Disclaimer I don't own Code Geass
Chapter XII: Unlikely Alliance
The Family Day event was over and the students of Ashford Academy, though disappointed that the event was cut short by the princess' decree, still obliged. However, the members of the student council, and Suzaku Kururugi, stayed for the meeting of Lelouch's mother and Princess Cornelia. Suzaku stayed for two reasons: one is to get insight more about the report he received from Kallen saying that Lelouch was part of the royal family. And two, since he was considered as a 'hero' for today's circumstances involving Nunnally, he had to stay to get the trust of the council members that will most likely invite him to join in the near future.
After the meeting was over, he was a bit disappointed when the former didn't happen since the Princess only told them that the Lamperouges will be staying in the Viceroy Palace to investigate their real identity. So he wasn't able to gather any new information about the vice-president and his family's connection to the royal family.
But I think it will be announced soon…
Suzaku thought. He only has to wait for that to happen and then he can come up with a plan to use it to his advantage. Since he was living with Kallen under the guise of Suzaku Sakurai, he walked with her home and there they pondered more about the situation at hand. Right now, Suzaku and Kallen were in her room discussing the topic earlier today.
"I think the princess or Lelouch will eventually tell the results to us sooner rather than later. And even if it won't be made in public, I'm fairly certain that he will disclose his identity to us in the student council." Kallen deduced exactly what Suzaku was thinking.
"Even though the rumors won't spread outside the academy about Lelouch's real identity whether or not he is a prince, the students who knew about this certainly will. If he's indeed a prince then we can use him as a bargaining chip or take him as a hostage...but I doubt that it will be easy though…"She spitball some possibility about what they can do about Lelouch if he was a prince and she was right that it will be proven difficult since Suzaku assumed that if he was a prince of the realm he will be certainly be guarded and more or less returns back to Pendragon.
"Regardless if he's a prince or not, our main objective is the liberation of Japan. If he's a former then he will be just another obstacle, if not then we have no use of him." Suzaku informed her, making her nod in agreement. "We still need to infiltrate the nobility for that to happen, which is why it's vital for us to get more insight about Britannia."
Though Kallen already knows the main objective of the JLF she's still confused as to how they will make it happen. Case in point, the infiltration of the nobility part and that is why she asked him more about that.
"You still haven't told me exactly why we are infiltrating the nobility and what our objectives are there. Also, how did the JLF manage to know the apparent connection of the Ashfords to the Royal Family?" And he briefly remembers that Kallen and her group is now an official part of the JLF and he needed to tell the plan more thoroughly.
I guess it can't be helped then…
Suzaku replied. "Though Britannia is a hard opponent, every opponent has its weakness. And every empire has a backbone they rely on, which is the nobility. The nobility, though numbered less than the commoners in Britannia, hold much power and influence than them and are directly influenced by the royals."
"Even here in Japan, the nobles are in control to some degree. Crime rings, drug distribution, basically the criminal underworld is controlled by corrupt nobles running this country. And the Viceroy doesn't know about it." Suzaku grimly remembers of the drug these nobles were producing and then selling to Japanese people…
"Refrain…"Kallen finished also knowing the drug that specifically targets the Japanese.
"Exactly. If we infiltrate the nobility and dismantle it, it will create a domino effect that will disrupt the government and create a power vacuum. Additionally, without the nobles, they have no more power against us and we can unify the factions around the peninsula and create a massive rebellion." He finished and Kallen assumed that these careful planning took years to accomplish and planned out, which she was correct.
And I couldn't thank the Six Houses of Kyoto enough for coming up with this plan...
"As for the latter...miss Sayoko once served the Ashfords." Surprising Kallen.
"Wait...the kinouchi?"
"Yes she is. After she learns our objective she joins the JLF and pledges loyalty to us. She also gave some information at her time with the Ashfords and one of them was the connection of the Ashford to the royal family."
"No wonder she manages to find me in the academy so easily…"she muttered under her breath. Now satisfied with his answer, she gave her last question. "What should we do?"
Suzaku didn't think about that. So far everything went according to plan but with the arrival of Princess Cornelia and the investigation puts a dent to their plan putting it on hold. "For now whe should wait and see-" but Kallen interrupted him.
"No, I meant us. The Kozuki resistance is part of the JLF, remember? What is our next operation?" She asked and he was stunned at first when she said 'us' implying as if they were a couple of sorts that made him blush albeit lightly.
"We-well, as of now we have nothing in our hands and with Cornelia leading the military, we can't openly attack her either. But rest assured when the time comes, I'll…-I mean Akuma will surely contact you." Stuttering on his words it still manages to convince the red head.
"All right…"
Not wanting to prolong this awkward moment of the two alone in a room, Suzaku bids her good night. "Well then...I'll see you in school Kallen...good night" he said in Japanese and turned to the door to leave. But he was able to hear her reply.
"Good night as well Suzaku,,,"
Present time…
Now fully enrolled in the Academy, as he expected he was inducted to the student council since a: he saved one of their members and b: no other clubs in the academy would accept a Japanese member with them. But he also foreseen this kind of treatment from them and he shrugs off each one...except for today.
After the speech courtesy by the Emperor himself, Suzaku's blood boiled. He couldn't stand the ideology Britannia holds and believes in. Saying that the strong is the only one who would survive and the weak cast aside. And among those weak creatures are themselves; the oppressed, the conquered, the Japanese. The Brtiannians believe that they are destined to be great and expected as such, and if that was the empire Suzaku was fighting against?
