Turn 13 "Origin of Change"
It was a shocking feeling that overcame Rai as his eye widened after using his Geass against Feite who slept mere feet away from him. He blinked only for a minute, only to find himself standing in a grassy field surrounding a very familiar stone monument covered by an obscuring white mist. "Where am I?" He took a moment to stare at his hands, and look around in a cautious manner. Rai's hand lowered to his hip where the sword normally rested, however it was missing.
"My did you misplace something mister?" The voice of a young girl exited from a nearby stone with an English accent. Rai took a step forward, and threw his hand out quickly going on the defensive. "Who is there?" His eye widened at the sight of the small blonde girl stepping out from the mist with her hair in a "Bob" cut. The small girl pointed at herself, and bowed in cordial fashion. "I'm me, but who are you? You don't belong here; you're not in our memories." She slowly looked up at Rai, and started to chuckle at the recollection of his face. "Ah, now I remember you now mister…" Rai took a step back, and stumbled falling backwards on to the cold wet grass. "Remember, what are you? Why am I here? Return me to my world." The small girl shook her head, and let out a playful laugh. "Return you? You tried to command us, make us wake up, but you should know Geass doesn't have an effect for us now."
Rai grabbed hold of the grass, and his eyes shot wide open at the sight of a rapier pointing over his shoulder and past his 'good' eye. "Why are you here in my purgatory?" Feite spoke in a non-existent accent from behind. Rai slowly turned over with his eye focusing on the skin tight uniform belonging to the Order of the Black Knights. "You honestly don't know? You are exactly what V.V. feared you'd become." The collar of her shirt was wide open revealing a sigil forming on her chest. "Rai is that really you are just another echo I've found here." Feite glared out the corner of her eye, and spotted the young version of her playing in the grass. Rai stared at the weapon still pointed at him. "Judging by my reactions, it should be obvious." Feite pulled the weapon away, and tossed it into the air only for it to dissolve instantly. Her hand moved to her chest, and lightly touched the partially formed sigil. "As an agent of V.V. you know a great deal about me, also I'm somewhat surprised that you still live, and in a functioning way."
Rai returned to his feet, and dusted off his pants before jacket. "Funny, I'm glad to hear that your personality is still intact." He looked around the small area, and let out a disgruntled sigh. "To clarify that who said I was an agent of V.V." Rai's strong and passionate eyes glanced into her causing Feite to step back slightly. "How long will you drown yourself in regret, don't you have things you must accomplish in the real world." Feite's arms dropped to her sides while she lowered her head glancing at the grass below. Her hair fell down casting a shadow over her eyes, and nose. "Things I must accomplish? Yes, there are a few things that need to be done before I can let myself die…." Her hand moved to her stomach, and tears started to stream down her cheeks. "I must create a peaceful world for my daughter." Rai tucked both hands into the jacket pockets, and sighed deeply. "So, the rumors were true, you and Lelouch Vi Britannia had a child together. Now I see why the order wants you, and the child." Feite turned over with her eyes wide. "What do you mean by that?" He turned away from her, and shook his head. "Since you pulled me into your inner world, there is no use for me to keep it a secret."
The thunder crackled while a fleet sits outside of the Chinese Federation's territorial waters. The flag belonging to the Legionnaires flies high on the lead carrier while Knightmare was raised to the flight deck. The pure white frames slowly activate while a single one aims a large scale rifle connected to various power cords that take over half the flight deck.
A small statured girl not a day over fifteen years of age stares at a targeting device on her console. Her blonde locks were tied back into a pony-tail while beads of sweat roll down the sides of her face. "Are you seeing the telemetry data? My Geass is transmitting it to you Alice." Alice blinked for a moment while taking the time to stare at the data sent by a fellow frame across from her. The map displayed the artificial island of Horai, and the position of their agent Sancia. "Yes Lucretia, the data confirmation is adequate…tell the commander that we'll begin when the safeties on this rifle are disengaged."
A small alarm echoes through Horai while a plethora of Knightmare frames move to the edge of the island in a defensive posture. Even the Ikaruga floated above with a great deal of Chinese Federation pyramid shaped carriers hovering amongst the waves.
"Are they planning to attack us?" Ogi looked down at the tactical map while looking over his shoulder at the empty seat where Zero normally occupied. Tohdoh crossed both his arms while staring at the formation of forces on the map. "If they wanted to they'd already done so. There is something amiss here." Minami lowered the headset off his head, and quietly shook his head. "The security department has successfully transferred most of the civilians to the other side of the island for safety. If we're attacked here casualties will be low." Tohdoh looked at the display of the island, and the three separate cities that made it up. "Good, we'll need to perform a preemptive strike. They are out of the range of Hadron cannons, and a barrage from Xingke's forces." Ogi stared at the data, and shook his head. His finger pointed down at the large carrier. "What about reinforcements? Wouldn't the rounds take part in this battle?" Tohdoh gently rubbed his temple, and exhaled softly lessening the stress building up from preparation. "That is what I'm worried about…I don't think the Kusanagi, and Shenhu can properly take out rounds if they're in this operation."
