A/N: Whew I want to thank you all for the reviews, the favorites, and followers. I'll keep this brief since this will be one of the longest chapters yet thanks to a lot of events going down. I thought I was going to have a chance to include introducing the members of Class 78th, but some of the events in this chapter ended up being bigger than I thought, of course near the end the chapter gets bloody too.
I was a little vague in the beginning for good reasons, and I'll save the rest at the end of the chapter.
Enjoy
2/13/18: edited and cleaned up.
"Dialog from a flashback and the person reading something in their mind."
Thoughts (unless used to emphasize a word in a sentence)
Chapter 11
His name is Zero
(Two Days Later)
The eerie sounds and the darkness didn't help a somewhat obese young man wearing the standard boy's uniform for Hope's Peak Academy. He had light brown hair and a perpetual blush on his cheeks with hazel eyes. He nervously scanned his surroundings before exiting the cabin to venture out into the woods while carrying a gas can.
"Alright, who has the car keys, because I have the gas? I am heading to the yellow car." Ryota Mitarai (Ultimate Animator) said as he carefully walked through the forest, although he wanted to run he knew that would be an unwise move.
"I just finished repairing the propeller," Chiaki Nanami replied before moving away from the boat parked down at a small dock along the shore of a large lake. The bright moonlight provided enough illumination for the young girl to see her surroundings, but like Ryota she was alert.
Suddenly the sound of firecrackers could be heard.
"YOU FOOL!"
The young eighteen-year-old teen turned his gray eyes; his right eye was colored red thanks to a red contact lens, onto the young man next to him responsible. He wore the typical Hope's Peak Academy uniform, but his attire was modified to his personal choice of style. He wore a white shirt, with a grayish-purple cross design across its front, under his school jacket. He wore a long purple scarf that typically covers his mouth and black boots with many straps across them. His left arm was wrapped in bandages with the left sleeve of his jacket rolled up to reveal more of his bandaged arm. He wore a pair of yellow earrings, had a pale complexion with dark rings under his eyes with a scar under his left eye. His hair was also unusual in how it was styled as it was generally black in color, but with pale gray streaks through it. The back of it was shaved from the neck up to his ears, and the rest of his hair has been slicked back except a poof of hair in the middle that sticks up and is slightly curly.
Gundham Tanaka (Ultimate Breeder) glared daggers at his companion. "Your act has doomed us as it will surely summon the demon to our location!"
"Oh come on there is no way she knows we are here!"
Gundham's foolish companion was a young man the same age as his, but he wore a blue jumper with a white shirt worn under it that could be seen with part of it unzipped. He also wore a black cap on top of his head. He possesses medium-length hot pink hair, and pink eyes, due to prescription contact lenses, sharp teeth, and a fair skin complexion with bright yellow sneakers.
Unfortunately, Kazuichi Soda (Ultimate Mechanic) did attract the demon to their location, which was signaled by the sound of the door into the cabin they were inside being broken down by an ax the demon wielded.
"LET THE DEMON COME!" Gundham declared before brandishing a machete ready to face the demon head on. "I the Dark Lord shall face this demon and make them understand the powers of GUNDHAM TANAKA!"
Gundham looked to his right to see that Kazuichi had fled through a window in the back of the cabin.
"YOU PATHETIC COWARD!"
"Oh come on are you really surprised he ditched? I guess Gundham is more of a man than you eh Kazuichi, and that is saying something."
That comment came from a young woman with long blonde hair, tied into a curved ponytail with a black scrunchy possessing a fair skin complexion. When she came to Hope's Peak Academy one year ago, she was quite short and petite, but has since experienced a growth spurt and was now five feet and five inches. She wore a yellow kimono with a pink rose-outline pattern and a purple obi sash. She also wore zori for her choice of footwear.
Hiyoko Saionji (Ultimate Traditional Dancer) made it a hobby of belittling and teasing Kazuichi, but there was another who was more of a frequent target.
"We all know you can't kill Jason unless you have the right items. Gundham is as good as dead!"
Jason broke down the door, and Gundham was face to face with the un-killable Jason, who was a walking tower of muscle wearing a blue button-up shirt and matching pants with shoes, he was bald with his head being misshapen wearing a white hockey mask. In one hand he was holding his ax.
"I care not if I am unprepared, but the Dark Lord runs from no one! Come Jason Voorhees and face the might of Gundham Tanaka!"
"Hey Hiyoko I found the radio, and I am calling for help." Mahiru Koizumi said as the young woman was working on with the radio trying to contact help while Hiyoko's character had found car keys when she opened up one of the drawers of a desk inside another log cabin the two were searching.
"I got the car keys!"
Gundham was not so fortunate; although he put up a good fight, he was hit by one swing from Jason's ax before counterattacking with his machete, but missing, giving the masked serial killer a chance to grab him by the throat. Gundham furiously pushed the E button on his keyboard trying to break free, but he was too weakened from Jason's strike, so he saw the animation of his character being executed.
Jason picked him up, lifting him over his head, before slamming him face first into a desk, breaking it into two, thus killing Gundham's character instantly.
"I guess that's one kill for Sonia so far," Ryota noted as he was sneaking off to find a car battery for the yellow car so they could have a means of escaping.
The 77th Class of Hope's Peak Academy was playing the multiplayer game Friday the 13th, which was based on the popular series of horror movies of the same name.
The game was simple as most players would play as camp counselors of Crystal Lake, the lakeside camp where most of the movie events took place, or other civilian characters based on those from the movies. One player would be chosen to play as the infamous Jason Voorhees, who was impossible to kill unless specific requirements were met, but given the difficulty of those conditions, it was deemed best to escape as soon as possible as was the game's objective. Each player either had to survive using repairing any of the two cars on the map or the boat by retrieving the necessary parts along with gas for each vehicle's engine to escape.
Another way to escape was to repair the telephone lines and call for police and then run to them when they arrive, but the longer each round dragged on, the stronger Jason would become while unlocking new abilities to hunt down the other players.
It was possible to hit Jason to stun him, but beyond that, he could recover quickly.
Sonia Nevermind was chosen to control Jason, but to keep it fair and to give the rest of her classmates a chance she was using a computer in an enclosed temporary boxlike chamber that blocked out the noise and kept Sonia from seeing where her fellow classmates were. Sonia had thirteen more of her classmates to hunt down and kill before she could win.
For the sake of being in the right state of mind,Sonia was wearing a white hockey mask while she was controlling Jason.
"Gundham bravely faced the killer, so let us press forward and escape!"
That came from one of the most massive and most muscular students of Class 77; he seemed older than he looked which was due to his muscular appearance as he stood at a towering six feet and four inches tall. He wore a blue tracksuit with the zipper undone at the top revealing a white shirt he wore underneath. He also wore a set of heavy chains around his neck. He wore wooden sandals; he had a tanned complexion with two scars over his hazel eyes. He possesses black hair and a black goatee.
"Even with an unstoppable killer pursuing us a team manager must remain calm." Nekomaru Nidai (Ultimate Team Manager) said as he and the rest of his class were working to survive, and find weapons to fend off Sonia.
"Hey Peko, take that gas can, and I'll cover you. We'll gas up the boat Chiaki just fixed."
The young man was among the shortest of his class being five feet and one inch tall, but this was complicated by his baby face-like appearance. He had a fair skin complexion, wearing the traditional uniform for male students, but he usually foregoes wearing the jacket, and he replaced the brown pants with black pants instead. He had dusty blond hair styled into a crew cut and has freckles along the bridge of his nose. He possessed gold eyes and permanent blush marks on both cheeks.
