- Doomsday - Volume One: Gods and Monsters

Chapter 71: Ventura Highway

The night moved along at full speed, Mason celebrating the return of the Yowie in the Scrapyard ending the second official Reckoning, drowned out in a roar of applause, jubilant celebration from the news rocked the gargantuan coliseum. The two men stood in the centre of the arena for a while longer, the stands chanting Yowie! Yowie! Yowie! repeatedly, [Y/N]'s expression was mixed, but certainly uncomfortable standing before the thousands of Junkers surrounding him. Focusing in on the crowd, the Doomsday didn't notice when a small metallic object was shoved into his hand, it's texture smooth and thick, looking down at the object, a crown, moreso bronze then gold, with stake like protrusions jutting out jaggedly. It wasn't the most regal attire he had ever seen, but it fit the moniker of Junker King.

To his side, Mason's face was hard to make out exactly, filled with jumbled emotions. [Y/N] knew it would be hard for the man to give up power, as it would be for most people, bitterness from losing the fight also had to be considered, hard feelings couldn't be avoided. However, surprisingly he also held a bright expression, hopeful. Perhaps he himself knew that under his reign he couldn't provide the necessary strength to fight the warlord up north, maybe relief that the stress of such a worry had been lifted off of his shoulders. The Doomsday couldn't help but feel slightly exasperated from the mountain of expectations put upon him, he hadn't the faintest clue as to what this Mongul could do, yet he had been prophesied to defeat him and bring prosperity to the wasteland.

Yet, passing the trinket in between his palms, cupping it firm, the weight of the role felt even more immense, glaring at the bronze scrap crown, an eventuality that hadn't truly made itself clear upon the Doomsday. "I don't think I've ever seen them all so happy..." Mason said aloud. "We've been sailing through uncertain tides [L/N], I'd been pushing the truth of the situation away, hoping it would solve itself, but that was foolish. In reality, I've been waiting just as much as they have for some hero to appear..." [Y/N] followed the man's gaze, gesturing once again towards the stands. "It's tough for me to say that I wasn't enough to protect my people, but seeing you here in person once again, I know this is the right course." Howl faced the man, melancholic, "And hell you beat me fast, wasn't much of a fight!" he joked, attempting to alleviate the serious tone.

[Y/N] scowled, he really didn't want to be a king, and he hated the expectations these people put on him, he hadn't even done that much to gain their respect, only taking the already pre-built mythos around him. "Hey, heavy the head that wears the crown, or whatever they say.." Mason interrupted, "And you're pretty strong, so I'm sure it will come naturally, I didn't do a half bad job, can't be that hard!" The Doomsday chuckled, the basic hierarchy of strength the Junkers respected a refreshing distraction from the grander issues at play. [Y/N] mentally rolled his eyes, wielding the crown, he would have to get it over and done with sooner or later, raising the bronze head-piece high. In a theatrical display, with two strong hands, he placed the crown over his temple, sitting tight around the top of his skull, uncomfortable but he could endure for now.

The crowds now interlaced their chanting of Yowie! with Yowie the Junkerking!, raising their voices even louder, in the distance Lobo and Bizarro slowly walked near, the biker clapping, knowing [Y/N] hated the attention, while the clone did so earnestly with his stupid grin on display. Mason reached for the microphone once again, "I AM PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE PASSING OF THE CROWN TO THE VICTOR OF THE RECKONING, THE YOWIE, SCOURGE OF THE OMNICS, SAVIOUR OF THE OUTBACK, KING OF THE JUNKERS!" The Doomsday scoffed at how large his title had grown in such a short time, moving closer to Howl, "We have urgent matters to discuss, let's wrap this up..." receiving an understanding nod.

The four soon left the centre of the arena, moving through the underground complex of the Scrapyard, heading towards the back-entrance, only to be greeted by the two teens, breathing heavily, most likely having run all the way to catch up. Mason's entourage of guards attempted to stop the pair, but [Y/N] righted the situation, letting them through, Mason making eye contact with the purple-haired wastelander. "Odessa, what on earth are you doing back in Junkertown?!" gaining a suspicious expression. The exasperated girl quickly regained her composure, pointing towards the Doomsday, "I've been travelling with the Yowie!" Howl looking at [Y/N] for confirmation, promptly nodding, "Wasn't much I could say to keep her from following..."