June 14th, The People's Kingdom of Swisslakia, 11:17 am.
King David looked out of his bedroom window and breathed in the crisp morning air, which mingled so wonderfully with the smells coming from the royal kitchen a few floors below. The tower on the left hand bottom corner of the castle, in which King David and his friends resided, was also near to the river. As a result, the smell of fresh, babbling water and the smell of the countryside washed in through the window along with everything else. Some might have found these three aromas overpowering, but David thought them the most wonderful scents in the world. He cherished them as he cherished all the people in Swisslakia. From the fishmonger in the market, to the lords and ladies of his court. And on this summers day in possibly the only pure monarchy left in the modern world (or at least Europe), thoughts like this almost made David forget that in another years time, he'd be forced into marrying. Even though he didn't want to.
But then again, it wasn't as if he had a choice.
Eighteen was the ''coming of age'' period for most kings and queens of the realm. If David didn't find a suable queen by then, he would dis-honer his family and the country. It just wasn't the done thing to have a bachelor or bachelorette as a king or queen. No, he would have to be married at some point. Whether he wanted to be or not. These sudden thoughts seemed to break his majesty out of his temporary euphoria. He heaved a sigh and slumped down on his bed. On to the duvet that had been stuffed with wool and had a cover made out of silk. To most kings or queens of yore this would have been a luxury. But in Swisslakia, silk was available to all who could afford it (and quite a few people could.) as was most of the food being served at the royal luncheon that afternoon. Yes, ever since the allies had reclaimed the country from the Nazi's, ever since King David (then still known as the ''Boy King'') had returned from America to Swisslakia to reclaim his birthright and take his people and any willing Americans wishing to emigrate home, things had just gotten better and better, till they were almost nearly the way they were in the days of David's father. As it happened, the war had been a turning point for the rest of the world hadn't it? This was when the so called ''Supermen'' came into being. Not the ones Hitler had talked about in his seeming never ending speeches. No. These American boys were the real deal. And Supermen was an understatement when it came to describing them. They were outright gods. And strange as it might seem, David had been one of them.
It had started gradually, no one knew when. Back then only a select few actually wore costumes and most were teens or young men. They operated in secret, many without costumes, in the shadows most of the time. And those who showed their mugs in the public eye were few. The Green Lama, Super-American, Phantasmo, Man O' Metal, The Woman in Red. These were a few names that came to mind while thinking of all this. They were some of the 1st to wear uniforms. The rest were young. As young as David was now. Teenagers as they were called nowadays. Some were slightly older, some slightly younger, but it wasn't until the final two years in the war, when Hitler and his lot were running scared when the grand majority of these strange beings left the shadows, donned costumes for the 1st time and started coming in for the proverbial kill. And it wasn't just spies and saboteurs that were made to feel the sting in this increase in costumed heroes. Organised crime took a huge hit too, as more and more people started to look up to these powerful or just talented men and women. Of course by then it was too late for most of them to participate in the war, but those who did usually wore red, white and blue.
David still had trouble believing he was one of these extraordinary people. And yet, he still remembered the day when the German's had stormed into Swisslakia and had the Royal family, David's mother and father, executed by the new governor that Der Fuhrer in his “infinite wisdom” had sent to govern the land that now unwillingly belonged to the Reich. A sniffling wretch going by the name of Heinz Grousse. After he'd had the royal family supposedly executed, He had called the people of the tiny country to salute the fuhrer. Many did so, not so much out of respect than out of fear. David couldn't stress enough how much he forgave them for this. But there were those who chose to honer the dead royals. Those brave men, women and children paid with their lives for their defiance. Even the defeat of Hitler could not bring them back. David shed a tear in their memory. He had been lucky to survive how he did. The Nazi's had shot him when he and his family were at the mercy of the firing squad, but rather than kill him, he'd passed out from shock and pain. His mother The Queen on the other hand had been killed instantly. As for David's father the old king, he had survived, but only long enough to tell his son the only way to save their people. Years ago, the oracle known as Nostradamus had predicted Hitler's rise to power but had been unable to convince anyone at the time of what he had seen. Alone with this knowledge, Nostradamus had constructed a giant mechanical giant. 10 feet high and made of steel. With this giant he also forged a giant bolt to go into it's head that acted as sort of an ''ignition key'' for the whole machine. Whomever so put the bolt into the giant's head, would become it's master. How he'd actually gotten the resources to build the thing was anyone's guess.
Nostradamus brought the giant to Swisslakia and told his story to the royals at the time. Somehow, his worlds rang true to them and they agreed to keep the secret of the giant, vowing never to use it's power until the one known as ''Hitler'' made himself known. To keep this view they buried the giant at the foot of Mount Royal. One of the country's national landmarks. After divulging this information, the king had died leaving the new king to find and dig up the giant. This took a matter of weeks, but in the end, the giant's head was unearthed. After placing the bolt inside the mechanical man's head, Seven year old King David found that indeed, he was the master of the giant. Using this giant, he managed to free his people, destroying only a small barn in the process. Dive bombers were crushed like grapes in the giant's hands, Nazi troops were thrown so far they landed in Russia and eventually, Grousse himself felt the fatal justice of the Boy King and his giant.
