Disclaimer I don't own Code Geass
Chapter VIII: New Enemies
After the Battle of Shinjuku
Kyoto House, Mt. Fuji
Suzaku Kururugi was seen in his dimly lit room inside their base of Mt. Fuji. He was sitting in traditional style, eyes closed, meditating in front of his deceased parents shrine; a single candle was lit making his youth face be seen due to the flames. And below was his persona: the red Hannya Mask, Akuma.
His knuckles turned white as he grip his fist shuddering at the thought of today's event; on how he massacred his enemies and in turn became a murderer. But I have to do it! I have to! If it is the price to pay for liberating Japan, then I'll do whatever it takes.
His resolve was undying and so was his passion for revenge on the ones that took his home, stripped their freedom, and murdered his father. He can never forgive Britannia and its people, not when they took something that can never be repaid. So, even if he was young, even if he was walking down a darker and bloodier path, his lust for blood can never be sated. Not now.
Not when he is already the devil himself.
Suzaku was already exhausted from today's event and he already called a meeting with his commanders of the JLF about what had happened, but they didn't know that he was the one perpetrating the whole thing from the start. They didn't know that he was Akuma, and the past three years he was the one who did the impossible task such as assassination, infiltration, and espionage. He can't count how numerous times he was at death's door but somehow he managed to escape its grasp.
But that White Knightmare…
He felt it; that seething rage that the pilot of the Knightmare gives off was nothing Suzaku can shrug about and/or forget. He still shivers at the thought when it, all of the sudden, becomes filled with anger and in turn manages to fend him off. Sure it was technologically superior to his Sutherland he was using, but in terms of piloting? He was fairly certain that he was beyond that white Knightmare pilot's level. But what happened earlier...if he crosses blades with that monster again, he'll make sure to end it swiftly if he was given the chance.
At least I manage to complete the mission.
That was the only silver lining he and the Japanese forces were content with and it was a huge one. Hearing that the Viceroy was dead, and they managed to actually win against Britannia was a boost in morale. Even if it wasn't the original plan, this surpasses more than the poison gas that was supposed to be retrieved. Everyone was ecstatic on the news.
Everyone except his teacher, Kyoshiro Tohdoh.
"Is there something you need, Col. Tohdoh?" He asked the man who was sitting behind him silently; he was with him when he entered but he didn't speak anything after that. He assumes he was also here to pay his respect to his father since from the past they were old friends rather than just an officer and subordinate. Tohdoh knew what he became, and it scared the soldier more than it scared Suzaku himself.
"I'm here merely to remind you to stop on your act of vigilantism, young master." Tohdoh warned him yet again and Suzaku doesn't want any of it. "It is too much to pay the price for what you seek and-" But before he could continue, Suzaku stood up and replied indignantly.
"My hands are already covered in blood, Tohdoh." He faces him. "And if I were to stain it with more blood just to have my country and its people liberated then so be it." Tohdoh remained calm at his student's words and each passage was a strike to his promise to his father seven years ago.
"There's no turning back from what I become, and I don't plan on stopping. Not now. Not when we are on the verge of actually defeating the Empire who took what's rightfully ours." Suzaku finished on his teacher, commander, and a friend. In fact, after his father's death he became his surrogate father to him, but he doesn't plan on losing him or any more fathers because of Britannian's reign.
Tohdoh then lowered his body and bowed to him. "I'm only here to guide you, Kururugi. But the actions you take are on your own. So I plead to you to reconsider."
Suzaku eyed his teacher for a moment, and he knew he was voicing his concern at him. Just like his father would if he saw him like this. I'm truly grateful that in this path of hell, there's still someone who shows me the light If only someone showed him sooner…
"Thank you Sensei, but what I did, and what I will become...I must see it through the end." He respectfully answered his teacher. Tohdoh knew that it was no point in arguing and so, stood up and offered his Katana to the boy.
"Then would you allow me to stand by your side until the very end? But if you wish it, I will gladly offer my life for you." Tohdoh offered Suzaku, but Suzaku won't have any of it.
"I only need you to offer your life to Japan, and no one else. Not to me nor to anyone in the JLF." He replied. Tohdoh, smile for the first time in the long while.
"Very well. If that is what you wish," He stiffened up and saluted him and turned heels to vacate the room. He already issued another order about what to do in this event and keep their momentum going, and it involves the alliance with the Kozuki resistance.
"Sayoko!" He called out from the shadows the Kunoichi who was guarding him wherever he was. Sayoko appeared not soon after, kneeling. "Yes master?" She asked.
"Did you finish your task?" Indicating about gathering intel more about the Kozuki Resistance Group and its members.
The female ninja nodded. "Hai, due to the casualties suffered from today's battle there were only seven members remaining. That is Kaname Ohgi, Kent Sugiyama, Shinichiro Tamaki, Yoshitaka Minami, Naomi Inoue, Toru Yoshida, and Kallen Kozuki."
