina.
"All expenses billed to his account!"
"Money is no object!"
"Glad I voted for him!"
"We voted for him sister dearest!"
The note vanished from Doll's hand, and the twins turned back to their bewildered customers.
"The measurements!"
"The measurements!"
"The shape and size!"
"The precise dimensions!"
The twins started spinning again, twirling around and flanking Izuku, who was suddenly getting flashbacks of Hatsume. They stopped spinning, and began measuring him with long tape measures.
"Small and well-formed," commented Benita.
"With a round and pleasant face," added Bettina.
"And green hair, in need of styling."
"It's always been like this!" retorted Izuku defensively, hands to his hair.
"Taffeta I think, sister," mused Bettina.
"In green, with a matching hat to help control that hair."
"Or perhaps a hood?"
"A hood or a hat! We shall find out!"
"That we shall!"
Yamato blinked. What were they talking about?
"Uh…excuse me…" hazarded Izuku.
"Fear not sir! We receive many discreet orders from certain gentlemen," replied Bettina, without looking up from her work.
"Uh…I'm really not…"
"We don't morally censure sir! We just want the money!" added Benita.
"Complete confidentiality, so long as we're paid!"
"But…but I don't swing that way!" pleaded Izuku, his face bright red.
"I think you should," commented Doll, deadpan. "You've got the face for it mate." Angela was giggling nervously.
"The dress is for Yamato!" shrieked Izuku, pointing at Yamato, now looking more confused than twins paused, and turned their attention to Yamato, inspecting her like scientists down a looking glass as the white haired woman blinked.
"Very tall, and full figured."
"Red will be very good." They began to jump and spin, using their tapes as Yamato stood still, unsure of what to do or how to feel at this. Izuku kind of felt like looking in a mirror.
"Perhaps maroon?"
"Very good!"
The sisters finished their measurements, and twirled again; stopping in front of them.
"Our measurements are complete! It is time for the fitting!" proclaimed Benita.
"Come with us Lady Yamato, and be fitted!"
The pair genuflected, gesturing towards the curtains.
"Go on," said Izuku, smiling. "I'll just be here."
Yamato smiled back, and followed the twins through the curtains.
(X)
"That's some very nice tea, Angela," declared Izuku, as he set the cup back on its saucer. He was starting to get hungry, but the tea really had quelled that desire for the time being.
"Thank you sir, we do our best," replied Angela, smiling as she took it from him.
"I've never had it with honey before," he commented lightly. "Is that common round here?"
"Oh yes sir. Lemon is popular too, as are milk and sugar."
Izuku listened with interest. This place really was a lot like pre-Dark Age Britain, even in its tea-drinking tastes. He wondered, for a moment, what Gentle Criminal and La Brava would have thought of the place. It was a good fit for their theme after all.
"Oh, really?" he said. "Where I'm from, we mostly have green or pale teas."
"I believe we have some green tea, if you would like," offered Angela. "I can easily…"
"The fitting is complete!'
The twins came spinning through the curtains, and took up position to either side.
"Our first creation!" proclaimed Benita.
"For your perusal!" added Bettina. As one, they pulled the curtains aside, and Yamato emerged.
"Is this okay?"
Izuku stared, feeling his face immediately start to turn red.
She was wearing a maroon dress, with a skirt that flared out like a bell and reached down to the floor. The sleeves were puffed at the top, and flared out at the cuffs. On her head was a wide-brimmed white hat that had holes for her horns with her hair hanging down her back, tied around her chin with a maroon ribbon.
"Well how about this!" exclaimed Daigoro inside his head. "Scarlet O'Hara cosplay!"
"Since when are you a film buff?" Hikage questioned, eying his successor curiously.
"Gotta respect the ole American classics my friend," The Fifth User uttered with the utmost seriousness.
Izuku meanwhile was stunned. No words would come to him. He could only stare, entranced.
"Oh, how simply delightful, Lady Yamato!" gushed Angela, clapping her hands.
"Is it okay?" Yamato looked at herself, hands on the hem of her dress. "I've never worn anything like this before. Izuku, what do you think?"
Izuku's mind was blank. What was he supposed to say? Did she want an honest opinion, or should he say it looked great regardless? He didn't know anything about clothes! And what if he hurt her feelings?
"It's kind of impractical," commented the Third User.
"Agreed, how's she supposed to move around in that getup?" wondered the Second User.
A loud feminine groan echoed through the mindspace, followed by a light slap to the back of both their heads.
"Ohhhh how utterly shocking; no wonder the both of you were single with attitudes like that!" Nana said, glowering. "Izuku! Tell her she looks perfect!"
"Uh…" Izuku gaped like a goldfish. This was turning out like that time at I-island. "Yamato…"
"Izuku! Quit being the adorkable cinnamon roll I know you are, grow up, and tell her she looks perfect!" growled Nana.
"Yamato…you look wonderful." He confessed, blushing a bit.
Yamato's face reddened, and she started to fidget with her fingers again.
"Y-You think so?" she asked.
"Yes!" insisted Izuku. There was no going back now.
"That's more like it." Nana patted him on the head.
"It's just that…" Yamato stepped from side to side, the dress swaying as she moved. "It's nice, but I'm not sure how to fight in this. And I might block the corridors."
"Told you," insisted the Second User. Another slap followed. "Ow."
"You were kind of asking for it." Yoichi chuckled. Izuku heard a "hmph" in the back of his head. "And she looks wonderful, if I do say so myself."
"Just don't make yourself look like some pish posh nobleman or something when you get your chance Midoriya. I ain't gonna be caught dead wearing any of that stuffy crap!" Daigoro declared.
"He can wear whatever he wants and you ARE dead." Hikage replied.
"But I am inside him, oh wait I mean, I am apart of him! You know what I mean!" Daigoro yelled.
"I was deeply concerned what you were implying before you corrected yourself." En muttered.
"I will be more than happy to help Midoriya. I had to help dress up Toshinori a few times too. In his hero costume that is." Nana stated. Izuku sighed with relief, and heard Daigoro groan a bit.
"And I'm not sure about these." Yamato pulled up the skirt, revealing a pair of frilly white pantaloons. "What do you think, Izuku?"
