And so, we return to Those That Gods Walk With. This is where I do random timeskips, due to my lack of enthusiasm for writing Young!Lelouch with Young!Suzaku for the next ten chapters.
"Who were the Red Five? They were the deadliest assassins the Empire had ever known. They killed corrupt nobles, and only corrupt nobles. Numbers used the Red Five as a source of hope before the Black Knights. But then their identities were revealed, and who could keep hope when their heroes were also their villains?" ~ Isaac Malifo, Italian Historian.
IOIOI
2010
The 17th Prince of Britannia winced as he hit the ground. He cursed and damned his friend, who consistently beat him in every contest of strength the king had forced him to participate in. Lelouch swore a swift and painful revenge on his friend, Suzaku Kururugi, who seemed to find his pain amusing. He glared at Suzaku, who was bouncing lightly on his feet as he shifted his grip on a pair of wooden nunchucks.
"Come on Lelouch, is that all you got?" the boy said, grinning. After all, Suzaku knew that if Lelouch tried to tackle him, he would have to run. And Lelouch loathed running more than anything they'd previously had to do.
Lelouch stood up, wincing as newly acquired bruises began to pulse. "Of course not Suzaku, I have plenty more strength. I think I can beat you this time, in fact."
Lelouch nearly swore as he hit the ground a mere thirty seconds later.
2011
Cornelia watched impassively as Suzaku and Lelouch fought, this time with staves. So far, Suzaku looked like he was winning, and enjoying it. Lelouch looked rather peeved, as he usually did during these lessons. She chuckled as Suzaku disarmed Lelouch, and pinned him to the ground. The two boys panted, out of breath from the excersion. Suzaku asked, as he always did, "Do... Do you give up Lelouch?"
Lelouch glared at his friend. "Never. I will beat you someday."
Cornelia walked off, allowing Schneizel to take her place as the two twelve year olds fought again.
2012
A crowd was gathered around the plaza, most staring on in disbelief at the two young fighters. Both were wearing a full set of imperial armor, as to prepare themselves for more weighty equipment. One was carrying two swords, evenly balanced, and he was having trouble keeping up with the other, using only a single longsword. The fighter with the longsword struck at the other's left hand, and his opponent dropped one of his swords, wincing, and kneeled before stabbing at him with both hands on his only remaining weapon. The fighter with his single sword used his own blade to shove the stab out of the way, sidestepping to avoid the chance of being cut, and then flicked his sword towards his opponent's helmet, ripping it off. The fighter with the single weapon pulled off his helmet, his violet eyes shining in victory.
"I win, Suzaku."
Suzaku Kururugi, still on one knee, grinned. "Looks like you did Lelouch."
Lelouch reached forward, helping his friend up. "I told you I would eventually, didn't I?" The two had been dualing each other for two years now, and Suzaku had beaten Lelouch in every type of weapon so far, ranging from staves to flails, and daggers to claymores. They had just begun fighting with their preferred weapons when Lelouch won, Suzaku using two swords, Lelouch holding a single one. Suzaku responded, "You did win Lelouch. What's the score now, one to a thousand?" Lelouch shoved his friend, who winced in pain. Lelouch had beaten him, and Suzaku felt pretty bruised. Lelouch suddenly noticed the onlookers.
"What are you lot doing here? Go away!" The crowd quickly dispersed, muttering to themselves. Lelouch hadn't won a single match for the past two years, it wasn't possible that Sir Kururugi had just lost. He must have wanted to. A few people remained, and Lelouch and Suzaku winced. They knew who these people were. It was the king and Cornelia, flanked by two Imperial Soldiers, as well as Guilford standing near Cornelia.
Lelouch asked, "I assume it's time for training, correct father?" The king nodded, showing no sign of approval at his son's victory. "Yes Lelouch. You and Suzaku will be entering basic training in approximately..." He checked his watch. "Two hours."
Suzaku gaped at the king, and Lelouch arched an eyebrow. "Not much time to prepare is there father?"
The king looked impassively at the pair. "In the army, you will have minutes to prepare. Right now you have two hours. I suggest you use them."
The two nodded, and the king walked off.
2013
The drill sergeant walked by the recruits, who were now graduating. He stood in front of them, and barked, "Men! You have been with me one year! Do you remember the question I asked a year ago?"
The soldiers replied in kind, standing at attention. "Yes sir! Who is the most dangerous man here, sir!"
The sergeant nodded. "Good. I have decided! The most dangerous man here is none other than Lelouch Lamperouge!" The sergeant called Lelouch that for various reasons. He was Marianne's son, and the sergeant knew Marianne. Trained her, in fact. Besides that he was one of the best Knightmare pilots in the division, right above Suzaku and Viletta, who were both in his unit. He continued, stalking back and forth. "Do you know why!"
