(A/N: I must really like this series or I wouldn't be working on it so much. Also take note that after this chapter I need to take a break and stock up on plot bunnies. I don't have much of an idea of where to go from here so I need to plot the course for my destinations. So enjoy this chapter. I made it extra-long because of this fact :D)
Disclaimer: I do not own Code Geass or Mirai Nikki
3rd Person pov
The next morning Lelouch woke up and after his first class used his and Suzaku's 'get on the roof' code to meet with Suzaku in private. Lelouch made it to the roof first and waited for his friend.
"What is it Lelouch?" Suzaku asked him.
"It's about the Survival game," Lelouch said. "There's something I need you to do for me."
"I thought we weren't allies," Suzaku said.
"Correction, Britannia and I aren't allies. What I'm asking you to do doesn't involve Euphimia in the least. I have an upcoming plan involving dealing with the 1st and the 2nd. I need you to do one simple task for me so that I can pull it off," Lelouch said.
Later that day
Area 11 Humanities and Resources department
Suzaku walked promptly up to the front desk. There were several armed guards with him.
"I'm here to talk to Rea Amano," he told the front desk. The Receptionist grabbed the phone hastily. "Mrs. Amano you have guests." She then gestured Suzaku and the soldiers forward. "Office number 47 sir."
"Thank you," Suzaku replied. He entered Mrs. Amano's office.
"H-hello," she said, slightly shaken up.
"Mrs. Amano my name is Suzaku Kururugi, lead pilot of the Glaston Knights. I need you to come with me into protective custody. There's a terrorist group out to use you to use your son as bait," Suzaku told her.
"I know what's really going on. I saw the news. You want to use me so that you can draw Yukiteru out isn't that it?" she asked. "He's a good boy he would never hurt the Viceroy."
"Mrs. Amano please calm down, I'm not here to hurt you or do anything of the sort. These guards are here to protect me and provide an escort for you. We'd like you to stay here at the office until the day after tomorrow to which you will be given a week's vacation with pay," Suzaku said.
"And Yukiteru…is he safe?" Rea asked.
"We don't know. I can't mobilize to go out searching for him with that warrant out for his arrest. I can protect you from the terrorist group. Yukiteru is on his own. I'm sorry," he apologized.
Rea was heartbroken. Suzaku wanted to say something to ease her worry, but he was unable to, given his position. "Take her to level four," he told the guards. "And be gentle about it you're dealing with a woman."
"Yes sir," the guards responded. Mrs. Amano was taken to a safer area.
Suzaku phoned Lelouch, "I did as you asked, now what?" he asked.
"Disconnect her phone line from outside numbers I can't have Yukiteru contacting her," Lelouch said.
"What if he calls the main line to ask for her?" Suzaku asked. There was a pause.
"Don't worry about that," Lelouch said eventually, "Yukiteru doesn't have the main office number just his mother's extension. If you don't want to disconnect it have the number redirected."
"Mind telling me exactly what it is you're up to?" Suzaku asked Lelouch.
"If you want to know that you'd have to leave the army, but I know you'd never do that much for my sake. At least not while Euphimia still lives. Thanks for this though, I appreciate it," Lelouch hung up. As he put down the phone he said to himself, "Phase four complete."
That Evening
Shinjuku Ruins
Yukiteru couldn't sleep. No matter how hard he tried he kept thinking about his mother and wondered if she was ok. Lelouch told him the 6th planned to use his mom as bait to lure him and Yuno out, but the more he thought about it he wondered how Lelouch would know that without being involved with the 6th in some way.
Is Yuno right? Yukiteru wondered, as he gazed up at the stars while lying on his back on a bed in an abandoned mattress outlet, Is Lelouch betraying us to the enemy
"Don't grow fond of me. I'm not your ally"
I know he said that, but I still want to trust him. He helped us out in the incident with the 9th. Is he planning on offing us so soon? He said we'd be alive until this was half way over at the very least.
Yukiteru stopped thinking when Yuno turned over and crashed into him. She was breathing heavily. "Yuki," she mumbled in her sleep.
Yukiteru smiled, Like this she looks so harmless…so innocent, he looked at Yuno's sleeping form. He felt a draft from the shattered window nearby and pulled Yuno closer to him for warmth. The pink haired megami's head came to rest next to Yukiteru's. Yukiteru scowled. Tomorrow we'll go to the 6th's place and see what this is all about. Lelouch…show me I can trust you.
