KK, heres chapter 2 for ya!
whoop whoop!!
And now, something i'm sure you all missed...
WEEKLY NOTICES!
1: hehe, some of you saw the large sneakysneaky change, hum...? well, you'll all see it in this chapter, son't you worry!!!
2:There is a new side story, based on the Lady of Zero World!!! It's called 'The Lady of Zero: Victim of War' by General Nitro, check it out!!!!!
3:AJ1ri: First reviewer of R2!!! yes, that was a very large change, but not quite as sneakysneaky as the chance i was thinking of! i mean, it was so easy to overlook, i nearly missed it! but yeah, i know, i was just like, it HAS to be a kiss! but nyways, I see you DID see the sneakysneaky change later, well done!!!haha, hope u enjoy the chapter!
4: General Nitro: Aha, so you saw the change as well!!! congrats!!!
5:Princesa de la Luna: is V.V Amaya's father...? You will see within a next fair few chapters, by my reckoning...Teehee...I'm evil...:)
6:itachisneko-nya: of course you can draw Amaya!! i hope u message me when u do it so i can see it! :)
7: Ashcrow Knight: kill rolo?! bit early in the series to kill him off, lol! hm, what will happen to rolo?! that will be a surprise!!! hah, i will keep on writing, so i hope u continue writing too!!! ALL HAIL LELOUCH!!!
8: deathnoteno1fan-codegeasslover: I know, i was sitting there like 'No...No, i can't lose this speech, NEVER!!!!!!' lol!!! :) hope u like the chapter!!
9: As some of you may have noticed, I have not updated 'The Lady of Zero: The Side Stories'. This is because I have a Three way tie!!!!!!!!! i talked to Redzercarebear, but it seemed a bit unfair to heave the decision onto her, so i give u one more night!!! tomorrow, i shall retally and see what shall be written next! please review or pm your vote on the Lady of Zero: The Side stories, so I will find them there!!!
Thank you!
And now, ON WITH THE STORY!!
Kallen did not winch as she heard, as well as felt, two more explosions go off in Babel Tower, shot there by the Britannian Forces. She and Urabe had gone to command the forces, while Amaya brought Lelouch, Zero, Kallen reminded herself, up to speed. And during this, it had appeared Britannia was more interested in destroying them then preserving their precious tower.
"We can't hold anymore!" one of her subordinates snapped, as he and the other frame at the edge of the building retreated slightly to dodge the onslaught of bullets, aimed from the Knightmares now coming up the building to trap them. "Let's get outta here!"
Kallen tightened her grip on her controls as she frowned in frustration, as she snapped back,
"Just wait a little longer until Zero grasps the structure of this building completely!" as she and Urabe sped towards them, "We'll back you up too!" there was a slight pause before they called,slightly forced,
"Hai, Kozuki-san!" Kallen did not reply as she continued, the silence causing her to recall why there were there...Because of what she did...
Lelouch smiled, his eyes narrowed slightly as he gazed completely at Suzaku, blood trailing halfway down his face, where the mask of Zero had slip from the bullet.
"Indeed..." he called, his content smile not wavering as he exclaimed, "I am Zero."
The yelling...
The disbelief...
The pain...
The tears...
The shots...
Lelouch aiming for his earpiece, Suzaku's bullet scraping the side of Lelouch's gun, the force sending his arm to the side. Suzaku used this to his advantage, sprinting a few steps before launcing himself into the air, spinning twice as he brought his leg up, kicking Lelouch hardly in the face, sending him to the ground with a grunt of pain echoing around the cave.
Kallen had winced at the sound, that rebounded on her ears, her eyes snapping closed for a moment, her fists clenching, before she snapped awake again, taking a hurried step forward as she cried out,
"Zero!"
"He's Lelouch!" Suzaku spat back as he held Lelouch to the floor, nearly sitting atop of him, hand clutching Lelouch's front, trying to grap the Sakuradite bomb on his chest, Lelouch desperately fighting his hand, attempting to hold it away from him, as Suzaku aimed the gun at her to stay put.
Kallen stopped in her steps, as she stood a mere 11 footsteps away, her eyes widening at the truth that followed the echo to the room. "The man who used the Japanese..." Suzaku'seyes narrowed as his teeth clenched, as he added, "And you!"
Lelouch did not reply, his teeth clenching as he continued in his fight to get Suzaku off him. "Do you want to protect this kind of man?!" Suzaku spat as his hands were a centimetre from the bomb, Lelouch glaring at him as Kallen remained stock still.
No sooner had he said this, that he achieved his goal. His fingers grip tightened around the edges of the bomb, Lelouch instead grapsing his wrists, as in one fatal sweep, the bomb was thrown across the cave, bouncing three times before silence fell.
Kallen felt tears well in her eyes, as this happened, the blood pumping too fast in her system, her thoughts scrambled, her hands shaking,
'No!' she sobbed to herself as she shook her head, taking a step back, 'No, this is...This is too much!'
This thought in her mind, she did as she always did. Follow her instincts...And then...
Her instincts told her to run.
And she did just that. Tears spilling behind her, she heard Suzaku push himself off Lelouch, throwing him back a few paces as he aimed at him, the gun clicking as it moved, every noise following Kallen as she ran towards the exit, away from this.
She heard Lelouch give a small, 'Hmph'. Of his typical, cynical response. She heard Suzaku announce, softly, Kallen struggling to hear,
"Zero...I will bring an end to you..."
Kallen heard no more after that. For she had managed to scramble outside, towards where the Guren was parked, just 2 minutes away from the entrance.
She continued to shake as she scrambled into the frame, her thoughts everywhere, confusion jumbling everything up, the feeling of betrayal filling her lungs, making it hard to breath, as the words in the cave continued to echo through her head, as she shakily turned the Guren on.
And as she flew back to the Battle, more tears fell down her face...
For the echos followed her all the way back to Japan...The echos of her actions. And later, she would wonder, as she did then...
The multitude of feelings that overflowed her lungs, filling her entire body, making it hard to breath and move, what had later caused the tears to well...Had it been the betrayal Lelouch had done unto her?
