Author's notes:
Hello readers,
I finally finished my finals. Yay! I haven't had that much time to do anything lately but I managed to finish this in between train rides.
Hope it's not that bad.
"I…ah…uh" Lelouch said. Shirley was staring in his eyes adamantly for an answer.
"Lulu!" Shirley screamed. Her eyes changed from staring to burning a hole through his head. She was determined to get an answer from him. He tried to avoid her gaze which frustrate her more. "Answer me!"
"You're in his HQ underneath Ashford Academy." Milly explained as she entered the room. "When I said tell him; I did not mean follow him like a stalker; I meant just to tell him."
"Milly what the hell is going on here?" Lelouch asked.
"I'm guessing she followed you around the school to tell you..." Milly answered. She looked at Shirley. "Well tell him."
"I can't tell him that here." Shirley replied frazzled.
"There's an empty room over there." Kallen pointed out. Her look was dark as she went through her own memories. The night the Black Knights betrayed him was probably her final chance to be with him but she let her emotions get the better of her; not even trying to see the logic of what Lelouch was doing. "I know what you're going to say to him but its better when he hears it from you Shirley… before it's too late."
"Lulu, come with me." Shirley said. Lelouch stiffened. She tried to grab his hand but he pulled away. Remembering the moments when he erased her memories, the time when she got her memories back, and the moments of her death.
"Sorry" Lelouch said.
"It's ok." Shirley responded bitterly. She moved towards the room. Lelouch followed. Once they were in the room she locked the door behind her. The room looked like a meeting room; however, it seemed like the room was sound proof. She sat in front of him. "Lulu would you mind telling me what this is all about."
"That's going to be a long story." Lelouch sighed.
"It's alright. I'll listen to anything you have to say." Shirley said. She smiled as she looked in his eyes and caressed his face. Lelouch's face was filled with sadness.
"Ok then" Lelouch replied. Looking at the brunette in front of him smiling at him warmly, he could not stop the tears fall down his face. He began telling his life's story to her. He left out the part of him, Kallen, C.C., and Suzaku being from a separate future timeline. He told her of the event in Aries Villa, how his father used him and his sister as bargaining chips. The war, what they did during the war and how they've come to Ashford. "That's why I am doing this."
"I understand." Shirley said. "I'm so sorry Lulu."
"It's alright you didn't know." Lelouch replied. "I didn't expect you to take this in so calmly."
"Why is that?" Shirley asked.
"Well, judging from the fact that you were so against me gambling for money; I expected your reaction to be much worse when you hear that I started a rebellion against my own country." Lelouch answered.
"Well you have a reason to do what you are doing." Shirley said. "I may not approve what you're doing but I do understand why."
"Thank you." Lelouch said. He bowed his head remembering what had happened in the previous timeline and the last words that Shirley said to him before departing from this world.
"Just don't do anything reckless." Shirley said. "Okay?"
"I cannot make promises that I don't know if I can keep." Lelouch replied.
"And…" Shirley said.
"And what?" Lelouch asked. An ominous feeling taking over.
"I want to join you." Shirley said.
"No!" Lelouch shoots out.
"But I can help." Shirley argued.
"No!" Again Lelouch denies her.
"But" Shirley tried.
"No!" Lelouch said coldly.
Defeated the brunette left the room. Before she left, she gave Lelouch a worried look. Tears falling down her face but a smile can be seen across it. She understood why he rejected her offer.
"I love you, Lelouch Vi Britania." She said and left. She went back up the elevator and out of the building. Her phone rang and showed a private number. "Hello?"
"Colonel, were finished with our supply truck." Urabe said.
"Ok leave now Urabe we should not stay in one place for too long, load up those supplies and we'll leave this place." Tohdoh said. "We need to catch up with the others"
"Colonel, it's probably just me." A soldier said. "But I keep getting this ominous feeling that something is about to happen"
"Trust your instincts but do not let it get the best of you." Tohdoh replied.
The men loaded up the trucks. As soon as one was full it left. Tohdoh oversaw the resupply operation and was on the last truck to leave. He saw the same trucks at the border of the ghetto and the settlement. They were captured by the military.
"Turn here now." Tohdoh ordered. The driver turned the truck to an alleyway cutting through the sewers and the hospital. When they emerged back to the road they were greeted by a white knightmare with blue and red trimmings and a scythe.
