- Ashford Academy -
The massive crash of the front gates buckling under the force of a Knightmare at top speed echoed across the campus.
"What are you doing!" Euphemia asked franticly as The Lancelot sped towards the school. If the fireball had not been stunning enough, a split second later Suzaku had charged the front gate.
"That was the signal!" Suzaku replied as he quickly took out two of the terrorist Knighmares.
"Are you sure?" Euphie asked, her voice tinted with her anxiety. If they were wrong…
"This is Zero we're talking about." Suzaku answered. Two more enemy frames appeared in front of him.
"What happened to the explo-" The first pilot was cut off as his mech was impaled by one of the Lancelot's harken. The second didn't even have time to comment.
"How nice of you to join us." Suzaku turned to see a half dozen Knightmare's approach from his left. "Enjoying yourself?"
"Where's Zero?" Suzaku asked the squad. It would be incredibly foolish for Lelouch to put himself in harm's way by piloting one of the Knightmare's.
"He's leading the rescue team inside the Academy." Suzaku turned to face the red mech as it spoke and simply stared. That was even worse!
"Whose idea was that!" Suzaku asked, an explosion of in the distance echoing across the courtyard.
"His, actually" Kallen replied. "He seemed rather intent on it. So, think you'll be able to work with a bunch of 'terrorists'?"
"'The enemy of my enemy is my friend.'" Suzaku quoted. "Lets show these bastards what they have coming!"
A cheer ripped through the squad. "Alright! Let's kick some ass!" A group of no less then forty terrorist mechs surrounded them, more then willing to oblige.
"Seven against one?" Kallen voiced as she prepped wave surger. "That seems fair." The Enemy commander – if he could be called that –simply looked on from his Burai.
"Why aren't they scared?" He received his answer as his Frame began to melt under the effect of the Gurren's primary armament.
"Open Fire!" Suzaku ordered as he charged onto the throng of enemies, MVS blade drawn. The Black Knights follow suit, and began to wave through the terrorist numbers, leaving destruction in their wake.
"This hardly seems fair." One Black Knight voiced as he took out another enemy Burai. "Seven against one? I almost feel sorry for them."
- Somewhere within the Academy -
Lelouch sped down the hallway of the school, two dozen armed Black Knights behind him. He kept running the video he had seen over and over again in his head. There had to be something in the footage that identified the room. The walls had been the same pattern as the rest of the school, and there had been no computers. There had been, however, a table – a large wooden one. There was only one like that in the entire school.
"This way! Quickly!" He ordered as he turned left down a familiar hall. He didn't stop as he reached the end, immediately kicking the door down – and almost immediately regretting it. Apparently there was a reason police used rams…
His dramatic entrance, however, had been enough to catch the attention of the terrorist leader. He quickly turned to face Zero, bring his gun up to fire as he did so.
Lelouch didn't even hesitate. He quickly emptied three rounds into his chest, causing the man to drop to the ground.
"Are you alright?" Lelouch asked franticly as he looked Shirley over. She didn't seem to be injured physically, but mentally? She failed to answer him and simply stared at the body next to her.
"Are you alright?" Lelouch replied. This time she turned to face him – she was obviously frightened – understandably so – and was on the verge of tears. Without warning, she buried her face in Lelouch's shoulder and began to softly cry.
"H-he had a gun to my h-head!" She managed to get out between sobs as she began to cry harder. "I thought he was – I thought he would…"
"Everything is fine now." Zero replied. "He can't hurt you anymore."
"I…I know it's you," She said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I know it's you, Lulu."
"What?" Lelouch said in shock. He had erased her memory, so how could she know who he was?
"Wait here, for a moment." Zero said to her quickly before turning to one of the subordinates the Black Knights had captured as they entered. "Where are the other hostages?"
"Why should I tell you?" The young man spat back. His attitude changed, however, as a gun barrel was pressed against his left temple.
"Because I am the one with a gun to your head." Zero replied. "The hostages?"
"West wing!" The terrorist replied franticly. "Annex gym!"
Lelouch turned to the black Knights. "Tie up these people and go rescue the hostages! I will take care of this girl – go!" The Knights nodded and proceed to follow the order. As soon as they left, Zero turned to Shirley.
"Can you walk?"
She nodded silently.
"Then please follow me." The girl stood and followed Lelouch out the door and down the hall to another classroom. He quickly locked the door before removing his helmet. "How?"
"How what?"
