The date was the 40th of the Wyvern, year 1017 of the Imperial Calendar.
The Holy Britannian Empire had just declared war on the Menagerie alliance of nations.
Nations of the south eastern landmass had held fast to their neutrality, while Britannia looms as the world's only superpower.
Rights to Menagerie's underground Sakuradite resources became a hotly disputed issue, straining the already deep-rooted diplomatic tensions between the two sides.
This finally rose to a crescendo with Britannia's invention of a new weapon of war fuelled by this resource: a humanoid autonomous armoured combat vehicle, the Knightmare Frame.
Britannia's forces were far greater than anticipated, and the Knightmares obliterated Menagerie's defences with little resistance, effortlessly eclipsing both Huntsman and dust-based weaponry as the de-facto form of combat.
Soon after the unexpected suicide of the alliance's leader, Ghira Belladonna, Menagerie became a dominion of the Empire. The region was stripped of its freedom, its rights, and its name.
Area 11. The defeated and once proud people of Menagerie were rechristened with a mere number.
After trudging through a former battlefield littered with corpses, four children stopped to rest. Taking in the scene that could only be described as hell on Earth, one began to speak.
"I swear…" a boy started, garnering the attention of his two friends and crippled sister.
"I swear, so help me, I swear… One day… I will obliterate Britannia!"
The declaration was made with conviction undeserved of a child. However, one was not convinced.
"'Obliterate Britannia'? What, a runt like you?" A new voice replied.
Turning to face the new arrival, the four were met with a man who appeared to be in his late twenties to early thirties, with black hair and a light 5-o'clock shadow, carrying a huge sword and a lackadaisical demeanour. This was in spite of the fact that he was removing said sword from the now-dissolving body of a Grimm, a deadly monster of shadows drawn to humanity's darkest emotions.
Outraged, the boy cried, "I am Prince Lelouch vi Britannia, 17th in line to the throne! Yo-"
"Don't you mean ex-prince, pipsqueak?" the man retaliated.
The group was taken aback by the man's words – few were aware of Lelouch's true identity, and fewer still knew he lived. Activating his semblance to accelerate his thinking, Lelouch's eyes flashed silver as he ran through the possibilities before him, and realised he recognised this man from his past. His initial thought was that he was here to kill him, but he could've left the Grimm for that. To save him? No, whenever had the world been that kind? There was one obvious possibility...
"Are you here to bring me back, Qrow? So I might face a prim-and-proper execution now my usefulness has run it's course?"
"I won't let that happen!"
"Neither will I!" his two friends, Suzaku and Blake Belladonna, asserted themselves between the two to protect Lelouch.
"Oh, yeah, I trekked all the way here from the other side of the world, and spent weeks here looking for you lot in this crappy country, where the average skirt length is way too long, just to bring you to a bunch of arrogant fat-cats who think they know everything because their great grandaddy did something one time a thousand years ago." Qrow sarcastically rambled, his words slurred and suggestive of excessive alcohol consumption.
"Empire territory is not where we'll be going this… lovely… war-torn day. I get that you've been in Area Ele-"
""""Menagerie.""""
"Right, Menagerie, for a while now, but I hope you've not got too attached."
After the four looked towards him, with Lelouch, Suzaku and Blake's eyes showing clear curiosity, Qrow exclaimed "Pack you bags, kids, we're headed to Vale!"
3rd of Sea Feilong, year 1025 of the Imperial Calender
"This is alpha-3, target is moving North-north-east along the V-5 line, ETA to next station is 15 minutes."
"CCP to all major units, Declaring a code-K2 along section M1-M10 of the southwestern border. All units, our orders are clear: Retaking the package intact is a top priority. Use of lethal force is authorised. I repeat, lethal force authorised."
Within an opulent room sat two men, either side of a chess set. One, withered and nervous, and the other pompous and uninterested.
"You're out of time. You now have 20 seconds for each move." an armed man to the side dictated, evidently enforcing the rules of the game.
"Ha! I wouldn't be surprised if this game even lasted that long! Hm? Did your substitute arrive?" The pompous man asked, noting the appearance of two figures standing in the now-open doorway.
"Oh, thank heavens! I'm saved! Greetings, master Lelouch, I hope your studies are going well?"
"They are, in fact. But I'm afraid the usual curriculum is just so droll…" the first figure replied, a teenage boy with brown hair, dressed in a standard white shirt with dark trousers, but with a deep purple blazer to match the colour of his eyes, and what appeared to be a high-quality rapier sheathed at his hip.
"Hey, the easier the better, less time studying, right?" the second figure suggested, a teenage girl dressed in a more casual brown jacked with black shorts, a yellow shirt to match her golden hair and contrast her purple eyes, and what appeared to be a pair of metal bracers adorning her lower arms.
"What have we here? Children?"
"'Children'!?"
"Hmpf, a nobleman."
"I envy you kids today. You have so much time on your hands. Now, time for regrets…" He suggested, trying to sound menacing, "What're your names?"
"Lelouch… Lamperouge."
"… Yang Xiao Long." the two answered as they approached the board.
"Whew" Yang whistled, "Looks like you've got way less pieces. Think you can win this one?"
"Hm. Yang, how soon do we need to leave to get back to Vale before dark?"
"Well, about 10 minutes or something? But we have 30 if you let me show you what Bumblebee can do!"
"Is that so?" Lelouch asked as he glanced at the chessboard, his eyes flashing silver for but a moment as he prepared his strategy, "Then I'll ask that you get us home as safely as you can manage." he stated as he took a seat opposite the noble.
"I'll need 9 minutes at most."
"9 minutes!? You have only 20 seconds per move!" the noble exclaimed.
"And I'll only need 5." Lelouch replied, moving his king forward to press the right side.
"Hm? You start with the king? Bwahahaha! This'll be even easier than I'd thought."
Reaching the planned point, Blake forced the train to a stop in a forested region in the very northeast of Vale, just outside what technically constituted Area 5.
I just hope she's here… Blake thought, knowing without transport she'd most certainly be captured by the Britannian military. Pulling out a small mirror and light source to signal her success, she waited anxiously for a reply, placing her hand on Gambol Shroud for comfort: Her variant ballistic chain-scythe.
