Disclaimer: I don't own the series, Code Geass.
Chapter 25
Six months after the Black Rebellion, a near a town somewhere in the EU
A customized Red Gloucester with two maser vibration swords by its sides was standing over destroyed tanks. The cockpit opens and reveals Jarvis Trenton, the Knight of Eight in his flight suit looking over the destruction he caused.
"The fools," Jarvis said shaking his head, "it would have easier for them if they had just giving up."
Jarvis was hearing noises. He looked around to see where they were coming from. He soon saw three knightmare frames heading to his direction. It was the Tristan, the Modred, and the Lancelot and they made a complete stop. Suzaku, Gino, and Anya came out of their knightmare cockpits.
"Hey Jarvis," Gino called out.
Jarvis sighed, "So, you're here."
Jarvis disembarked off his knightmare with his sheathed sword in his hand and the others also disembarked off their knightmares.
They got together on the ground.
"Prince Schneizel has been looking for you," Suzaku spoke.
"Yes I know," Jarvis responded, "I received his messages."
"Will you be seeing him?" Anya asked, "It seems that Prince Schneizel wants to discuss some things with you."
"Not interested," Jarvis responded immediately.
"Aren't you least curious of what his highness want to discuss," Suzaku asked.
"No, I could care less of what the second prince actually wants."
Gino sighed, "Man Jarvis, you should lighten up."
"I do not want to hear that from someone who is too laid back, Knight of Three," Jarvis glared dangerously at Gino.
Gino looked at his right side, "Scary…"
"At any rate, I'm done here on my end," Jarvis said.
Suzaku, Gino, and Anya saw the destroyed tanks and the homes that were destroyed as well. Suzaku noticed something and went to look. He saw an old man hiding behind one of the destroyed tanks. The old man was upset.
"Why?" The old man asked, "How could you people do this?"
Suzaku couldn't answer it immediately but Jarvis came up behind Suzaku.
"So, a survivor," Jarvis commented.
Suzaku turned to face Jarvis and Gino and Anya followed.
The old man glared at Jarvis, "You monster, why was it necessary to kill my family and the rest of the residence here?"
"Killed his family?" Suzaku asked.
Jarvis went to the old man and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt lifting him up.
"Jarvis, what are you doing?" Gino asked shocked as was Suzaku and Anya.
"Be quiet," Jarvis demanded looking over at his three fellow Knights of the Round before turning his attention back to the old man with a cold uncaring look, "Let's do this, I'm going to let you go right now and then I'm going to give you a head start for you start running. By the time I count to ten, I'm going to start chasing you. Let's see how far you can get before I kill you and have you join your friends and family in the afterlife."
The old man was scared. Jarvis let him go and the old man immediately starting running. Jarvis went to get his sword, picked it up, unsheathed it, and started counting, "One…two…TEN!"
Jarvis bolted after the old man a bit and threw his sword straight stabbing the old man from behind and causing him to fall on the ground dead.
Gino and Anya were shocked while Suzaku went to the dead old man.
"There was no need for this," Suzaku said glaring at Jarvis, "he wasn't even armed. He had no way to fight."
"Hmph, so what?" Jarvis responded.
Suzaku didn't like that response.
Jarvis spoke, "Did you forget that we're at war, Knight of Seven? In this world, in this period, weakness is unforgivable."
"But that's-" Suzaku tried to say.
"Remember the words of the emperor, 'the real truth is that the strong survives and devour the weak'. Their real crime was being weak so in response, they were punished."
Jarvis went to the dead old man and pulled his sword out of the old man's body with blood dripping and left to go back to his knightmare. Anya and Gino looked at Suzaku and the person in question looked at the old man that had just died with an anguished expression.
Suzaku sighed getting up, "We should head back."
"Suzaku, are you okay?" Gino asked concerned about Suzaku's state of mind.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
Suzaku, Gino, and Anya went to their knightmare and were getting ready to leave.
Suzaku muttered in a low tone and Gino heard him, "In the end, it will be worth it when I become the Knight ofOne. That way, I can control Japan and assure peace. I don't expect to be forgiven but as longasI can control Japan, I can face anything." Suzaku looked back sadly at the dead old man, "Still, was it even necessary?"
Gino didn't say anything to his friend at the time.