This might have ended the story, but out of fear that Hitler may try to wipe Swisslakia off the face of the earth, David had taken the entire population of the country to America with the hopes of starting anew. They came on barges, with the Giant pulling them across the ocean to New York. That was what it was known Back then, back before they changed the name to...well anyway the arrival of an entire country to the states caused quite a bit of alarm. With his country effectively dissolved, there were talks that King David might be placed in an orphanage and adopted by an American couple. This had upset David, as it would have ruined his plans for the future. That being that if the Nazi's were ever defeated, he would return to claim Swisslakia and take his people home. That had been the solemn oath the Swisslakian people had taken before they left the country they once loved so dearly. Thankfully, the Government had stepped in before something like that could happen. David had been given a luxury apartment in Manhattan, the other Swisslakians were somewhere in the country and The Giant was allowed to stay in the harbour to keep an eye on the Statue of liberty until The Boy king had need of him again. After that, David had resolved to fighting crime with his giant, to take on both organised crime and 5th columnists, as well as other threats Hitler and his goons might pose to freedom. Most people were on board with this, although a few concerned mothers had advocated to adopt David and ''raise him proper'' as they had called it. David remembered visiting the houses to humour these women and being tickled senseless by a potential future older sister at one of them. He had even, in a moment of weakness, thought of summoning the giant to save him as the Girl was struggling to take off his boots to get to his feet. All of this was 10 years ago. David was now 17 years old. The girl in question had grown up and most likely had a husband of her own. David never thought he would ever think this, considering he'd spent his childhood trying to become a man in order to rule his people with the same charity, kindness and compassion that his father had done before him, but now he found himself wishing for the impossible. He found himself wishing the re live his childhood. He knew this was selfish to want. Especially after he had just returned to his country not that long ago. 7 years to be precise. But back then, everything seemed so simple. Fighting crime, meeting up occasionally with some of those who would don costumes later in their careers. Now he found himself with the one thing he always wanted and having no time to visit the country that had given him and his people Asylum in the 1st place, no time to battle evil now that the giant patrolled the borders alone, in case of an invasion by the USSR. This wasn't a case of ''wishing he hadn't taken his childhood for granted'' or something stupid and corny like that... OK, maybe it was, but so what? Back in those day he'd had purpose. The crime fighting, trying to keep in touch with his people and the time in between when he would either be schooled by a personal tutor, or play with any Manhattan kids who didn't pass him off as some ''rich pretty boy.'' Manhood had it's disadvantages. Boredom was one of them. So much for that wonderful day with it's wonderful smells. This wasn't the 1st time he'd felt like this since he had become Swisslakia's ruler full time. Nevertheless he did his best not to show it to his people. They depended on him and he knew he had to provide them with what they needed. Swisslakia might not have been the huge harbinger of democracy that America was, but with a king like David, it might as well have been. That's probably why it was known officially as ''The People's Kingdom'' with it's now famous motto, ''perierat, et inventus est ante'' or in English, ''Lost before and found again.''
But all this about Motto's and titles. What did any of that mean now? What did any of this mean when he was so damn conflicted? David knew he had become a hero to his people in more ways than just beating up Nazi's. There were the social and economic aspects as well. As king, he had been responsible for ordering and overseeing the restoration of his country's towns and main city. Not to mention the economy. He had made Swisslakia beautiful again. So why was it that he was unhappy? But of course. It was because all these things, no matter how progressive they were, simply didn't have the same excitement and flare that baddie bashing did. David knew that those days were, for the most part, over. He was semi-retired. He had made his own vow that only something major would convince him to ride the giant into action once again. That was the trouble. One part of him wanted to be a serious leader, wanted to distance himself from the ''Boy King'' persona of his youth, while the other half pulled towards the past and beckoned him to return to it. His mind throbbed as pictures from the past and the present echoed through his mind seemingly at the speed of sound.
“NO!'' screamed the king in a fit of frustration. ''I WON'T DO IT!'' Unable to stop himself he picked up a small red, rubber ball from out of his pocket, and threw it out the bedroom window. He ran to the window and looked down expecting to see it bounce. Instead he saw it get impaled on one of the iron spikes on the top of the castle's back gates. Fir the 1st time in his life, King David found himself envying a rubber toy. The outburst had been childish beyond belief and he was ashamed of himself for it. Very soon a castle guard would be in his room to enquire what the matter was and he, David, would have to answer. These emotional swings were driving him slowly insane. He sat on his bed with his hands covering his face. Enough was enough. He couldn't go on like this without putting Swisslakia in danger. He needed professional help and fast. He would need to find professional help and fast. Sadly, he didn't have a royal psychiatrist. The people needed them more, especially not too long after the war. No matter, he would simply venture into the city after dark wearing a disguise of of some description. Simple as that. It wouldn't be that hard to assure the guard's silence, would it? After all he was the king and their employer. They had to do what he said. It was while he was thinking about all this that his earlier prediction came true as one of the guards ran into the royal chamber. Old Nostradamus would have been proud. The man's face was red from running, clearly he'd had quite a time running up those stairs. He did seem to be rather out of shape by the looks of him. Putting on the kindest face he could think of, David went over and helped him to the bed. ''Please, rest here my friend. You seem exhausted.''