Soon, her hopes were answered as a small truck pulled out of the treeline and headed for the train.
With a sigh of relief, Blake made to open the only container of the train that was still attached, while her comrade exited the truck's cabin to meet her.
"What the hell happened? There were supposed to be at least 5 carriages worth of weapons to choose from." the teenage girl with red hair tied back by a bandanna asked.
"It fell behind." Blake replied.
"Well that's vague, and what about Adam? Wasn't he supposed to be with you?"
"… He fell behind."
After a moment's pause, the girl replied "Well, it's about time. It might just be me, but I've been getting the feeling he's growing a bit too extreme in all the wrong ways recently."
Yeah, I'd say that's one way to classify acceptance of mass civilian casualties…
"Thanks Kallen."
"No problem, now come on, the Brits will be here any minute, please tell me there's at least something on this damn train."
"Oh, there is. Come take a look at this." Blake replied, showing Kallen the contents of the carriage she'd liberated: A large, spherical container connected to an array of wiring.
"Ok, I'll bite. What is it?"
"According to the manifest? Nothing." Blake revealed, earning a cocked eyebrow from Kallen.
"Well that's interesting."
"Apparently, the whole carriage was added to this train with no contents, but wasn't checked by any railway staff."
"… Very interesting. You've gotta be high up to get a whole carriage added to a civilian train with no searches, right?"
"The only ones who can do that are nobles, or a Vale equivalent. And this is charted all the way to the capital of Area 5, which can only be done-"
"With the permission of the viceroy." Kallen finished. "Well, if the manifest says it doesn't exist, they can't complain if we take it, right?"
"My thoughts exactly." Blake smiled, "Now come on, let's get it in the truck.
"Checkmate."
"Wha- How- I-"
"Damn, that's… 8 minutes 32 seconds, a new record!" Yang exclaimed after checking the nearby clocks.
"Excellent. My associate will provide the details for my payment." Lelouch answered, standing up and turning to leave.
"Hold it! I don't know how you won, but no mere plebian can talk to me like that!"
"I won because your tactics were overconfident and predictable. And if concise speech offends you, I advise finding a conversation partner like yourself."
"Good luck finding someone with such a glowing personality, though" Yang commented sarcastically.
Their words pressed the noble further into a rage, until he seemed to reach his breaking point.
"Seize them!" He ordered his half-dozen guards around the room, prompting them to pick up their sidearms and take aim.
"Heh. About time." Yang responded, punching her fists together. At her action, the bracers on her arms began to shift, revealing gun barrels and a ring of shotgun shells fixed behind them.
"Honestly, and here I thought we could engage in a pleasant game of strategy…" Lelouch moaned, "Still, I suppose this will be interesting too." he commented as the guards began to approach the two.
"Their weapons appear to be wholly dust-based models." Lelouch reported after quickly scanning their opponents armaments, "I look forward to seeing your new battle tactics."
"Of course. I'm thinking of mixing up my punches with harder punches."
"I'd expect no less."
After their exchange, Yang launched herself towards the nearest opponent. Her speed caught the guard off guard, and she sent a shotgun-powered punch square into his chest, sending him crashing into the nearby wall. Where he landed, gaping cracks erupted, threatening to collapse the structure as the man fell unconscious.
"Perhaps restraint would assist in preserving the building we currently find ourselves in?"
"Yeah, yeah!" Yang replied, cocking her gauntlets and already flying towards the next opponent.
While the next guard was able to ready himself, his shots were futile, their speed and danger completely absorbed by Yang's aura. Before long Yang was upon him, giving a strong punch to the chest to wind the man, before knocking his gun to the ground with her shotgun-bracer. A quick flurry of light blows threw the guard off balance, allowing Yang to shove him while hooking her leg behind his to trip him up; halfway through his fall she threw another shotgun-backed punch from above, sending him crashing to the floor. Another unconscious guard.
"Wha- What are you idiots doing!? There's 4 of you!" the noble screamed after regaining the ability to react, prompting the guards to trade their ineffective pistols for dust-lined swords.
Yes, engage the brawler in melee range, a flawless strategy… Lelouch thought, his opinion of the noble falling with greater speed than the man Yang had sent to the floor.
When the four entered melee combat, Yang was given a chance to shine. Two mooks with weak pistols flailing about? Too easy. Four swordsman ofsomeskill all attacking at once? That was something of a challenge.
Letting the lead swordsman strike first, Yang dodged to the left and sent a left hook flying towards the man's face. While he ducked to avoid the blow, Yang used her right arm to punch the side of his sword. While she'd expected the move to send the weapon flying, it instead shattered at the force, giving the man an astonished look.
While distracted, two more swordsman attacked from either side, trying to give Yang no room to dodge. While they succeeded in restricting her horizontal movement, any decent huntsman-in-training knew how to use all dimensions during a fight: Quickly jumping up, Yang fired both gauntlets to gain extra velocity, rocketing towards the ceiling. With their target suddenly gone, the two guards' swords continued their path to strike their comrade with a splintered weapon, who was repelled backwards with the force, but not enough to lose consciousness.
They stuttered for a moment, likely shocked at their own friendly fire, and Yang didn't let the opportunity go to waste. Launching from the ceiling, she used to add to the speed generated from firing her gauntlets backwards, her velocity aimed straight towards one of the guards. Before he could react, she'd already slammed his head straight towards the floor, instantly incapacitating him.
In her haste, however, she'd failed to notice the actions of the final guard: Using the opportunity of her beating down his companion to rush towards her and gave a strong slash of his sword. For the first time in the fight, Yang had actually taken a serious blow to her Aura's energy levels.
"Heh. Nice one, that almost hurt." she commented as her eyes began to glow a faint red, "But you know what they say – no pain, no gain!" she yelled, rushing the man who had just attacked her.
While he tried to defend, Yang paid his lighter attacks no mind as she began her assault, landing blow after blow after blow. Unable to defend himself from the ferocity of her attacks, she was soon left punching an unconscious shell of a man. Realising this, she dealt one final blow, launching him towards the last guard still in possession of a weapon. Unable to react in time, he was flung back behind his unconscious ally, and pinned to the floor by his weight.
