Act XII: We Meet Again

     "Order! I demand order!" the official shouts to the assembly of people who have gathered
in the wake of the controller's death. Politicians and commoners alike wait in the large assembly
hall. News cameras have been allowed in the room and the proceedings are being shown live.
"We must take control of the situation, please, let us all be seated to discuss."
     The group settles into their places, amongst them include Kourou's advisors, and sitting
next to them is the widowed Aritsune, black veil drawn over her face.
     "We have yet another death of a leader. As I'm sure you all know, Kourou Nouri was
found dead this morning at his home, by his wife."
     The group to look at Aritsune who sits silently with her head bowed.
     The official continues, "I personally extend my regrets to Mrs. Nouri, and ask her if there
are any words she wishes to say before we continue."
     Aritsune slowly stands up. She addresses the crowd, "I do have words. Not ones of
sorrow for my deceased husband, but ones charged for control. I have accepted this fate given to
my love, and I will not let it affect me. I was passed over originally with little thought of what I
could do before, I will not let it happen again. As the wife of this leader, I am the rightful heir to
his position."
     "Madame, we gave him absolute power, but he was still elected. Do you think we would
pass on his power to an heir?"
     "Am I not qualified? Was it not I who convinced you to give my late husband control of
this empire? I feel I am worthy. I am an original member of the group most responsible for us
being able to even discuss this here."
     The official speaks, "I'm sorry to dash your hopes, but we simply can not give power to
you. There are others-"
     Aritsune cuts him off and a mean look takes over her eyes, "I will not be denied."
     The advisor with green eyes stands to his feet. A camera zooms in on Aritsune and she is
broadcasted live across the empire.
     "I am declaring now to al of you, in the name of those settlements that want and deserve
their freedom, a coup d'‚tat of this government."
     The group is greatly startled. The official speaks, "Madame, you can't do that."
     "Yes, I can," she speaks out strongly. With the support of the people, and just as
importantly, the Kano Establishment.
     "What!?" the official asks alarmed.
     "At this time, may I make clear to you my largest supporter," Aritsune turns and motions
to the advisor standing behind her. "Don't you recognize this man? He is Ennosuke Kano."
     The room is greatly startled, people rise out of their seats for a better look. The official
shouts over and over, "Order! Order!"
     "You have no order now," Aritsune states loudly above the clamor. Don't make this
more difficult than it has to be."
     Imperial officers run into the room and join the other guards who were posted around the
room. As they near Aritsune and Kano, the many people surrounding stand and form a circle
around the two, pulling out weapons of many kind. The authorities back off as the head of the
Kano Establishment shows greater numbers growing outside the building.
     Aritsune speaks one more time, "Leave this building, for it is to be destroyed. There is no
more use for democracy. This symbol will die, and so will the government that created it."
     The many people run out of the building, and so do the office employees on the above
floors. Guarded by the Kano Establishment, Aritsune and Kano exit the building. Once safely
away, they turn towards the building that had been quietly taken over during the meeting and
wired with explosives. They watch as the explosives are ignited and the building comes crashing
down. Aritsune turns to the people.
     "Democracy is dead! All hail your new empress!"
     The people appear overjoyed at the rise of action. They cheer wildly for their new leader.
Empress Aritsune Sugai-Nouri.

     Within the settlement of Pluto, the crowds are enraged with what is happening on
Europa. Young Munenori has become a prophet in the minds of these people. Many citizens of
both Pluto and Charon have heard his words and it spread quickly. With the marriage and death
of Kourou, and the coup of Aritsune, the people feel Munenori prophesied to them. They join in
his quest.
     Munenori and many others board ships destined for Europa, the former capital of the
empire. 
     
