25: Narita Pt.2

Roar of the Rebellion

When morning came to Lelouch's tired eyes, he frowned and tried to roll over and go right back to sleep. The previous night had gone sour after his little swimming excursion with C.C. The girl refused to speak with him after he had all but tucked her in. A sigh escaped his lips, 'Why is it that most of the women in my life happen to be nothing but trouble?' He wondered, before sneezing loudly.

"Great," he sniffled, "Now I'm catching a cold."

He groaned tiredly and rolled to his feet, missing the warmth of his bed already. As well as an extra body for added warmth. The previous evening hadn't truly meant to be a seduction, but damned if he hadn't been trying. And yet he felt he'd pushed too far into C.C.'s boundaries. 'Still,' he thought mildly, 'I never thought someone of her age would be so easy to please.' He smiled, remembering the sweet sound of her voice.

As he dressed, he thought about the day he was supposed to have. There had been a call from the Kyoto House. Apparently they had something they wanted to give him, or 'Zero' as it were.

He moved out into the hall, his duffel bag containing his costume on his shoulder. It was still rather early, and he had informed Sayoko of his plans, meaning that Nunnaly had been told that he was going to be away on business once again, but luckily for him, he had arranged a bit of a play date for his dear little sister in the form of her two favorite people outside of himself.

Which is why he needed to be gone before they got there.

He passed C.C.'s room on his way out, and considered knocking. Instead, he reached for the knob, and opened the door very slowly. In all honesty, he half expected her to have fled during the night some time, but she was there. Curled up on the bed, the top sheets and comforter half on the floor she was sound asleep. Her hair was an absolute bird's nest in every shape and form of the word, yet it made her all the more beautiful.

Sighing, he stepped into the room and carefully rearranged the blankets so that she was properly covered. She sighed in her sleep, and curled deeper into the blankets. Smiling at her for but a moment he leaned down and pressed a kiss against her forehead, "I love you."

With that he left the girl to sleep, closing the door gently behind him.

The moment the door closed, however, C.C.'s eyes drifted open, gazing softly at the door. "You idiot."

.

Zero gazed over all of his troops as they took in the sights of the lower portions of the factory. Truly, it was impressive how large the factory was. Below the production area was a storage area large enough to house at least five hundred Z-frames, as well as over fifteen hundred troops. But now there was a new addition to their ranks. Or, additions.

Knightmares.

Dozens of them. But while he was grateful for the frames, he was truly thankful for something that an old friend had gifted him with. The machine was a Seventh Generation Knightmare called the Guren Type-02. It was the latest in development. Red for the most part with a silver face-plate, and orange cockpit, but that right there was different than the normal Knightmare. In fact, the interior was designed for the pilot to be seated as if they were riding a motorcycle.

The next variation was, he had to admit, something truly frightening. The right had contained something called a "Radiant Wave Surger". A weapon on par with his Charged Particle Cannons, save for the fact that it was a close range weapon that melted anything it came into contact with.

"Kyoto has been generous, indeed." He noted as he observed the machine. He then turned to his troops, all of them wearing the black armor he had designed proudly, the golden symbol featured on his mask shimmering brightly. He himself was dressed in his full Shadow Armor, as it had begun to be called, since Shadow never left his side when he was in character.

At his side were his weapons of the DL-44 blaster pistol, as well as what appeared to be the hilt of a sword, save for the fact that it had no blade. In the month since the battle in the settlement, Lelouch had been instructed in the ways of the sword by Sayoko, his deepest memories dredging up his lessons with Todoh during his stay at the Kururugi Shrine. His body had become slightly sculpted due to his training.

He was no where near the master of the sword as he wished to be, but he was at fighting strength. He even recalled watching his mother practice with her saber. He was now a fighter. As were his troops. When next they went into battle, they would be ready.

"This is great, isn't it?" Kallen said, coming up beside him, "This is an actual army, not just a rebel cell anymore."

He took off his mask for a moment, the rubber face mask in place beneath to hide his true identity, and smiled at her, "It's all thanks to you." He said in his raspy voice, "None of this would have been possible if I hadn't met you, or the others."

Kallen shook her head, "I could say the same if we hadn't met you," she said, looking up at his masked face, "You know, I can't wait for the day when you don't have to wear that mask...either one of them."

Zero placed his arm around her, bringing her against his side, "Neither can I, Kallen." He said, replacing his mask, "Neither can I." He said, reaching into his cloak and pulled out a red, wing-like Knightmare key. "I'm entrusting this to you, Kallen." She looked at him in surprise as she accepted the key, "Before you ask, it's not only because you are my chosen Knight, but the best pilot we have. I have no doubts that you'll be incredible in the Guren."

She blushed as she hung the key around her neck. Of course, any girl would be happy to receive something from their boyfriend. A cute purse. Maybe a stuffed toy. Or even chocolates. Not her though. Her man had given her the first ever Japanese-made Seventh Generation Knightmare.