End Flashback
Gino walked in the halls of a base in Britannia. He thought about the time when it was him, Suzaku, Anya, and Jarvis in the fight against the EU and the way things were done. He was met up with Jarvis who leaning on a wall and Jarvis saw Gino.
"You're finally here," Jarvis said.
"Oh Jarvis, you're here as well," Gino replied surprised.
"Why are you surprised?" Jarvis asked narrowing his eyes at Gino.
"Hey easy, I don't mean anything bad about it." Gino was trying to lighten the mood. "By the way, where's Bismarck?"
"In the next room, follow me."
Gino followed Jarvis to the next room; there was Bismarck who waited for them.
"Gino, you're here," Bismarck spoke.
"Yeah," Gino nodded.
"Have a seat," Bismarck gestured to a chair.
"Uh, okay," Gino was unsure but we went and sat down.
"Now Gino," Jarvis started, "we understand that you were in the flagship of the Black Knights and you must have heard things about his majesty that were, well, unfavorable."
"Our questions to you Gino is what do you know and how much do you know?" Bismarck spoke.
Gino sighed as he knew they would ask something like that, "Well, you see…"
On the deck of the Ikaruga
Lelouch and his party were getting ready to depart from the flagship. The Guren, the Shinkiro, and the Gendozaki were out and their jet was out as well ready to depart.
"So what's the next move my lord?" Jeremiah asked.
"We're going to Ashford Academy Jeremiah," Lelouch answered, "there are some friends of mine that are still under my father's geass."
"Milly and Rivalz," Nunnally spoke.
"Exactly."
"Very well," Jeremiah said, "it shall be done."
"What will we do after that?" Kallen asked.
Lelouch thought about for a moment, "I'm not sure but right now, I want free Milly and Rivalz from geass and I'll tell them why their memories were altered."
"You plan to tell them the truth of who you are and about geass?" CC asked.
"Yeah, I think it's for the best," Lelouch replied.
"I wonder if they'll understand," Nunnally said.
"They may or may not," CC said, "People aren't so simple to accept anything and everything."
Lelouch agreed with what CC said and went over to his sister and put his hands on her shoulders, "I honestly don't know but we'll see."
Nunnally agreed, "You're right."
"If worse, I'll use my geass to make them forget what was said.
Nunnally twitched, "I'm not sure I like that idea."
"I'll only do it if it's necessary."
Kaisuke stretched his arms and Jinta was still yawning.
"Damn, didn't get enough sleep," Jinta complained.
"Still sleepy Jinta?" Kaisuke asked.
"Yeah, that damn business with the assassination attempt, damn what a pain."
"Yeah seriously," Kallen said.
There were people who were showing up on the deck as well. Ohgi and the members of Naoto's resistance group along with Todoh, Chiba, and Viletta were in a foul mood. They had lost their positions and were kicked out of the Black Knights by General Commander Xingke. Ohgi saw them and decided to give them a piece of his mind. Viletta, Minami, and Sugiyama tried to stop him be was already on his way towards them. Tamaki was just crossed his arms and secretly hoped Ohgi would beat three guys to a bloody pulp.
Kaisuke saw Ohgi heading to their direction, "Hey, looks like Ohgi is coming over to here."
Jinta saw Ohgi and shook his head, "What now?"
Kallen looked at Ohgi and was being cautious by standing in front of Lelouch. Jeremiah and Sayoko were keeping their guard up for Nunnally.
Ohgi stood in front of them, "You…"
Lelouch narrowed his eyes, "What do you want Ohgi?"
"Don't think you have won," Ohgi said.
"Huh?" Jinta asked, "What are you babbling about Kaname?"
"You may have gotten Xingke and Lady Kaguya here fooled, but you can't fool me. Just you wait-"
"That's enough," Kallen interrupted.
"Kallen, I still don't understand why. How can you support them? They are nothing but-"
"It wouldn't matter what I say, you will never going to accept anything I say so it's pointless for you to even ask."
"Kallen, why can't you understand? Everything I've done has been for Japan and for the sake of all of our friends and you're willing to turn your back on everyone for him." Ohgi pointed at Lelouch.
Kallen just sighed and shook her head, "All I'm going to say is to be careful with Viletta for she may try to use you like she did to a friend of mine."