"And what about Kozuki? What did you learn more about her?" Suzaku further asked of her. He wanted to know more about the supposed 'ace' of the group and not only that, it was quite odd that she was already a member despite her age-even though she was the same age as he is.
"It appears that she is a half-breed, she also goes by the name Statdfeld. Her mother was Japanese, while her father is a Britannian noble. However, when her father died she was forced to live with her step-mother while her real mother stayed with her as maid of the house she lives in."
He pondered on this piece of information. If she's a daughter of a noble, it would be hard to approach her if she was at home. He wanted to reach out to that group again, but he was more intrigued by the female pilot of that red Glasgow. And also, he wanted to get some connections more about the Britannian nobility if they ever want to continue to topple the empire. So he needs to get close with her.
"It would be hard to reach her at home, so that's out of the question. Is there any way you can reach her and if possible get close to her inconspicuously?" Suzaku asked his companion for any ideas. Sayoko pondered this for a moment until she remembered something. "She's enrolled in a Britannian Academy in the Tokyo Settlement, we can contact her there and get you close with her."
Suzaku nodded on that. He can pose as a student in that academy if he wants to, but for now... "We can think on how I'll get close to her in another time, right now we need to contact her group again. What is the name of this Academy?" He said to her.
"Ashford Academy, master"
Two days after Battle of Shinjuku
Ashford Academy
Yesterday went quite uneventfully much to Kallen's dismay; aside from the fact that the vice-president of the student council has been discharged from his injuries and the bee incident, her 'normal' school life went smoothly. Such is why she called Ohgi earlier today to voice her exasperation of her school life and asked if there's anything she could do. However, Ohgi said that the heat was still on, and they needed to lie low for a while. So she asked instead if there's anything new that came from the JLF Specifically from Akuma since they did promise that after they succeed with their mission they will talk about their possible alliance. Even though they didn't manage to complete their mission which was the retrieval of the poison gas, they did, however, succeeded something better: the assassination of the Prince
Or how we aided Akuma in killing the prince.
Still they did help and if it wasn't for them she doubts that despite Akuma's skill he can infiltrate a whole battalion of Knightmares standing in his way. Overall, they were part of this success just like the rest of the Kozuki group.
The question is...why do the Britannians keep silent about this?
She figured they don't want to cause panic to the populace and they wanted to cover up his assassination to other causes like unforeseen illness or the likes, but sooner or later it will came and she wondered if Akuma or the JLF would announce about this claiming that it was them that cause the demise of the third prince.
But for now she can tolerate yet another day of uneventful week or so. She was in her history class and they were talking about the history of the newly formed Holy Britannian Empire and its emphasis on Darwinism and how it paves to be the backbone of the Empire. But even though she doesn't listen very often-since she dislikes the lesson-there was another reason why she can't focus and that was someone eyeing her suspiciously.
But who?
She glanced for a few times and saw at the back that the vice-president, Lelouch, was the perpetrator. But why is he eyeing me like that? She was confused about his actions and if he knew something about her then she needed to take him out without notice.
Lelouch's gaze was stuck on the red-head during the entire class and he saw her also eyed him suspiciously. Does she know that I was with her on that trailer? He wondered for a moment about the possibility but discarded it since it was a low chance of that happening.
Still I need to confront her if she's with those rebels back in Shinjuku but how?
Suddenly remembering Milly's request on him, he could use it to get her alone. With his plan already made up, after the class ended he makes his way towards the direction of the red-haired girl. But Shirley stops him on his track.
"Say Lulu, you coming alone?" Shirley asked him to accompany her on their way to the Student council. Also, he also remembered his mother saying that she visited with her alongside with Milly on that night he was hospitalized and felt a pang of guilt for worrying her.
But this comes first
So he told his excuse. "Sorry Shirley but I have to fetch someone. It's Prez's request. I'll meet you there later." He said to her pecking her cheeks making her blush to the sudden move of affection.
"O-okay…"
With that he walked towards Kallen's desk. Kallen was once again surrounded by her group of 'friends' and yet again pestered her once more.
"-You've gotta go straight home then, huh?"
"-What do you have, a curfew ?"
And it was getting on her nerves and to add insult to injury that smug vice-president decided to come along as well.
"Kallen Statdfeld" He called her out, making her surrounding classmates stop and turned to the raven-haired boy. "You are requested to come in the student council room, do you have a minute?"
Hmm...what is he planning?
Kallen thought to herself, but it's better to be stuck with one annoying person than a group of annoying people so she decided that she can go along with him. Besides maybe I'll find out why he's eyeing me suspiciously, and maybe...Making up her mind she stood up.
"Sure" And so they made their way to the Student council room. It didn't take long for them to reach the student council room since it was only on the first floor of the main building. During that time, as she expected, some glances were thrown at them; some were confused, others were plain jealousy, but she paid them no mind and so was Lelouch. And soon they arrived at the twin doors of the clubhouse. The clubhouse was enormous and was two stories high, and she now knows why it was placed in the main building.
"I didn't even know this room existed." Kallen commented timidly.
