AN: This chapter is the final part of the Narita arc. For those wanting more of Char/Milly romance, please continue to read future chapters to find out what happens between the two of them, it will be worth the wait. Also to clarify Char is the name of the soul in control of Prince Charlemagne's body, both names can refer to 4th prince's body but have different meanings and identities behind them.
Below is the specs of the Knightmare frame Tallgeese based on the Tallgeese 2 design from Gundam Wing except with a red and white color scheme.
Knightmare Frame Tallgeese
6th Generation Knightmare Frame
General Multi-Purpose Command Knightmare
General Characteristics: A custom Knightmare designed and piloted by the 4th Prince of Britannia Charlemagne el Britannia. It was to be one of the tallest Knightmares ever built but due to budget constraints, it was scaled down to its current size. Heavily armored and mainly meant to be used as a frontline command model for the prince.
The Knightmare's torso, armor skirt on the sides of the legs, and shoulder pauldrons are colored red with gold accents, with the arms and legs being white but with the joints retaining the red and gold coloration. The head is white with two green eye sensors, and a golden color plume that is raised above the head making it appear to look like a helmet.
Possesses great straight-line speed and strength for its size thanks to sakuradite receptors centered near its drive core and land spinners.
-Height: 6.25 meters
-Weight: 12.87 metric tons
-Power Source: Yggdrasil Drive/ expanded energy filler that has twice the energy output/operation time of a typical Knightmare but requires custom energy fillers.
-Cockpit Ejection System: Number of times used 0
Weapons: Has multiple weapon mounts and Char can use any weapon in the Tallgeese's arsenal with great skill.
-Dober Gun: A large caliber cartridge loading gun/cannon used as a long-range weapon capable of penetrating enemy armor and Knightmares in one shot.
-Prototype Blaze Luminous Shield: A medium sized shield equipped with a prototype blaze luminous generator usually mounted on the left forearm.
-M.V.S. Halberd: A collapsible pole arm able to be used as a hand ax or a halberd made with prototype MVS technology allowing unmatched cutting ability. Colored red when activated and gray when inactive with a white pole/handle.
-Heat Tempest Lance: A large white and red lance that when connected to the Knightmare's power supply can be charged and the weapon can be superheated to allow the weapon to penetrate almost any form of enemy armor while charged and heated the weapon glows red.
-2X Slash Harkens: Mounted on the shoulder joints that can be used for combat as well as maneuvering the battlefield.
Optional Equipment:
-MVS Swords
-VARIS Rifle
-Knightmare Rifle
Unit history: All in all the Tallgeese is considered to be a pinnacle of Britannian engineering and a force to be reckoned with. Has fought in multiple conflicts all across the world and has won every battle it has participated in. The EU and Federation list the machine as a priority target for capture and analysis, but when piloted by Prince Char recommendation is changed to flee on sight.
"Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you."
-Friedrich Nietzsche
Char p.o.v.
Backstep.
Avoid right arm.
Pivot right.
Dodge charge.
Shoot cannon.
Blocked but her vision is obscured.
Charge and don't let her get comfortable.
Duck, avoid a retaliatory swipe from her knife.
Spin to the left and back kick.
Caught, disengage sand panel.
Kick the remaining one at her.
She dodges and charges again
Dodge her grab from the left and knock her off balance.
Shoot near her footing.
She trips on the loose rubble.
But recovers with a flip.
She's facing me ready for our next steps.
Now we were back where we started, damage took minimal, time elapsed 2 minutes.
That pretty much summed up my thoughts as I clashed with Kallen and the Guren.
The speed of the fight left little room for idle thoughts.
Even though I was able to read Kallen's moves like a book as well as sense where she'll attack me, she was still giving me some trouble in this fight.
Her machine had the edge in being lighter and quicker which proved to be key in this fight especially since we were still in this narrow ravine.
So I had to put all my focus in avoiding her attack and not cringe when I would leave so many openings alone that I would normally capitalize on.
But this act will only have to go on for a little longer than I can show her how I really fight.
My sister was chasing the Black Knights around with just her slash harkens.
But as long as she keeps them off my back she can harass them all she wants.
And here she comes again the bull ready to try and gore me.
So I channeled my inner matador and prepared for her charge.
She sped ahead weaving to the left and right avoiding my slash harkens.
Raising her right arm, she reared it back winding up preparing to deliver the finishing blow.
As she drew nearer, I stood my ground and as was about to extend her right arm to catch me off guard, I pivoted my Knightmare to the right.
Her clawed right arm missed my machine as her momentum took her forward.
As her wheels struggled to break on the rocky surface, I raised my lance to pin her right arm to the side of the ravine. But I still had to wait until I get the signal from my forces before I beat her, so to my dismay, I missed high allowing her to recover and block my lance with her knife guiding it above her machine and into the rock wall.
I tore my weapon out sending rocks and debris flying at her.
She batted a few of the smaller pieces away as she seemed just annoyed by my defensive strategy to avoid all of her attacks and wait for her to make mistakes.
But still she came at me again now firing her single slash harken to try and get a hold of me.
Firing my own Harken, mine went forward meeting hers, the two red harkens met in midair and recoiled back to their respective Knightmares.
She again tried to reach out and try to get ahold of me, no doubt thinking she smells blood in the water after I let her destroy my sand panels.
But using the blunt part of my weapon I bashed her right hand aside sending her spinning away as her machine was being chipped apart piece by piece while mine still looked like it still had a fresh coat of paint on.
After hearing a beeping, I saw a simple message from Fenrir squad saying they are in position and are ready to intervene.
Finally, I was about to dock their pay, as I was getting impatient with this mockery of a fight.
I was going to send a reply to them but a certain redhead who couldn't take a hint decided to voice her displeasure.
"Hey, why don't you fight back instead of just dodging or are you all talk coward?"
I twitched at her insult.
It wasn't the best or the worst I've heard but it was her smug tone that got to me.