Or the ultimate betrayal she had done unto him...?
Lelouch's eyes narrowed slightly as he examined the notebook that was based and recorded on Lelouch's everyday life. A life that had been turned into a mere trap to lure out C.C and Jinx...
"I lost to my past..." he declared softly, as he turned another page, ignoring the dead all around him, "To Suzaku..." he added as an afterthought, turning another page as heturned his mind away from the one who was his friend, whom betrayed him...
Amaya, C.C and Jinx said nothing, all silently watching Lelouch readjust to his real life in his own way, which he had done all his life. He began to think about everything, to know everything, so nothing woiuld be a secret to him. Lelouch clenched his jaw as he thought of the other he had lost to, anger swelling in him as he declared coldly, angrily,
"...And to him..."
Lelouch's eyes narrrowed more, his eyes burning in hatred, as he announced loathingly,
"I was brought before the Emperor of Britannia..."
Lelouch struggled with all his might as Suzaku dragged him through the halls of his childhood. His arms were useless, strapped behind him in a straight-jacket like uniform. The immaculate doors to the Grand Hall, where the Emperor himself received meetings, opened, and Suzaku, still wearing his piloting uniform, entered, half dragging Lelouch in with him.
However, as soon as he began to raise his head, he pushed his head down, gasped at the pain. She heard only silence as his head was virtually slammed into the ground, being held down by his hair by Suzaku, who knelt. The only sound in the room, was Lelouch's gasp of pain echoing across the high, vaulted and immacualetly sculptured ceiling.
"Former 17th successor to the throne, Lelouch Vi Britannia…" he finally heard the deep voice of his father, drawl across the room, Lelouch freezing as it hit his senses. "It has been awhile, my son." Suddenly filled with anger and hatred that had filled him from the early age of 10, he reared his head up and spat,
"Why you-" before his head was again slammed into the ground by Suzaku, his head covered by his raven hair, rendering him unable to actually see the Emperor.
"I won't let you use your geass." he declared coldly. He glared at him with his visible eye, his Geassed one, inwardly cursing as Suzaku avoiding his gaze, staring emotionlessly ahead, kneeling before the Empror. "Your Majesty, I have a proposal." he began slowly.
"Please let me join the Empire's most elite Twelve knights, the Knights of Rounds." The Emperor responded after a moment, asking coldly, yet with a hint of intrigue,
"You ask as your reward for capturing Zero?" as his drawl once again rebounded upon them, Lelouch clenched his teeth with the hopelessness of his situation, the frustration with one of his only true friends, Suzaku.
"You…" he growled dangerously, his teeth clenching tightly as Suzaku explained coldly yet softly, simply.
"I told you before, Lelouch." he paused before continuing, still not glancing at him, his hand still holding him to the floor, "I want to change the world from within."
"By selling your friend to get promoted?!" he spat, disgust and revoltion at his actions striking his very core.
"That's right." Lelouch glared at him with all his hatred, his jaw clenched tighter then ever before at his betrayal.
'Amaya was right...' he growled to himself as he stared into the green eyes that would not meet his. 'You really are nothing but a traitor...'
"Very well." the Emperor's voice met Lelouch as he added, a smirk evident even in his tone, "I admire your answer." Lelouch clenched her fists behind his back as he turned his gaze toward the direction of his father, who, by the sound of a cloak swishing, had stood, as he proclaimed,
"Well then, I name you to the Knights of the Rounds." there was a moments pause before he ordered, causing Lelouch to freeze,
"Seal Zero's left eye." Suzaku gave a nod, replying,
"Yes, Your Majesty." as Suzaku, none too gently, pulled Lelouch's head up, his hand covering his left eye, which held the geass. His fingers dug into his cheekbones and above his eye, forcing it open, as his raven black hair fell over his other eye, while his back arched from the ground, his feet pushing the ground to lessen the pain. After a moment, as he attempted to grow accustomed to the position, he finally could see his father with his deep purple eye for the first time in 7 years, face to face.
He saw the tall man stand from the throne, his immaculate clothes, his dark, navy cloak and gold clasp, his white regal hair and silver beard, his purple eyes, like his own, as he stood before the throne, slowly beginning to take long strides towards him, coldly declaring as he did so,
"You were a Prince, yet you started a Rebellion against me, you unworthy halfwit..." Lelouch glared at the man, clenching his teeth as he paused a few feet before him. "But I still have a use for you..."
Lelouch froze as the statement left his father's lips, his eyes widening as he stared up at him in disbelief and utter shock.
"W...What?" he gasped, staring up at his father, still held by Suzaku, shortly followed by his mouth opening in more disbelief...At seeing the Geass symbols appearing in both of his eyes.
'Impossible...' he whispered to himself, trembling slightly at this revelation as his father declared coldly,
"I shall rewrite your memories." Lelouch's eyes widened more, as he continued darkly,
"About the fact that you were Zero, about Marianne, about Nunnally..." Lelouch stared up at him as he finally managed to gasp out,
"It can't be..." Lelouch took a slight gulp of denial as he gasped, "Geass?" His father did not even seem to register that he had spoken as he continued, his tall frame causing a shadow to fall over Lelouch,
"Forget everything and become just a normal human." Lelouch shook his head in denial at his father, desperately struggling harder against Suzaku then before, who held his tight grip firm, still not glancing at him as he yelled,
"STOP! You're going to take everything away from me again!?" Lelouch fought harder against Suzaku as he began to pull his eye open tighter, forcing eye contact with the Emperor, in order to place his Geass...
"Mother?!" Lelouch clenched his jaw as flashes of his mother ran through his mind, her smiling eyes, her long hair, her kind words, her loving touch...
"And Even Nunnally?!" Lelouch screamed desperately, fighting tears as his sister found her way into his heart. Her reassuring smile, her ringing laugh, her innocence, despite the world they had escaped from...Where she would be pulled back in...
'And Amaya...And the Black Knights...Without Zero...' Lelouch gritted his teeth at the thought of them, his fists clenching tighter as he attempted again, to escape Suzaku's grasp who just kept easily pulling him back.
