Shangri La Pt. 1

145: Disembarktion

The sound of the bells had rung and echoed throughout the land and stopped everyone in place. Though some did not know who it could be this time, both the Emerald Dragon and the Vice Captain certainly knew who was finally arriving.

"Ah– The bells–" 

"That would mean–" 

"WHO IS IT?!?!" the Empress screamed as she stormed out and onto the training grounds. 

Though the Prince and Princess weren't entirely sure about the situation that's about to happen, all of the Knights assembled into a line as well as both the Emerald Dragon and the Vice Captain quickly stopped their spar. 

Of course it didn't take long for one of the soldiers to just stand up to the Empress, bow to her, to then answer with; "It's the Captain of the Todoroki Knights, and..." 

"A-And?" 

"And an Emerald, Your Imperial Majesty." 

There was a sigh of relief coming from all the Knights, but the Empress wasn't sure if she could convey relief or pissed emotions as the Emerald Dragon was witnessing her. 

"I– Open the gate for them to arrive, hurry." 

"Yes, Your Imperial Majesty!" 

"Wow! Is Bakugo finally back? Is he gonna tell us his side of things?" Kirishima pointed out. 

"Probably just to see if everything is true or not, but did he really become a personal guard for a servant of this place?" 

"Kinda hard to imagine Bakugo protecting a girl to this extent."

Upon entering the city, Izumi and Katsuki were now having to walk all the way through the city and up to the palace as they had to leave the horse behind. This meant that they had to walk through a large portion of the city in front of hundreds of people. 

The biggest difference would be the fact that neither Izumi or Katsuki didn't walk through the city in disguise, and... they held hands. 

"Isn't that... the Captain of the Todoroki Knights?" 

"Yes, but... isn't that an Emerald standing next to him?" 

"I thought the Emerald Dragon was the last remaining Emerald of her clan, so there's still more out there?" 

People on the streets whispered, causing Izumi to get the jitters as she wasn't entirely sure that facing all these people was a good idea. But when she felt a sudden squeeze coming from her hand, the greenette jerked her head up to see Katsuki as he faced forward while walking. 

"Ignore 'em, we got other things to deal with." he muttered. 

"Ah– Mn, you're right."

Taking the long and exhausting steps leading up to the palace was something Izumi never thought she'd ever get used to, but not only has her mind changed, but so has her body. She and the blond Captain strided up those steps ready to face the one that was responsible for all of this; the Empress.

The second they took that last step up those stairs, they looked up to see the gates were wide open for them and could also see all the servants and soldiers waiting for them; expecting their arrival. 

'I can do this. You can do this, Izumi, you are not a scared little girl anymore, you can fight back.' she thought as she clenched the blond's hand once more as they entered the palace grounds to see everyone go into awe by their arrival.