Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
"What are our losses?" Darlton asked when he finally managed to climb out of the mud slide along with a few of his men.
" I'm reading twenty percent of our forces. "
"Twenty percent?!" Darlton shouted in shock. "Our command structure can't sustain this!"
"Lloyd, what's going on?" Suzaku said, hearing a lot of chatter on the radio.
"It's very unnatural." Lloyd hummed in thought.
"Unnatural?" Suzaku questioned.
"There seems to be an unconfirmed report that the Black Knights have appeared."
Suzaku's eyes widened. "Zero."
As he whispered the masked vigilante's name the two advanced Knightmares surfaced in Suzaku's mind, knowing they would be there with him.
"Congratulations." Lloyd remarked with a giggle as he looked up at Suzaku with an eager look. "This is our chance."
"Lloyd!" Suzaku shouted.
"You're so rash!" Cecile scolded.
"Uh?" Lloyd looked over at Cecile. "Why is that?"
"Would you like a detailed explanation?" Cecile smiled sweetly.
"Uh… No, I'll pass." Lloyd actually frowned, knowing what happen if he said the wrong word. "Anyway, while the High Command is still gathering data all we can do is play by ear, right?"
"Is the Viceroy safe?"
"Yes, she was outside the mud flow but the units guarding her flank were lost."
"That means she's totally isolated."
"What the hell are those Pure Bloods doing?!"
Euphemia could only look on in concern as she listened to the reports and prayed for the safety of her sister.
"I can't lose to an Eleven! I am a Britannian!"
Kallen responded by lashing out and grabbed Lord Kewell's Sutherland, activating her Surger and a second later the Sutherland Frame exploded.
"Lord Kewell!" Villetta shouted in horror.
"I'm not done yet!" Kallen shouted as she took out her Raijin sword and activated it. "Long range mode activated!"
"Fight to the death!" Villetta shouted, her and the remaining Pure Bloods aiming and firing.
Kallen swung her sword and released an arc of red lightning that burned through trees as it sailed through the air towards the enemy frames.
Villetta gasped in shock as she witnessed the wave of red death approaching her. "Everyone move!"
She quickly spun out of the way red lightning collided with it and the other Sutherlands. The rest of her group was not so lucky and were engulfed in flames as their Frames exploded.
"This is impossible." Villetta whispered as the Guren turned and looked at her, the flames surrounding it making it look like a demon from Hell.
"One more." Kallen whispered and hit the full throttle on her Landspinners.
Villetta's eyes widened as the Guren charged towards her and she quickly turned around and took off at full speed. She looked down at the radar in front of her and eyes widened when she saw the Guren chasing her and it was catching up.
"Get away from me!" Villetta shouted as she turned around and shot at the red monster.
However the Kallen raised the Raijin Sword and activated it, watching as it blocked and incinerated the bullets on contact with the electric blade. Villetta grunted as she pulled out a Chaos Mine and threw it at the Guren and watched as it fell back from the barrage that kicked up a lot of dust and riddled trees with numerous holes.
"Looks like I lost it." Villetta sighed in relief. "Now to get back to command-"
Villetta was cut off in mid-sentence as a red glowing blade pierced her Sutherland's arm, cutting it off and sending electricity through the Frame that caused the controls in the cockpit to short circuit.
"Miss me?" Kallen asked darkly through the speakers.
Villetta cried out as she tried to pull back but Kallen reached and grabbed the head of the Sutherland with her claw.
"No! I don't want to die!" Villetta cried, realizing what had happened to Lord Jeremiah and Lord Kewell was about to happen to her.
She hit the ejector switch and was ejected out of her frame in time as Kallen activated the Wave Surger and caused the Sutherland to explode.
"Hmph! Coward." Kallen watched as the cockpit flew away with a dark glare. "Not so superior now, are we?"
"All right, Guren Mk-II, move to plan point. Move right through the rest of their line and take Cornelia!" Lelouch ordered as he moved forward in his Buria.
"Right!" Kallen responded as she moved through the forest.
"Got it! Let's pull this off!"
"Seizan and Shinryoku, lead our groups down the mountain and provide cover." Lelouch continued.
" Right/Got it. "
Naruto and C.C. led their own groups through the forest, taking out disorientated Britannian forces as they moved. The Burai and Oberon Frames were all armed with shields on their left arms while their right arms had their assault rifles that kept them moderately protected from enemy fire.
C.C. was leading her group down the east side of the mountain with Burais and Oberons behind her attacking the enemy while she covered for them.
"Wind Style…" C.C. raised her Harken Fans as three VTOL ships tried to attack her. " Wind Scythe Jutsu! "
She jumped into the air and swung her arms out, releasing blades made of air that collided with the gunships and sliced through them.
"Continue moving everyone. I will lead and cover you but you must move swiftly or you'll die."
" Hai, Shinryoku-san! "
In the meantime Naruto was not idle as he spotted a group of Sutherlands heading towards his group and held out his hands. "Let's test this."
Missiles sprouted from Seizan's arms, created by the power of the Asura Path and shot at the enemy group as they raised their assault rifles. The enemy was instantly blown apart before they could even blink.
"With us the chances of causalities are cut down but we have to keep moving before they can regroup." Naruto said through the radio. "Don't stop, not even to catch your breath."
" Understood, Seizan! "
"The Pure Bloods were wiped out?!"
" Yes sir. Lady Villetta was forced to eject because of a new weapon the enemy deployed. "
"We must buy time for the Viceroy to retreat. Send air cover."
Euphemia then noticed something on the map. "No wait! Something's approaching the Viceroy from behind!"
"All units, are you ready?"
"Yes sir!"
"All right. Deploy the Custom Burais!"
"Deploying!"
The top of the trucks opened up and five Knightmare Frames, resembling Burais rose up.
"Listen carefully, if this landfill was man made it should allow us to hit Cornelia from behind. Capture Cornelia now, take revenge for what happened seven years ago!" The leader, Lieutenant Colonel Tohdoh Kyoshirou, also known as Kiseki no Tohdoh spoke.
"YES SIR! BY THE HONOR OF THE FOUR HOLY SWORDS!" The other four soldiers shouted as they charged up the mountain.
"Hm?" Naruto noticed something through the eyes of Seizan. "Zero, there's an unknown group approaching Cornelia!"
" What ?" Lelouch asked through the radio. " Not one of ours ?"
" I see them too. " Kallen responded. " They're moving fast and their taking out anyone in their way. "
" Looks like someone is taking advantage of your plan. " C.C. commented.
"Oh yeah." Naruto smirked. "And I got an idea of who it is."