Ohgi was caught off guard, "Kallen, what are you talking about? What does Chigusa have to do with-"
Ohgi cut himself off when Kallen just walked away not listening to him Ohgi frowned and glared at the remaining party and then walked away disappointed. Viletta met up with him to give him moral support.
"Kaname," Viletta spoke.
"I'll never forgive this," Ohgi said.
"What are we going to do now?"
Ohgi nodded, "Let's go meet with the others. For now, we should head back to Japan."
Viletta nodded, "Okay."
"By the way Chigusa, how's your arm?"
"It's fine just as long I take it easy." Viletta answered happy with her boyfriend's concern for her well-being.
"Don't worry Chigusa; I'll make sure they pay for this."
"…Right…"
On the other side, Schneizel and Kanon looked over to Lelouch and his group.
"This did not go well," Kanon commented.
"No it didn't," Schneizel said, "it didn't help that Cornelia acted on her own last night although it's understandable what she tried to do."
"What are we going to do about them, my prince?"
"Let's not worry about them for now. We should go ahead and head for Cambodia. We need to get the Damocles ready. We can leave them alone for now," Schneizel grinned, "after all, they were the ones who ending my father's life, I owe them that much."
Kanon nodded agreeing with him, "Very well."
Soon they were approached by Diethard.
"Hm? You're Diethard Reid?" Schneizel spoke.
Diethard smiled, "Prince Schneizel, I was wondering if you will allow me to go with you to wherever you're going?"
This surprised the second prince and his aide.
"May we know why?" Kanon asked.
"When I joined the Black Knights, I did it because I felt that Zero would change and impact the world and I wanted to capture that on film. I wanted to document his success for generations see his achievements. But now I know that will never happen. You on the other hand," Diethard was looking straight at Schneizel, "are the one who toppled Zero. Zero may be still alive and now going to roam around free but now since he will no longer has the desire to make much of an impact; I want to follow someone who will. Prince Schneizel el Britannia, I believe you are the one since you were able to topple Zero."
Schneizel thought about it was intrigued, "Interesting, very well Diethard Reid, you may follow us."
Diethard grinned madly, "Thank you for the opportunity."
Elsewhere on the deck, Anya and Suzaku looked around and saw Lelouch's group. Suzaku looked over to Anya, "Say Anya, have you seen Gino?"
Anya was typing on her handheld diary, "Gino left to meet with Bismarck."
"I see…" Suzaku was a bit worried.
Anya stopped typing for a moment, "Suzaku, did you knew that the emperor was using his geass on me?"
"Huh? Oh well, not right away. I figured that what he did when you talked about not having memories back at the government bureau but I didn't know why at the time."
"I see…" Anya nodded and went back to typing.
Suzaku looked over to Schneizel, "We should go; Prince Schneizel is waiting for us."
"You can go; I'm not leaving with you and Prince Schneizel."
"Huh? What do you mean?" Suzaku asked surprised at what the Knight of Six said.
"I've decided to go with Prince Lelouch and Princess Nunnally."
Suzaku couldn't believe it, "Anya, why would you want to do that?"
"I have my reasons."
"Reasons?"
Anya stopped typing her handheld again, "Suzaku, do you still desire to be the Knight of One?"
Suzaku was taken back at the question, "Huh? Uh, yeah, I guess you heard?"
"How is that going to be possible for you?"
"What do you mean?"
"Bismarck is still the Knight of One and I doubt Bismarck would give up his title so easily so how would you be able to become the Knight of One with Bismarck around who would definitely fight for his rank?"
"Uh, I believe that he would have to give it up per decree of the emperor."
"How can that happen," Anya said then looked at Suzaku with such seriousness, "with no emperor?"
Suzaku looked down but replied, "I'm sure that I can beat him or when Prince Schneizel becomes emperor, he would have to give it up."
Anya thought that it didn't make sense and thought that it would be impossible for him to defeat Bismarck but kept that to herself, "If you say so."
Anya walked away still typing.
Suzaku shook his head sighing and went to Schneizel. He passed by Lloyd and Cecile and saw that the Lancelot creator had a curious look on his face.
"Hm, this is quite fascinating indeed," Lloyd commented.
"What is?" Cecile asked.
"You know geasses and codes. If I could study their powers, I'm sure I could get valuable data…for research of course."
