Sorry this one took so long, I got murdered at work this whole week .

Anyway here is the next chapter of OLO, I'm afraid no giant mecha of doom yet, their coming I promise.

I still own nothing .


VIII.


Cornered!

"I'm hungry." Sophie whined, snatching Tom's arm and dragging him towards a pizza-hut. "Treat me!"

"What possible reason is there for me to buy you food? You'll get fat off fast-food anyway." the giant replied. Despite his comment allowing the slender girl to pull him through the doorway. Signaling for a booth he lowered himself into the worn padding.

"Hmmm... Ummmm... Err..."

Glaring at the source of the irritating noise Tom slapped the menu playfully from her hands. Pinning the laminated tri-fold onto the table with burly fingers. Grinning as she tugged in mock frustration at it. Their routine never changed.

"You're going to share a Kitchen Sink with me. Just like always." He laughed. Sophie had been his partner in crime since he helped with the final stages of her training. He was there the day she was granted power, and he was the one to see her off to school her first day almost three years ago. Sophie was like his little sister, a bright jewel in the dark life he led.

Pouting Sophie grabbed a napkin and started refolding it. Tom merely looked on as he watched the delicate fingers shape the rough paper. Soon she pulled and held a perfect origami crane.

"You know if you make a thousand of those you get a wish right?" he mentioned.

"I use to believe that." she murmured, staring at the ornate paper in her hands. "But my wishes never came true."

"You made a wish already?" Tom inquired.

"Yeah." she said quietly. Suddenly looking up she grabbed his nose between her index and middle finger. "But its a secret." leaning back with a conspiratorial grin the purple-haired girl was shroud in her armor of happiness again.

"A problem for another day." the man thought glumly. He hated it when Sophie wouldn't tell him about her problems. Most of them were so easy to fix when looked at with a few more years of experience. Plastering a smirk on his own face they waited for the server to stop by their booth. Placing the order before Sophie could try and change it. Easing further back in the padding Tom tried to relax, not always easy as a bigger man in a booth built for Japanese.

A twinkle sounded as the door opened and closed behind another customer. Glancing over his shoulder Tom took in the sight of a pretty girl with long green hair. Wondering what kind of dye gave that brilliant lime-green he returned his attentions to his partner. Who was staring at the girl as well.

"She's cute, I didn't think you swung that way though." he teased.

"She's different." Sophie replied. "She smells almost like him."

Catching the hint Tom looked at the individual in question closer as she passed on her way to the counter. When Tom knew what to study the features were obvious. Subtle signs that only came with age and keen understanding of ones body and surroundings. But what made them special was how they did it subconsciously, and the emotionless eyes that trade-marked the breed. If Sophie could smell her it was a guaranteed mark. Pulling his phone from his jeans Tom flipped to one of the lists he kept on-hand just in case. Scrolling down the High Priority target list he didn't have to go far. Passing the device to Sophie he began to contemplate their next move.

"Pursue and capture, report, or ignore in favor of our current mission?" he questioned Sophie as she slid the phone back to him after reading the brief entry.

"She's tough. Most Code's aren't allowed to roam free for any real length of time. This one has been out of the order for years now. I would suggest reporting." punching numbers on her own phone as she finished the trail of thought.

The pizza arrived, fresh and steaming, as Sophie raised the device to her ear. Grabbing a slice Tom enjoyed the cheesy, meaty, and veggie goodness that was an Italian culinary masterpiece. Chewing the soft dough and tender toppings for a moment he relished the sensory experience. Sophie's words popped his expanding bubble quickly though.

"Yes, we've sighted a priority target, requesting orders." frowning in concentration Sophie started feeding information through the object while Tom kept an eye on the code-bearer as she leaned on the bar counter.

"Roger." snapping the phone shut Sophie fixed him with a steady gaze. "Prime directive is still the pursuit and capture of code-bearer L2. Pursuit and capture of code-bearer C2 is allowed unless it proves overly difficult or jeopardizes our chances of finding L2. Basically it's up to our discretion"

"Interesting option." continuing to enjoy the food even as their priorities were shuffled Tom gestured to the still smoking pizza. "Eat, she isn't going anywhere."

