Audacity chapter… Wait what chapter am I on? 12 okay, whatever.
*Holy Crap, for some godforsaken reason this chapter was incredibly hard to pump out… Might have something to do with my Vicodin induced pain relief, which I assure you is absolutely necessary. Primarily because I've had all four of my wisdom teeth removed. So in all seriousness you can expect me to come back to this chapter and patch up all of the mistakes I made while giggling madly.*
Response to reviews by: Blacksword Zero, EVA-Saiyajin and Alastor Pariah.=== I sincerely appreciate the support, I look forward to continuing the rest of the story and maintaining your high regard of it at the same time.
I woke up slowly, stretching and groaning while pulling the blankets off myself. I forced myself into a state of awareness by shaking my head. Idly wondering what I should wear for today aside from the mask; obviously I couldn't wear my school uniform. So I was hoping for something that would make me look, either unique and/or awesome.
I stood while stumbling slowly making my way to the dresser, leaning onto it for support I opened it to fish out one of the black tank tops. I decided this would do as well as any other article of clothing, for I had nothing less identifying in my possession, that I knew of.
Equipping my selected articles clothing and fully dressing myself I placed all my belongings in their designated pockets. With the exception of my Glock that of which I holstered under my left arm. The high point for now would have to warm the bench.
The student Council more than likely find out about Nunnally's returned ability to see. And I can almost guarantee that someone's going to ask for details about it, I should probably go to her and get a story straightened out amongst the two of us.
I exited my room and walked over to Nunnally's. Not bothering to knock by open the door and entered. I quickly regretted my actions, for presented before me was Nunnally in the process of changing clothes, more specifically she was in the process of desperately trying to hook the clasp of her bra around her back. My mouth dropped slightly as I tried to back out without being noticed. I succeeded from what I could tell, considering the fact that there was no outburst or complaints of any kind issued towards me.
Ewwww… little sister naked. Must. Bleach. Mind. On a side note I couldn't help but notice that she was developing adequately for her age. My eyes widened at this thought. I then faced the wall and smacked my head against it two or three times.
"Cleanse your thoughts, puppies, kittens, ducklings, C-4." That was better. I then thought to myself.
Do I have time for this today? I could stay here and see everyone's reaction to her ability to see… Or I could go survey the area I'm going to be operating in.
I backed away from the door and walked to the student Council room itself intending to wait at least a little while for everyone to arrive. Opening the door I was slightly amused to find Nina already there working on the computer.
"Sup?" I greeted calmly as I sat down with the head of the table facing the door.
"Oh, hello Lelouch." She returned with meekly. I couldn't help but sneer slightly, her personality seemed far too weak. I didn't understand how someone could live with themselves knowing that they were essentially a human doormat. Whatever I was scarcely interested, so instead of screwing with her I placed my head down onto the table and napped peacefully into the rest of the council arrived.
I had been asleep for may be half an hour before I heard voices. I was already awake but I had yet to rise and let it be known. Instead I tried to identify the voices.
"I don't know he just said that it would be worth the small wait." This was clearly Shirley's voice.
"Oh ho… sounds very vague if you ask me." Naturally Rivalz was the one to put in the snide comment.
"Maybe he's going to ask you out on a date?" this was Milly of course.
"N-no, we already have something set up for later tonight." Milly cooed at this.
"What is it? Dinner, movie, and then…" she trailed off suggestively.
"A-a-and then what?" Shirley stammered out clearly flustered over the thoughts of any and all extracurricular activities.
At this point I had enough, I rose slowly from my position in attaining my full height and lining my vision over to Nina.
"Nina, will you please do me a favor and go get Nunnally. She has something she wants you all to see." Nina seemed a bit shocked, but overall complied albeit in a delayed manner.
"I'm not accepting questions right now so don't bother." I stated to everybody present. I walked up to Shirley and smiled at her, and was comforted when she smiled back. Despite the fact that I was contradicting myself it was more fun to do this. I leaned over and whispered into Shirley's ear.
"Nunnally can see again… she's no longer blind." I was immediately rewarded with an earsplitting.
"WHAT!" which caused Rivalz and Milly to turn around skeptically.