Then I just have to be stronger to beat them!
He was thankful for the lessons he learned from his teacher Tohdoh about self-control and discipline because if he wasn't taught about it he otherwise causes a commotion inside the gym or something else that would release his anger. Another thing he was grateful for is the declaration of a half-day class. Meaning he doesn't need to sit idly by within the room listening more about Britannia's greatness. However, after going into his locker and finding his uniform vandalized...that was the last straw.
Holding the uniform with his hand it inscribed: 'Go back to the ghetto, you stinking Eleven!'. Livid, he manages to find the culprits who did it. The two students was the same age as he is, one was thin the other was obese. He speculated that these two were buddies and he can clearly see the red spray paint used on his clothes.
Walking towards them he glared daggers at the two. "Are you the ones who did this?" as he held up his vandalized clothes. The two looked at each other and laughed at him. "Yeah what about it?" "What are you gonna do? Go cry to the princess? HAHAHAHAHA" He can tolerate bullying since it was normal in every high school, but when bullying someone because of one's race and the fact that the bullies act superior since they have the prejudice to do so, was something he cannot tolerate.
Still, Suzaku wanted to be the better man and warned them. "I do not like being bullied, still...I do not wish any violence, I only ask for you to leave me alone." his voice tint with malice and disdain to the people who oppressed his countrymen. But the two students only laughed louder.
"As if we're going to let that happen!"
"Yeah, you're nothing but a stinking eleven. So shut the f**k up!" The tall one threw a wild punch at him and with quick reflexes and tons of training, Suzaku easily dodged it and used his momentum to grab hold of his arms and turn him to the wall and pinning him. The student hissed in pain from the hold and the other one stood stunned.
"Ahhh!"
"Just because you're Britannian doesn't give you any right to discriminate against others. You have no real strength, you're just a coward who preys on the weak since he has the power to do so. But against real men? Who has real power? You're nothing. So I will warn you one last time, leave me alone!" He said as he pressed his arm against the student much harder who now screeched in pain.
"AHHHH!" The other student wants to help his friend but Suzaku only needs to face him and upon seeing his face he cowers in fear. Suzaku even ponders whether or not to give a finishing blow to the man or beat him up so badly that he won't do it again but before he could do that someone interrupted them.
"What's going on here?" and the three looked behind them and saw the student council vice president. Lelouch scouts over the campus to see if there's any students left who should've left since the remainder of the day was dismissed. And he saw Suzaku confronting two students along the corridors and he feared that the two students might ganged up on him but it was the other way around.
He gave a knowing glance at the three and immediately Suzaku released the boy from his clutches. Lelouch didn't have any time to question the three since Suzaku answered: "It's nothing" before he walked past him, bumping his shoulders while doing so. Lelouch nearly stumbled backwards from the gesture before he eyed the Japanese boy for a second.
Suzaku Sakurai...what are you hiding?
Lelouch made a reminder to keep a close eye on him. The two students thanked Lelouch. "You save us vice prez." "Yeah thank you so much."
Lelouch shrugs it off though. "Don't worry about it. You should probably don't mess with him and the classes have already been suspended so you guys need to go home." The two students promised to Lelouch and obeyed his orders before he too went home.
"Now then to confront my mother…" Lelouch said as determined to know the truth. For Suzaku however, he has other ideas. Earlier today the Princess announced an imminent attack in Saitama Ghetto, and he deduced that it may be an invite by the Princess to lure him out.
The JLF as a whole would not participate with this battle since they are not involved in this, but not for him; Akuma as he said so himself was a rogue unit. He works much differently than the rest of his comrades. Also, he can use this to release his stress and to gauge how strong Cornelia really is. With that in mind he was prepared to accept her invitation until…
"So you're going to tell Akuma about this?" He heard Kallen who was standing under a tree apparently waiting for him to appear. Kallen also heard about the Princess' declaration and she was eager to know if the JLF will respond to this threat even though the faction who operates in Saitama is the Yamato Alliance and not them.
Suzaku halts from his track but does not face her. "I am."
"And you're not going to let us participate is that it?"Kallen questioned to which he replies:
"Like I said before, we just have to wait and see-" but he has no time to finish his sentence since Kallen told him.
"We're an alliance. Whatever's happening we also have the duty to be part of it. I'm confident that if we're also there then we can-" but this time around it was Suzaku's turn to cut her mid-sentence.
"We cannot risk any involvement of the JLF into this. It is better if Akuma alone is the one who participates." Kallen gritted her teeth. "Still…"
"You're not going to the battle, Kallen...and that's an order." Was his last words before he left her. I'm sorry Kallen, but in this battle….it is I versus the princess and no one else. Before he prepares for his match against the Goddess of Victory.
At the same time
Saitama Ghetto
Yesterday, Cornelia was disappointed with the results concerning the real identity of the Lamperouges and needed to relieve her disappointment, and what better way to do that other than decimating a terrorist faction? Such is why she returns to her goal of purging the terrorist here on Area Eleven. In a span of just a week, she already decimated five major terrorist factions and now eyeing for her sixth and that's the Yamato Alliance located north of Tokyo in the Kanto region.
