Rise of Avalon's moon
The world is sick by more ways than one. From black darkness of the world rises mysterious anti-hero: Black Warlock Prince. L/K/C/A
"Speaking"
'Thoughts'
Disclaimer: Standard disclaimers apply.
1. Staff of Aegis
At some place mother was preparing to read story for her daughter. "What you would like to hear next sweetie? I have some stories about knights and princesses and..."
"NO!" shouted young girl "I don't like stories where knights and royalties they serve are like saints while they usually are only tyrants and mindless marionettes. I want stories where darkness and light are not portrayed in same way as in those stories. I want a story where hero is magical being like dragon fighting against knights, where monster's true life is shown, where..."
"Okay, I get it. Looks like times has truly changed from my time. I have story like that which is really long, where monsters are more like freedom fighters and this story is true."
Girl got excited. "Really! Please tell it to me mom! Pretty please!"
"Okay sweetie. This story tells about birth of the nation of Neon Avalon, rise of dark moon, scheming, mysterious powers, saving the world, true faces of persons, different societies and happy and sad romances. This is story of Black Warlock Prince Lelouch 'Zero' vi Britannia-Avalon..."
-Story begins-
When states in America rebelled against Britannia Empire 1776 they didn't get promised help from France and rebellion failed. Later Britannia slowly conquered entire America and when British islands were lost for Napoleon Britannia renamed large continent of America to Holy Britannian Empire.
Years later at 1910s in Europe Germany decided that it wanted to challenge Brittania as strongest nation in the world and progressed fast in various technologies. At year 1917 Germany wanted to unite Europe and it started war where Germany showed its' most progressed army in world with fighter planes and tanks. In year 1924 they created even first jet planes, first computers, rockets and missiles that could fly little time even in space. They quickly conquered entire western Europe, but in east Russia proved out to be too large to control and Germany didn't move further than Moscow. In year 1922 Holy Brittanian Empire decided to secure its' place as a strongest nation and attacked Europe in west while Europeans attacked from Russia in east. Even though the Germans showed their missiles and jet-technology they lost for overpower in 1924. Most important military personnel with their friends, families and ideas of their other techs disappeared and conquerors took their jet-, computer- and missile technologies. Event became known as First total war or First World War and gave birth for Euro Universe or shortly EU.
Years went on and at year 1939 some kind of new type of crystal was found near Ayers rock Australia. Within caves was found crystalline substance which was named Ayersium and research towards it begun by Brittania, EU, Chinese Federation and various companies. Almost all breakthroughs regarding Ayersium were made by large united group of companies that was known as Brotherhood of Nod. Nod became known when it stopped fights in middle-east and it has since broken many ethnic and religious conflicts around the world. Mostly they have huge influence in small nations and with regular people of colony nations especially those belonging for Britannia.
Many things were discovered from Ayersium or for short Ayer. This crystal in the process of conversion, breaks down all material it absorbs, creating a gestalt, uniform crystalline structure. Once harvested, processed, and treated, it forms a base material that can be literally converted into any element, provided it is supplied properly with certain chemicals. This base material, once converted to a liquid form, can also be used as a fuel in next-generation reactors. This fact allowed new possibilities: ultra-durable polymer composites, magnetic accelerators, quantum computers, mass-produced vehicles and machinery of extremely high quality.
Britannia started to also seek weapon usage for Ayersium and at year 1963 weapon experiments went horribly wrong. The Britannia's Ayersium research facility on the Amadeuslake explodes. The circumstances of the explosion are never discovered although Britannia blames Nod for this and much of the Australia's rivers become contaminated by Ayersium. In the following months, patches of Ayersium begin appearing all across the planet. It now infests the ground itself, spreading outwards slowly, reaching into the mantle world, converting everything it touches into more of itself. It has transformed entire regions of world into alien landscapes, cracked, broken, and hellish environments, with glaciers of pure green crystal rising up into the sky like alien monoliths - a source of unimaginable wealth if any dared to tread the these so called Red Zones. As a result of spreading civil unrest drastically increases.
Years went on and world was soon categorized in four areas decided by how badly Ayersium affects those areas. Red zones are area filled with monolith like crystals and only Nod knows how to preserve even some life there. Otherwise those area are inhospitable with radiation, ionic storms and no natural life. At start red zone took least area. In yellow zones fields of Ayersium appear from ground, but growth can be controlled or even stopped or growth and radiation is almost unnoticeable, but anyway situation must be supervised. Most of world is yellow zone. In orange zones growth of Ayersium couldn't be controlled, but life is still sustainable, but areas are ravaged by disease, harsh conditions and conflicts. Those are mostly areas that big nations didn't consider important. Blue zones are area untouched by Ayersium and are later highly supervised by government. So-called areas of nobles, rich and influential.
When Ayersium started to swallow nations and infestation was let loose because it took more resources to protect those area than they gave, Nod who spoke for 'small people' got more radical stance and gained more support from regular people from colonies. Nod started to build an army in order to give colonies and small nations independence from big nations. When big nations heard this with Britannia in front they created army which became known as Global Defense Initiative or GDI. GDI started to suppress activities of Brotherhood of Nod and its supporters started to open fire at them. GDI was surprised how far Nod had gone with its technology with help of research towards Ayersium. Almost all of their bullet weapons were replaced with different beams like lasers, spectrum beams, superheated plasma beam and etc while other nations had not even begun their research in those areas so there Nod surpassed them by decades. Nod got soon control in middle-east, Balkan, Australia, in large parts of Africa, red zones and even in Empire's own fatherland in former Brazil by insurrection.