"What?!" Cornelia spun around just as a Burai leapt out with a sword modified with a chain-saw in it that instantly cut through a Gloucester and instantly attacked another one as the first Gloucester exploded.
"Surround them!" Todoh ordered.
"The Japan Liberation Front?!" Cornelia whispered in shock as Guilford moved in front of her.
"Slash and encircle!" Todoh commanded which the other four responded. "Right!"
He slashed through one Sutherland frame, shooting past it like a blur and not looking back as it split in two.
"These are not just any Burais." Todoh said.
"This reminds me of seven years ago." Shogo Asashina mused.
"But it's different now." Nagisha Chiba smiled. "This time we have Knightmares as well."
"Your Highness, please leave them to us. Please you have to withdraw for now!" Guilford pleaded as he intercepted Todoh's Burai and clashed with his chain sword.
"Very well." Cornelia reluctantly conceded. "I know a way to turn this around. Guilford, after driving them back meet me a point nine."
"Nine?" Guilford questioned but obeyed. "I understand."
"Cornelia!"
Two Burais launched their Slash Harkens but Cornelia batted them away and broke through them. "You weaklings!"
She took off at full speed after she defeated them, leaving her knight to deal with JLF forces behind her.
'I guess there is some life left in these Elevens but they might not be the most pressing matter at the moment.' Cornelia thought. 'After all, if Zero is behind the land fill then he's already ready for me. But this time I won't let up him get the drop on me.'
This would not end like Saitama.
" Cornelia's retreating and the Royal Guard have engaged the JLF. "
'Excellent. They'll hold them off so we can swoop in trap Cornelia.' Lelouch thought. "Seizan, Shinryoku, meet up with Kallen and converge on Cornelia."
" Right/Understood. "
Todoh quickly contacted the JLF headquarters. " I'm sorry for the late arrival General. "
"Todoh." Katase smiled in relief. "We've been waiting."
" General, please send all remaining units to join me here. "
"Can you beat them?" Katase asked what everyone was wondering.
" Yes, but only if we can hold off their main force. "
"We have a chance now to turn the entire war around!" Todoh and Guilford grappled their weapons for a moment before Todoh pulled back.
Guilford frowned as a drop of sweat travelled down his face. 'I've heard Area Eleven has a formidable commander, their shining knight. Is this him, Todoh?'
"Fine!" Guilford charged forward. "Let him try me!"
"Telling the JLF to fall back when Cornelia began her attack was actually a good idea, Naruto. Now they can all regroup with Todoh and push forward." C.C. remarked with an impressed smile.
"Actually, I was only looking to make sure they were not caught in the landslide." Naruto admitted with a sheepish smile. "Guess it paid off."
"Of course." C.C. closed her eyes. "You seem to be extremely lucky; even if you don't strategize everything like Lelouch it still manages to work out."
"Luckily, I don't hear Lelouch complaining about it."
"Sub-Viceroy Euphemia you must act now to prevent a disaster. Send in the G-1."
"No." Euphie answered, looking down on the map with both hands pressed against it.
"But Guilford is completely pinned down! He can't get to Cornelia, her life is at stake here!"
"We can't, the field hospital is here and civilians. They've been evacuated from all over the area and brought to this point. Besides the G-1 is our command center, the Viceroy ordered not move it, no matter what. That's why… I just can't!" Euphemia exclaimed in near panic as their forces were systematically torn down by the enemy.
The landslide had thinned their forces down by at least sixty percent.
"Do we have any more reserves?"
One of the officials shook his head to a negative. "All of our reserves were destroyed in the land slide or already deployed."
Suddenly, the three members of the Camelot Project appeared on the screen.
" Well hello there, the ASEEC crew reporting for duty !" Lloyd greeted with a sly grin.
"Insolence!" One of the generals shouted in annoyance.
"You're just irregulars. Your orders are to keep silent and observe." Another voiced out his disgust.
" Yes sir, normally we would but…" Cecile started to say before she was interrupted.
" But all this waiting around is extremely boring ." Lloyd said flippantly. " Besides, you saw what that red Knightmare is doing to Cornelia's Gloucesters and no doubt the two advanced Knightmares that are already with the Black Knights are here as well. I think that is enough reason to deploy my Lancelot ."
"What are you saying, you fool?" One of the officials sneered in irritation. "You think one unit alone can turn the tide of the entire battle. I believe you thought the same thing the last time you deployed that Knightmare."
" As a matter of fact, yes. You people did see what that landslide did to our forces. I can guarantee you that was caused by a single weapon. Combined with the three Knightmares that are destroying those Gloucesters and you can see the damage a single unit can do ." Lloyd exclaimed, now looking annoyed. " I assure you that even with the two Knightmares that fought the Lancelot there before they won't be able do defeat it again. "
" Sub-Viceroy Euphemia," Suzaku called out, finally speaking. " I beg of you! Give us the order to deploy !"
"Suzaku," Euphemia whispered as a smile made its ways to her face. "I understand and I trust you, you have my permission."
Lloyd let out a loud cheer as Suzaku smile at the princess.
" I won't fail you ." Suzaku swore with a determine voice.
"I know you won't." Euphemia replied as the communication link was turn off.
Naruto had finished off another group of Sutherlands when the vision of a familiar Knightmare appeared in his mind, having been spotted the Shadow Clones he left at the bottom of the mountain to stop the landslide. They moved to the hospital the Britannians set up behind their mobile headquarters and spotted the white Knightmare being launched.
"Zero, we have a new target moving up the mountain. It's the white Knightmare from Shinjuku." Naruto said through the private channel.
" What? " Lelouch questioned over the radio. " Are you sure? "
"Yep. It's the same one." Naruto nodded. "It's trying to meet up with Cornelia."
" Stop it, Seizan! It must not interfere! " Lelouch ordered, not wanting the white Knightmare to get in the way.
"Roger." Naruto smirked. "And C.C., I need you to do something."
" Hm? What is that? "
"We need to scare the Britannians and give Lelouch proof of who the pilot is. And the only way to do that is find an important target." Naruto explained.
" I see. And with the JLF distracting the rest of Cornelia's forces there is only one other target just as important as Cornelia herself. "
"Think you can handle it?"
" Who do you think you're talking to? "
Todoh pulled back from another grappling round with Guilford. "Damn it, he's fierce."
Guilford tossed out a chaos mine that opened up and released an endless barrage down on Todoh and his group.
"Scatter!" Todoh shouted as he moved out of the way.
All Burais managed to dodge just in time but the battle was not going as planned. Cornelia had escaped and they were at a standstill with her knights.
" Colonel, what about Cornelia? "
"If Zero is the man I think he is he's moving into position right now. We've got to trust him." Todoh answered.
