I am sorry. I realize that Nagata's name is Nagata and not Nagato. Please accept my apology, and spare me the leisure of not going back in correcting it.

I don't own Code Geass

Enjoy~

Ch. 13

Leabella Lelouch 8

"Must I really stay here, Mother?" Lelouch asked as Lady Marianne almost dragged his sister by her little hand out of the palace door.

"Of course you do!" Marianne said encouragingly, "You know Maxim, don't you? She's Lady Ersa's daughter."

Lelouch's mood darkened instantly, "You mean the boy with that stupid obsession on Leabella?"

"He's quite charming, don't you think, Leabella?" Marianne asked turning to the little girl who stood next to the consort. Said girl shrugged holding onto her small messenger bag. "Well," Marianne started ushering Leabella into the car, "We'll be home by dinner, Lelouch. Make sure to behave yourself."

Lelouch frowned eyeing his sister through the car window, "Yes, Mother."

"What's that, Princess?" Maxim Holstein asked Leabella. She didn't answer right away, so the son of a duke just looked at the princess. He really lighted the color blue on her. She was wearing a royal blue dress that stopped just at her knees with a pair of matching arm warmers. The ten year old boy noted that one a few of the occasions when Lady Marianne would bring Leabella, she would wear the arm decorations. He liked the odd style choice-then again he liked the third princess.

Leabella looked up from the gift box that was in her hand to the brown eyes of the boy. She could say that she was fond of Maxim. He didn't call her names because she was a commoner royal. And, he was a generally nice person. Leabella looked back down at the box, "It was a gift from brother Schneizel."

"Oh," Maxim said, "Was it your birthday? Why wasn't I invited to the party."

Leabella smiled, "My birthday was in the winter, and you were invited. This was for beating him at chess."

Maxim's eyes widened, "You beat Prince Schneizel?"

"Yes," Leabella said, opening the box. Maxim watched as Leabella's violet eyes began to twinkle.

"What is it, Princess?" Maxim said looking over the girl's shoulders. His eyebrows rose when he saw a silver charm necklace nestled inside the box. It was adorned with an black opal shaped to look like a black queen chess piece. "Wow," Maxim breathed. Even though the trinket look dark, flecks of iridescent color shined when the light it the stone at an angle.

"U-uh," Leabella started looking at the necklace, gleaming, "Max, can you put it on me?"

Maxim looked at the small girl who was a good few inches shorter than him. She was grinning widely compared to solemn composure she when she got to the Holstein estate. He beamed glad that was princess's mood was lifted, "Of, course, your highness."

Isabella 17

Isabella looked up when she heard an aircraft zoom past her. "-The hell," she shouted, seeing the air carreriers of the Royal guard and Knights. She quickly dialed Kallen, "We have major trouble!" she yelled picking up speed when Kallen answered.

'What is it?!' Kallen asked.

"Clovis deployed the whole frick'n military!" Isabella shouted.

'WHAT! Nagato! Speed up!'

"That's it. You need to use the Glasgow! Nagata, you need to get in the subways as soon as possible," Isabella barked ironically thankful that the police were ignoring her speeding in favor of Nagato and Kallen.

'Okay, we'll do tha-No! Don't go that way!' Isabella stiffened when she heard what sounded like an impact. Then, the line went dead.

"Dammit!" Isabella shouted, now, going at a dangerous speed trying to get to where her friends were. Isabella tried keeping her panic down as she zoomed down the freeway. "We weren't so far apart, they should be just around-!" Isabella braked harshly when a sharp pain shot through her head. "What is that?" she groaned gritting her teeth, as she continued. In moments the pain was gone. Isabella sighed making a left turn to the road that led to the under subways of the ghetto, just as she saw Nagata and Kallen's truck being fired at down the road.

"STOP OR WE'LL SHOOT TO KILL!"

"Damn," Isabella muttered. I can't get caught here. Isabella made her way down an exit ramp taking a different route to the ghetto. Good thing Kallen has her knightmare. Isabella was already well into the ghetto nearing the destroyed buildings that had become so familar to her. She raced off her bike rushing to where her green knightmare laid in wait, under an abandoned building's roof

She rushed into the cockpit reaching for her radio that was on the control panel. "Anyone there?" she called over the signal while taking off her sweater leaving her in her black tank top. She picked up the military jacket she had stashed in the knightmare tossing it over her shoulder.

'Isa!" Where's Kallen and Nagata?' Kaname said over the radio.