The Next Morning
The Omakata Religion grounds
Yukiteru and Yuno jumpstarted the Pelleas and used it to head towards their location. They stopped it as they reached the edges of the abandoned ghetto to avoid causing a widespread panic of a random Knightmare Frame patrolling the streets. Otherwise Britannia would be on them sooner than either of them could say "Future Diary"
The pair walked with the clothes on their back to the religious grounds and was halted by a pair of guards. Yukiteru and Yuno showed their student IDs and identified themselves as the 1st and the 2nd in order to gain entry.
They were given special guest robes and were led to Tsubaki's chambers on the other side of the wooden cage. "Greetings guests," Tsubaki's voice came from within the prison. "Please come closer."
Yukiteru managed to get a decent look at Tsubaki's face, "Your eyes…"
"Yes, I've been cooped up in this prison for so long and denied the light that I can't see very well, but I'm glad I could ask for the 1st and 2nd's assistance," Tsubaki said smiling.
"By using my mother as a hostage," Yukiteru said.
"How else did you expect me to goad you two out of hiding?" she asked.
"Let me see her! Now!" Yukiteru demanded.
"If I do that there's a chance you might have Miss Gasai use her powers and the three of you can make a break for it. I can't have that now, now can I?"
"Then you're out a few assistants," Yukiteru stated.
"If you won't help I have no problem doing away with your precious okaa-sama," Tsubaki seemed to be enjoying this, but deep inside she was just practicing what Zero had rehearsed her to say over the radio. You better be right about this Zero, she said.
Yukiteru submitted, "Fine you win. We'll help."
"Yuki!" Yuno was shocked.
"It's ok Yuno," Yukiteru told her. "We'll be fine so long as we stick to the plan." Yuno nodded.
It worked. Zero you're a genius, Tsubaki was doing an internal victory dance. "Now then," Tsubaki clapped her hands, "Please bring a futon for the 1st, and please escort Miss Gasai to one of the guest rooms."
"Wha—" Yuno was surprised.
"You're going to separate us?" Yukiteru was shocked.
"You're the master escape artist, Miss Gasai is merely a guest. Clan rules are strict," Tsubaki said as she covered her mouth with her sleeve.
Yukiteru sighed heavily, "It's ok Yuno," he looked over to her with a smile, "We'll be fine." Yuno nodded.
That afternoon
The Black Knights hideout
Zero quickly arrived to the hideout before anyone else, save Kallen, arrived. She had beaten him here on the course that she had not been in school the day before.
"Have you been here all day?" Zero asked her.
"I…I've been too excited about the mission," she said. "I can't sit still."
"Just relax," Zero told her, "Follow my plans and everything will go smoothly. Or are you finding it hard to trust me?"
"No! Never!" Kallen put her hands up, "It's just…I did some research. The Omakata religion is really in with the Britannian higher ups, what if this is just some sort of trap so they can turn us over to the authorities while we're at our most vulnerable?"
"Rest assured I've looked into that possibility," Zero told her, "I can almost guarantee that the only Britannians on that soil will be the Honorary Britannians the Omakata themselves. Follow the plan to a T and everything shall go off without a hitch." Zero reached into his robes and pulled out a Granny Smith Apple. "Here," he said placing it in Kallen's hands, "It's better for you than downing several cups of coffee." He went towards the stairs, "Knock on my door when the others get here."
"Y-yes sir," Kallen said. She looked down at the apple. How did he know I was running solely on caffeine right now?
1 hour later
When all of the Knights made their assembly Lelouch made his appearance to them. "My fellow knights," he said to everyone, "Tonight we shall embark on our first outing. A warm up of what's to come. If we succeed we can pull more to our side and gain favor with those who would seek to rebel against Britannia. We shall ensure the safety of Miss Tsubaki Kasaguno. Well shall show no mercy to any fool foolish enough to harm the innocent after we made it clear that we would be where injustice resides. And with that I hereby declare Operation Nightmare End to begin!"
The Omakata religious grounds
Yukiteru lay on the floor, next to the wooden cage of Tsubaki's.
"That girl, she is dangerous," Tsubaki said out of the blue.
"Huh?" Yukiteru sat up.