At first nations were together in GDI, but Empire was one to pull strings in GDI. When other nations wanted to restrict Empire emperor showed his true colors and showed that entire GDI was actually made largely by soldiers loyal to Empire and this charade was only to take technology from other nations and spread influence of the Empire. Other nations left GDI and two smaller different armies were made by EU and Chinese Federation led by China which comprised China, India and other eastern Asian countries aside Japan which wanted remain neutral. Although nations of EU and Federation had common enemy they hold their animosity towards others and their lack of trust. GDI had taken walking machine 'walker' technology that Asian scientists created and used that in their mobile weapons which empire for ire of Asians named as Knightmare Frames. But EU and Federation had some technologies they didn't share. Soon EU showed its ion electricity using Tesla technology and Federation presented two transforming walkers Mecha Tengu and Striker/Chopper VX and years later their own Knightmare MSJ-06II-A Tieren. World war that had begun at year 1984 was called Ayersium War.
Most notable weapons in Ayersium War became legendary and some are used even years later. From Nod those are Nod only various varieties of beams, scorpion-like AT-20 Scorpion tank, Flame tank which uses fire coming from burnable ayersium and white phosphorus that melts quickly even steel, Prism tank which uses reflecting spectrum beams, Venom which is hybrid of helicopter and fighter jet, Vertigo bomber and interestingly designed Banshee assault fighter jet. From GDI those are Pitbull, light Guardian tank, heavy Predator tank, first generation knightmares Wolverine and Titan, Mastodon walker, Orca-jet plane, Firehawk-jet plane, Century bomber/transporter and Hammerhead gunship. From Federation those are amphibious Tsunami tank, Mecha Tengu transformer and Striker/Chopper VX transformer and from EU came Tesla technology, Hammer tank, amphibious Stingrays and Tesla tank.
This four-way-war (some say three-way because how closely EU and EAC worked) went years and eventually Nod was forced in defensive battles. Finally GDI started huge attack for Nod's headquarters Temple Prime in red zone Sarajevo. Although evenly matched and Nod had superior technology, GDI used superior tactics and numbers to strip away the defenses from around Nod's last bastion. Britannians fought the last lines of defense for 72 hours before GDI launched largest missile in its arsenal at temple and it got past missile defenses. Temple Prime turned in rubble.
Ayersium War ended at 1990, but conflicts didn't stop as people in areas that were conquered by Britannia people rebelled all the time and animosity between Empire, EU and Federation stayed. Nod had vanished, but in some areas was believed that Nod will someday return and they are now secretly looking those who truly want to change the Gaia and who would someday fight in Nod ranks. War machines of Nod aside Banshee and Prism tank were left behind, but Nod had succeeded to remove all their secret technology from those and those who used those machines had to place bullet and rocket weapons in them.
Britannian empire had become dominant super power. They started to develop their Knightmares even further and when third generation Knightmares Ganymede started to rise Knightmares took their place as even more important vehicles than tanks in ranks of GDI. Knightmares were superior to all ground units and EU and Federation begun developing their own Knightmares soon after Ganymede appeared in fronts. Unfortunately they lack behind in developing of Knightmares compared to GDI.
-Year 2009 Aries Villa in Holy Britannian Empire in Area 1 Blue-
Empress consort Marianne vi Britannia watched at veranda as her daughter Nunnally vi Britannia played tag with her half-sister Euphemia li Brittania and Lunar Waldstein daughter of Knight of One under watchful eyes of one member of royal guards and Euphie's big sister princess Cornelia. She wondered where her eldest child Lelouch and Lunar's big brother Marco were as they doted their younger siblings and rarely left their side. Especially absence of Lelouch would be noticed as three young girls had crush on Lelouch and Marianne knew that Euphie and Lunar are Lelouch's first loves. There was talk about marrying Marco for Nunnally and Lelouch for Lunar and Marianne seriously considered it possible.
Then she remembered that lately two kids had showed great interest towards experimental ideas of new Knightmares types Ashford family had in their minds and they had their own plans for Knightmares. Marianne blamed herself and her genes about her son's interests towards Knightmares and he was taking his best friend Marco with him from Marco's other interest which was about legend of King Arthur. Marianne walked in Lelouch's room which was near veranda and guarded by Lelouch's most loyal servant and member of her guards margrave Jeremiah Gottwald. Marianne didn't know how his son had got absolute loyalty of her once most devoted subordinate. She was greeted by Jeremiah who stood aside and in room she sighed when she noticed two boys discussing in front of computer.
"Up from there and back to play with your sisters you two. You can talk about your ideas when Ashfords next time come to visit."
Boys get surprised and Marco blushes. Only Vi and Li Britannia siblings know about his childish crush for Marianne. "We will come soon mother. First we will place necessary protections around our ideas."
"You protect those as those were S-class secret files. You think terrorists will steal them?"
"Sometimes enemy is closer than you think. I am not worried about terrorists, but that damn Maximus."
Maximus at Britannia, 12th prince, 18th in line of throne and only sibling of fourth prince Maximillian at Britannia who was only one who matched second prince Schneizel el Britannia in games of minds. Maximus is master chess player only below Schneizel and his brother. Until he was beaten by Lelouch and he lost every match against him since. It was big blow in Maximus's pride as he had swore to never lose in games and he has obsession of beating Lelouch totally. This was supported by terminally ill mother of Maximus who actually loves emperor Charles and hates Marianne because her commoner status.