"If the car is a bust we'll escape on the boat after we find the last piece of fix it." Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu (Ultimate Yakuza) said as he picked up a shotgun he found inside the boathouse he and his fellow classmate, Peko Pekoyama (Ultimate Swordswoman), were exploring looking for weapons and parts.
Peko was taller than Fuyuhiko, being at least five feet and six inches tall; she had a slightly pale complexion that added to her striking appearance due to her red eyes that she wore glasses over. Her hair was also unusual being silver styled into two braids along the sides of her head with black ribbons securing each braid at the top, and two red ties to hold each one together at the bottom. She also wore the same female school uniform as other students, but she didn't wear the jacket. She modified it to wear black thighs through. She did carry a bamboo sword with her along with a black carrying case specifically for it.
"Are you sure you don't want me to cover you?" Peko asked.
"I got this. Just focus on getting to the boat before Sonia finds us."
Meanwhile, another was working on finding parts for the car. The player controlling his character was the shortest out of the class. He stood at only four feet and four inches tall with a plump figure. Befitting his title of the Ultimate Cook, he was dressed in a classic chef outfit. It was made up of a white apron and a red undershirt, a red handkerchief-style scarf around his neck. He wore a small chef's hat over his dark brown hair, which has been styled in a pompadour that leans to the left. His eyes appeared to be little black dots, which were unusual for him, but his cooking was unquestionably the best in the entire world.
"Guys, I found a car battery!" Teruteru Hanamura announced happily before exiting a barn to make his way over to the yellow car.
"Can I come out?"
The timid voice came from the class's Ultimate Nurse, Mikan Tsumiki; she possessed a fair skin complexion with long, choppy, dark purple hair that is cut unevenly due to a lifetime of being mistreated by bullies throughout her life. Mikan wore the same school uniform as other female students, but she had a band-aid on her right cheek and bandages wrapped around her right leg and left knee. She also possesses light grayish-purple eyes.
Mikan was hiding in one of the small cabins, but more specifically, she was hiding under a bed.
"Ibuki thinks Mikan and Ibuki should go together and get into the car with Hiyoko and Mahiru!"
Ibuki Mioda (Ultimate Musician) was the most upbeat of their class. Her choice of dress and style was a reflection of this as she possessed a pale complexion with pink eyes. She has long multi-colored hair consisting of black, pink, blue and white, some of which is tied into two oni horns on the top of her head. Her choice of attire consists of a white dress shirt with a pink tie, a black pleated skirt with a thin belt. She also has a blue scrunchie on her right wrist; a yellow spiked bracelet on her left, two black rings on her left hand and black thigh highs with white skeletal markings upon them. Lastly, she wore a pair of white sneakers as well.
"I am not sure if that would be a wise decision, but I think I'll follow Chiaki."
The Ultimate Lucky Student of Class 77th was a tall young man with an ashen complexion and standing at least five feet tall and nine inches. He wore the standard Hope's Peak Academy uniform, but with the addition of a red and green striped sweater vest. He had shoulder-length white messy hair and light green and gray eyes.
"I just got to help Fuyuhiko get the gas into the boat," Nagito Komaeda said before heading towards the dock that sat along the side of the lake.
"I rather get into the yellow car," Akane Owari (Ultimate Gymnast) noted before adding, "There were food and supplies inside the back right?"
The last member of their class was one of the tallest in the class, but shorter than Nekomaru. Befitting of her title she possessed an athletic, but curvaceous physique. Akane has a tanned skin tone with brown eyes and matching her shoulder-length unkempt hair. She wore a short-sleeved white shirt with the top few buttons undone exposing a significant amount of her considerable cleavage. She wore a red miniskirt with white loafers, but with no socks.
Hiyoko and Mahiru arrived at the car first while it was parked on the main road by the camp's main building. Ryota was on his way back, having gone off in search of the car keys. He would've run for the car, but running would enable Jason to detect their movements and swiftly teleport to their location.
Sadly Akane overlooked that and ran to the car.
Nekomaru was among the first to arrive, but Akane running had alerted Sonia, whom quickly arrived on the scene. Their screens flicked briefly as a warning to the players that Jason was teleporting. In seconds Jason appeared after using its shift ability to quickly travel across the map ambushing Nekomaru by grabbing him by the neck and lifting Nekomaru's character off the ground.
"You will not take down Nekomaru Nidai so easily," the defiant Team Manager snapped before his character stabbed Jason in the neck with a Swiss Army Knife forcing the tall killing machine to drop him.
Nekomaru ran for the car, but Akane rushed to attack a stunned Jason with a flying pan her character had found.
"What are you doing Akane?"
"I am taking him out!"
"You can't kill Jason!"
Akane didn't listen and kept whaling on the stunned Jason before he retaliated by taking advantage of an opening and grabbing Akane by the neck. She fought back, but as Nekomaru rushed to her aid, Ryota arrived. The students raised their weapons before moving to attack Jason and save Akane, but in their hurry to attack and interrupt Jason's strangulation of Akane's character the brown-haired woman managed to break free but was accidentally cut down by friendly fire by Nekomaru.
"WHAT THE HELL?!" Akane roared as she saw the game over screen.
"I am sorry Akane, but my character can't help you," Mikan said meekly as her character arrived on the scene.
Despite Nekomaru accidentally killing Akane with his weapon, a piece of plywood, Ryota was able to down Jason using the lead pipe he was armed with.
"Alright everyone to the car!"
"Hey Ibuki is here, Ibuki calls shotgun."
"But will it fit all of us?" Mikan asked, but as four ran to the car, the vehicle in question turned on its headlights before speeding towards them. Before anyone could react, the four of them were run down by Hiyoko with a shocked Mahiru riding shotgun.
Hiyoko was laughing evilly over the angry responses her actions had earned her.
"Hiyoko turned Ibuki into a pancake!"
"How could you run down your own classmates!?" Nekomaru roared in anger.
"You could've stopped for us." Ryota pointed out while Mikan was in tears over Hiyoko running her over.
"Well, Mr. Ham Hands you should've put gas in the car with four seats and not two," Hiyoko replied while clearly feeling no remorse for running over her classmates.
"You really shouldn't have run them over Hiyoko," Mahiru said lightly scolding the girl, but she added. "But you four should've gotten out of the way."
Mahiru didn't mention it, but she knew, unless it was her, Hiyoko was unlikely to stop for anyone and would just run them down anyway. However, karma had a way of coming back to haunt her as Hiyoko made a very sharp turn before accidentally crashing into a wooden post on the side of the road. Hiyoko started to panic as she hurried to restart the engine, but Sonia had been already in hot pursuit as Jason. The hockey-masked killer grabbed Hiyoko by the neck before dragging her character out of the car through the window.
Thankfully Hiyoko had a Swiss Army Knife, so she had no problem breaking free, much to the disappointment of some. Mahiru and Hiyoko hurried off into the wood to escape Jason before he could recover. Meanwhile, Peko and Fuyuhiko had arrived at the boat with Nagito coming to join them.
Peko filled the boat's gas tank while Nagito and Fuyuhiko guarded her.
"The boat's tank is full we should depart at once!"
"Incoming!" Nagito announced as Jason grabbed Peko, but Fuyuhiko shot Jason at point-blank range freeing Peko and stunning Jason.
