Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
A week had passed since the incident with Mao and Villetta Nu and for the most part things had quieted back down. Lelouch found himself dragged down to the simulator by Naruto, C.C. or Kallen for training almost every day. All three of them usually won but noticed that Lelouch was getting better even though he always lost. He usually made use of the terrain around him to his advantage in his fights as he usually lost when he tried fighting head on. For the most part he and Kallen were speaking socially and when they were with the Black Knights they acted as everyone had come to expect so for the most part what had happened between them when Kallen had called him out on his true identity was for the most part pushed aside for the moment.
However that did not stop Lelouch from grinning when Milly showed Kallen the picture of them sleeping against a tree which resulted in Kallen begging Milly to not show anyone. She caught Lelouch grinning and heard him mouth to her when Milly revealed she was just messing with her and Lelouch 'Now we're even'. When Milly turned her back Kallen gave Lelouch a scary glare for helping Milly almost make her heart stop but was thankful he convinced her to not show anyone, especially Naruto and C.C. They would have been on both of their cases if they saw the photo. But that was in the past and right now Lelouch was conversing with Ohgi over the phone.
"I see… very well we will help them." Lelouch replied.
"Are you sure? " Ohgi asked.
"The Black Knights fight for the cause of Justice there is nothing odd about that." Lelouch answered before giving Ohgi instructions. "We'll use assembly method B-13, take the Knightmares via course 18… you have Diethard handle it. Also alert those to rendezvous with us… I'll meet you all later."
Once Lelouch was done he hung up the phone. 'Perfect. A chance to rescue and recruit Todoh and the Four Holy Swords into the Black Knights. With their help the Black Knights will become strong enough to take the fight to Cornelia.'
"My Shadow Clone has met with the Chinese Federation but don't expect any results for the moment." C.C. stated, walking up the stairs.
She was finished with art class but left Naruto behind to the mercy of Milly and a few other girls. He was a big boy now so he could handle himself.
"Don't worry about that. We can handle that later. Besides after today we might gain a few more allies."
"Then you should get ready too." C.C. smirked. "You're going to love what you see tonight."
Lelouch had an idea of what C.C. was talking about.
"We will open Art Week with the dedication of the Clovis Memorial Museum of Art." The curator noted, smiling confidently as he led Euphemia and her entourage down the halls "You, Princess Euphemia, will select the first place winner from amongst these submitted works."
Euphemia sighed, understanding now why her sister had left her to do this. Cornelia had no patience for such things, and doubtlessly assumed that Euphemia couldn't get into any trouble here. Euphie paused before one painting, which showed a house with garden in a serene background. The very picture seemed to call feelings of comfort, of that fuzzy feeling of a nice day home.
"I really like this one." Euphy declared.
The curator cleared his throat. "Yes well, or research showed that the artist was a quarter Eleven. Either way, why don't you look at this one?"
It was a picture of her father at Clovis's funeral which was not something Euphie would say was unique. She had seen enough paintings of her large sire back at Pendragon.
"Come, come, curator. Let Princess Euphemia make up her own mind. I'm sure the people will love her choices." A voice spoke up behind them, earning the group's attention.
"It's you…" Euphie's eyes widened when she saw the person.
"It has been a while, Euphie."
"Today Kyoshiro Todoh will be executed." Guilford stated to Cornelia, the Viceroy watched as the Sutherlands were deployed with a stern expression as Guilford and Nonnette stood behind her
"I won't be present for that now that the Japan Liberation Front is defunct." Cornelia said.
"Right." Guilford answered.
"No wait…" Cornelia looked over her shoulder with a small smirk. "Let him handle the execution."
"By him you mean-" Nonnette started but trailed off.
"Viceroy," Euphemia called out, earning elder sister's attention which brought a smile as the sub-viceroy drew close.
"Sorry to summon you like this. How's everything at the museum?" Cornelia asked.
"The dedication is later on. More importantly, the NAC reported signs of unrest in Ishikawa…" Euphemia answered.
"Probably backed by the EU or the Chinese Federation." Cornelia sighed, looking honestly annoyed at these little insurgents "Still, it's an opportunity to bring Hokuriku under our control." She missed the look of distress on Euphemia's face as she accepted a document from Guilford "I'll leave Dalton here while I'm gone, if anything happens consult him." She nodded at the scarred Knight, who had pulled up behind Euphemia as Cornelia held out the list of potential pilots to her sister "Also, concerning what we spoke of earlier…"
Euphie took the book and opened, seeing the lists and pictures of pilots.
"You may choose any one of them to be your knight." Cornelia clarified but Euphemia knew what she was talking about. "They're all excellent soldiers from respected families."
"Really, Nelly? You're going to force poor Euphie to pick a total stranger for a Knight?" Nonnette asked.
"I need someone to stay be her side. Since coming here there have already have been two attempts to capture both of us and nearly succeeded." Cornelia scowled. "There's no chance we'll be lucky again, especially against Zero and the Black Knights."
Euphimia and Nonnette sighed from the purple haired woman's stubbornness. Euphie closed the book, not wanting to look at it for the moment. To be honest when Cornelia asked her to pick her Knight the images of two certain people popped up in her mind and she knew Cornelia would never approve of either of them.
"Nonnette, you'll be in charge of security. I need someone here in case Zero tries something." Cornelia glance to the Knight.
"That means I'll have to pull Rai out of school. I've been missing him so much." Nonnette sighed but smiled. "I hope he's making lots and lots of friends. A handsome boy like him will have lots and lots of girls chasing after him. I wonder if I should have given him the talk before I let him go to school so he was ready."
Cornelia shuddered at what Nonnette just said, imagining just what she would say to the poor boy she had as an apprentice and mentally scar him for life. "Nonnette, please. I don't have time for this."
"Oh come on, Nelly. Show some compassion! My little Rai is growing up and soon enough he won't have any room in his life for me!" Nonnette said, looking like she was about to cry. "I feel so old! So inadequate! I might just as well be considered his grandma!" Nonnette then looked thoughtful. "Though I might get a few kids to spoil if he finds a girl he really loves. Then I can teach them to be as tough as me and their daddy!"
Cornelia just sighed again as Nonnette kept on muttering to herself while Euphie giggled but remembered what else she needed to talk to her sister about. "Oh, Viceroy. I almost forgot. There's someone who came to speak with you."
"Hm?" Cornelia looked at Euphie. "Speak with me?"
"Yes. I surprised to see him here. Last I heard of him was that he was in charge of the Daedalus Division." Euphie nodded.
"The Daedalus Division?" Cornelia now looked surprised. "He's here? Why would he come here and not inform me?"
"He's in your office right now." Euphie replied.
"Hmm…" Cornelia frowned. "I'll be in to speak with him immediately."
" Cornelia suspects Zero will attempt to rescue Todoh tonight. "
"Yes, it would match his character. I hear that the Frontier and the Vincent are ready and they will be with the Lancelot on standby with Nonnette Enneagram." The man in the chair smirked.
" Affirmative. "
"Good. You will wait and go along with the plan. We need a better understanding of Zero and his Knight's powers."
" Understood. "
"Yes, the pond does freeze solid in the winter but big brother scolded me once when he caught me skating on it." Nunnally said as she shared tea with Suzaku.
"We had a pond too at the Kururugi shrine. It was small but I use to catch… crawdads all the time." Suzaku said.
"You would catch crawdads? How?" Nunnally asked.
"It's simple. You just tie a string to a frog's back leg." Suzaku answered.
"Hm? Frogs? You mean those things that sit on lily pads and go croak?" Nunnally asked.
"Yeah but in Japan they go 'Ghetto, ghetto.'" Suzaku chuckled.
"What about you, Rai?" Nunnally looked over at the silent boy who had been having a few biscuits. "What's your home like?"
"My home? Well, huh…" Rai trailed off.
"Is something wrong?" Nunnally asked, wondering if it was something she said.
"I… don't remember…" Rai looked away. "I have no memory of my family or where I came from."
Nunnally gasped. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to be so insensitive!"
"It's all right." Rai raised a hand to help calm Nunnally down. "I'm okay. It's not that bad. At least I can come here and see people like you and the others."