And if everything goes according to plan then maybe we can lure out Akuma and the JLF as well
On the surface, one might think she's only targeting one faction every time she engages, however, in reality she's using this to provoke the JLF which is the largest terrorist faction in the entire peninsula. She could've started with the JLF if she wanted since Akuma is also part of the group but she has two reasons why she didn't.
First, the JLF is well-hiddened. Unlike the other terrorist factions like the Blood of the Samurai Faction and the Yamato Alliance, where they are located in one region or in a designated area, the JLF from the records of her younger brother is spread out throughout the peninsula. Therefore, she cannot pinpoint their exact location. If she exhausts her resources and her men to search the base of the JLF without careful planning, management, troop movements, then she will surely lose in the battle of attrition since the JLF has the home field advantage. So it's better to gather more intel and locate their exact location before they do anything rash.
Secondly, she wants to provoke Akuma and the JLF. To put it simply, the Britannian Military was disgusted with his proclamation during Clovis' funeral. They were livid at the man and everything he stands for and they took that as a declaration of war to redeemed themselves for their humiliation. Losing a soldier was one thing, but losing a royal? It was something the military cannot afford to happen and they want vengeance. They want his mask piked with their spears. His blood spilled. And with Cornelia at the helm, they were confident it would be done. And Cornelia took it personally when she learned that a terrorist yet again took another one of her family.
Now, as per her plan she will decimate the Yamato Alliance and the entire Saitama prefecture. Cornelia also bets that Akuma might show up during the battle or the JLF. She theorized that Akuma was a prideful one; a patriot. From his appearance he is everything the Elevens can look up to and rally upon, and she will use that against him.
Sitting on her throne inside the mobile G1 base, she and her troops just arrived at the scene. Blockading the entire ghetto with her troops so no one goes in and out, she prepares for battle. Her general, Darlton, addresses her the situation.
"The entire Saitama Ghetto is now completely surrounded. The Yamato Alliance's base is located within and more than half of the populace living in the vicinity are cooperating with them." Darlton informed her of the reports gathered by her men. Meanwhile, outside the entire prefecture is surrounded with footsoldiers and Knightmare frames. Roads and bridges leading to the ghetto are also blocked by troops, and other than the military, no one was allowed to enter or exit. The Britannians also brought in some air support for this operation; VTOLS, attack helicopters and even Jets can be seen roaming the skies. Overall, not a single inch of opening can be seen in the encirclement.
From the digital map, she perfectly sees her men have already placed in their designated positions. Numbering over at least five hundred combined forces of soldiers, tanks, and Knightmare frames, it was the largest force she mustered ever since she came even much larger in comparison to the force Clovis used in Shinjuku.
"How shall we proceed, your highness?" Darlton asked the princess after giving his reports.
"What will be the effect on the production rate?" Cornelia questions him since this large scale operation also includes a large mass culling to the people living the ghetto, meaning they will lose an ample amount of labor force. But I couldn't care less about these vermins who hide these terrorists instead of revealing them.
"The primary industry will face at least a 0.2% setback, your highness."
"Within expectations then? Good" she said liking the odds of only losing that amount of setback for this operation. She turns her attention to the other personnel within the room. "You were involved in the incident at the Shinjuku Ghetto, were you not?" she asked the three officers who from the reports she received were with Clovis during his raid at the ghetto weeks ago. Instead of punishing them, Cornelia uses them to her advantage.
"Yes your highness, and we are grateful for your-" the man tried to speak but Cornelia didn't want the pleasantries and wanted to know if the conditions she lay today was similar to Clovis'. "That isn't what I'm talking about. Are the conditions here similar to Shinjuku?" The men were confused for a moment, so she gave her reasoning.
"The conditions in Shinjuku where my brother Clovis lost and where Akuma won. If my speculation to that bastard is correct then he is a type of person who is prideful, a patriot. Akuma is a theatrical type of a criminal. In order to draw him out, I've created the same conditions as in Shinjuku on purpose."
"Furthermore, that is also the reason why I openly broadcast my attack two hours prior to provoke him." She said remembering she ordered every media outlet to broadcast her imminent attack. If Akuma bites the bait, then I'll make sure he'll be disposed of once and for all!
"If he's overconfident then surely he will come and kill me." She continued and she didn't worry if that happens. Cornelia is confident that she can duel with Akuma on her own after all. But it would seem that her men weren't as confident as she is.
"Viceroy! If that's the case, then your life is in danger!"
Though she appreciates their concern it was illogical for them for thinking such a thing. "In battle one must risk their own life to take another's. Especially that of the commander." Silencing them, and with that they wait for the operation to start. She used this opportunity to talk to her knight, Guilford.
"How's Euphie?" wondering about her sister who took a toll yesterday. Guilford first bowed before replying, "She's doing fine, your highness. Right now, she's doing her duty as we speak. Though she did request for you to contact her immediately once the battle has ended." and that made her nod.
"I see…" after what happened yesterday, she feared that Euphie would be depressed once she heard the results and though she was correct that she was dismayed, Euphie didn't let it affect her too much, making Cornelia proud for her sister. Still...I'll make it up to her somehow…
Guilford was his turn to ask a question. "Your highness, about the boy…" he said referring to the schoolboy she offered to be part of the military and as the official devicer of the Lancelot. She did it regardless of the results since for one, Lloyd pressed her that there is no other suitable candidate to pilot his beloved Lancelot and two Since I'm fairly certain that something is amiss…
She wasn't entirely convinced with the results so she wants to keep a close eye on him. And maybe, I will uncover something and Cornelia hopes that she is. "I already gave him my contact number if he ever decides on what he will do." She said, remembering that the boy required some time to think, which she allowed.
