And so, the routes have merged! But this time around, we've got yet more Code Geass plot, with a little Dancougar, GaoGaiGar and Evangelion mixed in too! Hope you like it!
Chapter 6: Mission To Mars! You Can't Always Go Home Again!
Charles zi Britannia, the ruler of the Holy Britannian Empire, stood at the top of a stone stairway, at the end of a floating, column-covered hallway that hung in an orange sky - the world seemed to be in perpetual twilight. His eyes were closed, as if in thought.
Charles was a giant - he towered over most people, easily standing over seven feet in height. His body was a well-built wall of muscle, and he sported long white hair styled into Renaissance-style curls. His intense violet eyes and angular features made him look even more fearsome. His attire was the typical royal dress.
Just then, a man in a cloak and hood reached the top of the stairs, and knelt.
"Your Holiness, the remains have arrived," the hooded man said, revealing another title Charles held - the Pope of the Eden Vital Church, the main religion of the Empire.
"Ah, yes," Charles said. "I was conversing with my fellows just now. The project must proceed, without a moment's delay."
Macross' defenders stared at what had just come out of the portal that had sucked in the wrecked Vegan forces...other mechs, most of which had never been seen before.
"What in the world is going on?!" Akito said. "What are those robots?"
"Those machines...can anyone identify them?" Gamlin asked the group. Most of them were silent - they didn't know what to think.
But Michiru did recognize one of them.
"...That red one with the horns - it can't be," she gasped. "That's Shin Getter Robo!"
"But didn't it explode during testing?!" Daisuke exclaimed. "We all saw the news!"
"Yeah," Sayaka said. "But it's here, right in front of us."
"Ryoma? Hayato? Benkei? Is that you?!" Michiru called out, hoping against hope that her friends from the Institute had returned.
"That voice," Kei exclaimed, a memory of her past coming back; "It sounds like…"
"It doesn't sound like they're hostile, but we can't be sure of who they are," Loran said. "For now, it's best if we cooperate with them...we don't want to start a fight."
"Let me be the one to negotiate," Harry suggested. "I have experience in diplomatic matters."
The newly arrived dimensional travelers were quickly gathered up and brought into the gigantic space colony named Macross, and their mechs confiscated and subject to thorough inspection while most of the pilots were locked inside a cell within one of the colony's government buildings - only Harry Ord, stripped of his weapons and bound in handcuffs, had been allowed to speak with the government.
Milia, the mayor of Macross, was in charge of the questioning. She seemed like a normal human with long, dark green hair, but in reality, she was also a Zentradi, and mother to Mylene. Standing in the room were Yurika, Daisuke, Gamlin, Vritwhai - and Tara, who had created the portal.
"Another universe?!" she exclaimed. "You expect us to believe that?!"
"It is the truth," Harry replied. "We came here from Earth, but history must have happened differently on ours."
"As farfetched as their story sounds," Daisuke said; "I don't think he's lying...and there might be someone who can confirm it."
He turned to Tara.
"Tara, do you have your cell phone with you?" he asked. Lifthrasir's pilot nodded.
"Yeah. I know what you're thinking. But I don't know if..."
She looked at her phone, and her eyes widened with surprise - her cell phone was picking up three bars.
"Wow! I seriously get coverage up here?! Sweet!"
Excitedly, she flipped to her contacts list and pressed a button to dial her home phone number.
"Hello there, my little Galloway girl!" came the voice at the other end, which had a Scotch-Irish accent. It was her father, Gilbert Zifell. How Tara had not picked it up was something none of her friends understood.
"Dad! You're okay!" she said. "Hang on while I cast you over to a screen. There are other people with me who want to talk with you too."
Tara fiddled with her phone a bit while a nearby screen started to load something. Finally, the image of her father appeared - he was a tall man in a white lab coat. His curly hair was reddish-brown, almost like polished bronze.
"I see you're callin' from Macross," he said as he looked back and forth. "That means you've made it to space, just as yer mother n' I 'oped! Bloody Britannia won't be gettin' Lifthrasir now!"
"Good to see you well, Dr. Zifell," Daisuke said. "Everyone, this is Dr. Gilbert Zifell, foremost expert in extra-dimensional physics and the study of faster-than-light travel!"
"Bonnie pleasure to meet you all," the man replied. "Spare me the introductions, and let's get to the meat of it."
"Okay, dad," Tara began, "You're not going to believe this...we've got visitors from another universe!"
Her father's eyes widened - he remained silent for a second, letting this statement sink in.
"...How'd they get here?" Gilbert finally asked.
"Well, during a battle against the Vega Empire," Tara said, "One of Lifthrasir's portals was exposed to two really powerful energy blasts."
"And based on what my companions and I experienced," Harry added, "The same happened on the other side...a portal was exposed to high levels of energy."
"Then it looks like this 'Granlif' and Lifthrasir have the exact same technology," Gilbert said. The scientist then started mumbling as he put down his phone and hurried off-screen.
"Dr. Zifell?" Milia said. A minute later, the scientist returned.
"Yes, yes," he said; "The math seems to add up. Everything appears to be consistent with my theory..."
"So, what do you think, Dad?" Tara asked. The scientist smiled widely.
"Tara, it seems my Threshold theory finally has proof!" he said excitedly. "There ARE other realities, and they CAN be reached using Thresholds! This is the happiest day of my bloody life!"
The screen began to shake as the scientist began to dance.
"So, my fellows and I can get home?" Harry said. This suddenly made the scientist stop his celebratory jig.
"...That, I'm not sure of," Gilbert said, shaking his head sadly. "It sounds like an unstable Threshold was created. I still need to figure out how to create a stable one."
"...There is one possibility of such a thing, Dr. Zifell," Vritwhai suggested.
