Hi everyone, thanks again for your patience. This chapter may be something of a filler on the fact that there is little-to-no action here, but trust me this chapter is particularly important on the characters' interactions with one another, as well as the aftermath of the battles in the EU and the Chinese Federation, and the next step both sides are going to take as the war continues. With all that being said, let's begin.
A United Front Facing the Dark Horizon
Lelouch couldn't help but get a strong sense of déjà vu as he stood in his Zero attire on a hovering platform that put him on equal level with Optimus Prime and both faced the army that consisted of the Black Knight and Autobot alliance. Though there wasn't that much change on the Autobot side of things (save for the Dinobot that choose not to attend this meeting), the vast numbers of Black Knights have swelled significantly. All the old soldiers and his friends that he had made when he first started the rebellion in Area 11 were practically eclipsed by the many new recruits. People from all over the world were joining in, not just Japanese or even Britannian, but they had many allies from Europia and the Chinese Federation as well. There were some more notable recruits to their forces as well, including Leila's entire WZERO unit, Marrybell and the Glinda Knights with the remainder of the Asura Force, even Jean Rowe from Shin's forces who defected. Xingke also stood present with his allies from the Chinese Federation. Lelouch couldn't help the surge of pride that flowed in his body.
"Now then." Zero began, getting the attention of everyone present. "With the vast new recruits that have joined our ranks, a re-establishment of our organization structure is underway." A holographic projection of the Black Knight-Autobot alliance organization structure was presented for all to see. "To keep it simple terms, groups such as the Zero Squad, the Elite Guard, and the Wreckers remain unchanged."
"However, several groups will be receiving new members starting now." Optimus spoke up. "Intelligence, espionage, and public relation matters will be joined by Claus Warwick."
"Well, if you say so." Claus said somewhere within the crowd with a slight smile.
"Military Affairs will be joined by Oscar Hammel, Sara Danes, and Olivia Reuel." Optimus continued. "Research and Development; Anna Clement, Sophie Randle, Chloe Winkel, Hilda Fagan, Joe Wise, Ferilli Baltrow, and Kate Novak."
"So, we'll be working more closely with Cybertronian technology then." Anna said, sharing a glance with Sophie and Joe.
"Seems that way." Joe nodded while Sophie simply smiled.
"Li Xingke and his forces shall be joining the Black Dragon unit, with Xingke acting as deputy commander alongside Kyorshiro Tohdoh." Optimus revealed.
"Very well, seems acceptable." Xingke nodded, glancing to his subordinates, who accepted the decision as well.
"In addition, we have now established the creation of two new units within our organization." Zero spoke up. "The first one will be titled the Black Wyverns; led by Leila Breisgau, with Akito Hyuga as second in command. This unit will consist of Ryo Sayama, Ayano Kosaka, Yukiya Naruse, and Gino Weinberg."
"Black Wyverns, huh?" Yukiya questioned with a smirk and a raised eyebrow.
"That's an original name." Ryo said with a sarcastic tone and a smirk of his own.
"We've got a Knight of the Round in our ranks?" Ayano asked in surprise, but gasped slightly as Gino causally wrapped his arm over her shoulders.
"Hey, we all worked together in Europia, so I'd say we make a good team already!" Gino smiled at all three of them, who couldn't help but smile back.
"My own unit…" Leila said, sounding somewhat unsure.
"You were commander before we even joined the Black Knights and the Autobots, it's only fitting." Akito told her before smiling in her direction. "I'll try my best to be a worthy second-in-command."
Leila blushed at not only his praise and faith, but the way Akito told her that he would try to be 'worthy'. In her honest opinion, she already found him more than worthy.
"The second unit will be christened the Crimson Knights." Zero continued. "Their leader is Marrybell Mel Britannia, with Ashley Asura as second-in-command. All members of the former Glinda Knights and Asura Strike Force, along with Jean Rowe, shall make up this unit."
"The Crimson Knights." Marrybell was rather surprised to see her half-brother was so willing to let her lead her own unit. She would have thought he'd be a bit distrustful toward her after everything. But knowing that he trusted her like this was enough to make her smile.
"Well, looks like we'll be spending more time together, eh Oldrin?" Ashley smirked toward the blonde. "And I'm your superior now."
"Maybe in rank, but not in skill." Oldrin told him.
"So, you got three or four more Cons than I did." Ashley brushed off.
"Three of four dozen more. No need to sugar coat it." Oldrin gave a trolling grin, causing Ashley to pout as he looked away.
"Everyone else here has been assigned their unit and placement." Optimus spoke up as each new Black Knight recruit took out a small tablet, they each were given that showed them their placement in the organization. "Get acclimated with your new position, take some time to rest if you can. That is all. Dismissed."
A large council chamber consisted of a massive round table with fifty or so people sitting around the table. These people were representatives of the various countries around the world not under the Decepticons' control. Several people were from Europia, including Leila and the still-Geassed Gene Smilas, Tianzi from the Chinese Federation with Xingke right beside her, Duke Velaines of Euro Britannia, Kaguya and the rest of Kyoto were also present in the meeting, and several other national representatives.
"I apologize for the delay." Zero's voice announced as he entered the chambers, with a certain someone behind him. That someone caused many of them to gasp in shock.
"Is that Princess Euphemia?!"
"I thought she was dead!"
"Wasn't she responsible for the massacre of the Special Zone in Japan?!"
"That is not true!" Leila exclaimed, standing up. "Euphemia li Britannia had nothing to do with that atrocity!"
"I agree!" Kaguya stood up as well. "We have concrete evidence to prove that it was an imposter who initiated the massacre! But not only that, she has dedicated everything to the cause of freedom the Black Knights and Autobots stand for!"
"She has helped to lead the combined efforts of Euro-Britannia and Europia's forces in driving the Decepticons from the continent before they could destroy us!" Velaines also added.
"That is quite enough." Euphemia raised her hand calmly before stepping forward to address the gathered leaders. "I can present any evidence as well as list my actions I have taken since joining this alliance as much as I desire, but none of that will take away the tragedy that befell the Special Zone. I intended to create that as a way to stop the former Britannia Empire's unjust actions of discrimination, and the monster known as Megatron took full advantage of that and used it as a means to overthrow Britannia and take power for himself. I will not make any excuses, but no longer shall I hide! Now, I shall help to truly make amends, not just for the Special Zone, but for all the crimes Britannia has committed since its inception and usher the means to create a new world free from tyranny!"
"And we will begin by building a coalition of nations!" Zero announced. "It is here that we will discuss not only how to handle the Deception forces occupying our world, but what is to become of the planet Earth once this war is over. This meeting is not to be taken lightly; the decisions we make will reverberate for generations to come. So let us begin."
As the meeting began, Diethard Ried had stood in an adjacent room as several of his underlings began to record the session. While he maintained a calm façade, his inner fanatic couldn't help but get giddy.
'Even after the Decepticons have completely uprooted Britannia, Zero and Prime were able to bring together the Chinese Federation, the E.U., and nearly every other country in this planet! They truly believe in their 'peace through unity' movement! Whether or not it will succeed in the future, as well as the war against the Decepticons, I shall document it all! I will bear witness to either the birth of a new world, or the death of the current one! One thing is certain, nothing shall ever be the same again after this!'
The masked man that was known as Wizard stood at the top of a small building facing the vast ocean around Horai Island. He stood alone as the wind blew his cape back slightly, silently contemplating everything that's been happening.
"Enjoying the view?" He glanced behind to see Cera approaching him, and she wasn't alone, Optimus Prime walked next to the building, allowing them both to be on equal level with him.
"I'm surprised neither of you are with Zero." Wizard said. "You seem to be among his closet companion…" He spoke to Cera first before glancing at Optimus. "And you are the leader of the Autobots, aren't you?"
"Zero is capable of handling the delegation on his own." Optimus answered. "Though we Autobots will help in driving the Decepticons off this world, and protecting it against future invaders, the future of this world should ultimately be decided by those who live here. We are guardians and soldiers, not rulers."
"And the people don't want to think they're trading in one giant metallic ruler for another." Wizard seemed to understand. "Even though you stand as equal to Zero, not his superior."
"You catch on quick." Cera said. "But then again, that is to be expected from the former head of the Zevon family."