Nunnally smiled. "And we get to see you."
Lelouch was only partially listening as he made his sketch and looked over at Suzaku. 'If things continue at this pace and keep according to plan I won't be able to stay with Nunnally any longer. That affair with Mao proves I need someone to keep an eye on my little sister. If a Geass user is that dangerous to someone like Kallen then its imperative I find someone to watch over Nunnally. I would have asked Suzaku to do it but-'
"Suzaku! Rai!" The boys and Nunnnally looked to see Cecile Croomy running up, waving at Suzaku. "Lloyd says its urgent."
"Who's that?" Lelouch asked as Suzaku stood up.
"She's a soldier." Suzaku said simply as Cecile made it up, struggling for breath.
"Friends of yours?" Cecile asked, looking at Lelouch and Nunnally.
Suzaku smiled. "Yes."
"I'm sorry." Cecile said, smiling at them. "But I need to pull Suzaku away from you for a while."
"But um…" Suzaku looked Nunnally and Lelouch.
"Don't worry, I told you it's all right." Lelouch reassured him. "We'll see you again."
"Please come again soon, you two. My operation is tonight." Nunnally said.
'That's right. Nunnally's operation.' Lelouch mentally smacked himself. 'Tonight is when Mito tries to help Nunnally regain her mobility… and I'll be off rescuing Todoh. I hope it won't take me long but Naruto promised he'd give Mito a kunai to teleport me there as soon as possible.'
"Don't worry, we will." Suzaku said as he and Rai started walking.
"Suzaku." Lelouch said, stopping him.
"Hm?" He looked back at his friend.
"… Good luck." Lelouch said with a small smile.
"Don't' worry, I'll be back." Suzaku waved as he ran to catch up with Cecile and Rai.
"Well it seems Suzaku is really important to them, I'm glad." Nunnally said, making Lelouch look at her.
"Nunnally, you seem fond of Suzaku, am I right?" Lelouch askd.
"I adore him and Rai's a pretty good friend too." Nunnally said but noticed the look on Lelouch's face. "But of course I love you more than anyone, Lelouch."
"… I see." Lelouch offered a small smile.
While preparations for tonight's execution were underway Euphemia was undertaking a very different task but was still slightly intimidating to her. The only condolence of this evening was Darlton stepping in from time to time when he felt the princess was being swamped with questions, the problem it was almost every question that was being asked.
"Sub-viceroy," A reporter called out, standing up from his seat and extending his microphone pen, the type used by all nosy parkers, towards the princess "Is it true that no Eleven companies were involved in the construction of this museum?"
"Well, with regard to that question I-" Euphemia slowly answered, unsure what to really say.
"We're currently looking into that matter right now so we have no answer at this time." Darlton cut in, earning a look of gratitude from Euphemia.
"Kerryman from Interstate."Another journalist called out, the one looking mildly intrigued as he raised his hand "Your Highness, there have been rumors lately that you are close to choosing your Knight."
"A Knight. Yes well you see I'm-"
"Ladies and Gentlemen," the curator of the Museum cut in, seeing Euphemia being overwhelmed. "We ask that you please limit your questions to the museum only."
"Are you sure it's a good idea to throw in with the Black Knights?" Asahina asked, the bespectacled member of the Four Holy swords looking on as the rebels tended to the Gurren Mk-II, which was undergoing maintenance.
"Can you think of any other way to rescue Colonel Todoh?" Chiba asked, the female member of the four sword's arms crossed beneath her breasts as the Holy Swords watched the maintenance with grim features.
"There's also what Kyoto said." Senba muttered, the elderly veteran's features solemn as he nodded his head in approval of Lord Kirihara Taizo's message "That they'd lend us the new models."
"Still, their principles seem to be somewhat off." Asahina noted, the blue haired, bespectacled Knightmare pilot looking up at Chiba for emphasis, only for the woman to shrug, her features a mask of dismissal.
"We're not ethnocentric but after all you already know that." Chiba said simply.
"We can worry about the details of our partnership after we've rescued the Colonel." Senba assured the youngest member of the swords, offering a small smile, which Asahina returned with a nod.
"I understand." The bespectacled soldier assured the veteran, a distant smile appearing on his face as his thoughts turned to their captive leader "But no matter where Colonel Todoh may be it's the place I belong."
"AGH!" Tamaki yelled, the redhead looking on in exasperation as the Gurren's maintenance proceeded at a snail's pace "Look, just stuff 'em in and close the lid for crying out loud! It's almost time to move out!"
"Take your time and treat it with the utmost care!" A voice countered.
The Knights and Swords turned round to see a tall, blonde haired woman of Indian descent standing nearby, dressed in a lab coat, with two similarly dressed men at her sides "It was far more fragile than any of you when I gave birth to it."
"Huh?" Tamaki gaped, the redhead trying to wrap his brain around such a concept as a woman, a rather shapely one at that, giving birth to a machine, only to shake his head and glare at the woman in question "Who the hell are you?"
"I am its mother." The woman answered like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"You arrived on time." Zero's modulated voice called out, the masked revolutionary appearing, as he always did, out of thin air, scaring the hell out of everyone who didn't see him coming with his two knights acting as his bodyguards.
"Are you Zero?" The woman asked, staring at the masked man with no hint of emotion on her face aside from a quirked eyebrow. "It's a pleasure. I've heard a lot of things about you."
"The pleasure is all mine." Zero assured the woman, accepting her hand. "I've been reading about you on the net for some time now."
"You have?" Rakshata said, playing along.
"The articles relating to medical cybernetics." Zero continued.
"I do hate talking about the past." Rakshata smiled, as she held up a set of keys on a chain "Anyway here… a souvenir from Kyoto."
"Um… excuse me…" Kallen called out, the collective male populace, with the exclusion of Senba, turning to gape at the sight of the redhead in her new uniform "Is this really going to improve the interfacing system?"
"Of course not." Rakshata chuckled, the buxom scientist tapping her pipe in the direction of the confused redhead, her features lined with amusement "It's going to improve your life expectancy. Now let's move on to my little gift for you, Zero."
Zero tilted his head slightly. "Are you referring to…"
"Why yes. It's time for the infamous Zero to grace the battlefield with my youngest child." Rakshata stated.
Lelouch took off his mask as he, Rakshata, Naruto, Kallen and C.C. entered the elevator. Kallen knew that some of the Black Knights would be curious as to why she'd get to see what was in the basement but she wanted to come along and see Lelouch's Knightmare. The elevator reached the bottom floor and they stepped out into the basement hangar of the Ashford Factory. Seizan and Shinryoku stood in their usual places but next to Seizan was a Knightmare covered by a large sheet.
"Zero, I present to you, Arashikage!" Rakshata announced as the sheet was pulled off by the cables attached to it.
Lelouch was stunned at the appearance of the Knightmare he was going to pilot and it looked very impressive.
It was around the same height as Seizan, possessing a slim body that looked flexible and agile and was painted black with gold and red highlights. It possessed long arms with golden hands that had sharp fingers resembling talons with red circular jewels embedded in the palms. The long arms were covered completely in dark armor that reached slightly past the shoulders. On the shoulders were two highly advanced looking circular cannons with turbines for some reason that sprouted from hidden compartments.
The legs were thin and long, covered with dark golden lined armor that oddly enough did not possess Landspinners but had what looked liked turbines attached to the back of its feet which were pointed, resembling blades. The head was most unique as the 'face' was covered by a visor with a sharp angular head that resembled a helmet. The torso had black streamlined armor around the chest and groin area and on the center of the torso was a golden hexagon shaped gem. The Knightmare had two Slash Harken launchers located at the hips with sharp spikes attached to the cables. Unlike regular cockpits that were usually attached to the back was a hatch right above the jewel in the chest opened up to show the cockpit with a keyboard console that was customized for Lelouch but he noticed a second set of large turbines shaped like folded wings on its back.
"Arashikage?" Lelouch asked, looking at Rakshata with amazement in his eyes.
"It means 'Storm Shadow.'" Naruto clarified, impressed by the new Knightmare.