"Gasai Yuno," Tsubaki said, "She's a dangerous girl Yukiteru, can you really trust her? What if you end up just like the Viceroy?"
"Well that's…" Before Yukiteru could say anything Tsubaki shrieked. He turned his head a large fire was burning. A cult member stupidly splashed oil on it, causing it to spread and another member cut that member's head right open with an axe. It didn't take long before the situation devolved into chaos. Yukiteru ran towards the wooden beams to break them open and help Tsubaki.
"No Yuki don't do it!" Yuno ran into the room.
Yukiteru looked back at Yuno, "B-but she's in danger!"
"Danger? Yuki this is obviously a trap! It has to be a…"
"Everything where you're not around is a trap isn't it?" Yukiteru shouted at her. "If I hadn't been caught up with you I never would've wound up in jail, I wouldn't be running for my life and I wouldn't be trying to rescue my mother. Admit it one of these days you're going to do to me what you did to the Viceroy? How can I trust you Yuno? You're dangerous! You're a loose cannon! You…" Yukiteru stopped speaking turned his head and ran to save Tsubaki. He broke into the prison to save the nearly blind girl only to find a whole lot of flames and no sign of Tsubaki.
"Hands where I can see them assassin!" Yukiteru turned to see a woman with red hair and a jumpsuit to match pointing a gun in his direction. "Y-Yukiteru?" she lowered her weapon.
Yukiteru recognized the girl, "Kallen? Wh-what are you…"
"I should be asking you that!" she shouted. "Zero said there would be an assassin right here attempting to kill the Kasaguno, but why are you…no don't tell me you and Yuno are here to do to her what you did to the Viceroy!"
"Huh?" Yukiteru was confused.
"I-I don't understand," Kallen was confused.
"Kallen listen to me this is a big misunderstanding I was asked by Tsubaki to help stop her death. She's taken my mother hostage in exchange for my cooperation. Yuno came with me and…"
"E-Enough excuses!" Kallen held up her arms. "Just…just go. Get out of here before I close my eyes and…"
CRACK!
The wooden prison broke down. Yuno had a psychotic smile on her face. "Don't you even think about harming Yuki," she said.
"Yuno wait it's me, it's Kallen!" Kallen took off her band, "Your friend from school!" she pointed to her face.
"People who try to hurt Yuki are no friends of mine," Yuno said with a large smirk.
"Yuno don't!" Yukiteru ran in front of Kallen and threw his arms out in front of her. "Please…Kallen is our former classmate. Don't hurt her I'm begging you!"
"But Yuki…" Yuno was heartbroken for a moment before aiming behind Yuki, over his shoulder at Kallen. "Now, I won't let some bitch like you take Yuki from me!" Yuno fired a concentrated beam of energy at Kallen. Kallen dodge rolled out of the ray and fired a few bullets at Yuno who projected a barrier and deflected them.
"Q-1 to Zero, Q-1 to Zero!" Kallen radioed, "Mayday, mayday, backup requested. I repeat back up requested."
Yuno picked up an axe and headed in Kallen's direction with it while a broad smile crossed over her face. Kallen looked up at her with a scared, panicked look on her face.
"Yuno! No!" Yukiteru put his arms underneath Yuno. "Run Kallen!" he shouted. Kallen ran for her life.
It's just like Zero said, she told herself. If I find myself unable to kill the target, I am to run and regroup at spot 5-Delta.
Yukiteru let go of Yuno. "Yuno please, don't go killing people we know like that. Kallen is our friend," the black haired teen was hysterical.
"But Yuki she was…"
"She told me to run before she changed her mind, Kallen wasn't going to hurt me. She…" Before Yukiteru could finish Yuno projected a shield behind him and stopped a spray of bullets. Tamaki walked into the blaze holding a Gatling gun. A cig dangled from his lip.
"Man Kallen had trouble with you two pipsqueaks. He got a good look at Yuno. Wait aren't you the girl who offed the Viceroy?" He got a panicked look. "Wait a minute you set this up?"
"I can kill him right Yuki, we don't know him right?" Yuno asked.
"No stay back!" Tamaki unloaded his magazine at the two teens. Yuno projected her barrier to stop all the bullets. Seeing this Tamaki dropped the empty, heavy gun and ran. Yuno leapt forward with supernatural speed and attempted to slice him in half, but was stopped short by a few of the brainwashed cult members. "Man that was close," Tamaki wiped his brow and ran off.
