Hello one and all, another chapter is here, and my longest one yet. I do hope you enjoy. I'm sorry it's taken a while, but I needed some time to deal with real life issues like depression, and set up the story board for the following events, which are looking snazzy if I do say so myself. The next chapter shouldn't actually be all too long of a wait, as I am eager to begin. But no promises, life is rarely fair.
Disclaimer: Does anyone even read these or care? Either way, don't own anything that I don't own.
"I'm reporting live from the scene, a hijacking in progress suspected to be perpetrated by the Rising Moon criminal element here in our city. The ship behind me was boarded by the soldiers stationed here on pier three of our humble dock as the alarms were triggered, but as of this moment the transport has left the dock in an attempt to escape. Military response teams are in the air above us, and we'll have footage from our helicopter shortly." The blonde woman spoke from the scene of the incident, standing in front of the camera with the tanker in question behind, in the process of being surrounded by gunboats and helicopters. An example of the worst hijacking in history.
"From what we have already gathered though, this hijacking was attempted by one person who stormed the ships bridge and demanded its departure. However its execution has severely underestimated Britannian response times and capabilities. More on this as it unfolds." The screen went blank as the news flickered to something else while the military proceeded to act in the background, waiting until there was something further to report, while in the room itself another event of note was taking place.
The people who were present represented some of the most influential partners in Japan, each dedicated to the support of the resistance groups through the financial security Britannia so kindly offered them for their silence and business. It was no secret to Britannia what they spent their money on, but neither cared, the fact is they had gathered once again to discuss budgeting. The Kyoto Group was here to discuss the Rising Moon, and the success or failure of whatever it was they happened to be planning would determine the support they offered.
That to be said, they were thoroughly disappointed by the scene unfolding, they already had die hard fanatics willing to fight like this, and worse still is they didn't even seem to be good at it. The news flicked back to the woman standing in front of the barge in the distance, "We've just received reports that the barge has been cleared of hostile personnel without a shot fired. The crew reports a masked figure having been the one to hold them at gunpoint and make their demands before shortly leaving after the military responded. We ask all citizens to keep an eye out for a masked individual in red. However the quick abandoning of their heist does leave one to wonder how committed this 'Rising Moon' truly are to their cause."
The television was clicked off, and the members seated about the table waited, each uncertain how to respond, not wanting to be the first voice to fill the silence in their chamber under Mt Fuji. Eventually the silence was broken as it always was, "We can't seriously be considering offering them aid? Their performance there was poor, one person to hijack a ship? It's either sloppy or foolhardy, and either way it didn't pay off." A chorus of agreements was uttered around the table. Before silence resumed, and the eldest of their members spoke up.
"True. But it makes you question what their true target was, does it not? We've already seen their efficiency in that truck heist. We saw their dedication to publicity in that broadcast. We know they are resourceful individuals newly taking the stage, yet they falter here? I propose we invite them to meet with us, no more, no less. Let us see for ourselves truly, without the masks of deception we wear for the Britannians what's happening here." The elderly japanese man spoke with conviction and purpose, attempting to sway the others into looking further. He for one was most interested in this new organisation and he hoped the others would at least be inclined to meet this mysterious group.
A vote was taken, the opinions were gathered, and as the news settled, so too was the decision. The Kyoto Group would be sending an invitation to The Rising Moon to judge the value and merit of possibly supporting this new resistance faction which many were uncertain how to judge.
(Line Break)
A bottle smashed against the wall of a pristine office, alcohol left to drip down the paint as the shards of glass glittered in the plush carpet. The bottled up rage having exploded in fury and physical displays which caused the woman's advisors to flinch as they had just delivered the news they were privy to. An entire shipment of energy fillers, military grade, had been stolen. Three lorries to exact, and each one capable of carrying fifty of the valuable batteries, used to power knightmare frames.
And all of this had happened under their noses as a hostage situation aboard a hijacked ship had taken place not far from where it started. The military having been kidnapped from their stationed barracks as the lorries left the facility one after another and disappeared out of the city without resistance. Initial sweeps from the air having yet to locate them. "Find the ones responsible. Now!" The countess rarely lost her composure, but when she did, heads typically rolled, and each of the advisors were quick to heed her orders.
Once left to her own company, the woman dropped into the chair behind her, the strength in her form sapped by the incompetence of the day. "Baby rat. Baby rat, what a nuisance you are." She knew the ones responsible, there were few that could match her intellect in the country, not even their Viceroy held that privilege. It was that child, she was sure of it, and the intelligence gathered by her agent only supported her theory. Even without a clear picture of their face, the figure was too similar, their mind too sharp to be anyone else. The only thing that baffled her was the how, how they were capable of walking through their broadcast centre as they did.
But it simply didn't matter, she'd find the how when she caught her test subject, and she would have them. After all, they owed her for the disruption of her private projects, the theft of her military assets, and the headache caused by the moaning nobility about some disruption caused in the ghettos which she was certain was merely another criminal element this 'Rising Moon' had preyed upon. But she was paid to keep them safe as they did business, their business, illegal or not kept her projects funded.
With the thought of her projects, her mind went to her agent, they had done well so far, not great, but it had not been long enough to truly judge if they were a success or failure. She would give them more time to prove themself. He, she, it, whatever they called themself, they were a tool, and she had so far spent a lot of time and money on that project, results were necessary and with that thought, she placed a call to the secure number of her operative.
"L-Lady Aethelind." The voice answered, they knew it was her, there was only one with this number after all. Only one that knew of their role, their purpose or existence. But the woman couldn't help but sigh at the greeting, it'd be all that much harder for them to prove themself it seemed, she could still smell the weakness on them from here, even after all the tools she had gifted them. The androgynous voice was shy and quiet, not decidedly feminine or masculine, almost child like. If only they were as strong as that other child, then perhaps she'd be less disappointed in her project.
