That's when everything started to come back to me. I'm back to my old self, the Demon that lurks in the shadows of Britannia.
"Can I give you a kiss?" Kallen asked me in a seductive yet curious voice. Did I just hear that correctly? The Ace, the Guren's pilot, our Q-1, is asking me if she can give me a kiss?! It seems that Kallen finally showed her true form under her shell-
Wait a minute... there's still some sarcasm in her voice.
Ugh, Kallen... sarcasm in her voice, it's definitely a trap.
I sighed but I made sure Kallen didn't notice that. I forced a smile to show Kallen that I'm approving of letting her kiss me - somehow.
Agreeing on it would probably end up Kallen slapping me - as expected of her fierce unromantic nature. Disagreeing on it would mean that the gullible, sweet - yet fake – Kallen will lure me into one of her traps again. I like Kallen just the way she is. This gullible Kallen in front of me may look sweet but definitely fake.
The forced smile, the blush on her cheeks, her eyes that sparkle from the beams of sunlight that were able to get through here, she's faking it alright.
Time to play Kallen's game.
I smirked and I said this sentence as seductively as I can. "Your choice."
I saw Kallen's body twitch for a split second. She definitely didn't see this coming. Her sweetness started to fade, revealing the true redhead inside her. Her smile weakens when I gave her more of that 'smirk' of mine.
Kallen knows me well enough to know what that smirk means. It means I'm faking something, deceiving and lying. But this time, it's just plain acting.
"Good." That was the only word that left her mouth. Good? What does that even mean?
She reached for my right hand and got a hold of it, dragged me towards the nearest exit out of the ghetto. "Where are you taking me!?" I asked her.
She deliberately ignored me. Like my questions comes to her one ear and comes out the other, never registering to her mind. Enough with this! I tried to loosen her grip but my 'not strong' hand is no use to her.
Kallen continued to drag me around until we reached the bay, where she finally let go of her grasp.
Nobody else was on the bay with us. The bay's water is filled with some trash, garbage and sewage. It may be just a small amount to affect the bay's beauty but it is definitely enough to kill a fish.
Kallen stared at the horizon where the sun sets. The beautiful mixture of colors yellow, gold and orange, I think. The water was steady. The breeze flowed calmly. The place was serene.
Since we reached the bay, neither I nor Kallen spoke. She continued to stare endlessly at the sunset, only to blink when she needed to.
I stood silent to let her enjoy her sunset and smiled, knowing that Kallen is enjoying this. But why did she bring me here? Is it to enjoy this view of the beautiful sunset? She went here to get me back to my normal self, right? To get me back on track and away from the thought of Nunnally-
Nunnally, my precious sister. I can't defy her. I can't stretch her will. And I can't let her be part of my games - for she's already a part of my father's game pieces. That thought of the Emperor using her! She's just a disposable puppet to him anyways.
He knows I'm Zero but he doesn't know I've regained my memories. As long as Rolo doesn't blow off my cover-
Wait. Rolo. Another thought bothers me. I haven't seen him since this morning where I left him some pancakes for breakfast. I wonder what happened to him...
The light started to leave the sky as the sun continued to sink at the horizon. The sky darkens and every trace of sunlight leaves us. The moon replaced the sun and shone brightly, lighting up the night sky.
It's weird how the moon was deemed more romantic than the sun itself. Even if its bright light is a mere reflection of the sun. It's like taking away the beauty of the sun and giving the shine to him, literally.
How selfish, really.
Then an idea just hit me. I'm sorting out all of these, carefully placing certain information to fit up the pieces of my idea.
That's when Kallen threw some sort-of communicator towards me. It looks much like a headphone, only slimmer and it has this little mike piece attached on the right side. It looks metallic and glossy, being colored silver. Then, I saw a small Britannia seal stamped on it.
I looked at Kallen who has a grin on her face. "It's the latest technology of communicating Britannia has, probably, what the world has." she said. "You don't know what it took me took me to get a hold of these. Only a dozen existed, and they're all-" she faced the floor and looked back at me with a huge smirk. "- OURS."
