A Search Through Runeterra (Arcane)

"In this cursed second life, where does the mask end, and I begin?"~Yone, The Unforgotten

Jarvan has changed. This changes the plot a lot. Demacia is not an actual player but is more defensive while having an equal power to Noxus. Now they would finally face each other.

Another part, I don't know if I discussed it but Arcane S2 and the current timeline is hard to match. Basically Ionia's invasion has already failed. But Singed hasn't moved. Now to those who know the lore, Singed is quite important in the invasion. How do I know that the first invasion failed? The crows at the end. Swain has his hand cut off by Irelia only after does he get into a contract with the demon and gain control over crows.

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"Lets begin." Jarvan spoke from the throne, "Anyone not here without a proper reason will lose their position as nobles."

"Your highness!" A noble exclaimed in shock. "Removing their status as nobles is too much!"

Jarvan tapped Drakebane on the ground, "You were all given the same order. To convene for a much needed meeting at the palace court. And if you either, are late or ignored the order entirely..... then you are disrespecting the crown. Disrespecting ME. I will do as required."

The nobles looked shocked at the strength behind those words. Jarvan was firm and he was not taking any disrespect.

"Is that understood?" Jarvan asked as he leaned forward, his eyes going over every single person in the room.

Everyone stared blankly at him. Not understanding where the authority came from.

"IS THAT UNDERSTOOD?" His voice rose sharply.

The entire courtroom turned into a bunch of nods and yeses. 

"Good." Jarvan leaned back but it did not make him seem relaxed, instead it made him scarier. "Let us begin our discussion then."

He looked toward Xin Zhao and nodded.

But then he frowned and raised a finger in his direction, pausing him.

"No. Before we begin..... does anyone have anything important they need to put forth?" Jarvan asked with a cursory glance over those in the room.

A group among the nobles looked at each other and then one stepped forth.

"Your highness," The man bowed deeply, "We must discuss the actions of one Gregori Hastur."

Jarvan inhaled sharply, "Speak Lord Vincent."

Eric Vincent raised his head and looked at the people in the court with a flourish, "It is a disgrace to our people to let that man roam free. He has caused the deaths of more Demacian lives than any other. His magical children." He spat those last words out with disgust, "Those beasts have also taken lives. We have to contain them. I ask for a vote. A vote to reinstate the Mageseekers. To eliminate the threat that magic and the magical pose to our kingdom. To protect ourselves and future generations from the disease known as magic."

A moment of silence passed before members of his group began to speak up.

"AYE!"

"We support this motion."

"The Mageseeker being disbanded is what led to this situation in the first place."

"Their actions during the revolution is why the number of casualties were less."

"They lost a lot of good men."

"Our family backs Lord Vincent."

Jarvan raised a hand. 

The words did not stop.

He frowned. This was the respect being given to him. They were playing their games in front of him. In his home. While ignoring him.

His father must have been useless.

BAANG

SHATTER

Jarvan raised Drakebane and slammed the end of the lance on the floor with such ferocity that the tiles shattered. Splinters of which flew into the crowd.

The chatter stopped instantly.

"Silence." He spoke softly.

"Why were guards sent to him home in the first place Vincent?" Jarvan asked.

"Milord?" Eric seemed confused at the lack of title.

Jarvan repeated the question once more, a little colder this time, "Why were guards sent to him home in the first place Vincent?"

"Yo..your highness..." Eric Vincent stumbled at first, "It is disrespect to not address me by my title."

"Answer the question." Jarvan pushed without caring for his words.

Eric seemed taken aback by the lack of care shown, "We.." He glanced at his supporters with a flash of panic and continued, "We received word that they were planning something dangerous."

"Something dangerous?" Jarvan asked, "Explain. What dangerous thing could seven children do?"

"They were magical." Eric tried to manage, "We did not want to take the risk. You yourself saw what the mages did the last time they were allowed to roam free. It was a preemptive strike that proved our worries."

"You said that you got word that they were planning something." Jarvan repeated his words.

Eric nodded.

"Then who did you receive word from?" Jarvan pushed. "Name the person or group of people."

Eric Vincent stilled.

So did his group of supporters.

The nobles who had participated in the battle and had heard Jarvan's words silently watched from the sidelines. They knew what was going to happen.