"What have I told you about stuttering Kuro? It projects weakness." More stuttering was the woman's only answer, unintelligible stuttering, and she could only ask the emperor for strength in those moments before she cut them off before they could truly start. "I have a new mission for you, the objective is the same, but this one will take decidedly longer. None the less, you know how to operate. There is a child, estimations place her between twelve and sixteen, no older, no younger, female, raven black hair, violet eyes. Possible mixed heritage, but questionable, she does show too much intelligence for normal numbers, but then again, she could merely be an outlier. The target you tracked earlier is believed to be the same girl. I have suspicions she is leading a resistance faction, you are to find her, infiltrate the faction if possible and when intel is gathered on the core of this group, you are to bring her to me. Should infiltration not be possible, then simply proceed with phase two. You are authorised to do whatever necessary to gain access to this cell, deep cover protocols are in effect. Am I understood?"
"Y-yes mot-... I-I mean... Countess A-Aethelind." The stuttering soul on the other end replied, another sigh and drop of disappointment added to the sea of distaste she held for the individual on the other end. But she held such feelings at bay, after all, the Prime Minister himself had helped fund her experiments, it would not do to allow personal petty emotions to cloud her reactions and treatment of the only successful candidate, however you might define 'success' in this case.
"Very well. Dismissed." The call ended without another second wasted, and all she could think about was the thoughts of this new cell of terrorists. Their leader, if she was who she thought they were, they would likely make another candidate, a more successful one even. Number, or half breed, she'd give them worth, give them power, in the end they would thank her and she'd finally have something that didn't disappoint her at every turn. With the added effect of removing what little strength this group had left after their almost complete annihilation days before.
"Baby rat, baby rat... Where are you now." The countess mused aloud, unable to tear her thoughts from her wandering scientific ponderings. Content to leave the business of running her city until first light, she'd had enough of incompetence for one day, and didn't need to be reminded of the further levels of idiocy on paper in the circles of her own management under her.
(Line Break)
Two days had passed since the rendezvous time, the team had yet to hear from their most critical member and it left some of them more concerned than others. Surprisingly among the less concerned were that members own family, Penny who simply seemed to have unwavering childlike faith in her older sister, and Yuuto who simply shrugged and reassured Anya that nothing could keep Nixie down, for better or worse. She didn't know quite what to make of it, but Anya took their faith with a pinch of salt, she gathered the child was tough and had survived a lot in the short span most others did not. But none the less, it had been three days since the night of the heist, and she was starting to grow most concerned.
The groups only comfort happened to be that there was no announcement that she was captured, to the officials, their heist had gone off without a hitch, and a hundred and fifty power cells were loaded in their storage bunker of sorts with that strange project of Yuki's. "Look, all I'm saying is how do we know she isn't dead? She fucking took a cargo ship hostage for crying out loud. That wasn't in the plan, so much for non-violence, and there's no way she escaped that without shooting her way out. It's impossible." Hikiri shouted across the briefing room, Anya who was seated in the boss's chair with her head in her hands just sighed. It'd been two days of this.
Two days of wild conjecture and theories about being sold out, or hung out to dry, left to fend for themselves or her capture or death. And frankly, the entire team was sick of it, the only reason Hiro hadn't already socked him one was likely due to the fact Penny had stuck even closer to the man, imitating him all the closer and he took that commitment to train her seriously. She respected that he didn't want her picking up any bad habits, but truth be told, Anya was considering just doing it herself if he didn't shut up.
They were all worried, even the two youngest members who claimed otherwise, they were all worried, they didn't need Hikiri adding to that. But what could they do exactly. They couldn't file a missing persons report exactly, and only Penny had been allowed to leave, not that any of them could exactly stop her if she was forbidden otherwise. But neither Penny or Anya's own contacts could find her, Nixie had simply dropped off the map.
The only news from Jack had been that the Kyoto Group had left a message for them to find, and the meeting was tomorrow if they were to respond. This was an opportunity they couldn't miss, but how could Anya face them alone, she wasn't the brains of their operation. This was too serious for her. "Just shut up okay Hikiri, she might have betrayed you, or even me, but Yuuto and Penny are still here, she wouldn't leave them. And you're not helping anyone by suggesting she's..."
Yuki had for once raised his voice, but despite it all, none of them wanted to hear the end of that sentence, not even Yuki. It simply died in his throat, the breath originally meant to shape the words expelled into the black scarf, a sign of his worry, and possible mourning taking place. "Right, tomorrow is the deadline, we need to be at these co-ordinates for the pick up if we're going to meet the Kyoto Group, they're big investors in groups like ours. We need to discuss what to do if she isn't back by then." Anya's sombre tone attempted to take charge, be the leader she was required to be.
"Simple. Don't go. But that'd be her response even if she was here." A voice by the door grabbed their attention as seven heads turned as one to the girl dressed in civilian clothes looked to have been borrowed from someone several sizes too large was dripping water over their floor. Their left arm hanging limp before their leader just turned and headed to her room, leaving a collection of stunned faces.
All as one, the team flooded out the briefing room to follow their leader who trailed water wherever she went, barefoot muddy footprints also leading them to the room where she was stripped, the soggy clothes in a lump in the bin as a towel had been wrapped around her small form as best as she could with one arm. Anya stepped into the room first, followed closely by Yuuto and Penny, the latter of which practically jumped the older girl with her hug, pushing them both down onto the bed as the others entered the room. There was silence for a minute as Penny monopolised the girl's attention with her affectionate greeting, simply snuggling into her sister as if afraid she was going to disappear again.
"What do you mean, don't go?" Anya finally broke the silence, she wasn't going to question their leader's position, but she needed to understand where this was coming from, she was back for five minutes, had heard possibly a sentence or two and had already come to a decision on something critical. And Anya had to admit, she was afraid the answer was going to be rooted in something petty like exhaustion, but she had to know. They all did.
