Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
The months passed by and many changes had been made in the wake of the formation of the United States of Japan.
After the armistice was signed the people worked about in building the new country Zero had offered to them which that they had accepted enthusiastically. Britannia's belief in its superiority had been shattered in the wake of the Black Rebellion that caused multiple rebellions in dozens of areas and let to renewed effort by the European Union and the Chinese Federation. Without the sakuradite from Japan Britannia's economy and ability to field large numbers of Knightmares had been crippled and thus was forced to accept a truce made by all countries. In the months that followed the European Union and the Chinese Federation had all made diplomatic approaches to the United States of Japan, hoping to form an alliance and even exploid the sakuradite the new country still had.
The Black Knights quickly became recognized as the new government even if it had not been Zero's intention but after some prodding by Prime Minister Kaguya Sumeragi Zero accepted the charge of running all military operations in Japan. The Britannians that remaned found themselves forced to accept that in the eyes of their country they were no longer Britannians. With the exception of the wealthy and nobles Britannia disavowed the rest, seeing them as no longer part of Britannia for living in the same country as Zero before the Rebellion. Zero ordered that they not be treated as prisoners of war, slaves, or forced to live in horrible conditions like the Japanese had been as Numbers.
Hating people for simply being Britannian was not what the United State of Japan stood for.
Instead Zero saw to it they were well looked after, having kept most of Japan in stable condition even if it required rebuilding. Now almost a year has passed and the United States of Japan has grown stronger in strength and popularity with the name Zero becoming revered to the point of Godhood. But even now, there are still enemies out there that would love to see the United States of Japan and its leader disappear from the world.
And even now these enemies plot Zero's downfall.
"Bye mom! I'll be back around dinner!"
The door was almost completely closed as Kallen Kouziki uttered those words, rushing out of the apartment she shared with her mother and running out of building with a sandwich stuffed into her mouth, determined not to be late for school. She still wore her Ashford Academy uniform and was still going to Ashford Academy that had remained intact following the Black Rebellion. It wasn't very different, only it now accepted Japanese students who were in desperate need of an education. Zero and the Black Knights had ensured a healthy economy with many branches dedicated to health, security, research and development, education, and much more.
Prime Minister Kaguya Sumeragi had proved to be very skilled in politics, even if she had leaders of Kyoto as her advisers. The Black Knights in the meantime were recognized as the primary peace keeping force in Japan but an official Japanese army was made separate from the Black Knights, led by Colonel Todoh and the Four Holy Swords who were still members of the Black Knights as a representative of the army. It was an inspiring move and necessary one as despite the treaty that had formally recognized Japan as a soverign country there was still a chance that Britannia would attempt another invasion.
Fortunately any encounters had been mere small incursions, no doubt meant to probe Japan's defenses for weaknesses.
The official headquarters was the former Britannia Government Bureau that was transformed into the new HQ for the Black Knights and the new Prime Minister so the two groups could work together side by side. It was still amazing how fast the country managed to rebuild itself under Lel-Zero's leadership. Kallen had long ago come to terms about Zero's true identity and understood why he acted against his country, given how he and his sister who had been blind and crippled at the time had been abandoned and left to die in a warzone. She could even sympathize with him since she was half Britannian and believed that she had been betrayed by the people that she was once part, though she was ashamed to admit that part.
Still she had come to learn not all Britannians were inheritently like the people who had invaded and enslaved the country she was born. The few friends at Ashford Academy were certainly nothing like the typical snotty and heartless monsters she had once sterotyped all Britannians to be. Some Britannians were left behind, unable to leave for many reasons, including families who had people in the military who were shamed by their homeland for the military's failure to hold Japan. As for Kallen, she moved out of the mansion she previously lived in with her mother and step-mother and into an apartment after her mother was released from prison and was completely free of the addicting affects of Refrain and they both had plenty of money since Kallen was a member of the original Black Knights and was given a heavy income from the new Japanese government as a reward for her services before and during the Black Rebellion.
Now she was mostly an ordinary girl going to school while still having her military duties but for the most part things were peaceful in Japan.
"Hey Kallen!"
Kallen stopped when she saw two familiar people walking down the same street she was on. "Naruto! Cera!"
