Holy cow, this took me a while to write up which is not great considering that it wasn't really that difficult to write story-wise...
I'm literally finishing this up at 4:30 in the morning.
Again, let me know if I've made any mistakes.
I really hope you enjoy!
Chapter 2
Three Vincents landed in the dusty fields of the Middle Eastern desert.
"The area is clear."
"Hey, we've got a flock of sheep headed this way," one of the pilots said.
"A shepherd?"
"AGHHH!" one of the pilots suddenly screamed. His knightmare was standing closest to the shepherd's flock.
"Sir, what's wrong?!" the other two pilots asked in a startled manner.
"Sorry, I don't know what happened. I just got a major headache, but I've just realized something," their superior officer said, breathing heavily.
"What is that?"
"AHHHHH!" the two unaffected pilots cried out in pain.
When their shrieks came to an end, the officer finally answered their question, "This world is flawed."
"Yes, it is," the other soldiers said in concurrence.
"We are at your command, Elder Raz," all of them said in unison. Their knightmares knelt before the lone shepherd.
"Then, shall we begin?" the man asked with a smile, his left eye gleaming red.
Japan
The United Federation of Nations Security Council was based in Tokyo, Japan. For the past few months, its members had been meeting frequently to oversee the campaign against the current terrorist threat. The council's makeup was still largely Japanese, a result of the Second Great War, but new members from varying nations had been added to its roster with Zero at the head.
"What's the situation in the Middle East?" Zero asked.
"Gino, Anya, and Kallen are all on shore leave. However, thanks to Rakshata's new scanners, we're making much more leeway compared to the first few months. Since their implementation, casualties and our forces' average operation time have gone down significantly," Ohgi said.
"Good, we should begin planning the region's restoration efforts," Zero said.
Lady Kaguya was on the main screen of the meeting room.
"The Council will begin deliberating on a policy once we receive your full report," she said.
"Understood, Lady Kaguya. We will email the council members tonight after General Tohdoh's forces complete their assault on the militant capital," Zero said.
Kaguya nodded and then excused herself from the meeting. The screen was shut off.
"Was it wise to let the leaders of the Zero Squadron take shore leave while the main force is still on the front lines?" one of the council members asked.
"I'd say they deserve it," Ohgi said, "they were fighting none stop for nearly a month."
"But without them we could be seeing much more casualties."
"That was before Rakshata's new gadget," another said.
"Even so, their presence would shorten campaign."
"What do you think, Zero?" someone asked.
"I agree with Ohgi. I doubt that they will be needed at this point," Zero said.
"If it comes down to it, we can always deploy our aces," one of the advisors suggested.
"Speaking of which, we haven't heard from them in a week. They're supposed to report to the Tokyo base, aren't they?"
"Sounds just like them. None of them have ever been following regulation," Zero chuckled.
"It's okay, I'll be dropping by Ashford to see Kallen, I can check in on all of them if you would like, Zero," Ohgi offered.
"Please do," Zero responded, "Is there anything else?"
"No, sir. Our aides can type up report and send it to UFN Council."
With that, they adjourned their meeting.
Ashford Academy
"Kallen Kozuki, Anya Alstreim, Gino Weinberg please report to the principal's office," the intercom said.
"Huh?" Kallen asked, looking up from her notes.
"Kallen Kozuki, Anya Alstreim, Gino Weinberg please report to the principal's office," the announcer repeated.
The student body president stood up and began making her way to the office. She wondered what the occasion was. She hadn't done anything to warrant an audience with the principal nor was she expecting a visitor. Anya and Gino were called in as well, so perhaps it had something to do with them? However, that didn't explain why she had been summoned.
"Please don't let it be another Mordred incident," Kallen said with a sigh.
"Kallen! It's been a while," Ohgi said when the Black Knight ace entered the principal's office.
"Ohgi? What are you doing here?" Kallen asked.
"Commander Ohgi, thanks so much! You just got me out of a test," Gino cheered as he skipped into the room.
"Don't worry, I won't be long. The Security Council just wanted me to check in on you guys," Ohgi chuckled.
"Ah man," Gino whined, "Couldn't you somehow make this meeting last thirty minutes?"
"Gino, you should have studied like I told you to," Anya said in her usual bored tone of voice.
"Where's the fun in that?" Gino asked, "Besides, isn't it common for people to try to avoid studying?"
"Who told you that, Gino?" Kallen asked.
"I was watching some movies about commoner schools," Gino said with a shrug.
"Not the best reference," Anya commented with a yawn.
"Anyway, is there anything you need? Besides Kallen, you guys haven't been using your stipends," Ohgi said.
"Our what?" Gino asked.
"You know, the allotment for your daily expenses?" Ohgi asked.
"We had something like that?" Gino asked, turning to Anya.
"I'm pretty sure we had a meeting about it," Ohgi said.
"Ehheheheheh, I think I skipped it," Gino said.
"Jeremiah's been paying me for my time at the farm," Anya shrugged.
"I haven't had to buy anything. The school's facilities and services were enough to cover my lifestyle," Gino said.
"I'll make sure you get your allotment card, Gino," Ohgi sighed.