"It's the clubhouse for the student council. They were built as a ballroom for various special occasions." Lelouch answered her. She only muttered a small 'I see' but she wants to get straight to the point so she asked him.
"Why did you bring me here?" She asked him now in a serious tone making him turn to face her. "You are requested by the student council president to join the student council" He answered with a smile on her face.
That's his reason?!
So that's why he was eyeing him suspiciously earlier. And I thought it was something serious. But she was correct on that one since he moves closer to her. "However, I want to know something…"And seeing his close proximity once more, she silently grabbed her pocket knife.
"I want to know about Shinjuku…" He knows! She was prepared to do whatever it takes to have her secret remain hidden, and if it was silencing this guy, then so be it. But before Lelouch could say another word. They were interrupted when the room was filled with the other student council members.
"Ta-da!" Milly and the others burst out of the room with carts filled with trays of food in hand. Lelouch immediately distanced himself from Kallen and Kallen silently hides her pocket knife once more.
"Well done Lelouch! I thought after you were hospitalized that you'll become lazy teehee" Milly half-commended, half-teased the school boy. "Madam Prez!" Shirley fumed after hearing her disrespecting her boyfriend.
Lelouch snickered on that "You flatter me Prez, of course I'll remember" As he walks his way to help them prepare the food. Kallen also closes in. "Uhmm...what is all this?" She asked seeing this many foods befitting for a buffet.
"Oh this is your welcoming party!" Milly exclaimed cheerfully. "My father personally requested it since you don't have any club that you could join due to your health." She added before presenting the meals they were going to eat.
"And it was really hard to do in such a short amount of time." Nina said as she gasped for air since she had to form the documents AND prepare the food.
"Tell me about it" Rivalz panted heavily doing the same task as Nina. And seeing the blue-haired student suffer made Milly grinned evilly. "Serves you right" before she made her way to properly introduce herself to the red-head.
"Milly Ashford, and I ran this boat. Pleasure to meet you" grabbing her hand and shaking it.
Kallen was surprised by this girl's energy but she shook her hand nonetheless. "The pl-pleasure is all mine." And one by one they introduce themselves.
"The name's Rivalz, if there's something you need, I'm the guy"
"Hi I'm Shirley Fenette, I'm also a member of the Swimming club, welcome"
"Nina Einstein, pleasure to make your acquaintance" Kallen smiled at them. "It's nice to meet you all" They don't look bad she thought to herself as she proceeded to see these groups of friends goofing around. If only she had this kind of friend as well.
"Hey Rivalz! Come out come out wherever you are!" Kallen heard another voice coming from the room and hearing his name, Rivalz hid behind Lelouch. Soon enough Nunnally also came inside the room. "There you are!"
"Nunnally?" Lelouch asked, seeing his sister also come in. Nunnally proceeded towards the blue-haired boy until she saw Kallen. "Oh, I didn't know we had some company" She said cutely to her.
Milly chuckled sheepishly forgetting about telling her on Kallen's induction. "This is Kallen Statdfeld, starting today she's the new member of the Student council" She introduced Kallen. Nunnally, despite being short walks up and then beamed at her. "Pleasure to meet you! I'm Nunnally, Lelouch's little sister" And seeing her adorable face Kallen has to have no heart to try and not think she isn't cute. Too cute!
"Pleasure is all mine" she smiled back at her. Nunnally after finishing her introduction returned to her demonic stance. "Now then" She returned on glaring daggers on Rivalz who was cowering in fear making them wonder why though.
"Uh...Nunnally is something the matter?" Shirley asked her concern for the secretary's well-being. Nunnally puffed and answered. "He's hiding an alcohol he brought from his job that's why." And when she answered all eyes turned on him.
"I-I can't help it! Come on guys it's just for fun!" Rivalz exclaimed distancing himself from everyone who was now threateningly glaring at him.
"Even still we're minors we can't drink!" Shirley tried to grab the bottle from him but Rivalz was keeping it out of arm's reach making the bottle wobble and shake. "Here Lelouch catch!" He then tossed over to his friend. He almost failed to catch it but still managed to. Shirley then tried to grab it from him. "Not you too Lulu!" Disappointed that her boyfriend was agreeing on such nonsense.
"Wai-" But before Lelouch could defend himself Shirley tackled him down-more of a push and since he was so weak he stumbled backwards. Due to constant shaking the pressure was too much for the cork to handle causing the bottle to pop open and send it flying towards Kallen's direction.
With quick reflex, Kallen swiped the cork away however the liquid that soon came after cannot be avoided and because of it she was soaking wet. It reminded them something can only be described coming straight from an Anime of sorts.
Just great
A few minutes later
Kallen was now taking a bath here in the clubhouse due to her being soaking wet from top to bottom. "This is why I hate Britannia!" She groaned in frustration. First it was the uneventful day she had yesterday and today, second there's nothing coming from the JLF or Akuma, and now this!
"I want to know about Shinjuku…"
Kallen suddenly remembered what Lelouch was saying earlier. Why does he want to talk about that? Could it be that he knows? It was too early to tell since she had no evidence but she needs to confront him when given a chance. She was still showering when someone knocked at the door.