Both Naruto and Cera, formerly known as C.C. had changed very little in the following year of the rebirth of Japan. They both attended still school with Kallen since they never passed the previous grade due to the Black Rebellion caused the Academy to close for a few months to deal with the reorganization of the country. Of course the same could be said for just about anyone such as Rivalz and Shirley who remained behind and their families were civilians with little to no prejudice to the Japanese along with Lelouch who remained the same in his attendance to class since he was also the masked revolutionist Zero.
After much prodding by Naruto Cera allowed her real name to be used on the grounds it would only be known to her contractors and they would use it in private. In the meantime Nunnally had come far under Naruto and Cera's training, reaching the point that Sayoko believed she would have been a proud successor to her in the ninja arts of the Sonazaki clan. And there was the fact that Cera had gained a new path from someone unexpected.
Fifteen Days Since the Black Rebellion
"So this poweris real?" Cornelia question, shocked and surprised along with her younger sister as they watched the many feats Naruto and Cera preformed.
Elemental Manipulation.
Duplication of themselves and any objects in their hands.
Walking on water and up trees with no hands what-so-ever.
And other superhuman feats.
And they found out Nunnally had these powers, the Rinnegan.
"I accepted this power to protect Lelouch. With or without the power of Geass he would have attempted his revolution in the future but when he gained Geass along with Naruto and Cera as allies he was able to free this country when against opponents like Suzaku and you, Big Sister it would have been much more difficult." Nunnally explained when they asked him why she accepted this power. "At the very least I am no longer his weakness and I was able to avenge my mother's death."
Cornelia looked shocked. "You know who killed her?"
"Yes… And it's a very long story."
And so, Nunnally told them what truly happened that night, how the immortal child named V.V. assassinated Lady Marianne under the pretence of meeting with her to discuss important business. Charles covered it up and physically crippled Nunnally while using his Geass to alter her memories and make her go blind. By the end of the tale Cornelia and Euphie were shocked and horrified that their father would do such a thing to his youngest child.
And yet he showed how little he cared when he sent them away to Japan just before it was invaded.
"I no longer recognize that man as my father. He took away my legs and sight, making me a helpless sack of meat that needed to rely on everyone her to survive and forced my brother to witness terrible atrocities through the invasion. That man is a monster and I swear that I one day will bring him down for his sins." Nunnally declared, her Rinnegan flaring. "He will not hurt Lelouch or anyone I care about ever again."
Euphie quickly grabbed her little sister in a deep hug. "Oh Nunna, I am so sorry for what you went through! I never wanted you and Lelouch to leave us!"
Cornelia gave them both a hug of her own. "Neither did I."
Nunnally smiled and hugged them both back. "I know."
"That is why I want to you help, Nunna." Euphie said as she pulled away. "I don't want to stand on the sidelines anymore."
"Euphie?" Cornelia asked as Euphie faced Cera and Naruto who were silent through the whole sibling moment.
"Is it possible for me to gain the powers you gave my sister?" Euphie asked, surprising Cornelia.
"Euphie?!"
Cera nodded. "I can bestow upon anyone the power of Geass and only two more with the Rinnegan. Nunnally is my Naraka Path while Sayoko is my Animal Path, Rakshata is my Human Path, and Shinryoku is my Asura Path. The two paths left are Deva and Preta."
"Then I wish to become one of these paths." Euphie said.
"Euphie, wait-" Cornelia tried to protest.
"Please don't stop me, sister!" Euphie looked at her shocked sister. "I have sat behind you for most of my life, letting you keep me blind to how harsh the world truly is. But I saw it that day at the zone I tried to set up to bring people together for our sister's sake and it almost ended in a bloodbath and Lelouch was nearly killed as a result. I won't sit by anymore and watch as our siblings try to change the world for the batter, they are our family and family stays together. So I wish to make the same kind of deal Nunnally and Lelouch made."
Cornelia stared at her younger sister in shock and awe, as if seeing the young strong woman Euphie had grown into instead of the sweet little sister Cornelia had loved through their childhood.
"Very well." Cera said as she stepped forward. "But be ready. This will hurt."
It certainly did.
Cornelia had to be pulled back more than once as Euphie gritted her teeth in pain as she struggled through it all. It was until the process was finally complete did Euphie let out a relieved gasp as she fell onto her knees and Cornelia rushed over to her.