The men thought for a second, and one said, "Because he could have you court-martialed if you said otherwise, sir?" Everyone snickered, except Lelouch. It was an old joke among the group, mostly because Lelouch spent the first day acting all high and mighty, as if he was above them. He calmed down fairly quick, once the sergeant drilled it into his head that he would run if he kept it up.
The sergeant grinned, and replied, "No! But because unlike most of you bastards, Lamperouge will kill people!" The soldiers were puzzled. They were all going into battle, wouldn't they all kill people? The sergeant shook his head, annoyed at his soldiers lack of sense. "No, not like that. I mean that he will not shoot to harm, or cripple. He will shoot to kill! Look at the records on marksmanship, or on his sword training, or hand to hand combat! Every hit he made, was lethal! He rejects the blows that don't completely destroy his opponent, unless he has to, bastard strategist he is!" They all knew about Lelouch's strategy. He'd taught them all to play chess, and then challenged them, so as to trounce them over and over. The sergeant continued his rant, "And that is why Lelouch is the most dangerous man in this room! Now leave, and go kill some bastards for me!"
The group left.
Present - 2014
"K advance four meters. Stay silent, pretty sure the guards aren't drunk this time." A slim man crouched in a tree, wearing a black skin tight shirt, with a vest containing various items. He wore a set of sunglasses that glinted off a light that wasn't there, and simple black pants and shoes. He was speaking into a communicator in his ear, and his brown hair gently wafted in the wind.
"K" was a redhaired man, wearing a pair of glasses as he quietly stepped forward. He pulled out a knife, waiting in the dark, holding his breath as a guard walked by. He wore the same outfit as the first man, and muttered darkly, "No shit L, I figured that out when they didn't flirt with V everytime she walked by." A chuckle responded to him, as well as a woman's voice.
"Fuck you K, at least I didn't get caught by the guards last time." K shut up, and a new voice responded, "Cut the chatter you three, I've got the target in my scope." The new voice was situated on a guard tower, and he wore the same outfit, albeit with the addition of a sniper rifle. Three dead guards surrounded him, and he was aiming at a window on the fortress. The first man laughed quietly. "Very well. K, V, stay silent for the next ten." There was quiet on the compound, and on the channel, until a gunshot echoed across the area, and alarms started ringing. The first man began speaking again.
"Excellent shot S, it appears it went right between his eyes. K, take out the guards by the door, they've turned around. A gurgle and a shink was heard over the comm channel. "That was fast," the man commented.
K responded, "They were busy arguing about who 'the silver-haired babe was totally checking out.'" A scatter of laughter emitted over the channel as V sputtered in protest. L suddenly said, "Alright, we've killed the mark. Leave the sign on the door K, and we'll be off."
K did leave a sign on the door. A blood red circle, inside of which lay a five.
The team regrouped outside, and this is where we first see all of them together. L, K, S, and V. The four quickly exit the grounds before entering a small room in a nearby village. Inside the room are their clothes, as well as a note. The four quickly change, and as they do, converse.
S began, saying, "Lelouch, why do we have to use such stupid codenames? The first letter of our names is a terrible idea, and we're special operations."
L, or Lelouch as we now know him to be, chuckled as he responded, pulling on his shirt. "I wanted to use chess names Suzaku, but you and Mista J refused." Suzaku sighed, annoyed by Lelouch's non-answer.
K answered for him. "Cause we watched Batman after you and Lelouch were promoted to Captains, and fucking Harley Quinn. And we thought it would be 'funny' to call our leader Mista J." Suzaku cringed at the terrible joke they had demanded.
Viletta shouted from the bathroom, "Oy, you lot thought it was funny for a while! Sides, Lelouch would've made a bunch of terrible chess puns and we'd have strangled him!"
Suzaku and Kewell nodded. Lelouch would have, and that would be the end of the Red Five. Lelouch sputtered, trying to deny it, but was ignored as Viletta walked out in a more basic set of clothes. They all wore far more basic clothes outside of missions. Lelouch sat on the bed, and fiddled with the remote. Kewell grabbed it. "Aren't ya gonna turn it on Lelouch? We'll miss our latest exploits!" Lelouch grinned as Kewell flicked through the channels, stopping on a news network. "Here we are!"