Izuku's mouth locked open in a silent scream. He started swaying, his mind going blank.
"Midoriya you've seen your classmates, your female ones, in school swimsuits. Those were way more revealing than poofy pants. Hell, your friend Momo's hero outfit was more revealing," Daigoro deadpanned.
"And I'm pretty sure Asui and Uraraka's uniforms were skin-tight too." The Second added.
"Asui prefers to be called Tsu." Nana corrected.
"Whatever." Another slap upside the head. "Ow."
Angela giggled behind her hand while the goth Marine looked at Izuku as if she was watching paint dry.
"You really need to touch some grass mate." Doll muttered, looking to the side as Izuku bumbled and stammered and swayed.
"Shall I fetch the green tea?" suggested Angela gently.
"With the hair of the dog at this rate, appreciate it love" Doll deadpanned, and Angela hurried away.
"Perhaps something more streamlined?" suggested Bettina.
"Something for mobility, and not blocking of corridors?" added Benita.
The three vanished behind the curtains. Izuku continued to sway, his mind struggling to contain the overwhelming embarrassment.
She showed… under her dress…!
"Oh come on!" grumbled the Third User. "They're only friggin' pantaloons. It's not like you saw anything! Hell, you actually saw even less if that's even possible."
"There there Midoriya, it's just pantaloons. Now if it was panties we'd have a problem." Nana chuckled. "Just take Angela's tea and deep breaths." He can feel Nana's hands on his shoulders, reassuring him.
"Here, Mister Midoriya!" Angela returned with a steaming cup of green tea. Izuku drank it in one gulp.
"And another?" Angela asked. Doll nodded, and Angela scurried away with the empty cup.
"And again!"
The twins emerged once again, and drew aside the curtains.
Yamato stepped out. Her new dress was maroon once again, but in a quite different style. The chest was more close-fitting, with a big black bow at the collar. The skirt, while puffy, came only to her knees; with a black underskirt under it. Her hat was taller and narrower, with a vaguely piratical look about it.
"Now that's what I'm talking about!" Hikage declared.
"Not bad, not bad," mused Nana. "But I liked the other one better. You should get both!"
"I would prefer this one. More mobility." The Second stated
"I agree." The Third added.
"Hey now!" interjected Daigoro. "It's not their money! One outfit each!"
Izuku sighed. If he had his own money with him right now, he would have bought both outfits for Yamato anyway. Their berries were with their belongings back at the Castle, and Lawson insisted on the two to save their eight million berries for something more urgent.
But Daigoro was right, they couldn't take advantage of Lawson's generosity like that.
"It's perfect!" he declared, sticking both thumbs up. "Only…"
His eyes fell to her feet, upon which were her usual sandals.
"Oh, those," Yamato said awkwardly. "None of their shoes or boots fit me."
"New shoes will be provided by Mister Swindells, the master shoemaker next door, with whom we have a lasting arrangement!" intoned Benita with a spin.
"All orders will be completed no later than five o'clock this afternoon!" added Bettina with a twirl.
"Are you sure?" Izuku was surprised. "That's only a few hours."
"We pride ourselves on our quality and our speed!" declared Benita.
"Also we have no other business!" cut in Bettina.
"Due to the Midsummer Knight's Festival being canceled!" They chimed as one.
Izuku was taken aback.
"We heard about the festival," he said. "Is it really being canceled?"
"Not confirmed, but almost certain!" replied Benita.
"For due economy and preservation of public finances!"
"Parliamentary debate this afternoon at seven o'clock regarding cancellation!"
Izuku felt more than a little down over that. It was probably a wise decision, bearing in mind the situation Doyle was in. But canceling it would be like canceling the UA Sports Festival. People would be so disappointed.
"I'll go with this one," proclaimed Yamato, grinning as she patted the hem of her maroon dress..
"A very fine choice, madame!" intoned Benita.
"And now, the young sir!" trilled Bettina. "Come this way, young sir. We will begin your fitting!"
Izuku took a breath, and followed the twins behind the curtain. He could only hope they didn't still have the wrong idea.
(X)
"I trust your day in Londinium was enjoyable?"
Justinian Lawson smiled at his three guests. They sat opposite him on a large sofa, in the ground-floor lounge of Watson Place.
"Very enjoyable, thank you sir," replied Izuku, patting his new clothes. They consisted of a close-fitting suit in dark green, with a tailed coat, hood and matching waistcoat. Lawson had to admit that it worked; with only a visit to the barber needed to make the effect perfect.
"It was fun!" proclaimed Yamato. She was wearing a knee-length maroon dress, with black underskirts and a black bow at the collar; with a matching hat. Lawson found the whole effect quite charming, all the more so for her smile.
She also had a bag with her, he had noticed. It was full of what appeared to be books, and the rustling inside implied pencils and pens aplenty.
"Thank you once again for your generosity, sir," Izuku said. "We'll do all we can to repay you."
"Think nothing of it," insisted Lawson with a wave of his hand. "Take them as gifts; a welcome to our land of Doyle, and our thanks for your kind assistance."
His friend inside the Minelli workroom had told him of Yamato's interest in another outfit - a dress more suitable for formal occasions - and how the couple had insisted on one outfit each, so as not to overspend his money. He had sent a quiet note to have Yamato's other choice made up and sent to the palace in her name. It was the least he could do for such honest guests.
"I trust there were no problems, Ensign Doll?" he asked, turning his attention to this third guest.
"None whatsoever sir," replied Doll. She sounded a little bit more confident, more like the Marine she was. "The inner city was all quiet."
Well that was something, at least. The last thing he needed was the violence between Morantown and Minktown spilling over into the city proper.
"I'm glad. As I am glad of your presence once again," he said, forcing his face into a fulsome smile. It wasn't all that hard, not for those three. "But I fear we must come to business. Master Izuku, I understand you have some experience in these matters?"
He didn't, really. But Izuku seemed to understand what was going on quite readily, back at the tower. It was worth a try.