"Yes father." the teen joked, dutifully lifting a slice and brushing the stringy cheese from its precarious hold.

/=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=/

"Damn." CC thought. It only made sense on some cosmic level for her to pick this house of divine food when their were two Geass cult operatives snacking here. She ate out rarely enough as it was, the probabilities were astronomical for this situation.

"Damn." she muttered, echoing her mental expletive. Running would be dangerous, staying would only be worse though. She was very un-inclined to return to the cult so soon, or ever to be completely honest with herself. The knowledge she had gained access to as a leader of a branch of the cult had been enough to force even her weak emotions to force a withdrawal from the organization.

The cult was immoral in the broadest sense possible. Everything would be allowed if it could produce results. Thus they did possess some of the most advanced technology and medicine in the known world, but it came at the price of many of its members sanity, health, and life. If a scientist stumbled across a formula that produced intriguing results it would be put to testing immediately. Spawning abominations like the refrain drug that still terrorized many of the down-trodden peoples of the world. The had no qualms about putting such items into producing income either.

Though knowing all this did absolutely nothing for her current situation. Unless policies had changed (she had even written some of them) the leggy purple-haired teen had just called for orders. CC could think of many of the orders that may be issued following such a call. None of those helped her either. Sighing at the inevitability of her incoming confrontation CC didn't even bother ordering any of her blessed mana. Flipping long hair over her shoulder she retreated to the ladies room.

There was no convenient windows (un-barred ones at least) for her to escape from the dingy, unkempt room so CC didn't linger. Slipping through the door to the kitchen she hoped but didn't expect her disappearance to go un-noticed.

"Excuse me?" she asked a man dressed in a white apron and chefs hat. "My ex-husband followed me here with his new toy, do you think I could maybe slip out the back?" she used her eyes to point out the couple sitting in the booth and enjoying their meal.

"Right away miss. Had a spot of trouble of the type myself a few years back." he replied cheerily, gladly showing her to the steel door at the back of the shop that exited to the alley. "Do you want me to call up one of my delivery boys? I'm sure they would fall over themselves to offer a pretty young widow a ride home."

"No, I'm parked not to far from here." CC replied, forcing a smile. The expression was alien, her muscles didn't seem to remember the shape properly. A shame, she use to have a gorgeous smile. At least every man in her long life seemed to mention so.

"Well I wish you the best then Missy. I'll see if I can stall them two's up a bit for ya." with a mischievous smile the chef returned to his workplace. The door shutting seemed louder then CC had expected. Shivering for some reason she set off down the alley towards the ghetto.

The ghetto's in Japan had begun a rapid transformation after the money being pumped into armaments and Knightmare's was put to use rebuilding lives. Community centers, hospitals, and houses sprung up faster then weeds. Granting the formerly barely surviving Japanese with food, medical aid, and shelter. Those the basic needs covered had most of them return to productive members of society within weeks. The large hole's left in many organizations personal infrastructure also helped, everything from stock-boys to CEO's were needed.

A large portion of the government's mid-level employee's had simply ceased to exist when Suzaku finally snapped and fired the F.L.E.I.J.A. warhead directly over Tokyo. The power struggle for the positions was still going on, but almost all the candidates were forcing helpful reforms or projects to show-case their talents. In the end Japan was making an amazing recovery with all the factors taken into account.

Speeding along at a faster then average clip CC wound her way through the streets. Bustling strip-malls gave way to quieter residential blocks. Those faded slowly into the battered but recovering ghettos, which in turn slowly grew more and more desolate and broken as she fled. Looking around in surprise CC realized she knew this place. The understanding was followed by a warning flash from her code. A Geass was active nearby.

CC had found over the years her emotions dulled, leaving her only the shell of a life. She was reintroduced to some of emotions occasionally in instances of great fear or enjoyment. Right now she could feel a cold sweat breaking out all over her skin and short finger-nails tearing bloody marks into her palms. Fear was the most primitive of human emotions. It was also the best tool a weak creature like man could develop. An uncanny understanding that ones self was in danger and should move. With fear a surge of adrenalin came, empowering the frail body to feats it would normally be unable to do.

It also meant she would be locked in another cage soon, because only two beings on this earth had inspired such fear in her. One was long dead, and the other was to busy enjoying the comfort of her love to waste time thinking of a witch. The number was only increasing it seemed.