"Shhh… the only reason I told you is because I don't want you to faint from shock or something." My smile doubled in size as I saw the disappointed face of Milly. I searched for Rivalz however I was unable to find him. But my search quickly ended the moment I was put into a full Nelson from behind.
"All right buddy, spill it." Although I knew it was entirely playful couldn't help but feel threatened by his actions on an internal level.
"Wait; hold on, I can explain… You know what on second thought go ahead and kill me." Shirley deadpanned that this.
Milly then moved in for a tickle attack as for some ungodly reason she decided this was the best course of action. I made a high-pitched and girly laugh that I did not even know I was capable of producing as she proved her fingers around my midsection.
They consistently questioned me throughout my convulsions.
"Dammit Shirley, help me out here!" she pursed her lips and put her index finger to her chin and pretended to think for a moment.
"No, I think I'll just watch and enjoy." It was funny of course; however I couldn't help but think that I would have to get back at her somehow. Naturally it would involve a lot of physical contact.
Suddenly I was dropped plain and simple, I hit the floor. I was about to complain and protest but then my eyes spotted the wheelchair that of which could only belong to Nunnally
Excellent, now I can play it up. I began to crawl towards Nunnally theatrically as I dramatically pleaded.
"Nunnally… Save me…" This of course elicited a girlish laugh from Nunnally. However everyone else was absolutely shocked. Completely taken aback by the fact that Nunnally's eyes were wide open. However the silence was short lived as literally the entire Council began bombarding her with questions.
I was surprised to even see Nina engaging in conversation almost emphatically. I smiled at the sight. It was a genuinely heartwarming picture. I lifted myself up for floor and continued viewing them in all their innocent glory.
But somewhere in the back of my head and ominous thought loomed and came together.
Why don't I feel like I belong here… It's possible I don't. Then again it might have something to do with how unstable my personality is.
My thoughts darkened even further as I thought about what I was going to do later that day.
I need to keep them out of business like that, logically speaking the best way to do this would be to alienate myself. But I'm not sure whether I can handle breaking my only solid hold right now.
Realizing that I still had to collect my mask, I began to make my exit whilst saying my goodbyes.
"Well is much as I would love to stay here, I have things I have to get done." I emphasize the phrase 'have to' as I quickly invoked Shirley into a hug. Leaning over to Nunnally I kissed her forehead.
"Be sure to avoid bright lights please, we don't want you straining your sight unnecessarily."
"Where are you going big brother?" My heart clenched slightly at this question. I didn't want to lie… But I certainly couldn't tell the truth, not all of it at least.
"Need you ask? I'm going to be epic!" I said while smiling wickedly and making in explosion motion with my arms.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Shirley questioned. I sighed inwardly.
I feel awfully trapped; the only two people I don't feeling like lying to ask me all the questions I don't want to answer… time to be nondescript.
"You'll probably see it on the news. Peace!" I said this is I ran quickly out of the student Council room. I heard a muffled and frustrated yell come from the quickly shut the door as I made my way down the hallway.
All I need to do now is collect my mask, get in position, and wait. I grinned wickedly, I had all the information I could possibly need. Now all I needed to do was act.
*Waiting in the crowd*
The throng of people was incredibly aggravating to push through, regardless I put it off for now because I would need to blend seamlessly in the crowd until the moment I took off my jacket and put on my mask. I made sure that my holster with the Glock was completely concealed underneath my jacket, and that the jacket had no qualities amongst its pockets that could identify me in any way shape or form.
I fought back the urge to kick some old man in the chest as he elbowed me by accident.
God I hate crowds… Where the hell is that procession? I'm antsy enough as it is and then they go and make me wait, bastards.
I had already acknowledged the fact beforehand that there was a distinct possibility I would have to kill in order to get out of here safely, regardless of whether I accomplished my objective or not.
Less than 30 seconds after I'd made my way closer to the front of the throng two knightmares came rolling down the street at a leisurely pace. I realized this must be their contingent forward guard. There were guards at the edge of the crowd, however there were far too few and spread out the stop me assuming I kept a decent pace.
I began to sweat nervously. It escaped me fully and entirely but for some inexplicable reason I couldn't fight back the sadistic smile I had on my face. The casual observer would probably think I was bat-shit insane.