The sound of an evacuation order filled the area while Ishikawa gathered a few things into a backpack while Arcadia kept quiet in her crib. She turned towards the window and the large deployment of the Chinese Federation, and Order of the Black Knight's weaponry lining the usual peaceful coastline of Horai. An uneasy look was displayed on her face while walking over to the crib. She pulled the backpack over her shoulder, and stopped at the crib side. "We'll go to the other side of the island where the others are waiting for us."
A light hearted whistling noise filled the area while dressed in a rain parka, Sancia walked around a corner to stare at the small vehicle waiting in front of Feite Avalon's apartment. She let out a detested groan, while her Geass flared up yet again.
Two lightly armed officers stood in wait for someone beside a luxurious vehicle. They were both dressed in the similar black parkas while chatting with each other despite what was about to happen on the horizon. They had no idea that their position was being tracked by the agent that slipped in unnoticed into the heart of the Black Knights. Sancia snickered to herself while reaching behind her back to remove a pair of pistols from their holsters.
"Oh, you must be the one that was sent from headquarters. We won't need any assistance for the extraction." The first guard turned over and stared at Sancia's face. "Huh? What are you?" The second reached for his gun while a pair of silenced shots exited form Sancia. Two individual shells hit the ground, while lighting struck off into the distance. The two guards fall to their knees and hit the water filled street while Sancia simply walked past them. "Pathetic, we should just wipe China, and this island off the map. Sadly, my lord wants the diamond that lies in wait up there." Sancia walked into the sliding doors of the apartment, and into the empty lobby. "This is so much fun…"
In the nurses' office, Aurelia was resting in a small cot with the nurse looking over her while holding a small clipboard in her hand. Her eyes pan from Lelouch and over to Shirley before letting out a faint smile. "It seems that this girl has been over working herself. What's the problem with young people today? I'm glad you brought her to me, you two can go I'll be sure to monitor Ms. Bles's health." Lelouch looked over at Aurelia with an odd look in his eyes. Inside he was smiling, laughing even at how helpless Aurelia looked. He could very well use his Geass on the nurse, and end her life now. However something inside of him prevented him from accomplishing the goal. A faint and unfamiliar voice echoed through his head, a voice he had not heard since his childhood. 'Lelouch, please do not harm this woman…' Shirley looked over noticing the troubled look forming on Lelouch's face, and blinked a few times. "Are you alright Lulu? You look like you've seen a ghost." Lelouch rubbed his temple, while coming back to his senses. "It's nothing Shirley…I'll head out first. Can you tell Milly about this for me Shirley?" Shirley got off the nearby stool, and straightened her skirt. "Sure thing, have you seen Rolo? He promised to get me a charm from the store by the train station the other day." Lelouch shook his head, and shrugged his shoulders. "I haven't seen him since this morning; he did act rather odd when we watched the news. But I have to go later Shirley."
Lelouch walked down the hallway touching the center of his forehead. A pained look displayed on his face while the voice repeated in his head. He turned the corner to spot a fellow student down the corridor. She turned over to Lelouch staring at him with a set of ice blue eyes. 'Follow me, Zero.' Lelouch's eyes narrowed while the pain grew inside his head causing him to stumble after the mysterious girl.
The girl rushed up the spiral staircase to the rooftop access with Lelouch closing in on her. The door was pushed open with the light from outside blinding the pursuing Lelouch. He held his hand up as he stepped out onto the school rooftop. "Hey you stop running immediately!" Extending his hand out to the mysterious woman, she turned and let out a mild laugh before stopping in the middle of the rooftop. "Who told you I was Zero?"
The girl smiled briefly at Lelouch and looked up at the blue skies above. "I'm connected with the one you know as C.C. She is beneath one such as I. Lelouch Vi Britannia." Lelouch took a step back while the girl took a few steps over to the railing leaning over it. "You know C.C, but you're a student here…you're from the freshman class." The girl let out a soft nod before glancing over her shoulder. "That is who this body belongs to, but surely you should understand that I have a purpose for you to accomplish. I am the dawn on the horizon; I am the White Queen…."