Ducking into a doorway CC headed up the stairs of the old, crumbling hotel. Reaching the fourth floor she crouched along the banister and waited. In a few moments she was rewarded by the sight of two familiar figures. One dark haired giant, and one slender girl with purple hair. Biting her tongue CC quietly retreated further up the staircase.

"Shes here." a distant voice rang up the steps after CC's retreating form.

"Well lets go see if we can win the game of hide-and-seek then." replied a deeper rumble.

"Frack it all." CC mentally swore. One opponent she would be comfortable dealing with. Two agents of the most ruthless cult in the world was more then enough to give her pause. That was also a sediment from before she discovered their newest line of research. One that had culminated in Jeremiah Gottwald. While it was doubtful that there would be many of the modified individual's CC was certain they existed. Making it even more doubtful if she could escape them through direct confrontation.

Clicking footsteps from the ground floor forced CC to move faster, there was nowhere to run though. Hissing silently she started trying doors, mutely damning the inventor for the key-less lock. Working her way around the whole floor and most of the next finally granted her a slightly ajar door. Diving into the dim room CC shut the door and started for the window. Tripping over a tangle of blankets she crashed into a pile of refuse. Cursing at the noise she fumbled through the pile looking for something, anything that could be used as a weapon. Hurried footsteps outside the door told CC her time was up. Moving to the window she flexed her hands and waited.

The door handle jiggled for a moment, then all was silent again. Staring at the barely visible splash of gold in the dark CC held her breath. Praying even though she knew it would do no good. She could feel the sharp presence of the contractor through the door, leaking a foul red mist into the air. Shuddering against the curtains CC took one last breath of freedom.

As she exhaled the door exploded. Not in the sense that it flew inward, it actually blew into razor sharp splinters of wood that shot into the room and dangerous speeds. The light spilling around the huge figure in its place illuminated the destruction the followed in the wake of the shrapnel. Once nice furniture was speared countless times with jagged slivers, holes marked the painted drywall in a spreading pattern of pockmarks.

Pulling a few of the slivers that had managed to reach across the room and touch her left puckered red sores over her arms and chest. A small circle of crimson fluid bathing the area around them. Staring at the man as he stalked into the room CC felt a flicker of recognition, but couldn't place it. She had stopped caring about people, hadn't bothered wasting time remembering the stream of faces that had begun to merge as the years flew by. A constant morphing of features and colors that was endless and terribly limited at the same time.

"Well hello there C2." the giant stated as he approached. "My partner and I have come to... collect you." stepping into one of the beams of light shining through the pierced curtains behind her revealed handsome features. A strong chin, five-o-clock shadow, pointed nose, and hollow, empty grey eyes.

"My name is Reaver." he continued, pinning her to the wall like a bug with those eyes. "I would prefer you don't resist, things might get messy if you do." an entirely unfriendly grin spread over the formerly pleasant features.

"I'm not going back. Even a flightless bird deserves more then a cage." she snarled, trying to stave off the waves of fear that poured over her from the sight of the man.

"Well I've never been one for subtlety. Any last words?" he replied coldly. Hefting an empty paint-can from the pile of trash that had broadcasted her location he drew back a heavily muscled arm. "No? Too bad then." the coiled spring-like cords extended like cut counter-weights, powering the unwieldy metal through the air towards CC's chest.

Throwing herself sideways CC let the can crumple against the glass before she moved in on the impressive figure before her. Slamming a pair of punches against the left side of his chest she felt her slim hopes flicker as he simply laughed. Refusing to let them die she tried again, planting herself firmly to place as much power as possible in the hits. Reaver didn't even try to move and absorbed the blows, a minor shifting of weight the only indication that the latest attack was any more effective then the first.

"Not impregnable." CC thought as she drew back an bruised hand. Switching tactics she tried to get a good grip on Reavers left arm. The titan merely shrugged her off, grabbing the front of her shirt as he did so. Lifting his struggling captive off the ground Reaver gave her an unhealthy smile.

"Ever take flying lessons?"