"How do you know?" Lelouch replied, slowly taking of his mask. "How do you know I'm Zero?"
"I – I don't understand it myself." Shirley replied. "I…There was this note, near my desk." She laughed weakly. "I don't even remember writing it, but it was in my handwriting and everything…"
"What was on the note Shirley?" Lelouch asked austerely.
"It said… It was addressed to you." She explained. "It said that you were Zero, and that… that you had killed my father… and it was so overwhelming, I just didn't know what to think of it! I wanted to talk to you, but I just couldn't get myself to! It's just… did you really kill my father?"
Lelouch froze at the question. He turned towards the window, looking out onto the courtyard. "Zero is responsible for the landside that lead to the death of your father – and I am Zero, so yes, I did." He quickly turned to face her. "Please believe me, if had known what was going to happen, if I had known so many civilians would have died, if I had known that your father would I have died, I never would have done it!" his voice was almost frantic.
"If my father hadn't been at risk," She asked. "If the only people at risk had been the live of people you hadn't known, would you have still done it, knowing that they would die?"
Lelouch averted his eyes, trying to look anywhere but at her. It was strange that, of all the people he could lie to and manipulate, she was the only one he was powerless against. "I try not to see myself as a terrorist, and I want to believe I am not. Terrorist's are madmen who will kill anybody in their path, thinking that the end justifies the means." Lelouch laughed meekly. "'the end justifies the means', a term coined by Niccolo Machiavelli – ironic, considering who I am…" Lelouch stared into his helmet, like Hamlet to the skull of Yorick. "…Zero, the Machiavellian leader of the Black Knights." He then donned the iconic mask. "It was never my intention to let civilians die, to leave you without a father. I cannot undo my actions, nor can I abandon my post. I can only offer you my deepest apology for the death of your father…" Lelouch gave a deep bow. "And my humble plea that you accept it. Now, we must be going."
"Not so fast." One of the terrorists stood at the door, a gun aimed straight at Zero's head.
"How much did you here?" Zero asked calmly.
"Enough" The terrorist replied.
"No, really, how much did you hear?" Lelouch asked again.
"Uh…" The terrorist scratched his head. "'…My humble plea that you accept it…' That's it."
"Very well," Lelouch replied. "Now if you will excuse us…"
"Hold your horses!" The terrorist ordered, raising the gun again. "You, Zero, are not going to be leaving here alive." There was an audible click as a round chambered. "Any last words?"
Lelouch looked over his shoulder briefly – the window was behind him. "Yes – q-1, room 12-c, north wing."
"What?" The terrorist said, confused. "Is that it?"
"No," Lelouch replied. "Just two more." Their was a rain of glass as the massive silver claw of the Guren tore out the wall before aiming its slash harken at the man. "You lose."
- Front gates, Ashford Academy -
Euphie paced back and forth, unable to stand still. The school had soon become enveloped in smoke, making it impossible to watch the battle. She was so busy worrying that she nearly jumped from shock when somebody spoke.
"Something's approaching!" a sentry yelled out. Euphie rushed over to the pace wear the front gate once stood, a silhouette slowly coming to shape.
"Prepare to fire!" The Sutherland's raised their cannons, ready to fire. As they all watched, a single white Frame emerged.
"Hold your fire!" Euphie ordered as the Knightmare returned to its transport. She quickly made her way up the stairs to the cockpit as its hatch swung open. "Are all the students all right?" She asked quickly.
"All the students are fine. " Suzaku replied as he climbed out of the cockpit.
"The terrorists?"
"Taken care of."
"What about the black Knights?" The Commander asked franticly. "What about Zero?"
"I'm sorry," Suzaku replied. "I never saw…"
"All units, move in!" The commander ordered, cutting off Suzaku. "Find Zero!"
"Wait!" Suzaku yelled as he quickly stood up. "What are you doing?"
"What you could not…" Replied the commander. "…Capturing Zero!" The Commander rushed toward the courtyard, Euphemia and Suzaku following behind.
"Commander, this is Orca 5," The Radio crackled as the pilot reported. We've, ah, found something…"
"Did you find Zero!" The Commander replied, almost ecstatic. The capture of Zero, Britannia's most wanted criminal! This would earn him a promotion for sure!
"We found…"
"Yes, yes?"
"…A hole."
The Commander stopped dead in his tracks. "…huh?"
"There's a large hole in the middle of the main courtyard, approximately… 50 feet deep. It appears to connect to the schools foundations."