Nixie turned tired eyes onto the group gathered at the door, her one armed hug of her sister allowing her to prop her chin up on the girl's head to stare at them all. "Simple. Don't go. They don't invest in groups like ours. They've never met a group like ours. We're thieves, not terrorists. They'll do what they always try to do, own us, that's what they do, they fund cells, back and support them with financial aid in an attempt to organise them with one another. Putting them in their pocket. We aren't what they're looking for, and they simply don't realise it yet."
Nixie simply collapsed backwards onto the bed completely, no longer sparing the strength to sit upright as she closed her eyes and simply held her sister closer. Hikiri's thoughts could practically be heard before they even came out his mouth from the way he was stewing in the corner of their eye. "What the hell! You're gone for three days, disappeared out of the blue after some bullshit plan, show up for five minutes, and then dismiss the fruit of our hard labour? This is our chance with the big leagues and you just want to throw it away? And why the hell should we even trust you any more after that stunt, let alone make our decisions for us?"
"Hikiri!" Yuuto interrupted harshly, Ranta stepping between the man and the bed in case he decided to get more than verbal. Yuuto prepared to lay into Hikiri for the insults to his cousins, but before he got the chance, "Yuuto, enough. It's okay. The plan was not as you so crudely put it 'bullshit', clearly, you did after all get whatever it was you were there to steal did you not? I kidnapped the entire base personnel and cleared the path for you, therefore it worked. I did however leave out of the blue for two days. That much is indeed true. But this offer isn't what you think it is." The girl merely sighed, it was clear to all Nixie was about to crash from exhaustion.
But Nixie continued before any of them could comment. Her tone weary but patient as she explained carefully a compromise which clearly showed Anya how tired she truly was. "I'll let you all put it to a vote, if you want to go, then we shall, but if we do then you need to accept that when we get there I'll be discussing terms. And you need to accept that. Otherwise you may go without me, or not at all. We are not muscle for hire, we are not gang members hired for protection detail or ruffling feathers and pilfering goods, and if they offer us money, if they make us owe them, that's what we'll become. Nothing more, nothing less. As for why I wasn't here sooner, I'm sorry, my plan took a little longer for me to return from as I washed up down the coast from here. I stashed my uniform outside after a kind citizen lent me some clothes. Having recognised me. As for why you should trust me, I'm not the one to ask, you need to figure that out for yourself Hikiri. Besides, I can't do all the thinking for you or your head might start to collapse inwards with nothing to support it."
A small round of chuckles broke the tension as Hikiri simply stormed off, clearly not interested in keeping it up, the group having made up their mind to trust her, and he had got his way in part with the vote. The rest however stayed standing in the room, Yuuto was the first to speak up again. "Your arm?" His voice was concerned and curious, as if he didn't understand how she was injured. And to a degree Anya could accept that, it was always hard to grasp when someone important to you was injured, but this was a dangerous line of work, and she had just explained washing up on the shore. The past three days hadn't been easy on the girl.
A soft hum was his response, and for a moment they thought that was all they were going to get, until her voice gently broke the silence, halfway between sleep and consciousness. "Bullet. Arm is healed up, but it's still inside in the bone. Hurts too much to move. I'll be okay." Anya was expecting a sprain, or dislocated shoulder even, but a bullet. She was quick to respond by stepping forward to Nixie's side as she lifted the girl's shirt up to inspect her shoulder, but there was nothing there. No injury, no scars, nothing. But she didn't take her for a liar.
Yuki was next, the closest they had to a medical doctor, or doctor of any sort and while Anya could apply first aid due to enough experience, Yuki expected to be required for the trickier stuff. But there was no trickier stuff, nothing for either of them to do. Each of them looking as shocked as the other, before both of them turned to Yuuto, before glancing down at the now sleeping girl on the bed. Penny looking sheepish as she simply avoided their gaze and buried her head into her sister's other arm attempting to join her in sleep.
"There is no bullet. Not even a bruise, Yuuto, any idea what she meant?" Worry seemed to pass his features as Anya questioned him, before he simply shrugged, an unsure smile crossing his face as he tried and failed to deceive her, "Confusion? She's tired, perhaps she wasn't coherent enough and we misunderstood... Or..." His attempts were cut off by Yuki however who had probed the shoulder and their muffled voice revealed their findings.
"There's definitely something in there, under the skin, I can feel it, an old wound perhaps, a broken bone that didn't heal properly or something? I can open it up and have a look, fix her up if possible if you want Anya? Yuuto?" The typically shy man looked between them, Yuki waiting on a response from either of them, before Yuuto simply seemed to collapse under the strain of the attempts to lie, and Anya saw it, the moment flash across his face when he wanted little more than to smash his head against the doorframe. But all he did was nod to Yuki before turning back out the room. Sighing heavily as he gestured for them to follow. It was clear another of their mysterious leader's secrets were going to be revealed.
(Line Break)
Yuuto didn't know what to do exactly, he had gathered them all, even Penny who reluctantly left their sister to sleep and sat them down in their unofficial briefing room which was probably soon to become official. Each of them sat at the table waiting for him to begin as he kept looking to Penny for support or some sign that he should stop and shut up. But none came, and the group began to grow restless waiting for whatever he intended to share.
But how do you tell people immortality exist, that it isn't a dream, and exists in real life not fiction. And more so that it exists in the fourteen year old girl of Britannian royalty, an exiled princess believed dead, which led their resistance group of thieves with a tactical mind that none of them possessed. How much did he share, and how on earth do you say that without being labelled insane or crazy. It was clear his dilemma weighed on him, visible to the others as Anya simply laid a hand on his, trying to offer comfort or signal him to start. Yuuto didn't know.
"She's immortal." Yuuto simply put, it was blunt, to the point, and he just hoped to get the outcry over and done with. To simply get the bitter pill swallowed before he dealt with the aftertaste. And it was bitter, Hikiri, volatile as ever just slammed his hands onto the table and moved to leave, muttering about lying kids. But as he moved to leave he misjudged the doorway and walked into the wall. Penny revealing herself as the culprit when she took her stand.
