Hey guys it' me Bylackbre with the next chapter of The Rise of the Black Prince. To address your question Ichiyaka about the Fanaus, they lost a war to Britannia several years ago in the story and as a result they were forcibly pacified by the military despite their history within the government and where some of them held positions. This will be much more important as the story goes on. But now let's see the arrival of the Britannians.
Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing since RWBY and Code Geass do not belong to me.
Team CFVY Dorm, Beacon Academy
Velvet was actually having a good day so far. Cardin has bullied her today, Oobleck didn't use her as an example of something Faunus related, and she even got to get some of her favorite carrot cake during lunch. She was even humming a song to herself as she opened the door to see her teammate crumpling and fixing a letter as if she couldn't decide if she wanted to destroy of treasure it.
"To think he would come all the way out here to Vale and got my hopes up but now he will be arriving after we leave for the mission and he is bringing that stupid arrogant woman along with him as part of the delegation from the homeland. As soon as I see her I am going to backhand slap her through the closest wall." Coco roared in rage after releasing her anger without realizing that her partner was standing in the doorway.
"I am just going to go to the library if you need me," Velvet said with a pale face wanting to get a far away from her terrifying partner.
"Relax Vel I am calming down now. I just got a letter from home saying how someone very close to me is going to be arriving for the Festival but I am going to have to miss his arrival. To salt in the wounds he also mentioned how someone I can't stand is coming along as part of the delegation." Coco said barely holding herself back from punching a hole in the wall at her own stupidity at planning. "Also we are going to miss the Dance thanks to how the weather during the mission is looking to be." Coco said which confused Velvet.
"I thought you were relived at being able to miss the Dance since you are too busy finding the perfect outfit to do any planning for it?"
"I am but I really wanted to show off my newest outfit in front of everyone," Coco said with a disappointed expression.
"Is this the one with the squirrel tail attacked to the back that I didn't like because the different squirrel Faunus would complain or the mocha coffee colored dress?" Velvet asked trying to remember the dozens of outfits her team leader had and seeing what the newest one was.
"The squirrel one was a chipmunk and so last fashion season. I was hoping to show off and impress everyone with the second dress that is caramel mocha coffee colored. There is a difference Velvet, I thought my fashion sense would have rubbed off on you by now," the leader of Team CFVY said putting her arm around the smaller girl's shoulders.
"Have you told team RWBY that they have been tasked with planning the dance now that we have a mission that will coincide with it?" Velvet asked while making sure that she had extra clothes for the mission.
"Velvet I have five days to let them know, I will be perfectly fine since I have time," Coco said fixing her beret with one of the half dozen mirrors she shared with Velvet. Sorry I won't be there to see you arrive, Coco thought as she finished fixing her beret and started to leave the room.
"You never did explain the story of behind you two," Velvet told her partner after seeing the broken seal on the envelope and before Coco left the room.
"I will tell you one day but this is not day you have been waiting for," Coco replied as she left the dorm. One day if things don't change I will tell you and I will feel happy doing so, the Britannian thought as she walked down the hall.
Team RWBY Dorm, Beacon Academy
"If you have any cookies leave them in the jar by the door," Ruby said after hearing a knock on the door. "I really need to pay more attention instead of doodling," Ruby mumbled to herself she worked on homework for Professor Port.
"Sorry I don't have any cookies but I do have something that will make up for it," Coco said letting herself into the room.
"I am listening and aren't you a Britannian? If so can you help me figure out a question about the Grimm situation over there?" Ruby asked stumped by the question. "What was the military action called that severely depleted the number of Grimm in the Britannian Homeland?" Ruby asked before Coco could confirm that she was a Britannian.
"It was called Operation Orion and how would you like a chance to do team CFVY a major favor?" Coco asked while looking at the hanging bed. Why hasn't that fallen and killed anyone yet? I guess whoever is sleeping in that one is most definitely fit to survive.
"Ok I am listening," Ruby said trying to remember what differentiates an Ursa from an Ursa Major.
"Team CFVY is about to head out on a mission in a few days and since the mission came up after we already agreed to set up the dance, we need someone to take the job of organizing the event for us. I figured you would be the most fit to finish the task after some of the things you have said at the weekly leader meetings." Coco stated while poking the hanging bed and watching it sway. This is definitely going to kill someone or at least severely injure them one day.
