"Due to unforseen circumstances we shall be taking possession of the newest prototype KLF. If you have any issues you may take it up with the court" read the fury laced voice of Lieutenant Silver.
Standing in the hangar he was only gone for three hours time in which his Oracle was stolen by some nobles. "What shall we do sir?" Asked Kristen.
"...we can't do anything, after I spent four years of service saving my money for a custom made KLF" crushing the paper in his hands Silver turned around and made his way out of the hangar.
"Should we take this up with princess Cornelia?" Asked Kristen hoping to offer a solution of sorts.
"No, the ones responsible have ties within the mainland. All I can do now is wait and hope I can have my machine returned in one piece" stopping he looked dead ahead.
Following his eyes Kristen frowned.
The Oracle was being carried out by the main gate. A large woman stood next to it with a rather bored expression. Looking towards Silver she smiled at them.
A scowl formed on his face as his hands clenched into fists. The truck finally passed the gate as the woman left their sights.
"...Rook will have to wait, these bastards need a hard lesson in what it means to steal ones property" storming off to his office Silver was clearly not thinking straight.
"Sir, wait for me!" Called out Kristen as she followed behind him.
VVVvvvVVV
Smoking a cigarette Chris sat on the stairs of the old factory. The minions were working hard to try and salvage what they could however no progress was being made.
"Chris, you have guests" said Marcia all the way from the second floor. "Thanks" making his way to the entrance his eyes were downcast. At the front gate a familiar figure appeared before him.
"Sheila!" He nearly screamed the dark skinned woman with blue hair grinned at him. She had an eye patch and wore a strange metal armor all over her body. Her blue hair had grown past her shoulders.
"Hey kid" she greeted in a neutral tone.
"I thought you died..." He whispered softly as his hand reached for his sword.
"I died twice, when you killed your father and not so long ago" holding out her right arm Chris looked at her closed fingers. They were not armored but rather mechanical fingers.
"Would you find this useful?" Her other hand stretched as she revealed a bright diamond. It's color was a deep shade of gold, a few cracks could be seen but otherwise the crystal was fine.
"This is father's summoning Crystal?" He asked confused.
"Yuhellia is dead, wether you'll want me deadbor not I don't care about any of that" releasing his sword Chris took the diamond. It weighted nothing but the power within was incredible.
"So this is how he formed such a massive army...how did he create this diamond?" He asked Sheila hoping she knew something.
With a smile she seemed hesitant. "Well?" He pressed on wanting answers.
"I know how to create the summoning Crystals. However if I tell I doubt you won't keep me around kid " she informed proving that she had plenty of uses.
"...as long as you follow my orders I won't kick you out Sheila" said Chris as he stepped inside the factory.
"Yes you're highness"
Stopping he turned towards her with a frown.
Stepping inside she walked past him in silence.
VVVvvvVVV
Days passed and finally a manufacturing machine was built. From the scraps they could salvage they somehow recreated one entire machine. Problem was where to hide said machine.
"I'll search around town and find somewhere to hide this machine, I'll let you know if I've found anything" said Patricia as she ran out with several of the minions to search for a hiding place.
Marcia was busy training the others and that left Chris with the tall woman who stood on the doorway.
Taking the new summoning stone he wondered what kind of army could be raise out of this. "What are the limits of this stone?" Asked Chris as he hesitantly glanced at it.
"It absorbs most of the strain allowing you to summon with more ease, even in it's damaged state it's power is incredible. Your father could even summon vehicles numbering hundreds, create well armed and trained soldiers, you should know how his army nearly won the war" she said with a proud smile.
"..and what about the mythical creatures?" Asked Chris.
"I don't know why the hell you would want a mythical creature" she shrugged.
"Very well then, I must rearm my troops"
VVVvvvVVV
Sitting inside his command base Chris was moving around waiting for anyone to appear. After his latest defeat he realized how no one wanted to throw their lives away with the losing team.