Wizard gave a slight sigh as he removed his mask and hat, revealing his true face of Oiagros Zevon. "Was I that obvious?"
"Zero felt it was best to conduct a thorough background check." Optimus explained. "At the time, we had to be certain of who we could trust. Nobody else is aware of your identity, save the three of us, Oiagros."
"I thank you for that." He said with a slight nod.
"I think the obvious question should be why a Britannian nobleman would support an inter-national anti-Britannian movement, but given how you became head of the family, can I assume it's a way of atonement?" Cera asked.
"What exactly do you know?" Oiagros asked.
"The Zevon family was a low-ranking noble family in Britannia." Optimus began. "More often than not, their heads we're females; with males only becoming heads when all female heirs are deceased. Less than a decade ago, the previous head and Knight of the Round, Olivia Zevon, was killed in a terrorist attack. Despite the official reports though, Lelouch suspects terrorists were not involved."
"He's right. I was the one who arranged for my sister's death." Oiagros revealed, looking down with regret. Optimus and Cera said nothing as they continued to listen. "I didn't do it though just to become head of the family. There's a reason the Zevon family was so low in ranking, so nobody could suspect how closely they work with the Emperor… as enforcers for the Geass Order."
"Pluton." Cera's eyes narrowed.
"Yes." Oiagros continued. "Initially, they were just black ops for Britannia, until they were absorbed by V.V. into the Geass Order. I felt since Pluton worked so closely with the Emperor, they had more power than anyone, and I wanted that power for myself. But I was just too young and brash. It wasn't until I saw the Geass Order myself… after leading the assault that killed Orpheus' lover, Marrybell's sister… that I realized just how rotten the Geass Order and Charles zi Britannia truly was." He choked slightly, fighting back his tears. "I killed my own sister… hurt my family…. I…" He couldn't finish his sentence, unable to fight back against the guilt that had been burning inside him like a fire for years to come.
Cera stepped forward to put a slight hand on his shoulder. She said nothing, but she understood him. She understood just how much having a regrettable past can be such a burden.
"So, you became Wizard and helped to create Peace Mark as a way to atone." Optimus followed along. "I am assuming that neither Orpheus nor Oldrin know of you."
"No… please don't tell them…" He muttered.
"We won't, but you should." Cera said. "They, as well as Marrybell, all three of them deserve the truth."
"They do… but… I can't… not right now…"
Cera sighed as a sad smile formed on her face. "Believe me, Oiagros, I know exactly what you mean."
"Thank you… for not telling anyone…" He turned toward Optimus. "And… thank Zero for me… as well."
"We will." Optimus nodded in understanding. Even though the Prime could not condone his actions in the past, he understood Oiagros' desire for redemption. It was well founded in the Autobots and Black Knights, more than a few members have checkered pasts and seek atonement for their actions. He could only hope that Oiagros finds a way to do just that, and find a way to make peace with his niece and nephew.
Euphemia sat down next to Cornelia on a bench outside taking a deep breath in mental exhaustion as one of their half-siblings approached them.
"Having a hard time?" Marrybell asked.
"Politics… I know it's for a good cause… but it's also quite the headache." Euphie said, rubbing her hand down her face as Marrybell sat down next to her. "Not to mention the way several of them looked at me…"
"Euphie… you know that's not…" Cornelia tried to tell her.
"You don't have to say anything, sister. I already know." Euphemia said. "But I'm not going to let that stop me. Lelouch and Optimus have trusted me with this, and I have no intention of letting them down!"
Marrybell couldn't help but laugh. "Look at you, Euphie. You got a real fire inside you now. Acting like a rebel… but then again, you always were the rebellious one in our family."
"Now we all are." Cornelia said with a slight smile. "It is nice to see you again, Marrybell."
"You too, Cornelia." Marrybell replied. "I like what you've done with your hair, by the way. It looks nice, makes you seem like a completely different person."
"Thank you." Cornelia smiled. "I have tried my hardest to change…"
"And you have changed, sister. We all have." Euphie told her. "Even after what Megatron and the Decepticons have put us all through, here we all stand together! And I couldn't be any happier!" She looked towards Marrybell. "And I'm certain your mother and sister would be happy too, Marrybell."
"Thank you, Euphie." Marrybell stifled back some tears before a scowl formed on her face. "I can't believe I was tricked so easily! Turned into a tool!"
"You know you are not to blame for that, Marrybell." Cornelia said, having been made aware of the circumstances surrounding Marrybell's family and the cause of their deaths and separations. "It was that monster of an uncle who attacked you, stole your sister from you, and our wretched father who brainwashed you! He brainwashed all of us! Be it his Geass or lies!"
Marrybell choked a bit. "While she isn't with us anymore… I'm at least glad Euliya was able to find someone to make her happy… and tried to save her in the end."
Deciding to change the subject a bit, Euphemia spoke up. "How is Oldrin doing? Learning that she has a twin brother, that is?"
"She's taking it surprisingly well." Marrybell replied. "A little awkward… but otherwise, open-minded. Speaking of which… where is the rest of our family?"
"Lelouch said he wanted to get to know young Tianzi, give her a reason to trust him." Cornelia answered. "Nunnally is with Sayoko and Alice, taking a look at her new Knightmare; and Rai is probably with Bulkhead, taking the time to relax."
"I'm just glad we're all here together now." Euphie said, pulling both her siters in an embrace with both her arms, which Marrybell and Cornelia promptly returned in kind.
"So am I, Euphie. So am I." Marrybell smiled.
"How long have they been up there?" Zero asked as he stood with Kaguya and Xingke, looking toward the sky, trying to find something that they couldn't quite see with the naked eye.
"For about ten minutes." Xingke had actually kept track of every second as his arms were crossed, trying to maintain a calm expression, but Kaguya noticed his fingers twitching.
"Don't worry, Windblade may seem carefree, but she'll make sure nothing happens to her majesty." Kaguya assured. "So don't be a worry-wart like how Lelouch is with Nunnally."
"I'm standing right here." Zero said to which Kaguya responded by sticking her tongue out at him.
"Here them come." Xingke said as he saw Windblade's jet-mode descend from the clouds and fly straight down toward them. Her jet-mode slowed its descent before landing twenty feet away from the three of them. Her cockpit opened up to allow the excited Tianzi to climb out just before Windblade transformed.
"Xingke! Xingke!" Tianzi ran up to him with a wide smile and sparkles in her eyes. "It was amazing! Windblade flew up and down and around and in circles, and I thought it was super scary at first! But then when I looked out and saw the island and how it small it looked, I saw all the big white fluffy clouds! I wanted to touch them so badly! And the sky… the sky was so clear and blue! I've never had so much fun in my life! It was so fun!"
"See? Told ya you'd enjoy it." Windblade smirked toward the young girl, who quickly ran up to hug the Autobot's leg.
"Thank you so much Windblade! Can we do it again sometime! Please!" She tried to give her best puppy-eye expression with a smile.
"Awe, how can I say 'no' to that face? You got it, kiddo." Windblade promised.
"Yay!" Tianzi cheered.
Lelouch couldn't help but smile underneath his mask. He was glad to see that the girl who had spent her whole life having others make her choices for her was now given a chance to be an actual kid again. It was no less than what she deserved. And with people like Nunnally and Kaguya around, she was certain Tianzi would make friends easily if she had already befriended an Autobot like Windblade.
"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself, your majesty." Xingke smiled, getting the young Empress' attention. "But there is someone who wants to meet you."
He and Kaguya parted ways to reveal Zero, causing Tianzi to look a little nervous. "There's no need to be afraid, your majesty." Kaguya tried to assure her, picking up her nervous reluctance. "Zero is a really good person."
"It's not hard to understand why she's afraid. It's hard to trust just a mask, isn't it?" Zero's mask opened up to reveal the face of the young revolutionary, causing Tianzi to gasp in surprise. He didn't look that much older than her. He kneeled to her level and spoke with a gentle smile.
"My name is Lelouch, I used to be a prince of Britannia. But I was exiled by my father when I was younger than you." He began. "I know how it feels like you're not in control of your own life, when someone or something tries to force you down a path you don't want to be on. You may not understand now, but you are a living person, your majesty. As such, you control your fate. Freedom is the right of all sentient beings, and it is your right as well. Whatever choice you want to make on how you want to live your life is entirely up to you, and nobody here will make it for you. But if it's alright with you, it wouldn't hurt to have friends that can help show you what your options are. So, what do you say? Are you willing to give me, to give all of us, a chance?" He offered his hand to her.