"So you want us to replace you?"
"I wouldn't really use the word 'replace', but there's no word for 'Take over the job for us and make everything going as they are supposed to almost immediately', so we could just say replace though I would prefer we didn't." Coco said trying to avoid a word that has a much negative connotation back in Britannia.
"What's in it for me?" Ruby said curious as to what she can get out of this deal.
"I will buy you a large box of cookies and have them mailed to you, I will let you use my Gatling gun for target practice once I get back and we have some free time, and you will get the reputation of planning and setting up the dance Beacon is hosting."
"You had me convinced at large box of cookies," Ruby said pulling out her scroll to message her teammates of her decision.
"Thanks Ruby and since you said your teammates were asking when my fellow Britannians will be arriving, tell them it's next Tuesday at the Vale International Airport." Coco said as she walked out of the dorm with some other tasks to complete before calling it a day.
The Following Tuesday
HMAS Clarent, Outside of the Kingdom of Vale's Airspace
Usually being promoted to the Admiral in charge of an entire air fleet would be a simple job for someone like Admiral Markus Grey but when you are tasked with providing security and transportation for the Britannian delegation into potentially hostile territory, things tend to get a bit trickier. Admiral Grey was born to a pair of immigrants but that didn't stop him from rising in the Britannian military and society to the rank of Admiral in less than twenty five years of service.
"Have the Dauntless and Harbinger break away from the fleet and escort the Clarent to Vale. Notify the Captain aboard the Resolution take command of the remaining ships in the fleet with commands to not cross out of international borders without my command," the admiral ordered his XO who commanded the radioman to notify the fleet of his orders.
Grey watched from the windows as the two Caerleon class air battleships moved to the front of the Clarent and proceeded to escort the ship into the Valian airspace. "Attention all personnel, we are officially in the airspace of the Kingdom of Vale, arrival in the city will be in an estimated one hour and twenty eight minutes."
Meanwhile on the observation deck Kallen rushed to the window and watched the coastline transform into a massive forest while forgetting about the fear she had of the other occupant of the room. Reading a book about the history of the Atlesian military was one of the most feared women in Britannia: Minerva Pishyakan the Marchioness of Area Three.
Having been born in Mistral Britannia before the Atlesian military "liberated" it, Pishyakan's parents who were nobles and escaped to Area Three before they could have been arrested by the Atlesians like most Mistral Britannian nobles. Following their deaths in a freak avalanche accident, Pishyakan inherited her parent's estate and formed a criminal empire in Area Three which gave her complete control over everything in the area to the point that she is obeyed more than the official Viceroy actually is, though they never do stick around long enough before she has them transferred or executed so that they can't build up much influence. It's a common fact in Area Three that only two other people have more authority over them than Pishyakan: God and the Emperor, some weak willed royals have obeyed her orders out of fear.
The tall dark brownish possibly black haired woman rose from her seat and looked out the windows at the forest below. Captain Akialalab had better be keeping Area Three in order since I would hate to fix something after my return from this vacation, the marchioness thought to herself and then relaxed since Akialalab was one of her most effective employees.
"It's a nice change of view from the giant harbor Area Three has," Pishyakan noted to Kallen who jumped when the older woman spoke. "I met a man from Vale and he was one of the best thieves in the world having stolen my heart once, I repaid him by having a bullet lodged in his throat several years later when he tried to steal part of my fortune away from me for the White Fang," The human marchioness said remembering the fateful night they had together and terrifying the young woman standing next to her. Kallen noticed a sense of nostalgia in the older woman's gold colored eyes before the door to the observation deck opened.
"The Second Princess wishes to speak with you my lady," a nervous officer told the marchioness afraid of her reputation. "Here I was enjoying the view and now I am being dragged away from it. What a shame," Pishyakan stated while following the officer to where Cornelia was.
Why in the world was she allowed permission to attend the event? I just hope she doesn't get arrested for some of the crimes she had ordered in the past against Atlas and the other kingdoms, Kallen thought as several people filed into the room to see out the windows.