However one man still had uses for him. "Sir we are arriving at the destination"
The doors opened and Sheila stepped inside the command room. "All our forces are armed and ready just give the word kid"
"Standby until Zero decides what he wants from us" starring ahead he could see lake kawaguchi. It was ironic how a couple of days ago the same man who rejected his offer just turned towards terrorism.
"Kusakabe, I haven't forgotten how quickly he threw away from offer" whispered Chris with a hint of anger.
"So you'll kill him?" Asked Sheila.
"If it comes to it then yes"
VVVvvvVVV
Hours passed as his group waited finally Zero made contact with them. *"Rook are you still in position?"* He asked over the phone.
"My naval troops are waiting, give the word and we'll cross the lake in a heartbeat" replied the boy as he stood next to a massive water snake.
*"I don't want the hostages harmed, but maybe kusakabe will allow you near him, try getting close to him and if possible capture him"* ordered zero.
Smiling Chris would've preferred a quick kill but capture worked either way.
"Works for me, you two follow me" walking outside the command base Sheila got in his way. "You'll be risking your life if you do this"
"If I can get back at one of my enemies I won't mind" climbing on the back of a water snake he moved down the slope. "Stay here and guard the base, I'll go after him" ordered Sheila as she got on a snake.
Entering the water no one noticed two splashes on the far side. The water the snakes dived beneath the lake and moved at speeds comparable to a speed boat.
They could see a few Britannian ships on the far side but that wasn't their objective.
Reaching one of the downed bridges Chris patted his chest making sure he had a weapon on himself.
As they arrived at the underground entrance tunnel Rook climbed first. Unfortunately as he reached the entrance the camera crew caught a glimpse of his clothes.
"Hey kid we've been spotted" announced Sheila as she climbed the ladder.
Looking at the news helicopter Chris stared at the camera. "...hurry up we need to get past these tunnels" making his way inside he was concerned about what Kusakabe's reaction would be.
VVVvvvVVV
*"Two strangers were spotted entering from the east, are they allies of the JLF? More on this development later"*
Pressing Mute Zero spun on his chair. Awaiting from within his new mobile base he needed everything to be set up for the rise of his dramatic entrance.
"What will happen to the hostages now?" Asked Kallen severely concerned over her fellow members of the student council.
"They will have no reason to keep the hostages alive" it was the cold hard truth.
Kallen gazed at the floor in lament.
Just then Ohgi stepp d inside carrying a box. "Say Zero what should we do with these, they look nice but we're a resistance group so-"
"No!" Exclaimed Zero as he rose to his feet. Hand outstretched as he stared at Ohgi. "You're not a resistance group, you are knights of justice!"
His fingers twisted inches away from becoming clenched.
VVVvvvVVV
Ice and blood were the sight that filled the entrance. Standing in the middle of the lobby Chris was between the soldiers Sheila was on the other side staring down a group of JLF soldiers.
Rolling to the side Chris took out a gun from his pocket and fired upon the soldiers. They scurried for cover but two of them dropped dead.
Lead bounced off a strong metal, as he looked back he could see Sheila finishing her fight by crushing the soldiers windpipe.
Taking out his radio Chris decided to call for backup. "This is Rook, all forces advance, I repeat all forces advance"
He waited for a reply but the radio was dead silent. Frowning he wondered what had happened.
A soldier poked out of cover and fired upon him. Keeping his head down Chris could do nothing but wonder what was going on.
As the shots stopped Chris ran towards the other side of the lobby. "Sheila cover for me"
"Sure kid"
Angered Chris ascended to the second floor. Making sure to reload as he climbed up. Seeing as there was plenty of guards he made sure to enter a room as quietly as possible.
From his pocket he took out the summoning stones. It would be hell within the hotel by nightfall.
VVVvvvVVV
"Princess there's strange activity on the main lobby" informed Darlton as he stared at a screen.
"It seems as though the enemy is fighting with someone"
Frowning the princess had her hands tied at the moment. Her only hope of saving her sister who was amongst the hostages, would be to send the special division.
"Guilford send word to the special division. They may deploy" her orders came with a rather predictable tone of disgust.
"As you wish" said Guilford before he left.
'hold on dear sister, I'm coming' thought the princess.