Lelouch shook his head, and scoffed. "White Queen that is nothing but a fairy tale told to me by my mother." He moved his hand across his eye removing the contact lens concealing his Geass. "Tell me who you really are!? Tell me who sent you here?" The girl laughed while Lelouch's eyes shuddered for a moment. "Is something wrong Lelouch Lamperouge? Do you feel something out of place?" Lelouch removed a mirror from his pocket, and stared at himself. His Geass was no longer there it had vanished. His hand shook dropping the mirror onto the rooftop. "My Geass…"
The girl walked forward moving her hand forward brushing Lelouch's cheek as she passed him by. "My time is short Lelouch, it is time that I bring you into my war against the man you call father." Lelouch froze in place while the words started to make sense in his calm calculative mind. "You wish to bring me into the war?" He scoffed over, and extended both hands out. "I'm already starting, soon I'll be able to crush Britannia.." The girl shook her head and poked Lelouch in the center of the forehead. "Crushing isn't necessary to free the world from the chaos. You must rise up and aid my banner; Charles must not be able to activate the keys to unleash Akasha." The girl moved a hand to her forehead, and stumbled slightly. "They've found out that I'm communicating with someone…" She fell forward causing Lelouch to catch the shorter girl in his arms. Her head landed softly into his shoulder, causing a smile to flash on the girl's face. She moved her lips to Lelouch's ears, and whispered. "It has been forever since I've felt the warmth of another….Farewell Lelouch…" His eyes started to shudder at the familiar tone of voice, and looked down at the sleeping woman. 'This voice, it couldn't be…it's impossible; I need to speak to C.C. as soon as I can.' Lelouch closed his eyes and immediately his Geass resurfaced in both his eyes.
Several hours later, Aurelia opened her eyes to get a glimpse of the white ceiling of the nurse's office. There was still a headache pulsating in the back of her mind while noticing Shirley sleeping on the side of the bed while seating in a chair. 'What happened to me? Why do I feel so uneasy?" Shirley opened her eyes slowly letting out a mild groan while coming out of her sudden nap. "I'm glad you're okay…" She mumbled causing Aurelia to turn her head away trying to hide what could be perceived as a smile. "You have my thanks, Shirley…If I may ask what happened to me?" Shirley rubbed her back for a moment, and looked over at the doorway. "You were in the library researching something, and you collapsed. Lulu brought you here for you to recover." Aurelia's eyes narrow while staring at the droplets of rain that started to hit the outside window. "He brought me here? I have to thank him; do you know where he went?" Shirley looked over at the doorway, and shrugged her shoulders. "The nurse told him to go home for the day; he is probably out with Rolo doing their usual mischief."
There was suspicion forming in the Knight of Two's eyes while she feigned a humble nod, and started to pull the sheets off her. "I see, thank you Shirley, I should go thank him personally now." She turned to the opposite side of the bed, and as she moved to stand up the headache grew worse causing her to fall back onto the bed. "Aurelia, are you alright?" Shirley quickly held her hands outstretched to catch her while Aurelia looked up at her. "I guess I'm not well enough to find my rescuer."
In a large park the rain started to fall harder with Lelouch standing beside a fountain holding an umbrella over his head. His cold eyes stared down at his reflection in the rippling water below him. 'If the white queen is so powerful, why cannot she just kill the emperor when she can possesses the bodies of regular people?' He took a few paces away from the fountain, and looked over at a couple kissing in the distance. It brought up a memory that he had forgotten a year ago. This park was the same where he had met Shirley, and comforted her in her sadness. 'Shirley…Do I want to make her feel pain again?' He stared at his free hand, and shook his head at the idea floating in the back of his mind. 'I can't kill Aurelia, without having to use my Geass on Shirley…I don't want to force myself to do that…again.' Lelouch paused momentarily, and reached into his pocket to stare at his mobile phone. The screen flashed on and off as a call was coming in from Ogi. 'What could this possibly be about?' He pulled out the voice changer, and plugged it into the phone before answering. "Ogi, what do you want?"
In the mysterious veil of Feite's inner world, where Rai sat on a fallen pillar while Feite stood watching over the small girl, as she played off in the field of grass. "V.V. plans on using your daughter to unlock the questionable traits you have in your genes, and use that to conquer the world." Feite looked over with an intense glare growing in her eyes. Her eyes cut into Rai causing him to hold up his hand in defense. "There is an agent in the Black Knights, a member of the Legionnaires, one whom you have met before. An artificial Geass user like Rolo Lamperouge is going to kidnap your daughter while the Legion performs a battle to distract the Black Knights. From what I hear, she's part of the angels, and goes by the name Sancia." Feite closed her eyes reflecting on the words spoken to her, and looked off into the distance at the swirling mist approaching the ruins. "So she really was a spy…." Her hands moved to her abdomen, and fervently shook her head. "No, I won't let it happen." Rai glanced around while the swirling mist moved faster, causing him to leap off the pillar, and stare over. "What are you doing?" A heavy urge to sleep overcame Rai, as he stumbled backwards and fell forward in a sleeplike state.