Lelouch struggled again as Suzaku held on so tight he could not move, his eyes forced to meet the Emperors as he announced slowly, his words ringing in his ears,
"Charles Di Britannia shall engrave..."
"STOP!" Lelouch screamed, pleading with the man as he continued, ignoring his pleas,
"Your new, false memories!"
Lelouch's scream continued, echoing around the room, even as he fell into darkness...
Lelouch made no movement, nor did any other as they all fell into a silence, after he recounted his tale. Amaya held her breath as he finally called one thing,
"C.C..." C.C, shrugged as she moved across the way, toward her Knightmare.
"It was not I who gave that man geass." she announced simply, a slight annoyance in her tone as Jinx called, from where he sat, holding his arms behind his head,
"Nor I." Amaya frowned in confusion as Lelouch apparently accepted their answers, calling a different, more important question...That Amaya had been dreading.
"Where's Nunnally?"
C.C and Jinx both glanced at Amaya as she began, slowly, nervously...
"We...We don't know..." Lelouch stood as she said this, as she added, "The Black Knights...Lelouch, we were a mess...In the Chinese Federation, I tried to search for her, but her trail went cold at Ashford..."
She felt a pang of guilt as she saw Lelouch swallow sadness, his eyes narrowing for a split second before declaring, quietly but angrily,
"I expected as much..." there was a pause before he glanced at her again, as he continued,
"What about Sayoko?" C.C sighed as she answered promtly,
"She ran away with Diethard and the others to the Chinese Federation." there was a pause before Amaya moved closer to Lelouch, stating,
"She doesn't know who Zero is, so she doesn't know how important Nunnally is...There was nothing she could do..." Lelouch only gave a small, 'Hmph', as he stood, his Geass eye still burning in his own.
For a moment, Amaya was entranced with the eye. The purple, bird like symbol still burning, like a fire, in the darkness...She paused in her thoughts as Lelouch suddenly declared, lowly, clenching his fist before him, promising him and every person there,
"I will find who gave the Emperor Geass and search for Nunnally..."
There was a pause as each person thought on this, Amaya finding a soft smile appear on her face, as she whispered to herself, her hand tightening slightly in triumph,
'Lelouch...You're really back...' her smile froze, however, as suddenly, his own eyes widened, freezing, turning to her as he whispered loudly, as though shocked,
"I have a sister, but I never had a brother..."
Amaya's jaw clenched slightly, as Lelouch continued, his eyes still wide, as he asked,
"Who is that guy?"
Lelouch closed the book, frustrated, a frown etching his face as he called up to Amaya,
"While the blueprints of the building are here, there is no mention of the security codes." Amaya frowned as well, glancing at the dead Baron's knightmare, just behind her.
"So we can't use the knightmare?" she sighed angrily, Lelouch nodding in agreement, the hand on his hip tightening as he began to think of other ways to break into the knightmare.
He froze, as suddenly, he heard an angry call from behind him demand,
"What are you doing here?!"
Immediately, his eyes went to his left, cursing as he saw a Britannian frame appare out of the darkness, as he saw Amaya, from the corner of his eye, disappear into her hatch, the back of her frame, thankfully, making her near unrecognizable.
"That uniform..." the pilot of the knightmare began as he paused before Lelouch, who frowned slightly, "You're a student, then?" Lelouch took a deep breath as he thought,
'Time to once again become Lelouch Lamperouge...'
And with that, he turned, his face apparently a mixture of gratefulness and urgency, his hair covering his eye.
"A soldier?" he gasped, "Thank goodness!"
Turning fully, he indicated to the dead Baron.
"Please, give this man treatment, fast!" he begged, grinning as he saw the frame freeze in alarm, quickly bending down next to the dead man. There was a moments pause, before the man's hatch began to open. Lelouch felt a grin pull at his face as he thought,
'Okay, just like the intelligence given to me, Calares's army doesn't know about me.' he grinned, his fingers tightening around the book as he thought, 'This guys data will prove to be useful.'
"Is he the only survivor?" the pilot called as soon as he touched the ground, hurrying toward them, concern evident in his eyes, as Lelouch glanced up at him.
"Yes," he confirmed, glancing up at him as he added with a smile, "just you."
"What?" the man blinked in confusion, as Lelouch stood, his eyes meeting his as he began, lowly,
"So..." he smirked as he opened his eye, the geass symbol evident as he commanded, "Hand over your Knightmare!"
There was a moments pause as the man's eyes widened, freezing at the order, before becoming calm, the familiar purple ring encircling his eyes as he nodded,
"Understood." he took a step forward toward Lelouch as he reached for the key, continuing, "The security code is QR5YK1D6"
Lelouch grinned as he looked into the key in his hand, Amaya glancing at him, appearing briefly from her hatch as C.C called from her frame,
"Your Geass shouldn't work unless you look your target straight in the eye..." there was a chuckle before Jinx added,
"People don't tend to also forget their geass ether." Lelouch did not respond, grinning as he glanced at their knightmares, coldly declaring,
"I needn't hear this from a couple of immortal cynics."
Li Xingki glanced from where he stood in the Chinese Federation Embassy, to where the Governor stood, talking with a subordinate, inconsequentially about the Attack on Babel Tower.
Xingki momentarily paused following the frosty conversation in the room, his mind turning to the attack...
'I wonder...' he mused to himself, as he heard another, distant, explosion from the not too far Babel Tower. 'Could that be you...?'
And against all beliefs, regulations and circumstances, Xingki smirked slightly.
'Amaya Fujiwara-Hime...'
"Well done, N1." Lelouch smirked as he placed the communicator in his ear, staring at the screens before him, as he watched Kallen blow up a Britannian frame, "Head to the 21st floor now."
Lelouch had just arrived, not moments ago to the security center in the building, where he could now watch what was going on in every corner of the Tower, every angle, and every possible hit that could be landed by the Black Knights.
Lelouch did not pause to hear Kallen's confirmation as he continued, quickly ordering,
"Seal off the stairway, P4."
His order was quickly carried out, unquestioned, in a ball of orange flame.