"What?! Zero is on the move!?" Guilford shouted, having heard Villetta from her down cockpit.
" Right. Our team was wiped out by a new red Knightmare, most likely a new ace. There's no one else to come and back you up. " Villetta answered.
"Never mind that now. Just track Zero." Guilford replied as he blocked another strike from Todoh.
" Yes sir. " Villetta brought up a digital map. " This is his projected course. "
Guilford's eyes widened when he saw where Zero was heading. "The Princess was trying to trap Todoh, now there's a Knightmare waiting for her!"
" PRINCESS CORNELIA! "
"I got the message, Guilford." Cornelia said as she stared down her new opponent.
It wasn't one of the two advanced Knightmares that were Zero's aces but a new red one with a silver claw for a right hand and in the other hand was a sword. She had come here to plot a way to stop the Black Knights but it seemed her move had been anticipated and they sent someone after her. But it didn't matter as she would defeat this red Knightmare and finish off Zero once and for all.
Suzaku inserted the key in and listened to humming sound of the Lancelot activating.
"Advanced weapon system Z-01 Lancelot, utilize sand panels to climb liquefied slope at full combat speed and rescue the Viceroy." Cecile instructed.
"Yes, My Lord." Suzaku answered.
"Suzaku…" Lloyd drawled, watching on the screen as the Warrant Officer moved the Lancelot Frame into launch position "There's one thing I want to ask you… More than anything, you hate when people die." He raised an eyebrow inquisitively. "Yet you're in the military, why is that?"
"I'm in the military to stop people from dying." Suzaku replied, his features disciplined as he prepared to engage the enemy, and perhaps capture Zero.
The vigilante had to be brought to justice before his actions grew too far out of control.
"That self-contradiction will get you killed someday…"Lloyd pointed out with a bemused smile, only to yelp as Cecile grabbed him by the collar, dragging the man off-screen as the Sakuradite powered up, Lloyd's pleas for mercy falling on deaf ears.
"Lancelot… now launching." Suzaku declared, the white Knightmare tearing off the launch pad and making its way towards Cornelia's last reported location.
"CORNELIA!" Kallen shouted, charging forward.
"Low-born scum!" Cornelia retaliated, thrusting her lance forward as she accelerated forward as well but was caught off guard as the Guren leapt out of the way, landing behind her.
Cornelia quickly launched her slash harkens into the wall of the cliff and pulled herself up as Kallen tried to grab her with the Guren's claw.
"What's this? That's not just a customized unit." Cornelia realized as the speed and agility of that red frame surpassing her Gloucester's.
It was only through her experience that she was able to dodge. Her computer beeped and she quickly disengaged her Slash Harkens as gunfire shot at her from behind.
"Can you hear me, Cornelia?" A familiar voice asked through the radio.
Cornelia looked up and saw black Knightmare frames standing above her with one having a golden helmet that resembled a samurai helmet.
"This is checkmate."
"Zero." Cornelia stated angrily, realizing that she was surrounded.
"Yes. Shall we celebrate our reunion?" Lelouch asked jokingly. "Of course you'll have to surrender to us first and after that there are a few questions I want to ask you."
Cornelia narrowed her eyes and bit her lip in frustration.
"And in case you haven't noticed your reinforcements won't get here in time. I win Cornelia." Lelouch continued.
Cornelia banged the end of her spear in the ground. "You're a fool, Zero." She turned her head to the Guren. "This one! If I take this one out I'm free and clear!"
She pulled out her assault rifle and pulled the trigger once she aimed at the red Knightmare but the Guren dodged all bullets easily by performing aerobatic stunts as it got in close. Cornelia fired a Slash Harken but the Guren caught it with its sword.
"You've got some moves!" Cornelia thrust her spear forward.
However the Guren caught the spear with its clawed hand and Kallen activated the Wave Surger, causing the spear to bulge. Cornelia's eyes widened as the red radiation traveled down her spear and into her arm. She quickly detached the arm before it took the rest of her Gloucester with it and exploded. Cornelia grunted as her remaining arm was littered with bullets, causing her to drop her assault rifle which exploded.
"Coward!" Cornelia shouted when she saw the gun in the hand of Zero's frame smoking. "Attacking from behind?!"
"Really? And your own attack methods don't show acts of cowardice?" Lelouch rhetorically asked. "Tell me, Q1, what do you think of Princess Cornelia?"
"Not very impressive." Kallen said thoughtfully. "Even Gottwald put up a better fight."
"You-you killed Gottwald?" Cornelia asked, struggling not to sound surprised.
"And his little friends too."
Cornelia grunted but took a deep breath. "Guilford. Guilford, my Knight, you and Darlton protect Euphie."
" Your Highness! "
"I won't surrender. As an Imperial Princess I'll fight to the last!" Cornelia declared.
" PRINCESS CORNELIA! " Guilford shouted.
However before Cornelia could charged forward a pair of hands grabbed her feet and pulled her down, leaving her Gloucester buried with only its head sticking out of the ground.
"WHAT?!" Cornelia shouted as Seizan rose up from the ground.
"You guys got stop falling for this old trick." Naruto chuckled. "No fight to the finish for you today, Princess."
"You…" Cornelia growled.
Once again she was helpless before this blue Knightmare that had appeared to suddenly, standing over her victoriously. The way it looked down at her, seeing her as defenseless prey made her boil with fury on the inside as she was literally reliving what happened at Saitama.
"So predictable." Lelouch scoffed.
Just as he was about to give the order to capture Cornelia something blasted through the mountain side, kicking up dust everywhere.
"Huh?!" Lelouch's eyes widened.
Kallen instinctively covered the Guren's face while Naruto simply stood and waited. Out of the dust came the Lancelot with the VARIS unit pointed straight ahead.
"Oh my!" Cecile gasped, watching from the Camelot unit's base.
"As reckless as ever, hey?" Lloyd commented with an excited look. "He used the VARIS to clear the obstacles in his path. Now let's see Rakshata's toy handle it now!"
"IT'S HERE!" Rakshata grinned, just as excited as Lloyd as she saw the Lancelot through Seizan's eyes. "Okay, Seizan, Guren, take that toy out and show that Earl of Pudding who's the mother of all Knightmares!"
Suzaku landed next to Cornelia, seeing her Gloucester buried up to its head like the Lancelot had been in Shinjuku. He needed to get them away from her and call for help before the Princess suffocated when her Gloucester ran out of oxygen but that would take a half hour.
"Viceroy, are you all right? I came to help your highness."
"Special Corps, who authorized you?" Cornelia asked bewildered.
"Hey, isn't that-" Tamaki started.
"Yeah, the Knightmare from Shinjuku and Lake Kawaguchi." Ohgi nodded grimly.