"I do, sir," replied the green haired boy. "You have a classic hostage situation, on a very large scale encompassing an entire town. An unknown number of terrorists, enclosed in a specific area, with an unknown number of hostages. The terrorists have issued demands, and are threatening to kill the hostages if their demands are not met."
"Terrorist," Lawson thought. "Interesting word."
"That's the long and the short of it," he said. "His Majesty has made his will clear. His people are not to be harmed unless there is literally no alternative. Of course, he has no intention of surrendering. Doyle will not go the way of Wano."
He saw the look in Izuku and Yamato's eyes. Yes, they were from Wano, or at least they had been there. They knew what he meant, and understood the King's resolve.
"I would never ask his Majesty to surrender," replied Izuku firmly. "But we don't seem to have many options."
"But for the hostages, I would say attack," insisted Yamato before her eyes fell. "Of course, if they are pirates like the others I've seen, they will kill hostages rather than fight."
"Indeed." The mouse mink sighed. He would never understand such a way of thinking, but it was what it was.
"Sir, just for my information, what sort of military resources can be used?" Izuku asked. "If it came to an attack, what do you have?"
Lawson paused. As Prime Minister, he was within his rights to reveal such information in the kingdom's interest. But doing so to a pair of foreigners, whom he had met only the night before, still made him hesitate.
Nevertheless…
"Our standing army numbers around five thousand," he said. "But they are spread out around the kingdom, and it will take them many days to reach Adlerport. Also, doing so would leave the police very short-handed. We have five hundred troops surrounding the lift to Adlerport, which represent all we can possibly spare."
Izuku's brow furrowed. Lawson could tell he was thinking hard.
"So you've got some numbers," mused Izuku. "But the enemy is defending an urban area, and there's a thousand of them with two incredibly strong pirates leading them. To say nothing of any other members they might be hiding."
Could he see it in his mind's eye, as Lawson had in his nightmares? The red-clad soldiers, falling by the dozens, rifles and pistols blazing from every window, the Finalem brothers leaping down from the rooftops, the G-12 base's artillery turned upon the town.
"So we need another plan," said Yamato with a raised finger. "I thought…maybe if we slipped into the harbor under cover of night, and salvaged the seastone from the wrecks so we can use them on the Finalem Brothers, considering they're both Logia Users, then handling the rest of the pirates should be easy. Marines have to have seastone chains and cuffs right?"
"A good idea, Lady Yamato," replied Lawson with a shrug. "I thought of it myself. But I had a report from Wiggins an hour before your arrival. The pirates are salvaging the wrecks themselves as we speak."
Yamato pouted, a gesture that almost made him laugh.
"Sneaking in isn't necessarily a bad idea," Izuku said, his brow still furrowed. "But we have to prioritize rescuing the hostages first."
"At least some of them will be in the base dungeon," added Doll, who was leaning against the wall, arms crossed. "But they may have let the civilians stay in their homes, or locked them up within the port somewhere. I know those dungeons, it can't sustain all the Marines and the townsfolk."
"We have to assume that they did," Izuku replied, without looking up. "Terrorists do that sometimes. They split up the hostages so they can't be rescued in one go. Otherwise we could just sneak into the base and take it over."
"That would be no small matter in itself," commented Lawson, hands in his pockets as he paced around the room. "Have you much experience in fighting pirates?"
"Oh yes!" insisted Yamato, proudly. "Izuku's beaten a pirate with a three-hundred million Beri bounty! I've downed a two-thirty million and a two-fifty million too!"
Lawson stared at Izuku in amazement. He could just about see Yamato taking down such powerful enemies, bearing in mind her Oni heritage. But Izuku?
"Well…that was a one-off," Izuku replied awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "And I had the element of surprise on my side."
Lawson thought of asking for the pirates' names, of forcing the pair to confirm their mad claims. But for some reason he didn't want to. Not with how genuine they sounded.
"Nevertheless, these are quite the feats indeed!" he exclaimed with a smile. "I can see why you were so willing to fight last night!"
"They were?" Doll asked, perking up.
"Oh yes, Master Izuku and Lady Yamato were quite adamant in wanting to go down there and fight the Pirates themselves the moment they learned of our situation." Lawson stated. "Of course, once they were filled in, discretion was the better part of valor here." The goth Marine gazed at the two now, something new in her eyes that wasn't there before.
He couldn't remember when he had last felt like this. To think there were two such mighty warriors in Doyle, having arrived at such a time. Was it mere fate? Had God intervened?
(X)
Izuku saw the look that briefly flashed over Lawson's face. The mouse-mink was normally very good at concealing his emotions, but this time something was different.
A part of him wished Yamato hadn't brought up their battles. Sooner or later, someone might press for more details, and they would have to actually name who they'd fought. He got the impression the Beast Pirates weren't all that well-known in these parts, but it was a risk all the same. To say nothing of how they might react upon learning Yamato's heritage.
Nevertheless, it had been said. And it had an effect.
"If we were in better times," said Lawson, ruefully. "I would have invited you both to take part in the Midsummer Knight's Festival."
"Is it really going to be canceled?" Yamato asked. "The Minelli sisters thought it would."
"I fear so," sighed Lawson. "It's a wonderful event, attracting guests and participants from other island kingdoms too, but also rather expensive. Holding it at this time could ruin us. This evening, I will advise Parliament to vote to cancel it."
Izuku's heart clenched. That brief, bright something was gone. The restrained, held-back Lawson had returned. And he knew, now, what it meant.
"You're right," whispered En. "He's just about lost all hope."
"Same with King Bach, too," added Hikage. "And just about everybody else."
He remembered Angela, how she had barely stopped herself from weeping when she saw Doll again. And how strangely bright she had seemed when they were there.
"You brightened up her day just a little," Nana cut in. "But that's all there was."
That wasn't something Izuku could let stand.
"Don't give up!"
Lawson regarded him in surprise, and Izuku realized that the words had come from his own lips.
"Hey," growled Doll. "He's the Prime Minister. Rein it back mate."
"You can't give up!" Izuku went on. He couldn't hold it in, not any longer. "Please! Don't just give up!"
For a few moments there was silence; but for the ticking of the big clock.