"What is it, Vritwhai?" Milia asked.
"It could be related to the ruins on Mars," the blue-skinned Zentradi suggested. Yurika gasped.
"You said they had something to do with the 'Protoculture', right?" Daisuke asked.
"That is what I have come to believe," Vritwhai replied.
"Well if there's any way of getting them home, then we've got to pursue it!" Yurika said. "Thank you for your help, Dr. Zifell!"
"No, thank YOU!" Tara's father said; "You've only validated my bloomin' life's work! Just make sure my little Galloway girl comes home in one piece."
A pair of guards accompanied Harry, now un-cuffed, back to the cell. One of them opened the cell door where all of the pilots were waiting.
"Harry!" Christina said joyously as the guards left. "Does this mean…"
"They accepted our story," Harry said.
"Good!" Judau snapped. "We had no reason to lie to them, anyway!"
"They didn't happen to know a way we could get home, did they?" Yoko asked. "We aren't trapped here, are we?"
"It's only a possibility," Harry replied hopefully. "But our path home could be on Mars. The crew of the ship we encountered was headed there, and welcomed us to join them."
"Mars?!" Janus groaned. "We have to go all the way to MARS?!"
"It's our only lead at this point," Kei said. "I say we accept their generosity. Besides, maybe we could learn more about this world we're stuck in."
"I agree," Go said.
Janus looked around at the various mecha in Macross' hangar as they were loaded into the Nadesico. But he didn't see the purple-haired girl walking right towards him, and neither did she. They collided and fell backwards.
"Ow...shoot, I'm sorry," Janus grunted as he got to his feet.
"No, it's okay. I wasn't watching where I was going either," Tara replied as she rubbed her head.
Finally, their eyes met and they stared at each other, baffled.
"I'm sorry, have we met?" the girl asked. "I know I've seen you somewhere before."
"It's funny...I feel like I've met you too...but I just can't remember," Janus replied awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head. "I guess you don't either, huh?"
"Well, I guess we can just start over, then?" Tara replied. Somehow, she was completely at ease being around this young man, even though she had absolutely no memory of him. She courteously bowed, as was Japan's way. "Tara Zifell."
"Janus Olendra," Janus replied, bowing back, feeling a bit awkward doing it. "I know this sounds crazy, and I don't know why I'm even telling you, but...let's just say this Earth isn't the Earth I'm from."
Tara giggled. "So I heard. But I suppose you want to find a way home, don't you?" Janus nodded as they continued walking, talking as if they were old friends, even though neither knew why...
"Gamlin, you really don't have to come with us," Yurika said. "We have plenty of personnel as it is, what with those new arrivals that Tara said wanted to join us. "Besides, you need to protect Macross!" Gamlin had offered to go with the Nadesico on its mission to Mars.
"The mayor insists," Gamlin replied. "She's received intelligence of increased Jovian Lizard activity there...and there are also some matters regarding the Protodevlin that I was requested to research while there."
"Well..all right. But the Nadesico is getting very short on sleeping quarters," Yurika replied.
"We'll need extra fuel, food and other supplies," Ruri added. "It will be a very long trip...about 2-3 Earth weeks."
"Yes. Milia already took care of that," the Variable Fighter pilot replied.
"Welcome aboard then," Ruri said. It's going to be nice to have someone who's not a total idiot on board for a change.
With repairs completed, additional supplies loaded up and all of the remaining robots on board, the Nadesico could finally start on the next leg of its long journey to Mars. Yurika, figuring that it would be best to get everyone acquainted early in order to avoid awkwardness, called for all hands to gather in the lunch hall several Earth hours after the ship has launched. The remainder of the crew had been notified of the nature of their new allies, and all seemed to accept it easily.
The group arrived to find a wide variety of dishes arranged on the tables, which had all been moved together by Akito and the rest of the bridge crew. Akito had prepared every last dish on the table, and each of them was a feast for the senses. The group (except for those who prepared this banquet) began to murmur amongst themselves as Yurika stepped forward. She cleared her throat, which also served to get the group's attention.
"Good afternoon, everyone!" she began cheerfully. "I thought I'd start our little trip off with a nice party, so we could all get to know each other a bit. If there's one thing that I'm sure any culture uses to break the ice, it's a nice meal…probably the universe's first cross-dimensional meal!"
"Mmmm, everything smells delicious, Captain!" Gai said, salivating a little.
"Thank you!" Akito said with a grin. "I hope this food isn't terribly different from where you come from."
"Are you kidding?" Kittan exclaimed, licking his chops. "I can't see anything here that we wouldn't devour in a second! And you MADE all this, kid?"
"His name is Akito, and yes, he did!" Yurika said, almost offended that anyone doubted Akito's cooking ability. "Okay, everyone sit down at your assigned seats and dig in!"
"Just a warning," Ruri chimed in. "This is three days worth of food. Don't waste it."
Everyone nodded and sat down in the chairs. They were interspersed so that everyone was sitting near someone from the opposite world.
Thankfully, the food was indeed a great ice breaker, and the two groups quickly got acquainted.
"So, Michiru…" Kei said, surprised that she was being so casual with someone who was dead in her world. "Do you really pilot a Getter Robo?"
"Um, yes, I do. But unlike the original, it cannot transform, and it does not perform quite as well in combat. What about Shin Getter? Was it truly completed in your world?"
"…Yeah, before Dr. Saotome went stir-crazy," Gai quipped, unaware of who Michiru was. He didn't realize that Go was glaring daggers at him, as if he was also offended by the idea.
"Wait, so let me get this straight," Tara said. "This Simon guy has a mecha that spawns drills out of thin air, has sunglasses on its chest that it can throw like a boomerang, and runs entirely on fighting spirit?"