"That is a wonderful view if you think about it," Gino commented while Anya took a picture so she could remember. Kallen was startled to see the two knights of the round on the ship. "I wasn't aware you two would be competing in the tournament," Kallen stated with a grin forming on Gino's face.
"We technically are but because of security issues of Atlas and the fact we are relying on the Dauntless and Harbinger for protection, me and Anya will be staying aboard the ships with our Knightmares in case Atlas or someone else tries to be funny. We will be however be part of the fighting though and trust me in that we will make it past the first round." Gino said with a goofy grin and closed eyes.
"So when will you two actually be able to leave the ship?" Kallen asked the duo as the Clarent passed over some ruins and the two escort ships slowed down.
Before Gino or Anya could answer Kallen, Admiral Grey spoke over the intercom "Attention all passengers that are to be transported to Vale for the initial first landing party please proceed to the Hangar."
"Well I guess I will see you later then." Kallen told the Knight of the Round before leaving the observation deck.
Kallen walked into the hangar and took note of the people that were gathered for departure. Standing next to Lelouch was Aigis as always, I really shouldn't have allowed myself to be recorded for her voice, and it's weird hearing myself when talking to her, Kallen thought with a shudder. Lloyd and Cécile were talking to Suzaku about something though what it was probably ranges from pudding to a new upgrade for the Lancelot. Cornelia was talking with the admiral concerning something that Kallen couldn't hear because of the distance.
So I guess Marchioness Pishyakan won't be arriving with us on the first group, Kallen noted as she noticed the rest of the occupants of the hangar that weren't crew members were the Black Knight forces, who like her, were loaned to Lelouch from Zero for the duration of the festival as well as a few soldiers belonging to Cornelia that would additionally provide security.
"Listen up everyone," Cornelia said getting everyone's attention. "As soon as the Harbinger lands in the city we are all officially representatives of the Holy Britannian Empire and I am in charge until Schneizel or The Emperor arrives therefore what I say goes. The Atlesian military is preventing us from bringing the entirety of the fleet with us but plans are in place to have the restriction lifted. The OSI have prepared a temporary residence for the royals and higher ranked nobles along with some guards but there will be communication devices given to each of you if transportation is needed back to the airships or to somewhere else." Cornelia said laying out a few rules that weren't already spoken for.
"I have spoken to Zero and I am the Black Knights are to act as my personal royal guardsmen while away from the homeland. Zero squad is to keep me as secure in dangerous situations as they would Zero in such circumstances." Lelouch said as a few Black Knights grumbled about how could Zero allow himself to be sold out to the prince. Several of Cornelia's royal guard gave dirty looks at the Black Knights disgusted with the use of a private military company instead of knights like the other royals.
"Princess Cornelia I go by the call sign 479er and Harbinger is asking that the shuttles depart as soon as possible due to arrival being in thirty minutes," one of the pilot told the princess as she ducked her head out of the aircraft and back into it before Cornelia could reply. "You heard the pilot everyone on board the shuttle," the princess ordered as everyone boarded the shuttles and left for the HMAS Harbinger.
Vale International Airport, City of Vale
"I thought you said Coco told you the delegation would be arriving sometime today," Weiss berated Ruby as the former grew impatient with waiting. "Ms. Schnee the weather is probably causing a delay of sorts," Ozpin said surprising the heiress from behind.
Just as Yang was about to ask if this was a prank and the Britannians were never going to come until the grounds crew started to scatter and the clouds were forcibly ripped apart as a large airship approached the ground.
Because the Britannian Government never developed landing pads for their airships because of something related to a lack of Dust, they instead relied the outdated concept of airports for landing and unloading their airships. So this is what happens when Dust isn't integrated into your aircraft, Ruby thought to herself as she gaped in wonder at the large airship preparing to land.
Even if this wasn't the actual ship that brought the delegation to Vale, she was still surprised at how big it was. Descending towards the ground was one of the few Caerleon Class Airships built by the Holy Britannian Empire within the recent years and it rivaled Ironwood's airship in size. "It's huge!" Ruby screeched as she got more excited the closer the ship got to the ground.
So one ship is all they bring? I would have thought they would try and out do the Atlesian military, Ozpin thought to himself once the ship finished the landing procedure. "Well I have business to attend to," Ozpin said walking away from the large windows overseeing the landing zone towards the exit to meet up with the delegation.