"Who is it?" She asked as she drew the curtains. But what she heard next surprised her. "It's good to meet you again Miss Kozuki," Sayoko said in Japanese. Sayoko?! Even though she only met her once she cannot mistaken her voice.
"May I come in?" She asked her and since she knew that nobody knew how to speak Japanese in this school she lets her. "Go ahead." But just in case it was someone posing as her she grabbed her pocket knife from the counter. The door opened up and it was indeed the kunoichi herself.
"How did you-" but before she can ask on how and why she was here she interjected.
"Forgive me from my intrusion Miss Kozuki but this is urgent." She said revealing a small envelope and it was written in Kanji saying To Kozuki. She handed it over to Kallen who opened it almost immediately. It wrote:
Kallen
Bring your comrades with you tomorrow to Tomioka Hachiman Shrine in 16:00
-Signed, Akuma
She was very grateful that her mother tongue was Japanese and in turn was capable of reading and speaking it. After reading it she brings it over to the counter to let her friends know about this when she returns to them tonight.
But I wonder why?
The letter didn't say anything about why they were summoned. Though she has her speculation it didn't hurt to ask the woman for some answers. "Why are we being summoned?"
Meanwhile, outside Lelouch was about to knock the door to give Kallen some of his spare clothes that he keeps from the clubhouse whenever they had some special event. But before he could, he heard Kallen ask a question to someone.
Huh?
Lelouch was curious and though it was rude to eavesdrop he couldn't help that maybe it will light some of his doubts on her. So he pressed his ear on the door to listen clearly. He deduced that she was talking with someone on the phone.
Inside Sayoko answered truthfully. "Consider it as thanks for your help in Shinjuku. Without your help, there would have been more losses. And we wouldn't have won" As she bowed at her. Lelouch was surprised to hear the word Shinjuku so he continued listening.
"So it was Akuma's doing for that ceasefire then…" Kallen said merely a whisper and she was actually amazed that he was able to pull it off. She was turning a bit red on her cheeks but quickly dismissed the thought of the masked man.
"Indeed" Sayoko said but before they could keep their conversation for a little while longer Lelouch heard enough and decided to knock on the door. "Kallen it's me Lelouch, I'm here to bring you some spare clothes." She said.
Sayoko feared that he eavesdropped and pulled a Kunai to easily dispose of him. But Kallen prevented her from doing so. "Wait!" she said indirectly, calling it to Lelouch as she put a hand over Sayoko's mouth.
"Is something wrong?" Lelouch asked.
Kallen silenced Sayoko and whispered in Japanese "Let me take care of him and once we leave use it as your chance of escape" And Sayoko nodded on her plan. Kallen sighed and quickly grabbed a towel to clothe herself with.
"I-I just finished, let me cover myself up" Kallen replied to Lelouch.
"Sure" after a moment Kallen finished covering herself and opened the door and Lelouch averted his gaze on her slim figure and gave her clothes. "Those are mines, so...I don't know if it will fit you."
"It's fine, thank you" she said before closing the door and then changing into it. Meanwhile Sayoko used the shadows to avoid being seen. After a few minutes Kallen opened the door with Lelouch's clothes. "Shall we go?" She asked him before walking back to the council room.
"Right," Lelouch replied, he was now certain that she was at Shinjuku two days ago. Still, I have to keep this secret for now until I have the perfect chance to confront her. Moments later Sayoko vacated the room and returned to Akuma. Kallen felt unease to think if he heard their conversation so she questioned him.
"Say...have you heard anything before when I was talking with-my friend?" She came up with an excuse on who she was talking with.
Lelouch thinking that it's best to lie to her responded. "All I heard was you saying a ceasefire? Is that from a game you're playing?"
Kallen sighed in relief and decided to play along. "Ye-yeah, since I've cooped in my home, I've been playing online games. But what about you? You said that you want to talk about Shinjuku right?" She added turning the tables.
But Lelouch already anticipated this and answered calmly. "Well, you saw the news lately right? And since I was hospitalized I don't know much about what happened so I wanted to talk to you about it since you seemed to stay at home and I guess you know more about it more than the others." He said as they continued their walk back to the student council. Kallen answered with an 'I see'.
As they walked back they talked about what the council's worked and the (odd) events Milly has on her head like Cross-Dressers ball, Absolute Silence day, and swimsuit day. And when they returned everyone was watching something on the television.
"Brother, it's awful" Nunnally said as she turned her head on him with eyes in shock. Making him curious why though but Kallen has a good idea what it was.
"What is?" he asked.
"It's Prince Clovis." Milly said.
"What about him?"
"They're saying he was murdered" Rivalz added and the broadcast showed Jeremiah Gottwald and the whole Purist faction standing on the stage.
"Prince Clovis has been taken from us. He fought for peace and justice against all of the Elevens. He died a martyr. We must all bury our sorrow, and carry on his will." And the T.V cuts to a breaking news report. While almost all of the student council were shocked by this news, Kallen felt both emotions of pride and guilt. The news stated that the perpetrator was still unknown, however, they took the blame on the Royal guards that were supposed to be responsible for His Highness' safety but failed to do so.