"Yuno!" Yukiteru ran forward and went to get the axe that had slid out of her hand, but before he good a figure entered into the building. He was wearing a costume, but it wasn't like Zero's. There was no cape and his head was several times bigger. He was carrying a radio with one hand.
"Bzzt! Encounter with Yukiteru Amano, the 1st, and Yuno Gasai, the 2nd, wanted for murder of Viceroy Cornelia," the radio buzzed.
"Excellent," the figure said.
"Who…are you?" Yukiteru wanted to know.
"I am, the 12th," the man said.
Meanwhile…
The Omakata religion basement
Lelouch's pov
I looked at my phone and took note of everyone's positions. So far everything was going according to plan. The 12th, Tsubaki's would-be assassin, had encountered Yukiteru and Yuno and Kallen and Tamaki managed there escapes with exposure to Yuno's power engraved in their minds. A wonderful sight to be sure, but the real show was down below. I made it to the basement, still masquerading as Zero, carrying a small briefcase with me. When I reached the bottom of the stairwell I entered into a small prison area. The guard, the 12th, had left to attend to his more 'pressing matter', leaving his prisoner to be mine for the taking. I didn't expect her to be stark naked though. I did my best to avert my gaze from her.
"Zero! You actually came to get me!" she was ecstatic.
"Long time no see M-9," I said to her, "You about ready to help out?"
"Am I ever, get me out of here!" she said.
"Right away," I said. I took out the master key I got from Tsubaki and unlocked the cell and Minene's cuffs. "There's a uniform in the briefcase," I told her. "Welcome to the Black Knights Miss Uryu."
Within moments Minene was suited up. "How do I look?" she asked me.
I turned around to see her in her dark violet uniform, complete with visor. "You look rather fashionable," I told her. "Now then, shall we get down to business?"
At the same time…
3rd Person pov
Upstairs, and on the grounds, Tsubaki and Ohgi were fleeing pursuing, brainwashed cultists, "Don't let go of me," Ohgi told the cult leader, "We're almost to the van."
"Mr. Ohgi," she said, "What's Sir Zero's plan?" she asked.
"To protect you of course," he said and turned around and shot a few brainwashed cultists that were a little too close for his liking. "Man this is like a Zombie Apocalypse," he chuckled.
"I know that's his objective, but everything just seems odd," Tsubaki said.
"Zero asked us not to tell your ladyship about the plan. He said he just wants you to trust him and for you to follow me. That's all we have to do," he said.
"Ok," she said. Zero, I really hope you know what you're doing.
Yuno and Yukiteru's location
As Yuno lay pinned to the ground Yukiteru engaged in a stare down with the 12th…well as best he could since the 12th was both masked and blind.
"So tell me 2nd, just how is it that I'm so lucky as to encounter highly wanted criminals such as yourselves at the same time that I am trying to take down the nefarious Zero and Kasaguno Tsubaki."
"Wait, Zero's here?" Yukiteru was in awe.
"My intuition told me that by attacking the 6th I would attract the greatest evil of all, Zero."
"You consider Zero evil?" I asked.
"Of course he's evil," the 12th shouted, "He is a lawless outlaw attempting to defeat Britannia, the law of the land. Such evil must be put down and destroyed. Of course there are very few evils above killing the Viceroy of an Area."
"You…aren't you Japanese?" Yuno asked, "Shouldn't you see Zero as a savior?"
"Britannia is justice for justice is the winner. Japan…I mean Area 11 lost and therefore Britannia is the new justice and what should that matter to someone who is blind? Be you a number or a Britannian, all humans are the same to me. It's that simple," the 12th said.
"All humans you say?" Yuno asked with a bright smile.
"I don't like your tone little girl," the 12th snapped his fingers, "Perhaps I should silence you."
Imagine the burning blazes of an inferno. Using her mind Yuno set her captors on fire. Yukiteru took a few steps back. "Justice lies with the victor eh?" Yuno asked. "Then I will be justice," she picked up her axe lying on the ground, "For I am the victor!" she charged straight at the 12th, who dodged narrowly.
"You, you have some amazing power to suddenly be free," the 12th said.
"Yuno…" Yukiteru looked at her, confused.