In Naruto's world the Elemental Villages were led by the Kages and though Lelouch was not the strongest of the Black Knights he was the leader, which was why Naruto suggested the Kage title. As Zero Lelouch was recognized for his influence and charisma in the Black Knights and though he wasn't as strong as his knights or Kallen he had the tactical intellect to be very dangerous, something C.C. had known since Lelouch was a child. Thus while the Black Knights were not Shinobi they were still fighters who stuck to the shadows and Naruto believed that Zero's Knightmare should have a Kage title, just to honor his home world.
"Wow." Kallen marveled at how unique Lelouch's Knightmare looked. "To be honest it looks like it suits you, Lelouch. It's obviously not a front line fighter but it still looks… scary looking."
"It was designed as a command type Knightmare but was built with experimental technology so even if you prefer to avoid fighting try to at least test it." Rakshata said as she gave a bat wing shaped key to Lelouch.
"Experimental?" Lelouch asked as he looked at the key. "What do you mean?"
"Well, we better go over it so you'll know what to expect." Rakshata grinned. "Wouldn't want my youngest child to be hurt on its first mission now would we?"
"We should also go over what we should do if Suzaku and Rai show up." Naruto pointed out. "Suzaku's been in almost every major fight and I bet he and Rai will try to stop us tonight. Not to mention that knight showing up there. I imagine a lot of eyes will be on the prison tonight to see Japan's most renowned hero executed. If we make it then it'll be a major blow to their moral and their image of superiority."
Kallen nodded. "He's right. Todoh's bound to have a lot of guards making sure he doesn't escape and making sure no one breaks him out."
"I know. Which is why I spent the whole day planning how to break him out." Lelouch replied as Rakshata handed him the manual. "I've received word that Cornelia won't be present at the execution tonight. She's dealing with some unrest in Ishikawa, no doubt thanks to us because we've had so much success. It's spurring the remaining resistance cells to keep on fighting and it's possible the E.U. or the Chinese Federation are backing them."
"That brings us to one of the neat little toys I made for Arashikage." Rakshata replied. "You didn't think I didn't make sure all my children were prepared for every situation out there did you?"
Todoh Kyoshiro was kneeling in his cell, his features closed off in meditation as he awaited his execution. The Colonel did not fear death, no true warrior did, and he would not give the enemy the pleasure of seeing him scared of dying and he would not divulge any information. He would face his fate like a true samurai, and carry his people's secrets and honor to his grave.
"I just heard they changed your executioner." The guard assigned to patrol the halls outside his cell sneered, smirking in at the captured 'miracle worker' "It's going to be Warrant Officer Kururugi Suzaku… you oughta be glad it's someone you know."
Todoh's eyes opened, his fierce stare boring into the Britannian soldiers eyes with such ferocity that the man backed off in fear despite the reinforced, bullet proof glass that separated them and the fact that Todoh's expression remained calm without a single shred of emotion.
"Come on, where is he?" Rivalz muttered anxiously.
The Student Council were all gathered in the waiting room of the school clinic as Nunnally was wheeled in for her operation. What made Rivalz so moody was that Lelouch, Tsunade, Naruto, and Kallen were seemingly absent and when he tried calling them their cell phones were off.
"I'm sure they're coming. Lelouch wouldn't miss seeing his little sister coming out for the world." Milly said with a reassuring smile but on the inside she was just as worried as everyone else. Lelouch promised to make it back in time for his sister's operation.
"Is my brother here?" Nunnally asked shyly, wearing a hospital gown and lying face down on the bed provided for her.
"Don't worry. I'm sure he's here by now and is anxiously waiting like everyone else to see you walking again." Mito said as she prepared her tools. "All right, Nunnally. I'll have to put you under because this will no doubt hurt so I'll need you completely knocked out or you'll end up waking the whole town."
"Okay." Nunnally nodded nervously as Mito brought up mask up to the little girl's face and released sleeping gas through the tube.
Nunnally's vision became cloudy and heavy and a second later she was out completely. Mito smiled when the girl was now fully asleep as she held out her hands that started glowing green and a syringe. "Time to see if the boss's training paid off."
"You need my signature again?" Lloyd whined from all the paper he was getting.
"Princess Cornelia may have been the one who ordered this, but we still need to follow protocols." The bureaucrat answered. "A change of executioners at the last minute is the most extraordinary of circumstances, I'm sure you understand."
Lloyd just sighed and picked up the pen to fill out the additional paperwork while Cecile looked at a shaken Suzaku Kururugi with concern. She could easily understand why he was distraught right now; he was supposed to end the life of the man who had been his instructor as a child. The teen just sat there with a glazed over expression as he recalled times that he had been sparring with Todoh in the Kururugi Shrine's dojo when he was younger. Even though he was still a child at the time, his teacher had not gone easy on him and, as a result, Suzaku was on the ground in a matter of seconds.
He was stirred from his flashback by a large explosion somewhere within the prison compound.
"What the hell was that?!" The bureaucrat cried.
"Well, at least we don't have to do anymore paper work." Lloyd said gleefully.
They saw smoke rising from a large breach in the wall of the courtyard as a squad of Sutherlands was deployed to intercept what had caused the explosion. Before the pilots could even comment on what had happened a barrage of bullets flew through the smoke, cutting down most of the squad. Before the remaining Sutherlands could do anything two custom looking Knightmare frames emerged from the smoke armed with swords that slashed through the remaining Sutherlands. Two came from the smoke behind them and the four of slashed or short their way through the Britannian forces, all the while making it look like they were dancing instead of fighting.
"Colonel…" Chiba muttered, the female sword leading the charge, as the Four Holy Swords piloted the new, top of the line Gekkas against the Britannian Sutherlands that had come out to halt them in their advance "We're coming to save you!"
"These Gekkas are awesome!" Asahina praised, the bespectacled sword weaving between the Sutherlands like greased lightning, his Knightmare's sword cleaving them in two before they could even mount a counter attack "Way superior to Burai's!"
"You got that right!" Urabe grinned, the spiky haired sword tearing through the ranks of Sutherlands like a lion through a herd of zebras while a silent, but nonetheless impressed Senba mopping up his own share of enemies with equal ferocity.
While the Holy Swords knew that they were drawing the enemy's fire away from the rest of the Black Knights, they understood that it was a necessary price to pay in order to liberate their leader from certain death.
"These guys are good." Naruto said as he watched the battle from his cockpit. "Guess Kallen's not the only bad ass pilot around here."
The plan was surprisingly simple even though it was easier said than done. First they find out when the guards change shifts, plant explosives on the walls in which the Four Holy Swords would be the first to move in and clear away all resistance as Lelouch slipped in and rescue Todoh. And if Suzaku, Rai, or any elite pilots tried to stop them Naruto and C.C. would step in and provide cover until Todoh was brought to the Gekka built for him. If they had had enough time they would finish off the Lancelot and the Club before enemy reinforcements could arrive and cut them off but Lelouch had already set up lookouts to inform them the first sign of enemy units moving to intercept them and they'd retreat at the first opportunity.
"They can handle the ordinary units. It's the special ones we should be watching." C.C. replied. "We know they are here." As C.C. looked at the prison facility her Rinnegan spotted two familiar red lights. "Naruto, I think Rolo's here."
"Hm? A Geass assassin here? Guess I shouldn't be surprised. They must have known we'd pull off something like this." Naruto noted.
"Shouldn't we warn the Four Holy Swords?" Kallen asked.
"We'll step in as soon as they reveal themselves on the battlefield as planned, Kallen. We could give ourselves away too soon." C.C. replied.
"Yeah but…" Kallen sighed. "I don't like waiting like this."
"Who doesn't?" Naruto rhetorically asked.
"My superiors have ordered that you be 'unofficially' executed before you're busted out of here." A guard muttered, this one slightly more competent than the one from before, though Todoh really could have cared less as the bullet proof glass was raised, the Colonel staring down the barrel of the man's gun without fear "Any last words?"
"None." Todoh admitted, the captured Colonel's eyes calm, lined with resolve and acceptance of his fate as he matched gazes with his executioner "It's a life I gave up once before… It's worth nothing."
