Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
Emperor Charles zi Britannia watched over the repairs of the Sword of Akesha with a scowl, believing it was now totally pointless. The Thought Elevators had been damaged nearly beyond repair and without his brother's Code and C.C. it would be impossible to use the Sword to slay God. And yet there was still strange energy readings inside the Sword that was allowing the Thought Elevators to repair themselves even though they had had yet to fully identify the source.
All they knew was the Thought Elevators were being repaired despite the ruins on Kamine Island being destroyed shortly after the Rebellion. He did not know what to make of it but he knew that unless he had the Code-Bearers it was useless. His brother was dead, that much Charles knew but he did know the Code had not been passed or somehow destroyed. It was imperative that his brother's body be retrieved as soon as possible and either transferred to a new host or be used to aid the Sword of Akesha in slaying God.
Charles scowled. "I am finding myself more burdened as Emperor every day."
"Really my dear?"
Charles turned around and smiled when he saw the red ringed eyes of his beloved staring at him with amusement. "It is harder without my brother to manage the Geass Order for me, no matter how much he thought I was unaware of his doings."
"I certainly do not mourn or miss him but you are right in that regard, darling." Marianne noted as she looked at the Sword. "Still do not know what is happening?"
"No. C's World only lets me see glimpses of what is happening. It is as I feared. Lelouch may have gained access to a power beyond the Code. For all we know the Code's potential is greater than even immortality." Charles answered.
"And what could be greater than immortality?" Marianne asked.
"I am uncertain." Charles said. "It is imperative we discover this power before we make our next move. My brother rushed in foolishly and it cost him everything. If we are to understand this new power we must wait."
"That is why you are content to let Schneizel move forward with his plans." Marianna said with a smirk.
Charles smirked back. "Schneizel will no doubt force our son to make a move in the the interest of insuring Japan's prosperity and for the chance to strike even close to the throne. He will not be able to hide his powers for long and you can be there to see all of it."
"Of course, darling. It's been so long since I have seen my children. I wonder how Nunnally is doing." Marianne noted with a smile.
It watched silently as the two left the Thought Elevator after their discussion.
It listened their discussion and knew that it was time to make its move. If the two were going to be in China it needed to make its move now. It influenced the Thought Elevator, sending its presence through the power lines and into the facilities that monitored the Thought Elevator's construction, looking through data files until it found what it needed.
A body.
It manifested a small bit of its existence into the body, taking it over and noting the Geass it had. It would for now and the Geass could be enhanced and modified to its liking.
Now it was ready.
"Xingke-huixa, our transport is ready." A Chinese woman said to Xingke who was reading a book in the lobby of the Chinese Embassy of the United States of Japan.
"Good." Xingke nodded as he put his book down. "Then Zero's next performance will be on our stage."
"It's sure to be a lively performance." Xianglin agreed with a smile. "Perhaps enough to distract even the high eunuchs."
"We shall see…" Xingke said as his smile turned grim.
The A141F5 Ikaruga the aerial carrier of the Black Knights, designed and built by Rakshata shortly after the end of the Black Rebellion to act the flagship of the Black Knights. It featured the Druid System and Hadron Cannons of the Gawain, both of which attained after Rakshata had studied its desgin, a number of Slash Harkens equipped with harken boosters, seven normal turrets, one large turret, and shielding based on the Guren's Radiant Wave Surger. Unlike the Gawain, which could fire its cannons repeatedly, the Ikaruga's cannons have a long recharge time after each shot. It also held submersible capabilities, doubling its value.
"Man, the Federation's laying a lot of recognition on us." Asashina mused, watching as Ikarauga was docked and the Chinese helped settling the Black Knights in. "There was that whole bit with Sawasaki too. You think they're pro-Japanese?"
"Who? You mean the High Eunuchs?" Shougo asked.
"Asahina!" Tamaki called out as he walked up to them with a wheelbarrow. "The High Eunuchs may be guys but they have no jewels down below!"
"That's enough." Minami said sternly. "You're going to get us into trouble for saying stuff like that."
"Aw, chill out!" Tamaki laughed.
"Hey! I need a hand offloading the Knightmares!" Ohgi called out, walking up to them.
"What? They're here already?" Shougo asked. "Something's gotta be going on behind the scenes for India to be giving us this much cooperation."
"Not really." Ohgi replied. "I think they're serious. They've recently won back their independence and set up a trade agreement with us to provide everything they have, including new designs for everything Rakshata makes in exchange for Sakuradite from Japan."
"Considering the place is nowheresville."
"We've finished picking out staff leader candidates." Diethard announced, the head of Propaganda standing before Zero. "Should we assign them to the Ikaruga for now?"
"That would be best." Zero answered looking over the list of candidates that the former Britannian had handed him, before handing it back with a nod. "That just leaves the municipal leaders."
"Correct." Diethard agreed, accepting the papers back with a graceful nod, tucking them under his arm as he spoke "Let's work with the intelligence section and get that set up. Now then, if you'll excuse me."