Viceroy Palace
Jeremiah when he heard the death of Prince Clovis was baffled, confused, in denial, but above all livid. Anger surge on his veins to the group of men entasked of protecting the aforementioned prince, since he was also once a part of a Royal Guard, and it was considered disgraceful for unable to protect your royal(s), such is why he took the matters into his own hands and personally arrested them.
Not only that but that fool Bartley had the gull to actually hide his Highness death to the public.
Sure it was to avoid mass hysteria but his idiocy can only go so far. Apparently the poison gas that was a secret project by the Prince was being handled by that gluttonous General, and what happened? It was stolen right under their noses. Though they tried to recover it (and failed), if it was that important he could've done better security to not let it be stolen. Another thing was the fact that the killer presumably breached through their defenses!
Even though there are ample numbers of men guarding the Prince, the killer breached their post, walked inside the G1, and killed the Prince easily. But what made Jeremiah really confused was the fact that he survives while the Prince does not. So it was an assassination then? It was later investigated that the general was tranquilized so he was unconscious when the prince died. But the final straw that led to convince Jeremiah that Bartley was a fool when he kept it all a secret back to the mainland. Apparently whatever they were researching amounted to their very lives. And if that was the person he was serving? He was having none of it.
That is why they started a coup. To have him act as Deputy-Viceroy and instill power to the Pureblood factions. And to make things right! So, earlier today they ambushed the convoy of his Highness' body, and had General Bartley arrested for failure of his duty to protect the prince. Unbeknownst to them Bartley was also supposed to be hiding with his research team in the mountainous region of Narita. Then, he convicted the Royal guards with the same punishment as he; also they are also doing this to have them become the scapegoat as they still investigate who is the real killer. But for now, the Royal guards would be enough.
A few minutes ago Jeremiah and the rest of purists held a press conference to share the news of Prince Clovis' death and issued a martial law with Jeremiah at the helm being a Deputy-Viceroy until His Highness replacement came. They also brought forth the guards to be their scapegoat, while this will turn sour to the eyes of the Nobility since many of them are sons of Nobles or Nobles themselves, Jeremiah cannot let his mistake happens once more to other guards of the realm and if punishing those who failed to protect the royals? Then so be it.
Right now, he as well as Villetta Nu and Kewell Soresi, were on their way to the interrogation room here in the Viceroy Palace.
"With this move our strength and authority here in Area Eleven will increase. And if possible, we can also use this opportunity to eradicate that stupid Honorary Britannian system" Kewell commented with a tint of joy to actually purging those stinking elevens that was within their ranks.
"While I do agree with you, I think it's better to do this one at a time." Villeta countered logically making the orange-haired purist snickered in annoyance.
"But I don't like what we're doing here Jeremiah. Issuing a death penalty to the Royal guards? Why can't we just use a stupid Eleven to be our scapegoat?" Kewell asked him.
"And this time I do agree with you. Another thing is that they might use what I said to them as an alibi to counter our accusation." Villeta added.
Jeremiah remained calm and continued their way before answering. "The Royal Guards are the sole protector of His Highness, everyone knows that. Failure to protect a royal is punishable by death." And he spoke in experience since he was also nearly convicted as such but only because their captain was a Princess that they were spared. "Besides we can use this to pluck out those in our ranks and nobles who are against our ideals." He added the last part to convince the two.
In which case they did. It wasn't a secret that many of whom disliked how the purist faction operated in a near totalitarian manner especially in regards to the military with the strong advocacy that only pure blooded Britannian should serve it. Even in the nobility, some of them oppose their strict ideals. So, with this move they will know anyone who opposes the purist faction.
"As for your argument Major Nu. Remember, a good soldier follows orders. A great one follows what's right." Jeremiah said to her but more so to himself. Kewell and Villetta remained silent on that and accepted their superior's wish.
With that he manages to convince them, at least for now…
Minutes later
They finally arrived at the interrogation room and they saw the captain spouting off at the guards who were in there. "You bastards! We're on the same side! Why do we have to take the blame of the death of his highness?! A f***ing Eleven should be suffice!" Jeremiah sighed.
This would be a long night
The next day (3 days after the Battle of Shinjuku)
Tomiaka Hachiman Shrine
Earlier today Kallen goes to her school to attend for the wake of the third Prince Clovis-which she personally dislikes of course. Luckily though, there were no classes for today so she used this opportunity to prepare herself with the meeting of her group with Akuma once more.
She reported about the letter Sayoko gave to her and the request coming from Akuma to her friends in the resistance, and while Tamaki still voiced his concern of aligning with them and instead claimed the actions to themselves, the rest still accepted the masked man request much to his dismay.