"And that leaves one." Yang cockily noted, turning towards the final guard, who found himself lacking even a sword.
Meeting her gaze, the man fell back, beating a hasty retreat as tears started to form in his eyes. With the final threat dealt with, Yang began to let down her guard.
"Watch out!" Lelouch called, rushing to Yang's side while pulling out his rapier.
*bang* The sound of a gun rang out. Turning around, Yang noticed the noble had pulled out his own pistol, one with a different design to the guards. However, instead of the shot meeting her flesh, it was blocked by a field of purple energy. The field was surrounded by numerous thin metal shards all rotating around a central point, with the purple light flickering as the shards moved around in a circular motion, evidently defining the field's border.
"Honestly, you really need to improve your threat analysis abilities…"
"Hey, I took out 6 guys and you didn't lift a finger. You don't get to act all cool about blocking 1 little bullet." Yang replied, gesturing towards Lelouch's rapier, whose blade acted as the fields' centre at the hilt.
"Even if that 'little bullet' happens to be made of dust-infused Sakuradite?" Lelouch asked, nodding towards the Noble's gun.
"What…" Yang stuttered, taken aback at the information.
"I don't think it would've hit a vital point or what have you, but an aura-piercing shot such as that is best avoided, wouldn't you agree?"
After a moment's hesitation, Yang yelled towards the Noble, "What the hell!? That could've killed me!"
"What of it!" the Noble yelled back, "Coming in here, thinking yourselves so high-and-mighty, above even me!? Even considering the foolishness of youth, it is clear you're both disobedient trash! Do you feel remorse over the disposal of trash!? No! So I shall not shed a single tear over either of you!"
This guy's nuts… Yang thought, unable to respond, repulsed at the man's disregard for human life.
"And who shall be the one to kill us? You?" Lelouch questioned.
"It appears my guards were even more incompetent than I thought, so yes. If you want a job done right, and all that…" he said, an arrogant smirk overcoming his face.
"Very good. In that case you shouldn't take issue with what comes next."
"What comes next?" the noble questioned.
"Isn't it obvious, my liege? After all…" Lelouch began, a sinister smile beginning to creep onto his face.
"The only ones who kill… Are those who are prepared to be killed"
"… You scare me sometimes, you know that?" Yang said as Lelouch and her left the building.
"Why? He's not dead, is he?"
He might wish he was when he finds out you somehow completely bankrupted him in a matter of minutes while he was unconscious… Yang thought.
"And that's despite him wishing we were. I'd wager myself rather generous, all things considered."
"Well, I guess I can't really argue there…" Yang admitted, "Thanks, by the way."
"For what?"
"Oh, for lending me 5 lien the other day. What do you think!?" she joked, punching Lelouch on the shoulder.
"Ouch." he complained while rubbing the spot Yang hit him.
"Sorry, I forgot your made of paper."
"I prefer glass. And it's not me you should be thanking."
"Oh, right, I totally forgot about that other guy who blocked a potentially deadly shot. I'll have to buy him a drink sometime."
"I meant your sister."
"Wait, Ruby was in there? Man, she really is a runt, I didn't even see her…"
After heaving a large sigh at Yang's continued jokes, Lelouch clarified "You'd be shot right now regardless of any actions I took were it not for her talents in weapon design."
"You say that like you didn't give her blueprints more extensive than anything I've ever seen."
"I think that's more telling of your comprehensive skills than my engineering aptitude. Besides, the use of gravity dust and electricity dust to fully stabilise Pridwen's field perimeter was a stroke of genius on her part."
"Hey, I read plenty!"
"Fairy tales don't count."
"Well, if you're so obsessed with nerd stuff then why did you bring me and not Ruby, huh?"
"You have the bike." Lelouch replied without missing a beat.
"Hey, don't bring Bumblebee into this!" Yang replied, only to realise Lelouch's attention had been drawn to a local news report. Apparently, a train had been hijacked by the White Fang, and several people had been killed in the assault.
"We apologise for the delay" A news reporter spoke, "Now, His Royal Highness Prince Clovis, third prince of Britannia, will address the nation."
After this, the camera transitioned to a handsome man who appeared to be in his early twenties, with bright blonde hair and blue eyes, wearing a purple suit whose elegance was further accentuated by a cravat.
"To all my imperial subjects! Including, of course, the many cooperative numbers, and indeed even deviants, who choose to serve the empire of Britannia!"
"Do you not see my pain?" he asked, clutching his chest and making a wounded expression.
"My heart was ripped from my chest only to be torn apart! The remnants filled with rage and sadness!" he claimed, his words highlighted with theatrical gestures.
"However, as ruler of Area 5, I will not tolerate terrorism of any kind! Because the battle we fight is a righteous one! A virtuous battle to protect the well-being of one and all!"
"Now then, everyone! I would like you to join me in observance in the five loyal Britannians who died for justice, in the line of duty."
After cutting back to the previous announcer, who asked for "A moment of silence, please.", Lelouch continued on to Yang's bike 'bumblebee'.
"Aren't you gonna join in?" Yang asked.
"Aren't you?"
"Eh, I'm not sure you've noticed, but I'm not really the quiet type of gal."
"No kidding? Besides, spilling tears over those people will hardly bring them back to life, now will it?"
"Calm down, kiddo, that's needlessly dark, even for you."
"Please. It's all about self-satisfaction. Doesn't matter how hard you try, you just can't do it. There's no way you can change the world…"
"… If you wanna change the world, why not try to become a huntsman, like me?"
"Glass, remember?" Lelouch asked, reminding Yang of his relatively frail demeanour.
"Sure, but as a huntsman you'd have teammates, and I bet there's not a huntsman alive who can beat you when it comes down to strategy."
"Perhaps. But there's still those pesky entrance exams prioritising combat efficacy. And besides, spending four years training to kill some monsters which Knightmares are slowly driving extinct hardly seems worthwhile to me."
"Killing Grimm isn't all huntsman do, you know?"
"But it is often considered their primary goal, no? The Grimm are just a single obstacle, a reflection of humanity's darkness. If you want to be rid of them, you need to tackle the root."
"Like crappy Noble's?"
"Like the system which actively endorses 'crappy Noble's'".