"Sure you got a big and tough Knightmare but what kind of name is Tallgeese anyways?"
Oh no, you can insult me all you want but don't you dare insult my Knightmare!
"That outdated trash is too slow to hit anything, you'd be better off recycling it, so just come close and I'll save you the trip and send you and that piece of garbage you call a Knightmare both to the scrap heap!"
If anyone outside could see inside the Tallgeese, they would see me sitting still with my head down with my hair hiding my face.
Coming from a reality where giant fighting mechs were but a distant sci-fi dream to one where I could bet my own personal custom one, I was a very happy the day I received the Tallgeese.
Based on inspirations and designed to look like a mobile suit of the same name, it held a very special place in my heart because it was mine.
So when an inexperienced pilot like Kallen calls it a piece trash when it's leagues better than that puny glass cannon she's piloting I may have gotten a little upset.
"Trash, I'll show you trash, you pushy little…"
Lucky for me I didn't have the mic on to relay my string of insults and swears that were filled with personal insults against her, her family, God, the universe. And a few spoilers that shouldn't be said as they pertained to her personal history something that I shouldn't be able to know.
Taking a deep breath, I sent an order for the Fenrir squad to continue over watch and containment duties as I calmed myself.
I then turned on my mic to respond to her taunts.
"Fine then I'll stop holding back, I'll show you how I really fight, and please do try to keep up and not die right away."
I only had eyes for her at the moment and I saw red with the body of the Guren right in my sights.
I pushed then pushed forward racing towards her.
This time, I was the bull and she was the matador.
Kallen p.o.v.
My palms were sweating as I gripped the controls while I remained on alert after taunting the prince.
Glancing at my energy levels, I didn't like what I saw, even if I was holding back on using the Radiant Wave Surger as often as I'd like to my continuous attacks were starting to wear down my energy levels.
And if the prince continues to draw this fight out then I'll be the one on the defensive.
I shook my head to clear my mind of those dismal thoughts.
Come on Kallen you can do this just focus and make him fight your fight not his.
Despite what my taunts targeting the prince and his Knightmare, I was the one struggling in this fight.
Every time I would try and charge him he would dodge and counter at the last second.
I didn't know if it was the gap in experience or just his skill and familiarity with his machine but the truth was that I was outmatched here.
Even when I got ahold of him and felt that I had won, he just readjusted and turned his mistake into a chance to counterattack.
The stories about him did do him justice he was skilled that was for sure, and the far off stories that the prince could predict your moves before you make them might not just be superstition.
But deep down I felt that the way he was fighting felt wrong.
Not wrong perhaps because he was making me give it my all, but I felt as if the prince was holding back against me and just going through the motions instead of fighting for real.
That thought brought up mixed emotions for me as I was angry at him looking down at me, but a more cautious side of me told me to be careful and not to provoke a sleeping lion.
"Hey Kallen would you hurry it up and finish up that prince, this princess is giving us some trouble!"
I had to restrain myself from snapping back at Tamaki for that stupid request.
Didn't he see I had my hands full at the moment?
I couldn't believe that they were having trouble handling one armless Knightmare, especially after I beat Cornelia soundly and was ready to give her over to Zero.
"Kallen ignores Tamaki, and focus on keeping that Knightmare busy, if we can capture Cornelia, we'll have completed our objective, just worry about stalling for time, Cornelia's energy filler will run out eventually!"
Zero's voice cut through my agitation of Tamaki whining but as I was going to answer back, I caught the end of something the prince was saying.
"…Try to keep up and not die right away."
Gone was the joking tone of the prince who started this fight minutes ago, now his voice was like steel and had an edge of malice that cut through the air.
As I glanced back at the Tallgeese, my eyes widened, as it was just a few feet in front of me.
"Fast," I couldn't help but say as I scrambled to recover.
Raising my fork knife, I deflected his lance although this time part of my knife broke off from the force of the blow.
I reached to counter with my right arm but had to block an incoming shell from his cannon firing at me.
I barely had time to activate the Radiant Wave Surger as the shell blew up in my face.
I managed to block the shot but lost sight of the tall white and red Knightmare in the smoke.
All of a sudden warnings started going off in my cockpit as I spotted the Tallgeese behind me poised to throw his weapon.
"How the hell did he get behind me so quickly!"
Turning on a dime I had to bring my right arm up to stop his lance from impaling my cockpit.
Activating the Radiant Wave Surger I planned to destroy the pesky weapon, but as I did, I noticed a large shadow was growing in size down at my Knightmare's feet.
Looking up, I saw that the Tallgeese had jumped high into the air and had long bladed ax coming down ready to split me in two.
"Oh, Shit!"
As I started to move back, his halberd caught my right arm as it cut through part of the joint connecting it to the shoulder.
Then the lance, which had been soaking up radiation, blew up in my grasp.
"AHH!" I yelled as warnings and sparks flew from my cockpit caused by the backlash from the damaged Radiant Wave Surger.
Cutting the power to my main weapon to save my machine I saw my clawed right arm hung on by a few cables and metal connectors.
He then did something that caught me completely off guard.
Speeding up next to me the Prince kicked the Guren and me in its chest with his Knightmare's left leg.
The force of the kick propelled the Guren against the rock wall causing it to leave a swallow impression.
But the force of the kick and collision with rock caused my armor to start to crack and splinter leaving my Knightmare vulnerable.
My head collided against a screen from within my cockpit causing it to crack while the Guren stumbled back from the impact.
Struggling to get my Knightmare to recover I was dizzy and saw a streak of red enter my vision.
I was probably bleeding from when I hit my head and had a slight concussion as well.
Suddenly I felt my whole world go sideways, as my Knightmare fell onto its side as the prince swept my footing with his weapon.
Looking up I saw that the Tallgeese's foot now blocked half of my vision as it pinned me down and had its weapon ready to come down and finish me off.