The news anchor finished up her report before starting on what the four wanted to hear. "...and that concludes the latest report on the battle in Area Eighteen." She stopped, looking shocked. "This just in, the terrorists known as the Red Five have struck again! This time killing esteemed Baron Mantron, who had held a major part of Britannian trade in his grasp. Who are these terrorists, and why do they only kill nobles? We turn this question over to our analysts, Ross and Leo, for discussion." The television clicked off as Kewell howled with laughter. The rest stood silently, knowing they would soon need to return to Britannia to meet with the king and their leader.
IOIOI
The four stood nervously outside the throne room a few days later. Well, Kewell and Viletta did. Suzaku looked merely bored. Nothing could compare to the first time he had met the king. Lelouch looked rather annoyed by the interruption of his chess match with Schneizel.
The prince muttered, "I'll have you know I was winning."
Kewell rolled his eyes. "Sure you were Lelouch. Just like you were the last four hundred times, right?"
Lelouch glared at the redhead as the doors opened. Two people stood in the throne room, well, one did. The other sat in the throne, as he was the king. The four entered, and stood at attention in the middle of the room. The standing man stood with them, also at attention. The king chuckled. "At ease." The five rested as the king flicked through some papers.
"As you know, you are the Red Five, renowned terrorists according to the empire. The truth, as you know, is that you are the most secretive Special Operations force I have at my disposal, my personal assassins. Your next assignment is a fairly long one, spanning at least two years."
Kewell bit back a curse, annoyed. He had been hoping to spend some time in Britannia. Eat some real food, instead of all the foreign crap he'd been taking in. Lelouch asked, "Oh? And what sort of assignment is it this time your highness? A Duke, perhaps? A Lord?"
The king grinned wickedly. "Oh no Lelouch, far greater. You are going to kill Prince Clovis."
There was a long pause. The Red Five examined their escape routes, which were, of course, the front door. The king didn't want assassins to attack him in his throne, after all. Was it a trap? Were they going to be arrested if they accepted?
Suzaku questioned, "King Charles... Are you sure? Prince Clovis is... he's your son!" His voice cracked at the last three words. To him, a betrayal in the family was worse than multiple murders.
The King glared at the knight. "Of course I'm sure Sir Kururugi." Even after five years, the words still sounded like venom in the man's mouth. "He has overstepped his boundaries. He is persisting in questioning events that I wish to remain secret. You will kill him. But you must integrate yourselves with the Japanese people first, as to prevent a deep investigation of his death. I presume this will take two years. However, I have already gotten you off to a good start."
He pulled out three folders, and flicked them to Lelouch, Suzaku, and Viletta.
"You three will be at Ashford Academy, a school in where Britannians hope to achieve a sort of unity with the Elevens. As an Honorary Britannian, Sir Kururugi was accepted immediately. Corporal Viletta, you will be teaching their physical education class."
Viletta raised an eyebrow. "I'm not a teacher. I kill people for a living."
"And now you will teach because I am the king, and I tell people what to do."
Viletta nodded, a slight scowl covering her otherwise pretty face.
The king threw another folder at Kewell. Jeremiah received no folder.
"Corporal Kewell, you will be working at a bar, as an undercover Eleven. Your new name is Kewell Kurosaki, and your life is inside that folder."
Kewell growled darkly at the information. He wasn't a good actor. He then said, "Wait, what about the major?"
The king smiled. "Jeremiah is a well-known Lord. He will be attached to Clovis' royal guard."
Kewell swore quietly. "Bastard always gets the easy job..."
Jeremiah arched an eyebrow. "Oh? I have to deal with politics. You have to serve beer. I should think my job is slightly more challenging."
The king stared impassively at the conversation. "In addition, one of my knights has been annoying me about where you are Captain."
"Just tell tthem it's classified," Lelouch replied, still examining the folder.
"It's Nonette."
Lelouch paled. Nonette would never give up. "Erm... Transfer her?"
The king smirked. "She's far too useful. I've decided to allow her to join you. Don't worry, she knows about the Red Five All the Knights of the Round do. Just not your identities."
The Red Five understood. The Knights of the Round would need to know why they couldn't hunt down and kill the people killing nobility.
Lelouch said accusingly, "But now Nonette knows."
The king ignored his tone. "Indeed. After all, she's joining you on your new objective."
Arguments began to fill the air before the king held up a hand.
"Enough. Your main argument is that you will then total six. However, only four of you are known. It is assumed you cannot count."
A twitch from Lelouch. "Why?"
"Because on the objective where you left your first mark, it was a circle with a Z in it."
Kewell exploded. "Fuck off! It was dark, I was losing a lot of blood, and I could barely sta-" he trailed off, realizing who he was addressing.