"Well, well, well." Naruto spoke, catching the attention of Suzaku and Cornelia. "I see you managed to dig up that little toy of yours and you added a big ass rifle to it. You wouldn't be trying to compensate for that humiliating defeat I gave you last time would you?"
"Attention, Black Knights!" Suzaku pointed the VARIS at Seizan. "You are under arrest for terrorism and murder."
"That's a funny thing for you of all people to say, considering the state you guys are in. You sure you can fight me and protect Cornelia at the same time?" Naruto rhetorically asked as he pulled out his twin kodachi. "Q1, Zero, I will deal with this guy myself."
"Understood. Guren Mk-II, pull back and wait for the opening to take Cornelia." Lelouch ordered.
"Right." Kallen reluctantly complied as she pulled back.
Suzaku grunted as he pointed the VARIS at Seizan and started firing, not wishing to give it a chance to fight. However Naruto easily dodged the blasts and smirked as the Lancelot launched its foot at him.
"This is how you kick!" Naruto shouted as he leapt over the Lancelot's foot. "LEAF HURRICANE!"
He spun through the air and delivered a kick to the Lancelot's head that Suzaku tried to block with one arm but sheer force of the kick sent the Lancelot spiraling into the wall. Suzaku cried out as the Lancelot collided with the wall, leaving large cracks forming but it was otherwise fine.
'It's not only fast but strong.' Suzaku grunted. 'I can't let it get in close!'
Suzaku spun around and fired the VARIS again while pulling out a MVS sword, struggling to hit Seizan but the black and blue frame kept on dodging and making it look so easy. Thinking quickly he kicked out his other foot, sending the other Landspinner flying through the air towards Seizan. However Naruto easily sliced through the spinner and continued charging forward.
"Not good enough!" Naruto shouted.
Suzaku grunted as he pulled back, avoiding the kodachi that almost sliced the Lancelot's head off and leapt back through the air to gain some distance.
"Why do you keep on jumping back? Are you afraid of letting even a small part of me out of your sight?" Naruto rhetorically asked as Suzaku fired his shoulder Slash Harkens at him but Naruto activated his Wave Surgers and channeled the radiation and chakra through his swords, cutting the Harkens and reducing them to nothing. "That's stupid!"
Suzaku gritted his teeth as he spun out of the way and slashed at Naruto's back. Naruto raised his swords over Seizan's head and caught the sword easily.
"If you're so afraid of losing sight of me then you should get in close and take me out!" Naruto spun and pushed the sword away. "The only time distance has any meaning is in a battle between equals!"
He spun Seizan to face the Lancelot and slashed at its chest. Suzaku activated the Blaze Luminous in both arms to block the swords and they succeeded but Naruto started channelling chakra into the blades and the Lancelot's Blaze Luminous began absorbing the energy.
"Damn it!" Suzaku swore as his console flashed red. "He's overloading the Blaze Luminous again!"
Suzaku jumped back, leaping into the air and aiming the VARIS down on Seizan and fired. Naruto raised both swords and channelled his chakra into the blades as he swung and slashed through the VARIS's shell, cutting it in half and its pieces flew past Seizan as it wheeled past the shells. The shells exploded, highlighting Seizan's form and its ringed eyes seemed to glow from its shadowed form.
"It can cut through the VARIS?!" Suzaku whispered in awe and shock.
Naruto took advantage of the surprised Suzaku as he landed and slashed at its chest but Suzaku managed to pull back before the kodachi cut through the cockpit. However Suzaku didn't move out of the way completely and a large scratch was now present on the Lancelot's chest.
"As you can see, there is no distance between us at all. If I really want to, I could simply reach out and touch your heart." Naruto stated with a cold look as his Rinnegan replaced his blue eyes.
Suzaku could only pant as sweat poured down his head and he quickly pulled out the other MVS sword. 'I can't let him get past me. If I lose the Black Knights will take Cornelia!'
The tear at the chest had torn the armor covering the cockpit and it fell out, revealing the pilot to all who were watching.
"Hey is that-" Ohgi started with widened eyes.
"It's that Honorary Britannian that Zero rescued! He's piloting that Knightmare?!" Tamaki shouted in complete shock.
Lelouch and Kallen were silent in shock upon seeing the Lancelot's pilot, their fellow student at Ashford Academy, Suzaku Kururugi. Kallen was surprised that a nice guy like Suzaku, even though he was an Honorary Britannian was the pilot of the same Knightmare that was causing more trouble for them than even Cornelia. Not to mention the fact that Suzaku was the son of Genbu Kururugi, Japan's Prime Minister before Britannia invaded. How would the Japanese react when they realized the son of their deceased leader was a soldier of the enemy, a traitor?
Lelouch's skin had turned pale white in shock when he saw his best friend in the cockpit of the white Knightmare. He looked at Naruto and wondered if this was a joke.
'No, not even Naruto and his great love for playing pranks would ever consider pulling like this.' Lelouch thought, still trying to find some rational explanation for Suzaku piloting the white Knightmare.
"So, you're the one piloting this Knightmare, Honorary Britannian Kururugi Suzaku." Naruto stated coldly, remaining in a ready stance. "To think the same person who was accused of assassinating Prince Clovis was the same person I fought in Shinjuku. You have a lot of nerve using such a weapon against your own people."
"I'm protecting my people by serving the Empire. It's people like you who endanger lives by causing anarchy in a pointless struggle!" Suzaku exclaimed.
"Pointless?!" Kallen shouted, now feeling angry and was ready to attack the Lancelot. "How can you call it pointless when we're struggling to take our home back?! Our home that was plundered by Britannia and they stripped us of our culture and name!"
"We lost the war seven years ago! Britannia won, Japan lost! Why can't you understand that?!" Suzaku retaliated.
'Damn it, Suzaku! How can you support them?!' Lelouch gritted his teeth. 'They took from you just as much as they took from your people!'
"You say the Japanese should roll over and accept whatever brutality Britannia dishes out on them? Endure all the pain of being their lapdogs and slaves and just hoping for things to get better. Don't make me laugh." Naruto narrowed his eyes. "That's a load of bull shit. The Japanese may have lost the war but that did not dampen the determination to free their country or the hate they feel towards Britannia for its crimes and it never will as long as people still dream of a free Japan and as long as Britannia continues its racial beliefs."
"If they join the system and try hard enough they can change it from within! It can be done without blood! If you are try to change it through contemptible methods all you proving is that you are not interested in protecting the innocent!" Suzaku countered.