"Hello, Colonel Tohdoh of the Japan Liberation Front." The man inside the knightmare greeted. "I do not have a quarrel with you so I will ask you to surrender."
"I'm still free. I will not surrender as long as I have that Britanian." Tohdoh replied.
"Have it your way but do know that this area is surrounded." Gino said.
"We would not know until we tried." Tohdoh said. He signalled the driver to move over and floored the gas on reverse. Gino followed the speeding truck but lost them in an alley. The truck rammed through a blockade. "Heh"
"Impressive Colonel Tohdoh." Gino said. "But not quite enough."
Tohdoh ran the vehicle to a bridge pillar causing it to collapse on its side. The Tristan opened its factsphere to assess the situation. Upon seeing the falling debri Gino saw a face that he thought he would never see again. Unconsciously he moved the Tristan in front of the woman and covered her with the machine's hands and the debri hit the Tristan. He opened the machines hands to see a woman from his memories. Her face frightened at the machine. She ran for one of the buildings in the ghetto. The frightened look of the woman had shaken Gino. He tried to go back to his previous task but Tohdoh was already gone.
"Strange, a soldier of Britania protected a commoner." Tohdoh thought. He felt horrible for crippling the bridge not knowing the woman was in the vicinity. "At least we lost him."
"No you didn't." A young girl said. The Mordred suddenly appeared from the corner of to buildings. Knightmares surrounded the truck. "You lose."
Tohdoh remained silent. He contemplated to what just happened and the course of action he can take. They are outnumbered and outclassed for this fight. If they go through with this they will not make it out alive. He raised his hands. This was a lost battle. He was not going to sacrifice the lives of these men and women just for the chance of getting away. He was escorted to a detention vehicle. He had one thing in mind. After the incident, pink haired pilot of the Mordred approached Gino.
"Strange" Anya said.
"What is?" Gino asked.
"You were reckless." Anya replied. "Do you know that woman?"
"A memory I guess." Gino said as he remembered the woman's face.
"Memory..." Anya said grimly.
Kallen, Suzaku, and C.C. went up the stairs of the Kururgi Shrine. At the top, men in suits armed with submachine guns were waiting. Two palanquins were placed at the back guarded by Burais.
"Cousin, long time no see." Kaguya greeted behind the screen. The men started searching for weapons. The three handed all their weapons
"Hello Kaguya, it has been a while." Suzaku said. "You too Taizo-sama."
"If you're here with Zero, it can only mean one thing." Taizo laughed.
"Does that mean that you've finally realized the foolishness of your actions?" Kaguya asked sharply.
"No" Suzaku said with the conviction he had as a Round. Taizo looked at the boy with amusement.
"I see that the boy that I left back then has finally turned into a man." Taizo provoked.
"Not really, he is still the same reckless idiot that you knew back then." Zero said walking into the conversation from one of the shrines. "He's still an exercise nut. The only difference is his resolution. His reason for fighting has changed."
"Ok, I'm not really sure if I should take that as a compliment or floor you right now for insulting me." Suzaku said.
"Same moron." Kaguya said. "Still has muscles for brains I see."
Suzaku kept his mouth shut. This girl was almost on par with C.C. and Milly in terms of mental torture. He remembered the conversations in the previous timeline. Most were not pleasant. A small smirk revealed itself on Kallen's face seeing the demeanour of the Knight of Seven at the moment then went back to glaring at the other palanquin with C.C..
"On to more pressing matters." Zero said. "Lord Taizo Kirihara or Kirihara the traitor, formerly a key backer of the Kururgi regime. You dodged the tribunals by aligning yourself with Britania. You and Suzaku have the same thoughts but just different ways of going about it."
"Indeed." Taizo answered. "Can I assume that your Zero?"
"Correct clan chief Taizo Kirihara." Zero replied. At the mention of the man's last name, the men pointed their rifles at the group. Unmoved Zero stepped forward. One of them fired a shot that grazed the side of Zero's mask. Even with the warning Zero kept moving forward.
"Enough!" Kaguya spoke. The men looked at her palanquin. "We came here to speak to them not eliminate them. Master Zero forgive me for not showing my face. You know the reason why one must hide their face. To be able to trust you, we must know who you are."