"EVERYONE IN THE FUCKING BOAT!" The gangster snapped as everyone boarded the boat with Chiaki at the helm.
The boat was already heading for the exit by the time Jason recovered, although Sonia pursued them the vessel and its passengers escaped.
Mahiru, Hiyoko, and Kazuichi were among those left. Mahiru and Hiyoko made an attempt to restart the car and escape, but before Hiyoko could get into the driver seat, her character stepped on a hidden bear trap Sonia had left before attempting to go after Chiaki's group.
"That stupid bitch!" Hiyoko snapped angrily, but the noise her character made alerted Sonia. By the time she freed her character and got into the car Jason was already on the scene pulling Hiyoko out of the car again before she could restart the engine. "Mahiru save me!"
"I am coming!" The girl said as Mahiru's character got out of the car's passenger side. She couldn't switch seats. Otherwise, she might have attempted to restart the vehicle.
It was too late as Hiyoko couldn't escape as the execution cutscene began to play out. Jason dropped Hiyoko's character on the ground before delivering a powerful punch that sent the head of Hiyoko's character flying off her shoulders. Mahiru avenged Hiyoko by hitting Jason with a baseball bat, but once he was down Mahiru attempted to restart the car to escape. She might not have gotten away as Jason recovered much faster than expected, but a shotgun shot knocked Jason down.
Gundham's laughter was unmistakable, "I Gundham Tanaka have returned from the depths of hell reborn as the slayer of Jason!"
After the death of his fellow classmates, Gundham was chosen to play again as the character Tommy Jarvis armed with a shotgun. He had arrived on the scene and promptly shot Jason before he could pull Mahiru out of the car. The redhead drove up to Gundham.
"Get in or get left behind!"
"Let us depart this arena!" Gundham said as his character got into the car.
Mahiru wasted no time driving away and escaping.
Now only Kazuichi was left.
"What the hell are you doing hiding in the outhouse you idiot?" Fuyuhiko snapped as he and the rest of the class, those who died or escape were watching the last member of their group left on the map.
"Hiding until the end of the match has never worked for anyone," Chiaki said sagely.
"But she won't find me."
"Jason's sense ability, which she has likely unlocked by this point, will illuminate any structure you are hiding in bright red." The Ultimate Gamer said in a matter of fact tone.
"Huh," Kazuichi said before Jason tore open the outhouse to drag the last camp consular out by the neck. Kazuichi couldn't escape, and Sonia executed him by throwing him to the ground right before Jason used his ax to chop his character's testicles into two before Kazuichi was finished off with a strike to the neck slicing his head off.
"WHY DID MISS SONIA NEUTERED ME!" Kazuichi cried out while Hiyoko began laughing.
"I think she wants to make you into her own personal eunuch, but you are so pathetic, I doubt you would be terrific."
The booth opened, and Sonia emerged, upon which she removed the mask.
"I want to applaud Chiaki, Fuyuhiko, Peko, and Nagito for displaying excellent unity in the game because unity is an important factor in determining if you'll survive a horror movie." The Princess said, but before she could give a lecture on the do's and Don'ts of surviving a horror movie the door opened followed by their teacher walking in.
She was about twenty years of age with a very cheerful and friendly disposition possessing large green eyes, waist-length orange hair, wearing a light blue suit complete with a skirt, black stockings, matching shoes and a white dress shirt. Befitting her previous school title when she attended Hope's Peak Academy she wore a white apron as she once attended as the Ultimate Housekeeper.
"I hope you guys had fun, but don't worry; I only got a quick announcement!" Chisa Yukizome began as she assumed her place behind the podium at the head of the class. "As a reminder, there are no changes to classes despite the recent death of the Viceroy, but when the entrance ceremony begins, it is your choice to attend or not. That being said the administration is asking all students to exercise caution for the next few weeks due to an escalation in violence around Area 11."
The students of the 77th Class didn't seem all that concern, but part of that would be because it was nothing new to them. The death of the Viceroy was the only real change, but that was not counting those who died during the Killing Game not too long ago.
Compared to her other classmates Chiaki felt uneasy and worried, which was more directed at the still missing Hajime Hinata.
The sun was beginning to set when she had arrived at Toyko Tower; the one tall structure that stood in the heart of Toyko was a broken ruin that had been converted into a museum. It was a strange place for a meeting, but maybe it was the last place anyone would expect such a meeting to take place. Contrary to the request that she come along Kallen had asked Ohgi and two of his friends to stay nearby in the event the meeting was a trap or should the rendezvous went badly. Lelouch was wearing casual clothing consisting of his preferred black shirt, brown jacket, and black pants. He carried a large bag slung over his left arm that had the complete outfit he had received earlier that same morning.
Lelouch wasn't alone though, and like Kallen, he did plan for the possibility the meeting could turn sour.
"She has brought three of her friends it seems," Mukuro reported, who for this occasion was dressed in casual wear consisting of a black coat, a gray turtleneck shirt, a black skirt with brown leggings and black boots with matching gloves on her hands.
"I am not surprised, but we planned for it regardless," Lelouch commented as he checked the time on his phone. "Let's get on the train ahead of them so we can prepare the meeting."
As Lelouch and Mukuro discreetly left Toyko Tower, while at the same time they took great care to avoid being seen by Kallen, Ohgi and the latter's two companions.
The plan was simple Lelouch would meet Kallen and her friends aboard the outbound train on loop line five, which by then Lelouch will have put its passengers under his Geass to set up the meeting. Mukuro would be hidden among the passengers on standby, so if the meeting takes an unfortunate turn, she will intervene.
"Are you ready?"
"I am," Mukuro replied, opening her coat to reveal a concealed pistol with a silencer and Lelouch didn't need to see that Mukuro probably had a hidden combat knife or two on her person.
"I don't expect the meeting to go badly, but no reason not to play it safe, especially if anything unforeseen were to take place. I am counting on you Mukuro."
Mukuro couldn't help, but allow her cheeks to turn pink briefly as she was apparently flattered by the compliment, which was more than what Junko had usually given her. "Understood."
Around the same time, Junko was busy with her own last-minute preparations as she sat at the controls for Monokuma within her secret Monokuma Control Room. Tsumugi had brought her a report on the status of their preparations for tomorrow night when Suzaku Kururugi would be transferred to his court-martial. Everything was going according to plan, and everything she wanted to be in place was ready along with some information she had gathered beforehand in preparation for public release.
Not only would she destroy the Purist Faction with Lelouch's help, but she would drive Area 11 into anarchy, although it wasn't as despair-inducing as she would prefer it would still make for an excellent foundation to build upon.
"Are they in place?"
Tsumugi nodded, "yes, they are. They only await the activation signal from Monokuma."
"Sweet," Junko exclaimed happily with a big toothy grin, "and the various divisions of Ultimate Despair, are ready to unleash a tidal wave of despair at the same time?"
"Yes, they are."
"Upupupu," Junko laughed, imitating Monokuma, "oh, I am looking forward to tomorrow night along with Lelouch's performance."
Almost an hour later, after picking up the cell phone the mysterious Zero, whose caller ID appeared on the cell phone she picked up from the lost and found on the observation deck, Kallen with Ohgi and two of his friends were aboard the outbound train on loop line five just as Zero instructed. The trail has been traveling on its route, but so far Kallen hadn't received a call from Zero yet. Ohgi and his friends were a safe distance away but within earshot. Of course, the young woman was surprised that Lelouch had known Ohgi, and his companions were following her, but then again, she probably should've realized it since it would make sense if you are called to meet a mysterious person going alone would not be a wise idea.