"Yeah, have to admit I'm glad I grew up on Patch. Hard to act so superior when you live on a small island, I guess. But even if the Grimm are just one problem, it's still a problem that someone's gotta fix, right? Why not us."
"I'll stick to more intellectual problems; you're the combatant between us, remember?"
"I guess, but give it some real thought, would you?"
"Applications are closed now, regardless."
"Give it some real thought." Yang repeated, a little more forcefully.
"Fine, fine. But for now, I'm more concerned with the trip home." Lelouch claimed upon reaching the bike, "You know a sidecar would make passenger transport far easier."
"But that ruins the fun!" Yang protested, "Besides, you'd probably just start reading a book or something when you could be enjoying the open world, wind blowing past as you fly down the highway…" Yang described as she got on bumblebee and equipped her riding gear.
"You say that as if a book is the inferior option…" Lelouch complained, putting on his helmet as he sat behind Yang.
As the two set off, Lelouch spared one final glance at the news report and the details of the attack.
The V5 line? That's near our route. I hope Clovis is competent enough that the attack doesn't interfere with our journey…
"You were magnificent, your highness!" A woman in formal dress exclaimed, "One would never guess that you were attending a party while addressing the nation!"
"Well, the viceroy is the marquee actor of Area 5, after all. I need to change costumes quickly" his highness, Clovis la Britannia, replied.
"My, such confidence!"
"It's all in the performance, my dear. Since the media want a charismatic prince, I give them one." he continued, raising his voice slightly to ensure his words were heard throughout the small party he was hosting.
"Untrue!" A man cried, "Prince Clovis, our key purpose in life is to support and assist your reign in any way we can!"
"Ugh, his reign is a pathetic sham…" A lone man whispered, checking through current reports while off to the side of the main event. Another figure, a portly man in military uniform, soon brushed past him, evidently in a rush to speak with the prince.
"Y-Your highness!"
A soldier? But this event is for administrative staff, not military… the lone man thought.
"How boorish of you…" Clovis commented at the military man, whose sweat was now becoming apparent to most.
Is he needed for another appearance? I hope it's less dreary, at least… The lone man thought, before his attention was captured by Clovis' response.
"You fool!" Clovis yelled, uninterested in the military man's apparent desire for secrecy.
"The police were informed that it's prototype medical equipment, that's all. If we scramble the army, there'll be a record…"
"Deploy the Royal Guard! The Knightmares as well!" Clovis ordered, completely ignoring the man's suggestion.
Now this seems interesting…
"Alert 1! Alert 1!"
"1st, 3rd, 5th and 6th rapid reaction companies, 7th air assault team, immediate scramble! Special Division SL-1, stand by for deployment!"
"Dammit! The Britannians have deployed the whole damn army!" Kallen reported after receiving an intelligence report from a comrade.
"What!? I thought what we took would be important, but not anywhere near the level of mobilise-the-army-in-5-minutes!" Blake replied, "What do we do!?"
"Stick to the plan! We'll group up with Ohgi and the others, then take the escape route…"
"If we can even reach it! What if Knightmares show up!?"
"That's why you've got me, and I've got that!" Kallen replied, gesturing towards the back of the truck.
"Kallen, if we die stealing this thing, I'm gonna kill you!"
"Me!? YOU were the one that suggested it! Hey, WATCH THE ROAD!"
"By the way, there was something I wanted to ask you." Yang stated.
"Which is?" Lelouch asked.
"Why do you always lead with the king? I looked it up, and it seems to be a pretty bad move."
"If a king doesn't lead, how does he expect his subordinates to follow?"
"… You know chess is a game right? Not a philosophy debate?"
"I prefer to think of it a touch of each."
"But if you use bad moves against someone on your level for some morality schtick you're gonna-"
"Yang WATCH THE ROAD!"
"Wha!?" Yang exclaimed, turning her attention back to the road to see a truck suddenly veer onto the highway from a side-road obscured by forest. Immediately, she tried to swerve right so she wasn't crushed under the truck's weight.
"Watch where you're going, idiots!"
"Go left! I SAID LEFT!"
"Pay attention to your surroundings, idiots!" Blake yelled, swerving left to try and not needlessly murder civilians.
"Too left! TOO LEFT!" Kallen yelled as the truck oversteered, sending them hurtling towards a tree.
Too late! Blake thought, as the truck hit the trees and came to a screeching halt.
"… Is that our fault?" Lelouch asked, concerned at the sight of a crash they were partially responsible for.
"Our fault!? They nearly killed us! Why have I nearly died twice today!?" Yang yelled, outraged at her sudden repeated brushes with death.
"I'll go check they're all right!" Lelouch exclaimed, dismounting the bike and running towards the truck.
"Oh, sure! I'll just sit tight!"
Running over, the truck didn't look badly damaged, but a small group of trees made it difficult to reach the cabin.
"Hey, are you all right in there!?" Lelouch yelled, before noticing an external set of stairs that seemed to lead to some kind of hatch on the roof. Without hesitation, he clambered up to try and get inside.
"It's you… Finally, I may have found my…" A voice called out, sounding as if it were calling from within Lelouch's own head.
"What? Are you in there?"
"Ugh. Blake, you all right?" Kallen asked, her head woozy from the impact.
"Yeah, I'm fine…" Blake responded, her head similarly pounding.
"Then we better get going. Before long-"
"Step out of the vehicle with your hands up!" A voice cried from overhead.
"Dammit! They found us already! So much for the treeline giving us cover…"
"We should've avoided the highway, it was too obvious!" Blake responded, desperately trying to get the truck back in gear. A few moments, and they were off.
"Where the hell are you going! The road's the other way!"
"So are the Brittanians! We'll just have to hope this truck really is all-terrain…" Blake replied, nervousness starting to take hold.
"Fine! Try and get back onto the highway further ahead! I'll get the Glasgow started…" Kallen asserted, heading to the back of the truck.
"Kallen!" Blake called, "Be careful."
"Hm. Says the driver who nearly killed me…"
Oh gods, what's he doing… Yang wondered, seeing Lelouch start climbing the back ladder of the truck.
"Step out of the vehicle with your hands up!" Yang heard a voice amplified through speakers call from overhead.