"Euphie, are you all right?" Cornelia asked as she hugged her sister.
"I'm… I'm okay, sister." Euphie pulled away slightly and opened her eyes.
Cornelia gasped as she looked into her sister's eyes, seeing the black rings and the purple sclera. "Euphie…"
Euphie pulled out a small mirror and looked at her reflection, seeing her new eyes. "It is real… I feel so… So… Alive."
"That's the feeling your new chakra circulatory system in your body." Cera said, smiling softly at her new contractor. "Take a few hours to get used to this. Your body will need time to adjust to the changes."
Euphie nodded. "I understand… Thank you, Cera."
"Just remember, don't speak my real name to anyone else outside of our little circle. I have a reputation to uphold." Cera reminded mischeviously before becoming serious. "This will being more changes than you realize, Euphemia. What you have come now is one of my Sixth Paths, what I have decided to call the Six Paths of Rebellion. You are still you but in many ways you are different from the rest of humanity in ways that cannot be imagined. It will take training, discipline, and the right people to ensure you are able to control this power you now carry."
"How dangerous is this power? Will it hurt her?" Cornelia quickly asked.
"She is in more danger of harming anyone near her than herself." Naruto answered. "A single wrong move could harm or even kill anyone who is not ready. The training will be difficult so for the first few months we will be training in isolation from the rest of the world. The training will be help Euphie learn how to focus her power before we even think teaching her any dangerous techniques."
"So, I suggest we get some supplies ready." Cera said, finishing the lecture.
So in order to Euphemia control her new powers Naruto and Cera took her and Cornelia out into the far countryside of Japan, where no one would bother them. It was fortunate that not even Britannia paid complete attention to the countryside, preferring to focus its control in settlements in locations where resources would be plenty. As a soldier Cornelia already had gone through survival training but Euphie needed to be taught all of that since Cornelia had refused to have her trained as a soldier before. Despite her elder sister's misgivings Euphie was a surpisingly fast learner and moved through the basics of survival training while slowly learning how to control her chakra.
Euphemia was a natural learner, soaking up what she learned like a sponge and she still continued attending Ashford Academy as Elizabeth Lamperouge. Her kind and friendly nature allowed her to make friends with almost everyone in the school and she even sat on the Student Council. It was there that she found a very good friend in Milly Ashford as they both shared interesting stories about Lelouch, much to his embarrassment. They shared laughs back and forth, including Naruto, Cera, and Kallen with the other members while Lelouch simply closed his eyes and waited out the storm.
When she was not at school she was Euphemia li Britannia, former Princess of Britannia and the current acting representative all remaining Britannians that were now living in the new Japan. Cornelia herself had become Euphie's bodyguard, keeping her training as a military officer sharp. Most Britannians were re-located into an area set up like the Special Administrative Zone Euphemia originally set up for the Japanese a year ago but now she was doing the same for Britannians left behind. It's been a long journey but everyone was starting to feel relaxed and at peace.
"Ready for another crazy day at Ashford?" Naruto asked. "I hear Milly's planning to make another giant pizza again."
Kallen sighed. "Again? Wasn't the last epic failure not enough?"
"Nope. She vowed she won't stop until she get its right. Though I wonder if I can convince her to make a bowl of ramen to go with that pizza." Naruto said thoughtfully.
"Seriously?" Kallen said, a blank look on her face.
"Don't get him started." Cera remarked. "Him and Milly have already been working on ways to make the giant bowl."
"And I know where to get the ingrediants!" Naruto laughed eagerly.
"Oh boy." Kallen shook her head.
Needless to say Naruto and Milly formed a scary friendship due to how much they loved pranks and blowing things over the top. It was enough that almost the entire school might have to join forces to stop them in whatever crazy shenanagins the two might pull. The less said about how much trouble the two have caused following the school's reopening the better.
"As long as it doesn't interfere with the giant pizza, I don't care." Cera shrugged. "Just don't break the stage."
"How did I ever survive hanging around you two?" Kallen sighed as they walked through the gate of Ashford Academy.
"Because you love us?" Naruto asked with a big smile.
"Love might be too strong a word, especially for you." Kallen said, throwing at glare at Cera who simply smiled and blew a kiss at her.