It was already nearing 4:00 PM the time Akuma set for them to meet here in this Shinto Shrine. The former shrine that was visited by many here in Tokyo was now in ruins. The roof collapsed, the path walk crumbled, the buildings were burned wreckage from the war. It's condition was the same as other Japanese landmarks that suffered Britannia's wrath. Ironically this shrine was the shrine of the God of War, Hachiman, and now because of war it caused its demise.
"It's 4:00 PM," Kallen said as she checked the time.
"Still no sign of Akuma," Inoue said as she and the rest wandered the ruins.
"Do you think it's a trap?" Minami asked for the possibility.
"That's not possible, Akuma wouldn't betray us right?" Yoshida countered.
"But what if he doesn't show up?" Sugiyama refuted.
"Look I told you already, let's just tell the Britannians that we're the ones that took the Prince's life and get done with it-" Tamaki exclaimed at them trying to convince them once more. However, his argument was cut short when a familiar voice came.
"And what do you expect to achieve if you done so Mr. Tamaki?" Akuma revealed himself atop of the rooftop making them a bit startled by his sudden appearance.
"Akuma! I thought you won't actually show up" Ohgi said, feeling glad that their doubts were wrong.
"I apologize I was preparing something for tonight's event." Akuma replied with a bow.
Tonight's event?
Kallen wondered what he meant by that so she questioned him. "What do you mean for tonight's event?" Is it about our meeting with the JLF? She speculated since she thought that this meeting was to solidify their alliance with the JLF.
"Because tonight I intend to reveal myself and the Japanese resistance to the world." He calmly responded to them, making some of them confused about his intentions.
"Aren't we supposed to be here to join forces with the JLF?" Minami asked him.
"Yeah I thought that as well." Sugiyama added feeling a bit betrayed that it wasn't the case.
"And you shall." Akuma reaffirmed them, but seeing their confused looks he clarified. "Consider what happened in Shinjuku as your audition, and since you all helped in our efforts to fight back Britannia and actually win. You passed with flying colors." Making them respond in glee.
"Alright!" Yoshida exclaimed high-fiving Sugiyama.
"Told you we should align ourselves to the JLF. I was merely testing you guys you know." Tamaki boasted arms crossed, but Kallen as well as everyone else knew he was lying but they let him think that he did. Their celebration was cut short when Akuma added 'However…"
"However what Akuma?" Inoue asked, feeling uncertain that his next words will be bad.
"However, while you did pass, you are not part of the JLF yet. You didn't actually accomplish the tasks we gave to you. Such is why you'll be given another trial before you'll be within our ranks" Akuma explained and this time they were a bit livid at that.
"It's not our fault if we lost that poison gas! Those damn Britannians pulled out a freaking army just to get it!" Sugiyama refuted indignantly.
"And what is this task you speak of Akuma?" Ohgi pressed on since he felt rather uneasy by the mission given to them that seems impossible and outright dangerous.
"Tonight the Britannians will parade the Royal Guards that will be sentenced to death by tomorrow. But they won't die tomorrow because tonight they will draw their last breath. And I ask for your assistance once more." Akuma said, lending a hand to them.
It was suicide! It will be heavily guarded and tons of people are watching, they couldn't expect it to go down without a hitch and actually making it out alive. Because of this, everyone one of them was now feeling uneasy and actually considering Tamaki's earlier suggestion of becoming an independent group instead.
But only Akuma can liberate Japan!
She has faith in the masked-man and she wants to prove herself that she can do it. "I'll do it. I'll help you Akuma." She said her fist on her heart.
"Kallen…" Ohgi said, he was concerned for her well-being.
"You said that anything is possible if we work together right? Then let us help Akuma." Kallen tried to convince him using his own words that he used against her numerous times. Ohgi knew that Kallen already made up her mind and she's not going to take back her words. So all he could do was to make sure she was safe.
With a sigh he nodded. "Alright, I'm with you." Ohgi said turning to Akuma. Kallen smiled at her friend and comrade Ohgi...brother is lucky to have you as his replacement Meanwhile the rest seemed to not be actually be joining with Akuma this time around.
"I'm afraid that we're the only ones who will help you Akuma" Ohgi commented to the masked man.
But Akuma merely raised his right hand and replied.
"Don't worry two is quite enough"
That night
Diethard Reich was a Britannian producer of Hi-Tv and was in charge of tonight's spectacle which he found rather bland to say the least, which was the parade of the royal guards that was sentenced to death as the suspects of Third Prince Clovis. Speaking of the Prince he was with him when he made the announcement for the terrorist bombing in Osaka and he was shocked when he heard the death of the man. While he wasn't near Schneizel's level, he was a bit entertaining due to his theatrics.
But I want something more!
Diethard's dream was simple: to find someone who he can document and in turn become a legend.
But it would seem I pick the short end once more…
He sighed remembering his conversation with the new deputy-viceroy Jeremiah Gottwald yesterday.
He was called by the Margrave to prepare for the speech of His Highness' death and his memorial program as well as the broadcast for the Guards' Trial, after finishing reading it Jeremiah commended him.