Her chair pushed back as she turned a furious glare on the man, her left eye shimmering with a bird like symbol in red. "We're not lying. Big sis never lies to me! Never! If you don't believe Yuuto, then that's your problem. But you're not leaving until you've listened to him." Penny clearly upset with the anger and hostility, which had come to a boiling point within her aimed at Hikiri who grumbled before taking a seat, dismissing the idea of immortality, but unable to deny the abilities he'd seen and been effected by.
Yuuto simply sighed, unsure where to go from here, Hikiri's response may have been the general opinion for all he knew, but Penny's handling oft he situation kept everyone seated and waiting for the promised more that Penny told them was coming. "It's the truth, four years ago, she proved it, by cutting off her own hand before us. From what she told us, she has something called 'Code', making her immortal. She told us she got it after she first died in the war, and since then she's died a few times, I'm not exactly sure how many. Before she told us, we found her trapped in a burning building, her skin charred and burnt as she was locked in a metal cage. We had to peel her from the metal chain links, her lungs thick with smoke. I was amazed she survived, but the next morning when she recovered, she explained how. Even she doesn't fully understand it. But I do understand that without it she'd be dead by now a few times over."
He took a breath, a pause, he looked to Penny once more who simply nodded in agreement, a consent to share more about her and her sister. "It's also how Penny has her ability, and the immunity Nixie gets from it. Whatever happened that day, in the fire, as we rescued her, she was terrified, panicked and fearful, and something... For lack of a better word, 'activated', inside of her and changed Penny. Like a self defence mechanism of sorts I guess. Nixie regrets it, this 'Geass', that's what she called it, regrets ever giving it to anyone let alone her sister. Said it isolates people, can drive them mad, that it's not a power for people to have. But she can't take it back either."
"So... In all likelihood, she was shot, I don't understand the mechanics of it, neither does she. But the truth is, if she says there's a bullet in her shoulder, there probably is a bullet in her shoulder, we don't need to worry about a hospital, we just need to get it out, and let her sleep. It seems that while she can regenerate like she does, it takes energy, and unless she eats enough to sustain the drain, she just sorta... Sleeps. Her body shuts down. Like now. She likely died in the last few days, it'd explain her current predicament." Yuuto finally finished, looking up from his lap to find Anya's hand still resting on top of his own. Before he looked up to the rest of the group, trying to judge their reactions.
It was easier said than done. Hikiri had just fallen silent, and Hiro was always a stoic face. Yuki just sighed behind his scarf and stood up, mentioning going to check on his patient before leaving the room to remove the bullet most likely. Penny and Anya still offered him their support, and the hard woman seemed to be stuck in her own thoughts which while unguarded, her expression was unreadable. Rinta was the only one he could accurately read, and the young man just looked baffled, trying to accept the new reality before him like Yuuto found himself doing four years ago.
"What else?" The voice was gruff and agitated. Hikiri was the one to speak up, looking up from where he glared a hole into the table towards Yuuto, he spoke again, "There's more secrets, enough lies. What else is she hiding?" Nobody seemed to protest his line of brash questioning, Anya too deep in thought, and Rinta only provided token resistance as he placed a hand on Hikiri's shoulder. It was clear Hikiri knew there was more, and knew that they knew what it was, but was it a good sign he was asking or not, what would he say if he knew, and what would Nixie do in this situation. Yuuto simply didn't know, so he simply collapsed under the weight of secret keeping, his shoulders slumped.
"Her name isn't Nixie. Or Onix, or, Nixia... It's. Well... It's complicated, but she's, well, her name is Nixie, at least it's her nickname, a shortened version she's always gone by unless it's by her alias, like Penny's own 'Vickey'." Yuuto waited until Hikiri's patience just started to wear thin, he didn't want to share this, but the point of no return had been passed, and what do you do then. He didn't know.
"Her name is Lelonixia Vi Britannia. Younger twin to Lelouch Vi Britannia, elder sister to Nunnally Vi Britannia, daughter to Marianne, and the 98th Emperor of Britannia, she's the exiled Fourth Princess of Britannia, and declared officially dead along with her siblings who aren't as dead as she was when they last saw her. She lost them in the war, lost her second home in the war, like all of us did, please don't see just a name, please. She practically raised Penny, she renounced her title, she wants to fight Britannia like us, and her own twin brother and sister think she's dead." Yuuto could simply plead with them, that was all he could do, it was all he had left in him, he couldn't make them accept her or stay, or even not betray them. He couldn't make them do anything.
It was clear to him how much the news shocked the group by the gasp from his left, Anya having been the source of shock. The faces he was looking at, Hikiri in particular showed a flurry of emotions, the one that he feared most being the rage. At being lied to, or the fact there was a Britannian princess in the other room, Yuuto didn't know, he just hoped this group could move past it. There was nothing more he could do.
The disassembly of the meeting was a quiet and gradual affair, Rinta hurried to follow after Hikiri's fast pace to escape and process, leaving the building entirely as soon as he was 'allowed' by Penny. Rinta hot on his heels. Anya quietly excused herself to go inform Yuki of the information he missed out on, as Hiro eventually took Penny off for more practice, and that was it, that was how he was left alone in the room feeling like both the guilt of telling the truth, and lying in the first place, caught between two sides and fearing for the future.
(Line Break)
"I already knew." Anya couldn't help but stare in shock, those three words from her friend, her ally halted all thoughts in her head as she sat in the room across from Yuki who was surgically removing the bullet that was, as predicted, still lodged under her flesh in the bone which has knitted shut around it. Yuki had been her friend for years, not like Hiro, not like many of the gang to be honest. Yuki had been a nerd at school, she'd known them since they convinced him to make stuff for them so long ago.