The guard bowed his head. ''A-a little, out of shape, your m-majesty.''
David went over to a red door at the end of the wall facing the bed. He opened the door into a room a a sink, hot and cold water facets, a mirror, a bath and a cabinet. Nearby the sink was a medium sized glass which he filled with cold water from the blue coloured facet. He quickly returned to the room and gave it to the tired guard who drank it with satisfaction. Before he could receive any thanks for this however, David spoke 1st.
''Am I to take it that your reason for coming here is because of the scream you heard from my tower, oh guard?''
''Um, Y-yes your highness. I have never heard you scream in such a way before and my 1st instinct said that you were...well...being taken hostage.'' he blushed with embarrassment. David at this point found the need to put on his most popular of masks. Not the cowls and dominoes worn by his comrades. No, this was an emotional mask that he used to hide fear and pain and immature emotions from his people. All of these masks had names and this particular mask was called ''bravery.'' David began the process of putting this mask on by chuckling. Then looking at the guard with his eyebrow raised.
''I admire your devotion to duty, guard. But as you can see there are no abductors here. The scream you heard was my own. In a fit of frustration. Childish anger. As for the reason for my outburst...well, the problem is for me to solve alone. In the meantime, please inform me as to the goings on in Zürich. Is all well in the city?''
''All is well, sire. Although the people have been panicked by potential terrors of the oncoming storm.''
David turned his head towards the guard, raising his eyebrow further upward. ''A storm?''
The guard looked grim. ''Rolling in from Scandinavia so I hear. Citizens all across Swisslakia and preparing by sheltering their crops and barricading themselves inside their homes. and cellars. With your permission sir, I'd like to..''
''Aid with the storm preparations, I understand.'' David may have been emotionally conflicted at this point, but at least he knew when to act when it mattered most, even if he had little to no direct involvement with the whole affair. The opposite of what he really wanted. Right now, it was his mature side taking command. ''By all means, send some of the castles best to aid with the preparations. Send our most prepared and well trained all over the country. The people need them more than we do. I hardly expect the Russians to attempt to annex our kingdom any time soon. Do it without delay. By the sound of things we haven't much time.'' The guard nodded and ran out of the room, egged on by the king.
David heaved a sigh of relief. But once again, there was that dammed nagging feeling in the pit of his belly. The feeling that it would be so much simpler to call for the giant, step out the window onto his hand and get him to...blow the clouds away? Could it even do that? Maybe it could... SMACK!
David slapped himself on the cheek in order to try and keep the childish part of him in check. The same way mother of the time would smack a child bent over their knees for being naughty. ''Never let me see you thinking these things again!'' is what he kept telling himself mentally. And yet that side still thought those things. That side who wanted to do the most reckless, heartless, deplorable thing imaginable and leave the kingdom ungoverned while he, David, went on his merry way fighting crime everywhere but in Swisslakia. Given the choice, David would have gladly done both. However having your cake and eating it wasn't in his future as far as he could see. The way things looked, there was no way to be a king and a crime-fighter without killing himself with exhaustion. Unlike allot of the other heroes King David didn't exactly have powers as he did a 20 ft tall mechanised giant. And that meant no superhuman durability. Sooner or later, the strain of two jobs would kill him. He would just have be content protecting his people another way. The official way. The bori..the right way.
David momentarily looked out the window and sure enough saw the storm clouds sweeping in towards the city. He didn't mind this at all. The people would be safe. Safety measures would be taken to protect them. He had helped see to that. And yet...there was something odd about the sky. About those clouds. What was it? The King squinted his eyes at the storm, yet he could see nothing. Nothing at all. Well, nearly nothing, Most storm clouds are either light grey or dark grey. These ones were the former. Nothing odd about that, only they seemed to have a slightly yellow tint to the, Why would that be? Before the king could ponder this anymore, it began to rain. Lightly at 1st, though this was merely the calm before the storm.
David closed the window and watched the the rain drip on his window. He couldn't quite tell at 1st, but he thought he saw, as he had with the clouds, just the tiniest tint of yellow in the rain drops. Glowing softly on the stained glass.
And as this fact became apparent to the young king, steadily and gaining more force on it's way down, the rainfall began to increase
(All characters in Dyna-Squad are in the public domain. Swisslakia in this universe is where Switzerland usually is on the map. Please leave criticism as your input will help me create better stories.)
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