"So you would bow your head as your masters order you to commit massacres like the one in Shinjuku, or in Saitama that the woman you are protecting attempted if not for us stepping in, and we know if not for certain circumstances she would have sacrificed the hostages to kill the terrorists at Lake Kawaguchi. You call that without blood? What kind of soldier are you supposed to be?" Naruto said, starting to get angry. "If you refuse to understand then you are not only a fool but you are also a coward!"
"A coward?!" Suzaku's eyes widened before narrowing his eyes in anger.
"Yes, a coward! One who refuses to see the truth and ignores just how rotten your masters are and allow them to kill and oppress people, your own kin no less, to satisfy their so-called superiority and hope that if you bow your head and submit to that them that they'll actually get off their fat asses decide to start being nice. Let me make this warning perfectly clear, you will not be able to change Britannia no matter how many times you kiss their collective asses, it'll be the same each and every day until you die or realize the utter foolishness of your beliefs! The Japanese along with the rest of the Areas will never accept their rights, pride, and home being taken from them!" Naruto said coldly. "Now if we're done with the philosophies shut up and fight!"
Suzaku quickly fired another shot at the ground in front of Naruto, creating an explosion of dust then he put away the VARIS and pulled out his other MVS sword, preparing himself for his rematch with the blue Knightmare. He lunged through the dust and tried to bisect Seizan but Naruto easily dodged despite the Lancelot's speed.
"So it's as fast as Lancelot too!" Suzaku realized as he narrowly avoided another slash from Naruto's own MVS swords.
As Suzaku attacked again Naruto blocked both swords and then lashed out with a kick that sent the Lancelot staggering backwards. Naruto aimed to cut the Lancelot's arms off but Suzaku quickly activated the Blaze Luminous causing the swords to bounce off the shields.
'He's fighting better than he did in Shinjuku.' Naruto thought as Suzaku fired his hip mounted Slash Harkens at Seizan. "But it's still not enough!"
He dodged the Lancelot's Harkens and lashed out with his swords but the Lancelot jumped, flipping and twisting over Naruto who turned and fired his shoulder Slash Harkens at the airborne white Knightmare. However in an impressive display of fast reflexes Suzaku cut the Harkens with his MVS swords as he landed on the ground and then lunged at Seizan, aiming his swords at Seizan's chest.
"You're mine now!" Suzaku shouted through the Lancelot's speakers.
"Not even close!" Naruto replied as he launched his right MVS kunai through the right launcher, impacting the MVS sword in the Lancelot's left hand and in a burst of chakra and radiant wave energy the sword was instantly destroyed and the kunai stabbed the Lancelot's shoulder.
Suzaku grunted as he pulled back and the MVS kunai retracted back into the launcher. The shoulder sparked from the damage but it was still usable so he quickly discarded the remains of the now broken MVS sword in his right hand and grabbed the VARIS rifle.
'I can't let him use those Harkens again.' Suzaku thought, keeping himself calm even though he still sweating.
'They're all focused on us now. C.C. should be in position by now.' Naruto could see through C.C.'s eyes that she was close to her target.
C.C. spotted the G-1 once she finally made it down the mountain, her Rinnegan spotting the eight Sutherlands and the Sakuradite powering them surrounding the large structure.
"Found you." C.C. whispered as she started channeling chakra through her gloves. " Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Jutsu! "
A white mist enveloped the entire area, covering everything and making it impossible for anyone at the window to see the mountain.
Euphie looked up from the console and noticed the mist. 'This mist, where did it-'
" GAH! "
" What's happening?! "
" We're under at- "
Through the mist Shinryoku moved silently and dispatched its enemies with lethal precision and taking them out before they could even blink. C.C. remembered the story Naruto told her of Zabuza Momochi who had the title Demon of the Mist because he was an expert in the silent kill technique and liked to use mists as cover.
'Well, I'm already a Witch. Perhaps I'm now the Witch who hides in the Mist to steal young maidens so I can eat them.' C.C. grinned manically as she dispatched another Sutherland.
"What's happening out there?" Euphemia walked to the window to get a better look.
She saw sparks of light through the mist but nothing else.
"Princess Euphemia, we must-"
The G-1 was suddenly rocked by a sudden shake and the sound of explosions rang out around the mobile base. The legs were cut and the weapons were destroyed leaving it completely helpless. Euphie cried as she fell on her back from the intense vibrations.
"Princess Euphemia!
The aids would have run to help her up but everyone froze as a large shadow fell over them. They looked up and saw a green and black Knightmare with purple ringed eyes staring at them.
" Princess Euphemia li Britannia, we meet again. " The voice of the woman who wore an avian mask that Euphie had met before during the terrorist crisis at the Kawaguchi hotel said through the speakers. " I believe you remember the last time we met at Lake Kawaguchi? "
Euphie could only stare at the green Knightmare in stunned and frightened silence.
"Run Princess!" A man took out his gun to shoot but Shinryoku smashed the windows open, sending shards flying and making everyone jump back in shock but luckily no one was hurt.
" Don't interrupt me. Princess Euphemia, as you probably remember we are not in the business of targeting civilians which was why we allowed you to leave last time despite your political status. This time though that's not the case as you are now a legitimate military target, making you just as important as your sister. So now I offer you the same choice we offered your sister when we fought her in Saitama, you can either surrender yourself now and become a prisoner of war or I'll destroy this base and everyone in it. " The woman said in dark tone as the Knightmare held out its hand. " And like before this offer expires in ten seconds. "
Euphie stared in silent fear with small tears coming down her face but she quickly stepped onto the Knightmare's hand.
"Princess no!" An aid shouted.
" You must be scared to death but you still step forward to save everyone's lives. How courageous. " The woman stated, the Knightmare looking down at her with what almost looked like a soft expression. " Time to go. "
Shinryoku vanished into the mist.
"Attention all remaining forces! The G-1 has been attacked and Princess Euphemia has been captured!" A man shouted into the radio.
The transmission was intercepted by C.C. who transmitted it on all channels.
"Attention all remaining forces! The G-1 has been attacked by an enemy Knightmare and Princess Euphemia has been captured ! "
"What?!" Guilford paused in mid-battle with Todoh. "Princess Euphemia was captured?!"
"How can that be?! The G-1 would have had a full squad of Knightmares to protect it!" Darlton shouted in shock and horror upon hearing of Euphemia's capture.
"Attention all remaining forces! The G-1 has been attacked by an enemy Knightmare and Princess Euphemia has been captured ! "
Cornelia's heart nearly stopped when she heard the transmission. "WHAT?!"
Suzaku stopped in mid-battle, freezing when he heard the transmission. "What?!"
Lelouch's eyes widened. "What?!"
" The Knightmare responsible was the black and green Knightmare seen with Zero. "
"The green Knightmare!" Suzaku's eyes widened in horror. "I forgot about it! It's not here with the blue one!"
"So she made it after all."Naruto commented thoughtfully.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO MY SISTER?!" Cornelia shouted, struggling to move her Gloucester but it was completely buried thus it was unable to move.
"Did you not notice someone missing? After all, Zero had another female ace before our new red friend here." Naruto gestured to the Guren. "Don't tell me you forgot about our green friend."
Suzaku's eyes widened even further. "No… She couldn't have made it all way to the G-1!"
"She did and it was easy to take out the home guard with the entire Royal Guard and the only advanced Knightmare they have all the way out here. Did you really think there wasn't a chance someone couldn't slip by all your forces that were busy with the Black Knights and the JLF to attack the home base or that we would only target Cornelia when we found out Euphemia was present as well?" Naruto rhetorically asked. "Once again Cornelia your pride as the Goddess of Victory has cost you the battle, victory itself has defeated you."
'C.C. managed to capture Euphie?!' Lelouch realized with widened eyes. 'This wasn't part of the plan! Damn it, Naruto you and C.C. are acting on your own again!'
"DAMN YOU! LET HER GO!" Cornelia struggled harder to break free but she couldn't move an inch. "COWARDS!"
"She's done nothing to you! You even praised her for helping with the terrorists at Lake Kawaguchi! Are you that cold hearted that you'd kill anyone in your way?!" Suzaku shouted, ready to attack and bust his way through the blue Knightmare to go rescue Euphie.
"You speak as if she was killed, not captured and for the record she became a military target the moment she stepped out into the field even if she only stayed back to monitor the battle. You two seem have trouble understanding that this is real war whether you label us as terrorists or not and the point of the battle is to make your enemy bleed and go after high ranked targets to leave the enemy army in disarray. Even if we fail to capture Cornelia we still managed to capture the Sub-Viceroy and another member of Britannian Royalty." Naruto retorted. "Now then, let's finish this."
"Let her go!" Suzaku shouted as he charged forward, aiming the VARIS rifle and ready to pull the trigger.
'Let's test this out.' Naruto thought as he put away one sword and charged forward. 'All I need is an attack with enough power and force to overload it and I know just the one.'
A bright blue light appeared in Seizan's right hand, looking like a spiraling sphere that grew in size. Naruto had to appreciate the fact that it was extremely cool to make a Rasengan using Seizan and that his Knightmare probably had better control of it than he did when he was first learning how to master the technique.
"Say hello…" Naruto thrust his arm forward. "To the Rasengan!"
The spiraling orb collided with the Lancelot's VARIS as it fired, causing a bright burst of light with tendrils of blue energy flying surrounding both Knightmares as the Lancelot was slowly being pushed back, its feet skidding through the ground. The Rasengan blasted through the shell from the VARIS, shredding the VARIS and then continued into the arm, blowing it apart instantly. The Lancelot's cockpit flashed red while Suzaku stared with widened eyes at the destroyed arm. The cockpit sparked with electricity from the chakra that went through the destroyed arm and shocked Suzaku along with short circuiting most of the Lancelot's systems.
The rest of the chakra interacting with Sakuradite scattered throughout the frame overloaded the Lancelot's power systems, burning the power filter out and shutting the Lancelot down.
"What's happening?!" Suzaku struggled to move but everything went dead and the Lancelot fell over like a puppet that had its strings cut.
"It's over." Naruto said as Seizan stood over the Lancelot victoriously. "Your good but you still fight poorly. Both your skills and your reasons for fighting are weak."
'It can't be! It's got to work!' Suzaku grunted as he kept on trying to do something, lift an arm, a leg, even a finger. 'Damn it! Work! I have to save her!'
"MY LANCELOT! WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO MY LANCELOT?!" Lloyd shouted when all power readings from the Lancelot went beyond the safety measure and then instantly died.
Cecile could only stare at the readings, wondering what could have overloaded all of the Lancelot's systems.
"OH DEAR! DID MY CHILD BREAK YOUR LITTLE TOY EARL OF PUDDING?!" Rakshata laughed like a lunatic as she stood up danced around her couch, having watched the whole battle through her shared vision with Naruto and Seizan. "THAT'S MY LITTLE AWESOME KNIGHTMARE! YOU MAKE MOMMY SO PROUD!"
Honestly, she felt like running all the way to Japan and giving Naruto a full tongue kiss for once again coming out on top with her child easily taking down Lloyd's creation.
'Wow…' Kallen stared in awe what had happened.
'Is this the power of the Seventh Generation Knightmare?' Cornelia thought in awe and frustration. 'How did these terrorists gain such advanced technology?'
"Good work, Seizan. Now let's move in and capture Cornelia." Lelouch said, wishing to take control of the situation.
"Right." Kallen nodded as she and Naruto approached the down Gloucester.
"Wait!" Suzaku leapt out of his cockpit and pulled out a pistol.
Lelouch quickly fired a warning in front of Suzaku that made him jump back with a shout and fall back into the Lancelot's cockpit.
"Stand down, Kururugi!" Lelouch said coldly. "This battle has ended."
Suzaku would have tried again but Naruto picked up a boulder and slammed it into the cockpit, trapping Suzaku inside.
"That'll hold him. Now then…" Naruto turned Seizan around and walked towards Cornelia's Knightmare.
Cornelia wanted to scream, punch, and kick as they approached. Becoming a prisoner of terrorists was a major blow to her reputation and honor but she couldn't, not if she wanted to find out where they took Euphie. At the very least they would be together and she could protect Euphie from whatever torture Zero had planned.
"Now then," Seizan placed its hand on the ground around the Gloucester and the softened enough that Naruto was able to pull the Gloucester up, at least enough of it out that Cornelia could get out of the cockpit.
It was then Cornelia realized that wouldn't have been long before she had possibly died of oxygen deprivation once the Gloucester's energy filter ran out.
"Now exit the cockpit or I'll tear it open." Naruto stated calmly but held his sword out to show he was serious.
Cornelia gritted her teeth as she was about to open the hatch, swearing she would get her revenge on Zero and the Black Knights for humiliating her and taking Euphie. She opened the hatch and slowly stepped out, glaring up at the blue Knightmare.
"Zero, look!" Ohgi shouted, his Burai pointing to the sky.
Everyone stopped and looked up to see a large number of VTOL gunships approaching.
" For Princess Cornelia and Princess Euphemia! " Those words echoed through the radio.
"They called in an airstrike!" Lelouch gritted his teeth. 'C.C. took Euphie and in response they called in a massive air strike. Too many even with Naruto and Kallen here.' "Retreat!"
"What? We got her!" Tamaki protested.