"R5, aim your weapon at your left, 30 degrees."
As quick as lightning, the command was followed, the blows landing on three knightmares, eliminating them immediately.
"N1, advance 50 metres and fire at the ceiling."
At once, Urabe complied, causing the ceiling to fall in, as he moved out of the way, eliminating 8 more knightmares.
'Yes...' Lelouch grinned as each order and command was carried out, his eyes narrowing in victory as he clenched his fists,
'This is what I have been missing...'
Amaya grinned as she led 12 of her subordinates to a center of the tower, their calls and talk making the adrenaline pump more and more, filling her with determination.
"With Zero, we will win!"
"There will be a miracle!"
"There will be one!"
"There will!" Amaya called with a grin, as she struck a Britannian frame, moving fast out of the way of the explosion.
"Today, we shall claim victory!"
Lelouch chuckled as he glanced at the building structure of the Tower, grinning as he announced to himself,
"Governor Calares should be coming out soon." Lelouch paused, however, as someone behind him called, almost coldly,
"Things appear to be going smoothly." Turning, Lelouch frowned as his eyes fell on the still bunny-clad Kallen, who had her hand behind her back
"Kallen, I believe I told you to head to the 21st floor." he stated slowly, lowly, as he recalled when he had seen her last. Kallen betrayad no emotions as she declared simply,
"I wanted to be near you."
Silence fell as their eyes met, the only sound the sound of a bomb a few floors away. Kallen's eyes narrowed as she confirmed,
"We're finally all alone now..."
And suddenly, without a word, Kallen took the gun that was behind her back out, and pointed it at Lelouch, who continued to stare at her coldly.
Suzaku glanced at the Emperor as he declared, coldly, as he walked in front of him,
"It seems as if someone took the bait in Area 11."
'Lelouch...' Suzaku's eyes narrowed, the royal blue cloak suddenly heaver then ever before, as he hesitantly asked, still glancing at the amazingly large, empty, and fog filled corridor they walked down,
"Is it C.C?"
"It is not known yet." the Emperor answered promptly, not pausing as he continued,
"Kururugi, you are the first member of the rounds to be allowed here." he paused before adding pointingly, "It is a place that not even Schneizel knows about." Suzaku bowed his head solomly as he answered,
"I am honored, Your Majesty." he paused, still glancing along the corridor as big as a pitch, before continuing,
"However, I do not understand why..." The Emperor interrupted before he finished, declaring in a ringing tone, as they were surrounded by fog, Suzaku seeing nothing but the Emperor,
"Amongst the members of the Rounds, only you know of their existance." Suzaku blinked, as suddenly, the Emperor stopped in his step, staring at a golden view as he added, "Zero's identity and Geass..."
Suzaku finally allowed himself to glance and where he was...And his eyes widened.
It was like a different world...There was a golden, twilight sky where he looked, and they stood on a what seemed like, an ancient ruin, Romanesque, yet with a modern twist...
"This place..." he gasped as he took in the view, disbelief flooding his every fiber as he queried, "Is a temple?" There was a pause before the Emperor slowly shook his head, declaring softly,
"No...This place is..." he paused in thought, his eyes narrowing before nodding curtly, as he answered, "Yes...It is a weapon used to destroy gods..." Suzaku blinked in surprise as he repeated questionably,
"Weapon?" The Emperor turned to him slightly as he answered,
"It is called the Sword of Akasha."
Suzaku stared up in surprise, as he whispered to himself,
'The Sword...Of Akasha?'
Lelouch stared at Kallen emotionlessly as he quietly declared,
"You, who abandoned Zero back on Kaminajima Island, have something to say to me?" Kallen's eyes narrowed slightly as she continued to train her gun on him, beginning in equal coldness,
"Lelouch...You were lying to me all this time..." Lelouch raised an eyebrow as he clarified,
"That Zero was really your classmate?" his eyes narrowed as he went deeper. "Or about the Power of Geass?"
"Both..." Kallen answered promptly, silence following, as Lelouch stared at her. Kallen eventually broke the silence, frowning as she snapped,
"Answer me! Did you use the Geass on me as well?" Lelouch continued to stare at her, amusement growing, as she continued, "Twisting my heart to your will..." her rage met a new peak as he chuckled aloud, as she cried angrily,
"Lelouch!" he shook his head at her as he chuckled,
"Your heart belongs to you, whether it was your loyalty to Zero, or admiration, everything..." Kallen froze as he took a few steps toward her. Heightening the gun, she ordered,
"Don't move!" he did not listen, her eyes never leaving his as he announced lowly,
"Kallen, be proud of yourself. You have made your decision. You have chosen..." Lelouch paused as the gun touched his chest, his hand reaching to touch the gun, and gently push it down.
"Me."
Kallen's eyes widened as realization hit her, stumbling back as Lelouch continued to stare at her, continuing to hold the gun in his hand.
"You don't believe it?" he asked, raising an eyebrow as she bowed her head a moment, her fists clenching as she answered slowly,
"I want to." her eyes never left the floor as she added, "That's why, even if it means becoming a slave..."
Lelouch nodded in understanding as he stated quietly,
"I see..." Kallen's eyes met his in a flash as she snapped,
"But, I believe in Zero, not the likes of you, Lelouch!" Lelouch gave a nod as he sighed,
"Ah, that's fine." Kallen did not pause as she took a step forward, stating lowly,
"Tell me one thing, Lelouch..." Lelouch met her eyes again as she hissed,
"Is Amaya under your geass?" Lelouch's eyes narrowed in suspiscion as he quiered,
"You believe, that someone must be under my geass to care for me?" Kallen did not answer, not moving her eyes from his, demanding an answer from him. Eventually, Lelouch did, stating lowly, his eyes narrowed,
"I have, and never will, place Amaya under my Geass. I would never do that to her." Kallen did not relax, obviously still harbouring feelings of distrust and suspicion for him, however, did give a stiff nod, crossing her arms as she exclaimed,
"Very well then." Lelouch paused as he asked a question of his own,
"By the way, how long fo you plan on wearing that costume?" he smirked as he indicated to the bunny costume. Kallen blinked in confusion, glancing down, eyes widening as she remembered what she was wearing, and the amount of cleavage that was shown.