"Yuki, I will never betray you. You can trust me," Yuno said with a smiling face, "I'm your partner. Forget about Lelouch. He's not even here. I will be the only partner Yuki will ever need. So please help me help you Yuki."
"Yuno," Yukiteru seemed at ease. "Ok. I'll try to trust Yuno one more time."
Yuno beamed and charged at the 12th with newfound confidence in herself. His dodge was even narrower this time. She has remarkable speed. He thought to himself, but every time that axe swings I can hear it and dodge. In this room of hardwood floors I can hear the movement of every footstep.
However, Yuno and Yukiteru were just a decoy as Zero was all too prepared for this little bout. High up on the rafters of a nearby cult controlled building was Inoue, a sniper mounted along her shoulder, aiming into the building through a hole created by the fire. "I-4 to Zero, I'm in range."
"Excellent, fire when you've got a clear shot," Zero responded.
"Yes sir," Inoue responded. She aimed carefully and loaded the bullet, ready to take aim when the 12th would be in proper range. She waited and watched. Maybe if I fire off a warning shot. No, Zero told me only to fire if I was certain the bullet would hit the target. He said the target had a big head and would be wearing a costume. She saw the 12th through her small view spot. That's him! Miss Kasaguno's assassin! Inoue's heart continued to beat rapidly. No pressure Inoue it's a clean shot. Just wait for a good chance to get him. She put her finger on the trigger. She watched the three individuals in the burning building move about and waited until she was certain that neither Yuno nor Yukiter would get hit instead of her target. And then she fired.
BANG!
Yukiteru watched as a bullet pierced right through the back of the 12th's head. His diary hit the ground.
12th, Hirasaka Yomotsu died. DEAD END
"Is it over?" Yukiteru asked Yuno.
"We were saved?" Yuno was confused. The sprinklers started to go off. The fire began to die away.
"We're alive," Yukiteru was overcome with slight relief.
"Of course your alive," Both the 1st and the 2nd looked over to see Zero, side by side with Minene Uryu.
"Zero!" Yukiteru was both surprised and overjoyed to see the freedom fighter in the flesh. "Wait what are you doing with Minene Uryu?" he asked.
"She is the newest addition to the Black Knights," he said. "I rescued her from the Omakata religion, the same religion that hired us to protect Miss Kasaguno from her would-be assassin."
"Zero, you gotta help me. My mom has been kidnapped by the cult. You have to help me," Yukiteru said.
"Fear not," he said, "Your mother being kidnapped was just a ruse, a tactic to draw you out. You were necessary in this operation to eliminate Miss Kasaguno's assassin."
"You used us?" Yuno asked.
"Not so much used as brought you where I could find you. You two have guts, guts are needed in the Black Knights. I give you the offer to join us," he told them.
"Zero it would be…"
"NO WAY!" Yuno shouted.
"I see," Zero said, "I figured you might be unreasonable Gasai Yuno. O-1, status report," Zero radioed for Ohgi.
"Sir Miss Kasaguno says the flag is still raised," Ohgi told him.
"I see," Zero said. "M-9, now!"
"Right!" There was an explosive smokescreen and Zero and Minene escaped into the dense fog.
Yuno Gasai plans to kill the 6th it seems. That doesn't surprise me. Let's see here. Lelouch pulled out his phone.
Cornered and Killed by the 2nd. DEAD END!
"You've gotta be kidding me!" Minene shouted.
"M-9, what's the problem?" Zero asked.
"My escape route's been cut off! That blasted Gasai!"
This is bad, Lelouch said, while panting, I can feel my strength about to give out, Yuno will catch up to us in no time, and when she does, it's all over. Damn it, I need a plan. I need a…
Yuno and Yukiteru leave together DEAD END AVOIDED
What?
Inside…
"Yuno stop please," Yukiteru grabbed her arm. "Don't hurt Zero. He asked us both to join him. He's…"
"A diary holder," Yuno said.
"How can you say that with such certainty?" Yukiteru asked her.
"He planned this whole thing Yuki," Yuno told him, "He used Yuki and me to help him protect the 6th. He put Yuki in danger all for his own selfish goals. Zero isn't a hero, he's just a manipulative bastard, just like that damn Lelouch!"