"What about it?" The Commander snapped back. They should be looking for Zero, not stupid…
"It appears to connect to the sewer system." Orca 5 reported. "Several Landspinner tracks lead to it. It appears that they escaped sir."
He Commander began to shake. "Dammit!" He cursed as he threw the radio to the ground before stomping on it… repeatedly.
"You actually thought that you could catch Zero?" The Commander turned to face the Lancelot pilot. "Cornelia couldn't even capture him – what makes you think you could?"
The commander dropped to his knees, head hung in defeat. "…my promotion…"
- Ashford Academy, the two day -
"Wow" Rivalz said in awe as he kicked a rock into the gapping hole in front of him. "Those Black Knights sure did a number on the school."
"Yes, but they did save us…" Milly replied. "There is that to consider. What do you think Shirley?"
"Huh?" The redhead looked up, the question bringing her back to reality.
"I was asking what you think of all this!" Milly replied. "Are you sure you're alright?"
"I'm fine, really!" Shirley replied. "Don't worry about me."
"You had a gun pointed at your head." Milly answered. "Nobody is fine after that."
"You all had guns pointed at you!" Shirley retorted.
"Yes, but we weren't personally saved by Zero." Milly retorted with a grin.
"What's that supposed to mean!"
"What's what supposed to mean?"
The entire student council (minus 3) turned to see Lelouch staring at them from the opposite edge of the hole. "What?"
"Your Highness!" Rivalz rushed over to Lelouch and bowed dramatically. "Forgive us for are impudence, your lordship."
"Really, that's not necessary!" Lelouch replied. "Wow, I'm surprised at how much you've gotten done." The school festival had been delayed after the hostage incident, long enough for most of the damage to be repaired. The hole, however, was another matter.
"Yes, but we still have work to do." Milly replied. She looked around quickly. "Where's Kallen?"
"What?" Lelouch replied. "She was right behind me…" Lelouch turned around to see a knot of students about twenty feet behind him.
"How did you become a Knightmare Pilot?"
"How come you can be a Knight?"
"Have you been working for Lelouch long?"
"Enough!" Kallen yelled, forcing the entire mob surrounding her back a few steps. "Next person to violate my personal space is going to regret it!" She felt a hand come to rest on her shoulder, and stuck immediately. In the blink of an eye, she grabbed the offending limb and swung it over her head, its owner following suit before crashing into the ground at her feet.
"…ow"
"Lelouch?" Kallen said, dumbstruck. "What are you doing?"
"At the moment?" Lelouch replied, still on his back. "Trying to make sure my legs still work."
"Sorry." Kallen apologized as Lelouch stood and dusted himself off. "I thought you were one of them."
"No problem, but next time just call me."
"Why?"
"Because, then I can have them all arrested for interfering with official Imperial business." That caused the entire crowd to quickly scatter.
"Could you really do that?" Kallen asked as she watched to group run off.
"No" Lelouch replied calmly. "But they don't know that."
"What happened to, poor, meek, shy Kallen?" Milly asked as the student Council approached. "What have you been hiding?"
Kallen paled. Crap!
"Come on," Rivalz said, stepping in. "She's probably been working for Lelouch the whole time."
Milly simply began to pout. "I guess – but that's so obvious…" She turned to Lelouch. "What about you? You don't have a boat!"
It was Lelouch's turn to curse to himself
"Maybe he borrowed it from a friend?" Rivalz suggested.
"Exactly" Lelouch replied. Rivalz, I will never turn down one of your gambling schemes again!
"Fine." Milly said, finally excepting the explanation. "Kallen, head over to the kitchen. Lelouch, your Chairman." She tossed him a clip board. "That's a list of all the groups and their duties." She tossed him a head set. "Use that to talk to them. Have fun!" the council, Milly in front, then strode off to whatever other business they had.
"Life is finally back to normal, eh?" Lelouch voiced as he watched the council shrink in the distance.
"Normal," Kallen replied, turning to head toward the academy. "Right."
She found her way to the kitchen easily enough, but was surprised by who she found there.
"Suzaku?"
"Oh, Kallen." Suzaku replied, looking up from his onions. "What do you need?"
"The president told me to come down here." She replied. "I guess I'm supposed to help you."
"Well, grab a knife and help me out – if you don't already have one."
"Are you still upset that I tried to kill you?" Kallen asked as she took one of the knives and began to chop.
"Of course not" Suzaku replied. "I'm still breathing, aren't I?"
Kallen simply kept chopping. After a few minutes, the silence became unbearable.