Back then it was simpler things, like fixing up stolen power for the hangout, or gas bombs for turf wars, or any of the other things they could be put to. Yuki was a genius in his own right, and while shy and reserved, having always hidden his face away behind a scarf, he grew most comfortable around the Black Spiders. He was her friend, and he knew their new leader was a Britannian Princess, and didn't think to tell them. Didn't judge it relevant. It left her flabbergasted at how to respond, the normally almost stoic woman was left floundering.
Yuki didn't even have to look up to know it was happening, he just kept searching for fragments of bullet that didn't come out before running a makeshift metal detector over Lelonixia's body for anything else that needed removing that she may have picked up over the years. "Didn't think it really mattered. She saved our lives remember, you met her when she was a child. She's stuck back against the imperial empire, and frankly I'm not surprised why. The immortality is a bit of a stretch, perhaps she'll let me run some experiments if I ask nicely?"
Anya simply didn't know what to say, she just sat there, lost. Anya had put her faith in Nixie, a child no less, to be her boss, to be their leader and she had betrayed them without a single action. And a part of her felt that she couldn't help but be held accountable as well, it was her support that led them all to this position, it was her fault that they willingly followed royalty. So she simply sat there silently, still trying to process the situation, all the while the normally silent and reserved Yuki contentedly got on with his work, positively fascinated by the rate of regeneration.
"I get it, I do. You feel like your world has been upended, I get it Anya, but it hasn't. Nothing's changed. She didn't keep it a secret to be malicious, she kept it to spare you all this feeling that you have right now. Nixie was selfish, that's true. No matter how justified she felt in hiding who she was, no matter how she tried to explain it, in the end, it was selfish. But we all have that side to us Anya. We all have a side to us that we're ashamed to show, afraid of, or not proud of, and we can justify it all we like and we can convince ourselves, and might convince others. But it's just a selfish desire to show others the best of us." Yuki sighed for a long drawn out moment before packing away his tools. He wasn't a medical doctor, but the gang has its fair share of injuries back in the day, he was just grateful this patient wasn't at risk from his skills or in need of stitching back up.
"I never told anyone this, but I was part of the team that helped refine Sakuradite into the instrument for powering knightmare frames it is today. Back then I was idealistic on what good this power could do for the world, I was only an apprentice brought in on one of the teams for an early prototype. But I helped crack it, the key to the next generation of warfare. Every time I see a Glasgow I see a piece of my own handiwork involved. I didn't work on that model, it's how I knew the princess in fact, I saw her when our test pilot, her mother, worked with the team I was a member of. She was younger then. But she still went by Nixie, her hair and eyes just as distinctive. Perfect mix of her mother and father, just like her brother. When the team I was a part of was chopped up following the death of her mother, well, my research was no longer 'my' research. Every model of Knightmare we know of has a tiny piece of my work. Not much, but a part of me wonders every day if I didn't do that, didn't become the nerd that I am, would any of this have happened?" Yuki rambled on, lost in the memories of his own sins. Entrusting them to his best friend, or possibly 'only' friend. Anya simply a silent listener to his confession, today seemed to be the day for truth.
"But, that's different. I mean. You did such a small thing, someone else would have done it anyway. I mean. You never told us about this Yuki, but it doesn't matter. Look at everything you're doing now, you could be living it up as a research assistant as an honorary britannian, and you're here in a ghetto with us. That counts for something right?" Anya looked up from her lap besieging for something to help her understand the constant revelations one after the other. First her boss, now her friend. Who next, did Hiro have a dark past too.
Yuki sighed before he gripped his bag with both hands, looking down on the still sleeping teenager who was as healthy as could be for someone in a self induced coma. "Doesn't what she's done also count for something too? She didn't commit her sins, she was born with a name and that makes her your enemy. She's choosing to be here, she could try and go back, or lay low and live a life. But I will say, everything I've heard today about her family, it makes me understand her approach all the better. She doesn't care if you're Britannian or Japanese, Anya, and I think perhaps that's an approach we need to consider too? I mean, none of us can help the blood in our veins." And with that, Yuki offered a small shrug of his shoulders and left the room. Letting Anya mull things over in peace.
Anya simply stared at the frail body of the small girl laid out on the bed, the small immortal girl, the small immortal princess of her most hated enemy. The same small girl she met four years ago, and desperately tried to protect a clearly Japanese 'sister' who she'd all but adopted as her own. Here with a Japanese cousin to match in a Japanese resistance group. She didn't know what to think, the whole thing still left Anya lost and confused, but she knew that she was going to spend all night thinking about it.
(Line Break)
Outside two forms continued to practice, the larger guiding the younger as she moved, attempting to slowly guide her into muscle memory through practice of the forms. It hadn't been long since Hiro had taken Penny as an apprentice, but in the days they spent together, he had found her a most attentive student. While hyperactive and eager, she approached every lesson with a calm mind, capable of separating her personality with the mindset required to take this seriously.
Things were slow, simple stances for the most basic of forms to build the bedrock of everything that would come to follow. But she never complained once, at least so far, and they found themselves in a peaceful silence working through the revelations of earlier together through physical exercise. No unnecessary words were exchanged during practice as they continued to follow through with the motions of every stance and transition.
That was, until it grew dark, the sun beginning to set, and the practice beginning to wind down, the two finally ceased their training and Hiro felt ready to approach the subject of discussion for the day. "You aren't her sister are you." His tone was final and it wasn't a question, it was blunt, but it was his way of starting this conversation, waiting for Penny to react so he might watch her reaction and judge for himself the situation they were in. Her reaction would be more telling than any words could be.