"Cool, I'm always down for some extra spending money," Gino cheered.
"I don't need anything," Anya said.
"Well, then I think our meeting is finished," Ohgi said, "You two are free to go."
"Nooooo! I still have a test to take!" Gino cried.
"What about me, Ohgi?" Kallen asked.
"I was hoping I could take you out for some lunch? We haven't had any time to catch up recently," Ohgi said.
"Sure," Kallen said.
"Do you mind excusing her, Mr. Ashford?" Ohgi asked.
"If Ms. Kozuki's school performance won't be affected by the absence," the principal said.
"I'm pretty sure my grades will survive," Kallen said with a smug smile.
"By all means, go ahead."
…
"So, how's the new Zero doing?" Kallen asked.
"He's very much like the capable man that we worked with back then," Ohgi replied.
"Who do you think he is?" he then asked.
"Are you sure this Zero's a guy?" Kallen responded with a raised eyebrow.
"Good point," Ohgi said before taking a sip of tea.
"How's the campaign going?" Kallen asked.
"It's pretty much over. Tohdoh's forces should be cleaning up the last objective as we speak," Ohgi replied with an enthusiastic look.
"I'm surprised you allowed yourself some furlough, honestly," Ohgi said.
"I was getting too far behind in school and it looked like they wouldn't need my help anymore," Kallen sighed.
"I'm glad you've learned to take it easy," Ohgi smiled.
"I guess," Kallen said, "So, how's Villetta and the baby?"
"They're doing good. Little Naoto's gotten pretty big," Ohgi said, showing Kallen a picture of them on his phone.
They spent about a couple of hours like that, making small talk and reminiscing. It was refreshing. Recently, Kallen hadn't had a chance to slow down and relax. Being on the Student Council, her civilian life felt just as hectic as its military counterpart.
Once she finished lunch with Ohgi, Kallen decided to return to school. Balancing the budget was just the first item on the council's massive to-do-list. There was an upcoming festival and Kallen needed to ensure that everyone was on task.
On her walk back, Kallen browsed through Milly's festival files on her phone. Rivalz had provided them for her a few days prior in preparations for the festival. It appeared that Milly usually rehashed the same events but made them more grandiose year after year. For example, the first year that Milly had been at Ashford, the giant pizza has been a simple pizza party.
When Kallen arrived at the council room, all the members were present.
"Kallen, you didn't tell me that we had a new member!" Gino said.
"Well, if you came to our meetings more often, I wouldn't need to tell you," Kallen sighed.
"The swim team really needed my help! Besides, they're going to the national meet now!" Gino said in defense.
"Then, you're going to have to participate in that meet, right?" Kallen asked, folding her arms in a disapproving manner.
"Probably…" Gino replied hesitantly.
"Will you have enough time to help out with the festival, then?" Kallen asked.
"Uh…" Gino hesitated.
"About that Pres," Dante said, "The Rivalz and I have already completed most of the prep work."
"Wait, what?" Kallen asked.
"Well, me being busy with my part-time job, Dante did most of the work," Rivalz admitted.
"He did?" Kallen asked.
"Here's the paperwork," Dante said as he placed a large stack of forms on the table.
"So, all that remains is to prepare to equipment for the giant pizza?" Kallen asked, looking through some of the papers.
"Yes, we've already discussed with club leaders about what they need. All that remains is your approval," Dante replied.
"So, I have to sign every single one of these forms?" Kallen asked with a horrified expression.
"No, Pres. Just this one," Dante replied, handing Kallen a single sheet of paper, much to her relief.
"Thank you, Dante," Kallen said once she finished with her signature.
"It's no problem," Dante replied.
"So, does that mean we're done for the day?" Anya asked, not looking up from her phone.
"I feel like I should make you two do something since you're never here," Kallen said.
"I'm piloting the knightmare for the giant pizza, right?" Gino asked.
"Probably…" Kallen hesitated to say. It was probably the only thing that Gino could do to help with the festival.
"Anya, will you take pictures of the festival?" Kallen asked.
"Sure," Anya said.
"I'll run the pizza presentation, again," Rivalz said.
"I think that's a good idea considering you did it last year," Kallen said with a nod.
"Were you at the festival last year? Weren't you a fugitive?" Rivalz asked.
"Huh? Yeah, I had to come in disguise," Kallen said.
"Wasn't that dangerous?" Rivalz asked.
"It couldn't be helped," Kallen replied in a huff as she remembered the hassle that C.C. had given her, "What a pain that was."
"So, what's Dante going to do?" Gino asked.
"We'll figure that out later," Kallen replied, "For now, I think we can actually do something besides work."
"What did you have in mind?" Rivalz asked.
"I'm not sure, I wasn't expecting us to be done so early," Kallen replied.
"Then, how about we go to the farm?" Anya asked, "There's plenty to do there."
"Are you sure Jeremiah wouldn't just put us to work?" Gino asked.
"He has employees for that," Anya replied, "I just help him out for fun."
"Anya, what is there to do at the farm?" Rivalz asked.
"We could ride horses…fly a plane….there's a lake and a boat," Anya listed, "But I'm pretty sure Jeremiah will have more ideas."