The king stared coolly at Kewell, who began to sweat. "I would kill you if you were anyone else Corporal. But, my Red Five must be allowed to respond to me. Nonette, enter."
A bouncing green haired girl entered, whistling. "Oh this is just delightful! Lulu, Zuzu, Vivi, Key, and JJ! This is going to be absolutely spectacular!"
Lelouch's eye twitched. "I don't like being called Lulu Nonette. You know that."
Nonette pouted. "Awww, but Luuuuluuuu! It's such a good name for you! Pleeeaaaase?"
Lelouch pinched the bridge of his nose. Damn his father for doing this. Damn him to hell. As the six began to leave, the king spoke up once more. "Oh, and Lelouch?" Lelouch turned.
"You are now granted the rest of your rights. You have full access to the Lamperouge accounts, as well as your mother's inheritance. Congratulations on completing your trial. And one more thing..."
Lelouch stood still, not daring to think what else his father could possibly add.
"Nunally will be going with you. The girl needs to attend school, and she refuses to shut up about you."
Damn his father. Finding his weakness. Damn him to hell.
IOIOI
Nunally was the only happy one on the flight to Japan. Well, Nunally and Nonette. Nonette was doodling a picture of how she would kill the targets they ran into, and when and why she would do it.
Kewell muttered to Lelouch, "Y'know, Clovis' is gonna try and show ya up when we get there. Got a plan?"
Lelouch grinned wickedly. "Oh yes. I most certainly have a plan."
IOIOI
Clovis paced back and forth. "Damn, damn, damn, damn! Why did he send those six here! Have you gotten their military files yet?" He glared at his aide, who hurriedly picked up her things, searching for the papers. She gaped at the note she found instead. "Erm... your highness, it says that this information is highly classified."
Clovis gaped at her. "What? I am a prince of Britannia, and the viceroy of Area Eleven! Information can't be classified from me!" He growled as he looked at the time. "Damn, and now I have to go meet blasted Lelouch and his entourage. Hold my meetings, and hurry up with our contigency plan for Lelouch."
The aide looked at her desk helplessly as Clovis strode out of the room. He'd seemed so nice when he'd hired her, so kind and understanding. She bit her lip, and began working.
IOIOI
Clovis smiled primly as Kewell staggered out of the plane, nearly falling onto the floor. "Corporal, are you quite alright?" He sounded almost worried about the redhead, until he saw Lelouch and Nunally walk out, and jovially dropped Kewell on the ground. Ignoring Kewell's mutterings of love to the ground, he grinned at his two younger siblings. "Lelouch! Nunally! How good to see you again! I know that you two visited before the occupation, what do you think of it now?" He swept an arm across the deserted Tokyo Airport. Lelouch frowned, perplexed.
"Where are all the people Clovis? Surely there must have been some of my wellwishers." Clovis shook his head, as if saddened by Lelouch's words. "Ah Lelouch, we can't have someone attacking you as you enter! That would be most disquieting!"
"Bastard," Lelouch thought, understanding Clovis' plan. If Lelouch couldn't show himself to the people, he couldn't get them to think of him as better. Luckily, he had a plan for that. It was a good plan, one that everyone else would disapprove.
That just made it better.
"I understand Clovis. It would be... annoying if we died on your watch, right?" He smiled coldly as Clovis nodded nervously. "Err... Yes! Of course! Now Lelouch, I believe you and your... companions," Lelouch loathed how he avoided the word friends. "Must go to Ashford in that lovely car over there!" he pointed at a limo. "I will take the lovely and daring Major Gottwald and introduce him to his new soldiers!" He traced a finger up and down Jeremiah's chest, who stood fast at attention. Kewell looked up, and laughed very quietly.
"Heh... Bastard got what's deserved 'f 'im..." The man sounded drunk. Viletta rolled her eyes, kicking him.
"Hey. Kewell. You're going to be with Nonette if you don't stand up."
Kewell jumped up, and Clovis paled, glaring at Lelouch. "N-n-n-n-n-nonette? You brought her?"
Lelouch ignored him waving cheerily as he rolled Nunally into the car. "I hope you enjoy her company Clovis. I, for one, am glad she came."
Clovis glared at where Viletta had been, but she too had already gotten into the car. Kewell had sprinted off, quite fast for someone who was sick. Leaving him alone with Jeremiah and...
"Hi there Clover! How's it hanging with your whole 'I'm so gay I'm straight' thing?"
The demon.
IOIOI
Lelouch sighed gratefully as the car left. Both Nonette and Clovis out of his hair. Perfect. He smiled at Nunally, asking, "How are you feeling Nunally?"