After what seemed like an eternity the cell phone she had received began ringing.
Kallen quickly answered it, "what now?"
"Face forward, and look to your right. What do you see?"
"The Britannian City, it was stolen away from us and built on our sacrifices," Kallen answered.
"And on the left?"
"I see our city; remnants of a desiccated city after the Britannians sucked it dry."
Zero sounded satisfied with her response, "good answer. Now move to the front of the train."
Kallen began heading for the front, followed by Ohgi and his two companions. The passengers on the train seemed unresponsive, which was caused by Lelouch placing them all under his Geass to generally ignore anything strange and unusual. Even though the third and second cars before the front were crowded Kallen and her friends made their way through, but they failed to notice a disguised Mukuro sitting on the bench by the door leading to the front car of the train pretending to read a newspaper. She wore a black scarf around her neck with black sunglasses to conceal her face. She also had an earpiece transmitter in her right ear so she could hear everything spoken by Zero, so if the situation went south, she could intervene.
The young redhead was shocked when she reached the last car at the front of the train just behind the engine because the entire train car was empty save for a lone figure standing with his back turned to them at the far end. What was even more unusual was the fact that the man at the opposite end of the car wore a black cape with gold trim and a black mask and a purple outfit from what they could see.
"Was it you on the phone?" Kallen inquired, but she got no response.
"I thought it was a trap," a young man with blue hair, wearing a red headband asked quietly to Ohgi.
Kallen was growing impatient from the masked man's lack of a response. "Well was that you in Shinjuku? Was that cease-fire you're doing too?"
"HEY," Kento Sugiyama shouted, "We're talking to you!"
Lelouch, as Zero, suddenly spun around to face them.
Now that he was facing them, Kallen, Ohgi and the others got a better look at Zero. His mask had no visible eyeholes or anything that could indicate who he or she was, but a gold emblem could be seen along the bottom was a variation of the Geass sigil that appears in Lelouch's eye when his power is active. Lelouch wore purple and gold trimmed boots that seemed to be part of the outfit Lelouch was wearing under the black cloak wrapped around his body. Furthermore, his costume was likely based on Victorian fashion judging by the design of the collar and the white cravat he wore.
"What do you think of my tour of the settlement?"
"Your tour," one confused Toru Yoshida said.
"Oh come on, it couldn't be this guy?" Sugiyama said mockingly.
"I wanted you to fully grasp the two," Lelouch began as he extended each arm outward pointing at the two sides of the train to illustrate the point he was trying to make. "The settlement and the ghetto."
With his cloak unwrapped from his body because of his dramatic gesture Kallen and the others saw that under the cape was indeed a full one-piece bodysuit with a collar to accommodate the cravat and at the end of the sleeves, Zero wore a pair of black gloves.
"Yeah, we know," Ohgi began as he stepped forward, "There's a difference between them and us. A very harsh one and that is why we resist them."
"You're wrong," Zero said bluntly as his voice was being projected by an electronic device in his mask that disguises his voice and to add more weight to it. "Britannia will not fall to terrorism."
"Fall…" Ohgi said visibly stunned.
Lelouch's next words were even harsher, "It is little better than childish nuisance!"
Sugiyama was apparently offended by that remark. "WHAT WAS THAT?! Are you calling us a bunch of kids?"
"You should know your enemy. It's not people, but Britannia itself!" Lelouch declared. "It is a war you must wage, but not on the innocent. Take up your sword, fight for justice!"
"Oh please," Kallen snapped, "that is easy enough to say isn't it? Hiding behind that mask, why should we trust you?"
"She's right…lose the mask!" Sugiyama snapped.
"Right," Ohgi said in agreement, "so are you going to show us your face?"
"Very well, but instead of showing my face bear witness to my power. If I deliver to you the impossible then maybe I'll have earned your trust."
"The impossible?"
"I shall rescue Suzaku Kururugi and prove his innocence in the murder of Prince Clovis." Lelouch declared without hesitation, although they were shocked Ohgi noticed the last part of that statement.
"Prove his innocence, so does that mean you killed Prince Clovis?"
"You are correct. I killed Clovis to punish him for all of the innocent lives Clovis took where he killed them to cover up a secret human experimentation project by hiding her in a capsule fooling almost everyone that it was poison gas."
Ohgi and Kallen were utterly shocked.
"I had happened upon the truck being driven by your associate, Nagata I believe his name was. He was mortally wounded while escaping the Britannian authorities." Lelouch explained before adding. "I am sorry there was nothing I could do for him, but when he told me about the poison gas capsule I examined it and it opened up revealing a captive wearing a prisoner uniform."
"What," Kallen said, trying to grapple with this revelation, "a woman was trapped inside?"
"Yes, and the entire Shinjuku Ghetto was meant to be destroyed to wipe out any potential witnesses to cover it up intending to blame their deaths on you for setting off the so-called poison gas. He feared word about the experiments getting out because he believed he would be disinherited if such a project became public knowledge. I am conducting an investigation to learn more alongside an ally right now, so once I know more details I'll let you know."
"What about the captive?" Ohgi asked.
"The captive was killed during our escape from the Royal Guard. I found a communicator left by the capsule, which was how I was able to contact you."
"I see," Ohgi said, although he suspected Nagata was dead as they never found his truck, Zero's story confirmed his demise. "Nagata probably set off the self-destruct in the truck to take out the royal guards."
Ohgi had suspected Nagata had denoted the explosives in the truck because there was a significant explosion that erupted from the tunnels he had noticed. Unfortunately, the battle that raged throughout the Shinjuku Ghetto caused some of the subway tunnels to collapse, which had hampered their efforts to confirm Nagata's fate.
"So how do you plan to save Suzaku Kururugi?"
Lelouch was grinning beneath his mask as he answered, "Because only a select few only knew what was really inside of that capsule."
The following night as Suzaku Kururugi's televised transfer to the courthouse had begun the roads leading from the Viceroy's Palace was lined with hundreds of Britannian citizens. As part of the grand publicity stunt, although that was obvious to many yet most Britannians ignored it as there was a number who preferred seeing a non-Britannian punished. On the other hand, the people saw it as a way to restore faith in the government given their inability to stop groups like Ultimate Despair, which despite the government's best efforts, remained at large.
The fact that the terrible group was quiet left many uneasy.
This was especially true for a graduate of Hope's Peak Academy who once attended as the Ultimate Student Council President. He was sitting in front of a television that was mounted on the way by his desk. He was a tall man of twenty years. His pasty white complexion, silver hair and blue eyes made him stand out which was furthered by his colorless appearance. He wore a black suit with a sand-colored tie while holding a cup of coffee in his free hand.
Kyosuke Munakata, although he wasn't in Area 11, was watching a broadcast of Suzaku's transport and trial intent on monitoring the situation in Area 11.
"Have you made any new progress Yukizome?"
Kyosuke was holding a cell phone with his free hand while speaking to Chisa who was at home watching the same broadcast as Kyosuke was. Chisa was sitting on a pink sofa with a soft drink in one hand and the phone in another.
"Nothing new, but ever since Clovis was killed, it seemed security had been doubled seemingly overnight."
"That doesn't surprise me, especially since they have no clues to reveal who killed him. I would probably refrain from investigating the committees' actions until things cool down."