"I want to get a better view of them come on," Ruby said as she practically dragged her team as close as they could get without entering a restricted area. "Are you sure this is a good idea Ruby?" Blake asked only to get a pat on the back from Yang. "You have probably done worse stuff than this," Yang said winking at the Faunus who only rolled her eyes in response.
Meanwhile at the HMAS Harbinger, Ozpin stood with Glynda and Ironwood as the ramp on the Caerleon class airship was lowered and Cornelia was the first to walk out the ship with Lelouch, Aigis, and Lloyd following behind her. "I take it you are Princess Cornelia li Britannia and Chief General of the Holy Britannia Empire," General Ironwood asked while sizing up Cornelia. "Congratulations I am glad to see your intelligence networks are keeping up with our tabloids," Lloyd said dryly while looking at one of that Atlesian Knights trying to get a read of them.
"And who might you be?" Ironwood said annoyed at Lloyd's sarcasm.
"I am Earl Lloyd Asplund. Though I prefer my job as Director of the Britannian Forces Advanced Special Envoy Engineering Corps known as Camelot." Lloyd stated while staring the man down with an apathetic gaze.
"So I take it you that you helped design this ship, the Clarent as well as some of the newest knightmares like the Glouchester and Sutherland?" Ironwood asked trying to get as much information out of the man about Britannian military development.
"I will admit that I had no hand in developing this ship, the Harbinger, or in those Knightmare frames. I do the occasional project for Prince Schneizel and the other royals but other than that my claim to fame comes in the form of the L-01 Lancelot Knightmare Frame." Lloyd said to Cornelia's annoyance, this foolish Earl of Pudding will reveal all of our military secrets at this rate.
All three representatives of Beacon Academy and Atlas were surprised at the revelation that their intelligence involving the Britannians were wrong about how they would arrive and the Knightmare Frame models that are in active service though Ironwood was the only one to visibly show it. "Maybe Atlas needs to dig deeper than the tabloids for intelligence General Ironwood." Lloyd commented with a small smile appearing on Glynda's face at Ironwood's embarrassment.
"If you didn't arrive in the Clarent, then where is it? Your Prime Minister assured me that it would be the vessel you arrived in." Ozpin asked curious as to what caused the change of plans.
"We did arrive in the ship headmaster but we didn't land in it," Lelouch said motioning for Aigis to send a signal to Anya to get ready.
Before Ozpin could ask what the young prince meant, a large shadow blocked out the sun over the airport casting a massive shadow over those assembled. None of the Atlesians or Beacon Academy personnel could identify what was causing the shadow due to the heavy cloud coverage.
"That is what we arrived in Vale on," Lelouch said as Anya used the Mordred's Stark Hadron cannon to dissipate the clouds under the Clarent revealing the massive airship to the city of Vale.
"I present to you the HMAS Clarent, the world's first Ark Fleet class airship. It was named after one of the swords wielded by one of the first Emperors and designed to instill the fear of the empire wherever it goes." Lelouch said with overly dramatic flair. "This airship we landed in is measured to have a length of around two hundred and sixty meters or at eight hundred and fifty feet. The Clarent on the other hand has a length of twenty-five hundred meters or eight thousand, two hundred and two feet." Lelouch boasted with theatrical flair.
No wonder they didn't come with an entire fleet after Ironwood staked his claim of Vale's airspace, that ship is larger than any vehicle ever constructed by Atlas. Glynda realized as the HMAS Dauntless appeared alongside the Clarent. So I assume the Harbinger and the other Caerleon are the escorts or part of the escort fleet, Ozpin pondered upon seeing the Dauntless appear on the other side of the Ark Fleet.
Team RWBY watched with mixed emotions as the monstrous airship flew over their heads. Ruby was ecstatic to see such a masterpiece of modern engineering appear before her eyes in what can only be described as angelic beauty to the red headed teenager. This is the greatest day of my life, or at least in the top ten, Ruby thought before nearly fainting in excitement over the massive airship. Weiss was trying to figure out how such a ship could possibly run on something other than Dust and how much it would have cost to not only build but also develop. Surely the Britannians don't have resources to fund such a project or at least one on this scale? Weiss thought trying to figure out the details.