"In that case I'll claim your life for myself!"A voice called out.
Todoh's eyes widened in surprise as the wall behind the guard collapsed, crushing the screaming soldier beneath a pile of debris, the Colonel's eyes narrowing as he looked up to see…
Nothing.
His eyes widened in shock as a Knightmare he had never seen before appeared with its hand through the hole it created with blue sparks traveling down its form for a second and the masked man who stepped out of the opened cockpit in its chest. "Zero."
"Todoh Kyoshiro." The masked vigilante greeted, his modulated tone laced with a type of reverence "The hero of Japan that seven years ago brought the mighty Britannian forces to their knees in defeat."
"You mean Itsukushima?" The Colonel pointed out, his eyes hardening as he glared up at the masked man's cloaked form, already guessing what he was after "You want me to perform a miracle for you as well?"
"That was no miracle." Zero countered, waving his hand. "It ended in victory because it was based on excellent intelligence work, and that's why I cannot allow you to be killed."
"I pledged my loyalty to General Katase." Todoh countered. "Now that he and the JLF are dead, I wish to die too."
"Don't be a coward!" Zero shouted, causing Todoh to glare at him in rage. "You must take responsibility for the miracle that you made! The Area 11 resistance movement is greater than that of any other conquered area because Japan surrendered before exhausting all of its military strength. You have failed to carry on the Miracle of Itsukushima."
"Are you saying that it is my fault?" Todoh asked calmly but Lelouch could see the growing anger in his eyes.
"Yes, people grasp at illusions because they are desperate for miracles. Why else has there been such rampant use of Refrain? You must endeavor to the bitter end, beyond all that is decent, then, and only then, can you die. Until the name of Todoh the Miracle Worker has grown ragged and tattered." Lelouch continued.
"You're telling Japanese people cannot accept their defeat until then?" Todoh questioned, his anger forgotten.
"Until now they had to accept it. However, now that I am here there is hope since I can likely turn their dreams into a reality." Zero put his hand on his chest.
Todoh stared at Zero for a second… before he smirked.
Standing up with a renewed sense of purpose Todoh slowly walked to the lowered hand of Zero's Knightmare. He slipped into the cockpit that was cramped with the two of them but Lelouch was still able to pilot the Arashikage just fine as he stood it up and activated the stealth system while remembering what Rakshata had shown him.
"A stealth system? One that makes Knightmares invisible?!" Kallen exclaimed. "You're joking, right?"
"I never joke about my children." Rakshata said as she raised a remote and smirked at the gobsmacked reactions of Lelouch and Kallen as the Arashikage literally vanished before their eyes and reappeared a minute later.
"How?" Lelouch asked.
"The Oberon Frame was not the only project the Ashfords were working on. The Mirage Project was the first attempt to create a full functional stealth system that theoretically would render a Knightmare invisible by bending electromagnetic waves as they passed through it in all directions, making light pass through it. It was of course still in the experimental stages when the Ashfords lost their nobility as they could not generate enough power in the Knightmares used back then." Rakshata explained with a pleased grin. "However thanks to the increased powers granted by Core Radiance we can not only build a Knightmare advanced enough for it but it'll have enough power for use of its weapons even if it is invisible."
"So Lelouch can turn invisible with no chance of the enemy finding him." Naruto noted. "He doesn't have to worry about cover as he monitors the battlefield. And he can attack from the shadows where no one is looking."
Lelouch looked at the Arashikage, his mind going over the multiple scenarios of how the Phantom Coil system could be used in combat. "Can it be equipped in any of the other Knightmares?"
Kallen looked at Rakshata, wondering if she could get the Guren outfitted with one but to her disappointment Rakshata shook her head. "Not without a complete overhaul. I imagine that Lloyd's Lancelot would be the only one that could generate the necessary power without the use of Core Radiance but for now the Guren wouldn't be able to generate enough power for the Phantom Coil and still have enough left to fight. The Phantom Coil uses a lot of power and to be able to use it you'd have shut down almost all other power systems. I imagine trying to turn them back on in the middle of a battle would be dangerous."
"I see. So then, Arashikage for now is the only one armed with this stealth technology. While it's disappointing that we can't equip our other Knightmares with it at the very least the fact that you developed it and not Britannia still presents a large advantage." Lelouch said as he looked at his new Knightmare. "We'll just have to keep on using the element of surprise."
'And we're using it to our fill advantage.' Lelouch thought. 'I was able to make it through the courtyard without being detected, proving that the Phantom Coil system work perfectly.'
He activated the turbines on the back of Arashikage's legs that released streams of fire that propelled it out of the facility. Instead of Landspinners the Arashikage used Hover Jets attached to the back of its legs for fast mobility that was actually faster than Landspinners and the Phantom Coil system allowed it to move fast without being seen. The best part was that the Hover Jets didn't need fuel and didn't take up any power when used with the Phantom Coil system.
"It can fly?" Todoh asked, watching as the Arashikage moved out of the prison.
"Indeed it can. We've been hard at work to create advanced Knightmares in our fight against Britannia." Lelouch answered as he switched on the radio. "Todoh is with me and we're leaving the prison. Is his Gekka ready?"
" It's all ready, Zero. " Inoue answered. " And Zero we have company! It's the white Knightmare Kururugi pilots and it's not alone! "
Todoh's eyes widened slightly as he looked at Zero. "Kururugi? Suzaku?"
"I'm afraid so, Todoh. Suzaku Kururugi has joined with the enemy and he's the pilot of one of their advanced Knightmares." Lelouch answered as brought up the tactical map. "Are Kallen, Seizan, and Shinryoku in position?"
" Yes and they're moving to intercept. "
"Very well, I'll join them on the battlefield as soon as I have brought Todoh to his Knigthmare." Zero switched off the radio.
"A Knightmare?" Todoh questioned.
"One prepared for you." Lelouch answered with a smirk.
"RAI!"
Rai jumped at the sound of Nonnette's voice as she entered the hangar. "Yes, Lady Enneagram?"
"I told you to call me by my name! We have Black Knights attacking!" Nonnette snapped as she smiled. "Suit up, boy! Time we take the fight to them!"
As Rai ran towards the Lancelot Club Nonnette turned to the other Knightmare in the hangar. "I guess this just leaves us."
" They are here. Take out the Holy Swords and then be ready for Zero's Aces. "
"Understood." Rolo answered as he entered the Vincent's cockpit. "Vincent launching."
Kallen, C.C. and Naruto rushed into the courtyard, taking out several Sutherlands as a large trailer sped through the gap in the wall which the Gekkas surrounded in a triangular formation. Lelouch piloted the Arashikage to the trailer as it opened up, revealing a black Gekka with red hair like extensions and a katana like weapon. The katana was actually an MVS sword like the ones that Naruto and C.C.'s Knightmares that Rakshata designed just for Todoh. The veteran jumped out of Lelouch's cockpit as soon as it was opened and landed on the shoulder of his new Knightmare.
" Colonel! " Chiba's voice cried as her cockpit opened.
"Welcome back, Colonel Todoh." Asashina said happily.
"Thank you, all of you. You all worked so hard for this." Todoh said solemnly.
"No effort at all sir." Senba chuckled but looked confused as he tried to find Zero's Knightmare. "Where's Zero?"
"He's here." Todoh answered. "Now let's show the Black Knights how the Holy Swords dance!"
Just as he said that four Knightmares and a squad of Gloucesters came out of the hangar of the building and charged forward. One was the Lancelot followed by the Lancelot Club followed by a golden painted Knightmare holding two spears in its hands and the other was colored pink with a shield in one hand and the other held a MVS sword resembling a claymore. Both of the new Knightmares heavily resembled the Lancelot and looked just as advanced.
"Two more of them?" Kallen asked.
"Well, they're bringing out the big guns." Naruto smirked. "And the golden Knightmare, the pilot is a Geass user."
"It's most likely Rolo. Naruto and I can handle him but we'll have to move fast. They must have known we were coming so they had a trap set." C.C. stated. "We need to hurry and get clear."
