Ionian Nights- Part 13
###Part 13
Several Months ago...
"And once more, with a vote of three to one, the motion is denied," Karma calmly spoke, picking up her various papers and straightening them out. "For our next order of bus-"
Interrupting Karma, Ryota slammed his fist on the table. "Are all of you IDIOTS!?" he howled in anger. His eyes wandered from person to person at the table. Shinji, Ozawa, Kouga, and even Karma. It would have been enough for the motion to nearly pass but get denied by Karma. Ryota could certainly handle that. But it was an entire different beast to have every single person at the table deny his vision.
Ozawa raised a hand. "Ryota, please, manners young man. We just do not see the merit of putting further funds toward the Ionian military. Our current amount is fine, I assure you, there is no need to increase it."
The Shogun, however, was having none of this. "Of course you would not see the merit. YOU were not on the front lines like Karma and I were. You sat comfortably in the Placidium while thousands of Ionians DIED so that our nation would not be taken by monsters."
Now Kouga spoke up, chuckling. "Ryota, Ryota, I understand your history. But let's face facts: The Institute of War keeps things in check. No war would threaten Ionia as long as they are there to keep the balance of power in check."
"And what of the Freljord? HM? Perhaps the inter-politics in Noxus? That terrorist from Piltover nearly sparking a war in Zaun or the emergence of that psychotic woman in Piltover? Yet we still ignore the threats in our own nation! The Institute is-"
"And Ryota, how much of this is just being upset that you have been passed over for inclusion? Hm?" Shinji spoke. That insult was just too much. Ryota put his entire weight into the table, lifting it off the ground from his end as the three other men stepped back. He could see it in their eyes: They thought of him as a joke until he actually displayed some of the strength that had rallied Ionia together. Fear, that's all these politicians could respond to.
Karma, however, stood up. "ENOUGH. All of you. Ozawa, Shinji, Kouga, I'm extremely disappointed in you. You fall to personal attacks just because Ryota is passionate about his cause. Disagree with him all you want, but he is an honorable man who only cares for Ionia," Karma then turned to Ryota. "And Ryota, I respect you greatly but show RESTRAINT. Convince your enemies with intelligent discussion, not brute force."
The council became quiet, all of them looking away as Karma sighed. "We'll be concluding our discussions for today. The next meeting will be in a week and I expect all of you to be in more mature spirits when we resume," All five members of the council bowed and began to exit the chamber. Ryota, however, was still in a furious mood. Not only had he been mocked, Karma considered him just as bad as these tired old men.
If things were going to change, he'd have to do something drastic...
Hours after the debacle in the chamber, Ryota was wandering through Ionia's Sengoku Forest. A beautiful place, to be sure. The moonlight through the trees, the inkling of bright city lanterns shining in the distance, elegant flowers and streams criss-crossing through the path. However, the goal today wasn't a leisurely stroll through the forest. No, he was meeting two very dangerous people.
Ryota arrived at a beautiful pond. Koi fish swam through the waters, a grand stone pagoda dripping water into the stream. Upon closer inspection one would find a plaque: "Dedicated to the men, women and children who perished during the Ionia-Noxus war. Your spirits shall find peace." A long time ago this shrine was packed with people every hour of the day. Now, it barely was visited by anyone. How so many had forgotten their heritage and history.
As he gazed longingly at the statue, Ryota heard the feint whistle of something soaring through the air. Timing himself, Ryota swung his arm back, catching the object with the heavy gauntlet of his armor. A shuriken, slightly larger than normal. The curvature and the shape made it clear that this was no ordinary shuriken, not at all. "Come out, Shadow Master, I wish to speak with you," Ryota called.
From the darkness, Zed stepped out, brandishing his arm blades. "Shogun of Ionia. How interesting meeting you here. So tell me why you're here, hm? Reminiscing over the-"
"We have spies in your academy, Zed. We know that you meet her here every night." Zed froze, glaring hard at Ryota. "Stow your weapons, I do not wish to fight, only talk." As a show of good faith, Ryota unsheathed his blade and stabbed it into the ground behind him. He then turned, bowing to Zed. Zed was clearly taken aback, surprised by this. With great caution he retracted the arm blades, returning the bow.
After a moment, they both resumed standing. "So I guess we don't need to kill him then," spoke a new, female voice. From above the trees Syndra floated down, landing daintily on her feet. "But this begs the question what the Shogun of Ionia is doing here, talking with 'two of the most wanted criminals', no?"