"Yep, that's Simon alright," Kittan said with a grin.
"Where is he now, and can I have his babies?" Tara said with a surprisingly composed tone of voice.
"I rather not answer your first question now…but no," Yoko replied. "Simon's already spoken for." Tara pouted a bit and sighed.
"Don't worry," Kittan reassured her. "You'll find that special someone." He glanced over at Janus for a moment, who seemed shocked at the idea.
"…Oh, that is so romantic!" Yurika swooned. "Dianna must be so happy to have a wonderful knight like you, Lieutenant Ord!"
"Um…she and I are nothing like that, Captain Misumaru," Harry replied, discomforted at how direct Yurika was being. "I am merely her servant, and she is my queen."
"Oh, Akito, won't you be my knight?" Yurika squealed, grabbing Akito's arm, who groaned as he tried to break free.
"Yes, and she'll be princess Yurika Angelina Contessa Louisa Francesca Banana Fanna Bo Besca Misumaru…the Third!" Izumi quipped.
"Is she always this weird?" Loran whispered to Ryoko.
"Don't mind her. We can't understand the meaning of half of what she says," Ryoko replied. "She's not all there, I think..."
"And bam-smack-POW-ZOOOM! Gekiganger completely kicks Prince Akara's butt!" Hikaru cheered as she made punching motions, recounting one of her favorite episodes of Gekiganger 3 to Janus, Christina and Judau.
"This show sounds so stupid. Do they really expect people to take it seriously?" Christina said cynically.
"Yeah…only little kids would like it," Judau replied with a huff. "You're practically an adult now!"
"And Gekiganger sounds like they stole the idea for Getter Robo and just changed the name," Janus said in slight disbelief. "Why hasn't the Saotome Institute sued them for copyright infringement?"
"Hey! At least watch it before you pass judgment!" Hikaru protested. "Yeah, you gotta take at face value most of the time, but it's really fun to watch!"
"Yeah…I was skeptical at first, but as long as you turn your brain off, it's actually really good," Koji added; "You know, we probably have enough time to watch the entire series. Tara happens to have every episode."
"Woo yeah, three weeks of non-stop PASSION!" Hikaru cheered. Suddenly, Hikaru and Koji began to belt out the theme song:
A dream is calling for tomorrow, a cry of the souls
LET'S GO PASSION
Someday we will get back peace with our bare hands
LET'S GO GEKIGANGER 3!
Do you know? You are Earth's treasure
We want to protect your Freedom and Light
Sky, Sea and Land are everybody's power
One for all
Show your courage, C'mon rise up!
(LET'S GEKIGA-IN!)
Let's hold tight to the dream, just look towards the future
LET'S GO PASSION
Bring down the King of Dark Space Demons!
LET'S GO GEKIGANGER 3!
A tears' S.O.S can arrive from everywhere
Burn! Power of Rage and Justice
Run through Galaxy plain's Runaway
All for one
Love and Hope are the Warrior's Emblem
(JET, MARINE, TANK, ARE GO!)
A dream is calling for tomorrow, a Cry of the souls
LET'S GO PASSION
Someday we will get back peace with our bare hands
LET'S GO GEKIGANGER 3
Sky, Sea and Land are everybody's power
One for all
Show your courage, C'mon rise up!
(LET'S GEKIGA-IN!)
Let's hold tight the Dream, just look towards the future
LET'S GO PASSION
Bring down the King of Dark Space Demons!
LET'S GO GEKIGANGER 3!
Idiots, all of them… Gamlin and Ruri thought simultaneously.
With Omoikane handling the running of the ship, the crew and passengers on the Nadesico were left to their own devices. It was going to be a long trip, but the meal together had made things a lot easier for them to get along.
The first full Earth day into the trip, the Nadesico passed by numerous PLANTs, and both Judau and Christina gazed out the window at them.
Daisuke, who happened to be passing by, happened to recognize a particular PLANT: Junius Seven, a colony devoted to the study of agriculture and bioscience…and it was also where Hikaru Makiba lived.
"Does the Earth have space colonies in your universe?" the Fleedian asked, still amazed that he could say something so casually.
"Yes, but they're sort of different. They're more like floating islands or cylinders than hourglasses, really," Judau replied.
"What about Newtypes?" Christina asked. "Are there humans that have…well…special abilities?"
"Yes. Most of the inhabitants, if my friend's accounts are correct, are Coordinators," Grendizer's pilot replied; "They possess abilities greater than most normal humans. I know nothing of their exact nature, though."
"Let me guess…there's a war going on between them," Judau suddenly said cynically, crossing his arms and turning away. "Just like the stupid war between Zeon and the Earth in our universe! I bet somewhere there's a kid like me who has to fight."
"Ah…of course. You pilot the Double Zeta Gundam," Daisuke said. "But the way you put it makes it sound like this is a common occurrence in your world."
"You don't know the half of it," Christina sighed. As a recent member of Londo Bell, she knew many ace pilots on both sides of the conflict who were children: Elpeo Puru, Judau, Kamille Bidan…and even the greatest Federation ace, Amuro Ray, got his start in their mid teens.
War was a horrible thing. It set perfectly good people whose only difference was where they lived to fight to the death. Even Christina knew the Principality of Zeon had some decent people.
She wondered if this would happen here too…
Clovis' funeral was finally underway - and the Emperor himself had prepared a speech. All across the Earth Sphere, people watched and listened intently. As the ruler of one of the great powers in the world, anything he said publicly was subject to dissection, analysis and interpretation in the Atlantic Federation, European Union, Chinese Federation, Orb Union, PLANT, and Macross. While there was a significant time lag between the broadcast and its reception up in space, even the people on the Nadesico were watching.
As the Empire's national anthem began, he leaned forward on the podium as he began his speech.