"Very well." Lelouch said, the Arashikage's Phantom Coil still active, keeping it invisible to the enemy. "Todoh, we'll cover you as take down the Lancelot, the white Knightmare piloted by Kururugi. The rest of us will deal with the other Knightmares."
"Understood." Todoh nodded, knowing that Zero asked him to go after Suzaku because he knew how the boy fought.
Meanwhile the enemy was conversing with their own plans to take down the Black Knights and the Four Holy Swords.
"All right, Kururugi, Rai and Vincent, you're with me. We're going to subdue the enemy while the rest of the group surrounds them and cuts off their escape." Nonnette said from the cockpit of the Frontier. It wasn't designed for her but she took it when she found out that a pilot had not been picked for testing the Frontier.
"Right." Suzaku and Rai answered.
"Understood."
"Now let's see if the Black Knights truly live up to their claim. Attack!" Nonnette commanded with a predatory grin on her face.
Suzaku was the first attack, firing his VARIS rifle at Todoh's Gekka but the Colonel moved his frame out of the way and wheeled past the Lancelot as it clashed with one of the Holy Swords. He tried to blast it at close range but the Gekka jumped over the Lancelot and wheeled away.
"They're skilled fighters." Suzaku said, knowing better than anyone how strong anyone would be under his old sensei.
"Oh my. Aren't those new enemy models?" Lloyd watched the battle through his binoculars. "However Miss Cecile…"
"Yes?" Cecile asked.
"In hindsight it's certainly quite fortunate that the Lancelot's trailer is our primary means of transport." Lloyd continued.
"No it's because you spent our entire budget on the Lancelot itself. That's not hindsight." Cecile replied dully.
"That's it? The white Knightmare that's been getting in Zero's way?" Rakshata asked, not at all impressed by the Lancelot.
After all her children were better than Lloyd's little toy in every way.
"Uh, yeah." Ohgi answered.
Euphemia watched the battle at the prison continued with Suzaku, Nonnette, and Rai attempting to stop the Black Knights. While everyone else cheered them on Euphemia looked concerned while Darlton was on the phone. "Listen, send in everything we've got to support them and make a report that we're wiping out the terrorists."
C.C. narrowed her eyes as her fans clashed with the two spears the Vincent held. Once her fans caught the spears C.C. had Shinryoku jump up, kicking the Vincent in the face which knocked it back as Shinryoku spun through the air and landed perfectly on its feet. "You're skills are primarily in assassination, Rolo. Even if you are able to pilot that thing well it's nothing compared to me."
Rolo grunted as the green Knightmare came at him and activated his Geass. "I have you now."
However to his shock Shinryoku did not slow and C.C. smirked and as had Shrinyoku leap forward, spinning her hands and nearly slashed both the Vincent's hands off. "It didn't work! If so then is the pilot… the pilot is female. It must be C.C.!"
Rolo barely managed to move the arms out of the way and fired a Slash Harken, think he could hit C.C. at close range but C.C elegantly spun out of the, smirking as she activated her Asura power and manifesting two long metal whips from her wrists that she flung at the Vincent, wrapping them around the golden frame and spun it around in a circle before letting it go and watching as it slammed into the wall. Rolo grunted as his head slammed into the pilot chair from the impact and felt a nasty headache. Looking up he watched as C.C. fired two harkens at him. He stood the Vincent up in time to dodge but one harken managed to scratch the Vincent's right shoulder and embedded itself in the wall. However that was what C.C. was planning, allowing her Shinryoku to be pulled forward as it leapt up and aimed its foot at the Vincent's 'face'.
Rolo grunted as he ducked the Vincent out of the way and tried to stab Shinryoku but C.C. activated her Landspinners and traveled up, dodging Rolo's spears and kicked off the wall. She spun Shinryoku in the air, its whips coming into contact with the Vincent again, viciously slapping the golden frame back and leaving a nasty scar on the chest.
"It damaged my Vincent!" Lloyd shouted, seeing the scar on the Vincent's chest. "It damaged my Vincent! IT DAMAGED MY VINCENT!"
Cecile was too shocked to calm Lloyd down and she was a little angry herself at how easy it was for that green Knightmare to damage the Knightmare she and Lloyd worked so hard to build.
'Anything you can build, Lloyd, I can destroy with my superior children.' Rakshata smirked.
Rolo quickly wheeled back and activated the Needle Brazers. "Target confirmed. C.C. is with the Black Knights and is piloting the green Knightmare."
He fired Brazers, releasing bursts of energy that flew towards Shinryoku and C.C. reacted by holding up her fans, releasing chakra and radiant energy that formed a shield, blocking the energy bolts. "You're unprepared, Rolo. You and V.V. have no idea what you're meddling in."
In the meantime Lelouch worked on sending Todoh and the Four Holy Swords data on the Lancelot to better fight it and the fact that Todoh knew how Suzaku fought was allowing them to anticipate Suzaku's moves.
"PROVIDENCE System, activated." Lelouch said as the screen in front of him showed the IFF signals of all allied Knightmares in the courtyard. "Everyone, I'm sending you all data on the enemy Knightmares we're facing. We've only gathered data on the Knightmare Kururugi is piloting and the white and blue Knightmare but even so I've managed to gather information on their strengths and weaknesses."
The PROVIDENCE system was an advanced Factsphere System Rakshata developed to link itself with the Factspheres of allied Knightmares and allowed Lelouch to instantly send data to his allies as he directed his forces on the battlefield and analyzed enemy formations. It's why the cockpit was located in the chest; Arashikage's Factsphere scans the battle field and sends the information right down to Lelouch. It had bio, thermal, and electromagnetic scanning capabilities designed to scan the battlefield with a complete one hundred percent detail and bring it up in the form of 3-D Dimensional Tactical Map that allowed Lelouch to know just about everything happening on the battlefield. It also allowed for the Arashikage to be piloted with extreme ease and allowed the Arashikage to move with faster reactions to Lelouch's commands and battle situations, scanning the battlefield and coming up with the fastest recommendations of how to react. Lelouch had already uploaded his knowledge of the Lancelot's capabilities and to his shock and excitement it was coming with the fastest instructions of how to take down the white Knightmare.
"Understood." Todoh answered, upon receiving the information from Lelouch.
Suzaku gritted his teeth as a Gekka slapped his VARIS rifle out of his hand and he immediately jumped back to attack from a distance. Just as he landed on the ground his senses screamed at him to turn around just as Todoh's Gekka came out of the corner and plunged its sword into the cockpit. Suzaku yelled out as the sword destroyed the top of his cockpit, barely missing him.
"We installed an ejection system, right?!" Cecile asked anxiously.
"Of course we did. You made it a priority!" Lloyd quickly answered.
"Suzaku, I do understand why you fight on the enemy's side but that will not stop me from raising my sword to defeat you." Todoh stated as he pulled his sword back.
With that said Todoh and the Holy Swords continued their attack, pushing Suzaku back and taking out any Gloucesters or Sutherlands that got in their way. Kallen went up against the Lancelot Club and knew that its fighting style was similar to the Lancelot's, thus she knew what she needed to do. First she anticipated the opening move and jumped over the Club, while in the air she pulled out her Raijin Sword and activated its long feature. She then spun the Guren around and released a crimson wave of red lightning shaped like an arc that the Club barely dodged as it jumped out of the way.
"Rai, I know you and Suzaku are nice guys at school." Kallen said as she landed on the ground. "But I won't let you stop me."
She moved forward through the smoke, with Lelouch sending her data showing that Rai would reach for his own VARIS rifle as the Guren came out and activated her Wave Surger, holding her claw out in front of her. Just as Lelouch predicted Rai held out his VARIS rifle and fired just as she came out of the smoke. It collided with her Wave Surger and the two forces struggled for dominance while Kallen fired another lightning wave just as Rai fired.
"Oh no!" Rai's eyes widened as he barely managed to activate his Blaze Luminous to block the attack. Kallen stabbed her Raijin sword forward, colliding with Blaze Luminous shield.
"Activating Shield Breaker." Kallen said as changed the mode on the sword.