There it was finally, the vehicle that of which transported Suzaku Kururugi. I edged forward slightly while unzipping my jacket removing my arms from the sleeves. Letting it fall to the ground I pulled the mask up from between my belt and slid it onto my face.
Click…
And just like that, I felt all sense of morality desert me. My persona was now hidden and I could show the deepest darkest pits of my personality with impunity.
I took along and deliberate strides until I stood in the middle of the street, the knightmares stopped and the crowd quieted down and began murmuring amongst themselves. I grit my teeth in anticipation as who I assumed was the man in charge spoke up.
"What have we here, some sort of prank? Identify yourself fellow, for you stand in the way of Margrave Jeremiah Gottwald!" it was amazing how in one sentence this 'Jeremiah' had managed to insult me three times.
Unfortunately at that point I couldn't help but think the insults were well deserved for I then realized I had yet to come up with a fake name to go of my fake persona.
Balls! Ummm… Better answer quickly too. I need to get something that's hard to decipher. Actually, that will do.
"You may refer to me as Cypher," I paused and thought about how I could make it more cryptic. "Cypher 01." Oh how I wish they could see my smile beneath the mask.
"Well then Cypher, this charade going to be cut short-"
"I said Cypher 01 you dumb ass!" I cut him off by yelling this, sounding far more upset than I actually was. The margrave seemed slightly taken aback from the outburst.
"Very well then, Cypher 01! This ends now." He then produced a USP the man surprised me by not aiming at me, but rather, into the air. He fired once, in what turned out to be a signal for several nightmares to drop and surround me.
I hope those nightmares will fall apart with the rest of them.
"Indeed it does noble! However this will turn towards my favor!" I raised my arm into the air in a wide arc and snapped my fingers once.
The result was delicious.
Every last knightmare present disassembled itself at all the joints including the knees, hips, elbows, wrists, and shoulders. I found it especially amusing when the heads came off and rolled about slightly.
I let loose a mad cackle an attempt to rattle them.
"As you can see, I'm significantly better prepared! More so than you are!" The Margrave seemed only slightly disturbed at my display of control. He did this by crawling out of the cockpit of the knightmare almost indignantly and leveling his weapon at me. It was clear he had sustained some damage from the fall, not surprising considering that the seat was slightly ejected from cockpit when the machine fell to the ground.
My eyes widened and my mind raced, this is my chance to state my terms.
"Go on, shoot me faggot! However, know that once you do that Britannians will die from my poison gas this time around!" I let the threat hang in the air for brief moment, for I knew the Shinjuku incident was still fresh in everyone's mind.
"This time Prince Clovis won't be ordering me to use this biological weapon! I'll just get use it for my own personal amusement!" I ensued with more devious laughter.
"You scum, you dare tarnish the Prince's name? His Royal highness would never employ someone such as yourself!" I leaned my head to one side as if to emulate amusement.
"Don't be so sure." I said calmly. On a side note I noticed my voice was being amplified somehow. I quickly determined it might have something to do with the cameraman not 15 feet from me and the rest of the action. "Just remember, if I die, project Nerve will go public… And you don't want that to do you?"
The falter in the margrave's understanding was evident upon his face and his body language; this became doubly true when the lowered his gun for the most part.
"What is it you want, terrorist?" In all seriousness I was becoming tired of being insulted, for some reason I felt easy to provoke. It might've had something to do with all the small arms aimed at me.
"In exchange for the lives of all these Britannians and yourselves, I wish for you to hand over to me, one Suzaku Kururugi!"
"Madness!" For the briefest moment I was tempted to shout 'madness? This is Sparta!' but considering I wasn't within kicking range, I withheld the false statement. "I can't let this prisoner go, he is charged with the crime of killing his Royal highness, Prince Clovis!"
Once again he laid down another cue for me to spout my predetermined words.
"Ahh… I almost forgot about that. Perhaps I should enlighten you, it was not he who killed Clovis, but rather myself!" gasps where abundant throughout the entirety of the gathering, civilian and soldier alike.
