As requested, an Update, because I couldn't just leave off at the last chapter. Now shall we get on with the show?
12: Duel
Shock ran through the crowd like a sliver of ice. The man calling himself "Zero" had just admitted to being the murderer of the late Prince Clovis. All across Area-11, wherever the people had access to a TV, or monitor, the figure of the black robed figure loomed. His armor gleamed under the lights of the bridge as he stood fast in the face of certain death should he make a wrong move. The mystery device behind him held an ominous sort of interest for the people; what could be inside it that would stop the Pure-Bloods in their tracks so quickly?
On the bridge, Jeremiah was sweating bullets, hoping, praying that nothing would go wrong. Beside him was an entirely different problem, however, as Cornelia Li Britannia rose from her seat. Barely contained rage bubbled up from beneath her calm facade as she strode over to the Margave's Sutherland, "Jeremiah, you will take me to the front of the line." She demanded, stepping onto the Knightmare's shoulder. "This is not a request."
Jeremiah nodded, "Do you wish to call one of your Knights?"
"You will do," she concluded, "Now, advance!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Meanwhile, Lelouch caught sight of the Margave and his passenger, and slightly smiled beneath his mask. "Lord Kewell Soresi," He said, addressing the orange-haired man, "Let us conduct a trade. As you now know, Suzaku Kururugi is innocent. Therefore you have nothing to lose from this offer."
Kewell growled as he lowered his pistol, "And what of yourself?" He asked, "Do you really expect to leave this bridge a free man, or even alive for that matter!?" He roared over the din as the crowd erupted. "You have admitted to the crime of regicide, and you truly expect to get off scott free?!"
A dark, booming laugh came from the man, sending s shiver down the man's spine, "These people are my jury," he said, flaring out his arms from under his cape, letting his left move forward as Jeremiah and Cornelia came up beside the Pure-blood, "Second Princess Cornelia shall be my judge," he intoned as the woman scowled at the masked figure, "And with this trade, let my trial begin. What say you, Princess Cornelia, viceroy of Area-11?"
Cornelia snorted, "A traditional trial usually presents claims and evidence, Zero," she sneered, reaching for her gun-blade, "What's to stop me from acting as you executioner this very moment?"
"Evidence that Prince Clovis la Britannia was a murderer of thousands of Japanese citizens," Zero proclaimed, holding up a small drive that was barely visible from his gloved hand, "With this, I not only hold damning evidence, but so much more."
Jeremiah was frozen, but inside, he now understood. The container was a smokescreen, nothing more. He meant the drag the Imperial Family through the mud but good!
"More?" Kewell breathed out, silently looking for an opportunity to shoot the man without hitting the container of gas. Suzaku for his part, was trying to warn them about the container, but the shock collar prevented him from speaking.
Zero nodded, "Yes, so much more than just that," he said, smirking widely behind his mask, "Should I perish before I present this evidence, it will be spread throughout the internet worldwide, and the Imperial Family will be shamed beyond belief." Zero remarked, remembering everything that C.C. had told him before his operation, "Murder, rape, torture...the list goes on and on, and it all came from the lips of one of Clovis' victims. I even have him admitting his crimes, and begging for his life just before I burned a hole through his chest."
Cornelia burned with rage. To Lelouch, he knew that he had her in check. Wrath was her greatest weakness, just as Hubris was Clovis'. On the battlefield, she was a goddess. Unmatched by all she faced...until now. A battle of wills she would never win against the likes of himself.
Jeremiah sighed, and leaned down to the Princess's shoulder, "M'lady, I would suggest making the trade," he said, making her frown at the man, "At least this way, we will have the gas out of his hands."
"Agreed," she said grudgingly, turning toward Kewell, "Get that man down and hand him over!"
Kewell started, turning pale, "B-but, My Lady -?!"
"NOW!
Lelouch, or Zero, sighed in relief, it was all falling into place. "Alright, this is it, Kallen," he said quietly, "Get out of the car slowly, and step behind it. Do nothing until I give the word, but keep your blaster at the ready."
"R-right," the girl muttered nervously, getting out of the car as he had told her.
Suzaku was roughly handled down from his platform, and marched up to the masked figure who stepped down from the car to meet him. The late priminster's son looked at the figure, "Who are -GAH!" He tried to speak, and was zapped for his efforts.