"We haven't given up, Master Izuku," replied Lawson gently. "It's… I…I'm really struggling to come up with anything. The same with his Majesty too..."
"It's about hope, sir!" pleaded Izuku. "You can't lose hope! Because if you do, his Majesty will lose hope too! And if you both lose hope, everyone else will! And when people lose hope…!"
He trailed off, as images of the past assailed his mind. Old history classes, the stories All Might and the Vestiges had told him, all the things he had when he was alone on the streets of Tokyo. He had seen what happened to people who lost all hope. And it was happening now, in Doyle.
"I know what happens when people lose hope, Master Izuku," said Lawson sadly. "I know it all too well, and so does his Majesty. But as our kingdom's founder said, hope cannot live for itself or by itself. It must come from somewhere, Master Izuku."
Izuku squeezed his eyes shut. For all that he hated and despised of it, he knew that Lawson was right. But how was he to explain? What could he tell Lawson without revealing where he had come from?
Then it hit him. From the depths of his desperate mind, an old memory erupted.
"There's a story, from where I come from," he said, cautiously. "A story of a mighty city, named Troy. It was besieged by the armies of other cities from a country called Greece. Yet despite Greece's massive armies, the city held out for ten years."
The room was silent. Izuku felt a fool, especially as he realized how little he knew about that story.
"Uh, didn't Troy get trashed in the end?" asked Daigoro.
"That's not the point," En cut in. "Tell him about the heroes."
"I'll fill you in too. I've read the old legends quite a bit in my time." Hikage stated as he began to feed Izuku the information.
"The city fell in the end," Izuku admitted. "But they never lost hope, and they never gave up. They held out because they had heroes…" He paused for a moment, listening to Hikage and En's whispering. "Heroes like Hector, and Sarpedon, and Glaucus, and Penthesiliea, and Aeneas. While their heroes stood, and fought against the invading Greeks, they never gave up."
He sighed, and felt very tired. Lawson was staring at him, eyes glued to him, as was Yamato and Doll as the ticking sound of the grandfather clock sounded in the room.
"Tell them about Toshinori," Nana cut in. "About the day I chose him."
"My own mentor…" Izuku went on. "He knew this well. Once, my homeland fell into despair and chaos. The people gave in to their worst instincts, and lashed out at one-another. The government tried to contain it through violence, and oppression, but that, along with… people taking advantage of the turmoil… only made it worse."
The images arose again. The old internet footage, and the Vestiges' memories. Politicians ranting and raving, obscene slogans sprayed on walls, black-armored police emptying their guns into crowds, the bodies hanging from lamp-posts, the tanks rolling through the streets.
The knowledge that All for One came and thrived in this dark age… until the light of All Might came.
"My mentor understood that people can't be controlled that way," he went on, his voice hoarse. "People need hope. They can't live without hope. And you're right, sir, it has to come from somewhere. Someone has to give them hope." He raised his head, staring directly into the Mouse mink's eyes. "That's what heroes are for."
In the corner of his eye, he saw Yamato staring at him; eyes wide, and bright. Doll was staring at him too, as if he were something she had never seen before.
"Master Izuku, I wish we had more time," Lawson said, the glimmer seemingly returned. "I would dearly love to hear more of your stories, of your homeland, of this Troy and Greece. But alas, I have no time. I must be in Parliament for seven o'clock."
Izuku glanced at the big clock. It was nearly six o'clock.
"This Parliament…" Yamato spoke up suddenly. "What's it about?" Lawson paused.
"The representatives of the nobility and the people gather in the Parliament chamber, before his Majesty," he explained. "There, matters of governance are discussed and voted upon."
"And the King has to listen?" Yamato sounded surprised.
"It is expected that his Majesty will govern on Parliament's advice," replied Lawson cautiously. "It ensures that his government's policies have the broad backing of the people; or at least the representatives they chose, which is not always the same thing."
"Can we watch?"
Lawson blinked, and then his smile widened.
"Of course. There is a public gallery. Though I fear it may be rather crowded. If you would care to watch the proceedings, you should come directly with me."
Yamato looked pleadingly at Izuku. But Izuku had already made up his mind.
"We would be honored, sir."
"I am glad of that." Lawson's eyes twinkled as he stood up. "In the meantime, will you do me the honor of joining me for dinner?"
(X)
Finalem Bandsome watched, smirking with satisfaction, as his pirates laid out their salvage before him. Seastone cuffs and chains, and chunks of the Seastone hulls from the Marine warships.
His smirk widened, as he looked it all over. Seastone was hard to come by, and worth many times its weight in gold. Once fully processed, it was as hard as diamond, and nigh-indestructible. On top of that, it had the uncanny power to nullify the Devil Fruit power of anyone in physical contact with it. Marine warships regularly carried Seastone cuffs and chains; in case they should need to restrain a Devil Fruit user.
It also, funnily enough, had the power to render a ship invisible to Sea Kings. Bandsome had no idea why, and no one he had ever met could explain it either. But if a ship's lower hull was lined with seastone, no Sea King would ever attack it; at least not from below. He had heard tales of Sea Kings attacking such ships while on the surface, but never from below.
Regardless, it was valuable stuff. And a small fortune's worth was being hauled up and laid out in front of him. A nice little perk.
A shout drew Bandsome's attention to the harbor. The water swarmed with small boats, some of them piled high with salvage. Every so often, a diver would pop up nearby, and hand some object up to his fellows before diving back down again.
But the shout had come from a cluster of boats, right over where one of the four Marine ships had gone down. The boats were roped together, and rigged up a frame with ropes and pulleys. Pirates chanted as they hauled on the ropes, pulling something up from the waters below. Bandsome watched in mild interest as a long black shape rose from the water.
A cannon. One of the middle-sized ones, and not half as valuable as the Seastone that had already come up, but worth the trouble all the same. Cannons were hard to come by at the best of times; especially the sort that didn't explode at awkward moments. Most pirates had to loot them from other ships, or buy them from arms dealers or corrupt officials; usually at inflated prices. And Cipher Pol took a dim view of such transactions, when it became aware of them.
