Prologue
???:
Tell me, do you know a boy named "Prince Spectre?"
Random Student 1:
Prince? Never heard of him–wait, no, he was that freak!
Random Student 2:
Prince…I think I remember him. I was always told to stay away from him. Apparently, when he was a baby, he killed his mom, and then attacked his neighbours!
Random Student 3:
I would stay away from him if I were you. They say that strange things happen whenever you're around him. Real weird stuff, like music playing from nowhere, or radios breaking! Hey, instead of looking for some freak, why don't you come get something to eat with me and my friends?
A young man is revealed. He is dressed in a three piece, all black suit. He has dark skin, and a small clover shaved into his hair. The man finishes writing down all of the responses from the students onto a notepad
Young man:
Would you be able to tell me where Prince normally goes after school?
Random student 2:
No, why would I care where someone like him goes? Wouldn't he probably go home or something?
Random Student 3:
No, I think I've seen him behind the school, near that big tree. There's always strange music playing from there after school. So, mr. Tall, dark and handsome, about my offer…
Young Man:
Thank you for all your help.
The young man pushes past the students and makes his way towards the back of the school. Just as he was told, he is greeted by a lone boy under a white pine. The young man clears his throat to make his presence known. The boy turns to look at him, greeting him with a large smile.
Boy:
Hey, this is a pretty nice place to relax after school, isn't it? I figured since we graduated today, I should take one last chance to enjoy it before I leave school for the last time…
Young man:
Are you Prince Spectre?
The boy has long brown hair covering the left side of his face. He's wearing a large yellow rain jacket, with a heart pattern on it.
Boy:
Yup, nice to meet you. What's your name?
Jay:
My name is Jay, Jay Libreman. I know this may seem quite sudden, but I request your cooperation.
Prince:
What's going on?
Jay:
Mr. Spectre, I'm sorry but, I've been sent to test you.
Jay removes his sunglasses and puts on a pair of white gloves
Prince:
Test? I thought I had finished my exams–
Jay throws an incredibly fast punch. His fist missingPrince's face by a hair's breadth. Prince catches the punch, before looking at Jay, questioning him.
Jay:
Impressive, but let's see if that was just a fluke.
Jay continues his attack, pressuring Prince, pushing his back against the tree. Unfortunately, none of his attacks are landing.
Prince:
Stop that! Hey, what's going on! Stop it!
Jay puts more and more pressure, however, the air around Prince begins to change, as the leaves start to rustle uncontrollably
Jay:
(This reaction…Could it be…?!)
As Jay throws one more punch, his fist gets caught by a large, yellow hand.
Jay:
!?
Prince:
I…said…stop!
Jay gets tossed backwards, sent hurtling to the ground. However, the impact is stopped by a large object. As he looks up, Jay sees Prince standing over him. Behind him, is a large humanoid creature. While it had a resemblance to a human, its size and its bizarre, almost doll-like eyes, helped Jay to realize what had happened.
Jay:
(So it's true, he has a Manifesto too!)
Prince:
Oh shit–Sorry! Are you alright!? I'm so sorry, I know I shouldn't hit people like that! Mom's gonna be so mad if she finds out…
Jay:
Tell me, what's its name?
Prince:
Oh thank goodness, you aren't hurt! Wait, you aren't hurt?! How!? I wasn't trying to hurt you, but it's not like I held back or anything!
Jay:
Answer my question, Prince! What's your Manifesto?
Prince:
My manifesto? Oh wait, are you CIA?! Do you think I'm a commie or something!? Please, you have to believe me, I'm as American as anyone else! I bleed, red, white, and bl–
Jay sucker punches Prince, causing Prince to stumble backwards. Jay shakes his fist, as he recoils from the pain.
Jay:
Ow…sorry, that was just me getting even for the cheap shot you gave me before. Now, since you've already revealed you have a Manifesto, tell me what it is, and more importantly, what it does.
Prince touches his nose, and wipes away the blood leaking from it before smiling. Prince lunges at Jay, and the two resume their fight, as they roll down the hill
Jay:
Please! I'd rather settle this peacefully!
Prince:
Oh no you don't! You started this! You were the first one to punch me, remember?! Besides…
Prince kicks Jay, while helping himself get up at the same time.
Prince:
This is the most fun I've had in a long time! I haven't gotten into a brawl like this since freshman year!
Prince winds up to throw a punch, with the large arm of his Manifesto following closely behind his own.
Jay:
*sigh* Fine then…Fool's Gambit.
Prince:
Fool's what–!?
Before Prince's fist can connect with Jay, a large Manifesto intercepts him. Prince and his Manifesto sink into the soft surface of the Manifesto. The Manifesto resembles a large ragdoll, with big button eyes, and a sewed on smile. There is a clover design going down the Manifesto's arms. Before Prince can react, the Manifesto's long limbs wrap itself around Prince and hold him in place.