"Suck it up. I am the witch and you are the contracted servant." Cera retorted. "It's not like anything would be different if you weren't."
Kallen simply rolled her eyes.
She had long come to expect this from the former immortal.
"And where is our glorious leader?" Cera asked sarcastically with a smirk. "Has he decided to skip class again?"
"Do you really need to ask that?" Naruto rhetorically asked.
Naruto was absolutely right for as of this moment Lelouch was in a very important meeting as Zero with the all of Japan's top leaders, regarding an important discussion.
"So Schneizel has made a pact with the Chinese Federation…" Lelouch said slowly as he looked over the reports. "I expected as much."
Todoh nodded. "With all of the uprisings in the other areas and the fights between the Chinese Federation and the EU it is expected that Schneizel el Britannia would attempt to use diplomacy to not only end the fighting but bring them on his side. If the Chinese Federations joins with Britannia then they'll be able to move through Chinese territory and surround the EU on all sides."
"Effectively neutralizing them as a threat." Lelouch finished. "And it all took was to set up an arranged marriage between the first prince and the Chinese Empress."
"This affects us as well. With the Chinese Federation allied with Britannia and the EU either defeated or forced to surrender they will eventually look to Japan, believing their new strength will allow them to overwhelm and re-conquer this country." Diethard spoke.
Kaguya frowned. "The Empress is but a child and the first prince is a grown man. Is Britannia truly this depraved?"
"With the uprisings and the wars between the other super powers Britannia will do anything to ensure they remain the most powerful state in the world." Lelouch answered.
Diethard nodded. "And since we have a trade agreement set up with the EU it would be easy for the Chinese to help set up a blockade to prevent."
Tamaki groaned. "Great. We go through all those months of setting up an ecnonomy and already those Brits are looking to sink it. So how do we stop this?"
"It's unlikely that we can. An act of armed force would only galvanize the Chinese to declare war and with Britannia already at the negotiation table with them it would be easy for them to ask for assistance." Todoh replied.
Rakshata looked barely interested in the meeting. "They'll likely do anything to get their hands on any equipment the Britannians have, even if their knightmares are second rate now."
"I know the Empress and I know she wouldn't agree to this arranged marriage. We were friends and I do have invitation to the wedding. As Prime Minister of Japan I can speak on her behalf, ask them to postpone the wedding at least so they can listen to an offer of an alliance between the Chinese Federation and the United States of Japan." Kaguya offered.
"It is unlikely you can change their minds as Schneizel no doubt has bought the loyalty of nearly everyone in an influencial position in the Chinese government. Still, you are right." Lelouch nodded. "We cannot allow this to happen without attempting to stop what will be a plot aimed at the United States of Japan just as it has truly prospered. I will speak with the ambassador at the Chinese Embassy and see what he knows of this wedding. For now we will simply continue the business of running this country and prepare."
"For what?" Tamaki asked.
"The wedding of course."
"So Lulu's flaked out on another school day? Normally I'd sit back and let Shirley and Rivalz get all worried about him but I think I know what he's away for." Milly said, sitting back on her chair as she shared lunch with Naruto, Cera, Euphie or rather Elizabeth, and Kallen. "Still, I should take the chance to make him regret skipping out again ."
Naruto snickered. "Need a hand?"
Milly grinned. "Are you offering?"
"Please say no." Kallen groaned. "Come on, Naruto. Can't you go one day without pulling a prank?"
Naruto looked at Kallen like she had asked the stupidest question to ever be asked.
"Right, sorry I asked." Kallen said, realizing the futility of trying common sense here.
Euphie giggled. "Kallen, you should know better by now."
Considering that Ashford Academy was a zone that attracted complete madness Kallen should have known better than to ask.
"So what's going on?" Kallen asked, knowing how good Milly was good at finding out secrets. "Any reason why Lelouch would skip out on another day of school without coming to any of us?"
"I hear there is an important meeting being held with the leaders who were almost all original members of the Black Knights." Euphie commented.
"Well, rumor has it that the Empress of the Chinese Federation is getting married to one of the members of the Britannian Royal Family." Milly answered.
"What?!" Kallen gaped. "But if that's true than Britannia and the Chinese must be making an alliance?!"
"Yep, sounds like it." Cera said, having a slice of pizza.