There was a high pitched noise of a flat line filling the room where Feite was being kept. On the floor several droplets of blood lead to the main room, while Rai lay on the floor still wrapped in a supernatural state of sleep.
Feite stood in the main room, and looked at her personal items resting on a nearby table. She looked down at her arm at the blood that was running down it. The life-liquid dripped off her fingertips as she approached the table. The bandages on her chest grew a brighter shade of red while her eyes started to appear sunken from the blood loss. 'I need to contact…Ogi…Tohdoh…no…I should…' She reached her bag, grabbing it with what little strength she had, and dumped the items out onto the table. Her vision was blurring while her equilibrium failed, sending her to fall on her backside. Feite's eyes were dull while staring at the ceiling. 'C.C. if you can hear me…please save….please save Arcadia..'
Outside the apartment building, C.C. already stood with a grimace well displayed on her face. She glanced up at the building while the Akatsuki she borrowed rest a few meters away. She let out a small nod, while looking up at the skies. 'To think you've progressed enough to send your thoughts to me now…worry not, I'll give you a favor.' C.C. looked over at the two bodies that were lying out in the rain, and gave her Akatsuki a simple look.
Feite's lips moved as if she were saying 'thank you' while Rai came bursting out of the room with his eyes wide. "Damn it, you shouldn't have moved! You're not immortal you idiot!" He looked around at the blood rushing out of Feite's half healed wounds. Rai rushed over to the nearby bag of medical supplies, and started to tend to the wounds that were in need of emergency treatment. "I was sent here to protect you by the Queen. So don't do anything rash like that again." His eyes stared into Feite's and spotted the smile forming in her lips.
The door leading into the hallway opened up with Ishikawa walking out holding a sleeping Arcadia in her arms. The Japanese woman glanced over down the hallway with a hint of suspicion held in her eyes. She reached behind her back, and pulled out a silenced handgun. Her eyes were narrowed with great focus down at the hallway. Without even saying a word she aimed down at the hallway, and fired over at an approaching person.
Sancia turned the corner, and quickly pulled back pushing her body against the corner side wall. Her eyes examined the bullet hole, and she cursed under her breath. 'Was I found out already?' Sancia cleared her throat and looked around the corner. "Hey, we're on the same side! I'm with the security bureau; I'm here to transport you, and Avalon's daughter to the other side of the island." She exhaled softly, while trying to remain calm; her Geass had already pinpointed both the child, and the Japanese woman.
Sadly, Ishikawa wasn't giving into Sancia's words moving backwards with the sleeping Arcadia resting in a carrier on her back. "You're not with the security bureau…I know that for a fact…I told them specifically to wait outside. Also, you move faster than anyone that is in their department." She back stepped moving quickly to the nearby stairwell, while keeping her eyes forward. Sancia reached into her jacket, and removed a package of cigarettes. "I was found out this quickly? I assumed that you were nothing but a simpleton it seems that we were both fooled by appearances. So how do you want to handle this? I'm here for the kid, leave her in the hallway, and we both go our separate ways." Ishikawa scoffed for a moment, and glanced over her shoulder while reaching the stairwell. "You're here for Feite Avalon's child? The only people that would want this child is Britannia. Can I assume that you are allied with them?" A small clapping sound filled the hallway, while Sancia turned the corner, and fired. "Yes, you're very perceptive for an eleven!" The bullet missed Ishikawa by a meter allowing her to quickly fire a pair of shots at Sancia. She growled at the agility of the Britannian agent, as she easily dodged the bullets from across the hall before running up the stairwell to the next level. Sancia looked up from the interior of an apartment, and took a drag from her lit cigarette. Her eyes moved down to her watch, and looked up at the ceiling. "I only have a few minutes left, before the attack happens." She turned around the corner and charged after Ishikawa.
There were four bright lights moving into the sky in front of the Black Knight, and Chinese Federation fleet. The Kusanagi came to a stop beside the Shenhu with the remaining two members of the Shisei-ken inside their custom Akatsuki. Tohdoh glanced at the various gauges and then over at the fleet of Partisan, and Vincent models holding position in front. His eyes narrow at the ceremonial decorations on every single Knightmare in the supposed Britannian Fleet.