"You handled His Highness' memorial program very well, a little too weepy from my taste but…"
"Yes, well the masses tend to like tear-jerker, your excellency." Diethard replied bluntly
"Spoken like a true TV-man. Still I have to acknowledge the finesse you've shown. You did well in the short time you had. One would almost think you were expecting His Highness to meet his untimely end." Jeremiah speculated but he only responded that it was common to prepare for someone's memorial program...at least to important people.
"Does it include me as well?"
'I doubt it' he mused but he lied to his teeth. "With your recent activity I'm sure you might be on that list." He jested to the man. And to think he was only a TV-man despite his charisma and knowledge, instead of someone who was in the military, but enlistment wasn't his cup of tea.
Afterwards they spoke more about the program, like lining the roads with Britannian patrons As per usual and the security details since they haven't actually caught the real killer, and they might reveal themselves tonight.
But Jeremiah was confident on his security saying that he will personally escort them and have the purist factions at the ready
And right now he was handling the program as per the request of the Margrave. The program was going on smoothly; Jeremiah and his group of Sutherlands were parading with the Royal guards clothed in straitjacket and lined up on their trailer unable to move or speak. (think of the final episode of R2) while the Britannians shout their outrage for the supposed traitors that led to the Prince's demise.
'Like clockwork. Huh, what a circus this is. And I'm as corrupt as any of them.'
Diethard lamented once more, he sure hopes something comes up that makes it worth his while. Meanwhile, Jeremiah stood proud on his Sutherland as he heard cheers for his achievement and rage to the disgraced Royal guards. Unbeknownst to them someone was counting down for a debut no one is expecting.
5
The caravan was nearing the bridge where Diethard and his crew located. "Okay focus on the Margrave a bit more…"Diethard commanded his men.
4
Jeremiah was smirking from ear to ear seeing that he was basking in admiration but inside he was still calm; ready at a moment's notice.
3
Lloyd and Cecile were watching the program in Lloyd's room at the hospital thinking what would happen next.
"What do you think will happen Lloyd?" Cecile asked.
"I don't know…" Still they feel really uneasy about this event.
2
Marianne with her daughter was watching the broadcast noting that her former guard Gottwald was leading the caravan.
Jeremiah…
1
Lelouch and also the other members of the student council were watching the same thing from their television and Lelouch stared at the television as if anticipating something…
Or someone
Zero!
Two figures mixed in with the crowds were holding a duffel bag, inside the duffel bag were improvised explosives that would detonate with a flick of a switch. And that switch was being held by Akuma who was hiding in an undisclosed location. With a single push of a button, the world will know his name.
Kallen and Ohgi were the figure mixed in the crowd and synching throwed the duffel bag towards the road. It timed perfectly with Akuma's trigger and so it detonated on the road and not on the civilians.
Boom!
The two duffel bags exploded and white smoke rose from it, they thought that was a bomb of sorts but was actually a fog machine rigged with a small detonator that caused the loud explosion. As expected panic ensued.
"AHH!" Everyone ran for their lives as the smoke covered the entire road.
Damn it! Jeremiah pounded as he exclaimed through the comms."Kewell do you see anything!?"
Kewell and the other purist members were in the skies on their VTOLs serving as reinforcement when things went south. "There are too many movements on the ground! We can't land" he responded using his factsphere to see the heat signature of the people down below, but since there were too many running for their lives they can't pinpoint the terrorist."
"Jeremiah!" Villeta hailed him getting his attention. Jeremiah doesn't need to be reminded what their priority should be. "I know! Everyone remain calm, our men are there to escort you to safety!" As he said that foot soldiers move in as the fog continued to rise and won't dissipate.
"We need some men on the ground now!" Diethard said as he lost connection to his cameras on the ground. "But sir it's too dangerous!" someone warned him.
"It's only fog!" He countered before fetching a camera and leaving the van before going to the road. Damn amateurs! He has faced many dangerous documentaries before so he goes in head-first as he weaves in from the crowd that was still panicking. The fog was slowly but surely being lifted and the people were now away from it thanks to the efforts by the soldiers and police who escorted them.
Meanwhile the caravan was still halted and it was only this time that Jeremiah remembered something. The Prisoners! While they weren't any gunshots heard he felt rather uneasy and now he knows why. The Royal guards that were lined up have their necks slit wide opened. It would seem that during the commotion someone comes in and kills all of them.
But how?!
Jeremiah was pale as white thinking how someone manages to do this in such brute force. "Jeremiah look!" Villeta called him once more pointing at the top of a bridge's railing and Jeremiah did so. Diethard was also now on the clearing and checked what they were looking at. And so did everyone else.
"What is that?"
Above the railings of the bridge, a figure clad in black wearing a red Hannya mask was standing proudly looking below at them. Diethard was grinning widely; this was what he was waiting for!
"Britannians! My name is Akuma!" He exclaimed, grabbing their attention. "You have torn our lands, strip our freedoms, and claim our names! I've witnessed atrocities committed on my people; famine, destruction, and death plague my homeland, and I'm sick of it!" And Akuma gained everyone's attention.