Prince:
W-what is this?!
Jay:
This is my Manifesto, Fool's Gambit. I wouldn't suggest struggling, physical attacks are completely ineffective against its body. Now, you have a Manifesto of your own, right? Show it to me.
Prince:
Is this what you mean by Manifesto?
As Prince says this, a large, hulking Manifesto emerges. It has a large cymbal on either shoulder, a heart located on its forehead, and several smaller hearts strewn around its body.
Jay:
(What is that thing?! It's gotta be at least six feet–no, six and a half feet tall! And that frame is monstrous, I'm glad the President sent me, if it weren't for my resistance to physical attacks, I don't think anyone would have been able to stop him!)
Prince:
So, this thing is called a Manifesto?
Jay:
Erm, yes. I was sent to test whether or not you also had a Manifesto of your own, and, it appears you do.
Prince:
Great, so what happens now? You take me back to your secret government lab and run experiments on me?
Jay:
…Well…
Prince:
Wait, no way! Are you guys actually going to experiment on me?! Please don't! I don't even know where this thing came from! I've had it for as long as I can remember!
Jay:
Fuhahaha! Sorry, I was joking…It's true I'm under orders to bring you back with me if you have a Manifesto, but we won't run any experiments on you. The President asked for you specifically, so I'm sure that it must be something important.
Prince:
The president asked for me!? Like, the president of the United States?!
Jay:
Yeah, that president.
Prince:
But what would he want with someone like me?
Jay:
I have an idea…Prince, do you know anything about your dad?
Prince:
Yeah, he's the deadbeat who abandoned my mom and I when I was a kid. What does he have to do with anything?
Jay:
Well, given your attitude towards him, this might be hard for you to accept, but your father was considered pretty important in the government. He was the first person to present the existence of Manifestos to the government and talk about the danger they pose.
Prince:
So what? Like I said, he's a deadbeat, and I'd be happier never seeing him again. Why does it matter that I'm his son?
Jay:
Well, this might not be my place to say, but…your father went missing a few years ago.
Prince:
?! What does missing mean? How did he just "disappear"!? I thought you said he was important to the government?!
Jay:
Wow, and I thought you "would be happier never seeing him again." Did I get that right?
Prince:
…Touché…Seriously though, what's going on?
Jay:
It's just a guess, but the President was a close friend of your dad when they were younger, so it's possible that he's using his position as President, and your father's status to try and find him. I think that he wants you to help.
Prince:
Me?! But, I haven't seen my dad in years…how could I be helpful? I don't even know how to use my Manifesto, you seem so much better at this…
Jay:
Don't worry, it comes with time. Besides, you're the son of THE James Spectre. I'm sure your abilities will kick in sooner or later.
Prince:
I guess…
Jay:
Great, so you'll help? In that case, we should leave as soon as possible. I can get us on a train, and we'll arrive in Washington as soon as tomorrow!
Prince:
Wait! I-I'm sorry, but I can't go with you, not if it means leaving this town…
Jay:
What? Why?! Don't you understand what's going on?! Your father is missing, and the President himself wants you to help recover him! He has confidence in your abilities, and after punching each other, I know that you have the potential to be as strong–no, stronger than anyone else! Why don't you want to go?!
Prince:
I just…I just can't! Alright?! That's all I can say! Besides, it's my decision whether or not I want to go! So, I'm sorry, but let me leave!
Jay:
…
Prince:
Hey, let me go already.
Jay:
I'm sorry Prince, but I can't do that.
Prince:
Jay. I'm being serious here. Let. Me. Go. Or else.
Prince clenches his fists as he glares at Jay, but Jay just looks away
Jay:
I'm sorry, but I can't let this chance slip through my fingers! You don't know what this could mean for me! Even if there's only the slightest chance we could bring him back, I'd leap at the opportunity! So, I'm going to knock you out now. Trust me, you'll thank me later.
Jay walks towards Price, who mutters under his breath.
Prince:
Giuoco Piano…
Jay:
What?
Prince:
You asked what my Manifesto is called. Its name is Giuoco Piano. It's Italian for "the quiet game," something my Manifesto is very good at. In fact, you probably didn't even notice it sneaking up behind you.
Prince smiles as he looks up, Jay turns around, but before he can react, he is punched in the jaw by Giuoco Piano. Jay's Manifesto releases Prince as it returns to him. Prince stretches his joints before cracking his knuckles. Prince has an ear-to-ear grin on his face.
Jay:
Don't make me hurt you!
Prince:
Funny, that's what I was about to say! We should be friends!