And I hope he'll choose the correct one…
At the same time…
Members of the Yamato Alliance were in complete disarray. Completely surrounded and outnumbered, they were fearing for their lives. The leader of this faction, Izumi was also shaking in fear, knowing that their death was waiting right outside of their doorstep.
'We can't use the outer ring'
'What about the Saikyo line?'
'It's blocked by armored vehicles, and we can't use the farm roads either'
'What about our backup from Akabane or Jujo?'
'One person might get here, but an entire army would be impossible'
It's hopeless. We can't possibly win here or survive! The man wearing eyeglasses thought grimly already facing the facts. However, as all seems to be lost a savior arrives.
"Fear not my fellow comrades, for we shall claim victory on this day!" They heard someone shouted in Japanese getting their attention and from the shadows emerged their hero, Akuma. Akuma dressed in his usual attire shows in front of the rebels who were shocked to see him.
'Akuma?'
'He comes here to save us!'
Suzaku can only smirk in admiration before he walks up to the leader. "Akuma what are you doing here? Are you telling me that the JLF wants to help us?" Izumi asked the masked man.
"I'm afraid not. The JLF does not want to participate in this battle, but if you manage to prove your worth with me in battle, then a possible alliance might occur." Akuma informed them, which was part of his plan. After the recent forthcomings due to Cornelia decimating every faction all over the peninsula, the number of rebels dwindled and their master plan of uniting everyone might not happen because of it. So, he wants to unite them now. But he will only allied himself to those who prove capable of fighting against Britannia.
The members of the Yamato Alliance were a bit skeptical on this. "Well...the idea of allying to JLF is too big not to accept but…" Izumi argued. "But we're up against Cornelia here...they said that she's undefeated." Which only lessens the morale of the rebels. And the mood of everyone around Akuma turned dreary. But a single person speaks up to raise their morale.
'But we have Akuma with us!'
'Yeah, he killed Prince Clovis didn't he? Then it's possible for him to beat Cornelia too!'
Soon, everyone joined in and they were now much confident and ready to face the Britannians. Behind his mask, Suzaku grins. With this, we are one step closer to our goals. Members of the Yamato Alliance prepare themselves for battle. As said by Cornelia, she prepares this battle as if it was like that of Shinjuku Ghetto. Even the movements of troops and distribution of Knightmares were the same. Suzaku, just like before, steals Sutherland Knightmare frames from the train to distribute to his allies. He, of course, takes his own Knightmare frame through force.
But it's suspicious for the princess to do this…
Akuma mused wondering if the Princess has something up on her sleeves. He wasn't that much of a strategist like Tohdoh nor could he actually learn a thing or two about tactics and logistics. Such is why he can never beat anyone in a game of shoji-even though he played it since he was seven. The only thing he can rely on was his brute strength and his knightmare capabilities. And just like in Shinjuku, this strength was the only thing he could rely on. That and his momentary allies.
Seemingly in unison both commanders proclaimed the start of the battle.
"Commence the operation!"
"Nippon Banzai!"
Outside, the Britannian troops started firing at the unarmed Japanese civilians throughout the streets, alleys, buildings and their homes. Like Clovis, men, women, the elderly, and the children weren't spared from the slaughter the Britannians brought upon them.
"Damn it!" A single Japanese voiced out as he saw an innocent being gunned down mercilessly by the Britannians. "Why?! Why are you doing this?! There are children and elderly here! We've done nothing!" he said, pleading for the Britannians to spare the young and old, but he was met with gunfire and the commander explained it to the rest.
"That's exactly why! Instead of reporting the terrorist lurking here in this ghetto, you hid them and protected them!" And among the crowds the guilty flinched. Meanwhile, those who are completely innocent can't talk their way out of this and faced their demise. "That's treason to the Empire!" Before he ordered his men to kill off the remaining civilians. The screams of the Japanese died down as they took their last breath.
Once the commander finished off the civilians, every platoon leader report to General Darlton that the culling was complete. "It appears the civilians have been taken care of" reported Darlton once receiving numerous accounts of his men finishing the initial phase of the operation.
Cornelia nodded on this. "Good, it's about time. Shall we begin?" she asked her men and everyone answered in unison:
'Yes, your highness!'
"To all troops: we will now begin the operation to destroy the Saitama Ghetto!" and the soldiers ran towards with their weapons, vehicles, and their Knightmare frames. "All troops line up in formation one!" he ordered their placement for this battle which Cornelia herself drew up. Wave after wave of Britannian troops stormed the ghetto numbering over a hundred men. It was clear the Japanese troops were outnumbered 3 to 1.
However, not all troops were deployed. Like a seasoned veteran, Cornelia has her personal guards and the reserved forces waiting at the rear to protect from an attack from behind which should be impossible. Among the rear guards is the purist faction. After the stunt Akuma pulled a week ago, the purists lost its credibility and diminished in its ranking.
"I can't believe we're stuck in the rear" muttered Kewell, disappointed in his tone. Villeta heard her comrade and chided him.
"We should be glad that we're still able to participate at all." Remembering that the Viceroy ordered the purist faction to stay at the rear before the battle commenced, and only to be deployed if they were ordered to.
"Still-" Kewell tried to retort but Jeremiah cut him off.