CC's breath was knocked out through her teeth when her back smashed through the cracked glass of the fifth-story window. The glittering shards of glass drew her back to a much happier time. When she had discussed what life was with a certain prince. Everything was viewed differently by people, they all saw the world through a different piece of glass. Some where stained, some were tiny, and some were twisted, but they all were used to interpret the world. Gazing at the flashing gems that followed her down CC smiled at the bitter-sweet memory.

"The sky is so blue." she mentioned to herself, gazing at it for what seemed like the first time. "How tiny am I really in the scheme of things. Do I have a purpose, do I even want one?" CC pondered the question, one that had been a constant companion for the majority of her immortal life. The contemplation was cut short by a sudden impact with solid concrete.

Trying to draw breath into deflated lungs was painful in the extreme. The burning sensations through her chest totally blocked out the anguish her spine and legs were in, a mixed blessing. Struggling CC dove into her mind to release her first door, sighing as the enhanced regeneration soothed the pains away even as her vision grew darker. Forcing herself up on twisting legs CC stumbled away, determined not to give up.

She didn't know how long it took, or how she got there. But the next time CC could make sense of her surroundings she couldn't help but smile at the irony.

"Does it end here, at the beginning? A brief moment of flight before the inevitable crash?" she asked the pale red smears that covered the floor of the warehouse, seemingly undisturbed by the river of time. Glancing at the tunnel that had been her first experience being free again. Almost two years ago she had made a choice, right where she stood. Turning to the door she saw the two shadowy figures enter, malice and discord spilling in an poisonous aura around them. Pushing open her door to the past CC called for her champion.

"I come to thy call, Mistress. What would thou wish of me?" the powerful specter responded as he began to take shape in her mind, wrapping her in his arms. CC released her hold on him, letting the forming phantom take control of her limbs. Trusting the grim vision to read her unspoken plea, and hoping he would prove greater then the challenge.

"Thy will be done. Fear not, Milady, for this is merely another new beginning, we shall spread our wings again." amber eyes closed, and opened to reveal pale sky-blue orbs.

/=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=/

"GUTS!" the high pitched roar stirred the small gathering of individuals at the table.

"Please, that guts spell can't possibly work." moaned one of the newest members, a brunette stolen from the volleyball club. Sighing the student council president flopped down into his chair.

"I just don't got it. Milly would have had you all shooting paperwork faster then a machine-gun by now." laying a throbbing, blue haired head into his hands Rivalz tried not to let it bother him too much. The school was running fine, maybe even better from a financial standpoint then when the spunky blonde was in charge. He actually gave his council a few days to work on the budget, instead of jumping it on them at the last moment.

"Well do your best anyway." he mumbled. As the only remaining member of the council (Kallen had finished her last year and a half's worth of classes in six months after she quit the Black Knights and graduated already.) he had shouldered the burden that was being the student council president. Pulling in some favors (all the gambling money he and Lelouch use to make wasn't put to waste in Rival's frugal hands.) and relying on his looks and funny personality he had managed to swindle several clubs of some of their more... useful members. The resulting melting pot had produced a child that was beyond his expectations.

The new council would do well for the school once he finally graduated. An event that was rapidly approaching, despite his half-hearted efforts. While lacking a defining member to step into Milly's (or even his own) too-large shoes they would be more then capable of keeping things from getting out of hand. They enforced their rules (something new), planned ahead (for more then parties, also new.), and when needed could throw one hell of a festival (mostly to avoid the equestrian club from coming through the window when the budget got tight, not so new.).

"I'm gonna get some air quick." waving he hopped out of the room and started to wander. One of the best parts about Ashford academy was the sheer size. Many places were still almost a mystery, doors hid wonders and horrors, some even dating back to the last presidents time. Trying to stop dwelling on the fact that the hilarious blonde was gone. If he was lucky he would be able to swindle his way into her news station as a camera-man or something, if not... Well he didn't really want to think about that.

Pushing open a door he recognized the large entry hall to the former residence of his best friend and his sister. Walking through he could feel the floating remnants of the party from the last night. The carpet was scuffed in some places, wine-stains sprinkled that over it until the contractors arrived to remove the last signs. Even the air held a lingering trace of magic. Smiling Rivalz deduced that something amazing must have happened. Drawn to the stairs he began to climb them, running a hand over the smooth wood of the banister. Reaching the top he glanced to the carpet where he, Shirley, and Milly had been looking for one of Nina's data chips the day they met Kallen.