"Maybe if you..."
"I know what you are going to say mom and I have tried letting him win once. He noticed it because his paranoia and he took it as sign of pity. Now he is twice as resentful towards me."
Conversation ended soon after that and boys went with Marianne. At garden they were tackled to ground by Nunnally, Euphemia and Lunar and they started to play hide and seek. Boys were good in this as Lelouch used guerilla tactics he was fascinated about and Marco used strength he gained under training of two different Knights of Round. From shadows more than one pair of eyes watched all that with calculating looks.
-Year later Imperial Palace of Holy Britannian Empire in Area 1 Blue-
The doors to the Imperial Palace opened and a man announced, "Announcing Prince Lelouch vi Britannia! 17th heir to the Royal Britannian Throne! And Marco Waldstein, Heir of Waldstein family!" They stared down to where their father sat with a guard on each side of him and the surrounding court members spoke amongst themselves while bowing. They spoke about how Marianne was killed in the palace, but one denied saying terrorists could have gotten in the palace and they were shushed before anything else could be said. They also spoke about the Ashford Family falling since they backed Marianne and how Nunnally was injured in the attack and could be of no use now.
Lelouch walked in and stood before his father, "Hail, Your Majesty. My mother, the Empress, is dead." He announced.
Charles zi Britannia looked impassive, "Old news. What of it?" Boys were shocked by emperor's battened disregard of the tragic events, "What of it?" Charles never liked to have his time trifled with trivial matters and this was one of them, "You sought an audience with the Emperor of Britannia simply to inform me of that?" He turned to a guard, "Send the next on in, I've no time for these childish games."
Lelouch took a few steps and the guards brandished their spears but Charles stopped them so they stood on point, "Why didn't you keep mother out of harm's way! You're the Emperor! The greatest man in this nation if not the world; you should've protected her and now you don't even visit Nunnally!"
Charles spoke without a hint of care, "I've no use for that weakling. That is what it means to be royalty." The young prince couldn't believe what he just heard.
"You, how can you be so cold to mother's death! How could you have let that happened!? Aren't you even going to look into it! This has to be a conspiracy! How could terrorist have broken through the palace guard!" shouted an enraged Lelouch.
"Is that all you have to say to me Lelouch?" said the emperor ignoring Lelouch's question.
"'Is that all you have to say' what the hell do you mean by that? Mother was just killed, Nunnally your own daughter is blind and can no longer walk, don't you even at least feel angry!?" cried out Lelouch tears of anger and sadness coming from his eyes while Marco gritted his teeth.
"Anger, sadness, why exactly should I be angry or less yet sad, over the deaths of mere weaklings!? If they die, they die! If they got killed by weaklings such as terrorists, then they deserve no tears, or even my pity! Lelouch, only the strong can live in this world and only the strong, If you are to become the emperor then you must not shed tears for the weak, you must not pity the weak, you must destroy the weak from this world. They do not belong with us Lelouch, the weak should all just die!" shouted out the Emperor.
"S-So what you're trying to say is that his mother deserved to die and that Nunnally deserves her fate because they were too weak. And that they shouldn't be shedding any tears for his mother or for his sister?" said Marco weakly.
"Yes, that is what I am trying to say Marco, Lelouch, we the strong should not become weak simply because others are weak! The weak deserve to die and suffer!"
Lelouch looked at his father with killing intent, his cold violet red eyes stared into that of his fathers as his hand reached for his royal pendant that he once wore with pride. "I'm sick of fighting and scheming over who will succeed you, father! I've had enough! If that is what it takes to be emperor, to be a member of the royal family, then I….I…Lelouch…renounce my title!" shouted out Lelouch with all his voice as he ripped of the pendant of the royal family from his neck and threw it to the ground.
"I Marco Waldstein support that and renounce my blood!" Marco shouted.
The Emperor was enraged by this, "Leeeeeelllooooouuucchhhh! You are a dead ever since they day you have been born! Who do you think gave you food, your clothing, who do you think had you educated! Me! It was I who have provided you the necessities to live! And now you go and renounce your title! How ungrateful of you!" Charles roared storming to his feet but Lelouch wasn't intimidated and remained where he was, "Lelouch…you are dead, therefore you are not entitled to any rights. Very well then, I shall have you and your sister sent to Japan! At least you'll die usefully Lelouch! Take him away!"
Knight of One Bismarck Waldstein spoke next angrily, "I shall also renounce you Marco and your little sister Luna and exile you with those two in Japan."
Lelouch replaced shock with anger, "Fine…" He tore the cloak from his shoulders and threw it to the ground, "but know this…before my time in this world is done…I will look down on your corpse and smile."
Charles looked hard but smirked, "Hmm bold declaration…you might have made a worthy heir."
Nine-year-old Lelouch and Marco turned and ran from the room.
-Later-
By the time of the Ayersium War, the Holy Britannian Empire had already become one of the three superpower nations that controlled a third of the planet, the other two being the Euro Universe and the Chinese Federation. By the time of the invasion of Japan, from their homeland in North America, Britannia controlled the whole of the Americas, as well as New Zealand, Hawaii, and the Philippines.