As I stared at the machine standing on top of me ready like an executioner to carry out a beheading, for the first time today I felt fear.
Not when I caused the landslide, fought off scores Britannian soldiers, or killed my opponents with the Radiant Wave Surger was I afraid.
But now as I lay defeated in the dirt at the prince's mercy, all my pride, bravado, taunts, and talk of taking down Britannia and freeing Japan, my brother, and family all seemed like a distant dream.
Because what chance did we have if monsters like Prince Charlemagne stalk the battlefield for Britannia.
I felt tears well up in my eyes as I thought of my brother's words telling me to stay home and live a normal life and not get wrapped up in the fighting.
Now my chance to live a good normal life with my family and friends is all but over.
Either he'll kill me now or I'll be captured and treated as a terrorist.
I felt a lump in my throat but I swallowed it and let it well up in my stomach.
Reaching for the radio I was about to tell the others to run while I pathetically beg for my life.
"Hey, you bastard leave Kallen alone!"
I heard Tamaki yell as he fired his weapon at the prince's Knightmare.
"Yeah pick on someone your own size!"
Ohgi joined in too.
But the bullets had little effect on the armored machine, as it merely raised its green energy shield to deflect the bullets.
To my horror, I saw the prince's cannon rotate around its shoulder mount, then his Knightmare grabbed it with its right hand and prepared to take out my friends.
I struggled to move the Guren but the prince still had his machine's weight on top of me pinning me to the ground and had his halberd in his left hand only now.
"Forget about me you guys, run for it, you don't stand a chance against him!"
My pleas were too late as the Knightmare on top of me pivoted and shot at one of my friends.
"Dammit!" I heard Tamaki yell as his machine's head and shoulders were destroyed causing his cockpit to eject.
"Ohgi, leave me, protect Zero, and get out of here while you have the chance!"
But Ohgi didn't respond as he continued to shoot at the prince who blocked the bullets with that damn energy shield of his as he lined up his shot while Oghi, who was trying to avoid getting hit by the prince's weapon.
I closed my eyes and prepared to open a channel to surrender to the prince, and maybe buy some time for Zero and the others to escape.
Just as I was about to press the radio button, I noticed the Charlemagne stop tracking Oghi and leap off of me while kicking my Knightmare forward causing me to roll away from him.
Dazed and confused I wondered what was going on, did reinforcements get here?
Then the ground started rumbling and a few seconds later a huge explosion destroyed a section of the ravine where we both just were.
Struggling to not let this opportunity go to waste I got my Knightmare up right but my damaged right arm was dragging me down like a dead weight.
Suddenly things got easier.
"Need a hand?
Looking to my right, I saw Ohgi in his Burai shoulder my damaged right arm helping me regain my footing and balance.
"Yeah, thanks, Oghi, but what about Zero?"
"He already ordered a retreat after he saw you go down, Cornelia ran out of energy, but we couldn't grab her."
"Okay, let's get out of here before this smokescreen disappears."
I then limped away with Ohgi struggling to keep my heavily damaged Knightmare up right.
I looked back as the dust faded catching a faint glimpse of the Tallgeese and the other Knightmare from Shinjuku as well as the hotel jacking.
It seems in some weird way I owe both of those enemy pilots for saving my life now.
After what happened back there, I knew that I had a long way to go in learning how to pilot the Guren if I wanted to fight a pilot like Charlemagne and the Tallgeese.
At first, I thought he just had a good machine, but now I could see he was much more that just a regular pilot.
He was an unrelenting opponent with great skill, his Knightmare was very strong, and he was prepared for any situation thrown its way.
I felt a feeling of dread at the prospect of fighting the prince again.
But I knew I had to get stronger.
Not for Japan, not for the Black Knights, and not for Zero.
But for my own sake if I wanted to survive let alone be able to keep up in another battle like that again.
Char p.o.v.
When I decided to stop holding back and fight for real, I didn't expect it to be such a beat down but perhaps I misjudged Kallen and the Guren.
While she had limited experience in piloting and time to practice with her machine, I've been piloting Knightmares for close to eight years and have been with Tallgeese for two years.
She wasn't the Ace of the Black Knights yet.
So standing above her pinning down the Guren I was in a bit of a dilemma.
Since I beat her and have her captive, I couldn't just let her go for no reason.
Then Tamaki and Ohgi started to shoot at me but just I raised and activated my Blaze Luminous shield.
They still fired their guns hoping to distract me but their bullets were all deflected by my shield.
Seeing how futile their attempt at a rescue was, I decided to take them out with my Dober gun to get rid of them.
I got the loudmouth Tamaki easily but sadly I didn't go for the kill-shot as he ejected from his Knightmare safely.
As I was lining up my second shot with the pitiful excuse of a pilot Ohgi, all my senses screamed at me to move.
I kicked Kallen and the Guren forward while I reversed just in time to avoid an explosion of rock and debris.
It seems fate had decided to intervene and save me the trouble of trying to capture Kallen and Lelouch right away by having another main character swoop in and nearly ruin things for me.
Racing out of the dust was none other than the Lancelot in all its glory, VARIS raised and poised for combat.
Part of me was questioning why the hell he was here, another part of was pissed that he almost shot me with that damn gun in his haste to rush in to be a hero.
"Prince Charlemagne, I've come to assist you!"
Well, Suzaku you did sort of help in your own special way, might as well make the most of it.
"I appreciate the sentiment but things are under control Kururugi, who authorized your deployment, though?"
"Princesses Euphemia did sir, she wanted me to come and help in any way I can."
Figures it would be Euphie to fall for your puppy dog eyes Suzaku, just like in the show.
"Well, as you can see the battle is nearly over. However you can guard my sister whose machine ran out of energy, wait until you are relieved by a detachment of my men who should be there shortly."
"Right, what about you, your highness?"
Looking at the data sent to me by the Fenrir squad I decided the best way to salvage today was to prevent any more screw-ups myself.