"It seems the Legionnaires have upgraded their equipment, Partisans mixed in with Vincent Frames." Asahina whistled at the formation of expensive next generation frames, and tapped his fingers in anticipation for the battle that was to come. "We've retrieved a lot of data from the Partisan that was gutted to upgrade Avalon's frame. They won't be a hassle to our machines, let alone the Shenhu, and Kusanagi." Nagisa looked over at Tohdoh's machine briefly, and moved her hand slowly above her heart. "Where so close, why don't you tell him now?" Her cheeks redden causing her to glare over at Asahina's smiling face. "Shut up, I'll decide when I want to."
Tohdoh closed his eyes, and let out a calm smile before revealing a stern look. "It looks like their stalling for something to happen. Normal Legionnaires would have attacked already." Xingke ran his gloved hand across his chin, and nodded several times before zooming in at the formation. "The weather seems to be benefiting them, as we can't adequately scan their fleet or get a visual on what is on that carrier in the distance. Has Zero given us any orders yet? Or are we still cut off?" Tohdoh crossed both arms over his chest, and nodded. "Yes, we're supposed to suppress them if they attack, while Haruka's team attacks the fleet directly… if we can sink their carrier we win this battle." Xingke starred off at the carrier that was barely visible in the distance. All he could still make up was the enemy's banner, causing uneasiness to form in the stomach of the usually calm soldier. "We'll see if Haruka can handle being in the lead with her captain out of the picture." Tohdoh gripped the controls, and exhaled softly. "I hope so; Haruka has changed since taking orders from Feite."
Meanwhile on an elevated platform inside the Aquarium safe house, Lelouch stood on a platform overlooking the Shinkirou, and turned over to Rolo who was sipping keys on his finger. "Rolo, I'm going to return to Horai to take command of the battle." He paused for a second allowing Rolo to turn over and grin at him. "I wish I could join you, but if the two of us disappear for even the smallest amount of time our little charade will be over. I'll stay behind and make sure Villetta Nu doesn't rat us out to the Rounds." Lelouch let out a small laugh before leaping into the open cockpit of his Knightmare. "Good, also if you can try to find Feite…tell her she needs to return to Horai. The Black Knights need her more than ever." Rolo held up his hand and nodded. "Sure thing, have a safe trip…." Lelouch closed the canopy, and adjusted his collar before starting up the transformable frame. Rolo looked down at the machine as it lowered into the depths of the aquarium tank. 'I guess I'm in for a busy week.' He walked off towards the aquarium exit where Sayoko stood in her disguised form. "We should return to the school before anything else happens." Sayoko bowed her head, and nodded. "Yes, Rolo…"
There was a small amount of activity while Guilford stepped through the gateway of Ashford Academy, and stared at the statue resting in the center of the plaza. He held a small briefcase in his off hand while walking off towards the administration room.
Aurelia sat on the edge of her bed inside the girl's dormitories holding her hand to her forehead. She couldn't describe the feeling she had felt hours earlier, it was immense pain followed by intense cold and the feeling of life fleeting away. It shocked her to the very core, she was almost unable to keep her composure when speaking to Shirley. 'Why did I hear the voice of Feite Avalon?' She removed her hand and blankly stared at it before balling it into a fist.
There was a light knock on the door alerting Aurelia quickly pulling her away from her thoughts. "Who is it?"
A voice belonging to the dorm manager spoke out from the other side of the wooden door. "A man from the Governor General's office wants to speak with you, Gilbert GP Guilford."
Aurelia's eyes widen while she quickly got to her feet, and walked over to the doorway. "Where is he?"
Suzaku leaned against a wall in the student council room while Gino and Anya were seated at the table eating separate pieces of cake. Guilford sat at the head of the table with several papers resting out in front of him; a few pictures were resting on top of the paperwork, while the bullet fragment from the crime scene was resting inside its plastic bag nearby. "Why did you call us here for Guilford?" Suzaku pushed off the wall, and crossed over to the table. He leaned over, and stared over at Cornelia's knight. Guilford adjusted his glasses, and let out a small sigh. "This concerns you the most Lord Kururugi, and all of the Rounds members in Area Eleven. We have to wait for Lady Bles to arrive, and I can explain."
Gino placed the fork on the side of his place, and took a sip from a nearby cup of milk before letting out a refreshed sigh. "Calm down Suzaku, you've been on edge since the Legionnaires left port yesterday." He paused for a moment, and turned over to Guilford. "Speaking of which, are the Legionnaires seriously attacking the Black Knights today?" Anya turned over while fiddling with her pocket diary. She took a few pictures, and typed word for word the entire conversation that was occurring. Guilford shuffled the paperwork, and nodded. "Yes, the Legionnaire fleet left port with the intentions of gauging the strength of the Black Knights, and their Chinese allies. We were given specific orders to stay in Area Eleven until the battle is over. The Emperor himself informed Lady Nunnally that even you knights were to stand down." Gino let out a small sigh of relief, and leaned back in the chair. "That's good, because I hate working with those Legionnaires, they don't have an ounce of honor." Guilford returned with a small nod, and turned over to the doorway.