"Curently being shot down, but Kallen can take care of them till they get the gas underground. You guys need to get as many civilians out of harms ways till then," Isabella instructed as she changed into some flexible pants good from not straining jeans. "If the army makes it in, we don't need any casualties."

'You think they would kill-'

"The deployed everything." Isabella said hastily as she shot out of the warhouse making her way towards the border of the settlement and the ghetto. Beepbeep Isabella picked up the phone once again attaching it to her ear, "Yes?"

'It's Yuuto,' Isabella frowned trying to locate Kallen with her geass, 'The royal guard got to our squad. They're having us search the Shinjuku subways fo—uh okay Suzaku just found it.'

"Alright, I'll be there in a minute, try to get the rest of the guys to evacuate as many buildings, the ghetto is looking to become a war zone real soon," Isabella said hanging up, then, called over the radio, "Kaname, Nagato is in the subway, I'm going to go help him."

'Okay, we'll keep you posted if anything happens.' Kaname said as Isabella exited her knightmare leaving inside the entrance of the subway. With her she took her military uniform jacket, her gun and her communication devices. She didn't run that far to start hearing voices. She easily recognized them. She stopped close enough where she could see them but far way enough so they wouldn't notice her. What's Lelouch doing here? It's too dangerous for him to be here.

"Mindless murder…then why don't you just obliterated Britannia?!" Lelouch shouted. Isabella's brows forwarded.

"Lelouch," Suzaku said.

"Huh?"

Suzaku removed his helmet, "It's me."

"Suzaku? You—Leabella deployed you here?" Lelouch asked.

Suzaku smiled half-heartedly, "No, she didn't. Prince Clovis's Royal guard order us. Apparently, Leabella and her top knights are doing an operation, and I guess it has to do with making sure this didn't get captured. But, since it did, Prince Clovis deployed the whole army."

"Where is Leabella?" Lelouch asked. Isabella smirked. Not that far away. Isabella's attention went to the front of the truck that was currently in a large hole in the ground Nagata!

Isabella started making her way discretely to the truck closer to Nagata. The boys were so wrapped up in their conversation they didn't notice Isabella pulling Nagata out of the truck and more into the shadows of the subway. "You okay?" she whispered eyeing all the blood he had lost.

Nagata groaned lowly, "I've been better."

"She should be going about her operation. She might be trying to regroup the squad, so she can actually give us ord—!" Isabella gasped falling to the ground clutching her head when a bright light got her attention. She saw Suzaku tackle Lelouch to the ground of the truck pressing the gas mask to his face. The light broke, and she saw a woman in the capsule with a familiar red bird-like symbol glowing on her forehead. Isabella groaned, withering. She had felt this before—when Richard and she had tried to enhance her geass ability.

"What is that?" Isabella heard Suzaku say when the light dissipated, "That's not poison gas."

She saw as Suzaku and Lelouch helped the woman out of the chamber as she tried to recover from the mental ache. She whipped around to Nagata seeing his breathing become shorter, "Nagata!" she whispered urgently.

"This is—breath—it for me—breath—Isa," Nagata said slowly.

"Tell me the truth, Suzaku. Does she look like poisonous gas?" Lelouch said.

"Hey, that's what they told me in the briefing, I swear," Suzaku said.

"Nagata," Isabella felt her throat clench, "No, you can't say tha—!" All three teens jumped with a light shined throughout the area. Isabella Helped Nagata into the sitting position as away as she could get him from the area, then pulled herself up, quietly making her way to the light.

"Stinking monkey," she heard a man say sharply, and she narrowed her eyes, "Being an Honorary Britannian will not excuse you."

"But, sir," Suzaku said running up to the head. Isabella saw now that it was Clovis's Roayal guard. "I was told it was poison gas."

"How dare you question orders," the military head snapped. Isabella quickly shrugged off her wig ready to walk into the light. "However, in light of your outstanding military achievements I am going to be lenient," Leabella, now clad in her military grade knightmare uniform that consisted of her military jacket and pants paused in her step, "Private Kururugi, take this and execute the terrorist."

Leabella's eyes widened, snapping over to Lelouch—who was on the ground holding the unconscious green haired woman. "But he's not a terrorist," Suzaku countered, "he's a civilian who got caught up in all this!"

"You insubordinate little—" Leabella frowned as the Royal guard head continued, "That's an order! Didn't you swear your life and loyalty to Britannia?"

"Yes, but I can't," Suzaku said. Leabella looked over at her soldier smiling.

"What?"

"I won't do it," Suzaku said, "Sir, I won't shoot a civilian; I can't follow your order, sir."