     A television shows a reporter on the scene of dispersing ships from Pluto.
     "A new leader arises in our capital, but still another appears for the people of Pluto,
Charon, and other settlements who did not wish to see the fall of their government. The story of
this new leader, Munenori Jemu, starts with his wild proclamations that events similar to those
that have happened recently, occurred. The people here have rallied behind their 'prophet' and
word of his charge towards Europa has spread across the empire. Empress Sugai-Nouri remains
in Europa at this time in a large hotel temporarily designated as her palace. She has gained the
support of such revolting colonies as Pasiphae, Thebe, and Sinope, who as you might remember
were attempting to achieve a separate government from that of the empire under Controller
Nouri's rule. She also gained support of rebel settlements Oberon, Ariel, and Triton. Along with
that, her current home colony of Europa, the colonies of Mars including Phobos and Deimos and
Transmuted Venus have joined her side. The "Prophet" Munenori Jemu has gained support of
Pluto, Charon, Transmuted Callisto, Transmuted Ganymede, Transmuted Titan, Mimas, Earth
and it's moon, and all the former leaders of the empire. It is apparent to this reporter, that Jemu
has the upper hand. Excluding Mimas and the moon of Earth, his supporters are strong
economical powers with powerful militias left over from the resistance. The empress has only
Venus, Mars and it's moons that are comparatively strong. Although Mars and it's other
settlements are known to be strong militarily, the odds are still against them."

     Carried on the fastest ships offered to him, Munenori reaches the colony of Europa. He
meets with his strongest supporters on the outskirts of the Europan settlement where Aritsune
lives. Present with him are Akutagawa from Mimas; Chigema Sutemi from Earth; Datsurou
from Pluto; Gougan from Titan; Hatsuden from Callisto; Sekkaku from Ganymede; and Souro
Zokuzoku from the Earth's moon.
     Munenori speaks primarily with Chigema and Souro, who had previously been high
leaders.
     "What exactly are your plans to reach the palace?" Munenori asks them.
     Chigema speaks, "I've been informed from those formerly in power that many soldiers
that are still in active duty are loyal to the previous government, and hence, disloyal to the
empress."
     "So you will use them to get to her?" he asks.
     "That we will," Souro answers.
     "Then let us do so," Munenori orders. "The militias we need have arrived, we will bring
them here and each of you will lead them to the palace to capture the empress."
     "What about the militias she controls?" one of the others ask.
     "You need not worry about any of them outside of Mars. It will be tough, but surely one
of us will get through."
     "And you will follow?" Chigema asks of Munenori.
     "I have rallied you all together, do you need me?"
     "Don't you expect to lead our new government?" Souro asks. "The people already idolize
you. You are not nearly even fourteen years old and yet you hold so much power in your grasp.
You control the people, do you not know how to manipulate it?"
     "And become a leader hated by all?" he retorts.
     "We trust that you will not be hated. Take command, the support will be there," Chigema
says.
     "I must decline, one of you shall take over, if you do not choose a democracy," Munenori
solemnly declares. "You are better fit with experience to do so."
     "As you wish," Chigema says. "But do follow us, it will do wonders for you if you
continue in the field of politics."
     "That I will."
     The group disperses to the command of their separate militias.
     The armies march through the Europan city. Fighting amongst the way with the
collective militias fighting to protect the new empress. The fighting remains deadlocked.

     A news anchor reports.
     "The palace has been breached by the militia from Earth. It's leader, Chigema Sutemi,
has ordered the palace to be flushed out and for militias just arriving from smaller settlements to
join him. What remains of the other militias have been placed under the control of Souro
Zokuzoku as the other leaders join Sutemi in capturing the palace."
     