Suzaku glanced at the doorway, and stared over at Aurelia. The normal glow that surrounded her was nowhere to be found. She looked horrible, and in no condition to be moving around on her own. Sadly, the stubborn look in her face was still there. "Are you feeling well Aurelia? If you're still sick you should rest. We can tell you about this later." Aurelia looked over her shoulder at Suzaku, and shook her head. "I'm not fragile Kururugi; don't view me as some weakling. I'm just a little fatigued…" She took her seat, and stared over at Guilford staring at her. "What did you want us here for Guilford?" Guilford cleared his throat, and motioned for Suzaku to sit. "Allow me to begin…"
Inside the apartment, Rai looked over Feite whose face was troubled with thoughts of her daughter far off in Horai. He was dressed in a simple pair of jeans, and a button up shirt while watching over the half conscious woman. "Do you think your friend will help you?" He stared at the mobile phone, and placed it on the nearby nightstand. Feite looked over, and let out a weakened nod. "I think, so…I owe her a big favor when I get back there." Rai crossed both arms over his chest, and sighed. "You still want to go there to verify it right?" Feite pushed her head back into the pillow, and stared at the ceiling. "Who are you really working for Rai? That man that shot me, you killed him, and brought me to this place. You say that you're working for the Queen, but I highly doubt it." Rai got out from the chair, and walked over to the nearby window. He stared at the cars passing by, and the people running away from the rain. "I am indeed working for the White Queen, but I serve one of her vassals. Your sister Azalea to be exact…I'm her hands and ears while she is distracted by the demands of noble life."
There were a series of gunshots on the rooftop of the apartment building one coming from the stairwell, and behind a series of air conditioning units. Ishikawa tied a bandage around her arm while firing several shots from her concealed position. She stared at the crying child next to her, and quickly reloaded her weapon. "I'm not going to surrender you…so stay calm, and I'll win!" Sancia reloaded her weapon while blood ran down her cheek from a grazing wound. She aimed over at Ishikawa and fired a few shots while she moved over to another piece of cover. "This is taking forever…" Her watch let out a series of beeps while she quickly turned over to the ocean. "Looks like I'm out of time, but I'm in the right spot…"
On the deck of the aircraft carrier, a large amount of electrical energy surges across the wires connected to the rifle held in the hands of the white 'Alpha' series Knightmare. The young pilot, Alice zooms in at the nearby tower in the distance where Sancia's signal was coming from and lets out a small sigh. "This is Alice; I'll activate my Geass after destroying the tower. Let's hope Sancia is in position."
Within seconds the airships fire their fore mounted cannons at the Black Knight Formation. The Knightmare frames charge forward with the light from their float systems illuminating the stormy skies. The initial barrage strikes the water and the outlaying portion of Horai Island creating large explosions on the horizon.
"All forces attack!" Tohdoh and Xingke charge forward with Asahina and Nagisa in tow. The other forces quickly follow suit, and quickly all forces were engaged.
Ishikawa shields herself while the explosions shake the building, and the loud bangs from the battle causes Arcadia to wake. The infant started to cry loudly, distracting Ishikawa causing a bullet to enter through her shoulder, and out the opposite end. She fell backwards grabbing her shoulder while Sancia charged forward. "Damn it."
"We're getting a large heat signature from the carrier! They have beam weapon on board!" Minami looked over with shock on his face. "What are they targeting?" Ogi looked over while a bluish beam shot off from the carrier towards the island. "The island what are they targeting!" He looked over at one of the operators, and slammed his fist on the console. "It'll take me a while to find out; we've evacuated mostly everyone out of that area."
The air became ionized as the beam vaporized all rain water that touched it. It traveled quickly across the sky, and pierced through the stomach of the large tower containing Feite's apartment, where the rooftop engagement was underway.
The building shook and the structure crumbled from the damage. The beam had ripped out the entire right side causing it to shake violently. The exposed beams, and loose concrete fall to the ground while the two combatants buckle from the shock.
Ishikawa moved over to Arcadia, picking her up, and holding her to her chest. She had lost her handgun when she had been shot and with no choice left she looked over at the building's only exit. A few bullets ricochet off the cover were Ishikawa stood causing her to drop to one knee. "This building is going to collapse soon; you should turn the child over to me, and let fate sort you out. You have no weapon, so I own all the pieces in our little skirmish." Sancia walked over with her weapon extended, and kicked Ishikawa's weapon off the edge of the rooftop. She stared over at Ishikawa, and pointed the weapon over. "Get to your feet Eleven." Ishikawa gave Sancia a defiant, yet defeated look, and slowly extended the bundle over. "What is with that look? Hand the child over now!" She fired a shot to the side only to hear the sound of a ricochet.