Tianzi was speechless at first. The masked man that had shaken the entire world to its core had revealed his face so casually to her and spoke in a tone that was so understanding and caring, just like Xingke. The look in his eyes was one of compassion, just like when she first saw in the kind and awe-inspiring giant who saved her, Optimus Prime. She glanced at Xingke, who only nodded in encouragement. That was all she needed to reach out and accept his hand.
"I will."
"Holy crap… look at that!" Ryo exclaimed as he, Yukiya, Ayano, Strongarm, Sideswipe, and Grindcore saw T-AI's holographic recordings of Grimlock's fights in the Sahara Desert as well as the Chinese Federation. "A god damn T-Rex!"
"You guys can transform into cars, tanks, jets, but a dinosaur?!" Ayano also exclaimed. "How in the hell is that even possible!"
"It shouldn't be." Strongarm shook her head. "Cybertronians can only transform into vehicles. We can't transform into animals. The only thing that can even come close to anything like that are Mini-Cons that have a more… beast-like design to them, such as Soundwave's Mini-Cons Ravage and Laserbeak."
"So, how's this guy able to do it?" Yukiya asked.
"I have the answer." T-AI appeared in front of the group. "Grimlock was the leader of a special Autobot group called the Lightning Strike Coalition Force. But they were captured by the Decepticon scientist Shockwave, and based on Grimlock's report, they were experimented on."
"I've heard of Grimlock's old team. Those guys we're real power houses." Sideswipe said. "Their body count was about as high as the Wrecker's and that's saying something!"
"I love my fellow Wreckers and all… but I've studied each of these guys missions and they are awesome!" Grindcore squealed like a kid.
"Someone's a fanboy, huh?" Yukiya teased.
"I even almost named myself Grimlock to show respect to the OG guy." Grindcore revealed. "But… I decided against it since I can't really live up to the legend. But that's not stopping me from smashing stuff."
"I hear ya, big guy." Sideswipe said as they shared a fist-bump.
"So, if Grimlock's whole team was experimented on, does that mean they can all transform into dinosaurs?" Ayano asked.
"Also based on Grimlock's report, that is affirmative." T-AI confirmed. "Well, it is affirmative for Swoop, Snarl, and Slug. They had lost contact with Sludge prior to their capture."
"So, where's the rest of these… Dinobots?" Ryo asked.
"Grimlock had said they were last seen on Cybertron, not far from Shockwave's Spacebridge tower before it exploded, which sent Grimlock to this planet." T-AI explained. "But, that was more than fifty of your Earth years ago, so their current location is still unknown."
Strongarm noticed the look of concern on each of the three young soldiers' faces. "I would not worry. I have studied each of the Lightning Coalition Strike's battles and they have proven to be among the strongest team of Autobots. And if Grimlock's report is any indication, Shockwave's experiments have only made them stronger, so I am certain they're still alive."
"Yeah, old Shocky really screwed himself with this little experiment." Sideswipe smirked.
Ayano then looked toward the sun in the sky with a distant look in her eyes. "Ya know, it's funny. Ever since Japan fell to Britannia, I never actually thought we'd be able to make a real difference, especially with how many… we lost." She looked down slightly. "But now look at us, we're freaking Black Knights, working with the Autobots!"
"Yeah… pretty awesome, isn't it?" Ryo said.
"Well let's make the most of it." Yukiya added. "By sending as many Decepticons as we can to the scrap pile."
"Sounds like a plan." Sideswipe said as all six of them, human and Autobot, all put their fists together for a conjoined fist-bump.
To say it was awkward was a huge understatement. Twin brother and sister sat on a bench, looking out toward the ocean, neither of them uttering a word to each other, but one couldn't blame them. On Orpheus' side, he was aware of his family's history and knew he had a twin sister in the Britannian military, a knight to a member of the royal family. Under any other circumstances, she would have been an enemy and he wouldn't hesitate to fight her; but he didn't have any personal grudge towards her, nor did he blame her for anything. She was born literally at the same time as him, and had no control over his life at all. On Oldrin's side, she had no idea she had any siblings, much less a twin brother, one who supported a terrorist network against the empire she made a vow to serve. However, after having learned the truth of her empire, such as the circumstances surrounding the 'tragedy' of Marrybell's family, as well as the Geass Order, she had sympathy toward the sibling she never even knew existed.
"So… I hear your friends call you Oz." Oldrin tried to strike up a conversation. "Mine call me that too."
"We'll probably have to do something about that." Orpheus replied. "I can see the confusion already."
Oldrin nervously rubbed the back of her neck. "Listen um… Orpheus… I'm sorry."
"For what, exactly?" Orpheus asked.
"For… what happened to you… being sold off to a militarized cult at birth… for what happened when you tried to escape…" She answered.
"Well, it's not like any of that was your fault." He replied. "Blame that bastard Charles and his freak of a brother, as well as our messed up family."
"Our family wasn't all bad… our mother was a good person." Oldrin tried to say.
"Well, I never knew her." Orpheus said with a hint or resentment, which his sister didn't blame him for. A look of curious and even hope fell in his eyes. "Did… she ever say anything… about me?"
"Not that I know off… but that could just be from Charles' own Geass wiping her memories!" Oldrin quickly said. "I mean, he practically brainwashed the entire world one or another!"
"True…" Orpheus admitted.
It descended into awkward silence once more.
"Listen… I know I probably have no right to say this." She began. "The two of us have lived completely different lives and have taken very different paths. But… we are family, and those paths have now intersected. And… I'm hopping… that you can give me a chance to be a sister. You're my brother and I want a chance to get to know you… but… if you don't want that, it's fine. I won't force anything on you."
Orpheus sighed before replying. "Yeah, we did live two completely different lives. I never knew anyone in my biological family… but I did meet some people who I got close to. And we are going to be working together… and we're now fighting for the same thing…so… I guess there's no harm in at least giving it a shot. Just… don't go and act all buddy-buddy with me or anything… let's take it slow. I've never done anything like this."
"Sounds like a plan to me." She offered her hand to shake with a smile. He returned the smile and shook her hand in response. "Come on!" She pulled him up. "Let's see how everyone else is doing!"
The pair walked toward the combined group that consisted of the remainder of the Crimson Knights, as well as Gino, Monica, and even Zi Dien as they sat around Smokescreen and Prowl as the two Autobots recounted a battle on Cybertron.
"It was in the dead of night…!" Smokescreen began.
"It was day." Prowl corrected.
"We were surrounded on all sides, warships and snipers everywhere! Even the Insecticons!" Smokescreen continued.
"It was only a battalion." Prowl corrected again. "At most just a few bruisers."
"We were ankle deep in molten steel!" Smokescreen stated.
"We were standing on an island in the middle of a molten steel lake, not actually in it." Prowl corrected once again.
"It was either us, or them!" Smokescreen told. "So, I provided covering fire while Prowl used his camouflage to sneak into the enemy's lines, grab some heavy artillery, and blow the engines on one of the ships so that it crashed down on all of them! We then climbed the top of the ship over the molten steel and to victory!"
"That part is true." Prowl confirmed.
"Aw yeah!" Gino exclaimed as everyone else looked enthralled in their tale. "That sounds awesome!"
"Come on! Tell us more!" Toto encouraged.
"Bet you're enjoying this, aren't ya Jean?" Ashley nudged her with a wide grin, but she didn't return it as she simply stood up.
"I gotta go…" She walked away, leaving everyone else to look in either confusion or concern.
"What's with her?" Zi Dien asked.
"I'll talk to her." Ashley knew exactly what was eating her and proceeded follow. "You guys just keep on chatting about war stories, I'll get back to ya soon."
"Sure thing." Sokkia nodded in understanding.
Jean had walked around the corner of a building and out of everyone's sight. Once she was certain she was alone, she clutched her sides as her body shook with emotional stress. One minute she was helping the Decepticons and… him… in trying to destroy the world. The next, she was now part of a group determined to save the world. They were all so kind and gentle and understanding, none of them held any grudge toward her and treated her with respect, but that wasn't the source of the emotional whiplash.