Chisa noticed the fact that Kyosuke didn't mention Suzaku.
"You don't think that kid did it?"
"I don't think, I know," the former Ultimate Student Council President answered with unshakable confidence in his voice. "You remember Lloyd Asplund?"
"You mean the Earl of Pudding?" Chisa said recognizing the name. "He set up shop in the academy building with that new Knightmare Frame."
"Lord Asplund and I were talking the other day wishing to have Suzaku Kururugi admitted to Hope's Peak Academy." Kyosuke began to explain. "He believed I could put in a good word for him since Kururugi has proven to be a capable pilot, and the footage I saw places him far away from the G-1 Clovis was last seen alive in just before his murder."
"Then Suzaku is innocent, but why is he?"
"That is because he is being used as a scapegoat because they cannot find the real killer. Even though there is clear evidence that Kururugi isn't Clovis's killer."
"So they just ignored it?" Chisa said as her voice was mixed with shock and horror, knowing that an innocent young man was about to get executed.
"Yes and that will be a fatal mistake for them."
Little did Chisa realize Kyosuke was about to be proven right.
I hope they can't tell it's fake.
Kallen thought as she drove the car that was designed to look like the exterior of Prince Clovis's personal transport, which was a white limo built with an enlarged back including a platform for the prince to stand on if the cover was removed. The driver's seat wasn't part of the limo's interior as Kallen was behind the wheel disguised as a driver wearing a gray suit, with a matching Gatsby hat and black sunglasses to help mask her face. As far as anyone seeing the car was concerned, it looked like Clovis's personal transport, but in reality, it was hastily put together lookalike using whatever Kallen and Ohgi could scavenge in the time they had.
Only Kallen and Ohgi were convinced enough of the possibility that Zero could save Suzaku that they agreed to help him, despite knowing the odds of failure was extremely high. Mukuro was sitting on the rooftop of a building providing bird's eye observation, and if needed she was prepared with a sniper rifle to provide assistance. Mukuro had been willing to help in Kallen's place, but Lelouch feared if she demonstrated any of her combat skills, it might give her away. Not to mention she could be more helpful providing support from a distance since her options would be limited if she was the driver of the vehicle instead of Kallen.
Inside the Monokuma Control Room, Junko was watching the broadcast as well. She instructed Mukuro to tell her nothing of Lelouch's plans nor tell her about her new outfit wishing to see all of them during his big public debut.
Suddenly Jeremiah, who was personally leading the convoy and armed escort of Suzaku Kururugi, ordered the convoy to stop. Jeremiah was seen standing atop his Sutherland from an open cockpit so the public could get a good look at him to help further the colorful stage performance he and the Purist Faction engineered to curry favor with the people.
A newscaster suddenly seemed confused before pointing out. "This is not a scheduled stop. Could there have been some sort of accident?"
Junko began smiling maliciously, "Showtime!"
Suddenly the camera changed to a shot of Clovis's personal transport driving straight for the convoy.
"It's, it's Prince Clovis' personal transport!" The announcer said who was just as shocked as anyone else would be. "And it's heading straight for the cavalcade!"
"Ballsy move Lelouch, but its time to see if you are brave or stupid," Junko commented as she was eager to see what he had in mind.
Junko and everyone else watching the broadcast observed the limo coming to a stop a short distance away from Jeremiah's Sutherland that stood at the head of the convoy. Four of his fellow Purist Faction members, including Villetta, were surrounding the transport vehicle with Suzaku on top of it flanked by two soldiers with their rifles aimed at him.
"You dare desecrate His Highness's transport? Come out of there." Jeremiah snapped, but suddenly the Britannian flag along with a portion of the top of the transport burned away, revealing Lelouch dressed as Zero with his cloak draped around him.
Junko eyed Lelouch's costume as the cameramen on the scene provided an excellent close-up shot of him.
"I am Zero!" Lelouch declared.
The announcer delivered his next lines, but it was clear he was no longer working with a script. "Who is this person? This man calling himself Zero, standing before a full military convoy!"
Watching these events unfold was Diethard Reid as he was in a news van coordinating the efforts of his network to provide coverage while at the same time helping to further the agenda of the Purist Faction by directing news coverage and suggesting to the roads leading to the courthouse lined with patriotic Britannians.
"Zero, as in nothing?" Diethard noted.
"Alright, Zero this show of yours has gone on long enough." Jeremiah declared before firing a bullet into the air from his sidearm prompting four Sutherlands, deployed by aerial Knightmare Frame transport, quickly surrounded Zero.
Zero was calm, and he didn't move a muscle, save for the landing of the Sutherlands created enough of a gust to blow his cape open.
"First, why don't you take off that mask?"
Zero reached for his mask, but at the last moment he reached up into the air snapping his fingers.
The rest of the limousine's rear broke apart revealing a recreation of the capsule the green haired woman was sealed in. Fortunately for Lelouch, Jeremiah and his men believed it was the poison gas capsule unaware of what its actual contents were.
It was just as Lelouch was hoping.
"WHAT THE!?" Jeremiah muttered as he broke out into a cold sweat.
"Lord Jeremiah, be careful, he has the..." Villetta said emerging from her cockpit to warn her superior, but stop short to avoid causing a panic.
"That bastard," Jeremiah said while barely holding back his anger and fear at the same time.
He has taken every Britannian here hostage, and he has done it without them knowing it.
Jeremiah raised his gun at Zero who merely stood there before calmly rebuking him with his arms crossed over his chest.
"You intend to shoot? You know full well what will happen if you hit what is behind me," Zero warned.
Meanwhile, Diethard, as he was observing the whole exchange, noticed that the audio between Jeremiah and Zero wasn't coming in well.
"Unit six bring up the sound and get that camera right in his face!" Diethard ordered but received a meek reply.
"Sir, it's too hairy out here."
Diethard sneered in frustration before grabbing a nearby spare camera.
"Damn, amateurs!"
Outside the air between Zero and Jeremiah was thick, but for now, the Margrave was forced to stand down.
"Fine, what are your demands?"
"An exchange," Lelouch replied, "The capsule for Kururugi."
"Like hell!" Jeremiah snapped back. "He's charged with high treason for murdering a prince. I can't hand him over."
"No. You're mistaken, Jeremiah." Zero declared as Diethard approached, but was mindful to keep a safe distance. He knelt down so he could capture a close and stable shot of Zero. "He's no murderer. The man who killed Clovis..."
Zero turned to look directly at Diethard.
"Was MYSELF!"
Everyone watching was left speechless, but Lelouch forged ahead.
"For a single Eleven, you'll save scores of precious Britannians. I find that to be a bargain." Lelouch said with a dramatic sweeping motion of his right arm.
This is all one big performance to him. Diethard thought with a smile on his face becoming very intrigued by these developments.
Jeremiah was on the verge of losing his temper because he knew that Zero having revealed himself as Clovis's killer has doomed the Purist Faction.
"He is mad, I tell you. Disguising this truck as His Highness'! He'll pay the price for mocking the crown!" Jeremiah roared as the Knightmare Frames surrounding Zero readied to fire their weapons.
"Careful. You don't wish the public to learn about Orange, do you?"
Everyone was suddenly confused, but more so was Jeremiah.
Lelouch tapped his foot on the floor as a signal to Kallen to move the limo forward.
"If I die, it'll all go public. If you don't want that to happen..." Lelouch said as a hidden panel on his mask slid open revealing his Geass empowered eye. "You'll do everything in your power to let us go, your prisoner as well."