Cornelia watched as Diethard left the bridge, frowning thoughtfully. "For someone who started out just as a television reporter he seems to have adapted well."
"I still don't trust Diethard ever after him being with us for for a full year now. He tends to act on his own." Kallen said, sitting down on a chair.
"On the contrary, he's easy to read." Lelouch said, taking off his mask. "In his mind he is trying to turn Zero into the symbol of God. Going from there he is easy to predict. Besides he has a useful talent for manipulating information."
"And he's also a journalists. Those guys kill for a good story that would make its place in the history books." Cera remarked with a smirk.
"That's also another reason to not trust him. Considering how easily he turned on his own country in exchange for a good story there is no assurance that he might not do the same to us." Cornelia said with an annoyed scoff. "This is why I don't like dealing with the media. I can hardly stand them while just with Euphie as she deals with them."
Euphie smiled softly, knowing how true that was. Between the two of them only she was able to handle the media in a way that didn't backfire in anyway, able to satisfy endless questions while keeping herself composed the entire time.
It was a very extraordinary ability.
"You really must learn to be patient, sister." Euphie giggled enough to make Cornelia actually stick her tongue out at her, causing Euphie to bust out in laughter.
Todoh put down his book when he saw the Knightmares were finished being offloaded. "All right. That just leaves the combat carrier."
"So who wants to hear our plan for the wedding?" Naruto asked, getting everyone back on track. "It's got to be exciting since Lelouch came up with it."
"You guys seriously want to take down the Chinese Federation's capital?" Kallen asked.
"In such a way that we won't be viewed as invaders." Lelouch answered.
"And think about it, with them on our side Britannia will be out of allies." Naruto said with a big smile. "Won't be making any nasty bites at us without their teeth."
Kallen looked at the way Naruto was smiling but then noticed Cera looking at her and quickly looked away. 'Damn witch.'
Cera only smirked. 'That's right, keep trying to run, Kallen.'
"And with us making an alliance with the Federation the E.U. will no doubt send an envoy as well. We've only heard a small bit from them since the Rebellion but they have been reluctant to speak with us on account of possibly being as seen as weak for relying on Zero and the Black Knights." Euphie pointed out.
"Luckily I am sure Lelouch already has a plan for that." Cornelia glanced at her younger brother.
"It is simple if you understand, I suppose. The plan is simply to arrive at the ceremony being held in honor of the wedding in the Forbidden City. Schneizel will no doubt be there and if he is anything like before he'll attempt to discover the type of person Zero is through a chess match." Lelouch answered with a small smirk. "One that Zero will accept."
"A chess match? Is everyone in the Royal Family obsessed with chess?" Kallen asked out loud.
"Not me." Euphie and Cornelia answered at the same time.
"Not since they know Lelouch would beat them easily." Cera said, smirking at the irate looks the sisters were giving her.
It was true though. Lelouch had easily defeated them both in the game of chess even when he was a little boy. To this day it was still a slight sting to Cornelia's pride that she couldn't even beat a little boy in chess who then later bested her during the Rebellion.
"It's a game most members of royalty play to demonstrate their abilities to show themselves suitable for being heir to the throne." Lelouch clarified. "And Schneizel is one of the best players."
"And the only one to beat you in that game and never lost once." Cera pointed out cheekily, earning a small glare from Lelouch.
"So you are planning to play against the man who has never lost once, not even to you." Naruto said skeptically. "Sounds like you're being overconfident."
"And why bother playing a game in the first place?" Kallen said in agreement. "Wouldn't our appearance just alert him and tighten security around the Empress?"
"I am confident in my ability to beat Schneizel and if I can convince him to agree I can convince him to agree to any terms I wish should I win." Lelouch replied calmly.
"Like calling off the wedding?" Naruto asked.
"I highly doubt Schneizel will agree to that." Cornelia stated. "He'll have members of the Knights of the Round with him so he'll have no reason to call off the wedding even if he lost and he certainly wouldn't do it as a request from one of the Empire's greatest enemies."
"Even though he agreed to allow Japan to become an independent nation again?" Euphie asked.
"That was done to prevent an all out war with the E.U. and the Chinese Federation as well as consulate the Empire's forces to deal with uprisings in the other areas. Even if Schneizel honored his word it was only so he could strike back at us later, once he found the proper time. He cannot afford to let this wedding fail when it has a chance to tip the balance of power back in the Empire's favor." Cornelia replied.
"I had considered that as well. That is why I am not going to ask him to call off the wedding. Rather I'll ask him to hand over one of the Knights." Lelouch explained.
"One of the Knights?" Euphie asked.
Lelouch nodded. "With one Knight brought over as a political hostage Schneizel will have one less of the best pilots and guards he could have at the wedding."
"And do you even know who will be at the wedding?" Cornelia asked skeptically.
"It does not matter as any member of the Knights of the Round is considered the best soldiers in the Empire." Lelouch answered.