Bandsome smirked at the irony of it. After so many years of whining and begging, King Bach had finally convinced the World Government to establish a Marine-G base in his kingdom. This had come with a license to produce any weapons or equipment the base needed, including cannons. Bach must have thought it a great victory. Not only was his kingdom secure from pirates, but the workers at his arms foundries would never have to worry about their jobs ever again.
Except the G-12 base had hilariously failed to protect Doyle. And soon those factories up above in the plateau would belong to the Finalem Pirates. As would Doyle's fields, its vast mountain mines, its businesses, and its people.
Theirs. All theirs. Wealth and power beyond anything he or his brother, or any of their followers, had ever dreamed of. And that would only be the beginning. Pirates would flock to rally under their flag, and their power will grow to become a lasting fixture in the New World.
He turned, and looked up towards the cliff face; and the lift that ran up the side. Beyond it, he could just make out the distant mountains, capped in white. He remembered when he had seen them for the first time, in the distance, as their ship sailed past.
Not just a rich land, but a beautiful land. Even then, all those years ago, he had yearned to possess it, to claim its beauty for himself, to immortalize it in oils. For a simple pirate, the time to paint was a luxury. As a pirate king, it would be his privilege.
His eyes fell once again on the lift as he adjusted his thin black glasses. It stood still, and silent, in the up position; well out of reach. A lot of Marines and Doyle soldiers had died to put it there; and while it was up there, he and his brother were trapped.
Uncertainty began to gnaw at him. Handsome had insisted that his plan would work, that Bach was a soft-hearted weakling, that he would give up his kingdom rather than sacrifice a few thousand of his subjects plus the Marines. But what if Handsome was wrong? What if Bach grew a spine, and just left them down there?
"Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii…!"
A long note drew him from his grim reverie.
"...was floating 'neath a tropic moooooooooooooooooooooon!"
Bandsome sighed, as pirates began to scatter out of the way. He was singing again.
"...and dreaming of a blue lagooooooooooooooooooooon!"
A great white shape gyrated into view, dancing and skipping.
"Now I'm as crazy as a loooooooooooooooooooooon!"
Handsome came to a halt, his usual toothy grin on his face.
"Brother of mine!" he proclaimed. "Don't tell me that's all the Seastone?"
There was a gleam in his eyes. Bandsome no longer feared that gleam, but he knew what lay behind it.
"Nowhere near, brother," he replied, smirking. "The boys tell me the harbor floor is covered in it. Isn't that right boys?"
The pirates around him chorused their agreement. They knew what would happen to them if they didn't.
"That's what I like to hear." Handsome beamed. "Carry on boys." The pirates set about their work, none daring to glance at the brothers.
"Something's bothering you, Bandsome," Handsome commented, as they strolled side-by-side along the docks, moving out of earshot of the pirates. "You were staring at the lift again."
Bandsome sighed. He was in no mood for a confrontation, and his shorter brother's moods could be…unpredictable.
"I don't like not having a plan B," he said. "If Bach grows a pair, we're stuck down here with nothing to do but kill hostages and starve."
Handsome sighed, and shook his head.
"You're worrying again," he said, indulgently. "I told you, he's a wimp. He is this close to cracking. I could hear it. Besides…"
He glanced around, making sure no one was listening, giving that million berri smile that was on his Wanted Poster.
"Everything our mutual benefactor told us," he went on whispering, "has come true so far. And even if we have to leave, we've still made a fine profit. Killing four thousand is quite the drag, bit of a waste now that I look it… we'll kill the weak and infirm, and sell what's left."
That much was true. The Seastone alone would cover their expenses; and the loot they had gathered from the town would fetch a good price.
And then there were the prisoners. The Human Auction had several branches in the New World, all bearing Donquixote Doflamingo's Jolly Roger. They would buy any slaves the Finalem brothers could provide, and sell them on for a profit; to pirates, or other clientele.
"You're right, brother," admitted Bandsome. "I'm just getting tired of waiting. It all seems too good to be true."
"Well it isn't, brother." Handsome slapped him on the back, arm stretched out the horizon. "You're not dreaming. In a week or less, at worst we'll be a great deal richer, at best we will be kings, and one step closer to being equal with the Four Emperors."
Bandsome nodded. It was a good outcome either way. The elder brother yawned, smacking his lips.
"Well, time for me to hit the sack. I need to get hooked up for my hydration too. Prefer that when I sleep anyway… Good night, brother."
"Good night, Handsome."
Handsome strolled off, singing as he went. Bandsome took one last look at the lift, and then out to sea. The sun was setting, turning the sky a fine shade of red.
The shade of blood.
"Hmmm… perhaps I should get my canvas… and use this while I have the chance." Sleep can wait, but his passion for the arts is unrivaled as Bandsome grabbed a spare canvas he carries along for just such an occasion or if the inspiration is strong.
Using his Silver Silver Fruit, he conjured a chair and a canvas stand made of quicksilver from his legs and began to paint, his fingers turning into Mercury droplets to dip. His spare coloring oils in his pockets coiled out from the droplets, seeping in and the tips becoming colored as the gaunt looking man smiled.
Indulging on his passion for the arts will never get old. Just as his thrill for battle and domination alongside his brother.
(X)
The Parliament chamber was impressive indeed.
From his seat in the public gallery, Izuku could see it all. A great oblong chamber, its walls lined with carved wood, and decorated with gold; its high windows bright with stained glass. On the floor below, two sets of benches ran parallel to the walls, rising in tiered rows. In front of the benches stood the members; most of them men, all clad in dark, sober clothes. Izuku could see Lawson down there, his face expressionless.
At the end of the chamber stood a stepped dais, upon which stood a golden throne; behind it a gold and blue frieze, emblazoned with the same crest Izuku had seen back at Holmes Hall. Upon the throne sat King Bach, in a uniform of pure white lined with gold. Upon his shoulders were silver pauldrons with gold lanyards, and upon his head stood an imperial crown in gold and crimson. His pale face was set in a regal mask.
Before him stood a elderly-looking man in a dark suit and crimson robe, a long silver staff in his hand. He had been chanting some kind of ritual formula that Izuku couldn't make out. He stopped, bowed, and turned to face the chamber.
The session was about to begin.