"Hey." She looked around in surprise to see Ashley looking toward her with a knowing expression. "You okay?"
"I'm fine…" Jean tried to stand straight.
"No, you're not." Ashley walked right in front of her as she tried to look away. "We've known each other since we were kids, Jean. I know what's bugging you, and it's not you feeling like the odd one out here. It's Shin, isn't it?"
She hated how he could easily see right through her. Her body shook as her eyes clenched shut. "How… how could he…? He took us in! He took me in! He trusted me enough to make me his right hand! I followed him every step of the way, never questioning him! I've loved him! So why… why did he turn on me?! Why did he try to kill me?!" She practically screamed as Ashley continued to listen. "He was trying to help… destroy the world…! I… I wasn't trying to… I just wanted to talk…! But he… He…" She didn't finish as she fell on her knees and proceeded to wail and cry her eyes out.
For one of the few moments in his life, Ashley didn't have a grin or a snappy joke to say. He lowered himself to sit down next to her as she continued to cry.
"Maybe we never really knew him, or something inside him changed." Ashley said. "He took us in, yeah. But did we really know him? Or was that camaraderie he went on about just a façade, and he's really a psychopath underneath? I'm not sure if we'll ever know. But, there is one thing I can say… I'll always have your back, Jean. No matter what, even if we get kicked out of the Black Knights and the Bots turn their backs on us too, I won't. It'll be you and me against the world." She looked up toward him with teary eyes as he gave an assuring smile. "But… these guys seem way too nice and badass to do anything like that, so I think we're good." That caused Jean to laugh slightly. "Wait… are you laughing? Icy-Eyed Jeanette actually laughed."
"Shut up, you asshole." She said in-between her laughs and sobs as she punched his arm.
"Nah, too late. I heard ya laugh." Ashley nudged her back.
Meanwhile; Nunnally, Alice, Misty, Akito, Clause, and Leila followed Elita One through the massive Knightmare hangar where the Science Division was helping its newest recruits get acclimated, as well as working on some of the new Knightmares.
"This is most impressive." Leila noted, looking around. "Most of these Knightmares look more advanced than anything even Britannia could devise."
"That's to be expected when working with alien technology." Lloyd walked up with Cecile right behind him. He glanced towards Akito. "So, you're the famous Ghost of Hannibal. I'll admit those Alexander Knightmares you make are certainly unique, even compared to my precious Lancelot. And the way you slice up the enemy like a Thanksgiving turkey… honestly, I think you're an even better devicer than Suzaku, and that's saying something."
"I'm not sure how to take that comment." Akito replied. "Was that a complement?"
"Believe it or not, it is." Cecile said. "Lloyd here is not exactly the type to have a casual conversation."
"Hey, I'm a born sociopath." Lloyd shrugged.
"He says that so casually…" Claus said, whispering to Leila, before smiling. "I think I like him."
'Oh brother.' Leila rolled her eyes, while she cared for and trusted Claus, the idea of his and Lloyd's personalities mixing via their interactions was an unsettling one.
"Ahem." Ratchet coughed, getting their attention as he walked onto the scene. "If you're done wasting time, you wanted to see how Knightmare progression is going?"
"Of course, lead the way, Ratchet." Elita gestured. The Autobot scientist walked and motioned for everyone else to follow him, which they did.
"Recruitment certainly hasn't been an issue." Ratchet began. "With support from the remaining super powers, more people have been providing aid, as well as their resources, which has certainly helped in Knightmare production."
"We have the typical run-of-the mill Aktasukis and Vincent Wards, though we also have begun producing Gareth Knightmares for some of our more experienced soldiers." Lloyd also explained. "I'm more interested in the unique and semi one-of-a-kind Knightmares we get to work with now."
"We have all the WZERO Knightmares right over here." Cecile gestured to the right of the hangar where Akito's Alexander Liberte was hanging along with custom Alexander Valiants belonging to Ryo, Yukiya, and Ayano, and even all the other Alexanders the WZERO had on hand. The team working with them were being led by Anna and Nina.
"Anna, Nina." Nunnally waved to them as she and Leila were the first to approach them.
"Hi Nunnally." Nina smiled.
"It seems you're acclimating quite well, Anna." Leila noted.
"Oh yes, we've been doing wonderfully here." Anna looked just as excited as Nina was. "We have full access to Cybertronian technology, it's amazing what the Autobots have! We might even be able to work out the kinks on the neural net!"
"Speaking of which, where is Sophie?" Claus asked as he and Misty joined them.
"Working with Jetfire on her husband." Anna answered, her mood diming slightly, followed by the others. "Even with Cybertronian medical science, it might not awaken him from his coma."
"But there is still hope, though!" Nina quickly said. "We've only seen a glimpse of what Cybertronian science is capable of, and that's just with their technology! I'm sure their neural studies…"
"Hold on a moment." Ratchet spoke up. "Cybertronian and human minds are completely different from one another. I can't say for certain whether our science can help, but I won't say that it's hopeless."
"No offense Ratchet, but you don't have to be so pessimistic all the time." Elita told him.
"There's pessimism and there's realism, Elita." Ratchet replied. "I know the difference between the two and I try to veer toward the later."
"Ah, so are we debating the finer terms of realism and pessimism now?" Lloyd asked in his usual causal tone. "Because I can go on all day with that if you want."
"Um… how about we get back to focusing on Knightmares, alright? How are the ones with Marrybell's team?" Nunnally asked, trying to get back on track.
"Glad you asked." Cecile was on-board, not wanting to get involved in another philosophical debate with Lloyd, those were always so exhausting. The group was led away from the Alexanders, leaving Anna and Nina to continue working before they met up with Rakshata's team, currently working on the Knightmares belonging to the Glynda Knights consisting of the Lancelot Trial, the Lancelot Grail, the Vincent Gram, the Zetland, the two Bradfords, even Jean's Gracchus was present among them.
"Let me ask you something, Asplund." Rakshata began. "How did it feel having your precious Lancelot copied, not once but twice? And how does it feel now that I'm able to make some improved modifications to them?"
"I honestly don't feel a thing." Lloyd replied. "I personally didn't design the Grail or the Trial, that belongs to the division under Schneizel's command, so you can go nuts with them. And they say imitation is the highest form of flattery."
"Then you won't feel bad when I make them superior to the Albion then, right?" Rakshata challenged, causing Lloyd to give something of a mix between a glare and a grin himself.
"Oooh, is that a challenge?"
"Moving right along!" Ratchet exclaimed, breaking up any possible quarrel. "Do you two wish a repeat of the Ion Cannon incident?"
"No need to go overkill Ratchet, we're just having fun." Rakshata told him. "You could stand to unwind a bit."
That earned an annoyed tisk from Ratchet while everyone else just looked confused. "Ion Cannon incident?" Leila asked Nunnally.
"Don't ask."
"Um… Rakshata, is it?" Akito got her attention as his eyes set on another red Knightmare that he didn't recognize right away.
"Yes, Akito was it?" She replied.
"What… is that supposed to be?" Akito pointed to a red and gold Knightmare, and to say it was tasteless and gaudy would be an understatement. The red was brighter and bolder than even the Guren model, and the gold design carried with it the image of falcon's head on its chest with wings on the Knightmare's head.
"That… would be the new custom Knightmare that Ashley Asura requested." Rakshata answered. "The RPI-33 Dagonet."
"Um… is that really a Knightmare?" Claus asked. "Looks like something from one of those kids cartoons. Ya know, the ones where those kids transform into colored super heroes and have giant robots fight monsters or something like that."
"I… um… I don't know what to say to that." Even Nunnally cringed a bit at the sight of the gaudy Knightmare.
"Yes… this particular Knightmare is… rather…" Leila wasn't quite sure to put it to words.
"Ugly." Alice said bluntly. "It is ugly, plain and simple."
"Mr. Asura must have… strange tastes." Misty commented.
"Yes, even I have to agree." Elita commented. "A little too flamboyant, not even Zero would go this far and we all know how dramatic he is."
"I'm not the one who designed its appearance." Rakshata said. "It's how Asura requested it. Despite the way it looks, I assure you that it's fully functional and will surpass the necessary standards if he handles it well."
"You said. 'despite the way it looks', so you can agree that this Dagonet is a fashion disaster too, eh Rakshata?"