Police!? But it was just an accident! She thought, believing the authorities were concerned with the crash.
"Ah!" Lelouch called as the truck lurched forward, almost sending him flying off the back before he overcompensated and fell forwards into the vehicle.
Graceful as always, I see… Yang thought, before growing concerned as the truck began to speed off.
"Hey, wait! You've got my friend!" Yang called out, revving her engine as she began her pursuit of the truck.
Ow! Lelouch thought, rubbing his head after the impact with the truck floor.
Did they seriously start the truck with me inside? What… Wait, is that a Knightmare!? He realised upon seeing a partially-folded Knightmare in the back of the truck, and a strange spherical container behind it. Suppressing his panic, he activated his semblance momentarily. His eyes glowing silver, he rapidly processed the events unfolding around him, and reached the most likely solution.
These must be the terrorists who hijacked the train! He realised, quickly hiding behind the container to make sure he wasn't caught.
"Stop the vehicle! Surrender now and you'll get the chance to defend yourself in court! Stop and surrender at once! Give up now, or we'll shoot to kill! This order applies to those in the transport and the motorcyclist!" A voice called from outside.
Cyclist? Yang must be following us! Lelouch concluded, Maybe if I can get the back doors open she can get me out, but we're moving at full speed- he began to think, once again activating his semblance to quickly run through as many solutions as he could.
As quickly as he'd reached these conclusions, however, a red-haired girl in a bandanna left the cabin and headed into the Knightmare. Carrying some kind of folded staff on her back, Lelouch realised engaging in combat would be foolhardy. After stepping into the frame, her Knightmare effortlessly kicked the doors open and jumped outside.
"Oh HELL no!" Yang exclaimed, shocked at the appearance of a Knightmare bursting out of the truck's rear doors. Immediately shooting down some of the air forces now pursuing them, Yang heard the pilot yell "You fellas know full well what this badass mother can do!" from within the machine.
Shit! I have to get out of here! She decided while swerving around the wreckage of the Britannian vehicles, the lethality of Knightmares provoking her fear. However, after seeing Lelouch in the truck, standing beside some spherical container and clearly trying to think of a solution, she immediately shut that fear down.
"Ok, come on! Let's go!" She yelled, hitting the accelerator and flying straight towards the Knightmare while she saw the truck's rear door begin to close. As she approached, the Knightmare shot out a large bladed plate connected to the main frame by an elastic cable, a Slash Harken. As the Harken intercepted bumblebee, Yang leaped off directly towards the Knightmare's main body, using her shotgun gauntlets to provide acceleration and stabilisation. As the Knightmare's arm reached out for Yang, she instead grabbed onto it's finger and used it as leverage, swinging herself around the Knightmare and towards the truck door. While the hand quickly closed to try and catch her, Yang let off another blast with the gauntlet to break her hand free and launch her forward. Landing on the Knightmare's shoulder, she quickly leaped to reach the back of the truck just as the doors finished closing.
"Oh no you don't!" Kallen yelled from inside the Knightmare, before another voice forced her attention back to outside the truck.
"The rest of you, back off. I'll take this guy." A new voice called, slightly distorted by the speakers characteristic of a Knightmare.
They're already pulling out the Knightmares!? Kallen screamed internally, unable to stop both of the threats.
"Blake! You've got company!" She yelled through her comm unit.
"How many!?"
"One – some blonde girl!"
"What?"
"Just deal with it! I've got Knightmares to handle!"
Dropping from an aerial transport unit, the Britannian Knightmare dropped down, it's design clearly different from the terrorist's. While there were numerous alterations in structure, the most obvious was its much thicker armour around essential movement servos.
"I can only assume you dug that obsolete relic out of some scrap heap." the Britannian pilot taunted, "An over-the-hill Glasgow is no match for a Sutherland! Not to mention a filthy Deviant who spurns the compassion of our glorious Emperor!"
"Kallen! Try and lose them in the denser forest!"
"You mean split up!?"
"It's our best chance! I can take the underground routes, we'll meet back up later!"
"Fine, dammit! But don't you die on me!"
"Says the pilot who let some random girl get past her…" Blake replied, finally getting the truck back on to the main road, before taking a side route leading to the underground emergency refuge tunnels.
"Schnee, pursue the vehicle! I've got the Glasgow…"
"Understood, Sir Gottwald." The Britannian Knightmares agreed.
"Don't think I'll make it that easy!" Kallen yelled as she tried to intercept 'Schnee', however, her attempt was stopped by the pilot 'Gottwald'.
"Showing loyalty to your allies? I will admit, I really like your spirit! However…" He yelled, before engaging Kallen in Knightmare-to-Knightmare combat.
It was soon apparent that she was better prepared for the terrain than Sir Gottwald, weaving between trees to use as cover against the Sutherland's shots. Additionally, the skill of the two pilots was comparable, giving Kallen a fighting chance. For a short period, the two repeated their dance: Kallen would dodge between trees, wait for Gottwald's rifle to run out of ammunition, and take shots at him. Despite the Glasgow's inferior specs, she quickly wore down the armour in several key sections. Eventually, however…
There! Now's my chance! Kallen thought, once more re-emerging to shoot, only to be peppered with rifle-fire.
"You're skilled, I'll admit, but evidently not even you can count the bullets fired by an opponent to the letter!" Gottwald taunted, having left just a few bullets in the magazine to catch Kallen off guard. The shots mainly focused on the Glasgow's right arm – which was currently holding Kallen's main weapon – and it was rendered inoperable. Instead of giving up, however, Kallen detatched and self-destructed the damaged arm, using the cover from the explosion to retreat.
"Where are you... Have you left!? We were in the middle of a duel! How dare you run from Jeremiah Gottwald! When I find you, I'll rip you out of that cockpit myself!"
"Sorry, Yang, I already checked – our scrolls were out service range even before we headed underground."
"Why is it always when you need it most!?" Yang yelled, tossing her scroll to the floor.
"I think the Britannian army may be jamming calls to prevent terrorist communication." Lelouch suggested.
"Argh! Just because it makes sense doesn't mean I have to like it! And what about that!?" she yelled, pointing towards the closed door to the driver's cabin.