"That sounds good to me," Kallen said, "What about you guys?"
"I'm down!" Rivalz and Gino exclaimed while Dante merely nodded.
Jeremiah's Farm
Gino and Rivalz were out with the boat, speeding across the lake. Dante sat on the pier, fishing. Anya sat next to him, gazing intently at the water. All the while, Kallen and Jeremiah sat underneath the shade of a tree.
"Thanks for letting us do this," Kallen said.
"Of course, Lady Kallen. What would his majesty think if I didn't help one of his friends?" Jeremiah responded.
"You know don't have to call me that," Kallen said sheepishly.
"Forgive me, I doubt I will get myself out of the habit," Jeremiah said.
"Whatever," Kallen sighed. "So, your loyalty continues even after his death?"
"I like to think so," Jeremiah said, clearing his throat.
His answer brought a small smile to Kallen's lips.
"Say, Jeremiah who was Lelouch to you?" Kallen asked.
"Hmm? He was my lord to whom I pledged my life," Jeremiah replied, "Why do you ask?"
"But didn't you know he was Zero? The very person who ruined your career?" Kallen asked.
"I knew," Jeremiah asked.
"Then, why did you follow him? Did he use his geass on you?" Kallen asked.
"No, it was of my own volition," Jeremiah said, "Also, geass does not work on me."
"What?! How?" Kallen asked, standing up abruptly.
"I was experimented on by the Empire and they gave me a geass canceller to assassinate his majesty," Jeremiah replied.
"But you didn't," Kallen pointed out, sitting back down.
"No, I only went after him to determine his reason for fighting against Britannia," Jeremiah said.
"He fought to protect his sister and to avenge his mother," Kallen said, "Why would that change your mind?"
"Early on in my career, I served under Lady Marianne. I respected and loved her, but I failed her. To atone, I did everything within my power to transfer to Japan to search for her children. Unfortunately, the only way to do so was to join the Purist faction," Jeremiah explained.
"I'm surprised you were willing to share that much about your life with me. Thanks," Kallen said.
"I saw no harm in it," Jeremiah shrugged.
Kallen stood and faced Jeremiah. Then, with a solemn expression she asked, "Say, can you do me a personal favor?"
"If I am able," Jeremiah responded.
"Can you use your geass canceller on me?" Kallen asked.
"I can, but may I ask why?" Jeremiah asked in return.
It was something that had been bothering her ever since she found out about Lelouch's geass.
"I know that Lelouch used his geass on me at some point. I want to know if my view of him is determined by it," Kallen said.
"Then, I will activate it. Are you ready?" Jeremiah asked.
Receiving a firm nod, Jeremiah's left eye opened to reveal his blue eye.
The effect was instantaneous and Kallen felt a faint headache settle within her. Besides that, she didn't feel any different.
"How do you feel?" Jeremiah asked.
"I have a headache now," Kallen replied, rubbing her temples.
"Did you remember anything new?" Jeremiah asked, "When I first activated the canceller, I remembered that incident at the bridge."
"I remember Lelouch asking me about Shinjuku," Kallen said after some contemplation.
"Okay. So, who is Lelouch Vi Britannia to you?" Jeremiah asked.
Kallen paused. She closed her eyes and thought of Lelouch. At first, she felt uneasy because she feared that something had changed. The fear soon passed as she remembered her time with the former student council and with the Black Knights. Frustration, disgust, admiration, sympathy, and sorrow. Finally, she felt love, unchanged and as strong as ever. Perhaps, it was even stronger than before now that she knew that her heart truly was her own.
"He's the man she loves," C.C.'s voice sounded from above them. She was sitting on one of the tree branches.
"C.C.?" Kallen asked.
"Yo, Kallen," C.C. said with an unenthusiastic wave. Kallen stared at her disbelievingly.
"This is where you've been?" Kallen asked.
"What? Am I wrong?" C.C. asked, completely ignoring the pervious comment.
"Well—no," Kallen tried to say, getting flustered.
"How can you still love him after all that he's done?" C.C. asked.
Kallen could feel her temper rising. C.C. always knew how to push her buttons. Was she testing her? Whatever it was C.C. was aiming for, Kallen wouldn't give the witch the satisfaction. She took a deep breath to calm herself before speaking.
"I know the real reason Lelouch turned against the world," Kallen said.
"And I know why he pushed me away at the end. How can I not love him?"
"I wonder if he would be happy to hear that," C.C. said.
"What do you mean by that?" Kallen growled as she glared at the immortal woman.
Before C.C. could reply, someone's phone went off.
"I'm sorry, that's mine," Jeremiah said before answering it.
"This is Jeremiah. Yes, Lord Zero. What can I do for you? Uh huh. Really? I see."
"Right, I am on my way," Jeremiah said.
"It seems that my services are needed in Tokyo," Jeremiah said, "Lady C.C., I do not know when I will be returning so please feel free to order out for dinner."
"Roger that," C.C. yawned.
"What happened?" Kallen asked.
"It seems an issue has risen with the current campaign in the Middle East," Jeremiah replied.
How was it?
Please review and let me know you're thoughts! It gets me motivated and gets me thinking about how the story should go!