"But if they make an alliance it'll tip the balance of power in Britannia's favor and they might just decide to attack us again!" Kallen stood up.
"Kallen, calm down. You know we won't let that happen." Naruto said, placing a calming hand on Kallen's arm. "Knowing Lelouch he probably knows about it by now thanks to the intelligence from Diethard. And he's probably already got a plan."
Milly rolled her eyes. "No doubt about that. I always knew that he would one day try something but he went and made a brand new country to call his own."
"Technically it's Zero who made the country. I'm not sure how they would react if they knew who Lelouch was." Kallen admitted.
"Even after all this?" Naruto asked.
Kallen did have to think about that for a while. "… I am not entirely sure."
"Because working with us Lelouch was able to give you all back the country you fought for. Turning on him simply because of who he used to be would be a betrayal of the worst kind. Sure Lelouch has his moments of being an ass and has a bit of a dark side but he accepts that as simply a part of him. That's something not many people are capable of doing." Naruto replied.
"But now he may have his chance to make his move." Cera said, having another slice of pizza.
"His move?" Kallen asked.
"He's been patient but this move by Britannia will no doubt give him the opportunity to strike at the Empire and maybe even the Emperor." Cera remarked. "If he stops this wedding he'll have the chance to get the Chinese Federation and maybe even the European Union to join him, forming an alliance against Britannia. With everyone united against Britannia and with Zero leading the charge it'll be a matter of time."
"As in a matter of time before he can strike at the Emperor." Milly surmised.
"Exactly." Cera nodded with a smirk. "It seems the famous intelligence the Ashford family is not lost on you."
Milly scoffed. "More than I can say for the brainless sperm doner and the soulless hag he knocked up. How my grandfather could deal with either of them is beyond me."
There had been no love lost between Milly and her parents who were among the people to return to the Homeland under an alias sice they would not be accepted back if they were known to be part of the Ashford family. Since her parents had tried to get her married off to simply restore their nobility Milly considered both of her parents idiots and heartless for what they tried to put her through. Her father was a brainless idiot who did whatever his wife told him and her mother was a parasite who simply married into the family and tried to take control. However Milly had been spared the horrible fate of being like either of them, inheriting her mother's determination which was the only good thing about being related to that woman and her grandfather's intellect.
"At least you have your grandfather." Kallen said, trying to be supportive to her friend.
"And he's not a complete ass." Naruto offered.
Milly chuckled. "Yeah, true on both counts."
"So what will happen?" Kallen asked.
Naruto rubbed his chin. "Well, knowing Lelouch he'll want to journey to China before the wedding starts, to meet up with the Empress and get a layout of the forces that will be there to make sure the wedding happens."
"And no doubt he'll survey geological land to look for the perfect way to make a quick escape." Cera continued.
"And he'll probably make his big entrance in the middle of the wedding and wisk the Empress away." Milly said with a Cheshire smile. "Lulu never does things small."
Euphie nodded in agreement.
"Wouldn't kidnapping the Empress turn the Chinese Federation against us and provoke them into declaring war on Japan?" Kallen asked.
"Not unless Lelouch can get the Empress to call off the manhunt." Naruto replied. "It's actually happened before."
"And if Lulu gets the Empress on his side he can get the Chinese to stand down and call off the wedding." Kallen caught on.
"Not unless Britannia has the Eunuchs on their side. Knowing Prince Schneizel he'll have bribed them to make sure there is no opposition from the Chinese Federation in this agreement." Cera quickly replied. "Bribe them and they could just sacrifice the Empress for a chance to capture or kill Zero."
Milly frowned. "There is that…"
"They would let the Empress be killed?" Kallen gasped. "She's only a child!"
"The higher ups of the Chinese Federation aren't that much better than the nobility and royalty of Britannia, Kallen. They're a bunch of greedy spinless old men that'll sacrifice anyone and anything that benefits them." Cera replied stoically.
"It's true on that. Rakshata primarily joined up with us against Britannia for Japan's help in liberating India from the Chinese Federation's control." Naruto agreed. "She's been huge leaps ever since she started working with us and got help from Lloyd and Cecile. Which kind of explains why the Chinese doesn't like us all that much."