"She was interesting. Deceptive too, who would have thought the sickly Kallen Stadtfelt was really a resistance fighter. Much less the Ace of the Black Knights." musing at the tidbit Rivalz continued to follow the subtle pulling sensation that permeated the air.

His sixth sense pulled him down a hall he hadn't used in almost a year. Pulling him to the barrier to his friends most private sanctuary, a place he had only entered a handful of times. Using his powers as president he had managed to keep Lelouch and Nunnaly's rooms from being used, even the wing was still rarely touched, save for when a grand occasion was called for. Grasping the slick metal he pushed his way into the memory. Letting untouched air waft past him as the present invaded a scene from the past.

Lelouch's laptop was still set on the table, a fine layer of dust undisturbed in the months since its owners last touch. Rivalz had never dared to even turn it on, irrationally scared of a specter rising to drag him to his friends cold embrace if he were to disturb the object. The bed was slightly mused, like Lelouch had sat on it to take in the view before leaving the room forever. The tugging soon moved him to the closet though. Pulling open the second barrier he was hit with the smell of lilacs, an unusual sent for men, but he vaguely remember Nunnaly loved the smell. Likely Lelouch had taken to using scented detergent just to please her. Smiling at the fleeting images and memories Rivalz raised a hand before his eyes.

"Why not?" he had followed the minute force this far, what was six more inches? Reaching out into the dark his hand brushed a smooth, slippery surface. Delicately tracing the object he searched for a grip, finally holding the device firmly in his hand. Drawing the mystery into the light he felt his mind shatter, but his fingers refused to relax, to let the clue drop from his fingers.

"A horror or a memory, which are you?" he mentally queried.

Faint light through the curtains shone on the dimly reflective orb in his hand. Tracing a finger down the center of the blackness Rivals raised the object to his face. Small clicks sounded like gunshots as the mechanism slid down the back of his head, pushing his hair against the back and sides of his head. His breath had never been so loud. Not in his training, not in his first bloodshed, not when Lelouch disappeared into the ghetto that erupted in death and horror immediately after. Not even when he climbed a fence, on national T.V. to hail a man the world hated as his friend.

"You're almost like another type of being, Lelouch." his voice, modulated and twisted as it echoed through the dust. "And here I thought Kallen was an actress to be admired. Not one, but two roles in a grand play of your own design. I'm speechless."

Raising a hand to the center of the symbolic mask Rivalz felt the confining presence ease as the insidious grasp relaxed. Rolling the object between his hands he could only ponder the connection Lelouch now had with this mask. Raising it to eye level he stared at the faceless visor.

"A perfect hero, a perfect villain. Which were you in the end?" seeking meaning in the black void Rivalz knew what he had to do. And the president wasn't about to pass up the chance to discover the truth behind a man of lies.

/=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=/

"Come on, Lelouch." dragging futilely at his shoulders Kallen gave him her best puppy-eyed look.

"You don't want to treat me? Even after not seeing me for almost a year?" a happy little light bloomed in her chest when he sighed (more for drama then anything else.) and let her drag him away from the stream of data.

"A few more minutes Kallen, just a few more and I'll be done." her half-asleep king mumbled as she pulled him towards the door.

"You said that three hours ago, I'm hungry dang it." a light rumble from the prince encouraged her.

"See! You've been staring at that screen for hours, you'll mess up your eyes if you don't get some sun." practically bouncing the exstatic red-head forced her king out of the room.

"Someone was also sleeping in my lap for six, I haven't had a good chance to lay down for days." Lelouch whined.

"Some food will perk you right back up, and you can nap on the train." Kallen remarked over the top of his complaints.

Shaking his head Lelouch finally gave in and grabbed her hand, pointing away from the elevator he started down the hall. Raising an eyebrow Kallen simply let herself be led away from the exit.

"Where are we going?" she asked after a few turns.

"Outside, you don't think they built an underground complex for 15 to 20 people with only an elevator to get out did you? The secret service isn't that stupid." pointing to a door with a red line broken into the shape of stairs. "I have a game for you."