The rare mineral, blue Ayersium which is in many ways different to its' common green counterpart, became increasingly valuable as more and more modern custom-made better military technology relied upon it; the superconductive properties of it which was greater than that of green Ayersium resulted in technological miniaturization which allowed for the development of greater technologies, better energy usage and mostly better Knightmares. Unfortunately for Britannia, 70% of the world's blue Ayersium came from reserves located in Japan. While not being part of the three superpowers, Japan was able to maintain its independence and economic superiority by manipulating blue Ayersium supplies to each of the three superpowers to maintain a balance of power; essentially, if any one superpower tried to invade Japan and seize its Ayersium reserves, it would give them such an advantage that the other two powers would have to attack it instantly or risk annihilation. Consequently, no one superpower was willing to risk a world war by conquering Japan, even though each of them was perfectly capable of doing so.
Soon after child's exile in Japan Charles sent GDI to attack other nations in order to "Unite this sick world to protect and cure it from cancer of Ayersium and conflicts." They first attacked on nations with largest blue zones aside Chinese Federation. At 2012 after the conquest of Area 10 by Britannia, Japan decided to align with the policies of the Chinese Federation and Euro Universe and apply economic pressure upon Britannia, an event which came to be referred to as the Oriental Incident; all three factions blockaded Britannian ports in an attempt to force negotiations.
The plan backfired though, as Britannia attacked and invaded Japan which was half blue half yellow with small places of orange. Lasting only a month, Britannia conquered Japan thanks to the large-scale implementation of fourth-generation Knightmares as weapons of war, whose combination of mobility and firepower gave them a complete advantage over the more standard main battle tanks of Japan. The conquered island nation was renamed Area 11, and its citizens "Elevens." Britannia accomplished this feat without retaliation from the EU and the Chinese Federation thanks to clever political manipulation: Britannia divided the blue Ayersium production of Japan into thirds and evenly distributed it among the three superpowers. More blue Ayersium was produced overall as the Japanese no longer had any say in the matter, such as the exploitation of Ayersium deposits under Mt. Fuji which caused the sacred mountain to be defaced in pursuit of the mineral. Britannia wisely gave the other two superpowers equal shares in the stockpiles of Ayersium, essentially bribing them out of war or even allying with each other.
A major reason as to why the war ended so abruptly was the apparent suicide of the Japanese Prime Minister, Genbu Kururugi (actually his murder by his son, Suzaku). Though Japan had been militarily defeated, it had not completely surrendered and was prepared to mount a do-or-die resistance against Britannia; ironically, this meant that Britannia had never actually broken Japan or even really demoralized its population beyond hope, and its industrial and economic capacities were never completely destroyed. This meant that Area 11 was never a fully pacified occupation sector for Britannian forces, which may account at least in part for the rather brutal treatment of Elevens by Britannians.
Exiled siblings were taken away and thought to have died, but in reality they due to Lelouch and Marco's desire to survive, Marco's and their maid Sayoko Shinozaki's strength, Lelouch's intelligence and cunning they were able to somehow survive. Before they left Lelouch swore an oath.
"Don't worry Suzaku," Lelouch said with a smile for his second best friend, before his expression hardened into a serious look of determination, "I swear that someday I'll make things right. I swear that one day, I'll eradicate this corrupt Britannia. I'll see it burn."
Escape didn't went well since they soon had to dodge Britannian soldiers patrolling in areas and after week of escaping Marco and Lunar were captured by croup of Britannian soldiers near quite large military base. Nunnally and Lunar had insisted that they would return to Britannia and they should go with soldiers instead running. Lelouch and Marco didn't trust Britannians and had insisted to keep escaping. After Waldstein siblings were captured Lelouch had ordered Sayoko to take Nunnally away while Lelouch buys them time to escape after promising to find them again. Nunnally had protested, but Lelouch was adamant.
Nunnally and Sayoko met Lelouch again after month, but without Waldstein siblings. Lelouch said they were separated and they would meet again later. Only Sayoko noticed expressionless gaze and tired voice of Lelouch and she knew something terrible had happened. Waldsteins were never seen since.
-2012 somewhere in coasts of Area 11 yellow-
Travel of Vi Britannia siblings and their loyal ninja-maid got them to walk around Japan in huge distances. Right now they were in near coastal area where patches of Ayersium had pulled some mysterious ruins which were buried in ground. Ruins were strange as they were mix of eastern and western old civilizations.
"Have you ever seen buildings like these before Sayoko?"
"No master Lelouch. These are really strange architecture. Mostly they are eastern built, but pillars are like from Greece and stairs from Mayans and Incas. They are like mix of all ancient civilizations and very old."
At same time Nunnally was folding paper cranes because story that if you create thousand of them your wish comes true. Those cranes reminded Lelouch about his pinky promise to with Nunnally to create gentle better world before she opens her eyes again. At same time Lelouch promised in his mind to sell his soul if that is necessary to create that Nunnally's ideal world.
They continued amongst ruins in forest when ground broke under Lelouch when he thought about his promise and he fell while hitting every root under him which snapped soon after Lelouch dropped in them. Roots also slowed down drop which was really good as Lelouch noticed when he hits his back at floor. By his estimates he dropped by twenty feet.
"BIG BROTHER! Are you okay!" he heard Nunnally shouting with distress.
"I'm fine Nunna. Roots stopped my falling." Lelouch shouted and Nunnally sighed in relief. "I will get you out master Lelouch!" shouted Sayoko, but Lelouch answered, "Don't, I snapped every root you would need while falling. Take care of Nunna and I will look for another exit." Nunnally cried from hearing that. "No! I don't want to leave you behind! What if..."