"We should respect her highness decisions Kewell...even though we do not like it"the last part he said under his breath completely inaudible to the others.
Thirty minutes into the battle…
The operation was reaching a third of the completion and no signs of insurgents were seen by the Britannian troops who were reaching total encirclement. Inside the G1 base, reports flooded from the frontlines indicating the live situation.
'B12, suppression complete'
'F7 no sign of the enemy'
'D24, sector clear as well'
'Gordon squadron rendezvous to position 516'
It's going pretty well...are you a no show Akuma? Or are you waiting for something?
Cornelia thought to herself as she watched the operation unfold. Over the years since she graduated from the academy, she learned to be wary and not to relax during a battle since in any moment a disaster might occur.
And occurred it did.
The aforementioned Gordon squadron who was roaming in the farthest part of the ghetto followed with the command and moved to the designated point. "Yes my lord! Moving into point 516!" The commander answered the command and his squadron upon nearing the said position was disappointed as once again no sign of resistance or terrorist were seen.
"No action? Is Akuma a coward or what?" the commander boasted smirking as it would seem to be an easy victory for the Britannians and his men laughed at his joke. "He's just another terrorist" he concluded and for him and so too everyone else can be easily dealt with. But they were mistaken as a barrage of RPGs were launched from the sides decimating the squadron.
The rebels were astonished by this. "They came! They actually came like Akuma said they will!" which was Akuma tactic of using the enemy Sutherland to know their movements and thus can prepare an ambush. Right, I have to remember that this is Cornelia I'm facing here. If I can just lure her out then maybe I can strike her unnoticed. But to do that...I need to create an opening...Suzaku silently wishes to have Tohdoh nearby to advise him for a moment even Sayoko, but because of his bad mood earlier today he reluctantly rejected all help whatsoever.
"All I can do is trust my instincts…"muttered Akuma before reaching the radio and hailed his allies. "All troops advance!" he ordered and the members of the Yamato Alliance were either confused or skeptical with the orders.
'Wait did he order us to blindly attack them?'
'Is he serious?!'
'Izumi what should we do?'
As they bicker upon themselves the Britannians are gaining ground by the minute. This is bad, if we let them get close to us we'll be completely surrounded with nowhere to go! All we can do is to create an opening for us to escape!' pondering on the idea, the leader of the Yamato Alliance unwillingly agreed.
"We have no choice-...everyone attack!" Izumi orders his men before piloting his Sutherland into the fray. The rebels looked with each other before deciding that they would rather die a free man than to be enslaved by the Britannians. Cheering, the outnumbered Japanese moves forward with Akuma leading at the helm. The now determined Japanese rushed forward to the advancing Britannians catching them off guard as they saw at least under a hundred unidentified Sutherlands move in with guns blazing, even a few Elevens that were on the ground only carrying RPGs also ran forwards at them firing at will.
"Sh*t! Enemy contact-" a commander wanted to report but he was unable to do so, as Akuma fired at him completely decimating the Knightmare. His comrades suffered the same as the Japanese forces blindly fired at them.
'We lost contact with the Faubley squad!'
'Sir Gillian and Lady Ashley ejected'
'Enemy contact in point 17, wait- no make it point 14!'
Back at the G1, they were in a state of panic as they saw a few LOST units displayed one after the other, and it was escalating much quickly. From where she sat, Cornelia assessed the situation. The map indicates a group of her men being decimated but what interests her is that it was in one location instead of multiple areas, since if she was the enemy commander she will most likely set up an ambush in various areas to either create an opening or shred the enemy's number. Another is that she deduced that the enemy forces were advancing at a rapid rate seeing that line after line of the Sutherlands were getting decimated. Cornelia after just a second of watching already knew what she had to do and what kind of commander she was dealing with.
"How barbaric. Darlton ordered all of our troops to form in a crescent moon. Retreat all squadrons in Point F to Point C!" and point f to point c was the path Akuma was using and Dalton nodded and relay the command. However, the men who were with Clovis had other ideas.
"Your highness! We can surely win against these mere Eleven, we don't have to retreat!" Cornelia mentally face-palmed at the man's retort. How the heck did he even graduate with such narrow-minded thinking?! But Cornelia was much busy preparing for the final phase of her plans.
"We're not retreating, we're luring them into a trap." The three were first confused as to what she said but Cornelia has a grin plastered on her face. This is child's play, with this I call victory.
Outside the Britannian forces obeyed the new formation commanded by Cornelia. The Sutherlands formed in an arch while the forces located in point F to C retreated as they were being chased by the onslaughting unidentified Sutherlands, which they assumere were terrorists. Because of this Akuma grows weary.
Something isn't right here…
The Britannians are retreating and what's worse is that no opponents nor flanking maneuvers were being made. "What are you up to Cornelia?" as he scans his surroundings; he was also contemplating if he wanted to turn on his IFF as well to locate the enemy position-since he turned it off when they charged at the Britannians to seem like they were a ghost. Gritting his teeth he was forced to turn it back on. Once he did, his eyes went wide.
"Retre-"
But it was too late, the Sutherlands suddenly came in all directions. Left, right, and behind they were completely surrounded with nowhere to go. For Cornelia she was both pleased and disappointed. Pleased since she successfully pull off a simple tactic that an even incompetent commander could have been seen it coming. Disappointed since she was expecting that the terrorist, regardless if they were being led by Akuma or not, would put up more of a fight.