"All men...are NOT created equal!" he boomed, speaking in a commanding tone that seemed to come completely natural to him. Even when viewed from a screen and on a lower volume, any object in the surrounding area would shake imperceptibly, such was the power of his voice.
"Some are born swifter afoot; some with greater beauty; some are born into poverty. Others are born sick and feeble, both in birth and upbringing. In sheer scope of ability, every human is inherently different."
"Yes, that is why people discriminate against one another. Which is why there is struggle, competition and the unfaltering march of progress!"
"Inequality is not wrong…"
He slammed his fist on the podium to emphasize his next statement.
"EQUALITY is!"
"What of the E.U., which made equality a so-called 'right'? Rabble politics by a popularity contest."
"The Chinese Federation with its equal distribution of wealth? A nation of lazy dullards!"
"The Atlantic Federation, who rails against Coordinators? Cowards who fear those who dare to evolve!"
"The Orb Union, who professes 'dialogue' and 'understanding'? Weaklings who hide behind their rhetoric of so-called 'neutrality'!"
"But not our beloved Britannia. We fight, we compete! Our evolution is continuous! Britannia moves forward, advancing steadily into the future!"
He knew that his statement about the Atlantic Federation fearing evolution and the omission of PLANT from these statements would make his opinion on Coordinators apparent to anyone with half a brain.
"Even the death of my son Clovis demonstrates Britannia's unswerving commitment to progress. We will fight on! We shall struggle, compete, plunder and dominate! And in the end, the future shall be ours."
He raised his fist over his head.
"ALL HAIL BRITANNIAAAAAA!"
Everyone in the audience where the Emperor was making his speech began to repeat the same final statement over and over.
About three days into the journey, a slight rumble could be felt throughout the ship. Tara and Janus were playing video games with Ruri when it occurred. The young girl was slaughtering the other two with ease, having won every round since they started playing. Thankfully, both players were good sports, even in spite of losing ten times in a row, and kept their fury to themselves. After all, Ruri didn't rub her victories in their faces.
"Huh? What was that?" Tara exclaimed, as she looked around.
"Oh, just some Jovian Lizards," Ruri replied without the slightest hint of concern. "They're attacking us."
"Shouldn't we scramble?" Tara asked, somewhat alarmed by Ruri's apathy to the situation.
"No need. The Jovian Lizards only send AI-controlled units. Their AI is pathetic compared to Omoikane, and the Distortion Field will repel anything they can throw at us."
"Um...if you say so," Tara said uneasily as she picked up her controller again.
"You talk about that AI like it's a friend of yours," Janus said.
"I'm the same way with Xemmey, but only because it can communicate verbally," Tara replied. "Omoikane has never made any attempts to communicate directly."
"Xemmey?" Janus asked.
"Oh, that's the name I gave to the AI that helps me pilot my machine, Lifthrasir," the purple-haired girl replied. Ruri suddenly closed her eyes and nodded a bit, as if listening to a message only she could hear.
"Omoikane says your machine's AI, Xengar, reminds him of a noble samurai. It's level-headed like Xemmey, but is prone to bursts of hot-blooded vigor now and then. He prefers Xemmey though - much more intellectual than its pilot."
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" Tara complained. "If it means anything to you, I happen to be ranked eleventh in terms of grades at Ashford Academy of the ENTIRE student body!"
"I guess there must only be nine other students!" Janus laughed. Tara fumed and threw the controller at Janus, hitting him hard in the head before stomping out of the room.
"Hey, you insulted her first," the young man whined to Ruri, rubbing the bump on his head.
"Intelligence and rashness are completely unrelated," Ruri replied nonchalantly. "Besides, I was merely stating the facts. The ability to act quickly and based purely on instinct can also be viewed as a good thing; you were the one who assumed I was insulting her intelligence."
Janus was about to retort, but then realized that she had a point, and got up.
"I…think I'll go apologize. Thanks for letting me play though, it was fun."
"You weren't bad for a first timer, Janus," Ruri replied as she turned off the game and switched in another disc.
Shinji and Misato, both carrying bags full of groceries, walked through a large apartment building in the Britannian part of the Settlement. While its halls were exposed to the air, they were safe from the elements. With summer upon them, the air was especially thick with moisture, as if a storm was brewing.
Now that Shinji was well enough to get around on his own after his first fight against an Angel, he needed a place to live - and Misato offered to have him live with her.
"Your things should be delivered by now, Shinji," Misato said as they stopped at a particular door. Next to it were a large number of boxes.
"I just moved into this apartment too," she said, "So please don't mind if it's a bit messy."
"Um...sorry for being a burden on you," Shinji said apologetically.
"Don't be!" Misato replied warmly as she unlocked the door. "This is your home now, too!"
"Oh...thank you."
But as he stepped through the doorway, he was greeted by a disconcerting sight - the apartment was littered with piles of beer cans and empty containers of junk food. A faint smell of old beer and rotting food pervaded the entire apartment.
This...is my home?! Shinji thought as he looked back and forth; This is "a bit messy"?! Meanwhile, Misato put down her bag of groceries on the table in the center of the room.
"Put that food in the fridge, would ya?" she said. Shinji sighed and went over to the fridge and opened it, only to find can after can of beer, mixed with some frozen meals and the odd bit of takeout.
Ice...snacks...instant foods...and tons of beer, he thought. What kind of life does she lead?
He looked over in another direction and saw a second fridge. But he immediately noticed that this one had two doors - one of which was much smaller than the other, perhaps no more than a quarter of the appliance's height.
"Maybe there's room in this fridge," he mumbled. He went over to it, bent down and started to open the small door.
"I wouldn't open that one if I…" Misato said as Shinji opened it - only to be greeted by a loud noise.