"Nunnally! I promise that I will survive and that no matter how long it takes we will meet and be together! I promise that with everything I have!" Nunnally wanted to protest, but she relented. After Sayoko took them away from hole Lelouch made primitive torch from twigs and lighted it up with lighter that Sayoko had insisted for him to carry.
Some minutes Lelouch walked amongst maze-like corridors of ruined building, which were probably buried by earthquake. His eyes started to get accustomed for darkness, but still he got dripped in debris and got blood-dropping wound in his right shoulder. Lelouch lost his make-shift torch from falling and it fell in puddle of water. When he lost his source of light Lelouch felt like panicking, but then he noticed little sunlight coming from door ahead of him. Clutching to his wound Lelouch began clumsy walking towards that.
Eventually he got in door he saw large round chamber with pillars and many doors surrounding its walls. In ceiling was crack where light came from surface. Light formed pillar which shone on object directly middle of chamber. Whatever it was this chamber was probably built to keep it hidden.
Lelouch walked forward and froze, sitting on a black marble pedestal, was an old staff of some dead looking white-grey wood bound in pedestal by some roots coming out of it. End of staff looked like grip and hilt of the sword and out of place where blade would come out was growing out crystal of black or maybe more like dark Ayersium. Lelouch was astonished by staff and he wondered about crystal as he knew that there is no such thing as black Ayersium. Lelouch walked in front of pedestal clutching to his wound and took grip of staff, but roots didn't break.
"Only people with certain blood can take Staff of Aegis, the Power of the People."
Lelouch spun around only seeing medieval sword pointing at him. Grip was blue with golden hilt and in blade was blue and golden ornament. Holding sword with posture that told about great experience in using sword was young woman with long blonde hair and green eyes. She wears a mid-age blue dress rode with silver armor to her arms, chest, and bottom of her dress. She looks like Britannian or British.
"I would like you to tell your name, but since it is rude to ask it without giving own first so I shall tell you mine. Name is Altria. Now it's your turn." she said with voice of authority that tells about disciplined and noble birth.
Lelouch watched his options. He knew not to go against this woman without Marco, Suzaku or Sayoko. His best option was to comply and use his intelligence for now. "My name is Lelouch Lamberouge. I fell here while walking in woods and I have tried to find a way to get back to my sister. What is this place and what you are doing here lady Altria?"
"These ruins are remnants of dead culture and I live here in order to find person who can take that staff and grant my wish."
"You live here? Does that mean there is exit?"
"Yes and I use it when I look for food and walk in nearby villages to get information about world. I am not some cave girl... nor will I tell where it is before I've decided what to do with you."
Lelouch decided to keep talking while thinking way to escape. "What is so special about this staff that you would live in place like this?"
"That staff is geass artifact made twelve thousand years ago by researchers of the nation of the Eden from patch of Ayersium in order to create power completely opposite to the Power of the King's, Geass."
This got huge eyes for Lelouch. "Twelve thousand years? The Power of the King's, Geass? The nation of the Eden? Like paradise from bible?"
"That is right. Ten thousand years ago there were nations which rival even great nations of modern age. Eden, El Dorado, Avalon, Shangri-La, Shambala, Thule, Atlantis, Iram of thousand pillars, Hyporia... Those cities of legends truly existed before great war. They even built their own Knightmares, Automatons. Oh, by the way I know you are planning escape. Good luck in that."
Lelouch tried keep up his facade. His opponent wasn't stupid. Crazy maybe, but not stupid. "What you meant only people with certain blood can take this staff? Did old researchers create some kind of DNA-scan?"
"Don't ask me method, but that staff is made that only those who are direct heirs of rulers' of lost nations can take staff and awake its'... true..." Altria spoke as she fell silent after taking glance at staff and Lelouch turned his attention towards it.
He had taken his hand from wound and blood had flowed from hand to staff and crystal. Now roots were retreating back to staff and after last root vanished Lelouch could lift staff. Crystal got some glow and for brief moment it shone in dark glow which didn't bring any light.
Altria got a small smile on her face. "Finally after all these years heir of ancient rulers has taken power of Aegis. I'd say you descend from rulers of glass isles of Avalon, Everdistant Utopia."
Lelouch just stared at staff which was longer than himself and he was amazed about it while also amazed about his identity as lost heir for lost kingdom. But at same time he was thinking how he could use this for his advantage. Especially now that he knew little about this staff and what it meant for miss Altria.
"You said that one who picks this staff can grant your wish? I don't feel anything like getting some magical powers."
"It doesn't give powers. In time you start to understand and awaken secret properties of staff's radiation. Staff evolves with user. More user bonds with it, more knowledge he gets and who knows all can master it and use its' greatest secret to grant my wish."
"It sounds like long progress. Why I should take this staff or grant that wish of yours?" Lelouch said with smile of person who knows that he is going to win a game.
Hearing that Altria got back her original serious expression. "So you are going to just walk away right when I got some hope of getting my wish granted? Are you really that despicable?"
"Nothing like that at all. These news about my ancient heritage and this staff interest me, but I am… in bit of argument against Holy Britannian Empire and I have to be very careful for mine own and my sister's sake. That is why if you are coming with me because this staff you have to be prepared to become enemy of Britannia and always watch over your back."