"Locked. And that's a reinforced door – you'll run out of dust before breaking through."
"Ok, then what do we do? Wait, how do you know we're underground?" Yang asked, realising there were no windows to see outside.
"You can tell from the lack of light coming in from the cracks in the doors, the roughness of the road, and if you put your ear to the truck you can hear echoes of the truck's activity bouncing off the nearby walls." Lelouch explained.
"As for what we do… Even if we get out somehow and reach the surface, we're essentially in the middle of a warzone right now – leaving by ourselves will be dangerous. If we could've taken the Glasgow that would be on thing, but by ourselves…"
"Knightmares are basically all equipped with dust-infused Sakuradite ammunition, so we'd end up with more holes than a golf course."
"A golf course only has 18 holes, Yang."
"That's 18 more than I'd like put in me."
"Fair enough. So instead I suggest we stay put. I don't think the terrorists know I'm here, and we can use that to our advantage. After they stop, they'll most likely try to subdue you – I can wait by the cabin door, slip inside, and grab their communicator while you keep them busy. I'm not the biggest fan of the Britannian military, but hopefully we can offer that communicator in exchange for our safety."
"Ok. Sounds like a plan." Yang replied, immediately before the truck began to come to a stop.
"Hey, perfect timing."
"A-ha!" A man with lavender hair in a lab coat exclaimed, a jovial demeanour contrasting the stressed military man before him.
"What are you doing!?"
"Looking at a man who blundered… Am I right?" he asked, the military man's small gasp all the response he needed.
"You really screwed this one up! Terrorists came along and stole whatever it was that you and Prince Clovis were secretly working on. Retrieving it should be fairly simple, but you want to sweep up all of their compatriots in addition. No loose ends, right? Why, let the terrorists go and you can find their hideout, too. Congratulations! Your reasoning was spot on!" he yelled at one of his companions, a purple-haired woman in attire better suiting an office than a battlefield.
"Oh, it was nothing. I just thought it was strange…"
"I think seeing through a military smokescreen is a little more than 'nothing' miss Cecile…" the final companion spoke, a young man dressed in a different military attire, sporting black-green hair and carrying a rifle that was very much not standard-issue.
"Silence, you damn deviant!" the military man yelled, glancing at the tail hanging behind the other man's back.
"General Bartley, Sir Marrow is an honourary Britannian personally recognised by his majesty Prince Schneizel. If you wish to demean him-"
"No, no, no, no! Ah, my apologies, young man. I would never question his majesty's judgement, of course." Bartley stammered, quickly backtracking when Cecile reminded the faunus in front of him was elevated to his current position by one of the most shrewd and powerful men in Britannia.
"Yes, yes, discrimination is bad and all that, but onto why we're here." the labcoat-clad man bluntly went on, eager to progress the conversation.
"Indeed, time is short. What is it the Special Corps wants out of this?"
"I'm merely suggesting I'd like to assist in the cleanup!"
"To assist?"
"Correct, you see, it's data I'm after – the more, the merrier!"
"Well, in that case I can put you under Prince Clovis' command. If an opportunity arises, you'll have your data, lord Apslund."
"Excuse me, but what in the world have they stolen, anyway?" Cecile asked, causing General Bartley to grow hesitant.
"With respect, general, our ability to assist will be hindered without essential information." said Marrow.
"… Chemical weapons. In other words… Poison gas..."
You've got to be kidding me… Blake thought, staring at the truck's empty fuel indicator as the vehicle came to a stop.
One of the shots must've torn through the dust storage tanks, or disabled the engine connection…
Realising that her efforts would prove fruitless no matter how many times she tried to start the engine, she began to consider her options. Trying to flee on foot was likely tantamount to gambling with her life: Guessing which underground tunnels and surface connections were guarded and which were safe would be like rolling dice, and guessing wrong would cost time, if not her life. Time would give a police perimeter a better chance to secure the area, a noose tightening around Blake's neck. Stealth, similarly, was a risk, as getting caught would almost certainly mean death. Fighting was out of the question: One girl with a simple pair of chain-scythe-sidearms against an army of trained soldiers would be bad enough, but add Knightmares into the equation and her chances of survival flattened from minimal to non-existent. With flight and fight both out of the question, that left only one possibility.
If I can figure out what that thing is, I might be able to negotiate… But Kallen said some girl jumped in the back, right? It doesn't matter – I have a better chance against one person than an army. Wait, maybe a distraction… There's still some energy in the reserves for vital functions. In that case...
"She's unavailable" Marrow reported.
"What!?" lord Apslund exclaimed.
"Did you inform her we received permission for Taranis?" Cecile asked.
"I didn't even get to speak with her. It seems she's caught up with something in Vale. What about the reserve candidate?"
"Yes, yes, what about him!"
"It seems he's gone to the front lines. While serving as part of another unit in active duty, we can't request a transfer." Cecile informed the two.
"Even though we've got the Lancelot?" Apslund wined, to which Cecile merely shook her head.
"Now what do we do?" Marrow asked.
"We steamrolled our way in here, but without a devicer there's nothing we can do…"
"Uhh, I thought your plan was to wait for them to come out of the cabin…" Yang noted, seeing the side of the truck open up, evidently an additional opening.
"It's opening without external force… It's a decoy! They're trying to- no BEHIND YOU!" Lelouch exclaimed, trying to piece together the event's meaning before seeing a Britannian soldier lunging at them, spinning through the air to deliver a powerful kick.
Seeing the soldier coming just in time, Yang held her ground and defended with her gauntlets, pushing against his force and redirecting his velocity to the side, sending him spiralling to the back of the truck. The combatant was clearly well trained, however, recovering mid-air and landing safely on his feat.
I thought we only had to worry about a handful of untrained terrorists! If the military is already here, then… Lelouch began to think, before noticing the reinforced door to the cabin opening.
"Put your hands up!" a new voice ordered from the cabin, raising her weapon enough that Lelouch could make out the barrel of a gun from his spot behind the door. Now caught in a pincer attack with combatants either side, Yang had no choice but to raise her hands.
With Yang blocking her view of the Britannian soldier, Blake began to cautiously approach Yang from behind. The soldier didn't make a move, his attention apparently focused on Lelouch for some reason.
