I do not own Code Geass in any way (though I wish I did).
Shirley, Lelouch and CC departed from the school shortly after. They traveled underwater, where Lelouch handed Shirley a pamphlet on how to control a Knightmare. Shirley read the entire thing twice during their voyage, and less than an hour later, with Lelouch hidden beneath his mask, they were boarding the ship holding the Black Knights.
"CC, I want you to take Shirley to my quarters." Lelouch said. "Stay with her until I return."
CC nodded and walked off. Shirley took the cue to follow. After a few steps, Shirley turned around.
Lelouch was gone.
Shirley gulped and continued to follow CC into the holding area. They walked down a hall undisturbed, and CC turned into a room. Shirley stepped in after her, and the door closed behind them.
"You can put your belongings in there," She pointed to a closet and plopped down on a sofa. Shirley obliged and sat on the sofa across from her.
Silence.
"So, how do you know Lulu?" Shirley asked, breaking the ice.
"We made a contract over a year ago." She answered simply.
Shirley, being as curious as she was, asked, "Contract?"
"Yes. You are aware of Geass?" CC asked.
Shirley nodded.
"Well, I gave it to him."
Shirley sat still. She had known as much. When they were traveling here, CC's bangs had flown up, and Shirley had seen the mark of a bird on her head. She assumed then that CC was connected to Geass.
"Are all Geass's the same?" Shirley asked.
CC reclined farther on the sofa and kicked her boots off. "No. The power of the Geass holder is determined by what is in the heart; one's deepest desires. Lelouch's power is extraordinarily great." CC was surprised that she was talking so easy to the girl. Perhaps it was Lelouch's connection to her. "He holds the absolute power; to make anyone do as he commands."
Shirley pursed her lips in understanding. CC stood up and stretched. "I'm hungry. Lelouch better hurry up."
Shirley thought of something to say. "So… What is your favorite movie?"
CC looked at her in confusion. "Movie?"
"Yes. Have you ever seen a movie before?"
CC thought back. "I don't recall watching one for… quite some time."
Shirley smiled. "Then let's change that." She noticed a TV in the corner of the room and walked over to it. She clicked it on and searched the channels. Luckily, she found a movie just starting.
"I used to watch this movie when I was younger." Shirley said and smiled. She took a seat on the sofa. CC stared at the TV with her head cocked to the side. Slowly, she joined Shirley on the sofa. Before long, Shirley was laughing. CC looked at her and smiled.
An hour and a half later, as the credits rolled down the screen, Shirley and CC were lightly talking as Zero strolled in.
"Finally. I'm hungry." CC said.
He grunted. "I thought as much." He walked back outside and pulled a cart in behind him. A silver platter sat on top.
The door closed behind him and he pulled off his mask. He shook his hair out and set it in the closet along with his cape.
CC had already pulled the lid of the platter off and was munching on none other than steaming pizza.
Lelouch grabbed the platter from under CC and placed it on the table in front of Shirley.
"Eat," he said softly, and sat next to her. He picked up a piece and bit off the edge, causing a trail of cheese to fall out of his mouth. Shirley giggled as the cheese sat on his chin.
"What?" He asked. He didn't know of the mishap on his chin, which caused Shirley to laugh harder.
CC looked over at the two of them, and Lelouch looked at her. CC put a hand to her face, smiling softly.
"What is wrong with everybody?" Lelouch asked, frowning.
"You've g-got cheese on your face." Shirley gasped out between laughs.
Lelouch frowned. "That cheese didn't stick there by accident. I put it there!" (1)
Shirley laughed again. "Then why are you blushing?" She reached forward pulled the cheese from his chin and ate it.
Lelouch blushed more as Shirley continued to eat her pizza. CC looked on in silence.
)()()()()()()()()()(
Lelouch looked over at CC, who was working on her third slice. "I want you to begin Shirley's training as soon as possible. I talked to Rakshata today, and she has agreed to work on a Knightmare for Shirley." He turned back to Shirley. "But for now, you will be training in an original Knightmare."