"Doesn't matter. I am prepared for that kind of life."
"Also because nothing is free in exchange of eventually granting your wish you have to offer me something. I don't talk about taking your body." Lelouch said when he saw Altria to narrowing her eyes. "You are clearly good fighter and I wish you to help me on my journey. Would you accept becoming my servant and knight, follow my commands and fight for my sake?"
For moment Lelouch saw some turmoil behind her green eyes, but it passed away as quickly as it appeared. She stood straight and placed her sword in front her face.
"Very well then. I, Altria Peregrine, accept your wish and offer my servitude for you. So now I heeded have your call. My sword will be at your side from here on forward. From now on, whatever fate awaits you awaits me. The accord with us has now been struck."
But Lelouch shook his head for Altria's surprise. "Not yet. I once saw Britannian knighting ceremony and I wish to do just that to finish this properly and make you my knight. Place your sword at your waist and stand before me." Altria did as he instructed.
"Altria Peregrine…" Lelouch called out, the prince standing as the young woman knelt before him, a sword placed at her hip "Wilt thou, upon this day, pledge your fealty to me, and stand as a Knight for my sake?"
"Yes, my lord." Altria vowed, he young woman's arm crossed before her heart as she bowed her head before young prince reverently.
"Does thou wish to abandon thyself," Lelouch continued, his features as calm as day without any wind "and be a sword that strikes down evil and corruption and shield for the sake of the greater good?"
"Yes, my lord." Altria vowed, reaching down and drawing her sword, presenting it with the tip aimed at her breast as the prince stepped forward to accept the hilt at his right hand while holding staff with left.
"I, Lelouch Lamberouge…" the prince announced, tapping first her right, then her left shoulders with the sword "do herby dub thee Dame Altria Peregrine."
He returned the woman's blade to her, Altria sheathing it at her waist once more, before rising at his gesture.
After small ceremony in darkness Altria showed Lelouch secret stairs out of ruins which he would've never found alone. After getting in daylight Altria made some make-shift bandages to cover wound in prince's shoulder and they went to search for Sayoko and Nunnally. After few seconds they found Sayoko, but without Nunnally and sitting heaving against tree trunk.
Lelouch became very worried. Sayoko was kunoichi and would never leave Nunnally alone. He started asking questions while Altria searched for wounds.
"Sayoko, what is matter? Where is Nunnally?"
"Master Lelouch, I'm so sorry. When we were waiting for you we encountered by large croup of Britannian soldiers lead by prince Maximus at Britttania personally. Soldiers fired at me so I had no choice, but to escape in woods without Nunnally-sama. She got captured by them."
Lewlouch's eyes widened and he took more firm grip on staff. With Altria on his side he ran towards where Nunnally was. At same time Nunnally was speaking with Maximus.
"I'm sorry Nunnally that we fired at your servant. We thought she was threat to you. My men are right now looking for her and Lelouch. You shall be sent to our camp in safety."
"I am happy to meet you again brother, but I don't want to leave without big brother. He has been someone who I could always lean to and aside Sayoko my only protector after Marco and Luna vanished."
"I understand, but you have to be investigated since radiation of Ayersium might have affected your crippled body. Besides after you are checked you shall be sent back to fatherland. You can meet our siblings once again."
"Really!" Nunnally said excitedly. She really missed her siblings.
"That's right. I am sure they can convince you back to royal family and Lelouch shall be sent back as soon as he is found again. Think about it. Everything could be how they once were in past." Maximus said with evil smirk. Hook, line and sinker, fish was in hook.
Nunnally accepted as she wanted things to were as in past and she was sent back. After Nunnally's car vanished from sight Maximus walked between his men who excavated mysterious ruins, like they were looking for something. Maximus walked at edge of woods and started shouting.
"I know you can hear me Lelouch. Nunnally truly is pitiful case. It only needed some pretty words to make her little princess who does anything for those she considers her family and leave you. As we speak she is moving closer towards family who you despise. Don't even think about returning, because as soon as you show signs of returning she shall taste poison. Same shall happen if you tell someone what I am saying right now. I will only convince father to marry her to one of nobles who beats his women after she comes in age. Don't worry about her worrying. I will make sure that she will eventually forget you, get friends from nobles and never go search for you or maybe even miss you. I just want you to suffer from knowledge of that you shall never be her brother ever again! Who now is better Lelouch? I won!"
After announcing that he walked away to see had his men found what he seeks while laughing. At same time in bushes near edge of forest Lelouch was crying while clutching on his staff knowing that he truly might not see his irreplaceable Nunnally ever again. Royal family had taken even his sister from him. Altria stared at back of Maximus with disgust and Sayoko tried to comfort her young master.
-2013 Kyushu Area 11 orange-
An explosion had awoken Lelouch from his dreams of few months ago, when had found about his ancient bloodline, found strange dark Ayersium staff of Aegis which he has always held close to himself ever since and sword wielding Altria and Nunnally was taken in royal family from him. He opened his eyes and looked around his surroundings as people around him began to panic inside the small carrier vehicle they were in. Only Sayoko and Altria who sat on his sides stayed calm. When Altria is not fighting, like now, she wears casual clothes given to her by Sayoko- white collared shirt with long sleeves and a blue ribbon, a long blue skirt to match, black tights, and brown boots. She keeps sword and her armor in large sack which she always keeps close her.