After discovering the weakness in the Blaze Luminous Rakshata designed a setting on the Raijin Sword to emit an endless burst of electricity to scatter the particles that allowed the Blaze Luminous to function. It provided an opening in the shield and allowed Kallen to stab the emitter in the Club's right hand.
"Gah!" Rai grunted as he wheeled back. "I've lost my left emitter!"
"Now it's over." Kallen said as she rushed forward. "If I take out that frame right now it'll be one less problem to deal with."
Rai looked up and saw Kallen was just in front of him. Doing the only think he thought he fired his Slash Harken at Guren's cockpit that Kallen tried to dodge but it Harken was close enough to slice into the edge of the cockpit.
"Gah!" Kallen gritted her teeth as she flinched from the sparks coming down on her but thankfully it didn't tear her cockpit like Suzaku's. "Damn it!" She looked to her right and saw the tear that could have cut her in half if she hadn't moved fast enough. "That was too close. I have to finish this now."
Rai opened the hatch of his cockpit as Kallen moved to attack again just as the Club wheeled forward to meet the Guren. Just as Kallen lashed with her claw the Club jumped to the side where the tear in the Guren's cockpit was as Rai's left eye suddenly flared red with the Geass crest. "Stop!"
As this happened Naruto who was fighting with Nonnette and several Gloucesters spotted a red light coming out of the Club and engulf the Guren as Kallen was mere inches from finishing it. "That light… Not again!"
"Rai has activated his Geass." C.C. frowned as she blocked another blast from Rolo. "If the enemy is getting serious then I believe play time is over."
"Rai's activated his Geass?" Lelouch asked, seeing the Guren suddenly stop. "Kallen? Kallen, what's wrong?"
The sound of Rai's voice carried through the tear in the cockpit and the instant Kallen heard it a red circular outline appeared in her eyes as she completely stopped, remaining still.
"I… I stopped her." Rai realized what happened. "I did this. I stopped her."
"Kallen, answer me!" Lelouch shouted. 'Damn it, now of all times! Rai's Geass must have frozen her like Rolo's does. Then if that's the case then only Naruto or C.C. can erase what happened if it doesn't wear off. I could use my Geass to order Kallen to break free but I need eye contact with Kallen to order her to break free.'
If things wasn't looking bad enough before it got worse as three Gloucesters surrounded Kallen.
"C.C., Naruto. I need you to rescue Kallen." Lelouch opened his private channel.
"Can't, not done with the pink knight here." Naruto answered as he clashed swords with Nonnette.
"You're a big boy with a Knightmare now, Lelouch. You can actually help." C.C. said as she blocked another blast from Rolo with her fans.
Getting tired of Rai shooting her C.C. had Shinyroku jump up and threw her fans sending her chakra through her Frame. " Wind Style: Great Wind Breakthrough. "
The blast of wind accelerated the fans through the air, making them too fast for Rolo to dodge as they sliced through the Needle Brazers and cutting into the forearms and overloading the Needle Brazers which caused a small explosion on both arms.
"Gah!" Rolo grunted as he wheeled back. "I can't do anything else. I have to retreat."
" Very well. " His superior's voice answered. " Retreat. We have confirmation C.C. is with the Black Knights. "
C.C. watched as the Vincent spun around and wheeled away. "Typical Rolo. Running away when he's outmatched."
"Damn it!" Lelouch banged his fists on his console when he saw no one could move to help Kallen. "I have no choice. I have to move fast."
A Gloucester raised its lance to finish Kallen off who couldn't move due the effects of Rai's Geass but before it could impale the Guren something slammed into it and knocked it down.
"Huh? What was-" One of the pilots started to say but stopped as something appeared in front of the downed Guren.
It appeared as a figure of blue electricity before shimmering into the form of Zero's new personal Knightmare Frame.
"Huh?! Where did that come from?" Cecile asked, shocked at how the new Knightmare literally appeared out of thin air. "Some sort of camouflage device?"
"Impossible. All attempts to create a fully functional stealth device have failed." Lloyd frowned as another Knightmare with impossible new abilities appeared. 'This is not far! Where are these Knightmares coming from?! And how come I haven't thought them up!?'
"Knightmare Frame Arashikage." Rakshata spoke proudly as everyone in the mobile headquarters watched the battle. "Built personally for Zero to pilot with the latest developments in stealth technology. The Phantom Coil system seems to work perfectly since no one knew it was there before it was deactivated."
"A Knightmare that can turn invisible?! Wow!" Tamaki punched a fist in the air. "You get 'em Zero!"
Lelouch watched as the two Gloucesters in front of him aimed their rifles at him. "Here goes nothing!"
He rapidly typed away at his console, having Arashikage raise its right arm with its hand held out in front of its face. The jewel in its hand glowed bright as the Gloucesters fired their rifles but to their shock the bullets stopped just short of hitting the arm and hovered in mid-air.
"Huh?!" One of the pilots, Marika Soresi, the younger sister of Kewel Soresi gasped in shock at seeing the bullets stopping like they had just done. "It blocked our bullets!"
"Impossible!" The second pilot shouted.
Lelouch typed into command the bullets were sent flying back to their origin, piercing their frames and forcing Marika and the other pilot, Liliana Vergamon to eject as their frames fell backwards onto the ground.
"My Inertia Dampening Field, emitting a powerful electromagnetic field that blocks any form of projectile attack." Rakshata smirked. 'I reverse engineered my Radiant Wave Surger to project the field in a way to that stops all attacks, expanding it to create a wall to protect a single frame or more than one depending on if the emitters in both hands are used. Rueben Ashford is a very smart man to have come up with an idea to counter the VARIS rifle that Lloyd and Cecile created and I modified it a bit with a few ideas of my own and of course enhanced it.'
'With this I can effectively block and deflect almost anything. A combination of offence and defence.' Lelouch marvelled at how effective the IDF worked against enemy weapons. 'Now that I have revealed myself I have no choice but to defend Kallen until either C.C. or Naruto can break her free of the Geass holding her. At first we thought Rai couldn't use his Geass but perhaps there was a reason he couldn't use it before.' Lelouch glanced at the Guren and noticed the open tear in the cockpit and then the Club's cockpit that closed back down. 'He opened his cockpit to use his Geass and the tear was enough to open the cockpit enough to… Rai's voice! His Geass only works with his voice and since he needed to open his cockpit it can only be used with his real voice, not speakers or recordings.'
That was why Rai opened his cockpit and tried to attack Kallen's, he needed an opening for his Geass to work.
'In that case it's better for me to keep my distance.' Lelouch smirked. 'It's a good thing Arashikage was designed for long-mid range fights anyways.'
Rai held an MVS sword in his remaining hand as he moved to attack Zero's Knightmare as Lelouch disengaged the IDF system but the jewel continued to glow as some kind of wide spread energy field reached out and touched the Club. The Club was suddenly halted and slowly lifted off the ground as it was pulled through the air towards the Arashikage.
"Wh-what?!" Rai struggled to make the Club move. "What's happening?! I've lost control! I can't move!"
"Is it lifting the Club up? How is that possible?" Cecile gasped, seeing the new Knightmare lifting the Club up with.
"That's impossible… Unless it's using some form of electromagnetic system." Lloyd narrowed his eyes. "A tractor beam."
"A tractor beam? But how?" Cecile asked, looking at Lloyd.
"Therein lies the problem, Cecile. Such technology should be impossible and yet I can see evidence that Rakshata has somehow made it work since it seems to be based off her Radiant Wave technology." Lloyd spotted the emitters in the palms of the Knightmare's hands.
'The Magnetic Attraction System that works opposite of the IDF system, latching onto any Knightmare Frames in range that paralyzes them instantly when the magnetic beam latches onto them and disables them. Rakshata modified her Wave Surger to generate a magnetic beam that can lift and pull any Knightmare towards me, temporarily disabling the working systems of the frame until I release it.' Lelouch thought as he pulled the Club towards Arashikage's hand. 'The ability to attract and repel enemy frames, effectively making Arashikage a dangerous frame.' Lelouch's smirk widened.