They are nothing more than ingrates.
She frowned at the disgust. Cornelia ordered her forces to have a retreating pincer maneuver where the center would pull back while the flanking forces would envelope the opponent that was being lured by the center. This kind of tactic normally wouldn't work in smaller numbers since they can easily spread out and turn tails. However, the enemy commander seems to have no knowledge of even the simplest of tactics and relies on guerrilla warfare which Cornelia has no problem dealing with.
Back to Akuma, the Sutherlands that were manned by the Japanese were gunned down. One by one they were met with a barrage of bullets from the Britannians killing them instantly. While some of them actually pleaded to surrender.
'Please we surrender!'
'Just let us live!'
'We'll tell you everything we know!'
The Japanese from the start of the battle already knew it was a lost cause, and even though they were being led by Akuma himself, they doubted that even he could turn the tides. So, they accepted the facts and forfeited their lives. Shaking, the men lowered their weapons or exited from their cockpits. However, the Britannians showed no mercy as they were all gunned down to the ground.
Those who didn't surrender met a much gruesome fate. Standing proud they faced the incoming Britannians with determination. But it was all for naught as they didn't have time to eject from their Knightmares from being peppered with bullets and rockets.
Akuma cursed. "Damn it! Damn you Cornelia!" He was the only one who manages to escape the envelopment thanks to his skills in Knightmare piloting but he has to watch as practically all of the Yamato Alliance that was numbering with mere 50 were either killed one by one. For the first time, Akuma was shaking in fear.
"So this is what real battle looks like? The fear of your own life...and the fear from the enemy commander...Cornelia...she isn't like Clovis one bit...she's cunning but most of all she's merciless…"Akuma regretted not calling for an aid and instead goes on alone.
"Wait...there's an unidentified Knightmare here!" he heard a Britannian shouted as a whole squadron located his hiding place. Cursing once more he maneuvers out of the way from the barrage of bullets sent to him and retreated whilst firing back. Some hit their marks but most of them were misses. And this looks like ordinary Knightmare pilots either he pondered as he only manages to get two out of ten Sutherlands.
Sitting atop of her throne Cornelia called out her knight. "Guilford time for the final phase" and Guilford nodded understanding what she meant. "Certainly your highness" before he retreated from the room and into the field outside.
Back to Akuma, he once again manages to escape. He was panting from exhaustion and some bruises and wounds he received as he was trying to escape from the squad of Sutherlands. "If only I have a real army...one who can stand up against Britannia and can fight!" he cursed his upbringing and ignorance and it was unbecoming of him as a warrior and as a leader. But what makes it worse is that he couldn't save anyone…
In Shinjuku at least he was able to save the populace from their demise. But here? Everyone was dead including the rebels who were just fighting for their freedom. No one was spared. He looked like a fool for falling for such an obvious trap, and he couldn't take it anymore.
"Can you hear me Akuma!" he heard Cornelia rang throughout the Ghetto and in his cockpit. He glared back at the direction of the princess. "Cornelia!"
Cornelia smirked. "Whether or not you are here fighting with the Yamato Alliance, I declare myself as the victor. The operation has been a complete success and the eradication of the insurgents and its conspirators is complete." She started as piles of lifeless bodies of Elevens can be seen throughout the Ghetto stinking the prefecture.
"If you are truly an honorable warrior like you said you are, then I ask for you to come out! Or else this family would be killed." And from his cockpit Suzaku flinched as two parents and a young boy were being held at gunpoint and was being recorded for him to see. "I do not like waiting, if you show yourself within the count of three then we will spare them...if not however…" she didn't need to finish the sentence to know what she's up to.
'One!'
What can I do? What can I do!
Akuma was pondering whether he can go straight at Cornelia despite the distance between them. If I go full throttle and avoid every Sutherlands standing in my way there's a chance. But there's her Royal guard!
'Two!'
I need to make a decision and fast! Damn it all! He watched the family on his screen as the boy cried himself while the parents comforted him. Though it was undistinguishable he managed to deduce what the father was saying in Japanese.
"Don't worry, eveyrthings going to be fine...It's alright...I'm here...I won't leave you" and he suddenly remembered his own father saying something along the lines and he made his decision.
"Three!"
No!
He was about to charge Cornelia until his cockpit was abruptly opened and Sayoko appeared. "Sayoko?!"
"Master Akuma it's too dangerous we have to leave!" she said as she pulled Suzaku out of the cockpit who was reluctant to go.
"No! We have to save them! I have to save them!" but Sayoko didn't listen and instead retorted.
"Master if you die here, then we can't save the others being oppressed like them. All we can do is to make sure their death wasn't in vain." She said as she led both of them out of the Ghetto and into the underground tunnels below to escape. To Akuma however, he vowed on this day.
I swear...by my father's blood, and the blood that has already been spilled...I will defeat Britannia!
To Cornelia she finally gave the order and the family was shot to the back by Britannian soldiers. After that they discard them to the sides. Though it was considered dishonorable and was against the rules in the Geneva convention on killing civilians, she didn't give it a damn about those trivial things. It was a means to an end after all. She is willing to sacrifice a civilian including Britannians if it meant victory.
Besides the father was a traitor for telling us the location of the Yamato Alliance
Though it was ironic to think that a traitor causes the demise of the Elevens she didn't care. The operation finally concluded and the casualties were as expected in bare minimum. However…
"What do you mean that there's some peculiarities?" She asked Darlton. Darlton cleared his throat and answered.