In seconds, Jeremiah was ensnared by Lelouch's Geass.
"Understood," Jeremiah turned to the two soldiers guarding Suzaku, "you there release the prisoner."
"Should we," One of the nameless grunts asked his partner as they were hesitant to release Suzaku.
"I don't know?" The other grunt replied.
"Hand him over!" Jeremiah demanded.
"What are you doing my Lord? You can't do this?"
Watching events unfold Junko was in a state of ecstasy as her cheeks had a shade of pink to them and she was virtually drooling.
"It might not look like much, but after tonight Jeremiah Gottwald's life will be completely ruined."
Her smile grew only in size when she heard the announcer on the television, "It's hard to tell what's happening, but it seems that Kururugi's release has been brokered!"
Despite cries of outrage from the crowds, Suzaku was released from his bounds, but the collar secured around his neck to silence him whenever he spoke remained.
Suzaku eyed Zero as the two approached one another, but once they were standing close enough to one another, he tried to ask. "So, who the hell are you?"
The young man grunted in pain the collar activated, causing him to cry painfully from the shock.
"As I thought, they didn't allow you to speak."
"It's time to go, Zero," Kallen said approaching Zero's left.
Zero brought out a remote he had been carrying. "Well then, till next time."
Lelouch triggered the device on the back of limo releasing a blanketing cloud of purple smoke. The crowd began panicking creating a chaotic scene that engulfed the bridge.
"You cowardly Eleven," Villetta shouted through the intercom of her Knightmare Frame as she prepared to attack them to stop them from escaping. However, Jeremiah quickly intervened in his own Knightmare Frame stopping Villetta from attacking by knocking her Sutherland to the side. "Lord Jeremiah, what are you!"
Her enthralled superior interrupted her, "You heard me! Stand down now!"
During the confusion, Lelouch, Kallen, and Suzaku leaped off the bridge to where they landed on an elastic mat that was launched by Ohgi. The man had been hiding among a trio of stopped train cars inside an MR-1, a Knightmare Frame designed for heavy labor rather than combat that can fold up into a more compact form for storage or transport. The mat was attached to the two slash harkens the MR-1 had which safely lowered the trio into a train car that had its rooftop hatch opened beforehand.
All that was left was to escape, but at that moment a very familiar sadistic laugh echoed throughout the area, but it also echoed throughout every television and handheld device watching the broadcast.
The signal was hijacked, and in moments the screen shifted to reveal Monokuma, but this time he was dressed as a judge wearing a black gown-like cloak and a wig that gave the bear white renaissance curls. Judging from the background around him Monokuma was inside what appeared to be a courtroom, but it wasn't any courtroom, it was the courtroom that Suzaku's trail was meant to take place in at the Toyko Settlement Courthouse. Monokuma was laughing before picking up his signature hammer and pointed it at the viewer.
"Oh my, so that's what happened." Monokuma began as his left eye flashed red, "I was kinda confused because I couldn't see how Suzaku was the killer because he was piloting a Knightmare Frame and was far away from the G-1 Clovis was on when he was killed."
The screen changed to show a video of Suzaku wearing the pilot suit he wore when he piloted the Lancelot, and then a video clip followed showing the young man climbing into the Lancelot before it launched speeding off into the city.
"I mean the evidence was pretty clear that he was nowhere near the G-1 when Clovis got assassinated because I guess this means the government was as lost as I was trying to figure out who killed him." Monokuma explained with the screen switching back to him. "So they saw an easy way to build back up their reputation and end the practice of allowing natives from conquered Areas to gain Honorary Status. Of course, this allowed the real killer get away with it, so they were willing to forget all about finding the real killer for the sake of their own agenda how sad."
Monokuma had been standing atop the judge's podium before he stood up to jump, down onto the floor before the podium. Those watching saw the bodies of security guards and soldiers, lying dead on the ground, while members of Ultimate Despair were seen guarding the doors into the room.
"Thank you for telling me it was you Zero," Monokuma said with a smile before adopting a sad expression. "But I am a sad Monokuma now. I was waiting at the courthouse for you guys so I could preside over your trial so it's a shame really."
Monokuma sighed before his mood changed, adopting a much happier smile.
"I know I'll just execute someone for you all, someone who deserves the death penalty. But first I'll need to clear the outside since I know the police and the military are coming in to interrupt me." Monokuma walked toward a magic circle drawn in red on the tiled floor of the courtroom.
Waving his hammer over the circle the bear began chanting.
"Surge, o gods who dwell between light and darkness," Monokuma said chanting a spell, "in accordance with our contract, I summon thee now! Come forth Monobeasts!"
The video switched to a camera hidden outside the courthouse where the ground surrounding the steps leading to the large structure began shaking violently. As members of the military and police were storming the building to retake it from Ultimate Despair. The stairs outside the courthouse exploded, sending stone and the authorities flying into the air, but before the dust could clear a mechanical howl was heard freezing the blood of the civilians who had gathered outside the courthouse for Suzaku's trial. Knightpolice Units repurposed Glasgows for police units, and Sutherlands were attacked by anti-tank canon that swiftly destroyed them one by one before a mechanical object flew out of the hole and into the air.
Bullets from a pair of mini-guns tore through the ranks of police and soldiers outside while causing indiscriminate damage and destruction in their wake. Then another attack came when large chunks of broken stone were tossed at the advancing crowd of police and military soldiers.
At last, the dust cleared and as it did the mechanical object that flew out of the gigantic hole that nearly destroyed the entrance to the courthouse hovered behind four mechanical robots. They were the size of a Knightmare Frame, but except one, all of them were designed based on an animal.
The Eagle Monobeast was designed after an eagle with metallic dark gray wings that moved and flap similar to those of a real bird, but some unknown feature was allowing the mechanical bird to hover in place. It possessed blazing red eyes and a predatory appearance with mini-guns in place for feet on its legs and it had missile launchers on its back. It was slightly smaller than the average Knightmare Frame, but it was fast and surprisingly agile despite its odd yet strangely aerodynamic design.
Next in line was the Snake Monobeast, which had obliviously a long serpentine body, composed of interconnected mechanical blocks of metal. It appeared to be the less obviously armed of the machines, but it wasn't any less dangerous as a lack weight, and its long flexible body gave it considerable speed and agility as well. It had a vice-like mouth with two large razor-sharp fangs were strong enough to puncture armor plating. Its color was a dark-gold like color, but a large blade on the tip of its tail.
The Tiger Monobeast was larger in size than a Knightmare Frame, due partly to its quadruped design. It had a pale yellow metallic color with dark brown incorporated into it, but its brighter color scheme didn't make it look any less dangerous with razor sharp claws on its feet for scaling walls and tearing into enemy machines. Its fangs could easily crush a cockpit block while the movable turret-like railgun on its back could destroy most enemy machines and vehicles with one shot.
The fourth machine, the Horse Monobeast, was similar in design to the Tiger Monobeast. The difference was that it was a darker brown in color with a long neck to make it look more like a horse. It lacked any noticeable weapons save for the curved blade on the top of its head, but it had concealed machine guns next to its front legs, and it could fire chaos-mines out of concealed grenade launchers on its back.