"But if they make an alliance with Britannia by marrying their Empress off to whomever she's bethrothed to not only will Britannia have the chance to corner the E.U. but they'll be able to sell weapons and supplies to the Chinese which they can use against the resistance in India." Milly surmised.
"Exactly." Cera nodded.
"Those sly bastards." Kallen scowled. "They couldn't beat us during the Rebellion so they want to unite everyone against us."
Euphie closed her eyes, taking a deep breath.
"Pretty much." Naruto smirked. "Too bad they don't realize how much of a pain for anyone's plans we can be."
"But enough serious talk. That won't happen for a month so let's get onto more important things." Milly said, holding up a paper with a big grin.
Anniversary Festival for the United States of Japan. World's Biggest Pizza and Ramen here.
Cera and Naruto's eyes lit up as they read the paper while Kallen sighed, knowing what to expect while Euphie giggled.
"Yep and I'll be counting Naruto to make sure the stage is strong enough to hold back." Milly remarked.
"Yes sir!" Naruto said with a salute.
Kallen rubbed her head. "Oh no."
Just what fresh hell were Milly and Naruto planning this time?
Cornelia Lamperouge, formerly Cornelia li Britannia supposed life could have been worse for her.
Euphie could have been dead and framed for a crime she did not commit that dishonored her good name. Now she was a representative of the Britannian civilians left behind in the United States of Japan and seemingly damn good one at that. She ensured that the Britannian families had homes, powers, water, food, and even jobs in the country that was once part of the Empire that invaded and conquered nearly eight years ago.
And here she was as Euphie's bodyguard with Lelouch, better known as Zero speaking with the Chinese representative Li Xingke.
"So the Empress is betrothed to Odysseus eu Britannia." Zero mused, sitting in a comfortable chair near a window that showed New Tokyo.
Li Xingke nodded. "Yes. The arrangement was made by Schneizel el Britannia and the Eunuchs."
"By Odysseus is a grown man and the Empress is only ten years old." Euphemia said, sounding outraged.
The former Princess wore a cream colored business suit that represented her status as the Britannian representative while Cornelia wore a black business suit that was tailered for her to be able to move and fight.
"Perhaps but it was argued that he was the only available member of royalty." Li Xingke replied.
Lelouch frowned behind his mask. Odysseus was the first born son of the Emperor and a mediocre prince, having barely done anything as a prince of Britannia unlike Schneizel, Cornelia, or even Clovis for that matter. There was no possible way he could have arranged this one his own so that meant that this entire arrangement was Schneizel's doing.
"How could the Chinese Federation allow such a union? Did the Empress even agree to this arranged marriage?" Euphie continued to question.
"The Empress believes in doing what is right for her people and the Eunuchs believe that with Britannia as an ally they will gain many resources, specifically the kind of resources that they tried to gain from your country but were unable to get as much as they wanted." Xingke replied.
"The Sakuradite." Euphie frowned. "The Chinese Federation asked for too much during the negotiations and the Japanese were not willing to turn Mount Fuji hollow after much of its environment was destroyed by Britannian mining during the occupation. The Eunuchs cannot be insulted over not taking what was never theirs to have."
"I assure you that this arrangement has nothing do with our negotiations." Xingke stated.
"And what are the current feelings towards us now?" Lelouch asked. "Has there been any talk of Britannia and the Chinese Federation uniting against us or the E.U.?"
"Not yet." Xingke answered. "The wedding will only cement the alliance but any talk of mutual defense against any enemies has yet to be discussed."
"By the use of the phrase 'yet' that means that someone has been thinking about it." Euphie stated sternly. "Has the Chinese Federation considered that an alliance with Britannia would threaten diplomatic ties with the United States of Japan?"
"There have been no talks of breaking ties with Japan. I have told you all I know about the arrangement." Xingke stated.
"Thank you. It's all we needed to know." Lelouch nodded.
"What kind of nonsence is this? How can Schneizal set up an arranged marriage between our eldest brother and a child?" Euphie asked as she slipped into the limo with Lelouch and Cornelia. "I never though he would go such lengths with little consideration for the people his plans will affect. He couldn't be that desperate in the war against the E.U., could he?"