"Uh..um..." Eric began to stammer. "We cannot disclose that." He tried to placate Jarvan, "You have to understand, it is for the sake of our spies. Revealing their identities can cause more harm than good."

Jarvan sighed, "You and I both know that, that particular excuse is the weakest one you could possibly give."

"But!"

Jarvan raised a hand cutting him off, "No." He sighed, "Just no." He looked the entire group, "We have already looked into everything, a comprehensive investigation of all our actions. And that was what the meeting today was supposed to be about. Your forwarding of that decision is much appreciated Vincent."

"You highness?" He asked confused.

"This isn't a court where you can argue your innocence. You are here to be sentenced for your crimes. Including but not limited to the attack on the Crownguard estate. Actions for which, you will have to answer to them as well."

"It.. it was a Crownguard estate?" One of the nobles whispered.

"That is practically an admission of guilt." Jarvan pointed to the man. "Any way, from this moment on, all of you are stripped of your titles as nobles. Your land will be placed under authority of the crown and any taxes levied against the citizens in the past month is to be given to the crown with proper documentation. If documentation is unavailable thirty percent of your yearly revenue will be seized. Your cooperation is expected. Not required."

"You cannot do this your highness." Eric tried to speak. 

"Why can't I?" Jarvan asked genuinely.

"Our families have been a part of Demacia and have served this kingdom from the very beginning. Our hard work is what puts this land on the pedestal it sits upon today." Lord Zircon stood up trying to argue. "What you intend to do is strip us of our very heritage. Our very history. That is not the actions of a king but that of a tyrant."

Zircon had stood up in a fit of rage and courage but as he finished, he had managed to rile up the rest of the nobles.

All of them rose to their feet in commotion.

Jarvan leaned forward and spoke softly, "Guards."

Xin Zhao heard the command and gestured to the guards inside. With a nod of acknowledgement, they began to move. Restraining each and every noble and bringing them to their knees in front of Jarvan.

Jarvan stood up and walked to the group. "You see. My name is Jarvan Lightshield. The fourth of my name. My family has ruled Demacia since its founding. Not yours. Mine. We sacrificed more than anyone to bring our people to this land. We bled more than anyone for our people. We didn't become kings by some random decision. No. We were placed upon the throne by our people. And it is time for me to represent them. No noble is above a king. No king is above his people. And from this moment on all of you and your families lose your titles as nobility."

Eric wailed, "You cannot do this milord, think of our services! Our ancestor's services!"

"Your ancestors, as you call them, joined the kingdom two generations ago. There is no service that stands out. Your money bought you this standing." He looked over the rest of them, "That applies to the rest of you too."

"You will regret this Jarvan." Zircon seethed.

Jarvan chuckled, "Dropping the pretenses are we? And what is that? A threat? To the king? In his own home?" He swung himself around with his arms wide, "Men! Is that not traitorous behavior?"

The men watching this were forced to respond with agreements. That single action had removed them from being simple spectators to active participants.

"YES!" Pieter roared. "Traitors!"

The Crownguard faction echoed his words.

Alain watching this joined in. His parents had truly been lucky. Having gone themselves, they were under attack as well. This gave him a genuine reason to support this action. He would join the king's faction now and it would grant him safety beyond measure.

Zircon's face dropped as fear began to settle in.

"It seems like you all are traitors to the crown." Jarvan stated.

In an instant the silent ex-nobles erupted, "No sire, it was the words of one man."

Jarvan looked at Zircon, "Your allies have abandoned you. And now life will abandon you as well."

SWING

DROP

ROLL

Zircon's head rolled as Jarvan's lance rested to his side.

He raised his hand and pushed his hair upward.

The doors to the court opened as two soldiers rushed in, "You highness!" They knelt.

"Speak." Jarvan ordered. The usual kind voice replaced with a sturdy command.

"The weapons have been located in a Mageseeker compound. They have been recovered and the Mageseekers captured."

"Good." Jarvan nodded as he swung his lance once more. A splatter of blood forming on the ground beside the nobles.

He turned around and walked back to his throne.

"Send word to Gregori Hastur. Tell him that Demacia will honor its word and the traitors are being punished."

He sat back almost lazily and tapped his lance on the ground, "Now." The attention of the entire courtroom turned to him, "Let us continue. I am establishing a few new rules." A harsh smile appeared on his face, "I do hope you follow them."