She definitely emphasized the word 'ours'. I don't know what's so special about these communicators. They're just like the old ones we use, only much lighter and definitely improved audio pick-up. But still, latest technology of communicating the world has?
"What's so special about these?" I asked Kallen. She looked disappointed seeing that her leader didn't even notice her effort of getting these. Of course I noticed her effort, it's just that, what's so special about these things?
She sighs, understanding my situation. "How'd you think I brought it to you?" she asked me.
Then that's when it hit me. She came here with her pink dress and shoes and nothing else. She probably has a phone somewhere in her pockets. But how can a communicator - or headmuff as I address the thing - fit into one of her little girly dress pockets? She doesn't carry a bag or something to hold this thing.
Kallen gets a small metallic cube from her pocket. The cube has the dimensions of about an inch. So now she gets a cube. It may as well be the headmuff magically transforming. Yeah right. She told her code name, Q-1, to the cube. The cube said something like "Access Granted" and within a few seconds, it magically turned to a headmuff.
How can that much metal, technology, matter, that that... HOW!? That idea puzzles me over and over again.
"Tamaki has programmed something in it that it only activates to our voices saying our code names." she said. I glanced at the headmuff. No wonder Kallen was disappointed seeing me not notice her effort. This headmuff is like magic. It must be under tight security for technology this high.
But wait... why will they have a dozen of these in Area 11? And those are the only ones that existed in the world.
Don't tell me they're starting an attack against the Black Knights. For why will they need new communicators and stuff?
The Black Knights are weak at this point for Nunnally just invited every eleven to join the Special Administrative Region. This doesn't make any sense. Eliminate the Black Knights at their weakest point. Wouldn't that gain more hatred towards Britannia than people who are willing to trust that pathetic nation?
Or maybe these headmuffs are for other purposes.
Then again, how can the Black Knights get this thing with technology that high so easily? I looked at Kallen who still has a smile on her face. "Kallen, how'd we get this?" I asked her. "Well, it was easy. I overheard a few guards talking about that a few days ago and I sneaked in a cargo to find a dozen of these to be delivered at the center of commands. I gave them to Tamaki to reprogram the thing and he successfully did." she said briefly.
"What else does it do?" I ask her as I examine the headmuff carefully. "It only activates and transforms with your voice and it can explode any moment acting as a bomb itself." she said.
"A bomb?" I asked her. How can this little 1 inch cube be a bomb and a communicator?
"It activates when the user of that says a code thrice." she says. I'm thankful that the bomb is only activated by the user itself. If not, the headmuff would've killed us right now. Who knows who's lurking in the shadows spying on us…?
"Better put your communicator on. The Black Knights are hunted by the Britannia -specifically, Suzaku." she warns me coldly. I slip my headmuff to my ear and I start broadcasting orders to the Black Knights. After Todoh told me their whereabouts, I realized why Kallen was staring at the sunset.
She wasn't staring at the beautiful sunset but what lies beneath it, a ship sailing with a submarine in it. But now, there lies no ship, for it is already destroyed but only the submarine getting chased by Britannians underwater.
If my calculations are right, bubbles should be coming out by... now.
Not far from where we are, I saw some white stuff come out of the water, devouring some warships and the coast guards of Britannia. Bubbles.
Kallen noticed the white in the sea "Lelouch, are those-" I know exactly what she's going to ask so I cut her off anyways. "Bubbles." I said.
She looks confused when I said 'bubbles'. Then, it registered to her mind. "You used the underwater tank of Britannia against them." She said and I nod in response.
I thought my problems are over and that the Black Knights can retreat now when I saw three Knightmare Frames floating in mid-air. "The Knights of the Rounds. I thought they'll show up earlier but I guess they're a little delayed." I said as I saw the Mordred, Tristan and of course, the Lancelot.