The men moved around Zero while still pointing their weapons at him. Zero neither moved nor spoke until he was completely surrounded. Suzaku and C.C. seemed unmoved by the situation. Kallen started moved in front of Zero. She was glaring at the palanquin that Kaguya was in. Zero tried to get her to move out of the danger zone which was returned with a scowl and a shrug.
"This will not be another Ikaruga." Kallen whispered so that it was only audible for the both of them. Zero placed his hand on her shoulder and walked pass the her.
"Indeed Lady Summeragi" Zero said. "Before I do, may I pose a question?"
"Yes, go ahead." Kaguya replied.
"What is the most important trait for governing the world?" Zero asked.
"It's pride." Kaguya answered. "Pride of self-governance."
"You are very wise, Lady Kaguya." Zero said. He placed his hands on his mask. The back of the mask retracted to reveal Zero's true identity. "It's been a while Kaguya."
A fourteen year old girl bursted through her palanquin. She passed her guards and Kallen in an instant who were dumbfounded at the girl's agility despite her disposition. She ran into the man full force launching both of them to the ground.
"Lelouch! I've missed you." Kaguya said. "Where have you been?"
"Hell" Lelouch replied nonchalantly. Taizo smiled at the answer. "And everywhere else you could think of."
"Then will you make me your bride?" Kaguya asked. A vein appeared on C.C.'s forehead. Killing intent can be felt from her by everyone in the perimeter. Kallen was flushed. She remembered that their conversation about becoming Zero's ladies of the court. Kaguya looked up to Lelouch with expectation and embarrassment. "Like you promised."
"You have a lot of competition, Kaguya." Suzaku stepped in before the matter became out of hand. He shot Lelouch a glance telling him to end this and get on with the meeting.
"Taizo-sama, now that you know who I am." Lelouch said. "Would this be enough to gain your trust?"
"Yes and no." Taizo answered amused. Kaguya looked at the man angrily. "Of course, as one of the six houses of Kyoto I must be sure. What is your goal Lelouch?"
"I understand." Lelouch said. "It is to create a gentler world."
"Explain" Taizo replied.
"I will destroy the world that Britania envisioned and create a world were kindness can be extended to anyone, even strangers." Lelouch answered.
"It is an idealistic dream." Kirihara said. "a fool's errand."
"A fool's errand it may be." Lelouch answered. "But you and I both know that it needs to be done."
"You believe that this is possible, that you can do it?" Kirihara asked.
"I can, because I must." Lelouch answered. "I have reasons which compel me execrably. I'm glad I'm dealing with you."
"Aha ha-ha, the flower from eight years ago finally bloomed." Kirihara laughed. "Fine we will assist you."
"I am grateful, Lord Kirihara." Lelouch smiled at the man.
"Are you embarking on blood?" Kirihara asked.
"Yes, if that is what needs to be done." Lelouch answered.
"Very well, Kaguya we're leaving." Kirihara said. Kaguya looked at Lelouch.
"Can't I come with you?I am your concubine after all." Kaguya asked. She looked at Kallen and C.C. "Even if I'm small… I can still."
Kirihara went pale and fainted. The guards could do nothing but look away not noticing their unconscious patron. This girl was offering Lelouch a forbidden fruit. Kallen and C.C. smiled but black aura and venom can be seen on their faces. The God of Wrath can be seen behind them. Suzaku was about to say something but Lelouch knelt down and looked Kaguya in the eye. A gentle smile appeared.
"Kaguya, I will fulfill my promise; however, I want you to grow into a kind, intelligent, and beautiful woman." Lelouch said. "If you can do that I will marry you. Can you do it?"
"I will!" Kaguya said excitedly. She smiled at the teenager. Fire and determination can be seen. She turned to leave with the collected Kirihara. C.C. and Kallen facepalmed. Suzaku had a weird grin, trying with all his might not to burst out laughing. Lelouch went to leave with them.
"Suzaku, that look on your face is creeping me out." Lelouch said. "What's wrong?"
"You do know you just signed your marriage contract with her by promising that." Suzaku said before starting to laugh. C.C. and Kallen glared at Lelouch.
"Dense idiot." C.C. said.