They were on small caravan which moved people to make settlement in ruins of city which was destroyed in war. Somewhere in wilderness in forest between fields of green Ayersium they were attacked by some Nod soldiers. Nod had developed art of guerilla war at its peak and Britannian soldiers were falling. They had three Knightmares, Glasgows, with them, but ambush, trap and well-aimed shot from bazooka destroyed those quickly and after those, rest were easy picking. Suddenly bazooka shot blew up APC-transporter at side of carrier where our three heroes were and carrier flipped over.
After waking up Lelouch looked around and observed the area around him. Battle was clearly won by Nod as there destroyed vehicles all around him. There was nobody living there and Sayoko and Altria were not seen anywhere. He calmed his breathing and listened to the area around him. For a while he stood still and listened into the noise of the forests. It was very faint, but he could hear slow steady footsteps near him. Lelouch listened intently that the almost soundless footsteps stop when it came close to him. Something was wrong and Lelouch had known it. He listened harder to his surroundings until he heard a whizzing noise that was made from a blade from moving at fast speeds. Lelouch's eyes widened and he crouched down barely saving his neck.
While crouching he saw a black boot come towards his head. Suddenly hand shot out somewhere to protect Lelouch. It was Altria and she looked little shaken, but okay. Skillfully she grabbed the appendage and swung the unknown person to a tree that was several meters away. Without stopping she sprinted towards the person that was still in flight. The person that had attacked hit the tree with a loud grunt, but before it could stand up though Altria dropkicked the figure in the stomach.
Lelouch looked at fallen foe and found it intriguing that there would be a woman in Nod militia uniform all the way out here, near the battlefield. She had long and curly brown hair. The girl had a petite physique, but had a slim, well built figure.
He approached her with caution careful not to be caught off guard. When he got close the girls eyes opened and showed that of a brown color. Quickly she did a low kick to Lelouch. With her inhuman reaction Altria blocked her attack and dealt a powerful right kick to the side of her head. Too bad for Altria something grabbed a hold of her leg. Quickly she twisted her body and sent her left foot flying towards the person or thing holding her right leg. There was a very loud grunt as Altria hit something solid which felt like a face to her.
She didn't have the luxury to rest though. As the instant she kicked the other person the brown haired man took out a pair of daggers and came for her. He slashed at Altria's head with his left and tried to stab Altria with his right. This would've been effective with his speed and the simultaneous attack, but this is Altria we're talking about.
She skillfully ducked on the slash to the head and spun to the man's side and avoided the attack. With her quick hands she grabbed a hold of both the man's wrists. With quick speed she shouldered him and then flipped him over. She didn't stop there though. With her hands still on his wrists she twisted arms very harshly and a loud crack could be heard as his bones popped out of place. The man let out a loud scream of extreme pain.
A pair of knives came from the bushes towards Altria, but being her she dodged them with ease. Not only did she dodged them, but while dodging she picked them off in the air and threw it back at the bushes it came from. A figure quickly rolled out of the bush only to have its face meeting Altria's shoes. She was about to sprint towards the enemy, but she heard a whizzing sound of a blade cutting through the air and she quickly ducked. Altria busted out with a flare (breakdancing move) but was dodged by her foe. Her enemy stabbed the blade in attempt to stab her legs, but came missed only few cents.
With her immense upper body strength she lifted herself into a handstand, from her sitting position. She then grabbed her opponent's head with her legs and quickly flipped and slammed it down very hard. Finally she had a good view of who his enemy was which was another Nod woman.
She was about to punch her face, but luckily for her a gun shot was heard and the punch never came.
Altria flipped backwards and dodged the shot, barely. She didn't get any rest though as the girl in front of him started to slash at her. She dodged them with a bit more trouble this time as she was more focused on calculating where the shot had come from.
The girl that was attacking got annoyed that Altria was not paying attention to her and attacked her more aggressively. Altria decided end this and grabbed a hold of her hand holding her no-dachi-katana. With extreme force she brought her right palm towards her chin. Another gun shot was heard, but yet again was still unable to hit Altria. Altria quickly kicked the purple haired woman behind the knee making her fall to her knee. Without stopping Altria landed a quick, but not as powerful hit to the side of her face.
As she was about to hit, a gun shot went off again, but Altria skillfully dodged and used the back of her heels to knock out the girl with the no-dachi-katana. Two more gun shots were heard, but still the person shooting at her could not hit her. With her speed she sprinted towards the direction the shots were coming from while dodging bullets.
When she came through he came face to face with another woman that was also oriental. On her body was the same black battle suit that the other Nod militias had on. In her arms was a rather advanced looking bolt action sniper rifle.
She got out of her musings when the woman pulled out her pistol on her. She fired off three shots at Altria's but too bad for her Altria had gotten in close range and swiped the gun out of her hand. With her gun gone she went and pulled out a knife but it too was taken away from her. She tried to punch her, but it was a futile effort really. She grabbed her wrist and twisted it to her back which made her grunt with pain. Then she placed the knife on her neck and spoke, "Why are you, don't even say your part of the resistance, because I'm pretty sure they don't have people as skilled as you within their ranks. Tell me now, what Nod wants from simple caravan. Tell me before I slit your throat."
Altria spoke in a cold and dangerous voice to her which made her tremble a bit, but she didn't answer her.
"I think this is enough. Let her go and drop your arms." was suddenly heard.