Ryota put his hands behind his back, calmly looking between the two. "I'll be honest, I do not know why you two meet here. Planning, fighting, sparring, romance? I care not. The point is, however, that I need the help of you two. Zed, despite what the Kinkou would say, your academy is just as strong and perhaps even stronger than their temple. Syndra, outside of League matches your power is nearly unmatched."
Syndra waved a hand. "Save the flattery, Ryota. What is the idea you're going for here?"
"A collaboration. I have a plan to bend the other council members to allow me to strengthen Ionia's military. Should you help, I will not only allow both of you to serve as some of Ionia's greatest vanguard, but I will personally issue pardons for the two of you for any crimes. A clean slate for both of you and you shall be treated as champions of Ionia, not menaces."
Zed and Syndra were clearly skeptical. "And if we refuse?" Zed questioned, eyes narrowing beneath his helmet. Ryota shook his head, turning his back to Zed.
"In all likelihood, you will force an engagement. You two are strong, but I am confident I can fight you two. So either I kill both of you and I return with the bodies of Ionia's greatest enemies...or you kill me and you elevate yourselves to levels so high that no place in Ionia will be safe for you."
Zed looked to Syndra as she looked to him. "I think I speak for the both of us when I say our interests are piqued, Ryota. So tell us what exactly you wish to do?" Syndra questioned. Ryota, beneath his helmet, could not help but smile...
Present Day
Ryota's head turned back as Syndra viciously slapped him, the dark sovereign seething in anger. "You were supposed to make it LOOK like you hit me, not actually backhand me you bastard!" she seethed in anger. They all had to keep their voices low but that doesn't mean inflection was out of the question.
"My apologies. I had to make it look realistic...just as you had to break my arm as well as several of my ribs." Ryota's reply made Syndra huff, but it was clear he did make a point with her. Zed crossed his arms, looking at the door before turning to gaze at Ryota. "Well, long as we're here, what's the result?" Syndra questioned, still peeved.
At this, Ryota turned his head. "The entire plan...seemed to have backfire. Karma is now appointing champions on the council as well as Utsusemimaru," Ryota gauged the expressions of the other two before further elaborating. "Utsusemimaru. The Aspect of Ionia. Remember?" Syndra clearly did, as she grinned wickedly. Zed nodded, having heard of the battle before he had joined the two.
Slowly, Ryota moved back and forth. "With this development, it's clear that I will have to persuade them by my own power. Again, if I can seduce Karma and have her hand in marriage, I'd have a far greater sway on the council and maybe even enough to clear a path. Utsusemimaru, however, is a wild card. Yi and Soraka, I know how they will act. The monk, however, could be a problem. We might have to dispose of him before we achieves champion status."
Zed scoffed. "And what of Kouga? He still resides within Syndra's domain," Zed added, clearly skeptical of this whole mission now.
"Either dispose of him or continue to..'persuade him'...until he breaks. Kouga knows of my role in this, however, so it's likely he may be too great a threat to keep around," Ryota explained.
"Until then I guess we're just going to keep up our little group and meet when there are updates? Hm?" Syndra questioned, looking between the two.
Zed nodded. "Ryota, you keep your candle hidden. Light it once more when there is a development to be had. We'll be on our way now, lest someone see us," Zed added, the shadow-portal opening once more as Zed beckoned Syndra to follow. Ryota nodded, moving to sit on the sole chair in his room, head canted low.
As they were out of earshot, Zed turned to Syndra. He slowly closed the portal behind them. "Do you think he'll uphold his bargain if he does get his way, Syndra?" Zed questioned. Syndra couldn't help but chuckle.
"Indeed he will. Ryota is an old warrior blinded by love for his nation. We can do with him as we wish. He's certainly making a coffin of his own design with these deals. All you and I have to do is play our parts and enjoy the benefits as the time passes," Syndra grinned manically. Zed returned the nod, the two walking through the realm of shadows to reach their destination.
Ryota knew, however.
Ryota knew these two would be dangerous. That he was playing a vicious game of attrition and subterfuge. That Zed and Syndra would likely betray him. When the time came, he would deal with it. However, for now, he had to make these deals with the devil. To discard his honor for his people. That he was walking right into the gates of Hell.
So be it. If he had to die a demon, he would do so gladly. Let one man bear the burden of a nation so that no Ionian will ever suffer again.
He will be the martyr for all of Ionia...or so he believed himself to be.
End Part 13