"I'll be going after Zero," I then used my harkens to climb up the wall of the ravine and went to the last known location of Zero until Suzaku's dramatic entrance caused my people to lose track of the Black Knights.
I could feel a headache set in as I set my machine to a cruising speed that put many other Knightmares to shame but still nowhere near pushing the limits like I did when I raced through the forest to get here.
I didn't know what I would do if I found Lelouch, I was really just going with the flow, and I wanted to prevent Suzaku from going into a berserk state.
Dealing with a rampaging Lancelot wasn't on my to-do list, even though it would give me an excuse to rid myself of that annoying, self-centered brat.
His self-loathing and selfless attitude, as well as his suicidal tendencies, were starting to get on my nerves.
But he still has a purpose for now, but the moment he becomes an issue.
I broke from that line of thinking as I spotted a black Burai with a red and gold headpiece.
"There you are Zero."
I still wasn't satisfied after I beat Kallen so why not mess with my little brother a bit.
He must have spotted me too as he turned back and tried shooting his rifle at me.
His accuracy while shooting was terrible and I barely had to dodge as I fired my slash harkens which took out his gun and arm.
No doubt he's panicking right now, what with being so out of his element by being right in the thick of it instead of being the puppet master he is.
I decided to clip his wings so to say as I shot a round from my Dober Gun at him blowing his Knightmare's right leg clean off causing his machine to skid and roll like a ragdoll across the ground until friction caused it to stop sliding.
As he climbed out of his ruined Knightmare, I stood over him with my weapons readied peering down at my long lost brother who right now was an internationally wanted terrorist.
He really wasn't much to look at even with the fancy costume and helmet he had on.
All skin and bones still, it was a miracle that his bones didn't shatter when he would fall down.
Now the stillness of this standoff gave way to trying to come up with a plan for the both of us.
The strange thing is that we want the same thing to happen.
For him to escape and continue to be Zero as long as it benefits me.
But for the life of me, I felt I forgot something.
I sat for a few seconds closing my eyes in thought.
Where is C.C?
"AHHH!"
In a split-second, my whole body seized up as I felt as if all my blood was switched with ice water and I gripped my head with both heads in a vice grip as I experienced the worst migraine imaginable.
I felt as if I was being torn apart from the inside out.
Glancing up, I struggled to look at the screens to see what was going on.
Standing there at the base of my Knightmare with a hand on its leg was one green haired immortal.
So she is the cause of this, I wonder if I step on her then she'll stop this psychic attack of hers and this pain will go away.
But sensing my hostile intent she must have pushed harder as I grit my teeth and my face contorted, as the pain got worse.
Now it felt like my skin was on fire, nails were being driven slowly into my skull, and screws twisted through my eyes.
The sharp agonizing pain was slow and steady as it spread throughout my body causing me to start losing my senses one by one.
First went my sense of touch, as all I could feel was the various pains wrecking havoc on my body.
Then my sense of smell and taste eroded away as bile and blood filled my mouth and nose.
Finally, my eyes and ears were starting to go, now leaking blood from both of them as well.
Then as the pain reached its apex, visions started to invade my mind.
There were disjointed flashes of memories that were unfamiliar to me.
Images of what looked like my home back in Pendragon flooded my mind.
The memories started as images but eroded to feelings as they flashed through my mind garden, bedroom, family, sadness, loneliness, and anger.
Then images of Schneizel and my mother appeared before me but they looked younger than I've ever known them.
Everything about these memories felt alien to me from the feelings to the content.
Could these be the memories of the real Charlemagne before I took over?
While I would love to continue down the road down memory lane, my nerves felt like they were fire and I was getting a lobotomy of the soul.
I tried to focus but the pain made it difficult.
Eventually, I felt a presence trying to get into my head.
The pain had now wrapped all around my body and soul but I was sure it was C.C. trying to screw with my head.
Except instead of shock images I felt that my body was going into shock from the sensory overload of pain I was getting from her psychic attack.
Gathering all the pain and anger, I felt, I focused it on the point where I felt the intruding presence.
As I was focusing on the feeling of the intruder, I felt her focus slip as the pain went away for a few seconds allowing me to open my eyes and focus on their presence.
"GET OUT OF MY HEAD!"
I yelled as I pushed back the one trying to make me go brain dead.
I felt the presence leave my mind as I slipped forward in my seat and hit my head on something and knocked over the controls causing my Knightmare fall to a knee and my Dober gun to fire into the ground as I fell unconsciousness.
C.C. p.o.v.
Lelouch really is starting to be a pain to be a contractor.
Now I had to save him again, this time, from his older brother who had him cornered and the foolish boy, didn't even know it.
But when I snuck up and tried to interfere with the prince's mind I felt something strange.
Over the countless years with the code I developed and perfected the mental abilities that a code bearer is able to use once they learn how to connect their consciousness to C's world.
However, instead, of a smooth transition despite the distance away from each other, I found it difficult to interact with the mind of Prince Charlemagne.
Instead, of a clean path that allows me to manipulate his mind, there was a broken void separating us.
I say broken because paths were there but they were broken and in flux not connected and fluid.
Strange as it was for me to say but in all my years I've never seen another mind so disconnected to C's world than those who have possessed the Code who are their own independent existence separate from the collective.
But it's impossible for Charlemagne to have a Code the only other Code bearer was V.V., so why can't I interact with this person's mind.
So I pushed harder throwing subtlety to the wind as I started to force my way through the void following broken paths.
As I continued to venture further, I came across paths and points that started to reconnect but I could sense that this process was not comfortable for him.
Soon I saw a light at the end of the preverbal tunnel as pathways pointed the way to his mind.
But instead, of a singular clear path, there were two paths now.
The mental fork in the road diverged with one going towards the light that warm and bright and another pointed down to another path that was cold and dark.
Usually, one person had one path to connect to when I ventured into someone's mind but the prince had two.
"Hey C.C. what are you doing to him is it geass?"