"Zero and Lelouch are totally different," Yukiteru argued, "Lelouch manhandles everything from a distance, Zero steps into the fray himself. So what if he used us, he knew we would survive. And he used us because he thought we had similar goals in mind. He wants to take down Britannia he…"
"We just need each other Yuki," Yuno was tearing up, "We don't need to be part of an organization. It just needs to be Yuki and me. And he's working with the 9th. He's our enemy now Yuki. Even if we could work with Zero the 9th is our enemy and so is the 6th. If the enemy of the enemy is our friend then the ally of our enemy is our enemy. In the end I'm the only one Yuki can really trust," Yuno said with a large smile.
"Yuno," Yukiteru saw how bent out of shape she was over this. He shook his head and sighed, "Fine, but for today, let's let it go. If what Zero said is true my Mom being taken by the 6th was a bluff and even if it's not, we helped the 6th. Let's just go ok Yuno?" Yukiteru extended his arm out to Yuno, "Please?"
"Yuki trusts me?" Yuno asked.
"I want to trust you Yuno and I if you want to be my partner, I want you to be able to be ok with the decisions I make. Let's not get in Zero's way. If you don't want to join the Black Knights I won't force you. Let's just get out of here, while we have our lives," Yukiteru requested.
"Ok," Yuno agreed. The two left the ashen building and made to leave the grounds.
Sometime later
The Black Knights were all gathered outside in the front garden of the Omakata religious grounds. Zero stood near the entrance along with the Black Knights. Tsubaki sat at the edge of the front steps looking towards him. Funatsu stood in between them both, and what remained of the followers, were on either side of the central groups.
"Zero, on behalf of the entire cult I thank you for safeguarding her ladyship's life," Funatsu said.
"It's no trouble at all Funatsu," Zero said.
"I believe our business is concluded now is it not?" Funatsu asked.
"Almost," Lelouch said and walked forward, "There's just one thing I want to know," the slot containing Lelouch's Geass eye slid aside. "Did you kill Miss Kasaguno's parents?"
"What?" Funatsu asked moments before he was Geassed, but he soon found himself under the influence. "Yes, yes it was me. I drugged them."
"Why did you do it?" Lelouch asked.
"For the good of the clan, if Miss Kasaguno married Clovis our clan would be in with Britannia," Funatsu's answers were causing a stir all around him.
Zero, a smile waved over Tsubaki's face. This is the same miracle you performed when you rescued that soldier Suzaku Kururugi.
"And another thing, isn't it true that you would've benefitted the most from such an arrangement? That you assumed full authority ever since the death of Miss Kasaguno's parents?"
"I did," Funatsu said.
"Very good then," Zero released his hold on Funatsu. It took the cult elder a few moments to realize what was going on. At first he denied such accusations of the people around him, but Zero was quick witted.
"You just confessed to such acts and now you deny them straight out," he said. "You are truly a despicable man."
"No! Can't you see?" Funatsu shouted, "This is all a ruse! Zero is trying to trick you all! He plans to make off with the Omakata himself!"
"Trying to deflect the blame onto someone else won't work. After all didn't you set this whole thing up?" Zero asked. "After the death of Clovis you feared your secrets would soon get out so you came up with this convoluted scheme to get rid of the entire Kasaguno family." Lelouch was lying, but he had already sown the seeds of discord amongst the cult so when Funatsu attempted to deny such claims he was not believed.
"Zero! You bastard!" Funatsu ran towards him, a knife drawn.
"Fire," Zero said calmly. The Black Knights opened fire upon the cult elder, slugging him with no less than 26 bullets into his body. Funatsu hit the ground as a bleeding corpse. Zero then walked across the pathway and stood at Tsubaki's side. "Members of Omakata group you're probably all wondering what I expect as compensation for my services. I will not ask for money or collateral. The Black Knights have no need for such things. What I, Zero, command of you, is that this cult be shut down." There was chatter amongst cult members. "The Omakata group shall be disbanded and all of its members who wish to shall join me in my struggle against Britannia. Regardless of whether any of you do or not I am taking Miss Kasaguno with me. I am freeing her from this hell. I promised to end her nightmare and end it I shall." Lelouch snapped his fingers. The black knights took aim at the varying cult members. "Protest and a fitting death awaits you. You are all on borrowed time now. If not for me more of you and Miss Kasaguno would be dead right now. From now on your lives belong to the Black Knights. You have three choices to make. You can join me, you can go and lives your lives normally or you may die. All who wish to pick the first choice can stand up here with her ladyship and myself. All who wish to leave can leave and all who wish to die can attempt to try and kill me. Most of the members left. Only a few stayed. Lelouch welcomed those who planned on joining him. He decreed to have an underground base to be built to accommodate the new home of the Black Knights. Everyone got straight to work.