"I don't think that's a good idea," Suzaku interjected which caused Cecile and Lloyd to look at him.
"Suzaku…" Cecile muttered.
"Come now Suzaku," Lloyd spoke, "aren't you a bit more curious about it. I know I am."
Suzaku shook his head, "Geass is nothing more but an evil and corrupt power that destroys the lives of innocent people."
"Power itself is neither good nor evil," Lloyd replied and it surprised Suzaku and Cecile, "it really depends on the person who wields the power. Only people can make power good or evil. I would still like to study more thoroughly."
"Lloyd, we should go," Cecile suggested trying to get him off the subject.
But by then, Lloyd was on his way to Lelouch's group which surprised Cecile and Suzaku.
"What is Lloyd doing?" Suzaku asked surprised.
Cecile shook her head feeling a headache coming on, "I don't know. Most of the time, I don't know what goes through that man's mind."
Anya went to Lelouch and Nunnally and the siblings were surprised to see the Knight of Six.
"Oh Anya," Lelouch spoke.
Anya smiled and waved, "Hello."
"Hello, is there something we can help you with?" Nunnally asked.
"Yes, I would like to accompany you," Anya said with a bow.
This surprised Lelouch's group.
"This quite interesting," Sayoko commented.
"You wish to come with us?" Jeremiah asked, "May I ask why?"
"You gave me back my memories and help open my eyes on some things. I wish to repay you by helping you in whatever you need."
"Oh, you really don't need to do that," Lelouch said being modest, "It was just the right thing to do."
"Regardless, I wish to go with you," Anya insisted smiling at Lelouch.
"Hm, I see." Lelouch said amazed.
Nunnally smiled, "Well I don't see why not, but what about Schneizel and the others?"
Anya shook her head, "I don't think it would do me good to go with them."
Lelouch thought of it for a moment and then nodded his head, "Vey well, you can come with us."
Anya was happy, "Thank you."
"Oh yoo hoo!" Lloyd called out and it got Lelouch's group's attention.
"What does he want?" Jeremiah asked surprised.
Lloyd went up to them with a smile on his face.
"Uh, yes? Can we help you, uh, Lloyd Asplund, right?" Jinta asked.
"I hope you don't mind, I have a little request," Lloyd said grinning.
"What kind of request?" Kaisuke asked.
"I wish to study the power you folks have, your geass and codes."
Jeremiah got into Lloyd's face with an intimidating stare, "Are planning make them your guinea pigs?"
"Calm down, there will be no serious harm." Lloyd responded waving off Jeremiah.
"That's not going happen," A female voice said.
They looked and saw Rakshata.
"If anyone is going to do any studying regarding geass, it's going to be me," Rakshata declared.
"That won't be necessary," Lloyd said irritated with the Indian scientist, "I'm sure it would be better if I'm the one studying it."
"You?" Rakshata pointed her pipe at Lloyd, "Don't so sure, Earl of Pudding, besides," she looked at Jinta and smiled, "I'm sure Jinta Kuromaki wouldn't mind I was the one."
Jinta simply crossed his arms, "Uh…well…"
"I'm not what you're getting at but I still think that I should be the one studying it," Lloyd said.
"Oh no you don't, we wouldn't want you to do this for them." Rakshata pointed at Schneizel and Kanon.
"It only for my curiosity, besides, they made clear that they didn't want anything to do with it."
"So why are you insistent of learning about it?"
"Like I just said it's for my own curiosity besides, what good would it do for you to do the study?" Lloyd said glaring at Rakshata and the woman was getting irritated.
Lloyd and Rakshata continued to bicker with each other.
Cecile was sighing at the sight, Schneizel and Kanon were getting irritated, and Suzaku couldn't believe it, while the Black Knights, current and former member were just stunned.
Kallen held Lelouch hand, "Lelouch, can I talk to you for a moment, just the two of us?"
Lelouch looked at Kallen, "Sure."
On another side, Chiba and Todoh were looking at Lelouch who was walking with Kallen with hard looks.
"Are we really just going to let him go?" Chiba asked.
"We don't have much a choice," Todoh said, "there's nothing we can do for now."
Chiba was visibly upset at the arrangement.