Penny simply shrugged, taking another gulp of water before sitting down on a piece of rubble, the ghetto quiet and peaceful around them as it was caught between the day time activity and nightlife that prowled. "Not in blood. But she was there form me ever since I can remember. Mama told me to hide in a closet until she came to get me. I know that much. But I don't remember what happened, or who I was, or anything beyond why I was in that closet. Nixie found me when I was little, and she's only two years older. And she took care of me, even named me. What more proof do you need that she's my sister?" She looked up from where she was seated. Offering a small smile, not entirely happy, but content, as if it saddened her by what she didn't even know she had lost, but Hiro could read the happiness she had found at least.
Her words were truthful, her reaction honest and unthreatening. Truth be told, he was uncertain what to make of it all still, but while he didn't know the Princess, or their Boss, or who Nixie truly was. He was beginning to learn at least that whoever this girl was, she had a kind heart. He would see for himself how long that would last and where it would take her. "Very well, as my pupil's sister I shall hold reservation and judge her on her actions. Let us see if she holds the same promise in being our leader, as you do in being my student. Come along." With that he turned to head inside, the small illusionist quick to fall into step by his side.
(Line Break)
When Nixie finally awoke the next morning, Yuuto quietly greeted her, and informed the girl of what had happened while she had been unconscious, the turmoil it had caused and the secrets he spilt. The look of remorse and guilt on his face removed any thought of condemning his actions, it had been a hard decision to make, and regrettably Nixie knew she had unwillingly put him in that position. So she did what she typically did in that situation, gave him a hug and considered how best to approach the new situation. Life wasn't fair, life didn't go to plan, and sometimes life gives you nothing but horrible options.
But Nixie knew what to do in these situations by now, she knew when the horrible options were all that she faced, you picked the best one that you can use, and you made it an advantage. Right now though, she needed to see how the other members viewed and judged her, that alone would determine how she proceeded, and as she got dressed in her uniform that had been recovered and cleaned for the meeting, she hesitated for a moment before exiting the room.
There in the living room were all the members of the organisation dressed and ready to impress, at least that was the goal for them as they were soon to head to the rendezvous point to meet with the influencial backers known at the Kyoto Group. All the members at least, bar two. Even Yuki was in full uniform with the accessory of a black scarf wrapped around his neck, concealing his face like always. It was Hikiri and Rinta that were missing, and it wasn't unnoticed.
Her helmet was held under her arm, tucked under the cloak like nature of her overcoat as she cast her gaze downwards, unsure exactly how to say what she had to say. "I'm sorry I never told you all sooner, it's not a past I'm proud of, it's not a name I take joy in possessing. I never chose the brothers and sisters I have, or my life in the Villa, but, I chose to come here, to Japan, to protect my brother from his own stupidity, to follow my sister. I came for my family, not the emperor, but those I care about. Family isn't defined by blood, it just gives us the starting point to decide where to go next. I made new family here, and I want all of you to be my family too."
"I never told you all because I was scared of judgement and racism that I'm trying to stop. I still am scared of it. I'm afraid right now one of you will decide to just up and leave, that I'm not good enough, or worse, I'm your enemy. But, it's because of that fear I can at least assure you I'm going to do everything in my power to help people. Because I understand it. And because I won't stand idly by any more while Britannia commits genocide after genocide in the name of ethnic superiority. I don't want to be superior, I don't think anyone is, I just want everyone to be who they are. So, this is me, being who I am. Lelonixia. Nixie. Trying to steal a better life back for the oppressed." Nixie felt all her confidence leave at the end of her speech, the fact that two weren't even there to hear it was enough to wrap her heart in fear.
"Can thieves make a profit on that?" A gruff voice came from the front door, now open to reveal the two missing members, duffle bags likely containing their uniforms over one shoulder as Hikiri twirled some car keys in his fingers. "Come on your highness, we have a meeting to go to." He didn't look happy one bit, but Hikiri never did, Nixie however didn't miss the bloodied knuckles her was sporting, or the beaming smile of Rinta standing behind him as he retreated back out the door likely for their ride.
"We're ready when you are, Boss." Rinta happily dipped his head before practically scampering after Hikiri, the two having surprised the entire group which simply shrugged, as disgruntled as Hikiri was, it was clear he was back to stay, Nixie briefly wondered if he was attempting to make a joke or not before. But that was unlikely, Hikiri never joked, did he?
Nixie and the rest simply piled into the back of a stolen van, no windows for light save for that which came through the front, where Rinta and Hikiri were seated in plain civilian clothes. All of them sitting on the floor of the vehicle in their uniform in silence as the hour long drive across the country took place, each of them contemplating the previous day, and what this one may have in store.
They made it with time to spare, preparing in case of an ambush or in the event that imperial forces happened upon their meeting point. Each of them scouting the location before returning to what was a bombed out café in a town no one lived in any more, a derelict settlement of a time passed, waiting inside until a car pulled up. The car simply shouted upper class, rich and nobility. While it was unlikely to Nixie any of their contacts today would be real nobility, she knew what to expect, she couldn't remember any of them in detail, but she knew what the alliance was. And she was wary of it.
Even her brother would come to be wary of them, using them for their money and resources, and making himself their sole output and trusted cell. He was wise to do so, these were businessmen first, and rebels second, while they might consider it the other way around, none of them lived in the ghettos. As much good as they claimed to do for the people, as much as they tried to support the causes, Nixie believed it was little better than donating to charity to alleviate the guilt of being better off at this point.
She'd never say that out loud, but as she entered the car, she was wary of what she would come to face. Remaining stoic and impassive in body language, her helmet covering her face as each of the other members followed her lead inside, each with their own faces concealed, and in uniform. Each frisked for weapons upon arrival, and only Hikiri and Hiro had anything to be removed, all assurances made that they would indeed be returned in due time.
The true meeting point as it would turn out to be was far less grand than the entrance made in the series with the backdrop of Japan as they rose up from within Mt Fuji, but none the less, it was a secure facility with impressive security and clearly a place of management and business within the Britannian Empire. They made no attempt to hide the source of their money as their guests were led from the car to the diplomacy chamber. A board room of sorts with several members sat on one side flanked by armed guards. The Rising Moon took the offered seats without gesture, Nixie wasn't here for theatrics or a civility that belonged in noble houses and ballrooms, and the rest followed her lead.