Prince and Jay begin throwing punches again, however, before Giuoco Piano can land its attacks, Jay's Manifesto absorbs the blows.
Jay:
Don't you understand this is useless?! There's nothing your Manifesto can do against mine! It's just going to be the same as last time.
Fool's Gambit wraps its arms around Giuoco Piano, holding it in place, while wrapping its legs around Prince, stopping him too.
Jay:
Face it, this fight's over. You got a bad matchup, I'm sure if you were fighting against anyone else, you would have won. Let's stop this before either of us get hurt anymore than we need to.
Prince:
Stop? Why would we stop when it's just gotten fun!?
Jay: Just accept that you can't beat me! Your Manifesto can't hurt me, Fool's Gambit absorbs all of its attacks! No physical attacks will work on me!
Prince:
Ahahaha!!! You sure are confident in your power…There's just one thing you missed!
Jay:
And what is that?
Prince beckons Jay to come closer, before whispering in his ear
Prince:
I never did tell you what my Manifesto could do!
Jay:
!?
Prince smiles before Giuoco piano stomps on the ground, releasing a deafening noise, causing Jay to collapse to the ground, holding his ears in pain.
Prince:
Wow, that's the first time I've tried using that in a fight, and boy did it not disappoint! I wonder what else I could do with this? Training my Manifesto would definitely be a good idea! Thanks for the help Jay, but it looks like I won here. Don't get up, for your own good. For whatever reason, my noise attacks don't work on me. Giuoco Piano gives me complete control over the sounds around me, meaning I can make it deafening for others, but inaudible for myself. I have to go now, but it was nice meeting you! I really hope you're able to find my dad. Feel free to come back, I'm always happy to have another fight like this! I can really feel the adrenaline pumping…?
Prince looks down, to see Jay grabbing onto his leg
Jay:
Wait…don't…go…
Prince kicks Jay's hand off of him
Prince:
Hey man, I know I said it was fun, but c'mon. I don't want to bully the weak. The fight's done, I won. Now, I really have to get going–
Jay:
Wait!
Prince looks shocked to see Jay standing back up, before smiling again
Prince:
Wow, you're even more impressive than I thought!
Jay:
Please! I need your help! I-it's been more than ten years, I need to know if Mr. Spectre–if your dad is still alive! You don't understand how much this means to me. Being honest, I couldn't care less about the president's orders, or whatever plan he has, I just want to bring Mr. Spectre back!
Prince pinches his nose, and stays silent for a few seconds before looking back towards Jay
Prince:
Fine. I'm willing to help.
Jay:
Really!?
Prince:
But I have conditions. First, my mom's out here, and I want you to guarantee her safety while I'm gone.
Jay:
I'm sure we can do that…
Prince:
Second, I want to be paid for this, it's just me and my mom, and since I'm assuming I'll be gone for a while, I'll have to quit my part-time jobs.
Jay:
Of course we'll compensate you for the job.
Prince:
Alright, and finally, you need to promise something very important…
Jay gulps in anticipation, before solemnly nodding. A twisted smile spreads on Prince's face.
Prince:
You have to promise that I'll get to fight a ton of strong people like you!
As Prince says this, Jay feels a large wave of unease and anxiety flood over him
Jay:
I can guarantee, if we're searching for your father, there will be no end to the amount of Manifesto users searching for him.
Prince:
There are gonna be more people like us…?
Jay:
Of course, considering you didn't even know what a Manifesto is, you probably didn't know your dad's nickname. James Spectre isn't just recognized for the bureaucratic changes he's brought in America, he's more well known across the world as the strongest Manifesto user. He's fought against other people with Manifestos on nearly every continent. During the war, he led his soldiers in Europe, and apparently, he never once led the battlefield. Soldiers would tell stories of a secret weapon brought in by the Americans, enemy bases would often be engulfed in pitch black flames, signalling his arrival. No one knew what type of firearm he used, and the rumours about him grew and grew, until they took a life of their own. This is how James Spectre earned the title…The King!
Prince:
So, you're saying my old man is the toughest person out there? That sounds so…fun! I can't wait to see you again, "Dad!"
Prince smiles as he talks, meanwhile, across the globe, we see a large, wandering vagrant, with a long, unkempt beard, and jet black hair. The man is dressed with a large trench coat, and has a green tie on. The man stops in front of an alleyway, a mugger stops his crimes and turns towards the vagrant.
Mugger:
Vagrant:
Woman:
The mugger throws the woman to the ground as he starts walking towards the vagrant
Mugger:
A Manifesto emerges from the mugger
Vagrant:
Before he can even move an inch, a bullet flies between the eyes of the mugger's Manifesto, causing it to disappear, and the mugger to fall to the ground.
Vagrant:
Woman:
Vagrant: