Chapter Fifty-Four: Ghosts, Unicorns, and Fallen Angels
The Grey Dragoon and Sapphire Crusader sects flew in tandem on the Elysium. As they did, Prince Virtue looked over his various systems to ensure he was up to date for the mission at hand.
"I can't help but feel bad about this," said Rivalz. "I mean, I'm supposed to be Euro-Britannia's Lord Protector and yet I'm being sent away while Euro-Britannia is under attack."
"As Lord Protector your duty is to end the crisis," said Cornelia. "Which is exactly what you're being sent out to do. Not all victories are in the trenches. Besides, I thought after all this time together you'd trust your soldiers to carry on their mission even without you being present."
"I do...it's just...well..."
Cornelia's chuckle eased Rivalz's stuttering, much to his chagrin and to the amusement of the others on the bridge.
"Don't worry," said Cornelia, placing a gentle hand on Rivalz's shoulder. "We'll be sure to take care of Euro-Britannia until you are able to return. You have my word on that."
"That's right kid, all you need to focus on is taking care of those satellites and then when you come back you'll have a ticker tape parade worthy of a hero," said Dalton. "I can just hear it now. The cheering children and the swooning women."
"Hey, I'm married now," said Rivalz.
The crew of the bridge enjoyed the laugh at their leader's expense. They knew they were all going into a dangerous situation but if Cornelia and the others had learned anything from their time with Rivalz, it was that it helps to have good spirits among the ranks. It helped them all feel more at ease about the dangers they were bound to face. Also aboard the bridge were the members of the Grey Dragoons, who also laughed at the expense of the Blue Unicorn.
All save the Grey Ghost himself, who's eyes made contact with Rivalz. They both knew that this was most likely the battlefield in which Shin would return. In the past few weeks both Akito and Rivalz had come to an arrangement.
Rivalz and Akito both stood before Duke Velaines as well as an image of Lelouch to talk about their issues in regards to Shin Hyuga Shaing.
"I have to admit I've been worried about the tension between the two of you regarding this issue," said Lelouch.
"Indeed, both of you have the same desire to see Shin face justice for his crimes," said Velaines. "But you also have a great personal reason that is clouding your judgement."
Akito and Rivalz stood silent, waiting for the two men to continue.
"I was worried for some time that this difference of opinion between the two of you, to capture him alive to face trial, or to kill him outright, would lead to infighting within the Fleet," said Lelouch. "I'm glad to say that my fears were greatly eased when I read the report on how well you two worked together to fight Lovecrest."
"However the issue of Shin is a different matter," said Velaines. "As such, both Lelouch and I have agreed that this matter must be solved by a compromise. Rivalz Cardemonde-Shaing, Lord Protector of the United Realm of Euro-Britannia, I charge you with the execution of Shin Hyuga Shaing to be done immediately upon confrontation with him. If you are able to, you may capture his final confession."
"And for you Akito Hyuga, as you are under the command of the Atlas Fleet, you are charged with similar orders," said Lelouch. "And I have made Leila Malcal aware of these orders as well."
Akito bit his lip slightly but said nothing. The two saluted the Grand Duke and Supreme Leader before being dismissed. Though Velaines did request that Rivalz remain for a while longer even after Lelouch had signed off.
With the plan the way it was it appeared that Rivalz wouldn't get the chance to face Shin. That it would be Akito who got to settle the score with his brother after all. Rivalz had to admit there was a certain poetic fit to it. He was his brother's keeper in that sense. Though of course the argument could be made that Rivalz was also Shin's brother given his adoption by Lady Maria.
'Lady Maria, Alice, I'm sorry if I can't be the one to get you the answers you needed,' thought Rivalz.
"I'll make you a promise," said Akito, speaking up at least.
Rivalz's attention perked up, as did the others on the bridge.
"I am not a protector," said Akito. "By my nature...I am an avenger. The evidence is in my Geass. Allowing me to summon the spirits of those slain by my enemies to plague them once more. But...in spite of this...I will protect Euro-Britannia in your stead, with all the strength and skill I have."
Akito had no obligation to Rivalz to make this vow. None save for the understanding he held for the Blue Unicorn in how he strove to do right by the family he had built for himself to make up for the one he had lost. Akito could understand that more than most. They were both orphans who had found new homes and were damned determined to protect their new homes.
In this spirit of understanding Akito knew why Rivalz was so determined to force a confession out of Shin. To answer why he had sought to kill his adopted mother and sister. Akito had wanted answers once as well but no longer cared for such things. No answers could bring back the Hyuga clan. All he wanted was to kill Shin for his transgressions. He knew Rivalz wanted Shin to die as well, for his hand in his own mother's demise, answers were still needed, or thought to be needed, by those who had survived Shin's wickedness and needed to find some answer to try and find a way to heal from their spiritual wounds.
"On the spirits of the fallen W-0 soldiers," said Akito, holding out his hand. "I will not allow Euro-Britannia while you are gone."
Rivalz stood silent for a moment before taking Akito's grey hand in his blue one.
In the hanger of the ship Ashley Ashura leaned against his new Knightmare, tapping his foot in impatience. A
"Damn it are we there yet?" he cursed.
"I'm sure we'll be arriving at Castle Weisswolf soon enough Master Ashley," said Johannes.
Even though they were no longer part of the Euro-Britannian military, nor were they the Ashura Force of the Order of St. Michael, Johannes still referred to Ashley as 'master' out of sheer force of habit.
"Not soon enough," said Ashley. "I want to get this over with. I need to get to this battle and get through it as fast as possible."
"Well someone's an eager beaver," said the voice of Yukiya as he and his two friends walked up to the Ashura forces. "I thought you were all for the fight Ashley. Testing your luck and all that."
"Are you joking?" said Ashley, standing upright and walking up to Yukiya. "My luck is already so good I know I'll survive this battle. I just want to get it over with. Because...I've got a date."
"Seriously?" said Ayano.
"Of course," said Ashley. "I've finally gotten Shirley Fennete to agree to go out with me once this is over. How's that for luck? I've managed to charm a woman out of her love for royalty."
"Are you sure you charmed or is she just agreeing to it to get you to stop begging her like a deranged puppy?" asked Ryo.