"Yes, Rakshata agrees with us." Alice said.
"Glad you're with us, Rakshata." Akito added.
"That's not what I think." She quickly stated before looking away slightly. "Well… a little."
"If we're done here, there is one special Knightmare that we wished to show you. One that I, Preceptor, and Fixit have worked extensively on." Ratchet said, and once again proceed forward with everyone else close behind.
It wasn't long before they made it to the end of the path where the final Knightmare was presented before them. As Ratchet said, it was currently being worked on by the Autobot Perceptor and the Mini-Con, Fixit. Most of them all looked in surprise, particularly Alice, as they saw it.
It looked exactly like the unit she piloted as the Dark Knight Headmaster, Speed. Only instead of its black and purple paintjob, it was white and blue. Even the black wings on its back were painted white. Rather than looking like a harbinger of death, its appearance was that of a guardian angel.
"Is… Is that…?" Alice stuttered.
"You're Knightmare." Ratchet revealed. "It was… quite difficult to get a proper analysis of it, so we had to take it apart down to the last circuit to get a reading."
"This was clearly Shockwave's design." Perceptor said as he and Fixit turned toward the group. "Only he would come up with something so complex and so devastating."
"However, we were able to rebuild and redesign it to better suit the pilot's needs." Fixit added. "Originally, it was wired directly into the pilot's nervous system. While this would enable faster mobility…"
"It would also cause great harm to the pilot inside if it took too much damage." Perceptor finished. "But, that is no longer the case. It has a standard cockpit now."
"Of course, not just anyone can pilot such a machine." Ratchet said. "It will likely be given to someone who is a capable fighter, as well as has familiarity with such a device."
"And… who might that be?" Alice asked, wondering who would pilot that Knightmare, even though it was rather obvious.
"You, Alice." Elita revealed, causing her to gasp in surprise as she turned toward the pink Autobot, who smiled at her. "You're gonna need it, since you'll be part of the Zero Squad."
Yet another surprise she was not prepared for. "The Zero Squad?! Me?!"
"You've proven more than capable in battle, so I'd say you'd be a good fit for the Knightmare and the position." Elita summed up.
"I… Yes but…" Alice stuttered, not sure what to think of all this. On one hand, she was excited to be given not only such a position, but also a safer version of her old unit. On the other, she had not expected people who were her enemies to be so rewarding. She felt a hand grasp her own and looked to see Nunnally smiling at her.
"I think you can do it, Alice." Nunnally told her. "I know you can. You're amazing, and you deserve it. But, if you don't want to do it, we won't force you."
Alice looked toward Nunnally, a strong feeling of humility mixing with pride and joy. Nunnally just called her amazing! She told her she deserved! Even though she herself didn't believe herself to be, if her first real friend outside the Geass Order felt she was ready, then she'd give it her best shot.
"I'll try my best." Alice nodded with a smile.
"Well, you'll need a name." Misty told her. "All custom Knightmares have their own names."
Alice tried to think, but she couldn't come up with anything. "I… don't know. Nunnally… what do you think I should name it?"
Nunnally took a look at the special Knightmare, her attention drawing to the wings. Suddenly an idea came to mind. "How about Pegasus?"
"Pegasus?" Ratchet asked.
"The winged horse of Greek mythology?" Leila also asked.
"It was the horse ridden by Zeus." Nunnally confirmed. "And given it was wings… I just felt it be natural for it."
Akito gave a small chuckle. "In many ways, people can consider Cybertronians to be gods. And if this Knightmare allows one to ride alongside such a being, I think the name fits perfectly."
"Eh, why not?" Claus shrugged aloofly. "Sounds catchy enough."
"Oh, so now we're talking about divine figures, are we?" Lloyd was about to go off as usual, only for Cecile to pull on his ear. "Ow! Ow!"
"Lloyd, not now. Please." She said in emotional exhaustion.
"Pegasus..." Alice let it ring around in her head for a moment. It had a nice ring to it. Yes, the name did seem to fit. "That's perfect."
The Wall of the Fallen. A large stone memorial that stood over twenty feet tall and was twice as lone. Engraved on this wall were the names of all who had fallen in battle, be they Autobot or human. It had a large array of flowers and other items used for paying respect all across the bottom of it as it was frequently visited by either the civilians who lived on Horai Island or the fellow soldiers of those no longer with them.
Right now, the three present were Arcee, Kallen, and her mother Akari. All three remained silent as they looked toward the names 'Cliffjumper' and 'Naoto Kozuki' embedded on the wall. After their battle at Castle Weisswolf, and the personal victory they achieved there, the two female warriors felt it best to pay their respects here, with Akari joining them. Even though those two did not perish at the hands of their now-deceased foe, it just felt right. Arcee had finally avenged her first partner, and Kallen had done the same for so many innocent Japanese slaughtered at the hands of their foe.
They were soon joined by two more people, Suzaku and Euphemia, the later having a bouquet of flowers in her hand. "I hope we're not intruding." Suzaku said.
"Not at all." Akari replied, motioning them to join, which they did as Euphemia laid the flowers at the wall for the umpteenth time, glancing at the name 'Dreadwing' that was embedded on the wall as well.
"So… is it true?" Euphie asked, looking towards Kallen and Arcee. "Airachnid… is gone?"
"Yeah, she's gone." Kallen confirmed.
Euphie couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. Though she was still a gentle soul, there were quite a few people she held genuine hate for; among them were Megatron and her late father. But there was only one that she truly wished to be gone for all the crimes that she had committed.
"Good." Suzaku said. "I'm glad she's gone… really. But still… I just…"
"You wish you got a shot in?" Arcee asked.
"Yes." Suzaku confirmed. "I know you had more of a 'history' with her, Arcee. She took the life of your partner and friend, and probably so many Autobots. But she was also to blame for what happened to Dreadwing."
"And I don't blame you for feeling that way." Arcee told him. "We all do. If you were the one who got the kill shot in, I'd still be satisfied. I'm just glad she's finally gone, and she can't hurt anyone else."
"Me too." Euphie said. "She even killed mine and Cornelia's mother, according to Marrybell."
"Oh… sweetie… I'm sorry to hear that." Akari looked toward her in sympathy.
"Thank you…" Euphie replied. While she was saddened at her biological mother's death, she didn't exactly have much of a history with her. Her mother wasn't necessarily cruel or abusive, she wasn't the kindest person either. All she ever thought of was the continuation of Britannia's oppressive ways.
"Well… Airachnid may be gone… but Megatron is still out there. So, the war's not over yet." Kallen said.
"No, but I promise to run the Lancelot's blade through Megatron's evil spark the first chance I get. Even if I have to cleave through the entire Decepticon army to do it." Suzaku vowed.
"If Lelouch and Optimus don't beat you to it, first." Arcee said.
"I understand how you all feel." Akari said. "That monster… he deserves what's coming. But... you can't let that need for vengeance consume you. Revenge is like a poison, it can take you over, and before you know it… it could turn us into something ugly."
"Yeah… I know." Kallen said, looking down. More than once, she thought about revenge and she can't even count the number of times she let those dark thoughts consume her, especially when it came to avenging her brother. Soon, her mother wrapped her arm around her shoulder.
"But… you've proven that you were able to step out of that darkness." Akari spoke to her with a proud smile. "You fought for justice, not vengeance. Your brother meant the world to both of us, Kallen, but I know he wouldn't want us living one second with vengeance in our lives. I'm sure he's looking down on you with pride, just as I am."
Kallen didn't even stop the tears of joy falling from her eyes. "Thanks Mom…" She choked as she hugged her mother, with Arcee kneeling to rub her hands down Kallen's back. Akari looked toward Arcee with an appreciative expression.
"Thank you… Arcee. For looking after my little girl."
"You're welcome." Arcee nodded with a smile of her own.
Euphie's eyes were also becoming misty at such a sight of her own, even as Suzaku reached out to grasp her hand, both looking toward one another with emotional and happy expressions. Just as they were certain Cliffjumper and Kallen's brother were looking down on them, Dreadwing was doing the same for the both of them. And as he made them promise, they would see this war through to the end, and live their lives to the fullest.
Meanwhile, Bulkhead sat down at the shore of the island, with Rai sitting right by his side. The two said nothing as they continued to stare out at the ocean, but they didn't need to say anything to each other. They were partners and the best of friends, so they already understood one another.
