"Sometimes in life, you have to lose the people you love."
~
After Felicity and her friends fought for L'manberg's independence, there was supposed to be no more wars. Well, at least that was the case until Wilbur Soot tried to rig an election and t...
[~ Before the chapter starts, I was messing around with templates in Art Breeder and I came up with a digital render of what I picture Felicity to look like
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She's supposed to have a blonde streak in her hair but I couldn't figure out how to do it. I didn't draw this btw, it's an online render. Hope you like it :) ~]
The day was upon us. I'd spent a week campaigning with Schlatt, and now it was time. The election. In a few minutes, L'manberg could change. Forever.
I adjusted my tie, smoothing out the suit Schlatt had gotten for me. I sighed, looking in the mirror as I tied my hair back. I rested my arms on the sink, taking a deep breath before exiting. I locked the door to my house, looking sadly at Tommy's home from across the path that ran throughout L'manberg. He hadn't spoken to me in a while, so I figured Wilbur had told him I was with Schlatt now. Not that I'd had time to speak with him anyway... I'd been really busy.
I met up with Schlatt on the way down the to the podium. He looked confident, chest puffed out as he smiled at me.
"Felicity, are you ready?" I didn't reply, simply smiling nervously.
We reached the podium, last to arrive. Normally this would have made me anxious that the whole proceedings had to stop for us, but I knew Schlatt wanted to make a grand appearance, fashionably late, so I let it slide. Quackity gave me a hearty wave as I stepped onto the wooden floor boards. George was, as always, absent. I don't know why he even bothered running with Quackity if he wasn't going to show up. Nikki and Fundy both smiled, but I feel like it was more formality. The two obviously didn't approve of my choice. Wilbur and Tommy were completely blank. They didn't look at me once.
I couldn't focus as Wilbur started up his speech, opening the election. I kept trying to catch Tommy's eye, to no avail. He was point blanc ignoring me. Quackity saw what I was doing and rested a hand on my shoulder sadly. With all the planning of the coalition Schlatt had partaken in with him, I'd gotten to know him quite well. He quickly became like, not my older brother, but a cool cousin, and the age difference of a mere three years helped this analogy.
I could tell from the look in Schlatt's eyes he was confident. Confident we would win. I didn't want to dare hope of any victory, instead, letting a violent pit of unrest settle in my stomach. I was uneasy. I couldn't help but feel something would go wrong.
I turned my attention back to Wilbur as the sun began to set.
"My fellow L'manbergians, thank you for joining me on what is to be a historic moment in our nation's history. The passing over of presidency for the first election of L'manberg." His voice projected outwards, reaching the audience easily, enrapturing their attention. He always has that effect on people. I locked eyes with Tubbo in the crowd. His pupils widened seeing me, as if he didn't quite believe I was with Schlatt and not supporting Wilbur, the man who I'd frequently referred to as brother-like.
"The turnout of this election was staggering and all four parties received many favourable votes. But I won't keep you in suspense. You're all here for one thing. For the victory. To find out who will next hold the power in L'manberg." I squeezed my eyes shut. Everything could change in a few seconds.
I looked at Quackity, his youthful eyes full of hope. I looked to Schlatt, his grin plastered on his face like a smear of paint. Turning to Fundy and Nikki, I saw already residing defeat in their faces. They knew they had lost, everyone expected it. Because unlike the rest of us, they didn't take it so seriously. I couldn't see the emotions crossing Wilbur's face, only able to see the back of his pressed blue coat. The L'manberg coat. That I had shed for an inkling of power. Had I really lost all I was fighting in favour of for this?
I shook my head. I couldn't give up now. I'd chosen this path, and now I have to walk it.
"I have the results of the election in my hands. So without further ado, let us begin." My breath hitched in my throat as the tall brunette pulled out a smart envelope from his jacket, slicing it open with one swift movement of his letter opener. If we didn't win, I doubted any of my friends would respect me again. We had to win so I could prove I had a reason for doing this. So that I could make L'manberg better.
"In fourth place, with 9% of the popular vote, is Coconut 2020." That was a surprise to no one. I hated to be so blunt, but it was painfully obvious that Fundy and Nikki would never win.
"In third place, with 16%... Is Schlatt 2020." I exhaled deeply. I was initially crushed, but I remembered the coalition. If Quackity got enough votes, there was still a chance to take power. Schlatt rested his hand on my shoulder, but it wasn't comforting like when Quackity did it. It was a iron grip that I didn't dare try and escape. Even through all we'd been experienced in this process, the suited man scared me.
Wilbur sighed before he read out the next line. This was it. The deciding factor. If he came in second, and Quackity won outright, the coalition was invalid. But if he came second, and our votes added together totalled more than Wilbur and Tommy's... We were good.
"In second place, with 30% of the popular vote, lead by the party leader," He paused. We all waited with baited breath, hanging onto the brunette's every word. "Lead by the part leader Quackity-"
I didn't even hear the rest of the sentence. The crowd exploded. They thought Pog2020 had won. I shared a small look of victory with Schlatt and Quackity. We still had a chance. Wilbur held up his hand for silence.
"Which means Pog2020 got 45% of the vote, putting them in the lead." Tommy was beaming on the other side of the stage. My face fell as I saw his light up. I hated seeing him like that, all hopeful, knowing it was about to vanish. I'd done the maths. With our's and Quackity's votes pooled together, we reached higher.
"There is a catch." He faltered, composing himself. "On the night of the rally, Quackity made a deal with Mr J Schlatt. A coalition. They would pool their votes together, in an attempt to win." The audience sat in a stunned state. I turned away, unable to bear the horror on the blonde's face.
"Which means with a total of 46% of the popular vote..."