"Hey, I helped rescue her when she had been kidnapped during that little gas attack back at her old school," said Ashley. "She got to see my truly heroic nature first hand."
"But not your humble nature obviously," said Ayano.
"Bite me," said Ashley.
"Yes, be nice Ayano," said Yukiya. "After all didn't that green guy try and put the moves on you before we left?"
"Shut up," said Ayano. "And at least he was a gentleman? A bit of a goof but a gentleman. And his name was Gino by the way."
Looking over his weapons and settings one last time, Rivalz readied himself for his trip. He was ready, of that he was sure. At least he believed he was. His mind was focused on other things though. He thought about Milly, Maria, Alice, and Duke Velaines. Especially about what the Duke had said the last time they had time to speak. How he had told Rivalz of his plans. His plans to marry Maria and to claim Rivalz as his son and heir.
But not without Rivalz's blessing first. True to his good nature the Duke allowed Rivalz to take as much time as he needed to think about his answer. And Rivalz had been thinking about it, when he wasn't thinking about a thousand other things that came with the job of being a leader. For the longest time Rivalz had thought himself a fatherless bastard, before he knew the truth about his father. He had never known what it meant to have a father. Until he had met Duke Velaines. He had been so kind and accepting of Rivalz when they first met. He had taken Rivalz hunting, taught him how to skin a deer, and most importantly he listed to Rivalz's troubles and gave council.
In all sense, Duke Velaines was already Rivalz's father figure.
'Duke Velaines, Alice, Lady Maria,' thought Rivalz.
For the longest time all Rivalz had in the world was his late mother, Jessica. When she was gone he felt all alone in the world. It was only thanks to the love and kindness of Lady Maria, Alice, Duke Velaines, and of course Milly, that his heart was able to heal.
'I know what my answer is,' thought Rivalz. 'It was decided already.'
As he finished his thought alarms sounded.
"It was kind, what you said to Rivalz," said Leila. "I know you and he have had your disagreements."
"It's like I said, he's a protector and I'm an avenger," said Akito. "It's only natural we clash."
"I wish you wouldn't talk about yourself like that," said Leila.
"It's the truth," said Akito. "The proof is in my Geass alone. Summoning the dead to punish the ones who murdered them. That's all I'm left with, all I was left with at least. Nothing but ghosts, everything else I ever had to protect having been destroyed. No nation, no family, nothing. Even the friends I made in the old W-0 were taken from me."
Akito looked at Leila, his eyes sad and longing. He had told her of his fears of losing what he loved before.
"I actually envy Rivalz in a lot of ways," said Akito. "He lost everything too. His father and mother, taken from him. Half his body destroyed and the other half being mutilated by a madman. But yet he didn't seek revenge against Lovecrest for what he did to him. He didn't kill Cyst for aiding in his mother's murder or his lover's kidnapping. He gains a new family, a new mother and sister and even a wife."
"You have a new family too," said Leila. "You have...you have me and the other Grey Dragoons."
"I...I know but...as long as my brother is alive everything I've found will be lost again," said Akito.
Leila put her arms around Akito, resting her head in the crook of his neck. Akito, somewhat stunned at first, none the less returned the hug.
'And even more importantly...if my life is forever bound by my desire for vengeance...how can I ever be free to give you the love you deserve?' thought Akito.
As the two young lovers held one another, the alarm rang out throughout the ship, ruining the moment.
As history had revealed, Castle Weisswolf had once belonged to the Breisgaue family. The family of Leila's ancestors. The fact had escaped Leila for the longest time, not knowing that the late general Smilas had been aware of that when he gave it to her to be used as a base for the W-0. Ever since the first battle with Shin, and with the Grey Dragoon being more mobile in recent days, the only ones left in charge of the castle was a skeleton crew to keep the castle maintained as well as to monitor Apollo's Chariot.
It had defenses in case of attack from conventional foes. But the Ymir was no conventional foe. As it stood on the outskirts of the castle it bellowed out great gusts of icy wind over the lands. The terrible cold too much for the castle's crew to bear for long.
Atop the castle, away from the great ice giant was the one winged Knightmare known as the Morning Star. Inside, Shin Hyuga Shaing looked out at the oncoming ship. He could feel the coming of his brother Akito. The bond they shared via Shin's own Geass, now showing in his remaining good eye, rang in his mind. In the place of his left eye, so viciously torn out by Marianne in retaliation for how Shin struck down Lelouch, was a gift from the late Dr. Lovecrest. Something that promised to help him with the limits of his Geass.
Shin hoped this would be useful in dealing with his other target. The mechanical miscreant that dared to interfere in the salvation of his mother and Alice and usurped his position within the Shaing family. Lovecrest's other great project, Rivalz Cardemonde. Shin had never the chance to face Cardemonde in battle but he was itching for the opportunity. He didn't have the same type of enhancements as Cardemonde, but he was equipped enough to challenge him.
"Shin," a feminine voice said.
From below where he stood he saw the spectral image of a Japanese woman on her knees. Her eyes looked up to Shin with sadness but also with a smile. The contradictory appearance of his birth mother. Sad eyes and a smile, the very same expression he saw on her face the very day she died. Died by his command, after he had killed his father.
"Begone spirit," said Shin.
"Shin...my beloved son," the spirit continued to say, her hands raised as if pleading to some indifferent god, as her blue hair grew and billowed in some unseen wind.
In fury Shin had his Knightmare swipe at the perceived specter and seeming to work.
"Such a pathetic woman," Shin hissed.
"Little brother," another spectral voice said.
In Shin's gaze came the ghostly image of Michael Manfredi, the former Grand Master of the Order of St. Michael. The man who had helped introduce Shin to Maria as well as give him his place in the Order. The last time they spoke, Manfredi had called Shin brother, and spoke to him lovingly as such.
"Come join me Shin," said Michael's spirit.
"I will...soon," said Shin.
In his past Shin truly did love the time he spent with Manfredi. It was out of that love that Shin sent Manfredi ahead of him. As he should have sent Maria and Alice ahead of him. Had not the orders of V.V., which even he dare not challenge, and the interference of the Blue Unicorn, kept him from his adopted mother and sister. But that mistake would soon be resolved. Then he'd be sure to walk on with Jean, as the end came for all things.
On the bridge of the Elysium the Crusaders and the Dragoons looked over the frozen lands to see the Ymir standing before the castle. But for the masked heads of the sects, their focus was on the Knightmare that hovered atop the castle.
"Shin," said Akito.
"He came here instead of Euro-Britannia," said Rivalz. "Either he's defying V.V. or..."
"Or this is part of the plan," said Cornelia. "With this blizzard, even if we could make it to the castle, we couldn't launch Apollo's Chariot in these conditions."
"So we just have to bring this bastard to an early thaw," said Tamaki.
"That won't be easy," said Cecile. "Even we're not safe from the cold. And according to my readings the area around the Ancient is even colder. It might even project a field of Absolute Zero."
"And that means what exactly?" asked Ryo.
"At Absolute Zero all chemical reactions stop," said Rivalz. "Meaning trying to get through that field and no matter what you're an ice sculpture. At least in person."
"Meaning we'd have to use long range weapons that wouldn't be as effected," said Guilford.
"A big enough bomb might do the trick," said Yukiya.
"Yeah but look at how close it is to the castle," said Ayano. "Which is our house by the way."
"And if Shin's been here for a while, we have no choice but to assume all personnel we left have been..."
"Casualties of war Malcal," said Cornelia. "But we will avenge them. Of course there's the more crucial matter of launching Apollo's Chariot."
"I could actually do that myself if I integrate with the system," said Rivalz. "But if anything the extreme cold's probably knocked out all the power to the castle and to the launch site."
"So when all is said and done we're snowed out until that big ugly thing is taken out right?" said Warwick.
"That appears to be so Sargent," said Cornelia.
"Prince Virtue sir, we're receiving a message from the enemy," said one of the communication technicians.
"Patch it through," said Rivalz.
Within seconds, on the viewing screen the image of Shin Hyuga Shaing appeared. The first thing Rivalz noticed was a familiarly designed artificial eye on the right side of his face.
"Well...it has been a good long while now, hasn't it...Akito," said Shin, his good eye motioning to Akito's position.
"Brother," he whispered.
"And finally, I get to meet my new step-brother," he continued, glancing at Rivalz. "How are mother and sister by the way?"
"You have no right to call them that," said Rivalz. "You threw that right away the minute you ordered them put to death."
"Yes...I should have been there to deliver them in person," said Shin. "But the Emperor is not always known for his patience and I could not make the time. But I shall, once we're done."
"You're not going anywhere near them ever again," yelled Rivalz.
Cornelia place a hand on Rivalz's shoulder, gaining his attention, and pulling him back gently.
"Shin Hyuga Shaing, I am going to give you this one chance to surrender to the authority of the Atlas Fleet if you hope to gain even the slightest mercy for your crimes," said Cornelia.
While she fully understood Rivalz's anger, and found it righteous, she also knew there were times to be composed in front of one's enemies. Even the ones who incited the worst feelings of hatred one could imagine.
"I do not recognize the authority of traitors and foreign scum," said Shin.
"You have the nerve to call us traitors," yelled Ashley. "You who sided with the Eden Elite and tried to wipe our the very nation you swore to defend."
"I was serving my nation," said Shin. "My orders came directly from the Emperor himself. I was simply following orders, which is a soldier's only purpose. To follow commands without question and without letting foolish notions of love, sentiment, and chivalry impede him. To put everything else aside, even his humanity."
"If that's your definition of being a soldier then you are truly lost boy," said Dalton. "And to say that you were just following orders is no excuse for the atrocities you've committed. A soldier's duty is to defend his nation with honor and dignity. When the orders given to him are dishonorable and protect no one, and he follows them anyway, that is when a soldier becomes nothing more than a murderer."
"Why don't you stop pretending that you even are a soldier and just admit what you really are?" said Guilford. "A monster that lives off of taking the lives of others."
"In a way, that still describes a soldier," said Shin, sporting a smirk.
"What do you want?" asked Leila. "And what of the fate of the occupants of the castle?"
"They've been liberated of course," said Shin.
"You killed them," said Akito.
"If that's how you choose to see it then yes," said Shin. "But would it matter. Ragnarok has come, the end which mankind has always sought to bring about is finally here. This awful world will be made no more."
"I'm starting to see why my uncle brought you into his fold," said Cornelia.
"The Emperor and I have like minds," said Shin. "It was such a relief to find one who understood. Understood the hideousness of this world and wanted to make it all vanish. Really, that's the whole point of war though isn't it? To destroy what you hate? And you all must hate the Emperor and myself? Really it's the same."
"We're not the same you lunatic," shouted Ayano.
"Yeah, you got it right we all pretty much hate your guts, but don't you dare say we're anything like you or your Eden Elite buddies," said Ryo.
"You're preaching of nothing but destruction with nothing to offer up in its place but nothingness," said Cornelia. "The utter waste of lives."
"We don't want to destroy out of hatred," said Leila. "We want to save that which we love and make the world better."
"NAIVE FOOL," Shin shouted. "There is no making this world better. It is the natural course for mankind to fall to ruin. As inescapable as gravity."
"Is there a point to this call or are you just wasting our time?" asked Akito.
"Oh, there is a point," said Shin. "It is time we settled our differences my brothers."
"What, like a two on one fight between us and you?" asked Rivalz.
"I simply see no reason why to include these outsiders in such deeply personal matters as ours," said Shin. "So please, Akito my blood brother and Rivalz my step-brother let this feud be ended."
With that the feed cut out. As it did so the weather altering abilities of the Ymir kicked in once more and unleashed a torrent of freezing winds.
"The hell we're going to agree to that," said Cornelia. "I want all out long range weapons trained on that beast."
But before the crew could implement Cornelia's commands, a blue blast of energy shot out from the tip of the giant spear the Ancient held. It struck the Elysium head on and covered the majority of the ship's exterior in ice. The interior was not so well off either. Aside from the initial shake up, power was beginning to fade quickly.
"Brace for impact," said Dalton.
The crash managed to be fairly controllable. Minimal casualties though there were more than a few injuries.
"Power's dead," said Rivalz. "I can't get the systems up and running. At least not yet, not with the time we have. I'm detecting multiple Knightmare units and...others, converging on our location."
"Must be specially designed to take the cold," said Akito. "So much for Shin just wanting the two of us."
"Oh the psychotic lunatic is a liar," said Yukiya. "Big surprise."
"That's enough," said Cornelia. "How long do we have before they're on us?"
"At least thirty minutes in this weather," said Rivalz. "But still I'm not so sure if we can even get a defense up in that time but...I think I have an idea. Something to at least help us out if even for a bit. Might hurt us too but not as much as being dead would."
"If it gets us out of this icebox I'm up for it," said Tamaki.
Shadows walked throughout the snow flurrying around the forest making their way to the fallen ship. Among the shadows were large machines which cut into the hull of the ship. Once they were in the shadows were met with gunfire from the crew. The shadows returned fire and took the enemy fire with stride as they continued to swarm in. The Valiant Dragonslayer and the Alexander Ubermensch both flew out past the shadows and into the sky. The shadows, dark armored figures, simply continued into the ship.
From the distance, inside his Knightmare, Shin looked on as the blue and grey Knightmares flew from the downed ship.
"Abandoning your followers," said Shin. "Not that I'm surprised. Even virtue decays in the end."
As Shin mused on the events he saw, an explosion from the ship gained his attention. His forces, the Order of Lucifer, being decimated as the fallen ship continued to blow apart.
"Just as you began Akito, you end," said Shin.
The interior of castle Weisswolf was indeed freezing cold. But the crew of the Elysium still found it a suitable sanctuary.
"I feel like I should write a poem, Requiem for Elysium," said Dalton. "She was a good ship."
"Among the best," said Cornelia.
The joint forces of the Sapphire Crusaders and the Grey Dragoons had been transported into the castle thanks to a joint effort of Leila and Rivalz. Using the power of Leila's Geass to manipulate time and space to evacuate the ship. Rivalz also used his Geass to manipulate the pilot suits to use as dummies to keep the enemy distracted while the last of the crew were saved. As well as to give Yukiya time to arm the ship's core to make into a bomb. Akito and Rivalz actually escaping in their respective Knightmares to complete the illusion they sought to create.
"Gotta hand it to blue boy, he actually came up with a damn good plan," said Yukiya, impressed by his explosive prowess.
"He spent a long time watching Lelouch play chess," said Cornelia. "Nice to see that my little brother can be a positive influence. Even while dealing in such unsavory habits."
"He leads what could be, in some ways, described as a terrorist organization and you have a problem with him gambling?" asked Ashley. "You have a funny idea of morality princess."
"Stow it," said Cornelia. "We need to focus on getting the castle up and running again. That diversion bought us some time but we have to hurry. If Shin decides to look for bodies he may well catch on."
"Leila's exhausted," said Ayano. "Even with Rivalz sharing the burden it took a lot out of her and this place is freezing."
"All the more reason why we need to get this castle's power grid up and running again," said Cornelia.
The blue and grey Knightmares landed at a set of ancient Roman ruins, where they were soon joined by the Morning Star. No time was wasted as the double blade wielding Knightmare struck out first. Hannibal moved first in his machine and caught the attack in the Alexander Umbermensch's shield. He also drew his Knightmare's own sword and attempted to slash out. But the greater speed of the Morning Star saved it from damage. The Valiant Dragonslayer, in it's quadrupedal form, road up and attempted to run through the enemy machine with its own sword. However the dark Knightmare deflected the blow with its own blade and used the momentum to ascend into the sky. From there, out of it's one wing of energy, a rain of energy blasts came down to the blue and grey Knightmares. The Valiant brought up it's Blaze Luminus shield, as did the Alexander, thus protecting the two machines from the attack.
"Impressive defense," said Shin. "But I doubt it'll be much against the Ymir."
True to his threat the same freezing weapon that incapacitated the Elysium fired out to their location. The Alexander grabbed onto the legs of the Valiant which sped off quickly into the air before the blast could strike. However an almost instantaneous ice berg had been formed and the absolute zero temperature of the ray had affected the machines, forcing them to ground.
Shin attempted to use this to his advantage and strike at the Valiant. But the machine of the Blue Unicorn raised its shields again to stop the attack.
The former residents of Castle Weisswolf managed to get to the backup generator to the castle. It took some time but the crew managed to get the generator running and returned power to the castle.
"Thank god," said Sophie Randall. "How's the equipment Joe Wise?"
"Everything appears to be intact ma'am," said Joe. "The cold may have slowed down our systems but none the less they are running. We're getting readings from the Valiant Dragonslayer and Alexander Ubermensch now. Their vitals are holding nicely though...they appear to be reacting to the cold."
"No doubt from an attack by the Ymir," said Cornelia, coming into the control room.
She had effectively taken what was once Leila's position in the room. Leila herself still resting from before. With heat returning to the castle she could at least get warm and rest more efficiently.
"We need to figure out a way to take out that machine before it does more damage," said Cornelia. "What's the status of the castle's armory?"
"I'm looking at at least four or five usable models. Even a few remote drones we could use in a pinch.," said Dalton over the radio. "They're using old control systems thankfully so if it comes down to it piloting shouldn't be an issue. Still no match for that Ancient though."
"It's still better than nothing," said Cornelia. "But we still have the problem of that damn ice weapon it uses. Are you sure we don't have any long range heavy artillery at our disposal?"
"Unfortunately no," said Warwick. "The former EU didn't consider our unit to be cannon fodder remember. So why give the fodder cannons?"
"And to think we went through all that trouble to save them," hissed Cornelia.
"We should be able to get a majority of the castle's defenses up and running within an hour," said Hilda.
"We're still building a house of twigs against the big bad wolf," said Guilford.
Cornelia looked over the projections on the screen displaying the battlefield. She felt confident Rivalz and Akito could handle Shin so long as they didn't have the ice weapon to contend with. From all appearances it looked as if the Ancient's power was focused through the spear-like weapon with its head in the sky. If that were somehow disabled, it would allow Rivalz and Akito the time to properly deal with Shin. As for any potential means the Ancient had to repair itself in the case of damage, she'd have to rely on the back up European Knightmare Frames that Dalton had found.
"Clement, how quickly can you make modifications to the Knightmares?" asked Cornelia. "Specifically means that would allow them to scale a large structure at a relative speed?"
"I..."
"Princess Cornelia, are you suggesting we...climb the Ymir?" asked Cecile, before Anna could answer.
"Not all of us," said Cornelia. "But if that Yukiya boy can rig up another bomb and if we use one of the drones, modify it to scale that giant to at least the top of the spear, without succumbing to the cold, we could at least knock out the ice weapon. So long as that's in play the enemy can use it as a means to disrupt Hannibal and Prince Virtue. If we can disable it for even a short while it can buy them the time they need to deal with Shaing."
"I suppose we could make adjustments to help the machines operate better in the cold," said Anna. "And I have been working on the development of new mobility equipment for rough terrain that should allow them to make such a climb."
"Make it so," said Cornelia. "Take Miss Croomey with you."
Anna and Cecile left to meet up with Anna's team to start working on the old Alexanders while Cornelia turned her attention back to the screen. The blue and grey Knightmares were still active, thankfully, but she doubted it would be long before Shin decided to have the Ymir release another blast. There had to be something she could do.
"Dalton, are there any long range Knightmare weapons?" she asked.
"I believe so ma'am, at least one of these Alexander models is equipped with a sniper rifle," said Dalton. "What can we do with it?"
"For now we can't take on the big one but we can at least give its master enough hell to keep it from attacking Prince Virtue and Hannibal with its ice blasts," said Cornelia. "Who's the best sniper we have though?"
"I can handle it," said Yukiya. "If I stay mobile too I can get him from other directions so he won't try focusing on the castle for retaliation."
"Good," said Cornelia. "This whole battle might through the entire plan out of commission. But still we will not allow this bastard to end us here."
The Knightmares of Blue and Grey continued to be pushed towards the defensive by not only Shin's own powerful frame but by the blasts from the Ymir.
"I must say, I'm somewhat disappointed Rivalz...or would you prefer Prince Virtue?" asked Shin, as he brought a sword to clash with Rivalz's. "That is what the Euro-Britannian people called you after you destroyed the Dagon isn't it?"
"Originally it was just Prince but somewhere down the line it got changed up," said Prince Virtue, blocking the attack. "Prince of Virtue, then just Prince Virtue."
"My that must be quite the burden," said Shin. "To be declared so righteous that you are a Prince of Virtue itself. Like something of a fairy tale. But this is reality and there is no virtue in it."
"The virtue of the world lies in those who want to live their lives in peace," said Prince Virtue. "Like Maria and Alice. No...like Mother and Sister."
"HOW DARE YOU CALL THEM THAT!" yelled Shin, lashing out with his blades.
As he did Rivalz blocked with the Valiant Dragonslayer's own shields. This allowed time for Hannibal to strike out with his blade. But even in his crazed state Shin's instincts were still well tuned enough to dodge. Forcing the grey Knightmare's attack to clash with the defense of the blue Knightmare.
"Damn it," cursed Hannibal, activating his Geass.
With that Shin's vision suddenly became filled with the spirits of the slain. But at that moment Shin had activated Lovecrest's gift, the Geass Enhancer. It's effect caused Akito's power to increase. However that increase of power caused the spirits to those slain innocents by not only Shin to appear, but also the spirits of the villains whom Prince Virtue had struck down to rise up again. Out of pure human instinct, for despite however his body appeared or changed Rivalz was still human, he activated his Geass Coordinator, inadvertently spreading the unfortunate overflow of Akito's power.
"What the hell?" cried Tamaki.
In Castle Weisswolf those whom had fallen at the hands of the Crusaders and Dragoons respectively came back to haunt their killers.
"Keep focused," yelled Cornelia. "They can't hurt you."
Despite her brave front Cornelia was trembling as the many dead whom she had personally slain whilst being forced to carry out V.V's expanse of the Empire came back to her. The brave men and women who fought to defend their nations from the invaders. In their dying moments they believed her to be no less evil than the foul immortal bastard who held his boot at Cornelia's neck. The horrible things she had done to keep herself and Euphemia safe from V.V's punishments had marred her name. The world condemning her as the Witch of Britannia.
'I'm sorry...all you brave souls who only sought to protect the honor of your nations,' she thought. 'It does nothing now. I cannot undo what I've done in the name of my own cowardice. But I can ensure that no others have to suffer.'
Cornelia suddenly felt a hand grip hers, with both tenderness and strength. She turned, looking beyond the ghosts that attempted to distract her, and saw her knight Guilford. Not just her knight, her dearest friend, and lover. He had been with her through her initial failure to stop the Usurper's takeover of Britannia. He had been with her when she was forced to attack other nations in the name of her demented uncle. He had been with her as she enforced V.V's law and order. Never budging from her side even once during all of it.
"Guilford," she sighed, stunned by how he could still be so loyal and steadfast.
"I'm here...princess," he said. "I always will be. For as long as you want me."
"Then...I want you...forever," said Cornelia.
Taking no chances with however the day might play out for the Guilford G. P. Guilford took the initiative and pulled out a singular item from his uniform pocket and placed it in Cornelia's hand. She looked at the object, a diamond ring. Cornelia looked up at Guilford, all attention diverted from the spirits and the nervous personnel, and kissed her beloved Knight, a silent acceptance of his unspoken question.
"Um...excuse me," said Tamaki, gaining Cornelia and Guilford's attention.
It was then they noticed the spirits that were plaguing the control room were gone.
"Hey, what the hell's going on up there?" yelled Dalton over the radio. "We just got attacked by a whole mess of ghosts and now they're just gone. What's going on?"
"Oh...well...it appears that there was an incident with Hannibal's Geass that somehow managed to hit us," said Cornelia. "I don't know why it stopped though but..."
"She's gone!" cried Ayano, running back into the command center. "Leila's gone."
"I thought she was still out of commission," said Guilford.
"She was but now she's gone," said Ayano. "I...I went to check up with her when the ghosts showed up but when I got to her bedroom she was gone."
"That's not all," said Sophie Randall. "I'm not getting any signal from the Alexander Ubermensch or the Valiant Dragonslayer. They and the enemy Knightmare are all missing."
"What about the Ymir?" asked Cornelia.
"It's stopped firing its ice weapon but it's still forming the blizzard," said Joe Wise.
"Then we focus on the Ancient," said Cornelia. "Wherever Hannibal and Prince Virtue are we have to assume that Malcal is with them. Together I believe they will be able to deal with Shaing."
"Even if 11-RC and the other one best Hyuga, the Ymir is a different beast all together," a literally haunting voice spoke.
Everyone was struck silent as a final spirit appeared in the command room. The spirit of Dr. Lovecrest as he once was.
"If you wish to obtain victory," said Lovecrest's ghost, "I'd suggest you follow...doctor's orders."
The sight before him was one of true horror. An entire house littered with the dead. Save for the two boys who stood opposite one another, their mother lying between them.
"What...what is this?" asked Rivalz.
"This...is my past," said Akito. "That's...me and my brother. But...why?"
"Crap, I've seen this before," said Rivalz. "We must be in C's World."
"How'd we get here?" asked Akito.
"Probably had something to do when Shin caused our Geass powers to go haywire," said Rivalz.
"But why are we here?" asked Akito.
"Last time this happened to me I...I learned about my father," said Rivalz. "He was...he was a good man and it was because of what I learned about him that I could really be who I am now. Maybe you're here to learn. Maybe so is Shin."
As if on command the scenery shifted. The two young men were now in a room in which a woman sat on a bed holding a newborn infant.
"That's...me," said Akito, staring at the infant.
Rivalz looked around and noticed what appeared to be a young Shin. He too was staring at the infant. Then his eyes went to a man whom Rivalz assumed to be the patriarch of the clan. Then to another man close to the bed.
"You're half-brothers," said Rivalz, deducing the silent opera that played before them.
"Indeed...we are," said the voice of Shin.
The two were suddenly greeted by the image of Shin Hyuga Shaing, who like them appeared to be a ghost in this world. He also appeared to be wearing a specially designed suit of armor not dissimilar to the suits Rivalz had helped developed for the Fleet. Said world then shifted to show the patriarch standing over Akito and Shin's mother as she knelt over the body of her now dead lover.
"Mother," said Akito.
"After he discovered her affair, my father made sure to keep mother under him," said Shin. "Pathetic woman."
Rivalz looked around and saw the young Shin, who had seen it all. It did not take long for the scene to change again and for all visitors to see a much different scene. In which Shin stood over his father's headless corpse. The three visitors also beheld an unusual sight. They watched as a spectral skull bearing the mark of Geass floated into the room. From there did Shin gain his power.
"You didn't get your Geass from an immortal," said Rivalz. "What was that thing?"
"I never truly cared to ask," said Shin. "It simply gave me the power to liberate those I loved from this awful world. Like our mother Akito and our clan. And Lord Manfredi of course."
The world around the three showed the day Shin first met Manfredi. After killing several of his knights, and bravely staring down the face of Lord Farnese, Shin had earned a smile from the former Knight of Two.
"He took you in," said Rivalz. "Probably introduced you to Lady Maria too. He made you his right hand man. She loved you like a son. Alice called you her big brother. They all loved you and you betrayed them all. Don't try and say you were 'liberating' them or doing them any favors. You're nothing but a psychopathic murderer who couldn't stand the hand life dealt him and couldn't appreciate the blessings that were given to him. The world isn't what's rotten. It's you and people like who would rather waste all their talent and energy destroying what they hate instead of protecting what they love."
"How hopelessly naive you are," said Shin. "With all you've lost you still try to act virtuous. If you were honest with yourself...you'd see things as I do."
"He has lost a lot," said Akito. "But so have we brother. But Rivalz and I...we found something to fill the void left by the things we lost. Things we can't have a future with if we continue to hold onto the pain of the past."
"The ultimate future of all things is ruin," said Shin. "The way to that ruin is littered with pain and suffering. Is that what you want for Maria and Alice, Cardemonde?"
"And your solution is to kill them?" yelled Rivalz. "And you didn't even have the courage to do it yourself."
"If it were not for the strict orders of the Emperor I would have been there to see them off myself," said Shin. "Despite whatever you believe of me Blue Unicorn I do love them. As much as...as much as I truly did love our mother Akito. Now our mother lies free of suffering. As does my mentor Lord Manfredi. This world...can no longer harm any of them. And now this world is finally coming to its inescapable ruin. Alice must be so frightened."
A brief scene depicting Shin's life with Maria and Alice passed through. Alice playing in the fountain of the Shaing manor with a little paper boat Shin had made for her. Before he took her hands gently from the water out of concern for her health.
"Tell me Cardemonde, if you truly cared for them where are they now?" yelled Shin. "Why are you not with them to keep them safe?"
"I'm here to do my part to stop your crazy master's plan to tear the world a part," said Rivalz. "So that Maria and Alice can live their lives in peace and happiness."
"What peace can they find in this world? What happiness can be promised by humanity?" yelled Shin.
"Peace and happiness are what we find for ourselves brother," said Akito. "You were happy with them, weren't you?"
More memories of Alice and Maria went through, Rivalz and Akito witnessing them all while Shin only hissed in fury. Among the various memories were scenes of Ashley as well as Shin's right hand woman Jean Rowe.
"What about Ashley and your subordinate Jean Rowe?" asked Akito. "They cared for you too."
"In fact where is Rowe?" asked Rivalz.
"By...order of the Emperor, Jean was separated from me," said Shin. "But I will correct that issue once I've finished with you."
"And then what will you do with her?" asked Rivalz. "What does Jean Rowe mean to you? Do you plan to show her the same kind of love you wanted to show to Maria and Alice?"
Images of Jean flashed through and Shin grimaced.
"What does it take to keep you dead you horror?" yelled Cornelia.
"Oh but my dear princess I am dead," said Lovecrest. "Thanks to the rather fragile nature of reality at this moment I am able to come to you from the Collective. And I offer my aid."
"Like we're supposed to believe an Eden Elite bastard like you would want to help us," yelled Tamaki.
"Or that we'd be willing to accept after everything you've done," said Guilford.
"Oh but I am here for my own interests," said Lovecrest. "While in life I served under V.V. for how his desires seemed to operate in concert with mine. I sought to bring about true resurrection. It was his majesty's goal to rebirth the human race with the Eden Elite. Their cognition all unified to consider him as God and themselves as the carriers of his will."