"Excuse me." They turned around to see Nonette approaching them. "Mind if I join you?"
The Wreckers looked toward each other with smiles. "Sure thing." Rai gestured.
"One more Wrecker ain't gonna hurt." Bulkhead also encouraged, causing Nonette to smile as she sat down and joined them, sitting close to Rai in particular.
"I remember you being in a spot like this." Nonette spoke to Rai. "Sometimes, you'd come down to a beach, and just stare out at the ocean. Not saying anything… just watching and listening…"
"I like the quiet." Rai said. "The breeze of the air above the ocean, it's peaceful."
"Yeah." Even Bulkhead understood. "As much fun as it is lopping fenders with the Cons, you just need a moment to kick back as well and enjoy the little things."
"Speaking from experience, Bulkhead?" Nonette asked.
"Well, Cybertron didn't have any oceans or anything…" Bulkhead began.
"Wasn't there a Sea of Rust or something?" Rai asked.
"Well, it wasn't an actual sea. Not like these oceans." Bulkhead replied. "But… when we had ion storms in the atmosphere, let me tell ya, that was a big event. Would sit on the top of whatever building I was working on and get a good view."
"Sounds pretty awesome. I'd love to see that." Nonette commented. "Listen, Bulk… I know I've probably said this before but… thanks. For, looking out for Rai."
"Hey, the guy's my friend and my partner, so it wasn't any trouble." Bulkhead said, nudging one of his massive fingers against Rai's side, who pushed it away with a smirk of his own.
"I'm also glad you're here, Nonette. Really, I am." Rai said sincerely, causing Nonette to smile back as she pulled Rai in close with one arm.
"So, how are things with Shirley?" Nonette asked in a somewhat teasing form, causing Rai to blush and stutter.
"I… well… not much really. Kinda hard to focus on dating or anything, given we're at war and all…" Rai said, rubbing the back of his head.
"Well, you better say something soon." Bulkhead also teased. "Like you said, we're at war, so you might end up kicking the bucket before you get a chance to say anything."
"Yeah right, I'm not kicking anything except the bad guys in-between their legs." Rai joked.
"But… seriously, have you seen Shirley at all?" Nonette asked. "I need to talk to her about something."
Rai looked a little confused. "Last time I heard… she, Rivalz, and Milly were heading to the Ark. Wanted to talk to Lelouch."
"So, you're the one that Prime choose to lead alongside him. The one called 'Zero'." Grimlock looked towards Lelouch, still clad in his Zero attire, just without his mask, as the young revolutionary narrowed his eyes. The young revolutionary stood on the catwalk on the bridge of the Ark. Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Ironhide, Jazz, and Ultra Magnus were present as well.
"You don't seem that impressive." Grimlock commented.
"I let my actions and results speak for me." Lelouch replied. "So, you'll just have to see what I'm capable of, Grimlock."
While Grimlock did like that sort of mindset of 'actions speaking louder than words', it didn't exactly endear him to Lelouch. "I'm not easily impressed, boy."
"Alright, alright, break it up." Jazz promptly stepped in-between them before looking toward Grimlock. "Look man, I know he's a kid and all but trust me, this kid more than impresses. There's a reason Optimus put him in charge."
Grimlock said nothing but grunted in acknowledgment before turning around and prepared to leave. "Not so fast." Ultra Magnus quickly blocked his path. Everyone looked towards the Autobot commander and could already feel the tension rising between them.
"You want something, Magnus?" Grimlock asked.
"I understand that your own method of command style with your own unit." Ultra Magnus told him. "And I respect you as a fellow commander and soldier. However, times have changed. You are under the command of Optimus Prime and Zero, as such you must be willing to follow our lead and orders to the letter."
"I already said I'll play nice." Grimlock replied. "But I handle things my way."
"Your rather destructive approach to handle the Decepticons is unsettling to say the least." Magnus spoke to him. "Your Lightning Strike Coalition Force made the Wreckers look like standard soldiers! It is one thing to do what it takes to defeat your enemy, but when it comes to collateral damage, especially considering your newfound strength and power…"
"I won't burn the fleshies alive, if that's what you're worried about!" Grimlock stated. "If you're that nervous, then just tell these so-called Black Knights to keep their distance!"
"This coming from the Bot who deserted us at the Ark." Ironhide commented.
"I did not desert anybody!" Grimlock exclaimed, walking toward Ironhide rather forcefully, while the veteran Autobot stood his ground despite Grimlock's intimidating size. "My team and I found Shockwave's project, which is what lead you all to this rock in the first place!"
"Which also led to you and your team being captured by Shockwave." Ironhide's optics narrowed. Grimlock was already growling. "How can we know you won't do the same thing again?"
"Are you testing me, you old piece of scrap metal?!" Grimlock growled, his optics beginning to glow.
"No, nobody is testing anybody." Optimus stepped in. "We already have an arrangement, Grimlock. We will keep you informed, especially in regards to the status of your team, and allow you to handle things your own way. All we're asking is that you also keep us informed as well. Is proper communication fair enough for you?"
Grimlock slowly glanced toward Optimus, though tension in the air was still high, it slowly began to recede, as did the glow in Grimlock's eyes. "Fair enough." He then turned back to Lelouch. "Prime thinks you're worthy enough to lead alongside him? Then let me see your 'results' for myself."
Lelouch flashed his typical smirk. "I accept your challenge."
Grimlock wouldn't admit it out loud, but the kid had guts. He had a fire in his eyes all his own, and showed no signs of backing down, even in front of him. In a way, Grimlock could respect it. But it still took a lot more than that to earn Grimlock's approval.
As the leader of the Dinobots proceeded to exit the bridge, he came to a stop to see Shirley, Milly, and Rivalz about to enter the bridge. The three looked a bit nervous at the sight of the massive Autobot.
"Hi…" Shirley waved nervously.
Grimlock simply gave a nod before walking around them and leaving the bridge, where all the tension left with the Dinobot.
"[How much of that did you guys hear?]" Bumblebee asked the former Student Council.
"Enough…" Milly answered. "So, the big guy's got a problem with authority or something?"
"Grimlock and his team operated outside the normal chain of command." Optimus explained.
"So… Autobot black ops, huh?" Rivalz assumed. "Are the other guys like him?"
"No, most of them are a lot friendlier, especially Swoop. You kids would definitely get along with him." Jazz told him.
"Yeah… that's cool. But what I was asking was that can they also turn into Dinosaurs?" Rivalz asked.
"Based on Grimlock's report upon his rescue in the Sahara, it would seem so." Optimus confirmed.
"Dinobots… that is so cool." Rivalz looked like he was about to explode with excitement like a comic book geek. "Can't wait to see the Cons get Jurassic Parked on!"
"Is there something you children needed?" Ultra Magnus asked, getting right to the point.
"Um, yeah. How did things go, Lulu?" Shirley asked her friend. "Ya know, with all the world leaders?"
"Rather smoothly." Lelouch answered as he had walked down from the catwalk and toward the living area of the bridge with the rest of the former Student Council joining him. "They all know the Decepticons are a threat we all face and have agreed to put their differences aside to stop them."
"That's great!" Shirley beamed.
"So, are we ready to take the fight to them?" Rivalz asked excitedly.
"Not yet." Ironhide shook his head. "We gotta get all the military organized. We can't just throw a bunch of tanks and Knightmares at the Cons and expect the problem to be resolved in a big explosion."
"Ironhide is correct." Optimus added. "We have to ensure that victory against the Decepticons is one that is earned with minimal human casualties and without irreparably damaging the planet."
"Like what happened on Cybertron?" Milly asked with a serious, yet understanding, tone of voice.
"[Yeah. Like with Cybertron.]" Bumblebee confirmed. The mood at that moment turned grim, as the dark fate of the Autobots' home world was once again reminded, causing even the ever stoic and serious Ultra Magnus to look down in sorrow and regret.
Deciding to change the subject, Shirley spoke up. "Hey, speaking of Cybertron, I've actually been wondering." She looked to Optimus directly. "That phrase you guys always say 'till all are one', what exactly does it mean?" She rubbed the back of her neck with embarrassment. "I know, we've all been saying it for months… so I'm kind of embarrassed that I'm even bringing it up now."