"This is quickly becoming a war of attrition and we won't last long if we stay and try to capture Cornelia while fighting them off at the same time." Lelouch responded. "All Black Knights, retreat to your exit points."
"Right." Ohgi nodded and took off with Tamaki.
"WAIT! COME BACK HERE!" Cornelia shouted as the Knightmares turned away, desperate to find her sister. She pulled out her pistol and shot at Zero's Knightmare as it vanished into the forest. "IT'S ME YOU WANT, ZERO SO COME AND TAKE ME! COME BACK YOU COWARD!"
Her shouts went unheard as the Knightmares all retreated from the location. Cornelia fell to her knees banged her fists on the armor of her Gloucester and let out a scream of pain and anguish that echoed throughout the entire mountain.
"EUPHIE!"
"Seizan, where's Shinryoku?" Lelouch asked through the radio.
"Hiding out in a cave, off the beaten path with Princess Euphemia." Naruto answered. "You and Q1, take off. I'll head over to their location."
"Seizan, this isn't what we planned." Lelouch said with a scowl.
"I know but they launched the white Knightmare on Euphemia's orders so we had a chance to find who the pilot is." Naruto replied. "Don't worry, we won't hurt her or keep her for very long. She's only the Sub-Viceroy so she doesn't have nearly as much influence as Cornelia."
"You captured her to find out who the pilot was?" Kallen asked curiously though knowing it was now moot since they now knew who the pilot was.
"Talk later, move now." Naruto said as he sped off.
'Typical. He always alters the plan in the middle of the operation and C.C. always agrees with him. It's annoying but they know enough to make sure that even if things go south that they can change enough of the plan to counter any situation.' Lelouch thought. 'We still failed to capture Cornelia again but we got to test the Guren and it performed well, even better than what I expected.'
At the very least they defeated Cornelia's forces again and no doubt even more people would flock to the Black Knights and their cause. In the meantime Lelouch was trying purposely to not think about Suzaku and his newly revealed status as the pilot of the white Knightmare and the problem he could cause in the future.
Euphemia took the moment to admire the interior of the cave she was in, having almost never seen such natural beauty in her life. She was following the cloaked woman named Shinryoku deeper into the cave and even though she could have tried to run she doubted she would get very far. She felt something from this woman, a feeling of great power rolling off her in waves.
"What do you think of this little hideaway, Princess?" Shinryoku stopped in front of an underground lake. "Can't say you have seen many places like this, can you?"
"I haven't." Euphie admitted. "I've seen all forms of Britannian art and architecture since I was a child but I did like to try and explore any nearby forests with…" She trailed off when she thought of her favourite siblings.
"Hm…" Shinryoku sat down and looked at the lake.
"I know I agreed to be your prisoner but why am I here and not in some kind of cell?" Euphie asked, unable to mask her curiosity.
"You are a prisoner of war for as long as I, Seizan, or Zero decides but since you are with me the manner of how you are treated or where you are held is up to me and I have no patience to drag you to some dirty cell." Shinryoku dryly answered. "Besides, are you seriously going to question me on how I decide to handle on where and how a prisoner is treated when the JLF and most of the Japanese wouldn't be so accommodating, especially to a Princess of Britannia?"
Euphie flinched. "Uh… right."
"Don't worry, we have no interest in you other than a passing curiosity. Cornelia is the head of the Area's military thus making her in Zero's eyes target number one. The reason you are here is actually because of Seizan, who you already met." Shinryoku continued, just staring at the lake.
"Seizan?" Euphie remembered the fox masked man from that night.
"Yes. He's developed an interest in you for a few reasons and wished to meet you, away from the eyes of Cornelia and Zero." Shinryoku clarified.
"Why would he want to speak to me?" Euphie questioned. "What makes me so special? I'm only the Sub-Viceroy."
"There's more to you than that."
Euphie turned around and watched as the man with the fox mask named Seizan walked into the cave.
"Unlike your sister, in fact unlike most Britannians you are not driven with the same mindset. I have never heard you speak ill of the Japanese, never referring to them as Elevens or any derogatory term even once, risking your life for the hostages at Lake Kawaguchi when your sister would have sacrificed them to kill the terrorists and valuing innocent life above the success of any military operation." Seizan stopped just a few feet from Euphemia. "As a member of the Britannian Royal Family one would think you would embody the typical attitude towards anyone of non-Britannian blood."
"I don't believe in that." Euphie frowned, hating the fact that this man believed she was like that. "The pointless violence, stripping people of their homes and labelling them as numbers instead of people. It's just… it's just… wrong."
"Britannia lives by the creed that all men are not born equal and that only the strong survive." Seizan pointed out.
"We may not be born equal but we are created equal." Euphie replied, standing tall and proud like her sister taught. "True equality is not an issue of gender, race, or social standing but the universal right of all humanity."
These words seemed to surprise Seizan as he tilted his head and remained silent for a moment. "You are a unique person amongst your family, Princess Euphemia. Truly, it is a pity that they do not share your ideals. Now I have a question."
"Huh?" Euphie wondered what he was going to ask.
"In your mind, what does it take to bring true peace?"
"True peace?" Euphie repeated softly.
"Yes. True peace, as in a world where there is not constant fighting, hatred, and death. Many people have come with their own ideas of peace. They believe peace could be achieved through force, power, love, understanding, and so much more but their ideals of peace clashed with each other and ironically they never truly gave peace a chance as they constantly fought over who was right." Seizan explained. "They were so proud, so convinced they were right that they believe anyone else's idea of peace was wrong and led to greater conflict. Britannia's idea of peace is obviously through conquest but what is yours?"
"Why would ask me a question like that? What about what you and Zero are doing? You're committing terrorism and destabilizing the Area. Why you ask me what true peace is?" Euphemia pointed out.
"This so called Area was once home to a proud people who lost it to conquerors who took their land, culture, and identity and left them to live in ruins they once called home while their rulers grow fat off their suffering. It was never stable to begin with and it was only a matter of time before someone like Zero rose up. This is not their fault; this is your homeland's fault for hurting, torturing, and killing them for the past seven years. This is not true peace; it's a farce, a mask of indifference to the suffering of the world." Seizan answered with a cold tone, noticing Euphemia flinching from either the tone or the truth in his words. "I ask you because you not only different in your beliefs you are different because you not the Emperor. So tell me, what do you believe is actual peace?"
Euphie was silent for a few minutes before coming up with an answer. "Peace is not achieved through conquest, or defeating your enemy. To bring peace you must… find a way to overcome your hate. Show people that violence is wrong through simple acts of kindness and love, protect those who can't protect themselves, and heal their wounds so they won't have to live a life of pain and suffering and strive to show them they can live without violence!"