Leabella was about to walk out as she heard, "Very well." And the discreet sound of a gunshot.

"Suzaku!" Lelouch shouted. The princess froze as she saw her soldier fall to the ground.

"Why you!" she growled out catching the Royal guard attention.

"What! Princess Leabella! Your highness," the head stammered.

"How dare you," she said lowly seeing Suzaku lying face down on the ground. "He is part of my Royal guard. You have not right to shoot him!"

Nagata was having a hard time breathing as he clutched the small remote in his hand. All he could see was darkness, totally unaware of the turmoil just a few meters from him. "Death…to Britannia…Long live," Nagata said setting his thumb on the button upon the remote, "Japan!"

Instantly the whole subway area was alight and filled with smoke. Leabella was pushed away from the truck toward the fleeing soldiers and fell to the ground. "Cowards," she coughed. She looked around herself. Close by she saw Suzaku. She rushed over to him turning him over on her lap. "Oh thank heaven, you're breathing," she said almost collapsing utop the boy in relief. She whipped around in search for Lelouch or the woman as the smoke dissipated, coming up short. "Lelouch," she whispered to the air, "Why are you here?"

"They got away?" Bartley yelled over communications, "And you call yourselves the Royal guard?!"

"U-uh, forgive me, my lord. The blast was mainly directed upwards, but the sub-vi—"

"Why the hell do you think I only told you people about this?" Bartley snapped.

"Hold on, my lord," Yuuto said walking over to the Bartley, speaking into the receiver, "What was it you were talking about the Princess?"

"U-uh," the head of the Royal guard started, "The sub-viceroy…she was in the subways…"

"What?" Clovis stammered flabbergasted, "What was Leabella doing there? Where is she!?"

"A-ah, the sub-viceroy was closer to the explosion than we were, your highness. We have not recovered her…"

Yuuto growled. She was supposed to be safe with the resistance group. Why was she showing herself as Leabella?

"Well don't be idle!" Clovis shouted, "If my sister is injured or killed because of your negligence, it will be on your head!"

"Yes, my lord!"

"I will head the Princess's guard in search for her too," Yuuto said sternly walking to the exit.

"Aoki," Clovis called. Yuuto turned to Clovis, "Do you have any idea as too why Leabella would purposely put herself in danger in those subways."

"In all honesty, your highness," Yuuto started, "I don't know the reasons for half of the things the Princess does. But, if I can guess, I'd have to say that Princess Leabella put herself in that situation to protect someone." Just after Yuuto finished, his phone went off. "Hello?" he answered sharply putting the call on speaker for Clovis and Bartley to hear.

'Yuuto!' Leabella picked up on the other line. Clovis visibly relaxed in his throne. 'I need help,' Leabella said, 'I'm at the subway's entrance; I have Suzaku with me. Clovis's Royal guard shot him.'

Clovis swallowed hearing his little sister's angry voice on the phone. "Inoe and I will go and get you, just sit tight," Yuuto said hanging up. He nodded to the prince and general, leaving

Clovis frowned when he saw the door shut behind Yuuto, "The plan has moved to the next phase."

Bartley turned to him sharply, "B-but, your highness! The Princess—"

"Leabella obviously knows about her, and if my sister speaks to the rest of the family, I'll be disinherited. Tell them back home that we're carrying out a plan of urban renewal."

"And, the Princess?" Bartley asked darkly.

Clovis looked out the window as the tattered buildings passed, "I truly do love my sister, but she's put her nose in where it doesn't belong. I'll simply use her untrustworthy guard as a scapegoat," Clovis rose from his throne, "As Clovis, third prince of the empire, I command you. Destroy Shinjuku ghetto! Leave no one alive!"

Shooting could be heard where Leabella sat with Suzaku—who was still unconscious. She snapped her head towards the sound. She forwarded her brows when she heard her voice.

"What!?" the voice shouted, "Orders from his highness? U-uh, yes, my lord."

'Good, this is only your order as the royal guard,' A familiar voice said over a radio, 'Maybe you can redeem yourselves.'

"Bartley?" she guessed at the air. Leabella slowly laid Suzaku's head on her folded up jacket and rose to her feet. The footsteps approached the entrance of the subway, and Leabella saw that Clovis's royal guard. "Oh," Leabella started, "Perhaps you would be so kind as to help me move my subordinate to the medical bay?"

The head of the guard frowned at Leabella and gulped at the glare she was giving him. "I apologize, your highness," he said as he upholstered his gun; immediately Leabella raised her hand gun at him, "but, this comes from his highness."