Oh, not now.
"Stay back and leave while you can, I'll keep him busy here!"
But Lelouch being the pain he is wouldn't leave well enough alone.
"Not without you, I can't keep owing you favors now can I."
He then came over and touched me while the connection was still open.
I cringed as the new mental connection took hold.
Memories of my long life came back in waves along with the feelings associated with them all flooded my mind.
"No, my memories, you're unveiling me!"
All the pain and sorrow I felt over my long life overcame my senses but my mind did not break after all these years of suffering have numbed me to such pain.
After that episode, I was in a blank landscape of black and white.
After adjusting to this state of purgatory, I felt someone behind me.
Glancing back, I could see the form of Lelouch gazing at me in confusion, no doubt unsure how to make sense of the memories he just saw.
Suddenly I felt something else.
Another presence in front of me but this one was unlike Lelouch, it was more like the dark path was from before, cold, lonely, and full of suffering.
Turning slowly, I saw another figure with its back to me but this one appeared different than any other soul I have ever seen in my life.
The figure was a male standing hunched over as his body was covered with a black substance standing as a contrast to the plain white surroundings
Writhing in pain clawing at its face the figure was bleeding a white substance over its black skin which was starting to crack and you could see small specks of black began to fade away.
I was glued watching the figure in fascination, but then the figure stopped clawing at its face and went still.
Slowly it turned and its gaze bore into me.
If I were in my psychical body, my breath would have hitched as I saw the form of Charlemagne covered in shadows, which clung to him like tar as white streams of blood flowed out of gashes where the black substance was beginning to crack.
And his face, gods his face made me want to vomit if I could as it shifted as two sides one black the other white fought for control, the colors bleeding and shifting as his face contorted in agony.
Suddenly like a flash of realization the black substance fought back harder swallowing the white side.
As black shadows consumed the figure that looked like the prince it snarled at me causing me to take a reflexive step back.
Then much to my horror, the shadows began to spread swallow the light creating a mist that hung in the air, then began to swirl in a cyclone obscuring the prince from view.
I was startled at the amount of black shadowy psychic energy welling up near him now had the appearance of a raging hurricane.
"GET OUT OF MY HEAD!" The Prince roared as the storm of energy raced towards Lelouch and me.
I activated my code to try and to protect us but it wasn't enough as I felt my connection with the prince get cut off and I was pushed back in the physical world.
Before I could make sense of what just happened, I saw the massive Knightmare falling towards us.
"Get back!" I yelled at Lelouch but before he could respond the Knightmares cannon went off sending debris flying.
I used my body as a shield for Lelouch as rocks were sent like flechette and ripped through my skin.
Losing feeling in my legs I crumpled to the ground as Lelouch rushed to me.
As my consciousness slipped, I felt Lelouch pick me up in his arms but I caught a glance at the Knightmare and more the prince that had killed me.
"What are you?" I asked with my voice fading as the darkness took me and I fell unconscious as my body began to regenerate thanks to my code keeping me anchored to the physical world.
Char p.o.v.
"Charlemagne, Char, brother are you alright!"
I awoke to concerned voice of my sister Cornelia yelling from the radio while I was slumped down in my pilot seat.
Leaning back, I hissed in pain as I felt a splitting headache coming on.
As I pulled my hand from my head, I noticed the taste of blood and stomach acid in my mouth.
Looking over myself I noticed that blood had been running freely from my eyes ears, mouth and nose so I scrambled to clean myself as I answered the voice on the radio.
"Yeah I'm fine Cornelia, Zero got away, though, seems the damage I took fighting that red Knightmare was more severe than I thought." I lied quickly as I finished wiping the blood away with a small rag I had in my cockpit.
"Very well, I was worried when I couldn't contact you for the past fifteen minutes that something happened, but it seems my concerns were unnecessary, I've ordered a retreat do you need an escort I could send Kururugi towards you?"
"No, I'll be fine I just need to finish resetting a few systems to recover and I'll be on my way."
"Ok, then I'll see you back at the G-1 then where we will discuss this failure of an operation."
Huh, don't you mean your failure sister, if you so much as blame me for Zero escaping then I'll.
"Oh and Char thank you for coming to help, and I'm glad you're safe."
My pessimistic thoughts faded to the back of my mind at my sister's attempt at a thank you eased my displeasure over what happened here.
"Yeah I'm glad you're safe to Cornelia."
With that, I cut the private channel and begun to make my way down the mountain all the while thinking what the hell happened with C.C. back there as I could remember nothing but pain, darkness, and memories of the past that were not my own.
Lelouch p.o.v.
After fleeing with C.C. from my brother's Knightmare, I wondered what the hell happened back there.
Looking at the still form of C.C. wrapped in my cloak resting on the cave floor I thought back to what she did to Char to stop him from capturing me.
Is it some sort of power that is tied to her abilities that made her immortal?
As time passed, I couldn't make sense of the things that happened so I thought back on the day so far.
Everything was going so well but that all change when Char showed up in that Knightmare of his.
At first, I thought Kallen would be able to handle him like she did with Cornelia.
But I was mistaken.
When I thought Char was fighting defensively, I soon realized he was holding back and just stalling.
A fact that was made clear when he started to fight for real and quickly overwhelmed Kallen with ease.
If that other white Knightmare hadn't tried that dramatic entrance, then Kallen would have most likely been captured or killed.
Instead, we had gotten away, at least, I thought that until I spotted the Tallgeese gaining on me.
My Burai didn't stand a chance against my older brother's Knightmare, which disabled mine in short order.
And just when I thought all was lost C.C. appears to save me.
She used her powers to affect Char's mind somehow.
And when I touched her I got a look in her mind.
Images of places and events of her life showed that C.C. has been alive for longer than anyone on the planet to my knowledge.
However, there was something else I saw.
After the myriad of images from the past, I found myself I a white and black landscape with C.C. standing across from me but her attention was focused elsewhere.
