A Queen the People Need & a Threat They Don't

Dawn twirled her necklace around her neck trying not to focus on her nerves, she was waiting to address the public as the next Princess. She took multiple deep breaths but felt as though she couldn't breathe. 

"You ready?" Kat asked placing her hand on Dawn's shoulder.

"Do I look ready? I'm practically shaking," Dawn said holding up a hand slightly trembling.

"I guess you and Alessia really are related," Kat said laughing. "She was shaking when she took over too but you'll do great and I'm sure the people will love you," 

"How do you know?" Dawn asked.

"They always saw you and Alessia together so they already know you and frankly we do need someone to take over. If it's not you then people will probably convince me to step up," Kat said laughing. 

"Gee thanks," Dawn said rolling her eyes. 

"All jokes aside I'll be here if anything and Alessia will be standing right there along with you," Kat said pointing to the necklace. "Just go out there and give it your best," 

"Speech, speech, speech," Lucas comes into the room chanting. 

"Good to see you so enthusiastic, you really resembled a sad dog the last couple of weeks," Kat said.

'Well...every dog is sad when their owner dies," Lucas said feeling sad again. "anyway forget about that, I'm here to support you, Dawn I know you'll be an amazing leader,"

Dawn nodded and walked to the podium on the balcony, she stood up against it and looked to the rows of people looking up at her. 

"Don't be scared, they can sense fear," Lucas whispered to Dawn. 

"How do you know that?" Kat whispered to him.

"First-hand experience," Lucas said as he shivered. "Tormentors aren't as welcoming to other classes but you're luckier than I am. You're a tormentor," 

"Both of you shut up already," Dawn whispered as she turned around to address them. "You guys are not helping, just wait inside for me," 

"Ok ok, we'll wait for you just give it your best," Kat said as she grabbed Lucas.

"Hey, I can walk on my own,"

Dawn was now alone on the podium, her heart began racing as she looked down at the courtyard filled with Tormentors. The people, young and old, stood there with gas masks on trying not to inhale the smog that had accumulated in the air. Despite the gas masks being on their face, the people didn't hide their displeasure. Some folded their arms in anger, others tried to hold themselves up having to witness another monarch step into power not long after the last fell.

Dawn took a deep breath, she still had no idea what she was going to say to her people but she knew she had to say something. 

"My fellow Tormentors," Dawn began speaking into the microphone. "The sudden and unfortunate passing of my predecessor Queen Alessia has not only been a dark moment for myself and my family but as well as all of you. Yet that is all it must be...a moment, Alessia wanted nothing more than Tormentors to have the most basic rights. Clean water, fresh air, and most importantly the right to live a life that we see fit. Queen Alessia might be gone but her mission now falls to me. I, Dawn will continue to fight for these basic rights we deserve to have and I will stop at nothing till you are all able to not only breathe without gas masks but that you all enjoy your lives," 

People in the crowd stood looking up at Dawn seemingly unimpressed.

"Your mission statement," Kat said. "tell them how you are going to do it, they've heard that garbage time and time again," 

"My people I vow to you that I will take up the approach of the late Queen Lyla, not only making you safe but ensuring you have the protection you deserve. Silver chakrams or not, keep your heads up and be proud to be Tormentors because no normal nor gift could do as we do or live how we live. Be proud my Tormentors 'cause I will always be proud of you," Dawn yelled from on top of the podium.

The people cheered and some even took off their gas masks to throw up into the air. The people applauded Dawn and even chanted her name, Dawn smiled back and waved to the people. As Dawn turned to leave the podium she looked at Kat and Lucas, Kat's jaw was practically on the floor and Lucas was as white as a sheet. 

"What's wrong?" Dawn asked as she stepped out of the spotlight. 

"Do you know what you just did?" Kat asked in disbelief.

"I just became the Queen the people need," Dawn said sounding proud of herself.

"No, you just basically told all Normal and gifted people that you would kill them," Lucas said. "Not me though right cause I feel like I've repented for all that stuff already in Alessia's reign,"

"Luc, I never said that and even if I did it's not like they'd ever know about it," Dawn said brushing them off as she walked away.

Lucas and Kat looked at each other with immense worry on their faces.

Elsewhere in the Land of Gifts 

"So Lyla was reincarnated, huh? Seems a bit too soon for me," a voice said, glaring at the TV.

"Reincarnation or not, it's a threat we have to take seriously," another voice said gravely.

"Please, a girl with such a pretty face could never harm us. I doubt she even has it in her to even think like Lyla," a third voice said playfully.

"Remember the last time we underestimated the Tormentors? We can't have another situation like that, there's only 4 of us left," a fourth voice spoke up in a worried tone. 

"Well if they're only 4 of us then let's go back and retrieve numbers 5 and 6," the first voice said turning off the TV.