Optimus smiled towards Shirley before responding. "The phrase actually has two meanings to it. In the early days of Cybertron, before even the Golden Age, when one says 'till all are one', it refers to when we are all one with the Allspark."
"But… doesn't mean when you guys… ya know… kick the bucket?" Rivalz asked with a slight wince.
"You'd think, but it's not as grim you would believe." Jazz said.
"The Allspark, is essentially the essence of our creator, Primus. It is the source of all Cybertronian life." Optimus continued. "But life is finite, and when a Cybertronian life comes to an end, it's spark is supposedly returned to its source within the Allspark, becoming one with it and all the other sparks that have passed on. But in doing so, this allows the Allspark itself to produce new life, new sparks from which new Cybertronians are born."
"Like reincarnation?" Milly asked.
"Though there is no proof of reincarnation, as we have yet to encounter any individual Cybertronian that shares memories with a possible past life." Ultra Magnus explained. "Though Optimus is a special case."
That got their attention as they looked toward the Autobot leader in surprise. "You're a reincarnation, Optimus?!" Shirley questioned.
"Believe it or not, he's the reincarnation of one of the original thirteen Primes, the thirteenth Prime, to be specific." Lelouch confirmed.
"Whoa…" Rivalz said as he, Milly, and Shirley looked toward Optimus in awe.
"However, this is only possible through the Matrix of Leadership, which connects me to the others." Optimus continued. "We have yet to encounter anything else."
"But, if that's the first meaning of the phrase, what's the second one?" Milly asked.
"This was developed when our race became divided." Optimus explained. "Initially the division between classes, before the war broke out and we were divided between Autobot and Decepticon. We often said 'till all are one' then, because we hoped for a time when the war would end, and we would be no longer divided. We'd be neither Autobot nor Decepticon, nor high class or servant class, or any other form of division. We would all be one people, once more. Sadly however, with the destruction of Cybertron, that may no longer be the case."
"So why do you keep saying it?" Rivalz asked.
"Cause we still got hope." Ironhide answered. "We still got hope for peace and we don't have to fight anymore."
"[And it's possible too.]" Bumblebee added. "[You've seen a few former Decepticons join us.]"
As the three of them let their thoughts dwell on the matter, Shirley beamed as something came to mind for her. "It's like what you're doing with the Black Knights, Lulu!"
Lelouch looked toward her in confusion, as did everyone else. "I… I'm not sure I understand."
"When you first formed the Black Knights, you were the only Britannian on the team. Everyone else was Japanese, well Kallen's technically half-Britannian, but you know what I mean." Shirley explained. "But as you guys grew, more and more Britannians joined you, including me, all of us." She gestured to Rivalz and Milly as well. "Now look where we are! We've got people from all over the world, not just Japanese and Britannians! We have people from the Chinese Federation, from Europia, and all the other smaller countries! Heck, you have aliens with you! You've had aliens on your side ever since this whole thing started!" She gestured to the Autobots around her. "People of all different sizes, shapes, places, everything… its like having a bunch of colors together. And when you mix a whole bunch of different colors together, you get black! The Black Knights! I know you probably only did it because Britannia felt they were pure and white, so you wanted to stand against them but… look how well it turned out! You've proven Britannia wrong, by showing that so many people can stand together, work together, and be friends with each other! We don't have to be separated or distinguished from each other just because we're different! It's our differences that make us special and brings us closer together! I know all of us aren't completely united yet, but everyone here… Autobot and human… right here and now… we are one. And you were the one who brought us together, Lulu. So, thank you."
Lelouch really had no idea what to say at first. It surprised him how often Shirley would leave him speechless, but he felt both proud and humble at her praise. He looked away with a smile.
"Well… It wasn't all me. I had some help." He glanced towards Optimus and Bumblebee as the two Autobots he was closest with nodded and smiled in their own way.
"Oh… right!" Shirley blushed in embarrassment. "Thank you, Optimus. You too, Bumblebee."
"Of course." Optimus nodded.
"Wow Shirley, that… that was just beautiful." Milly commented with a smile. "I think Rivalz here is crying."
"I'm not crying!" Rivalz exclaimed, trying to wipe his face with his sleeve.
"That was one heck of a speech, kid." Jazz said with an impressed smirk. "And you're totally right, by the way."
"You may not be a soldier, but it's people like you that keep us honest." Ironhide said with a smirk of his own. "Heck, you even impressed Magnus right here, and he's not so easily impressed."
The group looked toward the Autobot commander, who said nothing, but he did give a small nod of approval toward Shirley, agreeing with every word she said.
"Yeah, that was quite a speech." They heard Nonette's voice as she walked onto the bridge.
"Nonette, hey there!" Milly waved.
"Enneagram." Ultra Magnus nodded in acknowledgment.
"Commander" Nonette gave a brief salute as she entered the living area.
"Did you need something?" Lelouch asked.
"Actually, I was hoping to speak to you, Shirley." Nonette said, getting her attention, and everyone else's. "When we were in the Sahara Desert, meeting Grimlock for the first time, I ran into Anya. She wanted me to give you a message."
"A message?" Shirley asked. While she did hope for Anya's safety and considered her a friend, she was still rather surprised as she didn't quite consider the former Knight of Six being that close toward her. One would think her message would be toward Suzaku or another former Knight of the Round.
"She said, 'look toward the stars as we have done'." Nonette said. "Do you have any idea what that means?"
Everyone looked toward Shirley, thinking she had some kind of answer. But, they clearly were not expecting her eyes to widen, almost like round dinner plates, or for tears to form in her eyes. Her face was pale, almost like she ahd just seen a ghost.
"Shirley…" Lelouch tried to reach out to her.
"What's wrong?" Optimus asked.
"D-Daddy…" She muttered, getting their attention. "W-When… I was little… my dad and I… would star gaze… and he said… whenever he would leave and I… would miss him… he said… 'look toward the stars… like we always do, and you'll see me…'"
It didn't take long for everyone to reach the same conclusion. The only way Anya Alstreim, the former Knight of Six, would know that would be as if the man himself had told her.
Shirley fell to her knees as Lelouch, and the rest of their human friends, quickly kneeled around her to offer support as she cried and placed a hand over her mouth in emotional shock. "My… My dad… he's alive!"
Meanwhile, in the now-liberated EU, Soundwave led the Constructicons in clearing away the rubble of what was left of Castle Weisswolf, hoping to retrieve any surviving Decepticons that may be buried underneath the snow and rubble, as well as any pieces of equipment the Autobots and Black Knights may have left behind. They had managed to learn the location of Castle Weisswolf through Sky-Byte, who had managed to be the only one so far that had escaped from the rubble, but had been unable to free the others. Once he met up with Soundwave and the Constructicons, Sky-Byte was given a Groundbridge portal back to Darkmount to report to Megatron, while the Constructicons handled the excavations and rescue. They had to act quickly, however. Now that Europia and Euro-Britannia were no longer under Decepticon occupation, they needed to move swiftly so human forces didn't notice and converge on their location.
Already, there was a massive hole as most of the rubble had been cleared away, with the silent Decepticon standing at the edge, observing the Constructicons work. Scavenger, the largest of the Constructicons, used his uniquely shaped body of his rotating wheels on top and bottom to clear away most the rubble from the center while the rest of his teammates worked. Scrapper and Long Haul picked up the largest pieces of debris, and while Long Haul used his strength to smash most of the debris into even smaller pieces, Scrapper simply tossed them aside. Hook's right arm launched a grappling hook to pull back on some of the debris, while Bonecrusher's arms converted into drills to dig even deeper.
Mixmaster had found all the broken Britannian Knightmares, and Alexander drones used in the attack, but found them unusable and simply tossed them into a pile before his right arm opened up to produce a barrel that spat out a stream of acid that began to melt away at the useless equipment.
He heard a pinging signal and looked up in response towards Soundwave as his faceplate lit up to identify four Cybertronian signals at four specific spots. One of which had two smaller signals identical to Mini-Cons.
"We got survivors!" Mixmaster called to his team and relayed instructions. "Scavenger, you take the furthest one away! Long Haul and Scrapper get the one underneath the largest pile! Hook and Bonecrusher, there's one directly underneath your position. I got the last one."