"From the survivors, they said that there was a single Sutherland who was excellent in combat and managed to destroy a whole squadron on its own."
"We can speculate that it was Akuma then. It was also the same in the reports from Shinjuku after all" Guilford concluded and the three agreed on that.
"Akuma is barbarian. He only thinks with his fist and has no real knowledge in battle. Still he is dangerous to be kept alive." And what's worse...if there's someone in the JLF that can lead it better than I do, then...she was dreading for that prospect and wished it wouldn't happen.
"If he's really that great in Knightmare, then we need to have someone who can match him in the near future…" Darlton suggested and Guilford agreed.
"I'm confident with her highness skills and I but Dalton is right...we need someone to best him in combat." And that made Cornelia grin.
"If the schoolboy decides correctly then we will have our own ace on our sleeves." she said, referring to Lelouch Lamperouge.
Now then Lelouch...what will you do?
Lamperouge Household
I will find out the truth!
It was nearing dusk, and the Lamperouge siblings were back to their household and it was the first time since Lelouch returned. Though on the surface they look normal but after what happened weeks ago, they undergo a rollercoaster of emotions. They were having an existential crisis despite the fact that their real identities are confirmed and they are not the royal family. Everything wasn't back to the way it was. And even if they keep up with these lies, they know it won't last.
"So, Milly and Shirley invited me and the rest of the student council to go to Lake Kawaguchi this weekend. Milly said that we could use a breather after what happened and I'm planning on going" Nunnally told their mother the meeting they had earlier this day before they went home because of the suspension of classes.
"I see, well are you going too Lelouch?" however, instead of answering his mother Lelouch's mind wanders off. First off, he can't stand these play pretend that they were having; after the results he had to endure the migraine he was having and the memories or blur images playing on his mind.
Remember who you are
Remember who you are!
Charles zi Britannia commands you…
False memories of a false life…
I can't keep my bearings if what I see is true…
But he kept his composure and pretended that it wasn't real, but for the last few days and with the Princesses' involvement, he had to find out the truth. Another was Viceroy Cornelia's proposal to him. The prospect of him joining the military never crossed his mind until she offered him. His reason is that one he's physically incapable to undergo training, next he isn't a patriotic person who will offer his life for idealistic ideals, though he wished his life to not be bland, he'd rather do that in a way that won't compromise his own survival. And most importantly, he knew he wouldn't survive military training.
But if I did accept the Viceroy's proposal…
He speculated every possibility and the pros and cons on what he will get if he did accept her. Lastly, he wants to know the truth. Regardless of the results they got from the test yesterday, there's only one way to find out if they were the royals or not.
And that's to ask my own mother.
So, instead of answering her question, he answered with his. "Why don't you tell us the truth, mother?…"Lelouch questioned her, getting her off-guard. Marianne thought that she escaped this topic and that their normal life would resume. She instead played dumbed and pretended that she didn't understand what her own son was saying.
"What do you mean Lelouch? What truth are you ram-"
"Don't lie to me!" Lelouch roared standing from his chair. "You know perfectly well what I'm referring to. What is our real identity?! Are you hiding something from us?! Are we the royals that were supposed to be dead seven years ago?!" It was the first time Lelouch upburst and he was drowned in his emotions that he let it out.
Marianne tried to stir the conversation but to no avail. "Why don't you calm down Lelouch? And we-" but Lelouch won't give her an opening and pressed on. "No I won't! You know the truth don't you? And we deserved to know what it is! Right Nunnally?!" he now turned to Nunnally who just watched them on the sideline eating her food.
'I-I uhh…" truth be told she also wonders what was the truth from her mother, and whenever she sees princess Euphie there was this feeling that she can't explain but it seemed that she knew her somewhere before...
After gathering her thoughts Nunnally spoke up. "I-I also wanted to know the truth as well...mom" she said, averting their gaze ashamed of questioning her own mother.
"See?!" Lelouch roared but Nunnally turned to her brother and said. "But! I also don't want to turn away from our normal life either! I don't want to leave my friends at school, Nina, Rivalz, Milly and Shirley! I'm perfectly content with everything I have as long I'm with you brother" before she turns to Marianne. "And you too Mom. As long as I have you, I don't need anything else…"
It touched Marianne's heart and took Lelouch aback. "Oh Nunnally…" Marianne was guilty that she had to hide them the truth, and there wasn't a single day that she wanted them to know their real identity. But it's for the greater good...the life of royals would only lead to suffering...and all I had to do is turn the lie into the truth...she mused remembering the witch's word to her as an advice. Speaking of the witch, she's most likely either in her own room eating pizza or would be in Lelouch's room waiting for his arrival.
The aforementioned boy couldn't believe what his sister was saying. Gritting his teeth and knowing he won't get any answers from his mother he stormed off leaving his unfinished supper and his family behind and went to his room. Once he was at his door, he grabbed the knob and it was unlocked…
Huh?
He never left his room unlocked and wondered who entered here while he was away. Maybe it's nothing he was thinking that either his mother or Nunnally entered here and forgot to lock it. He turned the knob and let himself in. Once he did however he was in for a surprise.