Zero cocked his head slightly, "They didn't even allow you to defend yourself through words, did they?" He asked, seething on the inside at his friend's treatment. He then stepped around him, "Now, on to business." He said, holding up the drive once more, "With this evidence, I justify my killing of Clovis la Britannia."
Cornelia's frown deepened as her anger rose, "Justified or not, killing a member of the Imperial Family is an act of high treason against the Empire and his Imperial Highness Charles zi Britannia!" She snapped leveling her gun at the man, "As you have said, these people are your jury." She said loudly as she turned to the crowd, "How do you find the defendant?!"
"GUILTY!" Was the roar that rose up from the Britannians.
Lelouch expected this, and smiled, "As I have confessed, I would like to end my trial with a plead for Trial by Combat." He spoke out, "I will offer this information to you, undisclosed, if you allow it."
Before Cornelia could answer, Kewell pushed his Sutherland forward, "I accept these terms!" He roared, looking back at the Princess, "This will redeem my failure to the crown! You die here, Zero!"
"Kewell, no!" Jeremiah roared, "That container!"
But it was too late. The Knightmare was speeding toward the cloaked figure, the rifle raised to fire.
Zero chuckled, "So impatient," he said, "I haven't even introduced my champion, yet."
Suzaku, who had been watching the exchange from the sidelines, would have covered his ears had his hands been free as a titanic roar sounded from beneath the bridge.
The words uttered by Zero had been a signal phrase, just as he had planned, alerting Ohgi to his part in the operation: payback. Using its Ion Turbo Boosters, the Liger Zero-X rose up from beneath the bridge and landed just behind the canister with its Downforce Stabilizers acting as thrusters. The blue and gold beast unleashed another frightening roar at the advancing Kewell, shocking him into retreating a few steps.
"The die is cast," Zero said, "The terms of combat shall be honored by the viceroy as one of her men has accepted the challenge." Cornelia fumed as Kewell realized his mistake in thinking Zero intended to fight himself. It hadn't occurred to the man that he might have an ace up his sleeve.
Kallen moved forward, her part done for the moment, and dragged Suzaku out of the way, much to the teen's protests, which were stopped by the collar. Zero stepped out of the way himself as the Zero-X advanced, its eyes gleaming bright yellow as Ohgi and his partner sized up their prey.
"Okay," the former teacher sighed, "Just like before...we can do this, Liger." A growl of agreement sounded fro the Liger, an oddly happy face appearing on his monitor depicting a smiling Liger. "Heh, I don't think I'll ever get used to that."
Cornelia snarled, looking toward the Margave, "What are his chances?"
Jeremiah frowned as well, "If that thing is anything like the one that attacked me in the ghetto?" He said, shaking his head, "None."
'Damn you, Kewell!' The woman snarled angrily. 'If you lose and survive this, then there will be hell to pay!' She stood tall for the moment, "The challenge of honorable Trial by Combat has been accepted by Sir Kewell Soresi." She announced, glaring at the Sutherland, "Upon this bridge you will do battle until one of you is forced from their machine, or killed. The one rule that you cannot, and will not break, is not to involve the civilians!"
Ohgi said nothing even as Kewell gave out a shaky affirmative.
"BEGIN!"
At the shout of the Princess, the Liger shot forward at Ohgi's behest, faster than Kewell could react. It slammed into his Sutherland, smashing into the chest piece where the cockpit was. Kewell spun his machine around, using the Stun Tofas to strike out at the monster before him. Both man and machine saw the attack coming, and darted out of the way, using the Shock Cannons mounted on the chest to fire at the Sutherland. The Pulse bullets exploded against the armored frame, knocking it sideways.
Before Kewell could recover, the Liger was on the move. Ohgi agreed that involving the crowd was cowardly, and did his best not to stand in front of them for too long in case Kewell got any ideas. Instead, he opted for running circles around him. The Liger was certainly having fun, that much was plain by the sound of content purring from the beast-machine.
Kewell was now enraged as the strange frame circled him. "Stand still!"
"No thanks," Ohgi's voice dripped with sarcasm.
Kewell fired off his chest mounted machine guns, spraying the area with bullets, and frightening a crowd of people as the streets in front of them were peppered with shots.
It was then that Ohgi decided that those guns needed to go. Veering off into a zigzag pattern across the bridge, Ohgi and his Liger doubled back and made a leap toward the Knightmare, sailing toward them with those monstrous gleaming claws outstretched. Kewell howled in fear and rage as he raised the rifle, firing off wildly at the bestial Knightmare. The shots ricocheted off of the armored machine as it slammed into the Sutherland, and laid into it with tooth and claw.