Altria started looking around and noticed large group of Nod soldiers aiming weapons at her. She would have retaliated somehow, but she saw four soldiers aiming Lelouch and dazed Sayoko. Deciding that this wasn't time to fight she dropped knife she hold and woman she threatened picked it up and pointed her rifle at Altria.
Out of woods walked out three men and one young woman. One was man had small glasses and shoulder length silver hair with some marks in left side of his face, other man is a tall young man who is as tall as Sayoko. He has long blonde hair and light blue eyes. His attire consists on the black and red Nod officer uniform like with silver haired guy. Third man had tall and slender built, tan skin but on the light side and black hair that reaches just above his shoulders. He wears a strange white mask and his clothing consists of mostly white kimono with blue trime, blue pants and an underblue kimono and a pair of brown boots. He also has blue eyes. Woman with them is a rather beautiful young woman. She has big brown eyes, light white skin, and dark brown hair. Short for her age, she about half the size of masked one. She has small breast size and she wears her hair in a low pony tail, letting her bangs and random pieces of hair hangout. She also was a hair piece and her clothing consists of a dress with long sleeves that is ankle length. She also wore short brown boots.
"Hehe, your pretty good, not many can go up against them, so…what's your names?" said the blond haired guy. He and masked one looked like leaders. Lelouch relaxed a bit and smirked, "Shouldn't you tell a person your name before you ask for theirs?" he retorted back. Masked one snickered before he answered back to him, "Very well. There is no need for us to be rude. I am Hakuoro and this woman is my girlfriend Eruru. Blonde haired one is Gai Tsutsugami although we call him Triton and silver haired one is Shibongi"
"Since you decided to be polite we should probably also be. I am Lelouch Lamberouge, young woman is Altria Peregrine and dazed is my maiden Sayoko Shinozaki. Why should you attack group of civilians which were moving to rebuild one of fallen cities?" said Lelouch in smooth voice.
"Heh. No use in playing with smooth voices as we are no strangers in games of nobles and politicians. Surely you must've noticed that there were too many soldiers to just move some civilians. In truth they also transported some plans for experimental fifth generation Knightmare Gloucester. We wanted those plans in order to build our own Knightmares." answered Triton/Gai.
Lelouch had truly noticed that and it had made him restless. "Do you think that some they were stupid enough to transfer here all blueprints instead only some of them?"
"No we don't, but by combining that little we get with technology of Automatons we can probably build something."
This got full attention of Lelouch and Altria. "How you could know about ancient lost civilizations' technologies?" Altria asked.
Now Nod got restless. "Many secret groups have found some scriptures and Nod has allied with most of them. How do you know about them?" said Shibongi.
"We had our taste of it. Do you have some of those blueprints? I am related to Ashfords and I have some blueprints of my own I could show you."
After some thinking Hakuoro and Gai nodded and Shibongi took out some papers while Lelouch took his own under wreckage and his staff of aegis. They revealed papers at same time on ground.
"Wow. Ancient knowledge of mimicking muscles with machinery is pure genius. And brain-wave-synchronization… With this it is possible to finish these ideas and build machines that are in sense completely different from Knightmares." Lelouch said after minute.
"You also have no bad ideas. This new energy-system which surpasses Yggdrasil-system and these weapon ideas when joined with Nod-weaponry and knowledge of Ayersium can create something terrifying." said Shibongi with approving tone.
"And we could get some Ashfords to help us. They have grudge against Brittania after falling from grace and if I speak for you they can be swayed to work with us, even though you are Nod."
Hakuoro stopped talk after hearing that and went for Lelouch. "It sounds like you want to join us. Those ladies are strong and you are intelligent so you could be great help, but I know you have more than just join us. What is it that you want?"
Lelouch turned to look Sayoko and Altria who had become part of Lelouch's family for him. They hadn't just walked around, but they have planned and this was big chance to set things in motion. With resolve Altria nodded. Lelouch looked at Hakuoro with smirk that told about huge ambition. Seeing that smirk made Hakuoro gulp and after Lelouch spoke people gasped.
"Tell me… Have you ever considered reviving ancient civilizations or creating your own, completely new nation?"
"And that is how Lelouch met one of greatest military minds, future prime minister, woman with more greatness than anybody could've guessed, staff which would change world and group that would give birth for Neon Avalon." said mother for her daughter.
"But what is happening for Japan? What is life for Lelouch without Nunnally? What happens after Neon Avalon is born?" slightly tired girl asked while in bed.
"Shinjuku massacre happens because Clovis and that woman. But that is for another night sweetie. Good night." said mother and after kissing her daughter girl fell in asleep.
To be continued
Author notes:
Making Code Geass-fanfic has been in my mind so long and now it has been born. Ten points for those who notice from which animes I took my OCs.
I first thought making Shirley third girl, but I wanted story where Lelouch is paired with Saber from Fate/stay Night anime. Because I won't make crossover I took Saber and placed her in this story. A stands for Saber's real name Altria.
Shirley won't exist in this story. I don't want to make too many characters. Ayersium is same as Tiberium from Command & Conquer game series.
Aegis is a large collar or cape worn long ago to show protection by a high religious authority. It's often interpreted as a holy shield, and to do something 'under someone's aegis' is to do something under the protection of a powerful/knowledgeable/benevolent source. (Thanks, author ZLelouch0) I chose to use it to represent what I guess what you could call 'the Power of the People' rather than 'the Power of the Kings' that is geass. It's also interesting that they use similar letters and are both 5-letters long, but that's just an added bonus.