A clearing of the throat caught everyone's attention as they all turned to eldest man in the room in the centre chair who attempted to start things off politely, even if their guests were a little rougher. "Welcome Rising Moon, if you would remove your helmets and face masks, we can begin." The others all looked to the figure in red, Nixie, who simply stared at the man through eight red lenses, as she made no move to comply. The silence, and the drawn out wait were not things the influencial people were used to being subjected to, and it showed by the souring of moods.
Her insectile voice eventually broke the light grumbles for several of the opposite members, the clicks disguising her identity from the one man present she recognised from living her new life. "No. Our masks are not for show. A part of our identity as a group, which provides our anonymity as a whole. We are not here to offer ourselves up to you. I apologise if that's how you think this meeting is going to go." There was a variety of reactions from the group, even some of her own members had their vitals spike from what her HUD showed.
"How dare you, we invite you into our home, we offer a chance of a lifetime... And you don't even have any manners?" One particularly outraged member cried out, the man fat from wealth, and used to the yes men he likely surrounded himself with, Nixie knew she was stereotyping, but frankly, she didn't want to be here at all. She just hoped the others would see the way she did about this group when they were over, but for now, she'd continue with her assessments, she needn't do more or less at this point, while influencial, they were no threat to her organisation beyond the immediate guards.
"I dare because thieves aren't known for their manners. And chances are things we take many a time in a lifetime. You invited us not into your home, but your web, with your armed guards, and safe defences, you may call me Spider. And I do not take kindly to your raised voice." The clicking stopped as her speech ended, the voice modulator working as planned, as silly as she found it, in this moment she was grateful for the thing. The man who had unleashed his outcry was about to speak up, but was cut off by laughter. It seemed to Nixie as if she had tickled someone indeed.
"Too true child. We are cowards who have found our own way of fighting, but it does leave us reluctant to leave our security. As it seems you too have found your way to fight, so tell me, what are you here for." The eldest of their council spoke as the laughter subsided, fixing her mask with a solid gaze as if he expected to see right through it with x-ray vision. Nixie was simply glad that power did not exist in this world, but her mind did flash briefly to the thoughts of Geass, did anyone ever develop X-Ray vision through that, but Nixie quickly dismissed the idea, the room was more important than the tangent.
She returned the gaze as best she could, her 'eyes' unblinking, and to Nixie that gave it less impact than if she truly held their stare. "We are here, expecting a job offer. We are not a terrorist cell, we are not for sale. I apologise if there is some misunderstanding. We do not need funding, we need jobs. But we will also exercise our freedom to pick and choose which jobs we take on. We are thieves, not murderers or soldiers. We can steal supplies for the ghettos and military grade equipment for other cells, at a cost. But we are not here to fight a war."
It was another member of the council that laughed that time, drawing the gangs attention to him, the same man whose earlier outcry about manners left a bitter taste in Nixie's mouth. "Thieves. Really? That hijacking we saw was a poor example of your work, we have no proof that you are worth the money you'd undoubtedly charge or that you can even be trusted with high value targets without screwing up." That got the group riled, Hikiri in particular slammed his hand onto the table startling the guards into raising their weapons, before he could speak Nixie had raised her hand and beat him to it.
"Hijacking? I do not remember a hijacking that went poorly. In fact, I thought the clip of our handiwork on the motorway was quite the piece of professionalism. No casualties, clean get away. Military grade secrets stolen from the Countess. Of course, knowledge is one of many things we can steal, if you wish to know more, name a price." Nixie's voice was calm, cold even, and the voice changer only made it sound inhuman, and Rinta was quick to seize the opportunity to settle Hikiri down, the man clearly volatile in a room of armed guards while unarmed.
"Not the lorry, the boat. Are you stupid brat? Why are we even dealing with a child? I'll pay one million up front if one of you will just kill them and replace them so we can get started on business." His outrage unending as the Rising Moon around her tried their best to remain calm and not give way to provocation. In that moment Nixie was proud of them indeed, especially Penny, who was likely considering a variety of very nasty illusions if she knew her sister at all. If the sudden slap the man delivered to his other hand was any indication Penny had likely been unable to resist the slight temptation, she'd done that to Yuuto before, spiders have a nasty habit of wandering over Yuuto's skin whenever he annoyed her. At least it was only a 'spider', at least Nixie hoped it was.
"We have yet to commit to any job requiring a boat. The only involvement so far was a successful kidnapping, where I successfully singlehandedly kidnapped an entire garrisoned military at the docks. Before we made off with Imperial Military Hardware which our client is eager to receive." Nixie watched the man's glare intensify as he wiped the back of his hand on a handkerchief to remove the imaginary spider, clearly outraged by her lack of submission in the face of his protests. But before it could continue, another man spoke up this time to make his presence known, drawing their attention to yet another council member.
"I see, an interesting method of operating indeed, many groups would simply have added more firepower. We have very few thinkers at all. If what you say is true, then I am inclined to offer you a job, start small of course, build up a trust between us that I shall pay, and you shall deliver. But I can definitely appreciate the merits to your... Organisation." The man weighed his words carefully, it was clear to the gang he was on the fence, but he wasn't openly hostile, and was prepared to play by their rules if it got the desired results.
Nixie nodded, "Very well, we can discuss the target, and payment whenever you desire. I am sure you are aware how this invitation made its way to us by now, and so I am certain you can file any further requests through the same channels. One job does not promise an acceptance of other jobs however, we retain our freedom to choose which jobs are truly to the benefit of this country. We are thieves, but we do have some morals, and are quite aware how many organisations you deal with that don't possess any." Nixie was glad to say the least, a step in the right direction, even if they didn't get the whole group, they'd get a piece of it, which was far more important than any loss of operational freedom they might sacrifice for the rest.