"Reckless idiot." Kallen said in agreement.
"What will you do when that day comes?" Suzaku asked. "You know she'll tie tie you to a chair if she has to, to get what she wants."
"I'll burn that bridge when I get to it." Lelouch answered. A crippling chill going down his spine as the realization of the promise he just made hit him.
Throne room of the imperial palace in Pendragon, Charles zi Britania sat on his throne. A dark figure kneeling before him.
"Is the Wyvern Squadron dead?" Charles asked.
"Yes your Majesty." The figure answered. "Their base has been ravaged and all members were accounted for. One of them gave extreme resistance. When he was about to die he kept saying he needs to kill Shin Hyuaga Shin. I went through the imperial database, tracked down and killed the man. That is all my report. Your majesty."
"Good now only one can stand against Britania." Charles said. "When the preparations are ready head to Area 11."
"Yes, your majesty." The figure stood and left.
Black Knight mobile base, trucks were parked outside and people were moving setting up for the operation. The Four Holy Swords were looking at a 3D blueprint of the prison in which Tohdoh was being held in.
"Are you sure it's a good idea to throw in with the Black Knights?" Asahina asked.
"Can you think of any other way to rescue Col. Tohdoh?" Chiba answered
"There's also what Kyoto said, that they'd lend us the new models." Senba added
"Still, their principles seem to be somewhat off." Asahina argued.
"We're not ethnocentric, but after all, you already know that." Chiba retorted.
"We can worry about the details after we've rescued the colonel." Urabe said.
"I understand. But no matter where Tohdoh may be, it's the place I belong." Asahina declared.
"Look, just stuff 'em in and close the lid for crying out loud! It's almost time to move out!" Tamaki shouted to the man inside the Guren. Fixing the hydrolines seem to be more of a challenge than they expected.
"Take your time and treat it with the utmost care!" A woman with a blue mark on her forehead and a pipe. She scowled at the man. "It was far more fragile than any of you when I gave birth to it!"
"Huh?! Who the hell are you?!" Tamaki asked.
"I am its mother!" The woman replied.
"You arrived on time." Zero said walking in.
"Ah Zero we finally meet face to face. It's a pleasure." The woman said.
"The funding you've given me has furthered my research by leaps and bounds."
"The pleasure is all mine, Rakshata." Zero said. "I've been reading your reports and am quite impressed to be honest"
"You have?" Rakshata asked a bit surprised.
"The report about refractive capabilities of a knightmare's weaponry." Zero said. "Your help with the medical division also resulted in the portable medical stations that are installed in all of our mobile bases."
"I do hate talking about the past. Anyway, here." Rakshata said.
"Are those?" Zero asked.
"Sweet our pilot suits arrived." Kallen's said excitedly. "Where's mine?"
"You're the pilot for the Guren right?" Rakshata asked. Kallen nodded. "Here"
Kallen left to change into her pilot suit. Zero and Rakshata discussed further research opportunities. He also gave hints of his future plans should he defeat Britania.
"How are the development of the other researches that I asked?" Zero asked.
"They're progressing fine thanks to the funding." Rakshata replied. "It allowed us to get top quality materials that Britania usually wages war over."
"I would rather not prefer to wage war." Zero replied. "In order to free people from oppression."
"You say you do not want to wage war." Rakshata said. "Yet you're so good at it."
"It's a family secret." Zero said.
"Oh, how so?" Rakshata asked. Her face betrayed by her curiosity. "This is interesting."
"What do you mean?" Zero asked.
"There is only one nation that is excellent at waging war at the current time." Rakshata replied. "When you said it was a family secret.. I can only guess who's behind that mask."
"Your guess is probably accurate, but" Zero said. "For now I would rather it if my secret remain a secret.
After a while Kallen came back. Her face was red with embarrassment. She was wearing a skin tight pilot suit; however, it accentuated parts of her that should not be when in battle. There is also a matter of the lower part of her suit being a skirt.
"Ah why is my suit designed like this?" Kallen asked Rakshata. "Is this going to improve my performance?"
"That suit was designed directly from Zero's specifications." Rakshata said with a lewd smile and looked at Zero. He looked away. "It will improve your performance in different ways."