"Oh really? What are you, Milly?" Kallen teased.

"Hah, maybe I learned more from our student council president then we thought." smiling at memories of their various festivals and games throughout campus Lelouch laughed. A real laugh, one that Kallen hadn't heard for a long time. It pulled at the strings of her heart, tying her ever-tighter to the slim specter at her side.

"Anyway, here is the game." Opening the door Lelouch led her into the stairwell. "We are twelve stories underground, first to the top wins, anything goes." smirking he glanced at her with dancing eyes.

"Any questions?"

Kallen shook her head and started for the staircase, Lelouch must be planning something sneaky, no way he could beat her in a physical game like this. She pulled up short when her hand wasn't released, looking back at him with an inquisitive stare she yelped as he jerked her back into his arms. The sound quickly cut off as he claimed her lips with his own.

Kallen couldn't help it, try as she might she couldn't break the embrace and charge up the stairs away from him. She couldn't lose, as soon as he let her go she would race past him effortlessly. Maybe. Maybe she would just forget about the game, about the food, about everything but the sweet feeling of being held by her king.

Breaking the kiss for air she nuzzled his chest and let out a happy sigh. Lelouch's heart was racing, she could feel it through his skin. Smiling she looked up at his brilliant amethyst eyes. They were gleaming with obvious sinister purpose.

Giggling madly Lelouch pushed her (not hard, but enough) out the stairwell door and took off up the stairs. Kallen stood for a moment blinking.

"What?" suddenly it hit her.

"The GAME! LELOUCH YOU!" snarling she hiked her dress up and raced after the gleeful phantom, contemplating just what she would do to him once he came into reach of her hands.

"Too slow Q-1!" came a taunting shout from the third floor, Kallen couldn't believe it.

Three floors already? Admittedly the stairways weren't small, but this was Lelouch! Milly outran him in a bloody Victorian ball-dress! Baring her teeth Kallen refused to believe she had slacked off in her training. She had spent countless hours, more so the usual after his disappearance, honing her strengths and skills. He was not going to beat her!

Flinging herself up the stairs at break-neck speed she finally caught a glimpse of him turning around the corner to the fifth floor. The extra push she got from seeing her target let her fly, catching him on the landing of the sixth floor. Shouting in triumph she shouldered Lelouch aside to take the lead.

A pair of soft and yet hard fingers gripped her elbow and spun her around. The black prince proceeded to lift her bodily from the ground, his damn smirk in place. Slipping one hand out from under her armpit to cushion the back of his queens head Lelouch pinned her in the corner. Kallen tried to push him off, fully engaged in the game, but he was like a mountain.

Pushing as hard as she could didn't even budge the slender figure holding her firmly but tenderly as well. Pale fingers slid up her neck and pushed lightly on her chin, forcing her head up to meet engulfing violet orbs. Determined not to fall for the trick again she elbowed around the mischievous trickster and continued her flight. Lelouch swore playfully and started chasing.

Try as he might the prince was never quite able to pass her again, not that Kallen didn't do everything to stop him. Even planning an ambush of her own and rolling him down a flight of stairs. He did manage to finish only half a staircase behind her though. Something Kallen almost felt proud of for him.

"Damn." he muttered as her laughter pealed out in victory. "Not quite there yet am I, Q-1?"

"Shut up and finish what you started Lelouch." she grabbed the front of his shirt as he hit the landing and pulled him into a fiery kiss of her own devising. Contentedly growling against him as he clasped his arms around her.

"Damn!" the prince suddenly swore, breaking the kiss but still holding Kallen tightly.

"What?" she asked pensively.

"I need to change." gesturing at the zero costume he was still clad in.

A huge grin split her face. Kallen couldn't help it, couldn't hold it in. Opening her mouth she let it out in a rush.

"Best of two?"

/=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=/

Dull thuds reverberated through his chest as the bone crunching blows rocked Reaver's massive frame. Whatever champion CC had called forth was intimately familiar with using her body as a replacement for their own. Something that came from being called forth many times over the generations. Which spelled bad news for Reaver.