After she entered his field of view, Lelouch demanded "Put your hands up." in a tone echoing the girl's earlier order. Surprised by the fourth party, she turned to face him but didn't aim her gun away from Yang. When she saw the face of her aggressor, however, her expression went from mild shock to complete surprise, a sentiment Lelouch was unable to suppress himself.
"Blake?"
"Lelouch, is that… you…?" Blake asked cautiously.
Activating his semblance, Lelouch quickly considered the situation, soon realising the most likely reason for Blake's presence: She was a member of the White Fang, and she was directly involved in the terrorist attack. Seeing his eyes flash silver as his semblance activated, similarly, confirmed her suspicions.
"It is! What the hell are you doing here!?"
"Wait, Lelouch, you know this girl?" Yang asked, slowly lowering her hands as the situation seemed to be diffusing.
"An old friend." Lelouch confirmed with a touch of affection in his voice, surprised but happy to see Blake after so long, "Though I doubt our other friend over there will be as-"
"Long time no see, you guys." the soldier interrupted, removing his helmet to reveal his face.
""Suzaku!?"" Blake & Lelouch exclaimed together, taken aback at the appearance of yet another familiar face.
"… I'm Yang, by the way. In case anyone's interested."
"Suzaku… You-"
"You're a soldier!? How-"
"-How did you know where to rescue us?" Lelouch interrupted, earning surprised glances from all parties.
"Rescue you? You mean-"
"The three of us were taken hostage by the terrorists. Or, to be precise, I discovered Blake was taken hostage, and came to investigate." Lelouch lied.
Before Blake could begin ranting or some such, he'd activated his semblance and pieced things together. His excessive use today had drained his Aura considerably, but it was worth it. Were Blake to confirm herself a terrorist, Suzaku would be put in an impossible position: Having to choose between arresting his sister and betraying his duties. With this lie, everyone could be happy.
"What're you talking abo-" Yang asked in confusion, evidently not deducing Lelouch's intentions. However, before she could finish her sentence, the spherical container Lelouch was next to began to open.
"Why is it opening!?" Blake exclaimed.
"Poison gas! Get down!" Suzaku yelled, practically tackling Lelouch to the ground as he pressed his uniform's ventilator to the frail boy's face. Lelouch, not at all incensed at Suzaku deciding him to be the most in need of protection here, kept his eyes glued to the capsule, where an unexpected sight befell him.
A girl, maybe in her late teens or early twenties, with lime green hair and dressed in what seemed to be a white straight jacket. After emerging from the capsule with an ethereal air, she floated down to the floor, apparently unconscious.
"In all the confusion, I left it back in the cabin." Kallen informed someone through the radio.
"It's ok, the Glasgow's still usable" A man's voice replied from the other side, "So, it was a bust, huh?"
"Maybe. We didn't get any weapons, but if Blake can get out we've scored some super-secret project. Probably a royal one, too."
"Yeah, but that's if she can get out, and we've lost Adam either way. Not that I'm necessarily complaining there…"
"I'll say."
"Where is she now"
"She took a route into the emergency routes underground. I haven't heard from her since. Her signal must be down."
"Hopefully, but she may be-"
"Look, there's no way Blake Belladonna is getting caught by some glorified rozzers."
"'Glorified rozzers' in 15-foot death machines."
"Hey, they're 14-foot tops, and it doesn't matter. She'll make it out…"
"Tell us the truth Suzaku. Poison gas? This girl?" Lelouch asked as he and Blake tried to make sure the new arrival was relatively unharmed.
"Hey, that's what I got told in the briefing, I swear!"
"And who gave that briefing? Some ruthless- we've got company!" Blake yelled, suddenly picking up on approaching footsteps and reading her weapon. All four quickly readied themselves for combat.
"Freeze! Oh, what's this? Choosing to stand and fight? Excellent…" a smug voice called out, before lights flooded the area and revealed a squad of Britannian soldiers.
"Sir!" Suzaku responded, immediately lowering his gun and approaching the group.
"Ah, private Belladonna, isn't it? Why haven't you arrested these terrorists?"
"Sir, there's been some kind of mistake! These aren't terrorists, they're hostages! And there was no poison gas! Just this girl-"
"Insolent monkey! Being an honourary Britannian will not excuse insubordination!" The captain yelled as Suzaku reached the soldiers.
"This is bad…" Blake whispered, seeing the situation deteriorating rapidly.
"I know…" Lelouch replied. A poisonous situation which would pose a threat to Suzaku's superiors unleashed? There was only one logical fate for any witnesses…
"However, in light of your outstanding service to our great nation, I'll be lenient. Private Belladonna, take this gun and execute the terrorists. Begin with that deviant, over there." he said, handing Suzaku a gun while gesturing to Blake, whose face soon paled.
"Lelouch, don't tell me…" Yang whispered.
"Dust-infused Sakuradite. Standard Britannian military issue, any shot could be fatal. And the barrier of Pridwen's Edge can't take more than 1 or 2 shots in quick succession…"
"But she's not a terrorist! None of them are! They're just civilians who got caught up in all this!" Suzaku yelled, refusing to execute 'civilians'.
"You insubordinate little-! That's an order! Didn't you swear your loyalty and your life to Britannia!?"
"Yes… But I can't."
"… What?" the captain asked incredulously.
"I won't do it, sir. I won't shoot a civilian. I can't follow your orders, sir."
"Very well…"
""Suzaku!"" Lelouch & Blake yelled, noticing the captain take the sidearm he'd offered to Suzaku into his own grip. However, their cries proved fruitless. The captain shot Suzaku from behind, and he collapsed to the ground.
"NO!" Blake screamed.
"Well, it seems this has all wrapped up nicely. We've executed a traitor, a dangerous criminal, and two sympathisers." the captain stated coldly, levelling his gun at Lelouch as his men did the same to the group.
Is this really happening!? I was just reunited with my old best friends after 8 years, and now we all have to die!? Even Yang!? Before I even had a chance to do anything with my life… Gone in a heartbeat… and what about Nunnaly!? Lelouch's emotions were a complete mess, processing what was happening around him, and preventing him from using the last of his semblance. Everyone rooted in place in fear, the captain fired his shot with several of his subordinates, but another voice called out.