"AWWWWK!"
The Eva pilot leaped away and looked down - he saw a penguin. It looked like one of the smaller species, save for a bright red crest, and what appeared to be claws on the tips of its flippers.
"Oh, I see you've woke Pen-Pen," Misato said. "He's a new breed of hot-springs penguin! He likes to sleep in an environment like his home, hence the fridge. Be careful when you open it next time."
Why me? he thought.
The funeral was over, and Charles retired to his personal quarters. But someone was already there waiting for him - a tall man with gelled-up purple hair and blue eyes sat in a chair next to the Emperor's temporary throne. He was dressed in a Britannian officer's uniform with a little extra finery, and held a wine glass in his hand.
"A magnificent speech, Your Majesty," the man said, raising the glass as Charles sat down on his throne.
"I merely spoke what I believed, Shapiro Keats," the Emperor replied as he picked up an ornate goblet that sat on a side table between Shapiro and the throne.
"But I couldn't help but notice that you left out one group when you eviscerated those other nations," Shapiro said. "Not that I minded you tearing into Orb...I have no use for my old homeland anymore."
"You mean PLANT?" Charles said after taking a sip from his goblet. "They are similar to us."
"How so?" Shapiro asked.
"Coordinators have embraced evolution as we Britannians have. By creating superior human beings, they do a service to mankind."
"Ah, but they have one crippling flaw, Your Holiness," the former Orb soldier said, putting down his glass; "Their fertility is low - a result of tweaking too much with their genetic code. That must be why you do not fear them, and why you did not praise them."
Charles grinned and nodded.
"Yes, The Coordinators' folly teaches us that only those chosen by God are allowed to lead man to the next level of evolution."
Ah, if only you knew what God truly was, Shapiro thought.
"That is why I like you, Shapiro," the Emperor said proudly; "You display strength and intellect while simultaneously showing respect. Oh, if only you were of my blood."
"A shame for the both of us," Shapiro said. The two then shared a good laugh.
I merely understand how you think, old man. One day, Britannia AND this world will be mine, granted to me by MY God...
"GOOD! FINAL FUSION…APPROVED!" a burly man with thick eyebrows, wild blond hair and wearing a black coat declared in an extremely hot-blooded manner, pointing dramatically at a young woman with red hair, part of which stood up like antennae.
"Understood!" the young woman said as she typed in commands; "Final Fusion…"
She raised a clenched fist into the air.
"PROGRAM…DRIVE!" she yelled as she slammed her fist into a glowing red glass panel, breaking it, causing it to turn green-blue.
GGG: The Gutsy Geoid Guard. They worked outside of the control of any government or corporation; they existed primarily to combat a single threat to the blue world: the Zonder. And in spite of being Japanese, they helped anyone affected by a Zonder attack, even Britannians.
Of course, every influential group on the planet attempted to get GGG on their side through promises of money and power at one point or another, but all failed. The organization's head, Taiga Koutaro, was an idealistic man who would never cast aside his beliefs for any reason, one of which was that everyone deserved equal protection from the Zonder.
The young woman assisting him was Mikoto Utsugi, who lost her parents to a Zonder, and joined GGG to help prevent any more from suffering as she did.
Just outside the city limits, EI-04, a glowing red steam train had transformed into a monstrous shape thanks to the power of the Zonder faced down a giant robot that was a lion, Galeon, that changed into a humanoid shape when it fused with its pilot: GaiGar. But now, it was ready to transform again.
"FINAL…FUUUUUUUUUSIOOOOOOOON!" the pilot, a cyborg named Guy Shishioh, screamed at the top of his lungs, every fiber of his being filled with courage.
Immediately, a green energy tornado formed around GaiGar. The train-Zonder rushed at it, but the whirling energy kept it from stopping the transformation process occurring inside.
Three vehicles: a two-drilled tank, a bullet train, and a stealth bomber flew into the tornado. They, the GaoMachines, managed to incorporate themselves into its form through intricate connections and wiring. The bullet train formed the shoulders, the drill tank formed bigger legs, and the stealth bomber formed the arms, back and helmet.
"GAO...GAI...GAAAAAAAAAAR!"
And thus the King of Braves GaoGaiGar was ready for battle. The train Zonder quickly took this opportunity to launch its assault: a barrage of flaming rocks.
"PROTECTO SHAAAAADE!" Guy yelled. GaoGaiGar held up its right palm, creating a barrier in front of it. Unfortunately, whoever sent the Zonder was counting on this, as the rocks bounced off the barrier, and damaged the very city he was trying to protect.
"No!" Guy cringed, realizing that he was doing more harm to the citizens than good at the moment, and was forced to let his guard down. The Zonder kept up its assault, and GaoGaiGar was pounded rapidly and repeatedly by the torrent of flaming boulders.
But GGG always had tricks for moments like these.
Guy suddenly leaped into the air as what appeared to be a gigantic mechanical screwdriver flew overhead: it was its newest weapon...the Dividing Driver. The cyborg carefully guided GaoGaiGar into position, and connected with the gigantic tool.
"DIVIDING DRIVEEEEEER!"
GaoGaiGar smashed the ground with the Dividing Driver at full force. It began to form a massive crack in the earth, literally splitting the city down the middle and knocking the Zonder into it, while a force field came into existence, surrounding the two machines and ensuring further collateral damage was minimized.
Now that the city was safely out of harm's way, Guy knew he could go all-out. EI-04 tried its barrage of rocks once more, but once again, Protect Shade blocked it, merely causing a cloud of dust.
"BROKEN MAGNUM!"
From out of the dust cloud came a hot-pink glowing, spinning rocket punch, which smashed the Zonder in the face. Guy spurred his mech forward, and delivered a series of powerful punches to his foe, dazing it.