"Effectively allowing him to cultivate his own Collective Unconscious," said Sophie.
"Which is currently in conjuncture with the actual Collective. A conflict that is soon to result in a ripple effect that will have effect on the barriers between the supposed reality you find yourself in and C's World," said Lovecrest.
"Is anyone following this?" moaned Tamaki.
"He's essentially saying that the true Collective and V.V's Collective are have adverse reactions to each other due to a destabilization that apparently hasn't happened yet," said Sophie. "No doubt due to Zero's confrontation with V.V. even if it hasn't gotten to that point yet."
"It is happening now, simply not in what you consider 'now'," said Lovecrest.
"In other words my brother and uncle's fight in the near future is having an effect on why I'm seeing the ghost of the bastard I've had to kill twice right now, correct?" asked Cornelia.
"Essentially," said Sophie.
"Yes, well now that we're all caught up may we continue on with my plan?" said Lovecrest.
"Why the hell would you want to help us?" asked Guilford. "Aren't yours and V.V's goals similar."
"I fear the Emperor no longer shares our previous vision. Though he saved the artificial Collective I had made from the minds we had pulled from his followers he has abandoned any and all attempts to carry out the goal of resurrection," said Lovecrest. "Apparently he's allowed his emotions to control him. He's gone quite mad and my spirit no longer sees the value of continuing the experiment. I cannot resurrect myself. This is as far as my scientific career is concerned, upon reflection, my greatest achievement was 11-RC. After all how many can say they created a unicorn?"
Cornelia grimaced, she absolutely hated Lovecrest, but she had no choice but to take is offer into consideration. With Rivalz, Akito, Leila, and even Shin missing in action she was the only one in command. And the Ymir was still expanding its blizzard.
"Very well Lovecrest," said Cornelia. "What would you have us do?"
Opening her eyes, Leila found herself in an odd world. The same world in which she and C.C had previously conversed with the Caretaker of Space-Time.
"You are awake," said the mysterious entity, appearing before Leila.
"It is you," said Leila.
"Yes," said the Caretaker.
"Why...why am I here? What is happening in the battle? Where is Akito?" Leila asked, quickly becoming frantic.
"Your battles in the physical world are being fought by your allies," said the Caretaker, taking a somewhat impatient tone. "Your lover converses with his brother as well as the Prince of Virtue elsewhere in C's World. It was their fight which has caught them in this unfortunate effect as the ripples of the clash reach them."
"Ripples?" asked Leila.
"The Black King and the Usurper's battle is going to have a dire effect on C's World," said the Caretaker. "One that is effecting parts of your world. And shall bring about other aspects of the Collective's power beyond those of the Geass."
"Powers beyond Geass?" asked Leila.
"Indeed, this foolishness of humanity may result in much chaos crawling from beyond," said the Caretaker.
"Why are you telling me this? Isn't there something you can do?" asked Leila. "You have all this power and you complain about humanity, but you do nothing with any of it."
"We have considered removing the Geass from mankind," said the Caretaker. "We have also considered the extinction of humanity. But...possibility still remains in your species. You have used the fragment of power well. Even gone beyond what you normally should have been able to do with it. Your love of your friends, and of Akito Hyuga, has made you strong. But if possibility is the continue, you must have the full extent of your power."
"Yes," said another voice, one familiar to Leila. "The fragment must be made whole."
The savage fighting style Shin deployed once he and the other two were released from the other world. His savage skill put both Akito and Rivalz on the defensive. Further armaments from the Morning Star became apparent as projectiles were flung from the wing of the Knightmare. Blade tipped missiles that managed to home in on whatever target they were flung at. Made to pierce in and explode, the foul feathers were a very lethal device, as Rivalz came to understand.
"Damn it," he cursed.
The feathers had struck the sides of his Knightmare, specifically the sides from which his wings would deploy as well as damaging the legs. However, Akito was swift enough to swipe out at the wing, rending Shin grounded as well.
However this allowed Shin the time he needed to strike at the side of Akito's Knightmare, pinning it to the ground. However Rivalz was able to fire at the Morning Star's legs, sending it to the ground, disabled.
The cockpits of the Hyuga brothers Knightmares opened and both fighters emerged with drawn blades. Rivalz popped open the hatch of his Knightmare and flew out as the two brothers began their duel.
Shin, having more formal training in sword combat, had forced Akito onto the defensive, even with the enhanced abilities of his suit. Shin's own suit, seemed to be injecting him with some kind of combat stimulant, only adding to the savagery with which Shin fought.
"You're burning through too much Shin," said Rivalz, landing and drawing his sword. "Stop now before that suit wrecks your body."
"Never," Shin yelled as he turned to fire at Rivalz.
During the time while Shin was gone with Rivalz and Akito, upon the advise of the spirit of Dr. Lovecrest, Yukiya and Dalton led a sabotage mission on the Ymir. While the frosted giant was not firing off its ice beam without Shin's command, the severe cold it gave off was a challenge.
But Anna and Cecile's makeshift patches on both the older Alexanders and the drones managed to stave off the negative effects of the Ymir's cold.
"Damn, even with all they could do my machine's getting stiff," said Alfred Dalton. "Doesn't help that these European Knightmares are so...weird."
"I know right? Give me a Glauston any day of the week," said Bart.
"Stow that chatter boys we've got work to do," said Dalton. "We've almost set the last of the charges. We just need to hold out for a little while longer."
Between Dalton, his sons, Yukiya, and the drones, several explosive charges had been placed along crucial points of structure meant to hold up the Ymir. Once set off the massive machine would tumble under its own weight, while still leaving the core intact.
"Can't say I'm too happy about taking advice from the enemy," said Dalton. "Especially if he's a ghost."
"I find it somewhat ironic," said Yukiya, setting up the final charge. "The Ghost of Hannibal being aided by the spirit of one whom he slew before."
'Damn I can never get used to this kid's morbid sense of humor,' thought Dalton.
While the combat programming Rivalz had initially gained from his first interface with the Valiant served him well, Shin's combat instinct, as well as the enhancements of his suit, had him on the defensive.
And Shin appeared to be able to switch between Rivalz and Akito easily when one tried to get in on him while he focused on the other.