Shirley and CC nodded. "When?" Shirley asked.
"Are you finished eating?" Lelouch asked.
"Yes."
"Than now." Lelouch stood up and walked to the closet, sighing as he put his mask and cape back on. "You are to meet with select members of the Black Knights." Lelouch said. CC gulped down the rest of her pizza and slid her boots back on.
They walked out together, down the hall, and back outside. Two Knightmares stood before them. In front of the Knightmares, Ohgi, Tamaki, Tohdoh, and Rakshata stood.
"I would like you all to meet the newest member of the Black Knights, Shirley." Lelouch proclaimed.
"It's nice to meet you, Shirley." Ohgi said, and walked forward to shake her hand. She smiled, and Tamaki stepped forward.
"I am Tamaki, the best fighter out here." He kissed her hand. "If you need anything, anything at all-"
"That will be all, Tamaki." Lelouch ordered.
Tamaki stepped away with a shrug and Shirley giggled. Todoh bowed slightly. "Welcome, Miss Shirley."
Rakshata flicked her tobacco pipe. "So you're the one I'm creating a Knightmare for." She looked Shirley up and down. "You must be pretty special if Zero asked me to make a brand new one."
"She simply must be as safe as possible, Rakshata." Lelouch said.
Rakshata smirked. "These are two training Knightmares. You've read the manual?"
"Yes." Shirley replied. "I think I got everything, but looking at it now, I know this is going to be difficult."
"That's why I'm helping you." CC spoke up. "I'll be communicating with you at all times. Just listen to me, and you'll get it in no time." She smiled slightly.
Rakshata handed Shirley and CC a headset and an oddly shaped key, which Shirley had read about. Just like in a car, the key controlled the Knightmare. Shirley slipped the headset around her ear, and heard CC whisper as clear as day.
"Did you hear me?" CC asked.
Shirley nodded. Lelouch led her to the Knightmare, and Shirley climbed up into the open top. She strapped in as if she was driving. CC's voice came through her headset from the opposite Knightmare.
"Do you see a green pull switch?"
Shirley saw it by her left leg. "Yes."
"Push it in. It will close the lid of your Knightmare." Shirley grabbed it and pulled, and sure enough, the lid closed.
She was consumed by darkness for mere moments, and then, lights blazed on around her. Buttons lit up, and a virtual screen popped up to her right. In front of her, another screen popped up, saying, 'Start', as if she were in a video game.
"Now to your left, you will see a little yellow box." CC said.
Shirley saw the box and flipped it open. "Ignition?" Shirley asked.
"Yes. Put your key in and turn it to the right." Shirley did as she was told, and the screen in front of her changed to an outside view of the Knightmare.
"Now lean forward in position, with your feet behind you. There should be two foot pads. Do you feel them?"
"Yes." Shirley replied.
"Good. Slip your feet in them." She waited a few moments as Shirley did so. "Now in front of you are two controls. One is for each hand. This controls your Knightmare." Shirley grasped the handles.
"Do I press the green button on the steering?" Shirley asked, thinking of the pamphlet.
"If your ready, then yes." CC replied.
Shirley pressed the button, and felt the Knightmare rumble beneath her. She moved the right handle to the left, and saw the Knightmare's robotic arm appear in her screen.
"Cool," she mumbled, and heard CC chuckle. "Now move your left foot forward." Shirley did so, and the whole Knightmare moved forward with her.
"Do you think you can turn around and walk?" CC asked.
"Yeah," Shirley said, and turned around, just like she was walking. She strode forward easy. For added affect, she swung her hands from side to side, making it look like the Knightmare was frolicking. She turned back toward CC.
"Your doing great so far," CC said. "Now, combat." CC's Knightmare got into a crouching motion. Shirley did the same.