"D-don't look at me, you pervert!" she cried as she turned away, covering her chest with her arms, a blush rising in her cheeks as she glared at him. Lelouch raised an eyebrow as he pointed out, teasing slightly,
"That's not the language you should use toward Zero-" Kallen glared as she snapped,
"I was talking to Lelouch just now!" Lelouch sighed as he nodded,
"Yes, yes..." he paused, however, as his communicator beeped.
"What is it?" he asked, touching the earpiece, as Jinx called down the phone,
"Britannia has arrived, and they have brought quite the large amount of reinforcements."
Amaya felt a frown appear on her face as she glanced out, seeing hundreds of Knightmares arrive, carried by air carriers...Headed for them.
"That can't be good..." she muttered darkly, as she touched her earpiece, pausing as she heard the calls of her subordinates.
"Shiiiiiit....."
"Look at them! There must be hundreds!"
"We are so screwed!"
"Shut up!" Amaya snapped as she turned towards them, anger rising as they fell silent. "Give Zero a bit of time. Don't you dare lose your faith!" she ordered as they turned to her.
"Your faith is what has been powering your outstanding performance today, lose that, and then I can assure you, we are as you say, 'screwed'." she paused to allow this to sink in as she added,
"Or, you can keep that faith, that trust in Zero, and we can retain the chance to win this." there was a slight pause, before the simutanious call met her ears, which made her grin.
"Hai, Fujiwara-sama!"
"They're coming in from above too!" Kallen gasped in shock as she stared at the screens, leaning over the boards as Lelouch stood behind her. "At this rate..."
"That's right." Lelouch declared softly, as Kallen felt something placed on her. Her eyes widening, she saw it was Lelouch's school jacket, used to give her a little bit of dignity to cover up. Kallen did not throw it off as he continued with a smirk,
"Viceroy Calares should be in command right now. Escaping now would be difficult." he paused before sighing, "That's why..."
Kallen turned slightly, seeing a smirk appear on his face as he announced darkly,
"I win."
Amaya raised an eyebrow in disbelief and amazement as Lelouch relied his plan to her.
"...Are you sure...?" she asked slowly, a smirk spreading across her face as he nodded, grinning,
"If my calculations are correct." Amaya nodded, that being a good enough answer for her, as she stated,
"Got it. It'll be done it 10 minutes." he nodded as he cut communications, as she turned to her forces.
"We have a plan." she declared with a smirk, as she felt the level of determination rise at her words.
"Our enemy believes he has obtained victory now." Lelouch smirked as he entered his knightmare, grinning as the hatch was pulled in. "All the conditions are being cleared, one at a time." he frowned as he noted,
"All that's left is your floor, though?"
"It'll be ready within 10 minutes." C.C sighed on the other end of the line, who was planting dynamite. Lelouch nodded as he sighed,
"Okay. Then we will be able to hold our positions." he paused as the knightmare whirred to life, C.C asking,
"And Diethard's arrangements?" Lelouch nodded as he gripped the controls, confirming,
"The system is still active. Everything is according to plan." Lelouch smiled as he undid the top button, the knightmare quite hot, and to help him to think more, as his frame followed Kallen's and Urabe's. Leloch paused, however, as suddenly a call came through, one that made Lelouch frown slightly.
"This is B2, one enemy knightmare is-" the speaker was cut off at that, with a yell and static.
"What's the matter?" Lelouch asked, frowning as he moved a hand to the communicator on his ear. He heard a gasp come through, as he heard,
"No way, just now, it was-" before he was cut off again, Lelouch feeling dread enter him as he asked, cautiously,
"B2?" getting no response, Lelouch dropped his hand, frowning as he thought aloud, "What's happening?" as he glanced at the screen, frowning as he wondered, seeing no identification on the field,
"...Is the enemy fighting without IFF?" his eyebrows knitted together as he saw a line of Black Knights be cut off, one by one. "And it's taking action by itself?"
"Zero! This is P6! The enemy...The enemy's-" Lelouch's eyes widened as the man was cut off by a blood curdling scream.
"P6!"
"This is R5." he got another call, Lelouch clenching his fists as he gasped, "R1 is down!" before too, being cut off. Lelouch clenched his teeth as he thought,
'That's is not good. At this rate, it'll come here.'
"Zero, at least you should get out of here!" Urabe called, as he and Kallen moved before Lelouch, Urabe raising his sword, as the knightmare came closer and closer, moving at an incredible speed. Lelouch frowned as he continued,
"We were a diversion, a sacrificial pawn in the plan to begin with. Then..."
"That's wrong." Lelouch announced, frowning in anger as he continued, "You're wrong, Urabe. The concept of 'cutting off', is not enough to defeat Britannia."
Silence fell as suddenly, a call came through.
"Captain Urabe."
Urabe turned back to the screen as he asked immediatly,
"Can you make it?" there was no pause as his subordinate answered,
"Yes, the cargo entrance, right?" Urabe nodded as he confirmed,
"Yeah, that's the shortcut to get to this floor." Urabe frowned as there was a sudden 10 second silence.
"...We have visual confirmation." he finally heard, the tone low, keeping quiet as to not be detected. "The mass production prototype, based on Lancelot." Urabe's eyes widened as the visual was sent to him.
"I see." Zero, Lelouch, sighed before adding, "However, now's not the time to capture it. Destroy it."
"Understood." However, Urabe blinked in confusion, as suddenly...
The frame was gone...
"Huh?! It disappeared?!" the man gasped, as Urabe frowned at how the conversation went. "How'd it get there?!" the man panciked, as Zero called, anxious,
"Wait! What do you mean it disappeared?!"
Urabe could not explain it, as he watched the fight commence...
The frame moved with such fluidity, perfection, almost.
It dodged every bullet, easily leaping against the wall, spinning in the air before aiming at his men, and then...
The screen went black...