On the side of the building, a single Akatsuki hovered in place with its mono-eye camera rotating and staring down at the long Britannian spy. C.C. sat at the controls, and stared at Sancia with a recognizing look held in her eyes. She briefly shook her head, and sighed. "I should have realized that you were here on Horai."
Sancia's eyes widen at the sound of C.C.'s voice causing her to turn over in shock. "Lady C.C. is that you? I thought you were exiled? Why are you inside that eleven Knightmare?"
Ishikawa took a few steps back, and paused only to see the gun re-aimed at her.
The cockpit hatch opened up revealing the Geass Witch to the lone Britannian agent. Sancia was enraptured by the piercing gaze of the women who once saved her from a life of poverty and bestowed the Geass onto her. "Lady C.C. it is you! I…" Sancia was distracted by C.C. giving Ishikawa a chance to strike. Sancia turned around and slammed the handgun into the side of Ishikawa's face causing her to fall over releasing Arcadia to the cold wet concrete. She aimed the gun over at Ishikawa, and fired several times into her body. Ishikawa coughed out blood while looking over at the Akatsuki. Her vision went dark, as her life faded away.
"Sancia…you've failed to learn the lesson that I taught you." C.C. spoke in her cryptic tone while her hand rested on the left-arm control. Sancia turned her back, and walked to retrieve Arcadia. "What lesson was that?" Sancia turned around only for the hand of the Akatsuki to fly forward, and wrap its fingers around her. Sancia coughed out blood was the machine's grip crushed her body easily snapping bones like they were twigs. Her eyes were wide while C.C. returned a look of complete apathy. "Your Geass was meant to be used differently, but you were twisted beyond saving. So as the witch that gave you that power, I must be the one to remove you from this world." C.C. closed her eyes, and moved the Akatsuki over to the crying bundle.
In the distance a large explosion enveloped several of the aerial carriers belonging to the Legionnaires. The large hulks of armored plating, and debris quickly fell into the ocean while the independent division led by Haruka was already upon the enemy fleet.
Haruka stared over at the carrier, and at the white Knightmare standing on the deck. She threw her hand out, and grinned. "Attack everything wipe them all out!"
Alice looked up as the deck of the aircraft carrier exploded violently after a hail of gunfire hit it from above. Her frame easily leaped out of the way, as did the one belonging to her comrade Lucretia. "Looks like they've punched through…shall we welcome them?" The twin white Knightmare fired their rifles into the air, while the carrier itself started to move in full reverse.
Haruka pulled out the monomolecular cutter, and charged forward at one of the twin Knightmare below. The Glaive's feet slam onto the large runway of the aircraft carrier, and as she slashed the white frame belonging to Alice vanished into thin air. "I missed?" Haruka's eyes were wide while the proximity alarm goes off behind her. "People like you can only use a surprise for a second around people like me." Alice plunged the combat knife forward, missing the cockpit, and entered the shoulder joint. Haruka turned the machine at the last second saving her life for a few seconds longer. "What the hell are you?"
Alice let out a childish laugh, while her frame blurred out of view once more. Haruka looked around while the second white frame seemed to watch. "Where?" A surge of electrical energy filled the cockpit of the Glaive as both of its arms were cut off. The White Knightmare stared over at the 'disarmed' Knightmare. "Our power is too different, and that is why you're going to die today you pathetic eleven."
"That is what I absolutely despise from Britannians, even now you still lack respect for others."
Alice stopped entirely while she turned to the sky above, and easily recognized the voice of Zero. "People of my level? You are nothing but a stain on the world, and must be cleansed Zero!" She turned her attention away from Haruka, and the white Knightmare blurred once again moving from its position in an instant.
Haruka looked up into the sky, and nodded at the Shinkirou in a simple thank you before ejecting. The ejection module flew across the sky, and was quickly caught by Asahina. "Looks like our leader showed up at a vital moment…" Haruka was still breathing heavily from the encounter. She nodded over at Asahina's image, and then up at the Shinkirou.
Lelouch sat in the cockpit and glanced below at the explosion created from the remains of Haruka's Knightmare. The Alpha however was nowhere to be found, his eyes searched the rainy battlefield and his sensors came up with nothing. He ran his hand along his chin, and looked over at the fleeing Britannian vessels. "Where did it go?"