The glowing elongated fangs crashed down on the chest piece, utterly devastating the armor plating, and ripping the guns from their mounts. Kewell forced the machine off of him with a kick of his Sutherland's legs, using his Slash Harkens to go back on the offensive, but Ohgi's Liger was far too fast, faster even than Jeremiah recalled Zero's Black Tiger to be.
"Incredible," the Margave breathed out, earning a glance from the Princess, "Forgive me, M'lady, but that machine is...words can't begin to describe it in terms of combat," he said biting his lip in remembrance of the beating he'd seen on the video feeds, "I mean, it's only shot once, and it's dominating this battle completely."
Cornelia frowned as she watched the farce of a battle unfold. True, Kewell was putting up a valiant effort against the strange Knightmare, but the thing honestly seemed to be playing a game of cat and mouse with him. Now with one of his weapons destroyed, Kewell's chances for survival were slimming further and further. "I feel that I must agree with you, Sir Gottwald." She admitted, wincing when the Liger literally tripped up Kewell's Sutherland with its tail.
Meanwhile, Kallen, with Suzaku at her side, was watching the battle with growing awe. Her Liger had performed amazingly, but this machine of Ohgi's? Bit hadn't been kidding when he and Van said the specs were far superior to the Shield and Blade Ligers, or even the Liger Zero frame he operated. Suzaku even had to marvel at the machine as it fought and ran circles around the Sutherland.
Kewell was far less impressed, however. The man was losing his cool under the assault of the monster in front of him. One moment it was in front of him, and the next it was beside him so quickly he could barely follow it. 'No,' he thought frantically as he fired wildly, missing with each shot he took, 'No, no, no!'
The barrel of his rifle suddenly tipped toward the watching crowd. Ohgi saw this, and cursed, pushing the Liger into the rifle's path. The man nearly laughed as a annoyed face appeared on his monitor. "Sorry, partner."
As Kewell aimed for the crowd, Cornelia and Jeremiah were horrified, and further shocked when the Liger Zero-X leapt in front of the spray of bullets. While they expected the Liger to be pelted with bullets, something totally different happened. The Liger spread out four mane-like frills around its head, and produced a red-hued shield, stopping the bullets in their tracks.
Even Zero was surprised by this turn of events. For one, he hadn't expected Kewell to attack the crowd. But also, he didn't know that Van had managed to install the Shield Generator into the Zero-X's system. "I'm going to have to thank them for this." He said, aloud as Kewell ceased his senseless onslaught. Ohgi, or the Liger, he wasn't sure which, didn't let down the shield until either one of them was positive that he wouldn't attack again.
When the shield went down, the Liger growled, "You Britannian coward," Ohgi's voice came from the Liger, advancing on the shamed Knight, "I was once told that it was Britannia itself that needed to be defeated, not its people." He said, echoing Zero's words to him only days ago. "Now I understand. Before Zero, I was nothing more than a terrorist, fighting to take down as many Britannian's as I could, but they were innocent compared to you!" The Liger lunged forward, and Kewell screamed madly as the monster slammed into him, ripping and tearing at his Sutherland with its teeth.
He attempted to eject, but the Liger had already damaged his machine far too much to even hope to escape. Finally, his cockpit was ripped open, the metal peeled off liked a layer of skin torn away by those horrible teeth as the fierce golden eyes glared down at him. Giving off a shrill, frightened scream, Kewell scrambled out of the ruined machine and made a break for it...
...only to be snapped up by the jaws of death themselves as the Liger snatched him from the ground, and held him in its teeth, trapped by the prison they created without killing him...yet.
With the panicked Knight in its jaws, the Liger turned to the Princess and Margave, stepping forward in a lazy manner. The four remaining Sutherlands sped to the Margave's side, but the man held up his hand to signal them to stand down for the moment.
Instead of attacking, Ohgi and his Liger stopped just in front of the group, and the former teacher spoke, "Is this what you call honorable?" He asked somberly, Kewell held tightly in the machine's jaws, "I may not be a Britannian, but my people have long known about honor, and what this man did...for what he attempted, he would be forced to take his own life to redeem himself if he had any honor to begin with." With that, the Liger dipped its head down, and dropped the struggling man from its jaws, who scrambled away from it. "But I will not give him an honorable death...he doesn't deserve it."