Suzaku was in the midst of trying to battle off Todoh and the Four Holy Swords when he spotted the Club being lifted up by the strange new Knightmare. "Rai! Hang on!"
The Lancelot quickly dodged an attack from Chiba and wheeled towards the Arashikage.
"Zero, Kururugi's moving towards you!" Todoh shouted through the radio.
Lelouch's eyes widened when he spotted the Lancelot wheeling towards him.
'Sorry Suzaku.' Lelouch thought as he reactivated IDF system and repelled the Club and sent it flying across the courtyard and straight towards the Lancelot. 'Instead of relying on weaponry like rifles and swords the Arashikage relies on its power to turn any enemy's weapon against them, even their own Frames.'
Suzaku gasped as he stopped the Lancelot and spun out of the way, catching the Club but its foot and barely managing to stay on its feet. "Rai, are you okay?"
The Club landed on its back, earning a grunt from the pilot. "Yeah. Thanks Suzaku."
"We need to neutralize that Knightmare." Suzaku stated as they faced the Arashikage.
"What about Todoh?"
The Gekkas piloted by Todoh and the Four Holy Swords were moving to attack but stopped as a barrage of bullets came down from the sentry towers.
"Damn it! They're reorganizing!" Todoh grumbled as the Gekkas began evading the bullets.
'This is not what I hope for.' Lelouch thought as he stared down both Knightmares. 'Suzaku and Rai, both piloting advanced Knightmares and this is my first time piloting the Arashikage even if I've read up on all its capabilities.'
'This Knightmare is powerful. It can turn invisible, create a barrier to block any attack, and it can even somehow lift Knightmares off the ground. I can't let it get away.' Suzaku thought.
'I can't reactivate the Phantom Coil System with Kallen still paralyzed. I have to go on the offensive.' Lelouch reluctantly conceded as he activated the Arashikage's offensive weaponry. 'Elemental Manipulation System, activated.'
"Hm?" Rakshata's eyebrow perked up, seeing the Arashikage's shoulder panels open up and reveal the cylinder cannons. "So Zero's activating the weapon system?"
"The weapon system?" Ohgi asked.
"Yes. I designed the Arashikage to function as a mid to long range Knightmare." Rakshata answered with a smirk.
"Elemental Manipulation System, Bolt Mode activated." Lelouch said as he targeted the two Knightmares, hearing the sound of the turbines in the cannons starting to spin.
Upon seeing the shoulder cannons on the Knightmare Suzaku and Rai sped forward to attack. Suzaku jumped forward to launch a kick but Lelouch raised the Arashikage's arm, activating the IDF system and repelling the Lancelot. The computer beeped as it spotted the Club coming at the Arashikage from the other side.
"Now!" Lelouch said as he aimed and fired.
From the shoulder cannons came two bolts of bright blue lightning that raced towards the Club. Rai's eyes widened as he held out his other arm and activated the Blaze Luminous that blocked the twin lightning bolts but the force of the blow caused the Club to slide back into the wall.
"It's like the red Knightmare's sword!" Suzaku's eyes widened in shock as he stopped the Lancelot, now wary of the new Knightmare.
'It works!' Lelouch breathed a sigh of relief as he turned and faced Suzaku. 'I can keep Suzaku back with this.'
Suzaku now knew that the Knightmare he was facing was dangerous and couldn't be taken lightly. And he wasn't the only one as a squad of Sutherlands moved to try and attack the Knightmare.
'I can't take them with Bolt mode and they're spreading out.' Lelouch thought as he switched to another mode. "Torch mode, activated!"
The Arashikage's shoulder cannons glowed bright red as the Sutherlands moved to circle around it and the second it was fully charged the cannons spewed out streams of fire that spread out in a blazing blast of orange blinding light that forced the pilots to stop and wheel back for fear of getting burned.
"It's a flamethrower too!" Suzaku exclaimed. The flames flared around the Arashikage, giving off the appearance of an armored bat with its visor/face staring at him in a way that reminded him of Zero's mask. "I have to get in close before it uses its shield."
'Damn it, Suzaku. You just won't quit.' Lelouch said as he changed the Element system to another mode. "I don't want to fight you but I can't let you stop me. Elemental Manipulation System, Sub-Zero mode activated."
The Lancelot held both MVS swords as it wheeled forward as Suzaku thought over what he should do. If he could get in behind the Knightmare and take the red one hostage he could force the terrorists to stand down. The Knightmare faced him its cannons glowed bright blue and Suzaku knew it was about to attack and prepared to maneuver out of the way. The cannons fired, released a blast of icy white wind that did not hit the Lancelot but the ground in between the two Knightmares, freezing the ground in a sheet of ice that the Lancelot wheeled over as it tried to maneuver.
However the ice was very slippery and Suzaku let out a yelp as the Lancelot tripped forward, unable to balance from how fast it was moving and skidded on the ground assed the Arashikage. The Lancelot was on a direct course for the wall that would no doubt damage the Lancelot and injure its pilot greatly. And Lelouch probably knew that because he raised Arashikage's hand and activated the MAS stop pull the Lancelot through the air towards the hand and then stopped the Lancelot from crashing into the Arashikage by activating the IDS, repelling and knocking it into the Club as it managed to stand back up.
"Sorry, Suzaku." Lelouch whispered, relieved his friend would be all right.
Battered but alive.
"It's like the sword that red Knightmare has and it can switch to using a flamethrower and a freeze gun!" Lloyd thought as he grinned with envy and awe as a bit of drool came down his mouth.
"Elemental Manipulation System. It basically takes what was used to construct the Guren's Raijin sword but is modified to have alternative modes. Combined with my Radiant Wave system the cannons on the Arashikage's shoulders basically have four modes. Bolt, Torch, Sub-Zero, and Aero. The turbines in the cannons take in the air and particles from the atmosphere itself." Rakshata explained with a grin. "The inner mechanisms of the cannons will then heat or cool the air for two modes, gather electrical particles from the air to charge the cannons for another mode, or compress the particles into a single burst. In short it's a multipurpose weapon with an all range purpose in mind. I have added a variety of them to the back of the Arashikage to act as rockets without the need for fuel."
Meanwhile Nonnette was engaged with the blue Knightmare but something caught her eyesight as she clashed with Naruto.
"Rai!" Nonnette narrowed her eyes as she saw the Lancelot collide with the Club. She would have moved to attack Zero right then and there but Naruto was in her way.
'These Knights of the Round are really good.' Naruto thought as he clashed with Nonnette's sword again. 'She's definitely a skilled opponent.'
They had mostly relied on their swords for fighting as they literally danced around each other, swinging their blades sparkling off each hit clash. Even though Naruto could fall back on his Ninjutsu he preferred fair fights in one on one battles and only used Ninjutsu if it was necessary or if he had retreat quickly. He jumped over Nonnette's blade and spun Seizan through the air, its foot aiming to kick the Frontier in the torso but Nonnette raised the Frontier's shield, blocking the block but the force sent the Frontier staggering back. Nonnette raised her shield which fired a missile at Seizan but Naruto moved it out of the way with such speed that Nonnette almost lost sight of him as he slashed both MVS swords at the Frontier again.
Nonnette blocked with her sword and fired her hip Slash Harkens to create some distance. Naruto admitted he didn't see that coming but he was still able to block, slashing at the Harkens with his swords as the Frontier slid back.
" Lady Nonnette, we have reinforcements coming. " A voice over the radio spoke.
"Take your time, I'm actually having fun here." Nonnette replied, actually enjoying her fight. It had been so long since anyone other than Bismark was able to fight her like this and push her to her limits.
" Zero, you have to move. They're scrambling reinforcements. " Ohgi's voice came through the speakers of Lelouch's cockpit.
"Understood. Everyone fall back, we have to move. Now." Lelouch stated. He looked to the entrance and spotted a large number of Gloucesters and Sutherlands moving in to surround them. 'It's a trap. They knew we'd try and rescue Todoh and planned ahead just in case. They're getting smarter and more cautious.'
"Well then, time to unveil the little surprise." Naruto smirked as he made a hand sign. "To quote a certain pyro maniac from my home: Katsu!"