It was the old man however that spoke up next, he was a lot more open in his business proposition as he leaned forwards as if sharing a secret. "Rumour has it a transport of Sutherlands is passing through your target city in two days time. Fresh off the ships from the britannian homeland. I think it might put certain naysayers to rest if that transport were to go missing, would you not agree?" His eyes flickered to the man who still seemed to simmer with rage, a level of mirth in his eyes as they shared their intelligence.
Nixie couldn't help but return in kind. Nodding her head, "Intel for intel. Rumour has it, in about a week, The Rising Moon will have a shipment of Sutherlands, fresh from the factories in Britannia for sale, you wouldn't happen to know of any resistance groups you'd like to support with them, if you should happen to be interested in buying?" It was strange to Nixie's ears, hearing an insect like voice, clicking mandibles and all, attempting to play coy. It added a new level of strange, and certainly one she found amusing to the mix.
The man also seemed to think so as he burst out laughing, before he nodded his head. "I see, that is indeed valuable information. I shall have to see if my wallets can afford such a purchase, but if so, I will contact you when you have your Sutherlands in stock. It seems this meeting was far more than was to be expected. There is a group in Shinjuku that would likely benefit from such, we'll have to see however, but if we do decide to pay for such deliveries, I'd appreciate our anonymity in return. We choose who we openly support, and who we watch, for now, the Shinjuku cell is one we watch."
"It is all a part of the service you pay for, we respect our clients wishes." Nixie was happy indeed, while she was unsure about joining in the first place, it seemed to be that her fears were unfounded. They had walked in, sat down, and after a shaky start, had already developed two job offers which were vitally needed if they were to keep working. Freelance theft was all well and good, stealing what wasn't nailed down, but having a destination for the product was just as vital or their storage would simply overflow before long, and not all their jobs could be done for free like their project to bring power to the ghetto.
"Very well, I am glad to hear we have such like minds. If my fellow members have nothing further to say, then I shan't delay you all from your night job. I'm sure we'll be in touch soon enough." The elderly man smiled across at them, clearly interested in their organisation, as Nixie thought, they were indeed something new, they set a new precedent in the world. And a part of her feared how that might affect the Black Knights when they too emerged, would their actions now have an effect on how they were received, Nixie knew the answer, and it scared her to some degree.
(Line Break)
The trip back was uneventful, they were given their weapons, dropped off at the café and an hour later they were home again, tired from the ordeals of the day but ultimately proud of their accomplishment. Hikiri parked the van in storage as Yuuto prepared dinner much to Nixie's delight. She hadn't eaten in three days, and she could quite possibly die of hunger after all her regeneration, which was a nuisance, as she'd merely regenerate again. Ironic, but ultimately annoying.
The group gathered in the briefing room, each with their own plate before them as they sat at the briefing table which doubled for a dinner table in this case, no complaints to be had with the chef this time, Yuuto was indeed improving. And it brought a smile to her face that perhaps he was learning from her after all, Nixie was normally the one to do the cooking, despite her best attempts to teach him.
There was actual laughter and smiles around the table as the group which just last night was ready to divide and fracture, Nixie couldn't help but notice the playful shoves between Rinta and Hikiri which went on, unsure if that was new, or if perhaps they had always been such close friends. But either way, it was a relief to see everyone in high spirits, even their most unhappy or aggressive members relaxed. And so Nixie decided it was best to leave the details of the jobs to tomorrow, after all, a night of celebration wouldn't hurt, the jobs in question would hold until tomorrow. And sooner or later the spiders would have their fly. But now was dinner time, and dinner time was family time, and Nixie was proud of her new family.
AN: Sooo, no great big heist I'm afraid, I felt I've already shown their operational efficiency so far, there will be more missions in future. But I'm being told there's not enough of the grander picture involved, and thought it better to focus there. And honestly, I'm proud of how this chapter turned out. Secrets and surprises, and revelations that put the group in danger from within to combine with the threats shifting behind the shadows our heros wish to claim. But ends on a fluffy note. .
Also, I couldn't help but accidently notice from earlier chapters, Rinta and Hikiri, I kinda ship them. Let me know if anyone else does too? It wasn't the plan, I don't really have any couples in mind other than a few of the cannon characters, Suzaku and Euphie being an obvious one, no promises if Euphie will survive or not. But none the less, found that my OC's are starting to develop for themselves, and I like it.
Onto my reviewers who I love tremendously.
DragonLord577: I'm glad you like it, and more so, I hope they like Penny too. It's a hope at least. I really don't know, a lot could have happened in the years that could shape the way he receives her.
Serus Black: I'm really happy to hear you read it all so eagerly. It makes my day to know people enjoy my story. As for the Geass, that won't happen alas. For unlike CC who wants to die, and VV and Charles who wish to manipulate and control, Nixie has no interest in spreading Geass at all, to her it is a threat that can steal her immortality, a curse she won't part with willingly. Geass itself is a power she fears giving to people, she knows how the people in the show are effected and changed by it, Mao driven to insanity, Rolo used as a tool, and even Lelouch loses control of it and walks a dark path. She wants to spare people that if possible. But I will try to keep up the good work.
Cinereo: I'm sorry you felt that way, but I do strive to make it different and unique, and to create a distance at this point from the main series. I'm in it for the long haul, which means that as of this moment, the foundation needs to be laid properly for the feats to be accomplished later. But I do hope you liked this chapter, I tried to tie in a few other elements and cast members. And the foundation is nearly complete. Nearly. Almost. Bare with it a little more. :3
So... thank you all for reading and staying with me with remarkable patience. I hope you enjoyed the chapter, read, review, favourite, and follow.
And simply PM if you want to talk. Always open, I'm happy to hear ideas and discuss even the weather if that is your wish.
