I Royally Decline// Todoroki Shouto x Reader

Ch. 19: The World has Changed

Some time later.../Rory's POV

I looked in the cracked mirror of the bathroom. I tightened my red tie and put on my black vest, pushing up the sleeves of my white dress shirt. I styled my raven hair, before leaving the bathroom and walking over to the window that held so many memories. I picked up the tear-stained satin pillow and peered out the window of the overgrown garden. My eyes wandered over to the decimated forest, and I quickly turned away.

"Rory, are you up? The master wishes to speak with you," a voice travelled through the cracks of the door into the pitch black room that once belonged to my sister.

"The real Master or Tomura?" I asked, rolling my eyes. I heard a sigh and knew what the answer was. "I'll be out soon, but I'm not rushing for that idiot." I heard a disapproving grunt before Kurogiri left my closed door. I sat on the bed and let my tears flow into the comforter, which muffled my many screams. I just wanted my old life back, even if it meant that I had to be a disgrace again.

I opened the door to the throne room and saw Tomura sitting on King Enji's throne, kicking his legs childishly, while King Enji, who had been under Myoung's control for months, sat in the Queen's old throne.

"Rory! My beautiful child-"

"I'm not your child, Tomura," I sliced his words and received a quick snap of his head, now looking at me with those stupid hands covering his face.

"Ha, I'm more of a parent to you than your parents ever were. We could argue about this all day, so let me get to the point. It's about your sister," Tomura pointed at me with a frown. I was barely able to control the shock on my face.

"She's alive?" I asked. I couldn't believe she survived the mirage attack I saw her leave the castle with.

"Oh she's more than alive— she's thriving. Rumors have it she's stronger than ever before. She's created an army in... where are you from? Oh, right, Crystalli. Apparently they're the strongest and mightiest from all around and are plotting to destroy us. I'll have to send a group of you down there to take care of the problem. I'm gifting you with the position of Head of the Team! You can finally get back at your evil sister!" Tomura clapped his hands and I dug my nails into my skin, a habit I picked up after (Y/n) was sent away. I was barely able to choke out a response, but I knew I couldn't let him be suspicious.

"Yes Sir... e-except..." I stuttered, not sure what to say.

"What? Don't tell me you still care about that demon?!" Tomura laughed.

"No, it's just... if she's so strong and we're outnumbered, we're going to need a lot of training before we can even attempt to break their front lines," I said, hoping to by myself some time.

"Oh! That makes sense! Of course! Your team will consist of Toga, Dabi, Twice, the Puppeteer, Uraraka, and Midoriya."

"Uraraka and Midoriya?" I questioned. From what I knew, they had been thrown into the dungeon.

"Oh, the Puppeteer finished her work in completely controlling them. She wants to bring them to ensure she has puppets with her," Tomura slouched into the red velvet thrown. My eyes wandered over to King Enji who looked sorrowful for some reason.

"Great, that sounds wonderful. I'd be happy to begin their training," I smiled, knowing this was my time to explain to (y/n) what had happened.

"The Puppeteer is down in the dungeon with her victims. Could you pick them up, please?" I nodded and obediently walked out of the throne room, hoping I was hiding my raw excitement. I quickly walked down the moss-covered stone steps to the dungeon and towards Midoriya and Uraraka's cells. I passed the cell of a familiar, and stubborn, prince, bringing me to a halt.

"Shouto... you need to eat," I spoke, without looking at the prince. I earned no response, so I sighed and turned towards the cell. Shouto was lying in the corner, thin and weak. "Shouto, we're going to Crystalli." I knew this would catch his attention and heterochromatic eyes of melancholy and regret met mine.

"W-why? They promised... they promised they wouldn't hurt her?" The pitiful prince barely managed to squeak.

"You think they're the kind of people to keep to their word? Anyways, I'm leading a team down there. Myoung, Midoriya, and Uraraka are coming too," I spoke quickly and quietly, not wanting to give myself away. A dry, cracked smile peeled across Shouto's pale face and I knew he felt a sort of satisfaction. I left his cell, demanding him to eat once more, and headed towards the bright, pink-haired girl.

"Rory-kun! What a surprise! What brings you-"

"We're attacking Crystalli."

"What?! Rory-kun, we can't! Your sister!" Turns out, (y/n) was right; Myoung wasn't all bad. She was a little sadistic and over-emotional, but most of her intentions weren't evil. Still, I made sure she knew I had no intention of ever falling in love with her and she accepted that, with great disappointment.

"Midoriya and Uraraka are coming, too. Along with Toga, Dabi, and Twice. I think this might be our chance. There's one problem, though," I dragged my words out, looking into the two cells. Midoriya and Uraraka we're sitting up at attention, curious about the mission they were invited on.

"One problem?! I see like 800!" Myoung screached. I held a dark finger to my lips, reminding her to keep her voice down.

"(Y/n) managed to recover from her mirage attack and has become stronger than ever. She's the Lieutenant General of an army made up of the strongest quirk-using soldiers from all around. This could be a massacre before we even get the chance to talk to her," I hit my fist against the metal bars of Midoriya's cell.

"Midoriya, do you have a plan?" Myoung turned towards the greenette, who shook his head, but began to ramble, hoping to come up with something.

"Deku, wait, let me be the one to come up with a plan. She still trusts me," Urarkaka's bright smile was contagious and filled the room. Our conversation was interrupted by some explosions coming from across the dungeon. I rolled my eyes, knowing that it was Katsuki trying to escape again... that boy refused to follow our scheme. I bowed slightly, before heading over to deal with him. We're coming (n/n).

Your POV

Flashback
I was escorted into Crystalli Palace and brought immediately to my room. My parents shut the door, terrified I might explode onto them and draw them into my mirage attack. Little did they know, I had recovered from my attack in the carriage. The problem was I had been destroyed by betrayal and had convinced myself I was the nightmare no one could wake up from. I snuck out of my room and walked in reverie to Rory's room. His room wasn't too dark without him in it, and it made me miss him more. I laid on his black bed and emotions finally hit me. I cried for hours, my body slowing getting more and more dehydrated. I didn't even stop when a knock came at the door.

"(Y/n)?" The room grew extremely bright and pregnant woman sat down at my side, stroking my ratted (h/c) hair. "I knew I'd find you here. Mom and Dad are somewhat glad Rory didn't come back, but I'm not. I'm worried, (y/n)... what happened?" Milaina stayed by my side for the rest of the night, and I eventually told her everything. She became the only person I could trust in that palace.

End of Flashback
-

"Soldiers, attention!" Endless rows of decorated soldiers saluted me as I walked in the room, my new, burgundy cape trailing behind.

"As you know," I began, soaking in all of the attention, "A party known as the 'League of Villains' is growing rapidly in the corrupt kingdom of Endeavor. Your training here is to prepare yourselves against them. They will fall." I finished my short speech to cheers filling the training grounds. A high-ranking general, General Tokoyami, walked up to me, bowed, and asked for my attention.

"They've been spotted."