Now he could defeat the monster...but he needed to do it carefully, as an innocent person was trapped inside. Luckily, he had just the thing. GaoGaiGar opened its arms up, and energy began to pulse into each arm.
"HELL...AND...HEAVEN!"
The right arm was charged hot-pink, and the other glowed a brilliant gold.
"Gemu-giru-gan-go-gufo..." Guy grunted as he strained to clasp the two hands, which repelled each other like magnets of the same polarity would. As the two hands drew closer, energy crackled between them.
But he succeeded, and the resulting collision created a massive burst of energy, forming a green energy vortex surrounding the scene, and the Zonder robot was paralyzed on the spot by a burst of pure power coming from the King of Braves.
Guy spurred GaoGaiGar into a full-on charge, the hands still clasped together. With deafening force, the robot's hands buried themselves in the Zonder's chest. Guy pulled hard, and ripped out a pulsing pink orb. The orb split, revealing what appeared to be a creature made of purple metal that flowed like hot latex.
"MAMORU! HURRY!" Guy called out. Suddenly, a young boy that glowed green and possessed six wings almost like a dragonfly zipped into the air, slipping through the force field with ease. He chanted some arcane words as power flowed into the tip of his finger, and then pointed it at the writhing creature. The creature, sure enough, slowly changed back into a chubby middle-aged man with thick spectacles, who was crying with joy at being released from his horrible prison.
"Wonderful; we've saved another innocent life. We couldn't do it without you, Mamoru." Guy said. The winged boy, Mamoru, smiled, always glad to help.
"...'We can't just have buck privates running around with advanced weapons like this,'" Lloyd said to Suzaku back at the Lancelot's hangar, quoting a conversation he had with Princess Cornelia. "'The increase in rank will give him a little more respectability. More importantly, the way he protected my sister deserves such commendation.' Those were Princess Cornelia's exact words."
"Congratulations, Suzaku!" Cecilia said happily.
"Thanks," Suzaku replied humbly; "Now it makes me feel worse about having you help me with my homework." With that, Lloyd went back downstairs to continue monitoring the activities of the other staff members.
"You haven't been through normal school, so I don't blame you," Cecilia added. "Having to go to school with so many Britannians..."
"I've managed so far," the Lancelot's pilot assured her.
"Ashford is quite a liberal school, so I suppose I shouldn't be surprised," the woman replied. "I do hope you're fitting in."
"Don't worry," Suzaku again assured her. "An old friend in the student council was able to help smooth things over."
"Treasure that friend," Cecilia said, putting a friendly hand on Suzaku's shoulder. "If your friendship grows stronger, you may realize that your chance reunion may have actually been predestined."
She then glanced over at a plate full of rice balls.
"So, have one," she said.
"Thanks, I will!" Suzaku said excitedly. But as he bit into it, his brain did a double-take. He had expected meat or fish inside - but this was...
"Jam?" he exclaimed.
"Yes, made from fresh blueberries!" Cecilia said happily. "I hope you like it."
"Pack it in, everyone, we're done here!" Lloyd suddenly called out. "Nothing left to do! That's all, folks! Go home!"
"You should go back to your school," Cecilia suggested. "Get to know your friends and classmates."
"The Saitama ghetto is now completely surrounded," Darlton explained to Cornelia, Guilford and Shapiro watched a screen displaying the battle situation. They were inside a command vehicle much like Clovis'. Just like before, Britannian forces were about to raid another ghetto, preparing to gun down innocent Japanese.
"The Yamato Alliance's hideout is somewhere inside," the Princess' subordinate added; "We expect that about half of the residents are cooperating with them."
"As expected," Cornelia said with a nod. Shapiro, however, started to grin widely, as he quickly saw the Princess' real plan.
"I see what you're up to, Cornelia, you sly girl!" he laughed. "You're trying to create conditions very similar to the Shinjuku Incident, no?"
"Other than the sudden appearance of that 'Angel' creature, yes," Cornelia replied.
"You and I think very much alike, Your Highness," Shapiro then said. "You and I both understand that this 'Zero' character has a flair for the theatrical. By recreating the same conditions in Shinjuku, we'll bait him out."
"In all likelihood, he'll try to come and assassinate me," Cornelia said. "Just like he did with Clovis."
"My Lady! You'd risk your life for this?!" Guilford exclaimed.
"The warrior struggles to balance two things in life," the Princess said; "The desire for glory and the desire to live."
"Of course, we do have our secret weapon," Shapiro added. "On the off-chance the Elevens' labs are supplying help."
"Yes...the Cyber Beast Force," Cornelia sighed. "But we'll save it only as a last resort. We can't risk another fiasco like the incident with Nergal's warship."
Nor will I depend on them, she thought; If ordered to kill other Elevens, they'd most likely turn traitor and ruin everything first.
"And waste the power of a Super Robot?" Shapiro scoffed. "Fine, be that way." Cornelia looked up from her throne, giving him a disgusted side glance.
Shapiro Keats...how on earth did you - a depraved officer from Orb - manage to wriggle into Father's good graces? It makes me shudder to think that we're at all alike...
In Lelouch's room, C.C. laid on the prince's bed and watched as he packed a suitcase with the various parts of a Britannian soldier's combat uniform. He had learned on the news that the military was going to raid the Saitama ghetto that evening.
"So, you're going to take their bait?" C.C. asked.
"Of course," Lelouch replied with a smirk. "Especially after they went through all the trouble to invite me. Besides, there's something I need to ask Cornelia."
"Tell me," the green-haired witch asked; "What's more important to you...destroying Britannia or finding your mother's murderer?"
"They are equally important," Lelouch replied as he put the last item in.
"This world that Britannia envisions," he continued as he sat back; "One where only the strong survive - is one that leaves the weak and powerless trampled underfoot! I won't allow something like that to exist any more!"