Lelouch was surprised when he entered. One, because his entire room was littered with pizza boxes and pizza leftovers trashed his well cleaned room. Two, there was a person munching the said pizza on his bed casually lounging into it as if it was theirs. Three, the said person was the girl he thought was dead weeks ago from Shinjuku Ghetto but looking at her now she was completely alive and unscathed. Lastly, the girl was laying on his bed body down with nothing on her top and was only wearing her green panties.
"You know it's rude to stare at a woman who's naked." C.C said as she kept munching on her pizza and reading a fashion magazine she stole from Marianne. Lelouch was shocked that he stood still for a solid minute and wasn't able to think properly. "Huh? Did I charmed you so much that you're frozen boya?" C.C smirked as she stood to face her accomplice. Lelouch did see the breast of the girl and a weird looking scar on her left, but quickly averted his gaze to somewhere else.
"I-I wasn't…"Lelouch stuttered blushing from the awkwardness. C.C grinned mischievously. "Really? Is that so?" before she walked up to him and grabbed his face and made him face her. Their faces were only centimeters apart and her bright yellow eyes stared at his violet ones. Examining him a bit further she finally lets himself go and turned back and grabbed a piece of clothing to cover her top.
"I suppose you want to know who I am, why I'm here, and how I got here? Isn't it?" C.C asked now fully clothed except for her lower parts smiling at the still stunned boy. It took a couple of minutes for Lelouch to get his bearings and recompose but he manages to answer her.
"Yes…" was his only reply.
C.C grinned delightfully. This should be fun before she returns back to her monotone self. "For the first my name is C.C and if you're wondering if I'm the girl back at Shinjuku Ghetto then yes I am. As to why I'm here, I'm your mother's former contractor, and now I'm yours. If you have further questions you can tell me about it later. As to how I got here...well it's perfectly easy for someone like you to know your whereabouts especially considering I know your mother for a long time. Honestly she's dumb to even use her real surname sighs…"
"Don't worry I'm your accomplice and trusted ally. I won't do anything to hurt you, I'll need you to be alive in order for you to grant my wish" she added.
Lelouch has so many questions on his mind, but what caught his interest was the last part. "What do you mean, real surname?" Does that mean this girl knows the truth? As if she was reading his exact thoughts C.C. answered.
"You aren't exactly who you think you are, Lelouch Lamperouge" she said with a smirk. But that was the only thing she would say to him about his real identity. It was part of a condition she had to accept in order for her to stay in this house and not be fetched by the order to get her back to Pendragon. Mariane made her promise that she won't tell Lelouch and Nunnally about their real identity as long as she lets her stay and orders pizza from her savings. And I'm going to increase the pizza because of this hehe.
"And I'm to think that you won't tell me anything else is that it?" Seeing her nod was her answer he replied with 'I see.' It looks like C.C knows who we are but will probably won't tell me...and I don't have the means to force her to say it either...which means…
Deciding it was for the best that he would ponder this later on, he asked other important questions. "How are you alive? Are you an immortal or something?"
"Indeed I am"
"And what is this contract you speak of? I don't remember signing anything"
"You did back in Shinjuku, in exchange for your power that you now possess you will grant my wish."
"Power?" Lelouch wondered and suddenly, C.C threw a kitchen knife at him instantly aiming at his forehead. Time seemed to slow down as the knife closed its distance, Lelouch knew if he didn't dodge it he would be dead. His right eye burned and the blue geass sigil flared, activating his power. His reflexes heightened and he was able to dodge the knife who slammed at the door.
What just happened?!
"Just as I thought...an irregular one." C.C frowned since irregular geass took time to mature and don't activate on the user's will. Panting, Lelouch glares back to C.C. "What was that?!"
"That is the power of the kings called Geass...and it seems to me that your Geass can't be activated at will but only when your life is in danger…" she deduced. Recomposing himself, he sits down on his nearby study and breathes normally.
I have tons of questions that need to be answered but right now...if what she says is true that we're aren't who we really think we are then there's only one person who might know the real us…
"The royal family…" and that made C.C tilt her head to side and comment 'huh?' but Lelouch ignored her for now and fished his phone and the number who he was about to call. Dialing the number he waited for someone to answer. A couple of seconds later a voice chimes in.
"Hello?" and that was Viceroy Cornelia li Britannia herself.
"This is Lelouch Lamperouge speaking...I accept your proposal your highness"
A/N: Well that happened. Again sorry for the long wait but I decided to publish this on this very important day, if you know what I mean. Instead of explaining what will happen to the next chapter I will address some key notes first.
THERE WILL BE NO MILITARY TRAINING ARC!
And yes I did read some stories where Lelouch goes to the military and did some training and graduated as a soldier but this is my reason why I won't do that.
1) I do not wish to prolong this story, and I already finished the timeline of events of what is to happen. If I decided to put a military training arc for Lelouch it would prolong the story regardless even if I pull a deus ex machina and make him train within a couple of months, I won't do that. Besides, I want to stay in touch with the series where it only took two years to happen (2017 and 2018 a.t.b).
2) Another, is that even though I do read stories where he trains as a soldier I don't have any experience nor ideas on what's happening during training. I want to have real time knowledge whenever I add something into the story. Also it is already considered as a trope in Anime where the protagonist or any character can do something well with or without training and the same applies here.
3) Lastly, let's be honest here...do you really think he will survive or even last on the first day of training? Of course not!
Well that's about it. I won't prolong this one and if you have any questions feel free to say so in the review sections or PM me. Please read and review.
And of course...
Happy birthday Lelouch!
F.C.C.S out