The final Monobeast was designed with a humanoid body, but its massive hands made it appear more like a gorilla than a human thus it was dubbed the Gorilla Monobeast. Its arms, legs, and back were heavily armored, but it had a vulnerable spot that was revealed when standing up on its two legs around the lower torso. It walked around on all fours, but it could stand up on its two rear legs during combat as its large hands were designed for grabbing, tossing and crushing foes with their enormous strength. The mechanical hands were heavily armored plated for both protection and increased destructive potential. Its body was a dull steel color, and it had one red glowing eye on its head.
The five machines stood together menacingly before the Tiger Monobeast let out a bone-chilling mechanical howl followed by the Gorilla Monobeast letting out a mechanical shriek before pounding on its chest while in an upright position in a very animalistic fashion. The people who had gathered to see the trial proceed from the outside began to flee, shoving and knocking one another down while at the same time trampling over anyone unfortunate enough to have fallen to the ground. The remaining Sutherlands and police units in the area converged on the five machines intending to destroy them, but the bullets from the guns carried by the soldiers and police officers harmlessly bounced off their metallic bodies.
The Horse Monobeast attacked, but by launching its curved blade from the top of its head as it began flying on its own power using the same device built into it that kept the Eagle Monobeast afloat. Soaring through the air like a boomerang it tore into the ranks of soldiers and police officers trying in vain to destroy the machines, but sadly civilians nearby were caught in the attack and viciously decapitated as well.
It was a bloodbath, and it was about to get worse.
Within minutes word was received that there were members of Ultimate Despair launching different attacks in major cities around Japan with their targets being Osaka, Kyushu, Kyoto, Kobe, Sapporo, and Sendai. The attacks include frighteningly well-coordinated bombings upon government buildings, police precincts, and military installations. The military facilities were hit the hardest with semi trucks hauling trailers filled with enough liquid Sakuradite to inflict grievous damage to them by parking them in old subway tunnels that ran below the base. The leaders of Area 11 military and police were overwhelmed by the suddenness of these attacks, but the worst part was the horrifying level of planning and precision needed for a plan of such scale.
It was the most terrifying act of terrorism in Area 11 history, which was now coupled with the utter failure of its government to apprehend the assassin of Area 11's Viceroy.
The fact they were proven to be powerless against Ultimate Despair only made it much worse.
Junko was beside herself, her pleasure was oblivious, and with her maniacal laughter echoing throughout the control room which was reflected though Monokuma.
Thank you, Lelouch, for helping me make this possible. You brought the chaos, and I shall reap and savor their despair!
Monokuma walked out of the courthouse and onto the devastated street, although the bear and his men used a side entrance because the main entrance was destroyed. The two-tone bear was laughing, but Monokuma wasn't done yet as a white van approached. After it came to a stop, two members of Ultimate Despair emerged from the back double doors with a tied up former General Bartley. The once high ranking general had been stripped of his uniform and was wearing a prisoner uniform. Following Clovis's demise, Bartley was arrested by Jeremiah having used the incident, because he and the other staff officers left Clovis alone, to seize control of Area 11 from him.
Bartley panicked when he saw Monokuma prompting him to struggle desperately, but it was in vain.
"Since Suzaku isn't going to be executed tonight, so let's execute the most incompetent officer in Area 11!"
"NO," Bartley cried out as the blood drained from his face, "Please don't do this!"
"Too bad, so sad. You screwed up in more ways than one, and I am not talking about the fact you and your buddies left Clovis alone to be killed." Monokuma pointed out as the Eagle Monobeast hovered closer. "You couldn't catch me, heck you barely caught ANY of the major resistance groups and don't get me started on the shady stuff you and Clovis were doing."
Bartley was horrified, but not because of his impending fate because of the fact Monokuma seemed aware of Code-R.
"Anyway, let's get started...IT'S PUNISHMENT TIME!"
That was when Bartley noticed his feet had been covered in quick-drying cement while a metal pole was stuck into the ground by two members of Ultimate Despair so they could secure Bartley to it ensuring he would be standing during his execution.
Bartley struggled against his bonds while screaming and sobbing for help. Monokuma leaped up onto the Eagle Monobeast, standing on its back while holding its head with one hand before pointing his gravel at Bartley.
From within a pair of concealed compartments on its wings a couple of large Gatling Guns, one equipped on each, began to assemble themselves on movable arms as the robot took aim at its terrified target.
With a wave of his hammer, the Monobeast opened fire, virtually shredding Bartley into small slivers of meat within seconds until nothing was left save for bits of him and blood stains on the ground. The shots from the Monobeast's twin Gatling Guns were so powerful anything behind Bartley was moved down along with a street-side store having then torn apart by the storm of high-velocity bullets.
Bartley's bloody demise was televised for everyone to see.
"This feeling of hopelessness," Monokuma said with both hands on his stomach with a pleased expression. "Yes, this is that wonderful feeling of total despair Bartley felt before I made hamburger out of him."
Monokuma began sniffing the air.
"I could go for a hamburger with a big helping of despair; oh the air is thick with it."
The two-tone bear turned to the camera.
"Area 11 belongs to Ultimate Despair and me, so my followers spread and experience despair to your heart's content."
The broadcast ended with Monokuma's exuberant laughter as his Monobeasts rampaged, aided by his followers, though the Tokyo Settlement.
Thankfully the ghettos were left alone, but Ashford Academy was left untouched as well as Junko directed her followers to ravage the wealthy districts of the Settlement. The rampaging of the Monobeasts allowed Lelouch, Kallen, Suzaku and Ohgi retreat to Shinjuku Ghetto without, thankfully, much difficulty. The group arrived at an abandoned movie theater where Ohgi and Kallen convened with the rest of the members of their resistance cell. Lelouch and Suzaku were meeting privately inside one of the crumbling theaters, but unknown to Suzaku the Ultimate Solider was hiding in the shadow of the rafters above Lelouch. Mukuro would intervene if Suzaku tried to attack him.
After Suzaku removed the collar from his neck, Lelouch spoke as he stood near Suzaku.
"It looks like they treated you rather roughly. Now you know what Britannia is really like, Private Kururugi. Britannia is rotten. If you wish to bring change to this world, then join me." Lelouch said extending his right hand towards him.
Suzaku glared daggers at Zero. "So, is it true? Are you really the one who killed Prince Clovis?"
Lelouch was annoyed with the sudden question, but he didn't show it. "This is war. Why wouldn't I kill an enemy commander?"
"And the gas? Those were civilians out there."
"A bluff to help things along. The result, not a single death."
At least until Monokuma became involved.
Suzaku seemed troubled by the words Zero spoke. "The result? That's all that matters to you, I suppose."
"Come join me," Zero said making his offer to the young man again. "The Britannia you serve is a worthless dominion."
"Maybe that's true, but," Suzaku hesitated at first but then spoke. "But this nation, it can be changed for the better, and from within."
Lelouch was surprised by this as he wasn't expecting it.
"And any ends gained through contemptible means aren't worth anything," Suzaku said before proceeding to leave intending to exit through the large hole in the back of the theater where a movie screen once stood.
"Wait," Lelouch demanded quickly, "Where are you going?"
"My court-martial begins in an hour," Suzaku said, but neither he nor Lelouch was presently aware of what had happened at the courthouse. None of them had a television on hand during their escape.
Lelouch was livid, "Damn, are you mad? The only reason they're giving you a trial is to find you guilty. The judge, the prosecution, and defense."
The young man was unconcerned. "Rules are rules. And if I don't go, they'll start cracking down on Elevens and honorary Britannians."
"But you'll die."
"I don't mind."
"Don't be an idiot."