Tohdoh was meditating in his prison cell. For a man about to be executed he was calm and collect. He was stoic but this seemed more like he was just at peace. Footsteps are heard from across the hall.
"Shishou" A voice said.
"What is it Suzaku?" Tohdoh answered with a question.
"How are you?" Suzaku asked.
"As you can see I am about to be executed." Tohdoh responded. "I do not reckon that to be a pleasant feeling."
"..." Suzaku remained silent.
"I see that you have not heeded my words. " Tohdoh continued. "You have trained your body but not your mind."
"I'm sorry." Suzaku said. "I have been chosen as your executioner. Do you have any request before you die?"
"None" Tohdoh replied.
"Then I shall be back to fetch you later." Suzaku said. He began to walk but turned to his mentor. "I wish things could've been different."
"I do too." Tohdoh said.
An explosion is heard from the courtyard. Burais came out from the smoke. They shot the guards. Outside a group is also eliminating the perimeter guards. A red knightmare along with two Burais came in from the hole made by the explosion on the prison wall. The Burais took defensive positions.
"Zero, all clear go get Colonel Tohdoh." A pilot said.
"Yes, thank you men this was only possible with your help." Zero said. They continued towards Tohdoh's prison. "Be careful the military will be sending more reinforcements here now because our target is a top priority prisoner."
"Yes Master Zero!" The Black Knights continued with their assault. Soon enough reinforcements came from all sides of the city. They began by pushing the point defenses back. The knightmares that were stationed in those posts either ejected or abandoned the posts. The military pressed onto the courtyard when Gekkas started dropping from helicopters. The reinforcements made it towards the courtyard before the Gekkas ran through their lines cutting down any opposition.
"My superiors just ordered that you be unofficially executed before you get the chance to escape." The guard said.
"It's a life I gave up once before. It's worth nothing." Tohdoh replied. "I am not necessary in this war anyway."
"In that case" Zero said on the other side of the prison wall. "I will claim your life myself."
The wall collapsed from the red wave that was passed through the wall to weaken the structure. The wall fell on the unsuspecting guard and buried him with the rubble. Zero walked into the prison and towards the fallen soldier.
"My student is the one tasked to execute me." Tohdoh said. "And the spoiled brat coming to save me, ironic."
"How have you been Colonel Tohdoh." Zero said.
"Fine" Tohdoh said. "I will thank you for saving me but my loyalty is pledged to General Katase."
"That is alright. I will not force you to change loyalties." Zero said. "I merely want to ask for your help."
"You want me to perform a miracle for you as well?" Tohdoh said.
"That was no miracle. It ended in victory because it was based on excellent intelligence work." Zero replied. "That's why I want you."
"I am neither interested nor necessary in your war." Tohdoh replied.
"Don't be a coward!" Zero said in a sharp manner that it made Tohdoh wince. The soldier glared at the masked man which felt like they were having a contest of wills. He remembered how stubborn the man was and that Suzaku;s attitude actually came from him. "You must take responsibility!"
"Responsibility for what?" Tohdoh asked. He was still glaring at the teenage boy that he knew was inside the mask.
"You must take responsibility for the miracle you made." Zero replied. "The Area 11's resistance movement is more intense than that of any other Area because Japan surrendered before exhausting all of its military strength. You failed to continue the great hope known as the Miracle of Itsukushima!"
"You're saying it's my fault?" Tohdoh said.
"Yes, People grasp at illusions because they're desperate for miracles. Why else has there been such rampant use of Refrain?" Zero asked rhetorically. "You must endeavor! To the bitter end beyond all that's decent, and then you can die! Till the name of Tohdoh the Miracle has grown ragged and tattered!"
"You're telling me that the Japanese people can't accept their defeat until then?" Tohdoh asked.
"Till now they had to accept it." Zero answered. "However, now that I'm here there's hope because I can likely turn their dreams into reality."
Outside the Four Holy Swords were wreaking havoc towards the Britanian soldiers. The warden can be heard giving out orders from the control room. They were doing an excellent job at stalling the enemy; however, the Britanian military in Japan has been bolstered by troops from other areas conquered by Britania. That was not the only problem. The warden may be proud but it was only a matter of time before the Rounds get news of this battle and mobilize. They were fighting against time. The Guren can be seen moving from the isolation section of the prison to the commons section followed by Zero's Burai.