"So," she said, leaning closer to him, "what's the plan for the next operation?"

"Ideally I would like to deal with the Cardinal first," he said, frowning beneath his mask, "That man makes me exceedingly nervous, especially with his multiple Geass abilities, and his brutality."

Kallen frowned, thinking about the other masked man, "How are we going to combat that?" She wondered, "I mean, anything living that's within range of his Geass is frozen in place until he moves in for the kill."

"True, but the Zoids are more machine than they are beast," he said, a wicked grin coming to his face, which she could all but hear from the tone in his voice, "If he freezes us, their A.I. instinct will take over and either get away from him, or go on the offensive, hopefully the latter, and tear him apart."

Kallen snorted, "There's a nice thought," she said, and leaned over the railing, "Say, how come I don't get any armor?"

Lelouch chuckled, "I'm having it re-colored to red, instead of black," he smiled as Kallen turned a beaming smile on him, "I knew you'd like that." He said, as the girl threw her arms around him, "That reminds me, how is your mother?"

As Kallen drew away from him, he noticed a distinctive note of irritation in her face.

=x=

Present Time - TanjouJima

Natsume was happily tending her budding flower garden in front of her house. Life for her had never been so wonderful. Thanks to Zero's serum she no longer had a desire for Refrain, even though she was still recovering from the after effects, which consisted of weak body strength, she was happier than she had ever been. Her daughter visited her quite often, as much as she could, these days, she had a beautiful home to care for, and -

"Lady Kozuki."

A very nice person in her life.

She smiled widely as said person came bounding up her walkway, basket in hand with a bouquet of flowers tucked under the lid. Jeremiah Gottwald had been a near constant companion to her while she recovered, and she was certainly glad of it. Unlike Robert, God rest his soul, Jeremiah care very little about his status anymore, the fact that he was a Margrave totally forgotten in his services to the Black Knights, and he treated her with the utmost respect.

She was no fool, though. The man was obviously courting. A fact that often made her blush when she thought about the blue-haired Britannian.

"Jeremiah," she smiled back at him as he reached her, "You know that you don't have to visit me so often. I've been feeling much better these last few days."

Jeremiah smiled at her, "I know, but in truth, fair lady, I find myself drawn to you as a moth is to a flame," he said, grasping his chest dramatically, making her laugh with his theatrics. Robert had certainly never been so flamboyant. "But," he continued with a slightly embarrassed look about him, "If you wish me to leave, then I shan't bother you. I simply thought that you might want to have a bit of a picnic." He said, holding up the basket, "There's a lovely bluff near this area that overlooks the ocean, and always has a lovely breeze blowing."

Natsume smiled at him, "You certainly make it hard to say no, Jeremiah," she smiled, and set the water can she'd been holding down, "Though, I hope it's not too far. My legs are still pretty weak."

"Shall I carry you?" Jeremiah offered, completely serious, not a hint of flirting or flattery in his voice.

The woman giggled and gave him a light shove, "Perhaps on the way back," she said, looking her arms through his own, "Until then, please, lead the way."

"With pleasure, dear lady," the pair set off, intent on enjoying themselves.

=x=

Back with the Black Knights

Lelouch found himself laughing at the tale she told him, unable to stop. Kallen pinched his arm in annoyance, "It's not funny, Zero," she huffed, "Next you know she'll be making him dinner after dance lessons!"

He sputtered, unable to contain himself over the ordeal. Who knew Jeremiah was such a romantic? "Jeremiah's a good man, Kallen" he said, finally getting himself under control, "Trust me, your mother couldn't be in better hands."

Kallen grumbled as she crossed her arms, "And he'd better watch where he puts those hands," she frowned, touching off his laughter again, "Oh, stop it! You're ruining your image as Zero with all that laughing!"

Another laugh interrupted them as Ohgi came up to them, "You must've said something pretty funny to get Zero of all people laughing," he said, holding out a folder, "And boss, you're not gonna believe what I've got here."

Zero looked at the man curiously, "What do you have?"

"Information that was dropped in on us from one of our applicants," he said, handing the masked figure the folder, "I've already looked over it, but I still can't believe it."

Zero read the file, and reread it...twice. 'Damn, they've found them.' He frowned as he closed the file, and looked at his two most trusted soldiers, "Ohgi, call the men to order. I have an announcement to make."

Ohgi's face turned serious, "Yes, Sir." He said.

A few minutes later, all of the assembled Black Knights, some two hundred men and women, stood in front of Zero as he prepared to make his speech.

As always, his mere presence commanded attention. His armor glinted brightly under the lights in the factory, the horns on top of his mask making him look like a faceless Oni. To ignore this man was something only a fool would do.

