Crimson
The search party for Kallen continued well into the afternoon, with no luck.
"Keep searching!!" Todoh ordered, determined to not give up hope. However, the others were starting to lose hope. They had searched all the area, and even went into other ones.
"We've been looking all over the place," Xingke said sadly, using a temporary Vincent while the Shen Hu as being repaired," I'm sorry."
"Don't say that!" Chiba interjected angrily," She has to be alive, Kallen has gone through worse."
Suddenly, they heard a radio transmission from Cornelia.
"I found something," she said, but she didn't sound sad, she sounded angry. The search party went to her location, and found her standing over something. Todoh felt tears in his eyes as he clenched his teeth, his rage beginning to fume, Chiba began sobbing. Anya sighed, for once not intending on recording the memory, Gino (also piloting a Vincent) felt tears dropping. Xingke sighed sadly. They all looked upon half of the split Guren, with the a piece of the pilot seat lying with it. No trace of the Ace of the Black Knights.
The station director decided not to make Milly do the broadcast, knowing she would never make it. He got another reporter.
"We have just received word that Kallen Stadfield, better known to her allies as Kallen Kozuki, has been confirmed dead, remains of her Knightmare found, presumably destroyed by Infinity," the reporter said sadly.
Meanwhile, watching it was Lelouch, in S.S.'s warehouse. He sat on a crate, leaning on his folded hands, in a thinking pose. He wasn't in his Infinity outfit, instead in a black work out getup. His mask still lay next to him. The Nidhoggr was behind him.
Next to the Nidhoggr, Kallen was idly lying on the head of the Tiamat, casually reading said Knightmare's manual in the dim light. After joining Lelouch, she started going back to her straight hairstyle. (I just like that style a little better) She now wore a red and gold outfit, and a red and gold band around her head. Both of those were given to her by S.S..
C.C. sat somewhere in the back, staring at the ceiling.
Lelouch chuckled.
"Look's like your dead," he mentioned to Kallen. Kallen smiled and shrugged.
"It might help in the long run," she said, but then briefly put the manual down," Where's S.S.?"
"He comes and goes as he pleases," Lelouch answered, briefly looking at Kallen, before turning back to the TV.
"It seems that they are having a funeral on par with the funeral of a Royal family member," Lelouch mentioned," Zero's supposed to give a speech." Kallen nodded.
"Why do you call him Zero?" she asked.
"Because 'Zero' takes less time to say than, 'Suzaku'," Lelouch answered. C.C. looked at Lelouch.
"Are you sure it is not because it is easier to kill him when you see him as Zero, instead of your friend?" the immortal witch asked, but Lelouch ignored her.
"I'm sorry about how your mother must feel," Lelouch said sympathetically, turning to Kallen completely.
Kallen froze. She had completely forgotten about how this would impact her mother, who was already weak from the loss of Naoto. She put the manual down on one of the Tiamat's horns.
"I...," she started, but she felt Lelouch's fingers on her lips. He had climbed up to her level.
"Don't worry, when this is all over, you can go back to her," Lelouch said," We can go under the excuse that I just kept you hostage as a failed attempt at baiting." Kallen and smiled, as Lelouch sat next to her. She leaned on his shoulder.
"Well, at least I have you," she said. Lelouch put his arm around her shoulders.
"I can't replace her," he reminded," But I'll do the best I can." Something then came to Kallen.
"What if she goes back to refrain?" she asked quickly. Lelouch shook his head.
"I'm sure Ohgi won't that happen to her, to preserve your memory," he insisted, and Kallen smiled.
Kallen's "funeral" came and it was being broadcasted on live TV. Lelouch and Kallen sat together to watch it. Both of them were slightly amused at it. It was actually in the Ashford Academy gymnasium, and on a stage, over it was a picture of Kallen, with the Guren next to her, over a large TV screen. A huge crowd was gathered. On the stage, in a row of chairs, sat Todoh, Chiba, Jeremiah, Anya, Gino, Tamaki, Ohgi, Viletta, Kaguya, Tianzi, Xingke, Schneizel, and Cornelia, in that order. Nunnally sat in her wheelchair, next to the podium. Milly, Rival, and Nina were in the crowd, as were Lloyd and Rakshata.
"We now go live to the funeral of Ms. Kallen Stadfield, or Kozuki as some knew her," a reporter said," And now Zero, shall give his goodbyes." And sure enough, Zero took the podium, but he walked with a limp, and he actually had to lean on the podium for support.
"Kallen Kozuki was one of my greatest pilots ever, an irreplaceable ally and an even more treasured friend! Her skill on the battle made her the bane of my enemies! When she put aside her own concern for her life and comfort to fight for Japan, it proved her dedication! She will forever be remembered as Kallen Stadfield, Kallen Kozuki, Red Lotus, and Q-1!" Zero raised his fist.
"Hear me Infinity!" he roared," I will find you, and I shall avenge her death personally!"
Lelouch smiled, this was the perfect opportunity to pull something.
"Prepare the hacking systems and the camera C.C.," he instructed, as he grabbed his Infinity mask," Kallen!" Kallen nodded and ran to a nearby crate, and pulled some things out of it.
"We shall stop these acts of sheer brutality and mindlessness!" Zero roared," Down with Infinity!!" The crowd, including the student council rose their fists. The people in the chairs rose and rose their fists. Only Nunnally didn't participate.
"Down with Infinity!" they all chanted.
Suddenly, Infinity's face appeared on the screen, but behind him, stood a woman in a red techno helmet, with a golden faceplate, in a red and gold Knightmare suit.
"A lovely speech, Zero," he said. Zero gasped, and turned suddenly. The entire crowd was shaken by the appearance of the man.
"So you are alive," Infinity sneered," Good to see, makes vengeance that more pleasurable." He looked at the crowd.
"I don't like they way you sniped me," he said dangerously," And granted what I proved with remarkable ease, I'd watch what you say." The crowd all tensed, but continued watching.
"Know this," Infinity said," Kallen was only the first in my quest for revenge! I will continue in a short time, and Jeremiah Gottwald is my next target!!" Everyone turned to Jeremiah, who cringed.
"While you were loyal to his majesty, you did nothing to protect him!" Infinity growled," That is unforgivable." Zero clenched his fists.
"Damn you Infinity," he hissed.
"Before you go, I would like to introduce you to my newest ally," Infinity said, and he pointed to the woman in red.
"I give you Crimson!" Infinity declared," She shall serve and follow me in my quest!" The screen then went blank.
Back in the warehouse, Lelouch took off his mask. Crimson turned to him.
"Good act," she commented. Lelouch shrugged.
"Years of practice," he said. Kallen smiled as she took of her helmet.
"Crimson?" she asked. Lelouch shrugged.
"It will work better than you think."