Black Knights' Mobile Fortress
Zero's quarters
Lelouch's pov
I was taking notes and planning out the future of the Black Knights. I interviewed Tamaki and Kallen about their witness of Yuno's powers. From the sound of it, it seemed like she was some form of superhuman, to what extent I couldn't be sure. I'd have to keep investigating
Outside
Kallen's location
3rd Person pov
While taking a break from hard labor in getting this new base strung together I had a few choice words for M-9, or rather Minene Uryu. She may have had Zero's trust, but she was still a true cold-blooded terrorist. She was just as much of a loose cannon as Gasai Yuno.
"Hey," I said walking over to her.
She seemed to recognize me, "Wait a minute, haven't I seen you before?" she asked me.
"The name's Kallen, Kallen Kozuki," I said, "Though you may have seen me," I ripped off my headband and brushed down my hair, "Looking like this."
"Y-you're from the school!" Minene said.
"I see you have a good memory," I scowled, "Just what makes you think you can be like us?"
She laughed and pat my head, "Oh I get it," I swatted her hand away.
"What's so funny?" I snapped.
"You don't trust me do you? You think I'll betray you," she laughed.
"Once a terrorist always a terrorist. Your methods are too extreme," I told her.
She turned around and used the cooler to get a glass of water, "Aren't we all terrorists now?" she asked. "Don't tell me you actually care about that school. If you're a Japanese at heart then Britannia is the true enemy. Let's put aside our differences and try to be friends," she winked.
I restyled my hair and humphed. "Joining the Black Knights means having some form of honor and moral code of which you clearly have none."
"Sticks and stones," Minene drank her glass. "Zero and I were partners kid long before he started the Black Knights. If it wasn't for that freak in the mask capturing me I would've been there when this whole gig started."
"Bull crap!" I shouted, scowling.
"If that's how you feel why not ask Zero yourself?" Minene chuckled and walked away.
I growled under my breath.
Zero's quarters
Lelouch continued to pour over his notes and records when there was a knock on the door. He put his helmet back on and looked towards the door, "Who is it?"
"Master Zero, her ladyship would like to speak with you in private," a remaining member of the cult said.
"Her entry is permitted," Lelouch said and went to sit on the couch. Tsubaki walked inside moments later, she used her hands to feel around and sat inside the room. She put her clairvoyance diary on the table in front of her and Zero. "What are you doing?" Lelouch asked her.
"My life is in your hands now. If not for you, I or this diary would be a mere thing of the past. You may do with me as you will," she said.
Lelouch sighed, "Miss Kasaguno, you and I are allies now, I have no need to do away with an ally," he said.
"But you have to become god and I am in your way," she cried out, "Surely you realize you have to…"
"I know and the 9th is working with me as well. Right now both of you are worth more to me alive than dead. Together we shall work together to win this game and take down Britannia. Your right, I can take away your lives at any time now that they belong to me, but the 9th is now my employee and you deserve to live the life you never could have. Your nightmare is over Miss Kasaguno," Lelouch stood up and walked over to her, "Soon dawn will break and you will be free from the darkness."
"Zero," Tsubaki began to tear up and looked up at him she stood up and flung herself at him, "Zero!" Lelouch put a comforting arm around Tsubaki's shoulders. She cried for a few minutes and then looked up at him, the same blue visor of the black mask she had looked at in the darkness a few nights ago. She put her hands on the side of Lelouch's mask.
Lelouch reached over and put his hand on Tsubaki's wrist, "My face is not important. I am not a man…"
"But a symbol, I know," she said, "But symbol or no symbol, you are still human. Show me that human side of you Zero. I cannot see well, no one will know."
"Just how bad is your eyesight anyway?" Lelouch asked her.
"Your image itself is rather distorted. I'm extremely near sighted and things are off centered greatly," she said.
"I see," Lelouch said and pushed down on Tsubaki's hands and placed a hand on his visor, "Do not tell anyone you saw my face."