"My friends, and fellow Black Knights," He called out, his voice augmented by his mask's mechanism, "Today we are two hundred strong, and have gained recognition from none other than Kyoto themselves!" A cheer broke out across the factory, their voice bounding off the metal walls. Zero let them celebrate for a moment before holding up his hands for quiet, and the all immediately fell silent, "But recognition alone will not be enough to win Japan her freedom. For that all of us, new recruits and old, must face our fears, and enter the battlefield once more!" He was met with a roar this time; savage and primal. A call for battle. This pleased him. They were willing.

"Unfortunately, not all of us who enter onto this field will leave that field." He said as silence reigned, "Many of you are still untrained, and I would wish for you have better skills before your first battle, but alas, that is not to be!" He shouted and flared out his arms, "For in two days time, Cornelia Li Britannia will lead an assault upon the remnants of the Japan Liberation Front, the last true samurai of Japan!" Rage boiled forth with the roar of his troops, and now he had them. Their resolve was set! "This I cannot allow! This I will not allow!" He shouted louder than ever, "Within these next two days, we shall prepare to face Cornelia head on! Open ground awaits us upon this battle, and it will be bloody, this I can assure you," he said, and all remained quiet, "I know that many of you have families, and loved ones to care for, and that is why I say this to you now. Anyone that wishes to leave may do so, and will not be thought little of. But those that stay, know that we will send Cornelia a message, whether we win or lose this battle!"

"What message?" Shouted someone in the middle ranks.

"A message that we, the Japanese people, are alive," He shouted, "That we will not back down without a fight ever again! That our people are not weak savages as the nobility makes others believe!" The crowd began to grow ever excited, "They will acknowledge our strength and determination! They will not bend us to their wills! That we will not be controlled by a tyrant hundreds of miles across a vast sea! We control ourselves! Not the likes of Britannia!"

"The battle will be horrible," He said sadly, "With this in mind...WILL YOU FIGHT WITH ME!"

The answer was a roaring affirmative as the Black Knights roared with approval. Vowing to place their lives in the hands of the masked man who's face was scarred by Britannia's cruelty. They would fight.

=x=

Viceroy's Palace - Area-11

Cornelia looked at the people gathered around her desk. Her sister and chosen Knight to her left, Guilford, Darlton, and the Cardinal to her right. What they were all looking at was a map of the area surrounding Narita. "And we're sure that once the battle begins that we can find the entrance fairly quickly?" She asked, looking at Darlton, "I would rather not have any of these relics get passed us."

"Themal scans indicate that there are very few passages that have been used around the mountainside," Darlton said, frowning as he stroked his chin in thought, "What worries me is that these men have access to Sakuradite, which we all know is highly volatile in a raw state. And with these men being of the traditional sort...if they had enough Sakuradite, then the whole mountain may just be one big land mine."

Suzaku shook his head, "No, Sir, I've met many men that joined the JLF, and very few of them would wish for a suicide attempt just to take enemy forces down," he said, frowning in thought. He knew that his old master was sure to be in the area. "No, it'll be a tooth and nail fight for them to the bitter end." He said, looking at the grizzled Knight, "For my people, a death by the sword is far more favorable than taking one's own life, though if he wishes to redeem his honor, he may choose to take his own life in penance for lives lost in the battle."

Guilford nodded to this, "Very insightful, Sir Kururugi," he said, still wary of the young Japanese boy, "What are the chances that they'll surrender if offered terms?"

"None whatsoever." Suzaku sighed sadly.

Cornelia frowned at the boy. She knew she was being a tad too cruel to him in this situation, but it was time that he understand that the enemy were his own people, and that they needed to do something about them to quell the rise in resistance cells. It would perhaps be almost as good as capturing Zero, and destroying the Black Knights. "Sir Kururugi, know that I am counting on you within this battle should Zero show up to possibly rescue the JLF," she said to the boy, frowning, "If he does show, we cannot miss the opportunity to take him, alive if possible."

Euphemia nodded, "I, too, would like to take him alive," she said, surprising her sister, "I believe him to be a good, although misguided, man, and if we had him on our side then he would be a valuable asset to the Empire."

The Cardinal chuckled, "Not if I get to him first," he sneered, "Don't forget, His Majesty may want him alive, but should get my chance, he is mine."

"Just so," Cornelia frowned, "I would rather have him killed as well for the lives of Jeremiah and my brother."

"I still believe we should wait for Nonette to get here," Guilford frowned, "With her around, the battle will be that much easier."

Cornelia nodded in agreement, "True, but this is a golden chance to rid ourselves of one of the most influential groups in Area-11, so we cannot wait for them to possibly move their base of operations." She shook her head, "No, we attack the mountainside in two days."

Short Build-up chapter. The next chapter will take off right at the battle...or just a little bit before.

Anyway, reviews are love...or something like that :p Ciao!