"I am going to try to overpower you. You will try to fight me off." In a flash, CC was speeding toward her, and Shirley stood still, in shock. Easily, CC overpowered her and knocked her to the ground.
"This is going to be difficult." Shirley mumbled.
CC helped her up and she sped away. She charged again. Shirley concentrated, not wanting to get knocked down again.
Just a little closer… She thought. CC sped closer. Now! Her mind screamed, and she dodged CC's attack. She spun around and saw CC right behind her, and suddenly she was on the ground.
"Damn," She said, and heard CC laugh. She stood up again and got into a fighting stance. CC charged and Shirley dodged again, but CC anticipated this. She skidded to the right and held Shirley's Knightmare in a lock.
"It's not as easy as it looks," CC said. She released Shirley.
They resumed positions. This time, as CC charged toward her, Shirley did the same. They met each other in the middle, and Shirley raised her arms to fight off CC. CC pinned her down and Shirley threw out a robotic arm to toss her off. CC landed a few feet away and charged again.
This went on for a matter of minutes, CC and Shirley alternating strategies and sprints. CC came toward her again. Shirley spun in a wide circle, and held her arm out. The neck of CC's Knightmare his her arm, and she skidded out of control, toward Zero and the Black Knights.
Shirley, thinking quickly in horror, sped up as fast as she could and stood in front of the group in protection. CC smacked into her, and Shirley held her ground as the weight pushed against her.
"Gah," she gasped and CC's Knightmare came to a stop.
"Good job." CC said over her communicator. Shirley lifted CC's Knightmare up to stand.
"That will be enough for today." Lelouch's voice came from beneath her. She looked down and saw him with the others. Tamaki was clapping and winking, while Ohgi and Tohdoh stood, unfazed. Rakshata was jotting notes down on a clipboard.
Shirley turned off the machine and pulled the green switch that opened the top of her Knightmare. She looked over at CC, who was doing the same. She laughed and saluted her. CC did the same.
Shirley crawled out of her Knightmare and hopped to the ground. Rakshata came toward her. "This is your first time?"
Shirley nodded and handed her communicator and key back to her. CC came around behind her and did the same.
"That was pretty impressive. You got the feel of all the movements and even attempted battle." She smiled. "Some can't even turn it on their first day." She turned to Lelouch. "I will begin an outline on her Knightmare today, and after a few more days of observing her, I will begin construction." She walked off into the ship.
Shirley couldn't help but smile. Sure, she was being over confident, but she was ecstatic. Being in the Knightmare was a rush she had never had before, and to be praised to highly was something she never dreamed would happen.
Ohgi and Tohdoh walked inside behind Rakshata, and Tamaki chattered away as CC, Lelouch and Shirley walked back inside. Luckily for the three, Tamaki shut up and followed Ohgi and Tohdoh back to the Black Knight's quarters.
Back in the room, CC plopped back down on the couch. Shirley did the same and Lelouch pulled off his mask, smiling. He deposited both his mask and cape in the closet and walked over to Shirley.
He knelt in front of her. "You did excellent today." he said, and took her hand.
"Thank you," she replied, and blushed slightly.
"Are your bandages still tight? Are you hurting anywhere? Do you-" Lelouch rambled.
Shirley silenced him with her finger. "I am absolutely fine. To be honest, I don't even need the bandages for much longer. Everything is pretty much healed." She smiled. There were a few spots that were still a little tender, but they would be fine even without the bandages. She would be okay.
"I'm glad." Lelouch smiled, and squeezed her hand.
(1) I used this dialogue from the Code Geass sound episode stage 9.258, "We Can't Tell Lelouch."
A/N: Well, there is chapter 4. I know some people had some questions, so let me clear them up:
First, Rolo is dead, and he won't be coming back in this story.
Second, right now, Kallen is still a Brittanian prisoner from an earlier episode. Right now, it is as if the whole show is on hold. After a few more chapters, the show will be intertwined with the story, picking up when Lelouch decides to destroy the Geass order.
Thanks for reading!