VVVvvvVVV
His phone rang and Chris answered. "Hello?"
*"It's zero, where are you now?"*
Panting Chris held his side. A lucky round had just hit him in a very delicate spot. "Third floor...i-i think I can manage another floor"
*"What happened are you wounded?"*
Looking at his soldiers who surrounded the entrance to the room he leaned against the wall for support. "A lucky shot..."
*"Hold down your position I'm on my way"*
The call ended Chris decided to simply lay down and rest until Zero showed up.
"Kid, I've got bad news" said Sheila as she came back.
"What is it?"
"The command base is destroyed, a blue KLF was sending signals to the other forces" she answered with a rather heavy tone.
"Then the assault force is..."
"Yes"
Hanging his head Chris was silent.
VVVvvvVVV
Hours came and went Zero managed to negotiate a deal with the princess which allowed him to enter the hotel. The guard was less than expected but traces of battles could be seen here and there.
Ascending the floors Zero cleared the guards floor by floor. Finally he reached the third floor. What he found was the gray haired boy white as a ghost. A pool of blood was all around him.
"Rook..." He spoke.
Looking up the boy had an exhausted look on his face. "Zero...sorry I couldn't, hold on" holding out his gun he was past the point of saving. "Get those bastards...make them...pay..." His body fell to the side as Chris passed away.
Staring at the body Zero swallowed his emotions. "Let's go" marching past the dead boy the black knights followed behind him.
He needed to move forward he couldn't stop just because a possible element was slain.
VVVvvvVVV
Laying on the floor beaten and bleeding a girl glared at her attackers. "What are you looking at, do you need another beating!" One raised the butt of his rifle but his partner stopped him.
"It's alright let's just take her back with the others" scoffing the first soldier was angry but complied.
"On your feet!" Lifting her up she was forced out of the room. Guns were cocked. "On the ground now!" Screamed a voice. Doing as told the girl dropped down just as guns were blazing.
The men dropped dead. A group of men dressed in all black approached her. "Are you alright?" One of them asked. "Yes, thank you very much" she replied.
As she tried to stand her injured leg prevented further movement.
"Tamaki you go on ahead I'll get her out of here" said the strange man. "Don't take your sweet time"
Lifting her up bridal style the man made his way to the planned escape route.
The woman held onto him however her eyes weren't filled with worry but rather scheming.
VVVvvvVVV
Sitting inside the factory Marcia spotted Patricia entering. Her troops were moving massive crates inside. "What's the situation?" Asked Marcia.
"I found us a secluded spot further west" answered Patricia.
"Good work" giving her a thumbs up the blonde returned the gesture.
Feeling her phone ringing Marcia answered. "Yes?"
Silence was on the other side before she frowned ending the call. Her luck couldn't be any better.
"Everyone pack up your stuff as quickly as you can, I think the enemy knows our location!" Reported Marcia as she climbed down from the second floor.
Whispering a spell she threw the phone in the air and watched as it exploded in a ball of flames.
VVVvvvVVV
"This is Reika, the knife has been burried over" spoke a woman from within the Oracle.
*"Excellent work, return to base Reika"* replied the voice of a strange man.
"Yes sir"
Driving off the hill there was death and destruction. The tall command base was now filled with holes and flames. The men, women and monsters in charge of guarding said base laid dead on the ground.
Arriving soon after were two Sutherlands. Observing the damage one of them cursed. "Damnit! She beat me to it...she destroyed Rook's base of operations, she took my life long project. Just who the hell is this woman!?" Silver all but screamed in rage.
"Sir, don't you find it strange that she focused solely on attacking this spot right here?"asked Kristen.
"Rook has many enemies, I wouldn't be surprised if she came precisely for him" glancing around he couldn't see anyone still alive. "Let's return for now I need to find out who is she working for"
"Sir"
VVVvvvVVV
It would be sometime later when the lancelot successfully destroyed the underground defence forces and demolished the hotels support pillars.
At that time Zero chose to reveal himself. Having saved every hostage especially princess Euphemia.
With this he had earned temporary immunity and fame.