Champions were almost always hero's or villains without peer in their own time, a figure of awe and inspiration, often recorded subtly as legends or myths. Their knowledge of CC and her code was limited, but more then they had gathered on the rest of the few remaining free code-bearer's. Her champion was Greek, that as well as his weapon of choice could be divined from his stance and foot-work. He didn't seem to be a Spartan, though the possibility was there, his form being far to fluid for rank and file warfare.

A couple of punches from the slip of a girl he was facing reminded him of what was happening. The well placed one-two forced his left knee to the ground as the muscles spasmed. Grunting he swiped at the flowing green hair, a trick that worked on many male champions once they inhabited a female form and its different cosmetics. Strands of lime colored string slipped around his fingers, but he only managed to snatch a few stray ones in his convulsive grasp. A roundhouse kick planted on his chin made stars dance in the ceiling. Shaking a cotton-stuffed head Reaver refocused all his attention to the murderous sprite.

"Unarmed they've got me." a grudging admittance, luckily he was far from un-armed. Jumping back he pulled a hand-gun from the recesses of his jacket, snapping a quick pair of shots at the following shadow. CC hopped back and ducked into a stairway leading underground, a unused subway station most likely. Slapping his wrist he raised the revealed microphone to his lips.

"You got incoming, one furious champion, unarmed." giving a quick description of some of the more stand-out features the champion had displayed through their puppet he moved to crouch by the entrance to CC's lair.

~Roger, I'll force them back to you.~ came Sophie's clipped response.

Waiting till the first few muffled shots were fired Reaver descended the stairs. The dark was oppressive but he simply activated his low-light programing. He was the first cyborg test subject, predating even Jeremiah Gottwald (one of the more successful integrations of his modifications placed in others). That illustrious status unfortunately meant he often was pulled from the field to undergo a new batch of crackpot tests or updates. The benefits so far were very much worth it however.

His prodigious strength was farther enhanced by carbon filament's running through the majority of his muscles and bones. Leaving him vulnerable only to the best punches. Though if his aching leg, chest, and jaw were any sign CC's champion definitely could throw them, even using the slightly body of their bearer.

His reaction time could be mechanically boosted into overdrive, though he preferred to stay in control, as the automated programs would make him predictable if his opponent could survive the first few onslaughts. He also had access to a few different visual setups, though only low-light and thermal were working thanks to a buggy program. He hadn't had time to review the coding himself since its implementation, though he was used to such handicaps.

Reaver had three weapon hard-points, one in his left arm, one in the left side of his chest, and one along his right shoulder. They could be outfitted with a variety of concealable or other... less subtle options. Right now only his chest carried a weapon. The other two points were left open to let him move more easily. Toting an extra 150+ pounds of weapons and ammo got old, even with enhanced strength they just never felt right. The heavy weapon was just in case, something he didn't rely on, but if a situation arose made for a spectacular show. The compact hand-gun was more then enough for most of his work.

When he was still twitchy and randomly spouting off from programming defect Reaver was a force to be treated carefully. After he had the time to review and streamline, he was down-right unhealthy to be around. Sophie had received minor enhancements as well, which combined with her Geass made the duo one of the best hidden striking arms of the cult.

Listening with filter programs running to improve the quality of sounds he could hear the whisper of their prey moving in the dark, the pale-green world revolved slightly as he followed the noise with his eyes. Creeping towards his prey he covertly tapped the mic in his wrist, notifying Sophie of his intent.

Passing the ticket booth he entered the waiting hall for the station. Crumbled rock and tile covered most of the space, even blocking off one exit, Sophie was no doubt holed up at the other end of the wide space, marked with a few pillars along the indent for an ancient train, blocking their target off from escaping this room. Switching to thermal he traced the light heat-prints from CC's footsteps, reading her champions train of thought as he attempted escape only to be forced back by gunfire. Finally raising his eyes to the ticket booth where they crouched, coiled and waiting to strike.

Dropping the boosted sight Reaver shrugged out of his coat, tapping his wrist again to bring Sophie close enough to provide support. Giving his partner a moment to move he closed on the no longer visible figure. Gripping the door to the tiny room he breathed out before flexing.

The crack of the door was like a starting gun, CC's body exploded into the door as he tore it from the hinges, slamming him backwards under the panel. She sprinted for the dim rays of light filtering down the stairs only to pull a 180 as Sophie poured lead into the space she tried to move through.