"Can you see okay?" he whispered to Yamato. Due to her height, he, Yamato, and Doll had taken seats at the very back row of the gallery; which as Lawson had predicted was extremely full. Well-dressed men and women stared down at the benches, some whispering to one-another, one or two taking notes in little notebooks.
"Yes, thank you," replied Yamato. She was watching the proceedings as intently as anyone else, her red eyes flicking back and forth, up and down, taking in every detail.
In the corner of his eye, Izuku saw a man glance at them. He turned his head a little, but the man immediately looked away. Izuku sensed no hostility from him; not much anyway.
"Classic Brit," whispered the Third User. "Passive-aggressive and nosy, but so polite about it."
"I thought that was Canadians?" Daigoro mused.
"I liked them better when they were polite," retorted the Second User. "They were killing each other a lot less."
"Let the Lords and Members be seated!" proclaimed the robed man, who was probably the Speaker. The representatives all sat down.
"His Majesty will hear the business of the day!" continued the Speaker. "The bill for the cancellation of the Midsummer Knight's Festival! The bill will be debated, and the votes cast!"
The Speaker turned, bowed to the King again, and stepped away to the right.
"The throne recognises Lord Jernigan Jenner, Leader of the Opposition," Bach called out. On cue, a tall, broad-shouldered man stood up, and bowed towards the throne. He was bronze-skinned with sharp green eyes, long black hair and a short black beard. He donned a wine red cape with gold trim, a maroon uniform with boots upon his frame.
"Lord Jernigan Jenner," whispered Doll in his ear. "Leader of the Traditionalist Party. The enemy."
"Your Majesty, my Lords, Honorable Members," began Jenner, his voice cultured and deep. "Let no one deny the severity of the situation. Our kingdom has been brutally invaded, our harbor of Adlerport captured, and our people held hostage. Our trade is cut off, and our economy crumbles daily."
There were murmurs of agreement.
"Classic politician. Act sympathetic to curry favor before attacking the opposition" whispered En. "Here it comes."
"For this very reason, the Prime Minister wishes us to cancel our Midsummer Knights Festival," Jenner went on, stepping onto the floor. "Our Midsummer Knights Festival, our pride and joy, for which our kingdom is renowned, which invites guests from our neighboring islands of Carrolewis, Tolkien, and some as far away as Prodence, is to be sacrificed to this crisis."
Angry rumblings filled the chamber.
"My lords and honorable members," continued Jenner. "This is only the latest in a series of spending cuts, ostensibly made by the Prime Minister in order to steer our economy through this crisis. Would that he had the economy in mind when he spent all that money, our hard earned tax money," he glared towards the side where Lawson sat. "On the new G-12 Marine base."
"Fangs out," sneered En, as the chamber erupted in cacophony.
Izuku looked around for Lawson. The mouse-mink sat where he was, staring at Jenner, his face impassive as he rested his cheek on his fist. The man next to him was anything but impassive as he raised his right hand, glaring daggers at the opposition leader.
"The throne recognises Lord Eduardo Lucas, the Home Secretary!" The glowering man stood up.
"Has the leader of the opposition forgotten why G-12 was installed?" he demanded, pointing at Jenner. "Does Lord Jenner believe that this kingdom can stand alone against the dangers of this world? In the New World no less? The playground of the Four Emperors!? Is he the leader of the Traditionalist party? Or the Delusionist party! Lot of good your Moriarty Degree is doing you!"
The chamber erupted again. Jenner was as stoic as a statue.
"Here here!" cried those sitting behind Lawson and Lucas, amid hoots of laughter.
"Shame!" cried those behind Jenner. "Bad form!"
"Petty rapscallion!"
"Bloody guttersnipe peasant!"
"The Home Secretary's criticism would have been perfectly apt," retorted Jenner, unruffled with his hands behind his back as his words silenced his side of the room as he began to pace about, "were it not for the simple fact that the G-12 base has manifestly failed to protect us!" He spoke loudly, emerald eyes alight. "Its Marines lie dead in Adlerport, or else are prisoners in its dungeons!"
Izuku glanced at Doll. Her face was hard, her fists clenched at her sides. She was angry, and he could not blame her for it. There was something…very wrong about that man.
"Now Lord Jenner mocks the sacrifice of honest men and women!" snapped Lucas. He was clearly losing his temper. "Honorable members, do not be fooled! This man's only interest is in undermining the government at a time of national crisis!"
"Nay!" Said one from behind Lawson. "He's aiming to usurp the Prime Minister!"
More shouting back and forth, pointing of fingers, shaking of fists, all with eyes on one individual as they cursed each other out.
"All because you lost! Lawson whipped ya twice in a row!"
"You're the delusional naive fool! Brat!"
"Old bloody codger!"
"Sod off ya damn impatient commoner ingrate!"
"Honorable members, I do no such thing," replied Jenner mildly, hands gesturing for quiet. "I could never scorn those who risk their lives for others." He said, turning around and gazing at his side before he began to look around the room. "My family have done so for generations, as have the noble knights of the Order of the Doyle Protectorate. I am blessed to even have ancestors who have earned the title in the past, and I will not sully their memory." He spoke, pacing about the floor from his side. "They have been Doyle's champions in its hour of need, most especially thirty-two years ago; when the cursed Pirate, now Emperor, Whitebeard menaced our shores."
Izuku heard Yamato open her mouth to speak. He thrust out his hands, clamping them over her mouth.
"Yamato! Knock it off!" he hissed in her ear, loudly, face red hot with embarrassment and desperation.
"But Whitebeard wouldn't do that!" hissed Yamato through his hands, angry amber eyes on him.
"I know but we can't interrupt!" Izuku hissed back. Mercifully, no one seemed to have noticed.
Slowly, cautiously, he withdrew his hand. Yamato glowered at Jenner, but made no sound.
"When Whitebeard threatened us, the World Government did not help us," Jenner went on. "We paid the tribute, and the Reverie fee, but they did not help us."
"The closest Marine base was in Tolkien you fool! He was here for two days and then gone! Now look at him! Now he would deny the tribute!" bellowed Lucas as he pointed at the bronze skinned man. . "Now he would deprive his Majesty of a seat at the Reverie! To deny us our representation amongst the world community!"