A MVS blade slammed into the barrier of the Shinkirou from the hand of Alice's Knightmare. The lone frame was keeping airborne by unknown means, but the lack of damage made Lelouch laugh at the futile attempt at his life. 'A geass user? Why exactly is her power?' His hands move across the controls quickly causing the Shinkirou to push the Alpha backwards. Alice's machine hovered away only for it to vanish yet again, and slam its weapon against the thick barrier.
Lelouch sighed to himself, while staring out the corner of his eye at the rear monitor. "You're ability is impressive Legionnaire, are you manipulating time?"
Alice let out a small laugh, and pulled out her second weapon slamming it forward into the massive shield. "Lucretia, did we received information from Sancia about the kid?"
Lucretia's eyes were wide while she scanned the area where the tower was smoldering. "I'm not getting any signal; it may be possible that Sancia failed…" The second Legionnaire leaped off the carrier as it started to explode violently from the combined fire. "The fleet is in full retreat, we underestimated the Black Knights, and their allies." Alice pouted before setting her gaze back down to the Shinkirou. "You're strong Zero, but how long will you be able to withstand my relentless attacks?" Lelouch chuckled softly at her overconfident words and his eyes wandered to the pair moving on the horizon. "As long as it takes for you to fall, Tohdoh, Xingke attack this frame now!" Alice pulled back on the controls dodging the particle beam from the Shenhu. Her eyes narrowed while growling heavily, she jerked on the controls moving her Knightmare erratically to dodge the incoming fire. "Damn it, your letting your dogs on me now. Why don't you fight me head on Zero?" Lelouch waved his hand dismissively, and shook his head. "Why should I fight you? You're nothing to but an eyesore to me, I have greater things to do than waste it on scum like you." He turned over to Tohdoh, and Xingke as they fight Alice in close range combat. "I'll leave this to you Tohdoh, Xingke…I'm going to investigate the damage caused by the beam weapon." Tohdoh blocked the sword from Alice, and quickly looked over his shoulder to see Xingke blocking her surprise attack. "Zero, I have something to say to you later…" Lelouch nodded a few times as he brought the Shinkirou towards Horai. "Don't tire yourself too much you two. She is a strong opponent."
Alice was caught between the two and their defensive fighting; she had never fought someone this powerful before. Her Geass was flashing on and off while sweat started to pour down her face. 'I may not survive this battle if I continue like this.' She glanced over at Lucretia while she defended the fleeing vessels that survived the attack. "Lucretia, tell the commander that…"
A stern voice filled the cockpit of Alice's Alpha one that caused her eyes to wide. "This is a direct order from the Commander; all forces are to pull back on order from the Emperor. I repeat, orders have come in from the Emperor himself. We are pulling out of Black Knight territory." Alice growled while pulling her Alpha away from a slice from Tohdoh's machine. She glared at the billowing smoke pillar from the building she had shot earlier, and blasted off with the other fleeing craft.
The Shinkirou hovered above the apartment building as it collapsed from the strain of the attack. It fell on top of another kicking up a cloud of dust into the sky around the Knightmare. His eyes focused over to the Akatsuki hovering nearby, and before he could open communication C.C. flashed on his monitor.
There was a mixture of crying on the private frequency much to the distain of the Geass Witch who rolled her eyes at the small child holding onto her. "You're child is too much of a handful Lelouch." Lelouch chuckled slightly, and moved his gaze over to Arcadia. He let out a soft nod, while turning his Knightmare around. "Bring Arcadia to the Ikaruga…what happened to the bodyguard?" C.C. glanced down at the half toppled building, and shook her head. "The bodyguard Ishikawa was killed, as well as the spy Sancia…Lelouch I need to talk to you about something in private." Lelouch raised an eyebrow and sighed. "A spy? This I have to hear, lets head over immediately." He closed the private line, and opened a live communication with the rest of the Black Knights. "Everyone, you've performed admirably, we couldn't wipe them out entirely, but we showed them our combined power. We are more than a match for the devils of Britannia, and soon we shall show them by taking back Japan!"
There was a combined cheer resounding through the allied Knights and Chinese forces that had participated in the battle. Xingke sat inside the cockpit of his Shenhu with both arms crossed over his chest. He stared over at the quiet expression of Tohdoh on his side monitor, and sighed. "The damage take was minor, but did we manage to evacuate the area where the building collapsed?"
Tohdoh looked over at the report coming in from the observer group, and quietly shook his head. "Not everyone has been accounted for, one security team didn't make it to the checkpoint on the other side of the island. I'll have to look into this, but for the moment we should take this victory as a calm before the storm." The Kusanagi moved slowly past the Shenhu, before blasting off towards the Ikaruga hovering off in the distance. "Agreed…" Xingke glanced over once at the smoldering set of buildings in the distance before returning to the Chinese transport.