"Kallen, where's the Guren?" I asked her, expecting a 'yes'. But she said she left her Guren back at the base. And I think when she meant base, she meant the submarine.
For now, all I can do is find a Knightmare and help the Black Knights with the Rounds. I took off the headmuff and ran off towards Ashford Academy to get the Shinkiro when I bumped to Rolo.
Good timing Rolo. "Rolo, do you have your Vincent?" I asked him. He showed me his Knightmare's key and we quickly ran towards the ghetto, where he hid the Vincent, with Kallen following behind us.
Kallen noticed Rolo in his Ashford Academy clothes.
I bet he just got off Milly's looong student council meeting. "Lelouch, he's from Ashford?" Kallen asked me. "He's my brother." I said. My statement somehow made Rolo smile.
"Nii-san, there it is." He said as he pointed an obviously big, not well-hidden, Knightmare Frame. "I also brought your Zero costume." He handed me a suit case where the costume is held.
Okay, so time to change to from Lelouch to Zero then get on and help the Black Knights. I was about to strip off my shirt when I realized Kallen… is… still… here.
"Ehh…"
How am I supposed to change now? I looked at Kallen and she quickly realized what she should do. So she grabbed Rolo's collar and asked him to tell her info about the Black Knights. "Is it alright Lelouch? Can I borrow your brother?" she asked me and I nod in response.
I proceed to changing to the costume while Rolo and Kallen are having a little chat over at the Vincent. After I'm done changing, Rolo, Kallen and I squeezed ourselves inside the cockpit. The Vincent took off and headed for the location where the Rounds are shooting at the submarine. Mordred was about to finish them off when we arrived.
Kallen let Rolo pilot the Vincent as he stated "I'm doing this for brother and the Vincent is mine!"
I stood straight at the Vincent's hand, so that the Rounds can see me. Then, I saw the Lancelot heading towards me. Suzaku. I muttered his name beneath my breath.
When I finally got the attention of all three Rounds, I broadcasted an unexpected treaty using the headmuff. "If you attack us now, then you will disobey your lady's orders." I said to them.
"The Black Knights shall accept Governor-General Nunnally's request. We shall participate in the Special Administrative Region of Japan!" I announced. I can see the effect on the Black Knights and the Rounds.
"Lelouch, what are you doing!?" I can hear Kallen questioning my announcement on the headmuff. I ignored her, like how she ignored me a while ago. Her words enter from one ear and exits on the other, without registering to my mind.
It seems that someone ordered the Rounds to retreat as they lowered their weapons and descended. I ordered Rolo and the Black Knights to meet up on a shore far away from Tokyo. I guess Kallen also gave him a headmuff, seeing he can talk to me via headmuff.
I'm starting to regret naming it headmuff. It sounds fluffy.
When we arrived at the shore, it seems that we arrived earlier than the rest of the Black Knights. Seeing no neighboring villages around and no signs of the Black Knights, we made a camp by the seashore.
Kallen gathered some wood and Rolo got some canned goods on an old abandoned hut not far from where we are. They started a fire and waited for the canned goods to heat up while I contacted Tohdoh. They're still not in range of the headmuff so they must be still far away. What's taking them so long?
By the time I gave up on contacting the Black Knights via headmuff, Kallen and Rolo already ate their part of the meal and are now laughing over something. I sat beside Rolo, removed my mask and chewed the hot canned tuna.
"Hey Lelouch, you never told me you had a brother." Kallen said. Oh right, she only knew about Nunnally. "Well, you already know him anyways." I said as I patted Rolo's head. I don't know why Rolo has grown fond of me patting him like a dog.
"You're such a slave driver." Kallen snapped. It's not my fault Rolo wants to act slave and all. Besides, once I'm done with him, I'll dispose him like trash.
I finished my meal just in time when the Black Knights finally came up on my headmuff. "Sorry Zero. We have to fix some parts of the submarine. We are now headed there." Tohdoh said on the other line.