Following her gaze, I saw a shadowy figure that stood out from our surroundings.
Then all of a sudden, shadows started to gather all around the figure like a cyclone that felt powerful and alive.
Feelings of anger, pain, hate and loneliness welled up inside me as I stared at the storm of shadows that seemed to project those emotions outward onto me.
Without warning, the figure roared and the storm of energy and shadows raced at us.
C.C. spread her arms outward to protect us as a barrier of red light spread outwards but it was pushed back and I felt pushed back into my own body.
Just in time for C.C. to shield me from debris that came from an explosion near Char's Knightmare.
As his Knightmare fell down on one knee, I scooped up a prone C.C. and ran to make a hasty escape.
Lucky for us whatever C.C. had done made my brother Char unable to pursue us.
I then found this cave and have been sitting here with an unconscious C.C., who had saved me yet again first from capture from my sister Cornelia and now nearly being killed by my brother Char.
I let out a sigh as I had one hand against my forehead and my other on my hips as I felt lucky that even after all the setbacks I still came out on top.
The Black Knights were now battle tested and ready to strike back with confidence against Britannia.
But it sure as hell didn't feel like a win right now, especially after seeing all that back there.
Broken from my thoughts, I glanced back at C.C. as she was stirring and murmuring something as she yet again recovered from a fatal injury like it was just a scratch.
Kneeling down next to her I noticed she had yet to awaken but she was talking in her sleep.
I lowered my ear closer to hear what she was saying and I was surprised at what I heard
Pulling back, I stood up just as C.C. began to groan and sit up clutching my cape to cover her modesty and bandages.
"You didn't have to bandage me up you know."
Her flat response made me cringe inside, as my thoughtfulness was just perceived as frivolous.
"But I thank you all the same."
I turned back a bit surprised that she actually thanked me.
"Your welcome, but it should be me thanking you for stepping in when you did, if you didn't I was going to get captured, so thank you."
C.C.'s face and mask of neutrality fell as emotion overcame her and tears started to appear at the edge of her face.
"No one has ever been thankful for my help before."
After a few moments watching the rare show of emotion from C.C. I spoke up.
"Besides the setbacks, there is a bright side to all this."
"Huh?"
I smirked as I looked at C.C.
"I finally know your true name."
As fast as it took for a drop of water to reach the floor of the cave C.C.'s features shifted to a steely guarded one leaving no sign of weakness from her earlier show of rare emotion.
"You know it's not nice to take advantage of a lady while she's indisposed."
"Don't be like that, I merely overheard you mumble it, and besides it is a nice name, nicer than C.C. in my opinion."
C.C. then looked down and a few moments later looked at me with a gentle expression.
"Then can you say my name, it's been so long since I 've heard it said by another person?
The look in her eyes and tone of voice made her request seem to be a sincere one so I decided to humor her.
"Alright then, thank you,"
"Zero!"
A voice yelled out breaking up my moment with C.C. before I could say her name.
After putting my mask back on, I turned around just in time to see Kallen rushing into the cave.
"Zero, thank goodness your alright I was worried after… who's that naked girl behind you?"
Inside I groaned at having to explain the existence of C.C. to Kallen as I had already used my geass on her.
"So your girlfriend decided to come rescue us?" C.C. said with her trademark smirk sending Kallen sputtering.
I could feel another headache coming on as C.C. was back to her usual self now arguing with an irate Kallen demanding answers.
Tokyo settlement
Undisclosed location
Char p.o.v.
Looking back at what happened at Narita I was pleased with how it went down.
There were little civilian casualties.
My forces only suffered a couple lost Knightmares, a few minor injuries, and no casualties.
Alya was able to push back Todoh and the four holy swords with ease thanks to her forces superior firepower and range.
I was surprised by the glowing report about Naoto from Augustine listing him as being one of the few leading a charge on an enemy position when Darlton and his forces were pinned down.
I would have to look into that, but maybe I underestimated Naoto a bit.
Even if things went as well as they did, there were some setbacks.
Like Suzaku showing up and nearly killing Kallen and me in the process with his entrance allowing her to escape.
And, while I was able to get half of the Code R research team the other half seemed to escape.
My best guess was that they picked up Jeremiah too and took him with them since my men couldn't find any trace of either party in the mountains.
Plus there was also the unknown test subject they found with the team that I would have to go inspect.
I sighed as I rubbed my brow with one hand.
Not knowing how things would turn out didn't use to bother me this much but when your life has become part of a piece of fiction, divergences in the plot had me on edge.
After the Narita operation, I was gone before getting the chance to talk with Cornelia.
Thus leaving her alone to clean up the mess from the landslide that decimated her forces.
Besides, I had more important matters to attend to than digging up corpses.
Which was why I was now in an interrogation room sitting patiently reading a file while waiting for my next guest to arrive.
A few moments later I hear yelling and protest coming from the other side of that door but I didn't look up because I knew who was coming, so I just kept reading the file.
Even as the doors to the room opened and the sounds of struggling and demands fell silent, I waited patiently not looking up.
The man was strapped in by two of my men as they stood silently at the door ready to be called upon if need be.
Still I didn't acknowledge the presence across from me as my eyes stayed glued to the papers in the file giving me all the information I would need to know.
"Your highness there's been some mistake please you have to…"
The man's pleas were cut off as I lazily raised my right hand silencing his attempts of persuasion and calling of the guards that were moving in to discipline him for his impertinence.
After finishing the last few sentences I was on, I closed the file and lowered my hand as I turned to face the man across from me.
"Your highness, my prince as I was saying this was all a big misunderstanding, please you have to let me go I was just doing what I was ordered to by Prince Clovis. I don't know anything I'm new just starting out, I have a wife and daughter so, please have mercy."
I merely stared at the stressed from of Joseph Fennette as he rattled on about his innocence, how he knew nothing about what was going on, and that I should be merciful just because he has a family.