"But survival of the fittest is the law of nature," C.C. replied, interested in hearing Lelouch's answer. The fact that he had not developed a god complex so far interested her.
"And what about Nunnally?!" Lelouch replied angrily as he slammed the case shut and stood up; "Just because she's weak, does that make her unfit to live?! I'll change all that myself!" But as he prepared to walk out, he heard a gun click and looked over at C.C. - she was standing in front of the door, holding a pistol and aiming it at him.
"Don't go doing anything stupid, Lelouch," she warned; "I won't have you die on me before you fulfill your end of our contract."
"Your words and your actions contradict each other," Lelouch replied.
"I was only going to shoot your legs so you'd stay here," the girl said. But Lelouch smiled smugly - C.C. had revealed something important.
"I see...so you can't actually USE Geass, can you?" he said; "If you could actually use that power, you wouldn't have asked me for help."
Lelouch reached into his jacket and pulled out a pistol of the same make as C.C.'s.
"A gun?" C.C. said, almost amused. "You know you can't threaten me with that."
"Oh, but I can." Lelouch replied as he calmly turned the gun and aimed it at his temple. C.C. gasped, giving the prince a bit of satisfaction - this was the first time he had ever seen her look at all flustered.
"Before I met you, I was dead," Lelouch explained; "An impotent corpse existing behind a false guise of life. A life in which I did nothing real. Day after day, I merely went through the motions of living as if I were a zombie. And I always had the feeling that I was dying a slow death. If I'm condemned to go back to that, then I'd rather..."
He slowly started to pull the trigger.
"Wait!" C.C. cried. Lelouch released the trigger.
"Now I see...you want your life to have meaning," the witch said, "Otherwise..."
Standing beside Cornelia's transport was a gigantic machine - a Super Robot. Mostly black and metal in coloration, it did have a few red windows, with its torso appearing to have an elephant's head on it. In fact, it was made up of four separate robots resembling animals - the Eagle Fighter, the Land Cougar, the Land Tiger, and the Big Moth (which wasn't a moth, but a mammoth).
Its pilots were four young soldiers from the Orb Union, but all born in Japan. Having spent their days training in Orb's military, they were shocked to learn that their former commanding officer, Shapiro Keats, wanted them to help Britannia.
"Damn it...why do we have to participate in this madness?!" their leader, Shinobu Fujiwara, growled. He was a young man with black hair and strong, keen eyes, almost like the eagle his machine was based off of.
"I know, Shinobu, but it's our only choice," said Sara Yuuki, pilot of the Land Cougar. She had long, fiery-red hair and almost cat-like green eyes. "Shapiro did so much for us when Britannia invaded. If he hadn't intervened on our behalf, we'd probably be dead by now!"
"I know, but Shinobu's right!" said Masato Shikubu, a young man with short brown hair, and innocent-looking brown eyes - he served as the pilot for the Land Tiger. "We didn't become the Cyber Beast Force so we could play lapdogs to Britannia!"
"None of us are happy about this, Shinobu," said Ryo Shiba, who had long brown hair and a cold gaze - he piloted the Big Moth and was known as a skilled martial artist.
Damn it...I can't be the only one who thinks Shapiro's a rat! Shinobu thought.
"Attention, Cyber Beast Force," Guilford ordered; "You are to remain here on guard duty unless otherwise ordered. You must not allow Zero to slip through our defenses."
"Yes, My Lord…" the four said in unison, faking deference as much as they could get away with.
And that's how he did it. That sly bastard.
To think that Shapiro Keats was serving as the intermediary between Britannia and Nergal Heavy Industries. Well done discovering that, Alan.
No problem, Dr. Hazuki.
However, we must find a way to get in touch with Zero. I believe this information will save him.
I'm already on it, Doc.
Things had been going well for Lelouch so far. Having Geassed another soldier into surrendering his Sutherland, he contacted another terrorist group, the Yamato Alliance, and was ordering them just as he did with Kallen's group, using a high building to get the best view possible.
Of course, any rebel group would follow the orders of the heroic Zero.
"Now then," he mused as he pondered the situation. "Should I try to draw Cornelia out, or make an opening?"
"R1, R2, fall back to where N2 is. We'll lure them there and create an ambush," he ordered. "B7, open fire towards two o'clock."
A tank exploded as one of the rebels' Sutherlands (once again gained by Lelouch's wiles and use of Geass) opened fire on it.
"P5's group can begin barrage."
More gunfire and explosions.
"N2, continue towards the upper right."
Down went a VTOL craft.
"R4, fire."
Another tank destroyed.
"P3, cross the bridge and destroy their escape route."
A suspension bridge snapped apart under a short burst of gunfire, taking more Britannian Knightmares and tanks with it.
But just as he was about to issue another order, he noticed that the enemy troops were starting to retreat all at once.
Have I cleared this hurdle? Lelouch thought; I guess I overestimated you, big sister. With that, he spurred his stolen Knightmare forward.
Now, I'll just merge with the retreating forces and get close to Cornelia...and then victory shall be mine.
Little did he realize that he had walked deeper into the Princess' trap than he had previously thought...and it only sunk in when he saw Dancougar.
Britannia has a Super Robot of its own?! Did they disguise its IFF signal?!
Lelouch tried to issue orders, but the terror of facing this giant seemed to be too much.
"Welcome, Zero," Cornelia announced. "If that is who you are. Well, we'll find out shortly."
Beaten so easily, when I've only just begun! Lelouch thought, his teeth clenched in frustration. This is what a real organization is capable of...damn it all!
"All Knightmare pilots, open your hatches and show yourselves," the princess commanded. One by one, the Britannian Knightmares opened up their hatches, their pilots standing up. Only Lelouch's stolen Knightmare remained.