"It's not just the E.U., Euphie." Lelouch took off his mask. "The rebellion that led to the creation of the United States of Japan caused many rebellions all across the Empire and the loss of three members of royalty, two of them becoming traitors no doubt humiliated Britannia and inspired resistance groups into believing that the Empire was now vulnerable. Schneizel has done a good job pushing the E.U. back but the additional resistance groups no doubt has strained the Empire's resources."
"It is more than that. It wasn't just royalty that was lost but Schneizal lost the heads of his science division. Lloyd Asplund and Cecile Croomy were responsible for the creation of the Lancelot with the hopes it would become the base design for the next generation Knightmare frame." Cornelia continued, looking out the window. "He has no doubt been hard-pressed to find replacements for the both of them."
"But now this arranged marriage with the Chinese will tip the scales of power back in the Empire's favor. The E.U. will be forced to surrender in order to avoid being conquered." Lelouch put a hand to his chin.
"If they haven't already sent a representative to meet with you for an alliance." Cornelia remarked.
Lelouch smirked. "There is that."
"All right, I want twenty laps!" The new gym coach said to the Ashford swim team.
Shirley took a deep breath as she jumped into the water and began swimming arund the pool as fast as she could. The new gym teacher looked at the students with a small smile, patting herself on the back for how she had been able to manage these teens.
Chigusa, formerly Viletta Nu of the Britannian military made a small sigh. 'The things I do to not be exposed.'
That's right, Viletta Nu finally regained her memories after she had been taken by Zero's knight, Seizan to a secret place but when she tried to kill him she failed miserably.
Only instead of killing her or turning her over Seizan offered her a choice: return to Britannia in disgrace or start a new life.
She hated him as much as she hated Zero and the Elevens that caused so much death and destruction but when the United States of Japan were formed she found herself unable to leave as many of the military officers formerly part of the occupation force were disgraced and forced to retire or be severly demoted. Viletta could not let that happen to her so she stayed and became of the Britannian faction still living in Japan and luckily no one recognized her from her time in the military. Former Princess Euphemia herself had interviewed Viletta for a job at Ashford and though it would be a simple gym teacher she could still hide from the Black Knights who might persecute her for her early actions. She pretended she was still suffering amnesia and remembered enough of her time with Ohgi to hide from him or the Black Knights.
She even identified members of the Black Knights such as Kallen Kouziki, the Red Queen of the Black Knights but had no idea who Zero's other ace pilots were. Only she could do nothing but continue living this lie until she had some form of opportunity.
But if Zero had spies in the academy she could do nothing for the moment.
She only wondered why Zero's knight didn't kill her when he had the chance.
"HURRY IT UP! I WANT MY BABIES READY TO MOVE IN A MONTH!"
"My, my, Rakshata is really excited." Lloyd Asplud commented, watching as Rakshata ordered her staff around with ruthless efficiency. "I guess the chance to mess with our former homeland has got her all excited."
Cecile sighed as she looked at her clipboard. "I still wish you wouldn't try and make her mad."
Lloyd shrugged. "Whatever."
Both Lloyd and Cecile had been brought on as members of Rakshata's staff simply because they were too dangerous to be released back to Britannia and Lloyd himself had no real loyalty to the Homeland so to continue the path of science he 'reluctantly' agreed to work with Rakshata and despite how she would rub the superiority of her 'babies' in his face Lloyd worked well and collected endless data that he enjoyed working on. Cecile joined as well and though she was somewhat reluctant she found life in the United States of Japan was not so bad.
It was mostly the same but now under a different flag.
"Well, if things go according to plan we'll be in China before we know it. Maybe we'll see Suzaku again and find out who replaced us in the Camelot division." Lloyd commented.
Cecile sighed, wondering how Suzaku was doing.
It could not have been easy.
The bodies were layed out before him, covered in sheets as he looked at them all. The last banch of resistance in this area and they had all chosen to foolishly fight rather than surrender and live.
Couldn't they see how pointless it was fight a war that was over?
He closed his eyes and turned away, deciding to put these thoughts aside because he just received new orders.
In a month there would be a wedding to ensure a union between Britannia and the Chinese Federation.
And Suzaku would be there to see it done.
It had been watching for a year since its last encounter with the two that had injured it. It knew that one of the Codes were now lost, trapped in the bottom of the sea but it had a plan to reach the Code.
And it would rely on the people who were working to repair it .