I stared out at the massive amount of cameras, the president beaming next to me as he spoke into the microphone. The stage we were on was black, and the background was a digital screen showing the American Flag. Bright lights flashed repeatedly, but I wasn’t blinded by it, my eyes not hurting at all. I could hear the heart beats of all those around me. BDA’s heart was racing, his breathing shaking.
Glancing at him, I saw that he was in the resting position, his hands fisted and his knuckles white behind his back.
BDA had tried speaking to me, seeming concerned about my endorsement, but I set my hand on his shoulder—almost buckling his knees—and told him that he could relax. That I had things handled. He didn’t seem very relaxed when I told him to be ready, though.
I didn’t pay much attention, my music still playing in my helmet. Soon, the president spoke, gesturing at me with a giant beaming grin.
I stepped up to the microphone, “Can you hear me okay? Everything good?” I glanced to the side, giving a thumbs up to the sound-checker. He nodded, giving me a thumbs up too. I nodded, turning to address the crowd, “Hello one and all! Citizens of America, I speak to you today as Blood, the one who has fought tooth and nail since day one to save every life I possibly could! First, I would like to make sure that everyone is recording this momentous occasion—I know I am. If you aren’t a cameraman, please pull out your phones. If you don’t have storage, feel free to livestream it!”
The president chuckled, “I think that’s enough promotion.”
I glanced to the side, nodding, then I glanced to the other side, at BDA’s pale expression as he stared at me.
“I have heard that you, the people of America, listen to me. That you respect me. Is that correct?” I asked, putting my hand to where my ear would be, cupping it toward the audience. Lawrence staggered in the crowd, giving me a wide-eyed look.
Much to my surprise, the entire crowd roared. I nodded, reaching out toward Lawrence.
“Of course, I haven’t done this alone, I, alongside my best friend and delving partner Arch Mage—“ I hesitated at the loud roar, cheers echoing out for Lawrence, grandly gesturing at him and patting him on the back as he grinned shyly at the crowd, “—Have done our best, and I hope you truly, from the bottom of your hearts, respect what I am about to say. You of all people should know that I, Blood, have your best interests at heart.”
Lawrence tugged at me. I glanced at him, “Er, one moment.”
I took several steps back, turning to look at Lawrence.
“What are you doing?” Lawrence asked so quietly I’m certain the mic wouldn’t have picked it up as more than a murmur even if his lips had touched it.
“Don’t worry, do you know how to put up an invisible magic shield?” I asked just as quietly, “Protect you, me, and Big Dick America.”
Lawrence hesitated, looking relieved, “Okay. Big Dick America was concerned.”
I shrugged, “I told him things would be okay. Here’s my plan, do you agree?” I told him my plan, both of us going into detail as the president rambled on for awhile.
Soon, I was ready, Lawrence pulling the president away from the microphone.
“Right, sorry about that. As I was saying, I, Blood—and Arch Mage, my best friend and partner—truly have your best interests at heart. We have fought hard and long for you guys to survive, and we will continue to fight as long as our world is in danger, rising up whenever and wherever we’re needed. So I hope you—“
“I’m ready, the shields are up,” Lawrence said quietly.
“Agree with me when I say this country needs protection. And there is only one good goddamned leader during a time of war!” My hands rose to my sides as the crowd cheered, but Lawrence shoved at me and I glanced at him, dropping my arms, “Okay, okay, guys, let me continue. For the next five years, this country will be run by the military, lead by the great and hardworking Big Dick America,” I gestured to the side, seeing him both relax and go even paler in the face, “After which, the November of 2034, the presidential election will continue as planned. This is completely stripping that idiot of his title and job, and removing the need to pass laws through…”
“Congress,” BDA muttered under his breath at my slight hesitation.
“Congress!” The crowd was deathly silent, “And I know, the military has been horrible these past months, and riots are only getting worse—but believe me when I say that is not Big Dick America’s fault. He currently has to take orders from an idiot who doesn’t know how to lead an army,” I gestured at the pale-in-the-face quivering president, dropping my hand as I spoke passionately, “I have personally worked with BDA and can vouch for his professionalism and militaristic mindset! And, don’t worry,” I rose my hands in surrender, “If he turns out to be a douchebag, I will personally take him down with my own hands. As I have said now and forever, I want the best for America. If anyone disagrees with this, feel free to fight me! Now, questions about this military regime will be answered by Big Dick America! I will stay by his side and gently correct him if he says something that is not in the best interests of America.”
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I gestured to the side, backing away from the microphone. BDA gave me a stern look. I laughed lightly, “Serves you right for always putting me on the spot, asshole. Have fun with paperwork for the next half a decade.”
BDA sighed lightly, “Hello.”
The crowd went wild, everyone yelling out. I hesitated, walking forward.