With that, the Constructicons got to work and moved to their specific locations. Scavenger used his large frame to bash and crush away all the debris around his specific spot, which lightened the load and allowed the large mole-like Decepticon named Underbite to break out with a roar and a moan of disgust.
"Ugh! I had to eat rocks to dig my way out!" Underbite felt his stomach. "Uh… I'm gonna be sick!"
"Get over it, ugly." Scavenger told him.
Meanwhile, Long Haul and Scrapper were quick to lift the debris from the largest pile as Thunderhoof slowly began to pull himself up.
"Looking a little down in the dumps, eh Thunderhoof?" Scrapper joked.
"Eyy, yoo! What took you mooks, so long!? I thought my joints were gonna freeze up and go in stasis!" Thunderhoof chastised.
"You're welcome." Long Haul said sarcastically as he slammed his hand on Thunderhoof's back, knocking him face-first in the ground, causing him and Scrapper to laugh.
Bonecrusher's drill helped to break through most of the rubble as a purple metallic hand busted out, which Hook grabbed and helped to haul Fracture out with Airazor and Divebomb emerging from his shoulders to stretch their limbs.
"That was close." Airazor said.
"Yeah, thought we were goners for sure." Divebomb added.
"Get over it, twerps." Fracture said.
"Oh hey, look at the high and mighty Fracture, needing help from the Constructicons." Hook mocked.
"Guess us 'low class Bots' got one over you, huh?" Bonecrusher also mocked, while Fracture merely scowled.
Mixmaster used more of his acid to melt away a pile of debris, but he made sure to keep the chemical composition light so that it wouldn't melt any Cybertronian metal, which paid off as Steeljaw slowly arose from the corroding rubble.
"How long have we been buried?" Steeljaw got right to the point. "Where is Sky-Byte?"
"Enough for the Bots and their human pets to take the continent. That no-good Sharkticon's already gone back to Darkmount" Mixmaster informed. "We should get out of here before they notice us. Consider yourself lucky."
Steeljaw growled, more so toward himself for letting himself get outwitted and beaten by Zero and his Autobot companions. He would have revenge upon them, as well as Leila and her WZERO allies the first chance he gets.
"Soundwave!" Steeljaw called up toward the silent Decepticon, taking notice of him. "I need you to contact Shockwave! Our campaign in Europia may have been a failure, but we did get something out of all this."
The wolf-like Decepticon opened his chest before reaching in to pull out the half-mangled and unconscious body of a human, who had half his own face torn off. But despite the terrible shape and massive damage done to his body, Shin Hyuga Shang, was still very much alive.
New Kaon – Darkmount
Megatron sat on his throne, Starscream, Sky-Byte, and Schneizel both kneeling before him as they had informed him of the situation in the Chinese Federation. Likewise, Soundwave had also contacted Megatron to let him know that despite the retrieval of Steeljaw and his team, their campaign in the EU had also failed.
"So… you mean to tell me, that despite the efforts of the most cunning individuals in our ranks, and Starscream…" He snuck in a brief insult before continuing. "Our enemies were able to gain control over the remaining two superpowers, as well as the remnants of Britannia?" Megatron questioned in a seemingly calm tone, but anyone who knew the Lord of the Decepticons knew that Megatron was anything but calm at the moment. He was likely to explode with rage at any moment.
"I cannot speak for what happened in Europia Lord Megatron, but I assume full responsibility for our failure in the Chinese Federation." Schneizel said. "I underestimated Optimus Prime resourcefulness, as well as the arrogance of the High Eunuchs."
"I can say the same for what happened in Europia, Master." Sky-Byte added. "I underestimated these so-called Wyverns as well as Zero."
"While failures are to be expected of a Sharkticon..." Starscream gave a not-so-subtle insult towards Sky-Byte, who turned toward him with a glare, as the leader of the Seekers continued. "There is also the reasonable event, which was not our fault, of Grimlock appearing on the scene, and having been strengthened enough to the point he could nearly match Bruticus in combat! And that, I believe was Shockwave's doing, as he was the one who captured and experimented on the Autobot to make him an even graver threat than before…."
*SLAM!*
Megatron's fist slammed on the throne, silencing all three of them as he stood up in fury. "Do you three have any notion of the consequences of such failure?! Despite the humans' weak form, their entire species outnumbers our forces a hundred to one! United under the command of Zero and Optimus, with the resources provided by the Autobots, they may now have the means to overwhelm us completely!"
"I fear you are giving the human race far too much credit, Lord Megatron." Schneizel said. "Yes, they outnumber us, but they're still chaotic at their core. They won't be able to fully unite against us, at least not right away."
"Yes, we have time!" Starscream added. "The Autobots and Black Knights will need a place to bring this planet's leadership together in order to establish this union. Let me take our fleet and burn it to the ground!"
"And where exactly do you believe they are based, Starscream?" Megatron asked, causing Starscream to stutter. "We have no means to locate them! And I cannot send my fleet to scourer this planet, because it must remain to guard this single and only continent that we have full control over! If it scatters to locate the enemy's base, we run the risk of a full-scale invasion!"
"Then perhaps once Damocles has been completed." Sky-Byte suggested. "We could incinerate every major city on the planet and scourge the surface of the Earth."
"Damocles is not ready!" Megatron exclaimed. "By the time such an extensive project is completed, our enemies may have already built their front!"
"Wh-What of the Nemesis, my lord?" Starscream continued to stutter. "Surely it must be operational by now!"
Megatron scoffed before walking over to a nearby console and making contact with the Decepticon in charge of the repairs of the Decepticon flagship. "Knock Out, how is progress on the Nemesis' repairs?"
"Lord Megatron, the Energon infuser and power core are fully repaired." Knock Out reported. "However, all other major systems are ranging between fifty to sixty percent repaired. Damage sustained during the fight against the Ark as well as being partly submerged in lava is rather significant. I'm sorry, but it will take some time before the Nemesis is airborne again."
"Time is one thing we do not have, Knock Out." Megatron scowled. "If we are to be ready before Prime and Lelouch are, we may have to take a more drastic option."
"Lord Megatron, as your physician, I strongly advise against this!" Knock Out told him as Megatron had arrived on the Nemesis via Groundbridge, along with a large container of a certain dark substance. "Dark Energon's regenerative properties are impressive, but the side effects… there's no telling how it might impact the ship!"
Megatron's optics were already glowing dark purple, the Dark Geass flashing in both his eyes. "Dark Energon courses through my veins. Infusing the warship will enable me to manipulate the craft as we are one, but this is merely a test. Once we are certain Dark Energon works, we will distribute it to the rest of my fleet! Just as I was able to control legions of the undead, I will be able to manipulate my armada with but a thought! And together… we shall finally crush Optimus Prime and Zero! Ending their united front of this planet before it even began!"
Done.
So, the Autobots and Black Knights have begun laying the groundwork for their United Nations charter, but it will be some time before everything is finalized as this is not just made to counter the Decepticons, but to ensure Earth has a future united together.
The Glynda Knights, Euro-Britannian defectors, the WZERO, and Li Xingke's faction have all now officially joined the Black Knights and Autobots and are prepared to face off against the Decepticons (Alice's remolded Pegasus Knightmare is pretty much the same as the Wing Zero Gundam from 'Endless Waltz', while Ashley's new Dagonet Knightmare is an original creation made by 'unoservix' on DeviantArt. Look it up if you want a good look at it).
Nonette has even passed the message along to Shirley, confirming her father is indeed alive, and that is going to have big implications in the future.
However, Megatron is preparing his own countermove, ready to infuse the Nemesis with Dark Energon. And we all know where that's going to lead to. The next chapter, while sure to be an epic one, is also going to be the bridge that leads into the Iacon Relics arc that I have planned. In addition to some of the Relics seen in the canon TFP show, I've got plenty more in store as well. However, the Omega Keys will not be among them. I have very special plans for the Keys, but don't expect them to appear for a very long time.
Oh, and Steeljaw and the remainder of his pack are back in action, with Shin Hyuga Shang being alive as well. Just like everyone and everything else, I have big plans for him.
What's next for our heroes? Will they be able to stand against the new threat that Megatron will unwittingly unleash upon them? Find out next time on Code Prime!
Update: I completely forgot to add Sky-Byte in the final draft, so I took care of that.