"C.C! Are you not done with your floor yet?!" C.C frowned in annoyance as she sighed,
"What are you so nervous about? You have Kallen and Urabe with you, and Amaya is on her way."
she sighed again as Jinx handed her another bundle of explosives, pausing as she heard a loud explosion.
Lelouch visibly winced as the frame crashed through the wall, gliding through the air like a bird, before beginning to land.
'So this guys the irregular?' Lelouch clenched it's jaw as the light danced off the golden shoulders and chest, as it stood before them a moment, almost expectantly.
'Screw this.' Lelouch narrowed his eyes as he confirmed to himself, 'You aren't Suzaku! Strategy cannot be defeated by real time tactics!' he told himself confidently, however, even he could feel the slight shake of his words.
The pause ended as Kallen suddenly began to move forward, announcing,
"We're better at close-quarters combat!" at this, Urabe moved forward too, as the knightmare took out two swords, crossing them over his chest while they made a beeline for him, as Urabe declared,
"Too late!"
However, his sword and Kallen's hand hit nothing. Lelouch's eyes widened as the knightmare, now, miraculously, stood directly before...
Him...
Lelouch stared in horror as it ebgan removing two halves of a staff, quickly slamming them together, the two halfs clicking into eachother as Lleouch whispered to himself,
'Impossible...It's not something physical that is causing that...It's something else...' Lelouch's eyes widened as he began spinning the staff, preparing for the final strike-
'I'm going to get defeated-' Lelouch managed to scream to himself, before a flash of blue hit the frame from the side.
The frame was thrown off balance as it's sword met Amaya's, both frames barely moving five feet, as she heard Lelouch call along with Kallen,
"Fujiwara-sama!"
"Fujiwara-Hime!" she heard Urabe call urgently, who began to make a beeline for her. However, her eyes were fixed on the frame before her.
'So this is the frame...' she hissed to herself as they both held, Amaya not allowing it to move until she knew what to do. 'This is the frame which killed 6 of my men...'
Her eyes turned back to Lelouch as she commanded,
"Kozuki, Urabe, get Zero out of here!" However, she paused as a terrible thing happened...
Urabe stuck his sword into the frame's shoulder, and pushed her away with such force, she fell 7 feet back.
"Urabe!" she yelled as he called,
"Zero, I don't care that you're real identity is a student!" he called as he struggled to hold the frame in place, sparks flying as he continued, "You said 'just cutting off is not enough', and I believe there was not a sliver of falsehood in your words." There was not a pause as he continued,
"Kozuki! Fujiwara-Hime!"
"Hai!" they both stammered as he began,
"Fujiwara-Hime, I ask your forgiveness for what I must do...Relay my thanks to Tohdoh-san, and I ask you to tell him I left with peace of mind. You're life matters more to Japan then mine." Amaya felt tears burn in her eyes as she nodded, chocking out,
"Urabe-san, please-"
"I am entrusting Zero into your hands!" he continued, pausing before adding, "He is the only hope we have."
Urabe closed his eyes momentarily as he pressed his chest, the protective plates weakening as he whispered,
"Forgive me, Rakshata." he paused another moment, as he whispered to himself,
'This is it...This is my sacrifice for Japan...' he glanced at the Royal Blue frame, and the secret kept from her...Until the time was right... 'If you knew, you would understand, Fujiwara-Hime...' he thought sadly as he glanced at Zero...The one who would free Japan...
"Zero!" he called, knowing he could not hold it any longer, "Lift Japan..." he clenched his jaw as he moved his sword, swishing it upwards,
"Lift up the people..." he continued, his heart strengthening as he threw the blade instead into the chest. "Please!"
Then there was a moments silence, as he thought of what his mentor told him long ago...Something he had not grasped until that moment...
"The name of Shiseiken...is not for show!"
And with his final words, he felt the fire consume him.
"...Urabe..."
Lelouch felt the name leave his lips, the silence his only answer as he saw the smoke clear. His eyes narrowed in undiluted anger, as he saw something appear in the smoke.
"Damn, teleportation again?!" Lelouch cursed, his eyes wide in anger as Kallen and Amaya silently moved before him. Lelouch frowned in confusion for a moment, before their intention became clear.
"W-Wait!" he cried, leaning forwards as Kallen declared quietly,
"I must too make up my mind...For Zero's sake..." there was a pause as Amaya added softly,
"Lelouch...You have to live..." there was a pause as Lelouch stared at her in horror, before someone came onto the communication, declaring,
"We can die now, or, we can bring the joyous news that the preparations are complete." Jinx smirked down the line.
"I see..." Lelouch whispered as he lifted the trigger, his mind on the man who saved his life..."Urabe....The little time you saved us was not in vain..."
He closed his eyes as he dedicated his next move to him, as he clicked down.
Instantly, the explosives placed on the floors all exploded, the rumbling sound of the collapsing floors echoing around them as they stood in silence.
Lelouch did not respond as he felt their floor sink, him, Kallen and Amaya falling through the floor, while the other knightmare was left alone, while the Tower suddenly veering to the left.
He had, essentially split the building. The entire left side of the building was now collapsing, as per why he had explosives set, Amaya overseeing the placing off them before meeting him, who was now silent, most likely thinking on Urabe.
As they touched down on the bottom floor, through the hole they made, he heard Kallen gasp,
"I see. So the enemies above us all fall to the ground now."
"Not only that." Lelouch added, as he looked at the Britannian command center, which would shortly be under the building, with a smirk.
'It appears you made a mistake in eliminating possible escape routes.' he thought with a grin, 'It's as if you were telling me where you were situated.'
And with that, Lelouch released a laugh, ringing through his frame as he laughed,
"Farewell, Viceroy Calares..."
"Yes, My Lord!"
Guildord nodded towards his subordinates, as they agreed to follow his command following the death of the Viceroy and Sub-Viceroy, having made it clear it was temporary in in the name of Princess Cornelia. The Glaston Knights, behind him remained silenct as he announced,
"I thank you all." before turning back to the Glaston knights, to give out orders, the screen behinf him flickering of the image of the half fallen Babel Tower.
"I shall head to the scene to take command of the search and rescue." he began, standing straight and tall, as was expected of him, in the face of chaos.