Suzaku smiled as those words brought Lelouch to mind. "An old friend of mine always used to tell me that. He'd say I was a fool. It's my weakness, I guess."
The young man turned around to face Zero.
"I'd try to bring you in, but you'd just end up killing me. And If I'm going to die, it'll be in the service of the people." Suzaku turned around to leave. "Even so, I thank you...for saving me."
Lelouch was stunned into silence, but it was clear nothing he could say would sway Suzaku.
Mukuro emerged from her hiding place and slowly approached the masked young man.
"Should I stop him?"
Lelouch considered it for a moment until, "No, let the fool go."
Lelouch returned home, although he was forced to take an alternate route to reach the academy due to the chaos engulfing the Toyko Settlement. Thankfully Mukuro accompanied him the way home after the two found a safe place for Lelouch to change out of his Zero attire and back into regular civilian clothes before returning to Ashford Academy.
On their way back though Lelouch and Mukuro listened to a news report about what had happened after he had rescued Suzaku thanks to a pocket radio, Mukuro had brought with her.
It was then Lelouch discovered that Suzaku of all people had been the pilot of the white Knightmare Frame that had cost him the tactical victory in Shinjuku Ghetto. The irony that he had rescued the one person who had ruined his plans in Shinjuku Ghetto wasn't lost on him, but now that Suzaku had gone back to the Britannians the possibility of facing that White Knightmare frame was high.
As they entered the Student Council clubhouse news about Suzaku was current status was released.
"Yes, apparently. Private Kururugi has made contact with the authorities. It would seem the Zero has released him. However now that the original charges against him have been thrown into question, it is certain that Kururugi will be found innocent and acquitted."
Mukuro turned off the radio.
"I guess Suzaku will be alright, but the next time you two meet on the battlefield?"
"Don't finish that," Lelouch said as his voice was stout with a hint of anger to it.
Upon learning about Suzaku having been the pilot of the Lancelot his feelings were mixed. It didn't help matters recalling Suzaku's intent to change the system from within.
"Nice to see you guys make it back," Junko said appearing at the top of the stairs, "it has really gone to hell out there!"
"Fortunately most of the riots and attacks are happening in the wealthier residential areas," Mukuro noted before turning to Lelouch. "As long as they don't move in this direction we should be fine."
"What's wrong with you," Junko inquired looking at Lelouch who didn't seem to be in a good mood, "I assume it has something to do with Suzaku being the pilot of that machine that kicked our asses in Shinjuku?"
Lelouch said nothing, but Junko already knew this to be the case. She would've preferred to have kept the news that Suzaku was the pilot of the Lancelot for much longer. On the other hand, seeing Lelouch struggling with the idea he would not only have to fight a dear friend, but he would have to kill his friend for his goals to succeed."
Such an act will bring such despair to Lelouch, and if things don't head to a death match, I'll just have to push it in the right direction.
"I just want to rest," Lelouch said sternly as he was apparently in no mood to discuss it.
Junko wasn't bothered, and she would have time to talk with him tomorrow.
"Alright, but I think your sister has been staying awake. She has been waiting for you to come home."
The trio approached the door before Lelouch noted, "I'll assure her I am fine and then help her to bed."
After he opened the door, Lelouch walked in followed by Junko and Mukuro.
"Sorry I am late Nunnally, but," Lelouch began, but a greeting from the last person he expected caused him to pause.
"Welcome home Lelouch!" The green haired woman from Shinjuku Ghetto said as she was calmly sitting down next to Nunnally. The two had spent time making origami together to pass the time until Lelouch had returned home.
Mukuro didn't recognize her; however, she was confused when she turned to Lelouch and Junko. Not only did the two seem to remember her, but both of them looked at the green haired woman with eyes as wide as saucers. If this had been a cartoon, then the scene would've had the jaws of Lelouch and Junko comically drop through the floor.
Lelouch and Junko were still in shock at seeing someone who should've been dead alive allowing Nunnally to speak breaking the silence.
"I'm so glad. I was worried."
The green haired woman spoke as she finished making a paper crane. "I'm assuming you ate out tonight judging from your appearance. I guess your two friends were with you the whole time?"
"Thank goodness. I thought maybe you've gotten caught up in all the uproar caused by that man Zero, and then that terrible Monokuma began rampaging downtown." Nunnally said worryingly. "I tried calling you, but you didn't answer your cell phone. I wanted to tell you Ms. C.C.'s been waiting as well."
Lelouch muttered the name, "C.C.?"
The younger of the siblings chuckled, "Your friend goes by such an unusual name, only her initials."
"Yeah she does," the former prince commented.
"I wanted to thank you Junko for being with my brother and you too Mukuro," Nunnally thanked with a sweet smile, "because you are there too right?"
"Uh yes, we were," Mukuro answered quickly.
"No problem," Junko replied with a toothy smile, "because without us your brother would've been in all kinds of trouble."
To a casual observer, the smile Junko had would've appeared to be one of gratitude, but she was smiling for a different reason.
This just got very interesting, so very interesting indeed.
Monokuma Theater:
Monokuma could be seen standing before a trio of pink colored doors. Each door had a different letter marking it which were; A, B, and C printed on each door from left to to the sadistic bear was a trembling Yasuhiro, but even though he wanted to run the terrified fortune teller couldn't.
"Thank you all for voting," Monokuma thanked as he held a black envelope in one hand. "Now it is time for Yasuhiro to live or die."
"LIVE," Yasuhiro said with tears streaming down his face, "I WANT TO LIVE!"
"Then all you got to do is pick the right door because your predictions are right thirty percent of the time." The two-tone bear said gesturing towards the three doors.
"LET ME OUT OF HERE!" Yasuhiro shouted as he attempted to open door A, but it sprouted legs and ran away. He tried to open door B, but the same thing happens, and the door grows legs before running away.
With one door left Yasuhiro was hesitant to open it when it suddenly transformed into a mouth full of razor-sharp teeth before reaching out and devouring him.
"Needless to say the fans chose to give Yasuhiro the ax, but the poll results will be up on the author's profile for all to see. But stay tuned, because we'll have a new poll where this time a Code Geass character will be up on the chopping block, but this time you'll have to choose between two of them."
Before leaving the stage, Monokuma turned to the audience for one last time.
"It will go up with the posting of the next chapter so stay tuned, however speaking of the next chapter I am going to be fighting someone next chapter," Monokuma announced before putting on a pair of boxing gloves. "Oh and how Yasuhiro actually meets his fate in that chapter will be revealed too."
A/N: The poll is now closed, and Yasuhiro's fate has been chosen, but he won't go out without a fight at least. And no he isn't the one who Monokuma is fighting, but someone else I am sure some of you might suspect.
C.C. has joined the group, and with Lelouch departing to attend Hope's Peak Academy soon he'll need to figure out what to do with her.
Meanwhile, Junko's plans are moving right along, and Lelouch is really going to have to step up his game.
The game Class 77 played was not only based on Friday the 13th video game but also some of the Let's Plays of the game done by Achievement Hunter. I might some additional the gang playing video game scenes later in the story when it feels appropriate.
I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter with Monokuma taking advantage of Zero's debut to spread chaos and despair across Japan, so now there will be a competition to see who earns the top spot for Britannia's number one most wanted.
Not to mention Cornelia is going to have a HUGE mess to clean up when she arrives, and it makes you wonder what will happen to Jeremiah.
I thank you in advance for your reviews/feedback.