The chamber erupted, this time so loud that Izuku could not hear anything.
"Wanna send us back to the stone age or something! Get your head out your arses!"
"Being amongst the world has gotten us in this mess! Punk!"
"Isolationist prick!"
"Cloudheaded mongrel!"
More yelling, pointing fingers, throwing of leaflets from both sides. Both Jenner and Lawson remained by their tables, unfazed with the reigning of leaflets. Their eyes glued on one another.
"Order!" bellowed the Speaker, banging his staff on the floor. "Order in the presence of his Majesty!" Bach was rubbing his forehead with his index, middle, and thumb finger, as everyone seemed to quiet down, not wanting to annoy their king any further as he glared amongst the contingency on the floor.
"Doll," whispered Izuku, turning to the goth marine. "What were they talking about?" Yamato leaned over him to listen.
"All kingdoms must pay tribute to the World Government to be considered a member nation," Doll replied. "The Reverie is the big meeting of the Kings and Elected Officials of nations, held at Mariejois, the capital of the World Government and home to the World Nobles. And the fee to attend the Reverie as a member nation is…big."
He recognized the look in her eyes. It was the same look as before, when she had complained about King Basil sucking up to someone. He glanced at Yamato, and there was darkness in her eyes. This meant something to her too.
It almost reminded him of the same look Malice had in his eyes back on that beach in Wano.
"The Leader of the Opposition will come to the point," insisted Bach, fixing Jenner with hard eyes. Jenner bowed, but otherwise seemed unruffled.
"Honorable members, when we faced the pirate Whitebeard, we had no need of the World Government or the Marines," he declared. "We had our brave soldiers, and we had our knights; our champions, the victors of the Midsummer and Midwinter Knights Festival. It was they who rose from among us, who led us in battle and gave us hope. It was they who pushed back the enemy, and won the victory."
He paused, looking around the chamber.
"I am a lord of high birth, it is true," he said, with an air of humility, pacing about the floor. "But all my life, I have served this kingdom, as did my father before me, and his father before him. Were I Prime Minister, I would run this kingdom differently." He threw a look towards Lawson, glaring lightly. "I would run it better. I would run it as it was run in the days of his late Majesty King Basil, and King Bartholomew before him. But I am not Prime Minister, and so I can only serve this kingdom, and his Majesty, as I am."
"Laying it on thick, isn't he?" muttered Hikage.
"Sour grapes much?" Daigoro commented.
"I can only call upon you, honorable members, not to cancel our Midsummer Knights Festival." He said, focusing on the many people throughout the chamber. "Do not take away from our people their last dignity, their last hope. Do not deprive them of the champions that may yet arise, the champions who may succeed," He oiled, glancing back at Lawson one last time. "Where the Marines have failed."
Izuku glanced again at Doll. Her lips were tight, but he could tell she was gritting her teeth, glaring hard at the bronze skinned man.
Jenner bowed to the throne, and returned to his table with a swish of his cape, sitting down. Lucas, urged by his colleagues, did likewise. Lawson raised his right hand.
"The throne recognizes the Prime Minister!" The old man stated. On cue, Lawson stood up.
"Your Majesty, my Lords, Honorable Members…" Lawson seemed entirely calm, hands in his pockets. "We have all heard the arguments made by Lord Jenner. They were good arguments, and well-made. Some of us here are familiar with his style, all the way back to Moriarty College."
There was a rumble of good-natured laughter. Izuku was more than a little surprised. Jenner had spent his entire argument insulting his policies, yet Lawson was standing there paying him compliments. What was going on?
"Give him a minute," whispered En.
"Lord Jenner and I have crossed rhetorical swords many a time," Lawson went on. His manner was strangely gentle, like an old gentleman regaling guests with some amusing story. "Back in dear old Moriarty, and on the campaign trail, and here on this very floor. I know his ways, as he knows mine. I like to think I gave as good as I got, though I am but a mink."
More laughter, this time with an awkward edge to it. Jenner raised his hand.
"Honorable members," Jenner took the opportunity to cut in. "I am sinful and fallible, but I should hope never to do a man down simply for being a mink."
A rumble of sound, that might have been appreciation, punctuated here and there with cries of here here. Jenner sat down, nodding to Lawson to continue, resting the side of his temple against his fist.
"Honorable members, I confess that I too am sinful and fallible," Lawson went on. "As leader of the Visionist party, I have sought to bring about judicious reform; reform that I and my party firmly believe will bring about a better future for our kingdom, and what our kingdom can do to contribute to the worldwide community."
He paused, and his countenance changed. He seemed tired, and somehow older.
"It was upon my advice that his Majesty sought the establishment of G-12 in Adlerport," he continued. "Lord Jenner rightly notes the considerable expense of this, and the fact that it has not proven the defense that we had hoped in this situation. As Prime Minister, I accept full responsibility."
Izuku's heart clenched, as the chamber filled with shouting. Lawson seemed to stand like a statue amongst the storm of words, not even flinching save for his breathing.
"What's happening?" asked Yamato. She looked as nervous as he felt. "Why would he say that?"
"He's offering to resign," said Doll, eyes wide. "Or close enough. He can't… could he?"
Izuku stared down at Jenner; but he made no reply. All he did was stare at Lawson, with a look of good-natured superiority.
"Honorable members, I'm sure we all agree that now is not the time to discuss this matter," he said graciously, to a chorus of here here. "The business of this evening is the status of the Midsummer Knight's Festival."
"That Jenner guy didn't go for it," commented Daigoro, sounding confused. "I thought he was gonna call a vote of no confidence or something like that."
"He's not that stupid," replied En. "He'd look like a scumbag opportunist if he tried that. Lawson dared him, and he backed down."
"Honorable members, I cannot deny the scale of the crisis," Lawson went on. "We, of the government, have done all that we can to manage it. We have used all the resources of the kingdom to preserve our economy, to maintain the civil peace, and ensure the continued wellbeing of the citizenry. And yet, I can only confess, the situation grows ever more dire. Food grows more scarce, and our people lash out in fear. We are becoming colder and harder, less friendly and less generous, less kind and less forgiving. This crisis, this deadly danger, is eating at the very soul of our kingdom."