His sister smiled softly back. "I feel quite well Lelouch. I'm so glad we're going to Ashford Academy, it'll be really fun." Lelouch frowned. Something itched in the back of his mind. A name she had said. He ran over her sentence.
Lelouch... No, that was him. Academy... Ashford... Wait. Ashford. He knew that name. They were friends of his mother's. Ashford... Ashford... He vaguely remembered a girl. His gaze grew horrified, and he muttered as they pulled up to the school, "Oh no... It couldn't be... her, could it?"
IOIOI
Kallen Kozuki sans Stadtfeld, glared at her older brother. "Oh come on Naoto, let me just beat him up a little."
Naoto pinched the bridge of his nose. His sister was being a 'tad' stubborn when it came to the new student who was about to attend her academy. He was a Britannian Prince, and he'd taught her to hate Britannians. "No, Kallen. If you do that, our cover's blown. Besides, he seems like a nice kid. Maybe you'll be friends?"
Kallen spat at the floor, saying, "I could never be friends with a Britannian, let alone a prince. It's scum like him that did this to the Japanese!"
By 'this', she meant the ghetto where her brother lived. He vehemently refused to let her live with him, because he wanted her to have a 'proper bed, house, and life.' Like she could have that with Britannian scum around.
Naoto tried a different track. "Kallen, please. I promise I'll get you ice cream after school if you're nice to him."
Kallen thought for a moment. "I want chocolate. With sprinkles. I deserve it for having to deal with that sort all day."
Naoto grinned, holding out his hand. "Deal." They shook on it.
Kallen shoved on her bag. "Well then 'Bro', I better get going." Naoto winced as his little sister ran out the door. He yelled after her, "Hey! Don't call me that! And stop watching that stupid anime, it rots your brain!"
Kallen grinned as she ran down the street.
IOIOI
Lelouch gasped as he was tackled from fifteen feet away by a flying mat of blonde hair. "Luuuuluuuu! You finally visited!"
Lelouch grinned weakly. "Sure I did... Milly. But... You're... You're... crushing..." Milly mouthed an 'oh', and let go of her old friend.
She pouted at him, slightly annoyed. "Fine, but you should have visited sooner! I thought we would spend more time together if the Ashfords moved to Japan, not less!"
Lelouch arched an eyebrow. "I've been in Britannia for the past five years."
Milly hmphed, turning around. "I knew grandfather was lying when he said you refused to write. You love mocking me with your big words."
Lelouch stood still, unsure of what to say. He glared at the snicker behind me, belonging to Viletta. Then, Milly turned around, and ran towards Nunally, hugging her. "Oh, I'm so sorry your rude and mean brother didn't let you visit Nunally! I bet he kept you locked up to keep you away!"
Nunally smiled, returning the hug. "Brother hasn't seen me for three years Milly. He's been away, with Suzaku."
Milly looked around. "Huh? Who's Suzaku?"
Suzaku stepped out of the car. He was rather nervous about meeting a Britannian. The last ones he'd met with over the past few years he'd exchanged a few words with. They usually went along the lines of " 'W-w-w-w-who are you?' 'S, of the Red Five.' 'NOOOarghlgragle-' ". He had a sneaking suspicion that, contrary to what Lelouch told him, nobles do not communicate that way. How would someone survive being backstabbed that often anyway? "That'd be me."
Milly walked over to him, and grabbed his shoulders, moving him back and forth. Suzaku was confused, and slightly disturbed. What exactly was she doing?
"Hmmm... Good bone structure, excellent muscle... Let's see your teeth."
Suzaku paled. "What?"
Lelouch sighed. "Ignore her, she's been spending time around horses again."
Suzaku was fairly confused, but went with it. After all, it was Lelouch, and he was mostly insane.
Frighteningly so, in fact.
Milly continued, grinning, "Well, I think we should have some sort of festival!" Lelouch arched a regal eyebrow, demanding an explanation.
Of course, he wasn't going to get one. Milly ignored him, and continued, "Otherwise, how will everyone know we have a prince and a knight, and a new gym teacher!"
Lelouch looked unamused. He was fairly unknown as a prince, considering his status as an assassin. "That sounds like a terrible idea Milly."
She ignored him again. "It'll be the best party ever! I'll go plan it right now." She ran off, leaving Lelouch, Suzaku, Nunally, and Viletta more than mildly confused. A better term would be stupefied, even though that's not technically a real word.
Nunally happily exclaimed, "Big brother, I think she's neat!"
Lelouch cursed his father to oblivion. It was all his fault that this happened.
And another chapter is done. 10 pages in Open Office, and I've got so many ideas left.
So many.