"Now once again, and for the last time," I lifted my hand in the air slightly as if I was to snap once more. "Give me Kururugi… Or maybe you'd rather…" I raised my semi clenched fist higher as I slowly proceeded forward. I was fully prepared to Geass and him… Assuming he did not give into my demands.
As I drew closer, the stress was clear and plastered on Jeremiahs face and features. His eyes were dilated and wild; his faced dripping with sweat while his palms were shaking. Being closer within hearing range I said with a lower tone.
"What will it be, Gottwald?" almost childlike giggles began to slip out as I felt the madness the situation take hold of me. It was like polluting oil in the water that was my soul and sanity, the feeling was encompassing as it was enthralling. And I was absolutely loving it.
Finally the margrave give up, his knees buckled as he knelt on the ground.
"Release the prisoner." He said this while barely being audible.
"What was that? I. Can't. Hear. You!" I said and almost a singsong voice.
"I said release the prisoner!" he said clearly furious. There werelooks of confusion and aggravation amongst the men gathered both on the platform and around the disheveled heaps of knightmare parts.
One brightly colored red haired man spoke up in outrage, but was quickly silenced once Jeremiah solidified his order. Kururugi was then released from the chains on the platform but not from his cuffs even less so of his neck restraint.
Wonderful. Now to get the fuck out of here.
Suzaku walked to me slowly and apprehensively. Which was understandable, however I had her time schedule to keep. I impatiently grabbed him by the crook of his elbow and dragged him towards the crowd.
Being sure to include a mocking bow once or twice, I snaped my fingers high in the air and smoke filled the night. It turn out exactly as I had predicted.
A borderline orgasmic cluster fuck of screaming civilians, panicked policeman, and confused soldiers. Running like all high hell I made my way with the crowd and was lost to all who were present.
*An abandoned building, location unknown*
I sat there on the pile of rubble in some ghetto somewhere, slowly letting the adrenaline and absolute thrill drain from my body. This caused me to shudder involuntarily occasionally, but I was slowly regaining full control my facilities. I still felt incredibly unbalanced, but with sheer willpower I would hold.
Using the Glock I shot the chain linking the two sides of the handcuffs together, allowing Kururugi use of his hands once more. And then, in an impressive feat of strength, he broke the restraining collar around his neck.
I immediately wished he hadn't.
"You bastard, all those innocent civilians… The poison gas, how could you?" My slight grin was hidden by the mask. What the hell, I decide to explain myself to him at least.
"Uhh, hello both you and I were exposed to that crap, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that it was simply a smokescreen. Besides, I don't approve of killing innocents."
"And what of the Japanese in Shinjuku." He immediately countered with.
"That was a lie; you were there when it happened. You know damn well what that capsule actually contained." His eyes widened in shock.
"You know about the girl?" I nodded once in confirmation.
"That is true I know about her. Personal information and/or what she actually is… That I have no clue of." I paused briefly to stand and return the Glock to its holster. Dust swirled from my movements as the building creaked unsteadily. Condensation was beginning to build up within the mask.
"Any more questions?" I asked him, preparing myself to leave.
"Just one." He paused to think. He took more than a few seconds, and this caused me to grow impatient.
"Well come on, have at thee!" I couldn't help but make this verbal push slightly overdramatic with arm movements and body language.
"Why me, I mean, why would you save me. You could've just let me take the blame for you… It makes no sense what you put yourself in harm's way to save someone you don't know." This question surprised me. Not many people get saved from an absolute death situation, and then go and question their Savior about it. But then again what did I know?
"I agree, it makes very little sense. However, seeing as that you are completely innocent… It became a matter of principle to prevent you from being a political scapegoat courtesy of my sins. So to speak" he shifted his weight onto his other foot and began rubbing his wrists.
"You're free to do whatever the hell you want now, my conscience is clear. Be see 'in ya'" I said as I idly waved my hand informally signifying a farewell. Completely ignoring anything else he had to say I made my way around the building until I reached the exit. It would be a pain the ass to find somewhere where I could take my mask off undisturbed. Not to mention I was going to have to steal a jacket from someone.
But to be honest with you all of that was completely irrelevant, I had more than enough willpower to accomplish these things. For I had a date to catch up to.