I sat on the grassland at the edge of the cliff, awaiting the Knights arrival. I left the two on the campfire. I noticed Kallen really likes Rolo. By disposing him, his sudden disappearance may affect Kallen in some way. But I don't have time to worry about that now.
I have a Special Administrative Region to destroy.
After a few more minutes, they finally arrived. Ohgi came out of the submarine and waved to who I'm guessing is Kallen. I put my mask back on and climb down the cliff. Along with the canned goods, Rolo also found a boat in the old hut.
So we sailed towards the submarine using the boat Rolo found and we were greeted by Ohgi who quickly countered my approval of Nunnally's request. The four of us climbed inside the sub only to be greeted by more counters.
"So what? We fight and we fight and we fight?" I asked them. Chiba replied "Isn't this the reason we're at war!" Clearly, Chiba doesn't understand my plan and motif here. "We join the region, we take the region and we reclaim Japan." I said. The Black Knights doesn't seem to understand me. Oh well.
"You will join the Special Administrative Zone of Japan under my command. No excuses and no buts. I want you all present at the inauguration of the new region." With that, I left the Knights and went towards the boat outside where Rolo and I sailed back to shore.
Rolo and I didn't talk much on our way to Ashford. We both know that we are exhausted. After Rolo landed the Vincent on the base, we headed to our rooms in the Student Council building.
I entered my room and the last thing I remembered is falling unconsciously to the fluffy bed where I slept.
The next morning when I woke up, I saw a new maid running up and down, cleaning here and there around the Student Council Building. I ignored her and proceeded to my shower. I switch the shower for lukewarm water. The water just feels refreshing. Despite the fact that we both arrived back here at around 2 am, the water just seems to reenergize me.
I walked to the dining room and saw Rolo eating bacon and rice. "Good Morning, nii-san." Rolo greeted me. I'm not in the mood for talking right now so I just nod at him. We continued to eat without talking to each other until Rolo mentioned Kallen.
"Ms. Kallen was so generous. She offered to help me in my homeworks when you'll be gone." And that's when I almost choked on bacon. Kallen seriously did that!? She wouldn't do that to someone she just knew, even if it is my brother.
"Really, she did?" I replied with a smile. "She said she'll come to the base here later. You don't have anything else planned later, right?" he asked me. Of course he knows I have nothing else planned so I just nod at him. "That's great!" he said with a childish smile.
I wonder if Rolo had a brother back then. Someone he loved dearly that he let him treat him like a slave. I'm starting to wonder how Rolo ended up with Britannia. In fact, I think his childhood is more destroyed than mine. Great, I'm starting to doubt if I should really dispose him or let him live.
I went back to reality when the maid I saw ago entered the dining room. Her most noticeable feature is her blue hair and red eyes. Something like Kallen's opposite that is. I glanced at her for a second…I think I saw that face before.
"Nii-san, this is Riza. She applied for the job as a maid. Milly knows about her and you'll be paying her." Rolo said. Me? Pay for a maid. No problem. I have like thousands of euros in the bank – thanks to my gambling.
"Okay then." I replied to Rolo. So we have a new maid in our house. But there's something else about her that bothers me. I seriously think I saw her before.
I glanced at my clock only to see it is 20 minutes before the first period starts. I quickly gobbled my food and headed outside. "Rolo, I'll be late and you will too so hurry up, okay!" I shouted as I ran downstairs.
On my way to my first class period, I saw Rivalz petting some kind of cat. Wait a minute, that's Arthur! If Arthur's here then…
"Hey Lelouch, guess what. Suzaku's back!"
Damn.
Author's Note
Thank you for beta-reading this, internet nii-san, TheLazyArtist22. Thank you for the many reviews, faves and follows of my story :D
Please point out some mistakes because it's been a long time since I watched Code Geass and I may have forgotten some things.
The chapter's title is "Re" because it stands for REturn of Suzaku, REclaim of Japan and the rise of the Black Knights.