"No, they mustn't die!" The green-haired girl yelled, throwing herself between the bullets and the three. Riddled with holes, it was apparent to anyone that she was well and truly dead.
"You shot her!" Lelouch yelled as he knelt down to confirm the girl's status, while Yang & Blake readied themselves for combat, evidently preferring to go down fighting.
"Hm, that's a shame, we were ordered to take her alive. Oh well, we can simply claim she struggled."
"You're inhuman!"
"No better than Grimm!" Blake & Yang yelled.
"I'm afraid the only inhuman here is you, deviant." the man replied to Blake, the rest of his squad taking aim.
While these events took place, a familiar voice rang throughout Lelouch's mind.
"You appear to have a reason for living."
The girl!? Impossible!
"If I grant you power, could you go on?" The voice called out, while unknown images flashed before Lelouch's mind: An ancient people, an ancient order, a series of individuals, a series of tragedies, all eclipsed by the ceaseless flow of time.
"I propose a deal. In exchange for this power you must agree to make my one wish come true.
Accept this contract and you accept its conditions, while living in the world of humans, you will live unlike any other."
"A different providence, a different time, a different life."
"The power of the king will condemn you to a life of darkness."
"Are you prepared for this?"
Yes! I hear by accept the terms of your contract!
"A convergence with the Ragnarok connection? So the Myth is beginning once again!?" A bulky man with white hair and noble regalia exclaimed, standing atop a platform suspended in the air dotted with pillars, all within an infinite void filled by clouds.
"General Ironwood! The GRaCWU is reporting a nexus event!"
"What!? Is the vessel ready!?" exclaimed a man appearing in his mid-30s, wearing a white shirt and trousers, with tidy black hair and a stern, military demeanour.
"I'm not sure!"
"Get Pietro on the line, NOW!"
"Hm? Is something the matter, mistress?" asked a man in his mid-30s, wearing a casual white shirt and trousers, with wild brown hair and a scorpion's tail protruding from his back, an erratic demeanour defining his entire presence.
The target of his question was an intimidating woman of indecipherable age, her ordered white hair contrasting her black outfit and, more unsettlingly, black eyes. Extremely dark veins were visible down both of her arms and crept along her face, and at this moment she took special notice of them, their slight orange colourations apparently of particular interest.
"… It would appear we have a new player in our game. A major one, at that."
The man gasped at her words, before quickly recovering and asking "Shall I deal with them, mistress?" before cackling, apparently unable to hide his malicious glee.
"No… Acting hastily would be a mistake. For now, we continue the plan. Will they prove an obstacle, I wonder? Or something more… interesting"
"Hm?" Questioned a tall, middle-aged man with tousled silver hair and brown eyes. His smart-casual green shirt, coupled with a black blazer and dark trousers gave the impression of a typical university lecturer, as did the simple desk which laid before him. Yet the wisdom evident in his eyes, masked behind a pair of shaded glasses, knew so much more.
Well, we haven't had that in some time… With Beacon opening in a few days, and the incident earlier… Something is coming.
Considering his options, he found himself glancing at the chess board he keeps set up on the side of his desk.
It seems I have no choice… He may need some convincing, but I suppose I'll have to 'put the piece into play'… For all of our sakes…
"Lelouch… You need to get up…"
"Your shield's the only chance we've got…"
"What are you mumbling about over there? Actually, it is of no concern. Men, get ready to fire!"
"Say…how should a Britannian who detests his own country live his life?" Lelouch asked, standing up as he addressed the captain.
"Are you some kind of radical?"
"What's wrong? Why not shoot?" Lelouch asked, causing the captain to flinch, "Your opponent is just a schoolboy. Or have you finally realized?"
"The only ones who should kill are those who are prepared to be killed."
"Enough nonsense – men, make ready!"
"Lelouch, snap out of it!"
"Now's not the time for a philosophy speech!"
"I, Lelouch vi Britannia, command you…now all of you…die!"
"Have you lost it!?" Yang yelled, growing increasingly flustered with her friend's apparent insanity.
"Haha…. Hahahaha!" The captain laughed with glee.
"Happily, your highness! All men, take aim!" he commanded, at which his entire squad aimed their guns directly at their own necks.
"What…" Blake whispered, while Yang wordlessly stood in shock at the men's incomprehensible actions.
"Fire!"
At his word, the Britannians all opened fire, at least two dozen men unflinchingly ending their lives in a heartbeat. At a loss, Yang could do naught but stare at the pile of corpses, while Blake looked timidly towards Lelouch, who was standing tall with an apathetic stare.
That was the turning point.
Since I was 10 years old, I've lived a lie. The lie of living. My name too was a lie. My personal history, a lie. Nothing but lies.
I was sick to death of a world that couldn't be changed.
But even in my lies, I refused to give up in despair.
And now this incredible power… it's mine… With this, I forge a new lie, a new life.
My life.
Well, then…
Author's notes (copy-pasted from my AO3 entry):
Hello there, I'm some rando who saw two series with loads and loads of characters, their own 'magic' systems, and their own magitech systems, and thought 'Yeah these could be smashed together it'll be fine.'
In all seriousness though, I've tried to blend the two series' various world elements as well as I can, so if something doesn't seem to make sense please let me know. Additionally, if trying to make the two systems work together is a tall task, then trying to get that integration across is herculean, but hopefully I've done an ok job.
Most Code Geass fans (So like, =95% of you?) probably think that this chapter is extremely similar to the first episode, and that's because it is. The plan/hope is that as time goes on this goes in a direction somewhat distinct from each series due to the presence of both their elements, but as it's all the same characters/story there is obviously going to be a lot of overlap. And hey, even if it ends up being pretty similar, it should be fun.
If anyone has any feedback, be it on writing style, spelling errors, canon-lore errors, continuity issues, etc., then please let me know, I am trying to improve. Additionally, any general thoughts are welcome in the comments, it's always fun to see that!
And with that I think I've covered everything, so I'll finish by thanking you for reading, see you next time!
Edit: Fixed some screw-ups with names and spelling mistakes.