I moved the file in front of him and opening it showing it to him.
If it was possible, his face went even paler as he scanned the document detailing everything about him from personal information, family history, credit history, schedule, his work with the Rosenberg Institute, and his work as a member of my brother's Code R research team.
"I just finished reading the thesis you wrote when you applied for the Rosenberg Institute about using brain waves as a new form of communication and how it could be applied to technology. So I would appreciate it if you stop treating me like an idiot so we can talk about your future Mr. Fennette."
"What do you mean?"
"You were one of the leading researchers for one of my brother's secret projects Code R correct?"
Any sign of hope soon vanished as I finished talking, as Fennette knew I must know all about his previous work.
"What do you want from me your highness I'm just a simple researcher what we did was all the prince's and General Bartley's decision we were just the hired help."
"True, but unlike the people who threw General Bartley in jail, I would see talented people such as yourself work on something worthwhile instead of waste away in a prison cell."
Mr. Fennette understood my unspoken threat that if he didn't cooperate with me, then the alternative was much worse for him.
"And I'm sure your family will be relieved to hear that you found a new job so quickly after being let go, besides someone has to pay the bills for your daughter Shirley's schooling."
Mr. Fennette seemed to choke on air as I mentioned his daughter.
That was when I knew I had him.
"So Mr. Fennette how about you come work for me and put that fancy degree to better use than trying to recreate immortality?"
I then slid a few pictures of his wife and daughter at his home back in the settlement in front of him to better illustrate my point.
All Joesph Fennette could do was nod weakly as what little fight he had in him was eroded away after just a few minutes alone talking with me.
"Well, I'm glad to hear it, you'll be transferred to a new lab I have getting set up in Hokkaido. I'm sure you'll find that I'm a better boss than my brother Clovis and General Bartley, oh and don't worry your fellow researchers will be joining you there as well so at least you'll know a few familiar faces."
Mr. Fennette didn't respond as he accepted his new fate for him and his colleagues.
Beats being buried alive in my book and hopefully, I won't have to deal with unnecessary distractions in the not too distant future.
I got up and was about to go but stopped at the side of Mr. Fennette's chair.
"Just know that I don't take to well to traitors or rats so for both you and your family's sake just keep your head down and don't try running off thinking you can escape me."
I then left the interrogation room giving a lazy salute and nod to the guards and not bothering to look at the shaking form of Joesph Fennette.
Walking through the dimly lit hallways, I stopped and slouched against one of the walls.
Gripping my head I remembered the pain I experienced at the hands of C.C.
I wasn't sure what she was trying to do but I should assume that it couldn't be good for me.
Next time I'll have to be more cautious around her and V.V. as well when it comes time to deal with the blond midget.
Still I felt like something changed within me after my encounter with C.C.
After the pain and dizziness had subsided it felt as if things were clearer to me.
As if a haze has been lifted, my mind felt clearer and more at ease than ever before.
Still there were so many questions surrounding what happened when C.C. tried to get into my mind, did it work, does she know who I really am, or that I'm not from this reality?
"Char are you alright?"
I was startled when I saw Alya looking at my slouched form bracing itself against the wall.
"Yeah Alya, just tired from a long day," I said as I straightened up and faced my personal knight as she gave me a concerned look.
"I still think you should have gone and see the doctor after the battle to check you over after you hit your head."
Her features were not her typical steely mask of indifference. Instead, they were soft and held concern and worry for me.
"You know your face right now is just adorable and the sight of you worrying about me really warms my heart."
I tried to hide my pain through my usual theatrics and besides it's not like any doctor I see will be able to help me recover from an attack on my soul.
Alya didn't say anything as she hid her face desperate to hide her blush.
She then followed me at my side as I started to make my way to the next room.
Yeah, I'm fine, I'm still me, and today was a wake-up call.
No matter what people say or think I am not Charlemagne el Britannia, that person disappeared eight years ago when I took over this body, but if that's the case then why hasn't anyone noticed the difference?
I frowned and thought back on what has happened and what I could remember from back then.
No one has ever thought I wasn't Charlemagne, so then could the emperor have used his geass on everyone just so I could live as his son.
But why the hell would he do that?
"Char about the subject we recovered with the research team?" Alya asked now having recovered from her prior embarrassment.
"So you found something in the data?" I asked curiously as to who could have been stuffed into one of those pressurized capsules.
"Yes, but when we cross-referenced them we came up with some discrepancies?"
"Like what?" I asked now paying full attention to Alya.
"The only matches to the information they had on hand were from over thirty years ago."
"What's the problem then?"
Alya didn't answer right, which sent alarm bells ringing for me.
"You should just see for yourself," She said as we stepped into a medical section of the safe house.
Now I had a love-hate relationship with surprises which should be natural when you're supposed to know everything that is going to happen in the next year that will shape world history for years to come.
But there were those moments in life that you could never be prepared for.
Some were bad like when I was younger and still living in Pendragon and Milly decided to play catch with a beehive without telling me there were bees still in it.
Some were good like when one Christmas I walked in to find Alya waiting for me dressed only in an elaborate red ribbon and bow that barely covered her modesty and she asked me if I wanted to unwrap my present?
Both incidents ended up having me be stuck in bed for the next couple of days both drained of energy for entirely different reasons.
Now, however, I didn't know how to react inside as I was in shock because sitting in a white hospital bed was a silver haired teenager male with a slim yet athletic build hooked up medical equipment, sleeping peacefully not looking a day over seventeen.
"All we got was a match for a name was Rai but the hospital records which match this boy are from over thirty years ago so why is he still so young?"
I barely registered the rest of what Alya said as I knew who this boy was the moment I laid eyes on him.
I resisted the urge to sigh again, as I felt another headache coming on.
I should have known things wouldn't be as simple as I hoped they would be.
Holy Britannian Empire, Pendragon
Imperial Throne Room
Emperor Charles p.o.v.