The prison complex was rocked with explosions that covered the courtyard with explosions. As this happened the hundreds of prisoners were greeted with the surprise of their cell doors opening and a sudden blast in the ground creating a large hole.
"What in the hell-" A guard shouted as the few prison guards moved to find out what caused the blast.
Out of the hole came a cloaked man wearing a black and white fox mask. "Attention all prisoners. For anyone who wants an early parole granted to you by Zero take it now!"
"Stop them!" A guard raised his gun but the masked strange spread his arm out, releasing a barrage of shuriken either slit the throats or embedded themselves in the heads of the guards, killing them instantly.
"Does anyone else have any objections?" The masked man asked rhetorically.
The prisoners didn't need to be told twice as they ran out of their cells and jumped down the hole. In the meantime the smoke from the courtyard finally faded and when it was gone the Black Knights were all gone and a large hole was in the middle of the courtyard created from the explosion.
"They set up bombs underneath the complex to escape through the sewers. They must have thought we'd be setting a trap." Nonnette smirked. "This Zero's really interesting."
Suzaku stood up from his torn open cockpit as he looked around the devastation. "Todoh-sensei, I'm… your enemy now."
The art gallery Princess Euphemia had been hosting had been still with silence as they had watched the battle in the courtyard of the prison with stunned awe. The muttering had continued, especially when the cockpit of the Lancelot had been torn open and showing its pilot to the world.
"Look they're running."
"Have we fought them off?"
"The Black Knights?"
'Suzaku, well done.' Euphemia thought but stiffened as she heard more comments.
"Damn traitor. Why won't he follow them?"
"Cause they're Elevens like him."
These hurtful comments caused Euphemia to tighten her hold on the bouquet she was holding and Darlton saw the look on her face. "Princess Euphemia?"
"All of you!" Euphemia called out, earning everyone's attention. "I'll now answer the question you asked me earlier. You had inquired as to who I select to be my Knight, correct?" Euphemia gestured to the screen. "The Knight I have chosen will be the young man you see before you, Warrant Officer Suzaku Kururugi."
"What happened to Kallen?" Ohgi asked as he saw Zero's Knights lift Kallen out of the Guren's cockpit.
"The Guren froze up for reasons I cannot find. Perhaps the Britannians have a new weapon to disable Knightmares much like my own." Zero said as he gestured to the Arashikage. "In any event Rakshata has brought along several doctors who will look after Kallen. In the meantime we have work to do." Zero said as the sewer hatch opened and the Black Knights were silent in shock as people dressed in prisoner uniforms began climbing out of the hole without end. "Todoh was not the only prisoner to be liberated tonight. Over five hundred prisoners fled through the sewers thanks to the bombs that my knights as we scouted for ways to stage this rescue. They will need homes to stay and you'll be happy to know that they're all members of resistance groups that had fallen. Some of them are even generals from the now disbanded JLF that have sworn to aid us for rescuing them and Todoh. They will need proper housing as we help integrate them."
"Understood, Zero." Ohgi nodded.
"Oh yeah! The Black Knights win again!" Tamaki punched a fist in the air. "We rescued Todoh and all the prisoners and we've kicked Britannia's asses again!"
"Yes, you have." C.C. stated as Naruto carried Kallen onto the truck. "But now Britannia will be more determined than ever, recognizing us as a threat. We will have to lay low for some time."
"Don't worry about that. We came prepared." Rakshata smirked. "There are a few gifts from Kyoto I neglected to mention."
Kallen was laid flat on the bed as Lelouch walked in. "How is she?"
"The good news is that she's not been damaged in any way. From what it I see the Geass has merely paralyzed her like her own Geass but Kallen doesn't seem aware of it, kind of like how no one is aware of being under your Geass, Lelouch." Naruto answered, sitting next to the bed.
"If it's similar to mine it can only work when Rai's voice is heard and since he forced Kallen's cockpit partially open it cannot be used with speakers or recordings." Lelouch noted. "It's fortunate that I had Arashikage's power with me to fend off her attackers."
"Yeah, you managed to work it out pretty fast. Of course Rakshata designed it for you to use personally so it's no surprise she customized the controls for you." Naruto commented.
"Of course I did and little Zero used it so well. The data I got back was very promising." Rakshata said as she walked in with C.C. "I'd love to see the look on Lloyd's face as he tries to figure out how to replicate the IDF, MAS, and the EMS. He'd probably never think to look into the old records of the Ashford Foundation and see what Knightmare plans that they had drawn up and no one could ever imagine creating a weapon that used the elements itself as a weapon."
"Well now that it works can we get to work on waking Kallen up?" Lelouch asked as he looked at Naruto and C.C.
"I got it." C.C. walked over to Kallen's side.
Everyone expected her to simply touch Kallen's head and use her powers to cancel the Geass effect on her. However C.C. decided to mess with them a bit and she had a grin on her face that made Naruto shiver. Needless to say everyone was shocked into silence as C.C. leaned down and kissed Kallen right on the lips. Lelouch's eyes widened as dinner plates, Rakshata raised one eyebrow, and Naruto started gaping and blushing from the way his girlfriend was kissing Kallen.
Kallen opened her eyes as the red outline in her eyes vanished and she felt someone's lips on her. Her eyes went wide and almost fell out when she saw the green hair and knew just who was kissing her.
C.C. pulled away before Kallen could slap her away and smirked at everyone. "There, all better."
"Did you have to do that?" Naruto sighed.
C.C. shrugged. "Why not?"
"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR?! WHY'D YOU KISS ME LIKE THAT YOU CRAZY BITCH?!" Kallen shot up on the bed, her face now matching her hair in color.
"You were under a Geass command I freed you. Kind of like how the Prince gives the Princess a kiss to break the evil spell over her." C.C. answered simply.
"YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO STICK YOUR TONGUE INTO MY MOUTH!" Kallen shouted but shut her mouth with both hands when she realized what she said.
Naruto stuttered as he blushed even redder and now Lelouch was starting to have red cheeks. Rakshata simply threw her head back and laughed, thoroughly entertained by the people she decided to work with.
"It's not like it was the worst kiss you've ever had." C.C. simply said with her smirk still in place. "That being your first kiss and all. I must say, your lips taste a lot like strawberries"
Kallen sputtered as her blush intensified and her Geass flared as she prepared to leap out and strangle the life out of the green haired woman.
"Enough!" Lelouch called out, realizing he was going to have to be the adult here. "You can kill each other later." He had grown use to Naruto and C.C.'s antics so they didn't bother him as much but knew about Kallen's short temper and knew that if he didn't say something there would be a war right here in the room. "At least we now have information on how Rai's Geass works and with Todoh and the other prisoners liberated the Black Knights will only grow stronger."
"We made it?" Kallen asked, looking at Lelouch.
"We did and Naruto arranged an escape for the other prisoners. Almost all objectives have been completed now. We have an army now and with Rakshata's help and access to the Ashford Weapons Factory we can start working Britannia's downfall." Lelouch nodded with his signature smirk as the door opened.
In walked Sayoko wearing the same armor and cloak Naruto and C.C. wore as Zero's knights with Naruto's fox mask in her hand. "My mission was accomplished, Master Lelouch. The prisoners are moving to the underground shelters that were set up for them and some have expressed an interest in joining the Black Knights."
"Good work, Sayoko. With all of the prisoners liberated under Cornelia's watch her control over the Area will weaken and she'll be hard pressed to suppress any rumors that leak back to the homeland." Lelouch nodded with a satisfied smile.
"I think you're forgetting something, Lelouch." Naruto stated as he held up a kunai. "A little somehow who hopes to see you with all of her friends tonight?"
It only took Lelouch a second to realize what Naruto was talking about. "Nunnally's operation! She must be finished and awake by now!"
"Well then, better hurry." Naruto chuckled as he looked C.C. and Kallen while Lelouch moved to take off his Zero outfit. "When I say all of our friends I meant all of them."
Kallen nodded as she moved to change out of her pilot suit, but not before giving C.C. one last glare. This was not over.