"Alfred, contact the police. Bart, stay here-" he paused however, as the Knight's eyes widened at something behind him. Guilford's eyes narrowed behind his glasses as Alfred suddenly blurted, his eyes wide,
"That's..."
"What's wrong?" Guilford called as he turned to see what was happening...And too, froze.
It was fuzzy at first-A mess of pixels on the screen, black and white. But slowly, they began forming, began taking a shape, and colour...And a person came on screen...Someone who needed no introduction, however, provided himself with one anyway.
"I am Zero!"
All throughout Area 11, chaos erupted, as Zero appeared on every screen in the Area. Whispers, yells arose like wildfire,
"It's Zero, isn't it?
"I thought he died?"
"Oh for god's sake, not this again..."
"He's back! I knew he would be!"
"To all Japanese, I have returned!" he announced, throwing his arms out, throwing his cape out dramatically behind him. He stood before a red flag, which had wings placed ever so rightly, so it looked as though it was Zero himself who bore wings. The aura of power seeping from the familiar mask, the commanding voice ordering the attention of all people...
"Stop the broadcast!" a man working in the t.v station cried, banging his fist desperately on the desk as another shook his head, gasping, horrified,
"I can't! It won't accept the signal!"
Diethard desperately threw everything on his desk off onto the floor as he snatched the miniature t.v on his desk, his eyes widening in disbelief at who appeared on it, the t.v that monitored what was on the line he created for him, for Zero...
"It's the line omega that I created!" he confirmed, his hands shaking as he added, "The only one who knows of it is..."
Diethard's eyes widened in realization as he jumped up, still holding the television, never taking his eyes off it as he cried out,
"ZERO!"
Diethard grinned as he spun around the room with the miniature t.v held above him, like a mad man as he called to Sayoko and Rakshata, who were also in the room,
"You were alive after all!"
"Hear me, Britannia! Behold, all who hold power!" Kallen watched in awe as the speech continued, Zero raising his hand just in front of his mask as he turned slightly from the camera, as he declared, lowly,
"I am saddened..." Kallen blinked as he continued, his voice ringing through the room, "...At war and discrimination..." Zero snapped his head back to the screen as he added, "The evil intentions being brandished by those with power! The tradgedy and comedy allowed to go in in error!"
Viletta's eyes narrowed as she watched Zero appear on the screen, increasingly being reminded of the lack of Lelouch's presence. She could not drag her eyes off the mask as he continued, darkly exclaiming from behind his mask,
"The world has not changed in the slightest. Therefore, I had no choice but to return!"
As Kaguya watched Zero, she felt a smile rise in her face.
'You did what you promised, Onee-san...' she smiled as she watched Zero on the screen, in all his glory. 'You brought him back...'
Kaguya remained silent as she drank in his speech, as he stated, purpously, as though his words were swords,
"As long as the strong continue to torment the weak, I shall continue to rebel!" he announced, lifting his right hand, clenching it slightly as he lifted it to his mask, as he lowly declared,
"Just now, I have brought divine retribution upon the foolish Viceroy Calares!" his hand went from his mask, to directly before him as he said this, highlightening his meanings in every way, Kaguya grinned, as she watched.
"My, my. The King of Elevens already doing his work, eh, Suzaku?"
The Knight of Three, Gino Weinberg, raised a questioning blond eyebrow up towards Suzaku, who stood behind where he sat, in the Knights of Rounds Private room, where they would await information, or orders, or simply relax.
The majority of the Knights were gathered there already, the only missing one being the Knight of Four, Dorothea Ernst. All had settled into a tense, thoughtful silence as they watched the most wanted terrorist in Britannian history arise from the dead before them, defying now even the laws of death.
Suzaku did not reply, staring at the screen, at Zero, his eyes narrowing slightly as his jaw clenched. He clenched his fists as he whispered to himself,
'Lelouch...Have you returned...Has Zero been revived?'
Guilford's eyes zeroed in on one oh his subordinates as he called, turning to face him from his screen,
"We found it! The source of the signal is the Chinese Federation Embassy!" Guilford narrowed his eyes as he heard Claudio, one of the Glaston Knights repeat,
"The Chinese Federation?"
"Did he seek refuge there or something?" Alfred, another Knight wondered aloud, as Guilford clenched his fists.
"Not Zero." he declared lowly, all eyes landing on him as he named off the most prominent member of the Black Knights after the apparent end of Zero, who had escaped after the Rebellion, and whom had disappeared into the shadows with the promise of a return...
"It was the Lady of Zero." he announced, silence following as realization dawned.
'This was planned...' He thought to himself, his heart picking up as all the pieces began to fit together, 'She escaped to the Chinese Federation to gain support, and knowing she had it, she returned...' he paused, frowning at the pieces that did not fit, such as how Zero came in after being executed, how could the Chinese Federation support such a thing as the Black Knights, and how they got to the Embassy in the first place...His eyes narrowed as he studied the screen, while he searched for an answer to his last question at least.
"How did he get past the siege?" he asked himself aloud. A moment passed, as no one answered, while he continued to study the screen...His eyes widened as it clicked. With a gasp, he exclaimed,
"I see! They used the inside of the Babel Tower as a road!" he clenched his teeth as he confirmed his thoughts, following the riuins of the tower, which fell on a long stip of road, which seperated fove blocks...And right at the end of that road, two blocks from where the ruins ended...
The prominent Chinese Federatrion Embassy.
"Then what about the Chinese Federation?" he gasped, realizing an international incident may be lurking, "Did they negotiate this before hand?" Guilford closed his eyes a moment, as a thoughts ran through his mind,
'With the Lady of Zero? But would they risk such a thing as an argument this big with Britannia...?' Guilford shook his head as he snapped aloud,
"Impossible!"
"Hey, isn't Zero dead?" Gino asked, throwing one arm around Suzaku's right shoulder, leaning, as though relaxed, against him, still blinking at the screen as Suzaku monotonlously ansered, having given up months ago of trying to explain to Gino about personal space,
"Yes."