Yang was just standing in silence as she spent more time observing the delegation and watching as more Britannians were exiting the ship with a red headed girl, and a brown haired boy catching her eye the most. Blake on the other hand had an uneasy feeling about the raven haired boy who was doing some kind of dramatic movements with his hands before the Clarent was revealed to the city of Vale. That is definitely the Viceroy of Area 11 but who is that girl standing beside him? Blake thought confused as to who in the world Aigis was in her military uniform.
"Now that introductions are out of the way, there is some last minute paperwork and negotiations that need to take place so if you would follow me Princess Cornelia," Glynda said guiding the princess and General Ironwood away to a shuttle where the four would go to Ozpin's office back at Beacon Academy.
"Well that was eventful," Lloyd said adjusting his glasses before leaving to make sure the Lancelot was being taken care of properly. "Careful that is worth more than you will ever make in your life," Lloyd shouted at a few careless workers who almost put a scratch in the Lancelot because of their carelessness.
"The Black knights have reported that they are prepared to head to the residence to set up security and are waiting for your command," Kallen reported from behind Lelouch at the top of the ramp. "Tell them to go ahead and set up a defensive perimeter and to make sure no reporters are anywhere near the residence. Tell the Zero Squad's XO to assume command until your return, you are to stay with me for now," Lelouch ordered which prompted Kallen to contact her lieutenant and give the order to assume temporary command.
"I wasn't aware that the Black Knights were going to be coming," Blake said with a perplexed expression.
"Is there something wrong with the Black Knights?" Yang asked curiously since she never heard of them.
"The Black Knights are a private military force led by a figure only known as Zero who is constantly wearing a mask. Their most common customer is Prince Lelouch and they are one of the reasons there isn't a White Fang cell in Area Eleven and Area Three have a status as unable to create a cell in at all times. Area Three prevents the White Fang from forming a cell thanks to the unofficial ruler of the Area, Marchioness Pishyakan, who supposedly killed a very high ranking White Fang officer when approached for monetary support. I have never met the woman but her reputation has her in the top ten of the White Fang's 'Priority Assassination' list and the 'Stay the Hell Away From that Person' list but it might have changed since I left." Blake said trying to remember as much information as she could.
I remember Father being on one of those two lists though it is probably the first, Weiss thought as she processed what Blake said to the group.
"So do you think we could ask her and the other Black Knights if they are here for assistance to fight against Roman if we find him and maybe even help with the search for him?" Ruby asked optimistically and with the logic that since she has red hair like Ruby she must be trustworthy.
"I am not sure since most Britannians are devout followers of the philosophy of survival of the fittest to the point that it's almost a religion over there. Sure there are a few that think this thinking is outdated especially after the supposed eradication of the Grimm from their homeland but the odds she is one of those is incredibly low." Blake said as the Black Knights drove away from the airport.
"Well he seems like he could be helpful," Ruby said point to Suzaku who was helping Mariel Lubie, Cécile's assistant, with a few boxes that were supposed to be taken to the dispatch trailer Camelot would be based out of for the duration of the festival.
"Maybe or she is his boss and is supposed to help out?" Weiss said only for Ruby to shrug her shoulders.
"Am I the only one who thinks the prince's blonde companion there could pass as Jaune's sister?" Yang asked making Weiss groan in frustration. "I swear that if she is even remotely as annoying as that wannabe Casanova, or is related to him, I swear I will wear one of the capes Ruby tried making all of us and give each of you one thousand lien."
Ruby quickly tried to calculate how many cookies and strawberries she could buy with that amount of money before her brain started to hurt and was seeing beowolves like normal people saw birds when confused. Yang was shocked to see her sister being stumped by numbers considering how much math and calculations are involved with Crescent Rose.
Yang was about to mess around with Weiss about what she did to Ruby when one of the Britannian guards walked up to them snapping Ruby out of her confusion. "Don't you know this area is off limits right now? You're lucky we are forced to place your laws above what we are used to working with or all four of you would be dead for trespassing and spying on important governmental actions," the guard said lowering the assault rifle he had aimed at the four.