Elsewhere, Kaguya was smiling looking over at Lelouch, "Lelouch vi Britannia, you amaze me."
In the Recreation Room of the Avalon
Cornelia was leaning on a pool table. She was thinking about how things didn't go as she hoped for. Her assassination attempt had failed but that didn't discourage her. It just meant that she had to look for another opportunity.
"I'm not sure exactly what Schneizel has in mind, but I do know that I won't stop until Lelouch is dead and I'll show no mercy to anyone who gets in my way…not even Nunnally. Just hang on Euphie; I will avenge your wrongful death."
Cornelia had another thought run through her mind, it about her loyal and dedicated knight, Gilbert G.P. Guilford.
"Guilford, what has happened to you?" Cornelia muttered worried about her knight, "Are you really gone? Did you suffer the same fate as Darlton?"
It seemed to her that the people who were important to her kept getting taken away from her and it seemed that geass was the culprit.
"I swear, I will find a way wipe geass out of existence," Cornelia declared.
Unknown Base somewhere in Britannia
Gino had just finished his report to Bismarck and Jarvis.
"I see," Bismarck said, "You've learned that much, huh?"
Gino nodded while Jarvis crossed his arms.
"I got to know," Gino said, "did you guys know about all of this?"
"And if we did?" Jarvis asked.
"Don't you think that's a bit irresponsible?" Gino asked.
"It's not irresponsible to do whatever it took for the sake of the world."
"But to ignore the happenings of the world, the affairs of Britannia, to use Prince Lelouch and Princess Nunnally and leave them on a foreign land and willing to sacrifice them. Conquering other nations just to control these ruins, these thought elevators. I mean, I'm sorry but, what good is trying to create peace in the world if many lives are needlessly sacrificed in the long run."
"You can't change the world without getting your hands dirty. Anyone that says different is a naïve child or a complete idiot," Jarvis said uncrossing his arms, "besides; the deaths of many would not have been in vain had not been for those ingrates Prince Lelouch and Princess Nunnally and Jinta Kuromaki's meddling."
Gino looked down, "But still…"
"Gino, there is something we need to know," Bismarck said.
Gino looked at Bismarck, "Yes?"
"It's about Kururugi."
"What about Suzaku?"
"It's about when he tried to kill his majesty at the cave entrance on Kamine Island."
"What we want to know is whether or not it all his idea or was it Prince Schneizel?" Jarvis asked.
"In the Avalon, Suzaku gave the idea to kill the emperor and Prince Schneizel just gave him the approval although by the way Prince Schneizel was talking about how he would be willing to become the next emperor and when he was talking about his majesty ignoring his responsibilities, he probably had been planning to have his own father assassinated for a long time."
"That's sound about right," Bismarck said.
"So, what are going to do about Suzaku and Prince Schneizel?" Jarvis asked Bismarck.
"We'll worry about them later, for now, let's meet with others." Bismarck said as he starting walking out of the room.
"Very well," Jarvis said nodding.
"Let's go Jarvis, Gino." Bismarck said.
The Knight of One, the Knight of Eight, and the Knight of Three left the room and went to meet with the other Knights of the Round.
Sky above Tokyo Settlement
The Modred, the Guren, the Gendozaki, the Shinkiro, and the jet were flying over the crater. They were on their way to Ashford Academy. For Nunnally, it was the first time in seeing her friends after a year of separation. She was glad to be with her brother again and vowed to do what whatever it took to never separate from him again. She had a lot to talk about with Milly and Rivalz although she did wondered what happened to Nina. She would ask about her later on.
That's it for this chapter. Next chapter: The remaining Knights of the Rounds make plans for their attack. In Cambodia, Schneizel's Damocles goes underway and with his collections of F.L.E.I.A. warheads gathering for his aerial fortress.
Here is Jarvis Trenton's Knightmare Frame
Red Modified Gloucester
General Characteristics
Height: 4.29 meters
Weight: 7.75 metric tones
Power Source: Yggdrasil Drive, Energy Filler
Appearance
All Red with a little Black
Design Features
Cockpit Ejection Feature
Factsphere Sensor
Landspinner Propulsion System
Optional Float System
Armaments
4x Slash Harkens mounted on chest and each shoulder
1x Assault Rifle
2x Maser Vibration Swords
Optional Armament
1x Jousting Lance