Suzaku still did not move as another arm was thrown over his left shoulder, mirroring Gino as a guy only slightly older then himself, who stood on par height wise with Gino, with dark, black hair and curious, yet serious, silver eyes asked, with a small smile,
"Want to bet?"
Suzaku still did not reply, not glancing at the Knight of Two, Dimitri, paused for an answer, glancing at the screen as Gino asked, genuine interest in his tone,
"So, this guy is an impostor then?" Dimitri shrugged as he exclaimed,
"Even if he is, if we charged the Chinese Federation Embassy, we would basically be executing the beginnings of an international incident..." he paused as Gino gave a small, 'Ahh...' of understnading, while Suzaku added coldly,
"Not to mention that would be a serious breach of protocol." he paused as both Dimitri and Gino rolled their eyes as Dimitri shrugged,
"Sometimes, my friend, one must breach protocol...However..." Dimitri paused in thought as he noted, wactching the screen, "Now might not be the best time for it." Suzaku did not respond, only gave a slight nod.
"He calls himself Zero: so he's a regicide." Gino stated, a grin still on his face as he sighed, his big, sparkling blue eyes glancing at Dimitri and Suzaku, "Although the battle with the EU is important..." Dimitri nodded as he glanced at the screen, sighing,
"This may take more priority..." silence reigned, before Anya, the 15 year old, pink haired, dark pink/light crimson eyed Knight of Six, whom sat before them, emotionlessly stated, typing onto her hand held computer,
"Both are inevidable hells..."
Li Xingki remained silent as he stood at the back of the broadcasting room, where Zero gave his nationwide announcement of his return.
'This intelligence...This audacity...' he whispered in his mind, as his eyes never moved from the mask, as he narrowed his eyes slightly, 'This 'Zero'...'
'...Just what will he do to the world...?'
"It's Zero!" Guilford called, his eyes narrowing once again as he stared at the familiar mask.
"It's the real one!"
"I will fight, against all that perpetrate the misuse of power!"
'...The misuse of power...?'
Shirley's eyes widened at his words, as Zero continued, throwing his cloak back as he announced, grandly,
"Therefore, I once again declare the formation of the United States of Japan!"
Xingki said nothing as he turned, not glancing at Gao Hai as he slowly, emotionlessly asked,
"Is this alright? We don't have the Empress's mandate." he reminded him, attempting to force some sense of reality of the situation into the Eunuch. The man simply raised an eyebrow at him, his lips curling into a teasing smile as he asked, daringly,
"Do you have something against my decision?" Xingki's eyes went to the floor for a second as he answered in the same, empty tone,
"No, I do not."
As he moved to the other end of the room, no one noticing his fists slightly clenched.
Rakshata raised an eyebrow as Zero continued, throwing his arms dramatically in the air as he declared,
"From this moment on, this room shall be the very first territory of the United States of Japan!"
At his words, Rakshata released a laugh, which echoed around the room as she held her cigeratte holder high, hand on hip as she chuckled,
"A country with just a room, eh?" she shook her head slightly as she glanced at the screen still being held by Diethard, who's eyes were glued to the screen, as he held in on the table, kneeling on the floor to watch, and Sayoko, who was bent slightly over him to glance at it too.
"Still a funny guy, isn't he?" she grinned as she pushed a blond lock of hair from her eyes, her eyes sparkling at the man on the screen.
"There are no restrictions upon race, doctrines, or religion!"
Amaya closed her eyes slightly as her words rang through her head, her mind turning to all who had given their lives for them to get to this point, her jaw clenching slightly at the next sentence, which caused her heart to strengthen at the amount of power in their words.
"There is only one requirement in being a citizen of this country: To carry out justice!"
'Yes. That is what I am alive for...To carry out the justice of Japan. The responsibility of the Fujiwara, of a true saumrai.'
Amaya closed her eyes a moment again, as she took a breath to herself.
'That is why I must fight. For those that cannot...'
Xingki's eyes narrowed slightly as he replaced his sword in his holster, glancing again at the Britannian military placed before the Britannian Embassy, obviously waiting for them to ether hand over Zero, or for him to come out himself.
"This is Chinese Federation territory." Xingki announced, reminding the Britannian forces as the Chinese Federation guards trained their weapons of the armed Britannians. He saw the captain of the squad narrow his eyes at his words, before reluctantly nodding.
"Understood." he replied bitterly, before adding, "We shall meet again at a place for conducting foreign relations."
Xingki did not reply as he watched them remove themselves from the premisis, his eyes wandering to the side slightly as he thought darkly,
'Zero...How much use will he be to us...?'
Xingki paused in his thoughts as he saw a Knightmare appear from nowhere, speeding towards them. Xingki instantly placed a hand on his sword as it paused before them, as he called, warningly,
"The Britannian army has been asked to turn back." his eyebrow raised as he took in the new, golden, silver and black knightmare that stood before them, different then any he had seen before.
"Or are you one of Zero's people?" he asked cautiously, as he saw the hatch open.
"Which side am I on, really?" the pilot asked, as his head stuck out of the frame, smiling slightly as he stood. He saw the man, Li Xingki frown at his words, as he stated suspiciously,
"I do not like riddles." he sighed as he saw the man take a defensive step, hand on the hilt of his weapon as he exited his frame.
"Yes," he agreed, as he took a step on the ground, "neither do I." he saw the man narrow his eyes as he took in his school uniform with confusion, as he began casually towards them. "I want to know the truth."
He paused three steps from the man who stared at him with warning, crimson eyes, as he admitted, lightly, yet darkly, with an emotionless face,
"That's why I'm here to kill..." Rolo felt seriousness take his face as he activated his geass, as he finalized with a cold, dark tone,
"Zero..."
GASP!!!!!
if you did not see the rather large change, GET YOUR EYES CHECKED!!!
Just who is the Knight of Two?!!?!
What will happen now that Lelouch has been revived?!
What and who is Rolo!?
What is Xingki's connection with Amaya?!
WHAT WILL HAPPEN?!!?!?!?!
...
Review, to find out. I want to beat the R1'S reviews, which is now 606...ny1 interested? :)
...
:)
mostrandomgirl92