“Hey!” I yelled out, the room going quiet, “Right now, for five seconds, raise your hand if you have a question. Lawrence, make them glow with magic, will you? We’ll get to you one at a time, one question each, though you can raise your hand again if you have another. Cross your arms like this,” I made an x with my arms, “If you no longer have questions to ask.”
For five seconds, everyone in the large crowd rose their hand. I gestured at the first on the left.
“You, it’ll go from one person to the next. Once we reach the end of that line of people, it’ll go to the people behind them. It’s best if you order yourselves in even rows,” I commented quietly.
And the questions were off. BDA first spoke an apology to everyone that he had been forced to control the military in the manner he had, repeating that the actions the military took were not his decision, but the president’s. Then he spoke, ensuring that every listening officer would follow his commands as he said them. Lastly, he answered the question the person asked.
It continued like this for a long time, Lawrence and I standing by his side as he spoke. Some of them were aimed at us as individuals.
“Uh, yes, I am qualified to make extreme financial decisions for giant corporations. A country is a bit different, but I have more qualifications than the current Head of the Treasury Department,” Lawrence said, leaning down to speak into the microphone, “And, if you didn’t know, Blood here has a degree in United States law, with a focus on governmental and corporate laws. He is more qualified than the current president, and knows more about the law than most.”
I nodded, my arms still crossed as I stood in a wide-stance to the right of and a step behind BDA.
“Was this planned?” A woman asked.
“No,” BDA snapped out bitterly, then coughed, adjusting his tone, “No, it wasn’t. I had no idea that Blood would pull this b—this…”
“BDA didn’t know I would pull this BS on him. Which is great, because he didn’t tell me I was about to be jumped by the fucking president and bribed to endorse that guy,” I gestured at the president, who was still standing—still as a statue—on the stage, “Let it be known I turned down ten million dollars for your guyses sake.”
One person cheered. Then more added on, people going into a loud standing ovation for me at that one person’s cheering. We waited for it to die down.
“I care about them a lot,” I said aloud in realization as I turned to Big Dick America and Lawrence, not realizing that the crowd could hear me now, “Like almost more than I care about your next meal, Lawrence.”
“They haven’t seen that video yet, it only just uploaded a few minutes before I arrived,” Lawrence commented.
I glanced to the side, still not recognizing that I was being heard, “So? I’m not talking to them. I’m talking to you and BDA, they can’t hear us still, they’re still being loud.”
Lawrence sighed, “Right, what are you trying to say, then?”
“Well, isn’t this great? I’ve always wanted to help people—I always wanted to be the big strong hero that people could rely on. I wanted to save lives, protect the people, and overturn the shitty-as-of-late government.” I said enthusiastically, gesturing as I turned to Lawrence and BDA, speaking as I looked between them.
“Now with BDA in charge he can get rid of any stupid laws, erase the redundant government facilities, and spend the next five years both ordering his troops to protect the people and streamlining the government so it isn’t bureaucratic and weighed down by old or confusing laws. Since he won’t have to go through those horrible and corrupt people to do things, and since we’re his checks—in which anyone can call out to us and say BDA’s being a bitch or something and we can just pop over, get the details, and demand an explanation.”
“And who is going to keep you two in check?” BDA asked.
I turned to BDA, scoffing, “What do you mean? Lawrence is my check, I won’t let him go overboard either, and if we’re both being dumbasses you’ll keep us in check. Not to mention I am a heart of the people,” I gestured to the side, not realizing the room had gone dead silent.
“If they have complaints, they can call out and tell me, or write it in the comments of my videos.” The crowd called out in a loud cheer. I glanced to the side, embarrassed. Turning, I continued.
“Oh, oops… Guess they can hear us. Oh well. If that’s not enough, go to James Davis, he’s a powerful man I’m personally aware of with many qualifications of his own. If he says all three of us are being ridiculous, then I’d believe him. He’d give alternatives to whatever path we take, too. Besides, it’s just for five years, until the world settles down.”
“I want this country protected as Lawrence and I go out,” I gestured behind me, thumb over my shoulder, “To other countries to give our aid there. We’ll go to all places on this planet to push back against the invasion—Oh, yeah, please give us like five to twenty soldiers to go with us who can translate for us.”
BDA hummed, nodding, “If you plan to go to all countries, you’ll need quite a few soldiers for translation between English. Any plans on where you plan to go first?”
“Yeah, Brazil. Then, if no one takes care of the threat in Australia, we’ll go there,” I agreed.
“Brazil? Why Brazil?”
“Brazil’s amazing, what do you mean why Brazil? I’m saving every place on this planet, why not Brazil?” I asked incredulously, my gaze focused intently on BDA’s.
“Well, when I think of places you could go, Brazil isn’t really… One of the places I thought would be first,” BDA muttered, staring at me with a bemused frown.
“Well we’ve already been to Canada and Mexico—“
“Aheh, guys, they can hear us,” Lawrence said awkwardly.
BDA and I looked away from each other, toward the crowd, “Oh, hi guys!” I waved, “Sorry, continue, what was the question?”