Sitting in the dimly lit throne room, I stared at the screen in front of me showing my older brother V.V. as he was reporting on the progress with the Sword of Akasha.
"Everything is progressing as it should, but the reason why I'm calling you this way is that the sword became unstable and needed to be contained."
"What could cause the sword to become that unstable brother?" I asked now understanding why the sword wouldn't work for me earlier.
"We're not entirely sure but the prevailing thought is that there was a large release of psychic energy that resonated with the sword."
That was strange and if it was true then is was disconcerting because without the Sword of Akasha then the plan for Ragnarok and killing the God's will be just a dream.
"Was it the Gods or C.C. perhaps?"
"Possibly but I doubt C.C. could manifest this level of energy on her own while in hiding also she would need access to a thought elevator then to project it, and you know the gods don't take sides in mortal affairs Charles."
That is true the God's were constantly at odds with each other much like the ideals of humanity are full of contradictions and conflict.
"I have a different theory. However, one of your children could be involved."
"Hmm?"
What is my brother on about, if he hasn't noticed I have a lot of children some of which he already has control over.
"I'm talking about the special one, Charlemagne wasn't it."
My face hardened and I nearly snarled at hearing that name.
"That thing is no son of mine, just an imitation that walks around wearing his skin while calling itself Char."
"Yes, well despite your feelings, it seems that Char may be the cause of the damage to the sword."
"How?" I asked gritting my teeth not wanting to think of that imposter any longer than I had to.
"Well, whatever it is that is possessing Charlemagne it very well may be able to interact with C's world and the sword without a geass power or code."
The implications of that statement were not lost on me.
"I told you, brother, we should have killed that parasite the moment we became aware of it, now it is gathering strength to oppose me and to make matters worse is that his influence just keeps growing unchecked every day."
Usually, I would never care for the mundane affairs of men, but Char was changing the hearts and minds of the people thus weakening the sword which fed on the will of humanity.
"Now Charles, as your older brother I never thought you would be the one to call for a child's death."
Funny you should say that as your the one who is in charge of the order which trains children from birth to become assassins and soldiers with the power of geass.
My brothers feign scolding reminded me that we agreed only to kill that thing once we had a way to restore Charlemagne, but now I'm not so sure that can happen anymore.
"Yes, and I used my geass power to alter the entire royal families memory of Charlemagne just so that thing could exist, why did you want it to survive anyway?"
My brother gave a small knowing smile at my discomfort, no doubt he was a sadist and enjoyed the suffering he put on others while he was numb to their pain.
"I was curious, what would become of such an anomaly, and what it could mean for research into what lies beyond C's world."
"Well your research pet is now a grown man and like you said could be a threat to our plans."
My brother's smile disappeared and he turned serious.
"Know this Charles like our contract says I will help you slay the god and we will save this world from the chaos that consumes it. So if this Char sees fit to stand in our way, I'll be sure to handle it."
"I understand brother."
As the connection was cut feelings of anger swelled up inside of me towards my brother.
Because for all his proclaimed loyalty, my brother lied to me and killed Marianne because he felt I wouldn't see the plan through with her being alive.
"Come now Charles don't be so hard on poor Char he's only trying to be a good boy isn't he."
Looking to my left, a small figure walked out of the shadows.
The young girl had pink hair and pink eyes, which had a pair red rings around them.
The girl was Anya Alstreim the knight of six and the one who housed the soul of my beloved Marianne.
"So you would have me continue to let that abomination live?!"
Marianne shook Anya's head as she smirked at my outburst of emotion.
"For now yes, as long as he can be of use of course, besides he may prove to be a useful tool in the future."
I sat back and looked at the small girl who was lecturing me.
"And how would you accomplish this?"
"Well like all great men, they all have their soft spots, you just need to know where to find them, and then you'll have that beast of a man collared like a dog."
I nodded at her reasoning but was confused at her choice of words.
"What did you mean by a beast of a man?"
Marianne then looked back at me with wide eyes at her slip of the tongue.
She then laughed lightly and rubbed the back of her head.
"Sorry, it seems little Anya has a bit of a crush on Char, it must have slipped through, but when I do look at him, he does look rather dashing and handsome."
I was concerned that Marianne and Anya's minds were sharing more things than just having the same body but thinking about how to deal with Char a thought occurred to me.
"Do you think that using Alya Alstreim or the Ashford girl would be enough to control that thing?"
Yes, Anya's older sister was Char's personal knight, there also was the Ashford heiress who he had affections for to consider too, and both options would be easy to acquire.
Marianne stopped laughing as her and Anya's smile turned to a frown.
"Look, Charles, just because you despise Char you shouldn't underestimate what that thing is capable of. Besides, you already had Anya's parents killed, if you kill her sister then if Anya's memory of her life from before ever returns then her mind may very well break, and I could be lost forever."
The thought of losing Marianne again at the cost of getting rid of that thing and its followers made me pause my scheming for a moment.
"Well I think I'll be off then, I got to return Anya to bed, we wouldn't want people to get the wrong idea of seeing an adorable girl like me all alone with the big scary emperor of Britannia late at night."
I groaned at Marianne's antics as she started to walk away.
"Marianne I thought you would like to know that our son has begun to make his move, and has attained the power of geass."
Marianne spun on her heels as she had a big smile holding her hands together near her face resting her head against them.
"I know isn't it wonderful, once we get C.C. to come back to us we'll be able to begin the plan then we can all be a family again, oh I can't wait to see my darling little boy again, oh and Nunnally to she must be so big now!"
I smiled at the thought being truly reunited with the only family I ever truly loved and the women who captured my heart as well as help me capture the throne.
And I would not let anything stand in my way of slaying the gods, ridding this world of all the liars, and uniting mankind bringing peace to the world.
Yes, the future is the Ragnarok connection and there's nothing that thing calling itself Char can do to stop it.
AN: Remember to Follow, Favorite, and Review to let me know what you think.