The chamber rumbled. Jenner reached for a nearby pitcher to pour some water.
"Why is he talking like this?" asked Yamato amid the hubbub. "Why won't he defend himself? He's just agreed to everything that man said! Look at him too! He's acting like he's won!" She pointed, Izuku following her arm as Jenner seemed to be smirking as he raised his glass to sip, his colleagues sitting in the rows behind him whispering and smirking darkly at the mouse mink.
Izuku didn't know what to say. He really didn't know much about politics. As a Hero, he wasn't really supposed to have political opinions; let alone actually get involved. It was a WHA rule, and a firmly held one, that no serving Hero could occupy any political office of any kind. Had he tried to stand for such an office, he would have had to resign and hand in his license. That was something he could never imagine himself doing, not for any political office. Had they offered him the Presidency of the United States, he would not have accepted; not at that price.
However, this wasn't his world. This wasn't his way of life. His world was the world of Hero work; of dogged investigation, patient research, vigilant patrols, deadly battles, and desperate judgment calls. It was a world of strict rules and sincerely-held convictions, where Heroes said what they meant. Out on the streets, on a mission, with lives at stake, there could be no place for lies, or dishonesty, or undermining others to make yourself look good. Heroes said what had to be said, and did what had to be done.
This wasn't his world. This was a world where no one said what they meant, and where every word was a hidden barb; where every smile hid daggers.
He could never be a politician. The thought of it made him ill. And he wondered how someone like Lawson, so good and kind and sincere, could possibly cope with it.
"It'll destroy him in the end," sighed Hikage, reminded somewhat of his own fate.
"It hasn't yet…" Yoichi mused.
"That is why I must call upon you…to not cancel the Midsummer Knight's Festival."
For a moment, the chamber was utterly silent. Jenner spat out his drink, coughing as he stood, frozen in place, his face a vision of utter bewilderment.
"No doubt you were expecting a quite different position," Lawson continued, ignoring the looks his own party were giving him, as well as those on Jenner's side. "No doubt you expected me to argue for due economy, and to cancel the festival. Honorable members, that would be the responsible position from a purely financial perspective. However, this matter goes well beyond money."
Lawson paused, and looked around the chamber; much as Jenner had done, pacing about with his hands in his pockets.
"Honorable members, I admit that I have been close to despair," he said. "Like so many of our people, I am upon the verge of losing hope. But honorable members, to cancel the festival would be to invite that outcome. To admit defeat to those bastards down below. In the words of our illustrious founder, King Reichen Brand, hope cannot live for itself or by itself. Hope cannot stand on its own, or for itself alone. Like love it must be nurtured. Like friendship it must be sustained. No one can love unless they have been loved. No one can love themselves unless they have been loved by others."
He paused again. The chamber was utterly silent. All eyes were upon him.
"Honorable members…friends…we must nurture and sustain what is left of our hope. Money can always be re-earned. Lives… not so much." He paused again as he paced about. "That is why we must have our champions, for they are the pride within us all. We must crown new knights, Knights of Doyle, for it is they, I know, who will save our kingdom from this darkness." Lawson stood tall and strong, hands out of pockets, gazing about as his cultured voice rang out through the entire chamber.
"Friends, we must have our heroes; for it is in them that our hopes and dreams may live to see the sun rise again!"
The chamber erupted in a roar, and it took Izuku a moment to realize that they were cheering. The people around him were cheering and clapping too. Some had tears running down their faces. Down on the floor, Lawson glanced up at them, and shot them a momentary wink and a smile. Across the floor, Jenner stood where he was, looking utterly stunned as he fell to his seat. And upon the dais, Bach sat upon the throne, as calm as a cup of water. But there was light in his eyes, the same light that Izuku had so briefly seen the night before, as they flew to the tower.
He thought his heart would burst.
"You did it, Izuku!" Yamato reached over and glomped him, her bosom swamping his head. "You got through to him! To both of them!" Doll was too stunned, her jaw unhinged.
Izuku was too far gone to feel embarrassed. And it wasn't as if anyone was watching. He got some room, looking up to the busty white haired girl.
He had a feeling… what Lawson was referring to when he looked up to them.
"I think… we have to, no, we will get a little bit stronger," he said, pulling back to look her in the eyes. He grinned, a fire burning in his chest. "We've made a start. Now we need to give this country hope. Let's put Doyle on our backs, Yamato." He grinned, and his friend gave a smile of equal measure, the same fire burning in her own eyes.
"Right!"
A huge thanks to Juubi-K on this one. Dude came up with a big one right here. And thanks to WildJoker000 and IKnowNothing for their editing and polish.
So yeah, we are at the... I wanna say right before or at the halfway point of the Doyle Arc. Likely before. But we have our goal, time for our heroic duo to show their stuff and inspire the Kingdom!
Anyway, we will be going on a mini-hiatus since I owe writing on FFESS, One and Only Son, and Familiar of the Fairy. Lord knows I owe them for Juubi and he's come through big time. Thanks again my friend.
As for when I'll get back to writing on this, likely around the beginning of December or so. I have a lot to do. We'll see how the mood hits, but I got started on FFESS. So that's good.
We also get a nice looksie into Doll, some residents of Doyle, Yamato Dressing Montage, her and Izuku in new duds, the Finalem Brothers, and Lawson. For Voice Actors, I'd imagine Jenner would be voiced by Takehito Koyasu in JP, and Jeremy Irons in English. For Bandsome it would be Xander Mobus in English, and Koichi Yamadera in JP.
You can thank Darkest Hour by Gary Oldman for the inspiration at the end. That movie while slow, made up for it with a terrific performance and that ending. Lawson may not have Chruchill's bombast, but I hope he was good enough in his own calm way, like Gregory Peck in 'To Kill a Mockingbird' in someway.
Also next month I'll see to comm'ing more images for the story too. If any of you all want to as well, don't let me stop you from making art or commissioning art too.
So yeah, we hope you all enjoyed this! We'll see you all in the next one.