Ruby tried talking her team out of trouble by going into motor mouth mode which only escalated the problem when the guard decided to counter Ruby's rapid fire speech by arguing louder and louder. The commotion reached the point that Suzaku walked over to see what was going on just as Lelouch, Aigis, and Kallen were doing the same.
"I would recommend you calm down and put your weapon away sergeant before I strip you of your rank and honor," Lelouch ordered which was enough of a threat the send the guard running.
"Sorry about that, the royal guard tends to get trigger happy around new people. Trust me on this I know from experience," Suzaku apologized while rubbing the back of his head.
They weren't kidding about the Britannians being highly attractive, Yang thought as she looked at the people in front of her. Weiss was also looking the people in front of her over to attempt to read and understand more about them.
"Don't worry about it and who are you four?" Ruby asked curious as to who the four were.
"I am Prince Lelouch vi Britannia, eleventh prince of the empire and viceroy of Area eleven." Lelouch said with excessive hand movements. "Suzaku is the brown haired boy who works for Camelot as a devicer for the Lancelot. Kallen, who is the redhead, is the captain of Zero's personal guard within the Black Knights but was loaned to me as well as a few other Black Knight personnel for my stay in Vale. Aigis is the blond haired girl that serves as my head of security and secretary."
"That is really cool! My name is Ruby Rose, leader of team RWBY. Yes it's pronounced the same way as my name but it is spelled different with plenty of confusion happening occasionally. Our blond is my lovable older sister, Yang Xaio Long, and one of the coolest people I know. The girl with the white hair is Weiss Schnee, heiress of the Schnee Dust Company. Lastly Blake Belladonna is the black haired beauty who can be very sneaky at times," Ruby said introducing each of her team members.
Lelouch, Kallen and Suzaku all stopped dead in their tracks after Ruby introduced her team, not in memorization but rather in nervous curiosity as to what they noticed: Blake's eyes were almost the same golden color as Marchioness Minerva Pishyakan. Alarms went off in Lelouch's head that something seemed off and surely the eyes were only a coincidence but there are at least twenty two scenarios leading to different conclusions. Suzaku just brushed it off as a coincidence that the two had similar eyes. Kallen had more alarms going off in her head than a Caerleon about to crash. Aigis was just confused as to what was wrong with the man she was supposed to protect and his companions who stood beside him. Scans indicate an increase in heartrate not unlike when anxiety is induced within the body and palms show beginning symptoms of sweating. An in depth health analysis will be necessary later once we are alone, Aigis thought after scanning Lelouch to see if something was wrong with the prince.
"It was a… pleasure meeting you four and since you go to Beacon do you know a Coco Adel?" Lelouch said with his hesitation being caught by Aigis, Blake, and Yang while both Kallen and Aigis were slightly off guard about Lelouch asking about a girl. Something is definitely off with him if he is asking someone about a member of the opposite sex. Usually males his age go through hormonal changes that can affect the neurological thought process. An even more in depth physiological and psychological test will be needed to run later, Aigis noted while attempting to assess the situation. Kallen was just feeling something she wasn't aware of was jealousy.
"She is the leader of team CFVY which left for a mission two days ago though from what I can tell she really wished she could see her fellow Britannians," Ruby admitted to the prince.
"Thank you for trying to help," Lelouch said before one of Cornelia's soldiers reported that the prince and the rest of the delegation is to head to the residence right away.
"That was eventful," Yang said sarcastically as the group started to walk to the terminal to get the first flight back to Beacon Academy.
Why do I have a bad feeling about what is going to be happening soon? Blake thought as she followed the others.
Well there you guys go with the next part of the story. The Ark Fleet is a real ship in Code Geass Canon but it isn't referred to as the Clarent in the third Akito OVA. The spoiler involving the Ark Fleet will be used as well as a twist I have planned that defers from canon. I generally don't like the multiple manga that were created for Code Geass but Mariel comes from Suzaku of the Counterattack and we will see if she becomes more than a one scene character. Within nobility the rank of Marquis is beneath that of duke with a female Marquis being a Marchioness so Pishyakan's title isn't made up but is real rank in nobility. Admiral Markus Grey is named after the color gray (or grey if that is how it's spelled where you are from) and Commander Marko Ramius from the Hunt for the Red October. Well until next time this is Bylackbre out.