"You don't like Lelouch's plan, do you?"
"I think there are better methods." Suzaku replied.
"Then why do you go along with it?"
"Because," Suzaku explained. "I would rather change his mind here then defeat him on the battlefield."
"But do you really think you can change Britannia from the inside?" Kallen asked. "People have been trying that for nearly as long as people have been trying to topple it from without! What makes you any different from them?"
"It might not work, but I can try." Suzaku replied, "At least I'll have done something."
"But it will have been for nothing!" Kallen yelled back. "As soon as you're gone, it will all just be undone!"
"Then maybe Lelouch isn't the only one who needs a change in perspective."
Kallen stared at him for a moment. "You've changed, haven't you?" Before Suzaku could respond, the door slid open.
"Suzaku, the truck's arrived, the cheese is…" Lelouch looked up to see Kallen and Suzaku staring at him. "Oh, I didn't expect you to be here, Kallen."
"Milly told me to go to the kitchen – you were there."
"Do you have any idea how many Kitchens are in this school?" Lelouch replied sardonically. "Kallen, if you wouldn't mind, could you go check in with your class – they seem a little short handed."
"Sure" Kallen said before walking out of the small kitchen. Once she had left, Lelouch turned to Suzaku. "Suzaku, you'd better get ready to pilot the Ganymede for the festival."
"Oh, right." Suzaku headed off as Lelouch's radio began to buzz.
"Yes? What do you mean? I'll be there in a minute."
Five minutes later, Lelouch was working at a bench in the stall area. As he negotiated with the drama club, something hit him on the head.
"I'm sorry! The handle just broke! Wait, aren't you one of Suzaku's friends?"
Lelouch just stared at the dark blue haired woman for a moment. "Do I know you?"
"Oh! I work with Suzaku Kururugi." She extended a hand. "I'm Cecile Croomy."
"Lelouch Vi Britannia," He replied, returning the hand shake. "Pleasure to meet you." Before he could proceed any further, he was interrupted by someone behind him.
"Excuse me, student, do you know where I could get some – oh, it's you." Lelouch turned around to see a green haired girl standing behind him.
"Excuse me" Lelouch said to Cecile quickly, "There is something I need to take care of." He quickly grabbed C.C. by the wrist and ran off.
"What are you doing?" Lelouch asked her, his voice clearly tinted with frustration.
"I wanted to get a piece of pizza." C.C. replied.
"I'll bring you a piece!"
"I don't trust you. You'll bring me a cold piece."
"I don't have time for this!" Lelouch was interrupted once again as the storehouse door slid open.
"Why did you come here to the school?" Lelouch could here Kallen as she addresses somebody, just out of sight.
"Oh, that's my fault."
"Who are you, anyway? You're defiantly not an eleven, what's your name?"
"Kallen, authorized personnel only, could you please get them out of here?" He froze as he saw who she was with.
Kallen entered with Ohgi and some woman he didn't recognize.
What's Ohgi doing here? He thought to himself. This is bad, if they see me here with C.C….
Before Lelouch could continue, the door slid open again,
"I'm sure they put the spare ones in here…"
Shirley? Lelouch thought and Suzaku? Lelouch quickly retreated back to the shadows where C.C. was while Kallen hid her two 'guests' behind a stack of mats.
"Kallen?" Shirley asked as she made her way further into the storehouse.
"Oh, hello. What's up?"
"Are there any spare fuel tanks back there? Rival needs one for the pizza."
"Can this get any more annoying?" Lelouch asked himself as he opened his case while cursing Murphy. (( A/N – as in Murphy's law.))
"You could use your Geass, can't you?" C.C. asked in her usual tone
"It would be dangerous to use it on Ohgi and whoever that is with him, and I've already used it on everyone else here." He explained as he removed some sort of wireless trigger device from the case.
"Well it's your own fault then." C.C. said smugly. "You shouldn't use it so freely."
"Your comments are not helping!"
"Is that Lelouch?" Lelouch looked up to see Shirley approaching his position. "There's something I wanted to talk to you about…"
"Find a way to get out of here fast!" Lelouch hissed as C.C. before standing. "Shirley, can't it wait?" Lelouch hadn't spoken to her since the terrorist incident – what was he supposed to say? 'I'm sorry I killed your father, let's be friends'?
"What are you talking about?" Shirley argued "You're never around in the first place!"