"If you will not reveal yourself," Cornelia said, "Then you'll suffer execution at the hands of our Beast Machine God Dancougar."
Dancougar stepped forward, and readied its sword.
As Lelouch once again faced what seemed to be utter defeat, he suddenly heard his cell phone ring.
Who in the world is calling me now, he thought. He looked at the number - it was his own. Thinking that since he was doomed anyway, he might as well answer.
"Hello?"
"Zero," the voice on the other end said. "From the looks of things, you seem to be in a bit of a bind."
"Who are you?!"
"An ally of justice, like you," the other voice said. "I've got some information you might find handy."
"You have until the count of 20 to reveal yourself," Cornelia said. "One..."
This has better be earth-shaking, the prince thought. Otherwise, it's all over for me!
"Three...four...five…" Cornelia said, each number coming anywhere between two and ten seconds after the last...as if she was trying to inflict maximum despair on Zero, or get him to act desperately.
"The pilots of Dancougar, the Cyber Beast Force, are Orb soldiers of Japanese birth that fight under the command of one Shapiro Keats - and only because they believe he saved them," the voice explained. "But what they don't know is that their commander was the linchpin of Britannia's conquest...it was HE who convinced Nergal to hand over the Aestivalis plans to the Empire."
"Ten...eleven...twelve…"
"But how will that help me?!" Lelouch asked frantically.
"Fourteen...fifteen…"
"See how Dancougar's pilots react to THAT tidbit of information," the voice on the other end of Lelouch's phone said.
Instantly, the prince's confidence was restored...he had been given a way to turn Dancougar to his side.
"Eighteen...nineteen…"
"Cyber Beast Force!" he said. "Before you kill me, would you allow me a few final words?"
"Is that alright, Your Majesty?" Shinobu asked.
"Fine," Cornelia said dismissively. "But make it quick."
Lelouch grinned widely. Cornelia had just lost.
"Shapiro Keats lied to you," he said. "The land of your birth lies in ruins because of him, not in spite of him...HE brought the Aestivalis plans to Britannia." In reaction to this, Shapiro gasped, stumbling back a bit.
What?! How did he learn THAT?! he thought. Most of the Cyber Beast Force gasped, save Shinobu, whose expression turned to a mix of rage and elation.
"I knew it...I KNEW IT!" he cried.
"Sha...piro?" Sara gasped. "He...did that?"
"That does it!" Shinobu declared. "Ryo, Masato, Sara! We're switching sides! YAATE YARUZE!"
Dancougar suddenly swung its sword at Cornelia's transport, leaving a deep gash in it.
"What are you doing?!" Shapiro cried, frantic that he was about to lose control of such a powerful tool. "He's lying!"
"Even if he is," Shinobu said; "We can't stand working for you anymore!" Dancougar swung its sword, cutting several Sutherlands in half and sending their pilots flying.
"We have to protect Her Highness!" one of the Sutherland pilots exclaimed. Every last Knightmare turned their weapons on Dancougar - but the Super Robot's mighty armor repelled their fire.
"Zero, clear out!" Masato called out to him; "We'll keep these guys busy!"
It worked! It actually worked! Lelouch thought as he beat a hasty retreat. They may not kill Cornelia, but I've still won! He watched on his screen as Cornelia's transport began to back away from his newfound ally.
Back in his room, Lelouch stumbled into bed, gasping for breath. The sheer exhilaration and exhaustion of the past few hours had overwhelmed him. C.C., meanwhile, was sitting on a chair, contentedly munching on a slice of pizza.
"I saved you a slice," she quipped after swallowing a bite. But before Lelouch could answer, his phone rang again. He looked at the number - again, it was his own. But he realized that it was likely to be his mysterious savior. He answered the phone and waited.
"Hello again," the voice said. "It sounds like you're alive."
"I'm deeply grateful...for earlier," the prince said in between heavy breaths. "If...you hadn't called at...the time…"
"Not a problem, Lelouch vi Britannia."
Lelouch's eyes widened in horror.
Impossible! How could anyone already know who I am?!
"Not to worry, my friend," the voice said. "I've been doing this espionage thing since before you learned to walk - your secret is safe with me."
"So now I'm in your debt, and you have something to blackmail me with. What do you want in return?"
"First, tell me," the voice asked; "Why did you nearly lose?"
"Because," the prince answered after a moment of hesitation; "Because conditions weren't equal!"
"Geez, someone's a sore loser," the voice said with a laugh. "Well, what if you could set the conditions the way you wanted? You're definitely good enough to do that."
It didn't take long for Lelouch to see what this mysterious man had in mind.
"I see...I think I understand."
"Good," the voice replied. "And for the sake of that goal, I'm sure we can convince the Cyber Beast Force to lend you their strength further...and depending on how well you perform, maybe more."
"Wait, could you at least tell me who you are?" Lelouch asked. "You already know who I am!"
"Call me...the Black Knight," the voice said.
Black Knight, Lelouch thought, the name resonating with him.
"We'll be in touch. Take care of yourself, Lelouch."
With that, the call ended. C.C. looked over after she finished another slice of pizza.
"Well, what will you do now, Lelouch?" C.C. said. "You seem to have a mysterious benefactor of your own."
"I'll set one up," Lelouch said; "I'll make an army that won't lose to Britannia...a people...a nation unlike any other!"
Next time...
The Nadesico arrives near Mars, only to find that someone has been following them! Who is it, and how will they handle them? Meanwhile, Lelouch is preparing to create his new army...but can he convince the Cyber Beast Force to sign up as soldiers? Can he truly create an army for justice? Find out next time in Chapter 7 - Combine, OK! Rise of the Black Knights!