"Clovis?" Leabella questioned incredulously. At her slight drop in guard one of the side men shot at her, narrowly missing her by her shoulder. In response, Leabella shot at his leg quickly incapacitating him. Next she aimed her gun at the head, "When I get out of this, I'll have to reprimand Clovis for having such spineless men on his guard."

"I believe you don't know what situation you are in, Princess," the head said cautiously keeping his eye on his bleeding man and the princess.

"I assure you, she knows," all of the men turned to the entrance of the subway. There standing by the entrance each holding a trained gun on the head of the guard were Yuuto and Isao. Yuuto spoke again, "But, I don't think you know what kind of position you are in."

"Men!" the head shouted. All at once, the guard separated into three groups, each attacking Leabella, Yuuto and Isao. Leabella growled. She had her two of her best men with her, but still, they couldn't face off with over a handful of military men. It took some time, but finally they had the three restrained and struggling to get free. Leabella growled pulling at the hands that held her arms in place behind her back.

The head of the guard looked over Leabella's confiscated gun, "The micro-nonmetal hand gun. The perfect undetectable weapon. Why would you have a discontinued gun?"

"None of your damn business," she snapped. "Why is Clovis hiding a woman?"

"None of your business, Princess," he replied.

Leabella smirked, "You don't know, do you?" The head of the guard faltered looking at the men holding onto Leabella as blood began to pour down their noses and they dropped.

"What!?" the head shouted as Leabella grabbed him gruffly from his collar. He shouldn't have been shaken, but the shock took a toll on the soldier. Being overcome by the mental twisting of the princess's geass didn't help. The men holding Isao and Yuuto wavered.

"Now," Leabella said feeding thoughts into the man's mind, "You go and look for that woman and forget about your order to kill me."

"Yes, my lord," the head said saluting her, "Will do, I apologize for the inconvenience."

The three soldiers from squad Q13 watched as the soldiers walked out of the entrance of the subway into the ghetto's light.

"What did you do to him…and them?" Isao asked looked over bewilder by the sated soldiers in the brown uniforms on the ground.

Leabella sighed, "Yuuto will explain it to you," She turned to Suzaku who still laid on the ground undisturbed. "You two need to get Suzaku somewhere safe. Take him to Loyd; he should be about two and a half miles that way," no surprise to Yuuto, Leabella pointed towards where Clovis's consulate was along with the medical bay. "Tell him that this is my candidate for his project."

Isao looked at his Princess questionably. He didn't understand what had just happened to the Britannian soldiers or how Leabella new the exact location of the main forces. "Yes," Isao whipped around seeing Yuuto walking towards Suzaku, "consider it done."

"Excellent," Leabella said walking towards the entrance of the subway.

"Uh, Princess—" The confused soldier called.

"Isao," Yuuto stopped him, "Leabella has got things to do," Yuuto said as Isao helped him lift Suzaku off the ground-each having arm around their shoulders. Yuuto picked up Leabella's left military jacket, "She gave us orders; it's our duty to see them through."

Leabella ran to her knightmare that was half a block away from the entrance of the subway. However, on the way she spotted a group of Japanese civilians running in chaos. She froze seeing their faces of complete terror. Word escaped her as they ran towards her. A young girl—not ten years old—had big fat tears running down her face. Leabella ran towards the group wondering what was going on. However, before she could get even a yard closer to them, bullets shot out of them leaving no one standing. Leabella stood there seeing the blood of the people seeping onto the ground. Anger filled within her as she searched for the source of the bullets. She didn't need to look long before a stream of bullets passed by her.

"What!? Your Highness!" a metallic voice resounded on the now to quiet area. Leabella could hear far way sounds—shooting, screaming—but nothing near her made a sound. The Princess looked up at an honorary knightmare frame holding its gun in the air pointed away from her.

"Who are you?" Leabella shouted hoarsely.

"U-uh," the voice started, "I am Margrave Je—"

"Gottwald!" the princess nearly screeched, "Who gave you an order to murder the Japanese!?"

"E-eh," Gottwald stuttered, "It was an order was our Viceroy to exterminate the ele—"

"Don't give me that vile excuse," Leabella spat, "simple orders don't justify the murder of innocent people."

The knightmare straightened as Jeremiah gritted his teeth. Who was he to follow? The daughter of the woman he had sworn to protect, or the man who he had sworn to follow to complicate for his failure. "I deeply apologize, Princess," Jeremiah said slowly, "But, I have orders to follow, and as sub-viceroy, you can't override them." With Jeremiah zoomed off in his knightmare.

Well there you have it. Hope you enjoyed.