"Die," yelled Shin, as he got a good hit on Akito's wrist, forcing him to drop his dagger and forcing him onto a gravestone.
Shin drove down for the killing blow, only to get his sword lodged into Rivalz's torso.
"What?" gasped Shin.
Rivalz, not perturbed by the sword sticking into his body, struck out and grabbed Shin by the artificial eye and in one pull, tore the Geass Enhancer from his skull. During this time, Akito retrieved his dagger and circled back around the two and plunged the blade into Shin's back and clean through to the other side.
Akito tore the blade out of Shin's body and the elder brother staggered to the ground, blood from his head and torso pouring onto the snowy ground.
"Rivalz, are you alright?" Akito cried out, rushing to tend his comrade.
"It's okay, he mostly hit synthetic parts," said Rivalz. "I can patch myself up later, keep an eye on him."
Akito nodded and walked over to Shin, still attempting to stand.
"Brother," said Akito, kneeling down to his brother.
"Get away from me," yelled Shin. "You...you've ruined everything. Everything...I...I hate you!"
But suddenly another sensation came over the three in that snowy field. The past once again displayed and a young Shin and Akito walked along a path in the woods. The young Shin, in anger, yelled at his younger brother who tried to keep up with him. When the young Akito fell and began crying, the young Shin stopped for a moment. Though his face gave no emotion eventually he came back to his younger brother and carried him on his back as the younger sibling told his brother that he loved him.
In the reality of falling snow and dripping blood, a tear fell from Shin's good eye, now filled with a blue Geass symbol.
"Akito," he said, turning his head to his brother.
"Shin," said Akito, positioning his brother against a gravestone.
"Live," his brother whispered before finally passing away.
"Brother," cried Akito.
"It is...alright Akito," said the voice of Leila.
Rivalz and Akito looked up and saw Leila, walking through the snow with a tired expression on her face and her long blond hair blowing loose. But the most striking thing was how both her eyes were filled with the blue Geass.
En route to the coordinates of the Elysium, aboard the medical bay of the ship of the Black Knights, Jean Rowe's health was declining despite the efforts of the staff. In her failing vision, as well as her fading thoughts, the image of her beloved Shin.
"Jeanne," he said, a loving smile on his face. "Leave with me, please."
"Lord...Hyuga...my love," she whispered before her life faded completely.
When Kallen had been alerted that her priority prisoner had passed, she came to the med bay immediately. Upon seeing the smile on Jean's still face Kallen could guess what had happened. She gave a soft smile to her enemy, understanding her smile.
"What will you tell them?" asked Akito. "Maria and Alice?"
"The truth," said Rivalz. "In his own way, Shin really did love them. I don't know what kind of comfort that'll be but...it's what they need to hear."
The two stood idle in the snowy graveyard. Shin had been propped up where he died and Leila was seated close to Akito against a headstone. She had been very exhausted, no doubt due to her newly developed Geass, a mystery to solve later.
Rivalz was more or less well, save to the damage at his side causing some discomfort.
"Cornelia to Prince Virtue, come in," said Cornelia's voice over their radio.
"I hear you," said Rivalz. "How is everyone? We have Leila here with me and Hannibal but she should be in the castle. What's going on?"
"We've had a bit of an incident here," said Cornelia. "But we've managed to set a plan into motion. Hold tight where you are and wait till its all over before coming back to the castle."
"Till what's all over?" asked Rivalz.
His answer came in the form of various loud explosions coming fro the Ymir. Turning their attention to it the two sect leaders saw as the great Ancient crumbled to the ground.
"Thus falls a wonder of a world gone by," said a voice Rivalz thought never to hear again.
Rivalz and Akito turned and saw the image of Dr. Lovecrest as he once was.
"Fret not my dear 11-RC," said Lovecrest. "In the end, it appears you were my finest creation my dear unicorn."
With that the specter of Dr. Lovecrest passed on, leaving a very confused ghost and unicorn in its wake.
By the time the Black Knights and White Samurai arrived, the Jormungander system had begun their bombardment, but the conditions of Apollo's Chariot were not suitable for launch. Apparently Shin had sought fit to have his forces damage crucial components to the rocket launch site prior to freezing over the area. Leaving all forces essentially grounded, and the plan in jeopardy.
"Damn it," cursed Kallen. "If we had gotten here sooner we could have helped."
"It couldn't be helped," said Cornelia. "There's no point in dwelling on it."
The various sects were now split between the two ships as to avoid damage being done by the earthquakes generated by the blasts from above. The bodies of Jean Rowe and Shin Hyuga Shaing were kept in cold storage for now. While the wounded were in the medical bay. Leaving the command of all four sects to converge on the bridge of the Valhalla. It was there Leila and Cornelia told what they had learned about Lelouch's upcoming clash with V.V and what might happen after.
"Is that all?" asked Kallen. "Did either of them say if Lelouch was in danger? Or if he survives?"
"Nothing along those lines," said Cornelia. "All Lovecrest gave us was the structural weakness of the Ymir."
"And the Caretaker didn't go into such detail," said Leila.
"This just means that even if V.V. is destroyed in C's World we shouldn't expect anything coming out unscathed," said Tohdoh. "The effect on C's World might be something to be wary of. Especially if it's reaching out through time and space."
"Well it's not like we can just leave V.V. alone in C's World now," said Guilford.
"That's right," said Suzaku. "We'll all just have to trust in Lelouch."
"Yeah, with Apollo's Chariot out of commission it's all up to Lelouch now," said Rivalz. "Unless we've got some other way to get Valiant and I up there with the satellites to wreck them."
"Actually," said Leila. "I believe...we do."
Author's Note: Sorry for the long wait my friends. But I've spent that time trying to work out this chapter. With these being the final chapters I want to do everything I can with what I've got to try and please as many of you as I can. Especially since the world's in a pretty rough spot right now. I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy. If my little story helps bring some joy in times like these then I'm glad and I'll do everything I can to make sure you enjoy the completion of the story. And if it excites anyone I am beginning to plan out the sequel, especially now that I've seen Re;surrection.
Once again, stay safe, stay healthy, and I promise I'll do everything I can to give out an entertaining story for you all to enjoy while you're keeping in during this rough patch.
Next Turn: The Exorcism of Britannia.