"Jeremiah we have a clear shot, shall we take it?" Kewell requested but Jeremiah prevented him. "Wait! We need to learn more about him"
Diethard was enjoying this. YES! YES! YES!. Lloyd and Cecile shivers to see the man that nearly killed them. Oh no...Marianne was holding her daughter close to her keeping her safe Is this your doing C.C?
Lelouch meanwhile remained stoic but his body says otherwise as he hand turns into a fist as he remembered that this person nearly killed him. Shirley saw her boyfriend tensed stance and whispered.
"Lulu…"
"That is why I murdered the third prince, Prince Clovis!" Akuma exclaimed making the audience below shrieked in shock, fear and/or anger. "To the Japanese that are being suppressed! Stand with me and the JLF. And together we will liberate Japan!" Akuma then said in Japanese so that the Japanese people can only understand him, and everyone rallied on his call.
"NIPPON BANZAI!"
"Open fire!" Jeremiah now commanded to his entire Squadron blinded with rage. And all Sutherlands, even the foot soldiers, fired at the masked man. However before the bullets reached him, he pulled a smoke bomb from where he stood and when it dissipated, he suddenly disappeared.
"FIND HIM!" Jeremiah growled as he drove his Sutherland, and once again he failed. For Diethard however, he found his man. The one I shall turn into a legend!
Later that night…
The Kozuki resistance group cheers in celebration for the success of Akuma's plan earlier tonight. And it was all thanks to Akuma's plan. While it was dangerous they did manage to pull it off; first they managed to sneak inside and blend in with the crowd thanks to Sayoko's intervention of silencing the guards. Next the bomb actually worked and that caused the distraction needed for Sayoko to kill the guards. And the rest was all on Akuma. They escape through the confusion and meet here in an abandoned warehouse while the Britannians still pursue them.
All in all it was a high risk high reward kind of plan…
"I actually think you won't be able to pull it off though" Tamaki said as he cheered with his buddy Ohgi with a bottle of Sake getting drunk right away.
"It was all thanks to Akuma that's why we pulled it off" Ohgi said as nearly everyone patted him on the back.
"Speaking of which, where is he?" Inoue asked.
At the back of the warehouse were Kallen and Akuma are seen talking with each other.
"To think that we won against Britannia three days ago, and now…"Kallen shakes her in disbelief as she struggles to comprehend if what she's feeling is real or not. "And now, we're part of the JLF"
Akuma chuckled lightly. "Actually you were already part of the JLF to begin with."
"Huh?"
"What I said earlier was a lie, your team was already part of the JLF ever since I reported it to my superiors three days ago" Akuma clarified.
"But then what about earlier when you-"She asked about what he said about doing this mission in order to be an actual part of the JLF.
"It was a test. To see if someone in your group can have faith in me and so to everyone else. Faith is an essential in any group, but faith blinded can lead to downfall." Akuma started. "And you already shown enough determination and trust in me before that I know we will get along, and so too with Ohgi. I believe that I can put my trust on you and so with your group" Akuma ended with a bow.
Kallen blush on the compliment and turn her head back to her comrades but she can call proudly as family. "Yes, I trust them with my life, they're not just my comrades anymore...there-, there my family." And that is why I must protect them at all cost! So I won't lose anyone dear to me. She smiles to herself thinking how she grew up to become what she is now: a rebel fighting against an Empire.
"And I trust you too-"but when she turned back to face the masked-man was nowhere to be seen, only the glittering stars and the moonlight that fell upon her was there.
Akuma…
She clutches her hand where her heart is and smiles onto the moon. Even if our enemies are an entire Empire, I know we can do it!
"Because we're fighting with a demon"
A/N: Well this is longer than I expected but at least I finished it. Anyways I hope this will make up for the past 6 months when I should have published something but otherwise couldn't. And I already explained what happened in the last chapter and what is the future of this Fanfic. So instead I will answer some of your queries-if you have one.
First off though I want to know your opinion on my writing style. I wanted it to remain close to the series such is why I'm using their dialogue much often, but at the same time I want it to have the twist and turns on the new events I envisioned (since this is an Alternate Universe after all) and don't worry I already have the plot ready and where this fanfic will go to, but it's fun and nice to hear your ideas.
Anyways Lelouch's Geass is revealed! And yeah many Authors already did this in the past and I won't explain further but tl;dr It's basically Suzaku's live command. Another, I hope Marianne and her family's backstory are also cleared somewhat, but worry not, in the following chapters I will fleshen out more about what happened after their supposed death to many characters involved.
Also someone mentioned this, about the Harem thing? Yeah I still don't know how I will approach it. I don't know if I will make this like a generic Harem fic where Lelouch would end up with every girl that likes him. HOWEVER, the pairing is already decided and sad to say Kallen will not be on that list (sorry).
It is tentative who will be on Lelouch's harem as of now and I would like to hear your thoughts on the matter.
So yeah that's about it expect the next chapter to be LONG and you'll have to wait once more, yeah sad.
Please read and review
F.C.C.S out