"Whatever you look like, it doesn't matter to me," Tsubaki said.
Lelouch closed his eyes and then took off his helmet and set it down on the table. He pulled down the black cloth from around his nose and mouth. Tsubaki put her hands up on Lelouch's face, stroking his cheeks and running her hands through his hair. "Zero." She stood on her tip toes and kissed Lelouch on his lips. Lelouch took notice of how soft her mouth was. Tsubaki was so elated by the feeling of having her lips joined to someone's whom she wanted them to be joined to. She wanted this. She wanted her and Zero. Her life was in his hands now, but this part of their partnership she wanted to go at her pace. For the first time in her life she had control; the ability to want and desire. She desired Zero's companionship, but not yet did she desire all of his love. First she would make sure, make sure that she was not stealing him from anyone. And when she was certain of that she would take Zero to be hers. That was her only desire.
Tsubaki and Lelouch broke away and Lelouch replaced his cloth and helmet. "Miss Kasaguno…"
"Please, call me Tsubaki," she requested.
Lelouch smirked, "Tsubaki, from this moment forward the Omakata cult is no more. From now on you are an honorary member of the Black Knights. Your life is with us, but I shall help you live it as you would like to live it." He picked up Tsubaki's clairvoyance diary. "I'm going to put this is a safe place. Tsubaki Kasaguno the 6th is no longer. There is just Tsubaki Kasaguno, the person."
"Then…Zero…I have a request. I want to learn," Tsubaki said with a smile.
"Learn what?" he asked.
"I mean that…I want to go to school," she said.
Lelouch gasped momentarily. She's seen my face, if I let her go to Ashford Academy I could be exposed…no her eyesight is too poor, besides, what are the odds of her actually winding up in my class?
The Next Day
Me and my big mouth, Lelouch thought to himself. The cult had gone ahead and arranged for Tsubaki to be instated into the Academy, but of course Kallen had to go and recognize Tsubaki and formally request she be brought into the Student Council. Lelouch kept his distance from Tsubaki, hoping she wouldn't recognize him. Milly, unfortunately, would have none of it.
"Lelouch stop being so unfriendly and come let our new member feel welcome. You're the vice-president for crying out loud," Milly reprimanded.
Grudgingly Lelouch introduced himself o Tsubaki. He saw it in her face. She recognized him. She said nothing though and just smiled. "Glad to meet you Vice-President Lelouch," Tsubaki said with a smile.
"Nice to meet you too," Lelouch said to her.
"Excellent now then who wants Pizza?" Rivalz asked.
While everyone sat down to eat Tsubaki pulled Lelouch to one side, "Your who I think you are aren't you?" she asked.
"I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about," Lelouch said, trying to play dumb.
"My vision might be bad, but purple eyes are hard to come by Lelouch," she said.
It's days like this that I wish I could trade places with Nunnally, Lelouch sighed.
"I won't tell anyone," Tsubaki said, "I promised you after all."
"Hey what're you two just sitting around for," Rivalz said sneaking up behind Tsubaki and Lelouch, "Come on we were just about to break out the videogames."
Lelouch sighed, "All right, all right, I can see you're not going to let me waste another party in the corner."
The party went on and everything seemed normal. The 12th was dead. Yukiteru and Yuno had gone back into hiding and Lelouch had made allies with the 9th and 6th, but would things stay this peaceful for long? Only time would tell. The Black Knights had secured their first victory, and increased their numbers. Tomorrow, Schneizel, the 2nd Prince of Britannia would arrive, and when he did Lelouch knew that he could expect things to get rather hectic.
End of Chapter 11
(A/N: And they will! Umm, I don't have much to say this time around, only that I want to know how you guys find the possible prospect of Lelouch and Tsubaki. And we finally have our first diary holder death, the 12th, may he rest in peace. Lelouch is the 8th, Yukiteru and Yuno are the 1st and 2nd respectively. Euphie is the 4th, Tsubaki is the 6th and Minene is the 9th. The 10th, the 11th, the 5th and the 7th still have yet to reveal themselves. Who are they? And when will they become relevant to the plot? What powers could their diaries hold? What will be the next outing for the Black Knights? Just how tough will Schneizel make things for Lelouch by taking the helm this early on? Find the answers to this and more next time on Ultimate Paradox!)