Ohgi's words struck home for many of the men and women present on the bridge. Jeremiah bowed his head, "You speak the truth," the blue-haired man sighed, "You easily bested this man in battle, and followed the rules set forth by Her Highness, yet when it all came down to it, you protected our people from one of their own when you didn't have to. I thank you for that."
The Liger growled, snapping it jaws closed, "I'm through making war on the innocent." He said, and wheeled the Liger around, satisfied, "The battle is over, and I've won Zero his life." Inside, he felt as if he had accomplished something great, even though it was a small victory.
"Thank you, P-1," Zero said through his communications link, sounding sincere as he stepped forward, and tossed the drive he held up to the Margave, who caught it, "As promised, there is the information that I have on Clovis, but do not think that that is all there is. I recommend you go through that, and think carefully about your late Prince." He turned, and pressed a button on the side of his helmet, "Zero to Hammerhead, we're ready down here. Prepare to pick up three people and one Z-frame."
"Hell of a fight, Boss," Moonbay's voice drifted to his ears as the young former Prince made his way toward Suzaku.
"Pilot!" Cornelia shouted out to the Liger, which turned its head, "I'm curious to know...what did you do before Britannia's occupation of this Area?"
Ohgi frowned, "I was a teacher."
Cornelia was surprised at the admission, but before she could say more, a deep, thundering sound came from above them. "An airship?" The Princess wondered as the strange vessel descended. It had the distinct shape of a marine animal, a shark if she was any good at guessing, with a hammer-shaped cockpit, and a large dorsal fin which housed several missiles as did the pectoral fins.
Zero waited as the Hammerhead landed on the bridge, opening up the bay doors to allow Ohgi and his Liger entrance while Kallen ushered Suzaku into the ship from the side. He then turned to his sister, and smiled fondly behind his mask, "My Lady, Li Britannia," he called out, gaining her attention, "While this first meeting has ended in peace, I fear that not all of our dealings will end as such," he flared his cape out, and gave a cordial bow, "So with this, I bid you adieu, and pray that when next we meet, it will be upon an even battlefield."
All the while, as the charismatic figure spoke, the camera had been rolling, as a man found in Zero something worth seeing. "I got all of that on film," he breathed out, grinning madly, "What a show you put on, Zero!"
Zero turned and made for the Hammerhead.
"STOP RIGHT THERE YOU BASTARD!" Kewell Soresi screeched, causing the man to turn, and raised a gun at the man known as Zero. The man had a crazed look on his face as he glared at the man, no doubt blaming him for his humiliation.
Kallen had turned around at the shout and, seeing Kewell with his weapon, went for her own, but it was too late. A shot rang across the bridge...
But Zero did not fall even as Kewell held the smoking gun. The bullet was deflected by something protruding from Zero's person...a wing...a single, metallic black wing had whipped out from under his cape, and stopped the bullet from touching him. Inside his disguise, Lelouch felt his rage boil over, but kept himself just barely in check. It wouldn't do to kill the man just yet. Instead, he turned around to face him fully as another wing appeared from beneath his cape.
"Hear me, Kewell Soresi," Zero intoned, "You have been shamed this day, not only by my champion, but by your self through no fault but your own." He said, and spoke louder, addressing the not only those upon the bridge, but those he knew were watching his every move at that very moment across the country. "Is this truly who you would have as your Knight?" He asked, his question directed at Cornelia, but heard by all, "Is this the type of person that you would have govern an Area?"
Cornelia frowned, "Lecture me, will you?"
Zero laughed, "Lecture? Au contraie mon cheri, I am rebelling. " He roared, flaring our his arms and his wings widely, causing a gasp to run through the crowd, "With this very moment, I begin my rebellion against Britannia. And through this rebellion, I shall bring about retribution, and revolution!" He roared, "For Japanes, and Britannians alike, I will fight for those oppressed by the Nobility, by the Emperor himself, and when he dust settles, a new order shall rise, one free of tyranny, and slavery." He said, "From this moment, you may think of me as Britannia's plague. For that is what I am. I shall be a plague for those that prey upon the weak and feeble. Any who wish to join me are welcome. No matter your race, or your nationality, I embrace all."
'This is all just a show for him,' the cameraman grinned as he kept the man in his sights, even as he turned away from the Princess, and boarded the ship. Zero had made himself known to the world, an enemy of Britannia.
I'm pretty happy with the way this chapter turned out. Lots of action, and more to come.
Don't forget to review!