     Munenori is brought by a small group to the palace. The wishes of his supporters want
him to be at the palace at the time of capture. As Munenori sneaks into the castle, he finds it
unguarded. Neither his armies nor Aritsune's stand posted anywhere.
     Munenori searches through the palace, in many places he finds bodies from both sides
strewn across rooms. He enters a large room on the third and top floor of the hotel turned palace.
There he sees Aritsune standing there, unguarded.
     "Hello, Munenori," she says just loud enough for him to hear.
     "Your time has come," Munenori states to her.
     "What a brave little boy you have become," she comments walking towards him.
"You've changed a lot, you know."
     "Well, so have you."
     She gets right up close and in his face, "But there is one thing you don't know."
     "And what is that?" he asks her.
     She gets up close to his ear and whispers, "Dragon, of the dark."
     Munenori smiles a little and whispers into her ear, "There is something you don't know
either."
     She whispers to him, "And what's that?"
     He answers in whisper, "Dragon, of the light."
     She takes a couple steps back, a worried look on her face whilst Munenori stands in his
place with a big smile.
     She stutters, "No, you don't know...not about me...how could you know?"
     "Because," he says. "The odds needed to be evened. And with the power of the former
resistance officers, I will win."
     "I?" she says as she seems to regain composure. "Maybe you're not knowing of me."
     Munenori stares at her with question.
     "Exactly what officers are you talking about?" she asks. "Are these, who you are talking
about?"
     She motions with her hand towards a large draped window doorway, a dark man with
green eyes and long black hair steps out from the shadows.
     "Ennosuke, could you please show our guest his beloved leaders?"
     Ennosuke Kano pulls on a rope the pulls the large drapes back.
     Munenori gasps for air at the sight. He thinks to himself, Each one, Akutagawa; Sutemi;
Datsurou; Gougan; Hatsuden; Sekkaku; and even Zokuzoku. All of them, driven on stakes and
shown to the world. These evil woman's way of proving to all her power.
          "What do you think of them now?" she asks.
     "You hurt too many innocent lives to get your way!" Munenori shouts.
     "Do you think you can stop me?" she says.
     "Yes."
     Really?" she asks surprised. "And with what? You don't have these leaders for you
anymore."
     Munenori's voice changes deeper as he says, "With this boy's power combined with my
own."
     Aritsune nearly falls over startled but regains control. She gives a little laugh and says,
"So you really were what I thought. Still, that doesn't mean you win."
     Kano, standing in a corner, knows not of what she is talking about.
     "That boy is weak," she says. "This woman, this body I control, has power I don't have.
Beware me, for I can electrocute you."
     "You think this boy knows nothing?" the other asks. "Do you think I would enter the
body and mind of someone weak to go up against you? This boy I could sense had power beyond
his years. I learned what it was. These..."
     Munenori, or what appears to be Munenori, tosses his weapons down to the floor.
Aritsune stares without sign of change.
     "And I could not wait any longer for someone to search for me," he continues. "I knew
you would be reaching this level of power soon, so I took my chance. Here I am, and I will end
you."
     "Be proud of yourself, pick up your weapons, and show me if you can take me again."
     Munenori picks up the weapons and both of them stare at each other ready to fight. Kano
stands back, out of the way, knowing that neither are acting normally. Suddenly, Aritsune falls
back into stance, with hands at her side and an electric ball collecting. Munenori shouts and
charges forwards, weapons drawn. Aritsune launches the ball at Munenori as he slams one of his
weapons into her chest. Their fight continues.
     Every time a strike is made a flash of brightness or darkness shoots out and Kano thinks
he sees each become a dragon when those strikes are made. 
     Soon, the fight ends. Munenori's weapons drip heavily with blood, his body aches and
tingles with the power Aritsune has been forcing through him. Aritsune's almost lifeless body
lies on the floor. Completely tired, Munenori collapses.
     Both dream each other's dream. They can see a large green dragon fighting a browinish-
gold one. They can barely see above the brightness. They watch as the green dragon delivers a
deadly blow to the throat of the brownish one. They finish. The green dragon stands above the
body of the other. The light has evened out and they can see clearly.
     The green speaks to the almost dead one, "You can never defeat me. Equilibrium is
demanded if the world will stay stable. Now, return to your chamber, locked away forever. And
for the many innocent lives you have taken, let there never be a time that you can escape again. I
may not be able to control the damage you cause to others, but at least I can stop it."
     The green dragon turns towards the now visible form of Munenori as the brownish
dragon breathes heavily. The green dragon speaks to Munenori, "I thank you for your strength.
Be strong through these times. It's your responsibility now. I leave you now."
     The brownish dragon fades away and the green dragon flies away beyond Munenori's
sight. Munenori wakes up in a bed with an official man sitting next to him.
     "What!? What happened?" he asks dazed.
     "You were found in the main room of the palace," the man said.
     "Aritsune....what happened to Aritsune?"
     "The empress is dead," the man says. "Don't you remember? it appears you were the one
who killed her."
     "Yes, I do remember, although it wasn't me," he answers.
     "It wasn't? Then who is responsible?"
     "Well, I mean, it was me, but it wasn't."
     "Excuse me?"
     "Nevermind, you wouldn't understand," Munenori shakes off his question. "What is
happening now?"
     "Well," the man says slowly. "You are now the emperor."