She cried out the last part because she spent so much time holding in her believes because her sister kept her from speaking out, fearing what would happen if their father heard her views. To be able to speak her mind felt so refreshing that she couldn't help it.
"Like I said, it's truly a pity that you are the possibly the only one amongst your family to have such great ideals." Seizan remarked with a tone of approval. "If you were sitting on the throne instead of your father I have no doubt the world would be a much different place."
"Thank you." Euphie said softly, wondering why he asked her that question. "Why are you so curious?"
Seizan walked past Euphie and looked across the lake. "Zero believes that peace can only be achieved if Britannia is destroyed, seeing it as a blight on the world with no redeeming qualities whatsoever. It hasn't occurred to him it's impossible to make the world a better place if the western hemisphere destroyed and left vulnerable for the other powers to swoop and peck at Britannia's corpse like vultures. While I work with him we both have different ideas on how to bring about peace."
"And what is your idea?" Euphie asked, genuinely curious.
"If there is to be peace then it must be made with the right people deciding that the wars must end. People who not afraid to voice their thoughts on how people should be treated, Britannian, Japanese, or otherwise. People who are capable of bringing them all together for a single vision." Seizan slowly answered. "In my mind, that will take more than just the Black Knights and Zero but it's possible. It'll be slow and hardworking and the path filled with sweat, blood, and tears as you must first convince yourself peace is possible, then another person, then a group, a country, and then… the world."
A drop fell from the ceiling, echoing throughout the now silent cave.
"Seizan…" Euphie whispered, having listened to every word the man had said.
This man, he seemed different from the rest of the terrorists, even different from Zero. For the brief second she entertained the idea of asking him if she could see his face.
"Hmm… Perhaps we should end our conversation here." Seizan turned around and faced her. "Your sister is bound to be worried sick about you."
Euphie's eyes widened. Worried sick was not the word to describe Cornelia as it most likely that her older sister would do everything to keep her back in the Viceroy Palace and under constant every guard and no doubt never leave her out of her sight, not even to go to the bathroom.
"It's been a pleasure meeting you, Princess Euphemia." Seizan took Euphie's hand and slid his mask up enough to kiss it. "Hopefully we'll meet again."
He slid a radio into her hand and smirked at the shade of pink covering Euphie's cheeks and stepped back.
"This will lead Cornelia straight to you." Seizan and Shinryoku slipped into the shadows and were gone, leaving Euphie alone in the cave. "Oh, and if your sister asks why we wanted you, you can go ahead and tell her we wanted information on the pilot of the white Knightmare."
Euphie's eyes widened but they were gone before she could ask them if they knew about Suzaku being the pilot of the Lancelot.
Euphie sighed and held up the radio and quickly picked an open channel. "To anyone out there, this is Princess Euphemia li Britannia, requesting pick up. I repeat, this is Princess Euphemia li Britannia, requesting pick up."
The instant Cornelia heard her voice on the radio she hijacked the nearest Gloucester and shot up the mountain where the signal was coming from.
It stopped right in front of the cave and when her factsphere spotted Euphie Cornelia led out a joyful cry. "EUPHIE!"
She jumped out of the cockpit when she pulled the Gloucester to a stop and rushed towards her sister, enveloping her in a tight hug which Euphie happily returned.
Cornelia then started checking her little sister over for injuries. "Are you all right? Did they hurt you anywhere?"
"I'm fine sister." Euphie smiled. "I'm fine."
Lelouch hopped out of his Burai as Seizan and Shinryoku stopped and powered down. Lelouch and Kallen made it to the rendezvous point they had set up with Zero's aces and had been waiting for a three minutes before they arrived.
"Well, all things considered that didn't end so bad." Naruto as he hopped off his Knightmare and landed on the ground.
"The point of the mission was to capture Cornelia, not Euphemia." Lelouch scowled, trying to not to think of Suzaku being the Lancelot's pilot.
"We know but at the same time we also know that it's not easy to keep to a plan in the heat of battle. We saw an opportunity and exploited it." C.C. shrugged as she stood next to Naruto. "That's the whole point of a battle, see an opportunity and exploit it."
"So where is Princess Euphemia?" Kallen asked.
"Left her back in a cave for Cornelia to find her. She's only the Sub-Viceroy and not our real target but on the bright side we managed to find out who is the pilot of the white Knightmare, the Lancelot." Naruto answered.
"All this time…" Kallen looked down at the ground as she clenched her fists. "All this time he was fighting against us. His own people, all because he doesn't have the balls to stand up to Britannia. He'd rather we bow our heads to them, thinking we need to adapt… How the hell can he justify something like that?!"
"It seems we were not the only ones with secrets." C.C. mused.
"It's impossible…" Lelouch turned to a tree and punched it as hard as possible. "It's impossible!"
"Lelouch!" Kallen grabbed Lelouch's arm, noticing the red stains on the now torn glove. "Hitting a tree isn't going to help. I know you guys are friends but there's nothing we can do about it if it's true."
"Why? He should have as much reason to hate Britannia as the rest of us! They invaded his homeland, his father committed suicide because of them, so why is he helping them?!" Lelouch tore his arm free of Kallen's grip. "How could he even become the pilot of a Knightmare like that anyhow?!"
"The Lancelot was built by a science division not part of the military. No matter what their attitude is towards Numbers it's possible for Honorary Britannians to be used as test subjects for new weaponry, including Knightmare Frames." C.C. offered calmly. "Suzaku would have had to achieve a high performance rate to become the pilot."
"Look, Lelouch, whether you want to believe it or not it's the truth and there's nothing we can do to change the fact that Suzaku is working with Britannia." Naruto stepped forward. "We can wonder why he's working for them later but right now we have to move. We're still close enough that an enemy Knightmare could spot us."
Lelouch and Kallen looked at them and nodded, deciding to put their questions on hold for now. Naruto was right, they needed to get out before they were discovered.
"C.C." Lelouch called out, making the green haired girl stop and look at him. "I don't know why snow is white, but I know it's beautiful like Naruto said. Don't hate it."
C.C. looked at Lelouch with a surprised look before nodding. "I see."
'Well, he's finally coming around.' Naruto thought with a smile.
A truck was that driving through the empty town came to sudden stop as someone came onto the road. The person was obviously injured as he was limping and using a walking stick to keep himself on his two feet with a hand clutching his left eye. The man fell to his knees as the truck screeched to a halt just before hitting him.
"Great another soldier." A man in lab coat groaned as the drive tried to make the man move by hocking at him.
"I can't fail again… Zero!" The man, Jeremiah Gottwald cried out as he collapsed onto the ground.