Ahh! The Panels are falling!" Lelouch had enough time to look up after Kallen's scream to see the stack of panels began to collapse – right towards Shirley. As he rushed forward, he triggered his own diversion – a series of smoke bombs, courtesy the drama club.
"Where did all this smoke come from?"
"It must be for detecting gas leaks – the main valve must have been knocked lose."
"Never mind that, can someone help me please? I'm in a little pain here"
"What's the matter?"
"My ankle – it's a very familiar feeling."
After they had untangled themselves from that mess, they made their way to the main courtyard – it was almost time for the giant pizza.
Lelouch watched from the control both as Rivalz chatted away from the top of the massive oven.
"I promise I'll make time Shirley, just send group B to the stage to help, thanks - And Shirley? ... I'm sorry." Lelouch turned the radio off and let out a sigh.
"Not bad." Lelouch glanced over his shoulder to see the council president walk into the control booth. "Got everything on schedule, huh?"
Lelouch just turned to her and grinned "I've learned to manage people lately. Still, they seem so optimistic, don't they? The Chinese Federation attacked just the other day, and after that the terrorist incident, but look at everyone."
"That's why we need this. Festivals are necessary – for everyone all the time. You still need to learn a bit more."
Lelouch laughed. "Okay, lesson learned."
"Lelouch?"
Lelouch turned to see his sister, but was quite surprised at who was with her.
"Excuse me, I'm gonna need a second – call me if anything happens!" Lelouch said to Milly quickly before rushing out.
As Suzaku began to prepare the massive pizza, Milly watched from a distance as Lloyd approached.
"Ganymede, a third generation Knightmare, The type used by Marianne the Flash – isn't that correct?"
"It's just a fundamental frame – just a puppet for events like this." Milly replied dully.
"An unorthodox design dropped for the next generation of Knightmare after the death of Marianne."
"I'm guessing that's the real reason you want to marry me, isn't it?"
"So now you get it?" Milly looked up to see A woman with dark blue hair. "He has no attraction whatsoever to the opposite sex."
"Well," Lloyd said. "I get the general idea anyway." He paused for a moment before turning to face Milly. "The question is, are you willing to marry me just to elevate your families' status?"
"What if I am?" Milly replied.
"Then it's a simple exchange." Lloyd replied. "I give you my title, you give me the Ganymede."
"Is that all this is to you, Lloyd?" the Blue haired woman yelled. "A Business transaction?"
"The real question," Lloyd replied. "Is if that's all this is to her."
Meanwhile, royalty watched on from the school steps.
"Last year was my turn to do it, but I can't compare to a real pilot." Lelouch lamented as the Pizza was flung once again into the air.
"I'm sure you did wonderfully!" Euphie replied, whilst Lelouch stared off into the distance.
"Why are you here?" Lelouch asked after a moment. "Why did you come, today of all days?"
"I plan on making my announcement from here." Euphemia replied. "But I still don't understand why it is not enough…"
"Because it is an empty dream!" Lelouch replied. "A dream with no future. You offer the illusion of freedom, yet keep them captive! You give them freedom, only to further enclose them!" Lelouch lowered his voice. "Euphemia, I know what you are trying to do, and its commendable. But it will only lead to further suffering. This government cannot be changed peacefully." It was then that a sudden gust of wind decided to further Murphy's plot.
"Princess Euphemia?"
One observer - That was all it took to cause a massive flocking of people on their location.
"Lelouch, take Nunnally away!"
"Sorry to leave you at a time like this!"
"Everyone, don't run! Please don't panic!"
"…Pizza"
"Everyone, stop this at once! Do you realize who this is? This is the sub viceroy, the third imperial Princess!"
"I don't think that will help any, Cecile" Lloyd said to himself as he and Milly watched on.
"HITV, just one word, a comment ple-" The reporter was cut off as she was unceremoniously thrown by the collar to join a dozen other people in a pile farther back.
"Who else wants some?" Kallen challenged the horde of onlookers. They all wisely took a step back. "Suzaku!"
"Got it!" Suzaku made his way forward in the Ganymede before carefully picking the third princess up of the ground.
"Princess Euphemia, your not hurt, are you?"
"I'm fine, thank you Suzaku."
"Could you please network this broadcast nationwide?"
As Euphemia made her announcement, Lelouch watched from the safety of a snack stand. "So begins the end of Britannia."
Meanwhile, Schneizel watched with a smirk. "Announce your little Administrative zone, Euphemia. I'm quite ready for you and Lelouch… or should I say, Zero?"