Pumping up his adrenalin level Reaver sent the door spinning along the ground towards the desperately running figure. Heaving himself to his feet and closing on them even as the door slid under their feet. Swinging her arms wildly CC managed to regain her balance on the sliding steel door and rode it to the wall, springing cat-like to hit the wall and rebound into Reaver as he closed like a freight-train.

CC managed to continue her animal-like behavior and plant her feet as she landed. Rolling a few times before getting his feet under him Reaver shook off the impact and began his aggressive motion again. A glitter in the dark shot from CC's hand and only his mechanical reaction kept the door-handle from smashing into his right eye. Grimacing as the object bruised his cheek Reaver dove for the elusive figure.

CC jumped over his grasping hands, planting a hand on his head as she flew over his air-borne frame. Rolling again in mid-air she charged for the exit again, only to fly sideways as Sophie tackled her from the dark. Pushing himself to his feet Reaver closed on the flurry of limbs and snarls that was the two women.

Sophie was definitely on the receiving end, but even with her minor enhancements the high-schooler was never suppose to be going toe to toe with a legend. Her Geass was next to useless in combat as well. Discarding the pain Reaver pushed himself to reach his beleaguered partner. CC apparently heard him coming, locking her hands on Sophie's shoulders CC fired a kick backward, catching him in the sternum. The motion transitioned smoothly as she brought her knee back up towards dropping hands, catching Sophie in between a rock-hard grip and a crushing knee.

A cry of pain from Sophie was enough to make Reaver stop trying. He wasn't going to play fair anymore, not when his baby girl was hurt. Ignoring the burning in his chest he snatched at the back of CC's head, grabbing a fist-full of green locks. Grinning at the hold he had finally acquired Reaver dragged the vortex of hard fists and feet away from his partner. Letting the impacts wash off him like rain as he dampened his nerves.

CC was getting desperate, the signs were there. Her champion could only do so much with a body that wasn't their own, especially one likely nowhere near as trained either. CC was out of time, and Reaver had her in his hands.

Holding the vice-like grip on the back of her head he started pummeling her face. Thick, meaty smacks echoing around the room as he continued to bring his hands apart and together over and over. When she had stopped struggling as violently he hit her hard enough the red-soaked body tore from his grip on her hair to land in the center of the room. Watching he started a diagnostic for his chest cavity hard-point. Sophie was crying quietly, but he could tell she wasn't in danger. Though he didn't envy her inability to shed pain like a blanket. If he turned off his dampening programs he probably wouldn't be able to stand, much less move.

CC lay quiet for a few moments, never making more noise then a shuddering breath. When she finally did sit up her face, which had looked sickeningly like hamburger when he threw her, was perfect. Smirking slightly she rose to her feet and stretched.

Reaver returned her smirk, and wallowed in the ecstasy he felt when her smirk dropped to the sounds of mechanical sliding.

"Get back down, bitch." Reaver hissed as the two-shot mini-missile rack in his chest spat out one of its charges.

The wash of heat that passed over his stomach and chest from the exhaust was more then worth the look of outright dis-belief on her face right before the shaped warhead blasted her upper body into dripping, meaty chunks.

"Lets go grab lunch." he spoke over his shoulder to Sophie as the mechanical gears ground the launcher back into his chest. She gave him a flat stare and motioned to the steaming pile of flesh, some of it already disintegrating as the immortal's regeneration kicked in.

"You got half the fixings right there, why bother paying?"


VIII.


Right, quick note because there have been some concerns expressed over the Geass Directorate/Cult. In this fan-fic they are a MUCH bigger organization then they were in cannon. Mostly because I find it hard to believe an organization that can produce Geass agents, cyborgs, and Siegfried Knightmare's can be basically obliterated in one strike. The organization I have planned out is multiple sects, the one VV lead was just that, one. The sects don't communicate between each-other unless its necessary, thus why Sophie (a Geass agent.) isn't known to VV or Charles during the Anime. She's from another sect. Leaders of a sect (CC/VV) are suppose to be the only ones with a means of communication between sects or to their leader (You'll meet him eventually.) and don't share the information often.