"Zero's good enough as a pilot." Chiba asked. "Why does he need a bodyguard? We could've used the Guren here to stop more of the enemies that way."
"Zero is our leader. We won't let anything happen to him." Tamaki shouted at her through the channel. "And if you have a problem with that, take it up with Kallen. I'm sure she'll be happy to answer your question."
Ohgi was inside one of the mobile base was listening to all the channels to report any disturbances was shocked at the loyalty Tamaki was showing. He was the one who was very skeptical at first and now he is defending their leader as if he were a brother.
The Guren and the Burai stopped in the back of truck. The cock pit for the Burai opened to reveal Zero and Tohdoh. The truck hatch opened to reveal the Zangetsu. The Four Holy Swords converged towards their leader.
"Welcome back Colonel." Asahina said.
"Thank you." Tohdoh replied. "You've all worked very hard."
"No effort at all sir." Urabe said.
"Zero, if you had something like this prepared, then you must've known that I was joining you." Tohdoh said seeing the difference in the specifications of his machine to the Gekkas, It was customized with an MVS and to Tohdoh's surprise the crest of his school while he was still teaching Suzaku. He climbed inside of the machine. "Cooperate with Zero! Eliminate the remaining forces."
"Roger!" The Four Holy Swords replied.
'Now time for the main event.' Lelouch thought. Right on que the Lancelot appeared along with the Tristan. 'Huh, where's the Mordred?'
He received a message encrypted in a code they used when Lelouch was still the 99th Emperor in the past timeline. 'Anya's at school with Milly. Apparently going on a food trip as a girl's night. Lucky right?' Lelouch could only laugh at the message. The Guren was already engaging the Lancelot like there was no tomorrow. They were destroying anything that would be considered environment in their proximity.
"Zero do you have any data regarding this unit?" Tohdoh asked.
"Yes; however, I want you to do exactly as I say." Zero said. He switched to a private channel between the Burai and the Zangetsu. "You should also know that the one piloting that unit is none other than Suzaku."
"What!" Tohdoh said in shock.
"All units, give him distance!" Zero continued. "Its initial attack is always straight on! It never feints that first move! Once you dodge that attack, he immediately moves to avoid your offensive! Check the data I'm sending you! S-5-7! Be careful though there were times that the pilot starts randomizes his pattern once his life is in danger then returns to his normal."
"Got it." Asahina replied. He appeared behind the Lancelot and tried to stab him but it swerved in midair and used its harkens to propel itself away. The Tristan came in to aid the Lancelot. "Damn, they're good."
"The Zangetsu and the Guren began to attack the Lancelot again. Tohdoh was talking to Suzaku in a private channel so no one knew what they were talking about. After a few minutes the Lancelot was starting to lose. The Guren has already destroyed its Varis and was picking apart the Tristan like there was no tomorrow. The Lancelot was fighting quite desperately against the Zangetsu. It made Lelouch wonder.
"For someone acting to fight, Suzaku is making it look convincing." Lelouch said to himself. An answer appeared inside his mind. "Wait? It couldn't be? Kallen we need to finish this quickly. Open his cockpit."
"Why?" Kallen asked. "It's just starting to get fun."
"You're not fighting regular Suzaku." Lelouch answered. "Your fight Knight of Zero Suzaku. I think his live command came along with his consciousness. Finish this now!"
"Ok" Kallen pouted but she knew why he said that. She had fought him on the Democles and ended up getting a destroyed SEITEN just to destroy the Lancelot. This might cause repercussions. Tohdoh would be the first on that list because he is fighting him at the moment. The Guren's movements changed. Within seconds the Tristan was immobilized from getting its limbs torn off. It started moving into the battle between the two machines. It moved towards the Lancelot. It feinted for the cockpit making the Lancelot who had its hands preoccupied do a spin kick. The kick was caught in midair by the Guren's right arm. It fired its wave surger and destroyed the Lancelot's leg. With one of its leg gone the Lancelot fell on its back. It tried to get back up but was denied by the Guren and the Zangetsu when they cut off the Lancelot's arms.
The other Burais came in and shot the Lancelot with a magnetic cable.
"Good job." Zero said. "We've achieved our objective. My comrades, we are withdrawing!"