"That's not exactly true and you know it, Lelouch." Naruto remarked. "And not to mention the chance of someone being there who will do anything to stop us."
He heard from Rakshata that the Shen Hu had been sold to the Chinese by Rakshata who failed to find an adequate pilot for it. He had been sorry about that but felt that only a good pilot like him, Kallen, or even Suzaku could handle it. Rakshata had her doubts that anyone in China was skilled enough to pilot the Shen Hu but Naruto learned to expect the unexpected. He wouldn't be surprised if they encountered right in the middle of the wedding.
Lelouch frowned. "By which you mean Suzaku."
Euphie stiffened slightly but remained calm.
After Suzaku had left Euphie had been comforted by Lelouch, Nunnally, and Cornelia over what had happened. It had been difficult since Euphie had honestly believed she had loved Suzaku but the fall-out of the rebellion seemingly broke apart their relationship. Suzaku just refused to understand Lelouch's reasons for rebelling against his former country and did not believe a word Euphie had said in her brother's defense. At that point Euphie's innocence had been trampled, ironically by the very boy who made her feel hope for a better world.
She couldn't stand being who she was anymore: a mere princess unable to shoulder any form of burden in the world.
That is why she approached Cera and asked for the power of Geass or the Rinnegan. She needed to change and that change started by becoming Cera's fifth Path of Rebellion.
"You got to admit, there's no way he won't show up with a type of event like this going down. Especially if he wants another shot at us." Naruto explained.
"I have considered the chance that he would be there as well. I have heard very little of him, no doubt since the Empire would not broadcast the achievements of anyone in their ranks who is not a Britannian." Lelouch answered.
"How do we know he was not just executed for his failures?" Kallen asked, knowing how the Empire frowned on failures.
"Nah, he's too stubborn to be killed off just like that. We gave him a chance and he chose Britannia over his homeland. Even if he's hated by the rest of the Empire and Japan he knows how the government leaders in Japan think, that includes the old guys on Kyoto, his cousin, and us." Naruto shook her head. "They'll want to keep him alive at least as another body to throw at us."
Cera nodded. "Indeed. It wouldn't surprise me if Schneizel brough him along as an extra body guard in the event Zero actually appeared in China. He's not the type to discard a useful pawn, even a disgraced one."
Lelouch did not miss the glance Cera threw at him but ignored it.
"And what happens if he is there?" Kallen asked.
"We cannot ask for him." Euphie said suddenly, earning stares. "He would not be a welcome political prisoner. Too many would call for his death for his actions during the occupation and he would require twenty four hour guard and almost everyone in the Japanese Military lost someone under Clovis and my sister's time as viceroys. They would even call for his head for murdering his father, Genbu Kururugi the Prime Minister of Japan at the time of the invasion, no doubt blaming him for Japan surrendering before they had exhausted all their military."
To her credit Cornelia didn't even blink, knowing how much her sister had condemned her actions like the near-massacare in Saitama.
"I am not even sure we could trust anyone in the Black Knights not to attempt to kill him given that he was an opponent in every major skirmish up to the Rebellion and was seemingly aware of such events like the massacre in Shinjuku but did not speak out against it." Euphie continued. "It would be pointless to ask for him. We would do better to ask Schneizel to call off the wedding if Lelouch wins. At the very least Schneizel would not say no and would honor his word if Lelouch does win. He would not simply go back on his word no matter how much he has invested in this wedding."
Naruto nodded. "Yeah and he wouldn't cooperate with us in the slightest even if Schneizel gave us his word. The douchebag hates us and I mean he really hates us for all those times we beat him, even though we saved his country and people."
"He is very stubborn." Cera said with a smirk, knowing why Naruto so readily agreed with Euphie on the matter of Suzaku.
That was more for Euphie's benefit since the last time they had spoken it had not ended well. Suzaku had accused Euphie of being Lelouch's brainwashed slave to the point that he flat out ignored all of her claims to be thinking for herself. It reached the point that Euphie ran off in tears and no one wanted to repeat that incident again.
Lelouch nodded, somewhat saddened. "I agree. If Suzaku is present I cannot ask for him should I beat Schneizel. However there is a chance that Schneizel will not be able to call off the marriage at this point and with how much the High Eunuchs have invested into it."
"And what happens after the chess match?" Kallen asked, eager to continue the conversation. "If we can't trust Schneizel to honor his word what would be the point of asking him to call it off?"
"We'll simply see who is present at the ceremony and then at the wedding the next day we'll be ready." Lelouch said, holding out a map. "If we know what type of forces Schneizel has brought we'll be better prepared when we make our move."
"A map of the country side." Naruto smirked. "Know any good places to… Set up an escape route?"
Lelouch smirked.
"I can't believe I have to dress up in this drab again. To think I had hoped when I was left in Japan I thought I could put behind all this nobility nonsense." Lloyd sighed as he stepped out, dressed in a fancy tuxedo but tugged at the collar. "Well, I suppose it's a bit simplistic compared to the fancy clothes nobility likes to wear."
Cecile sighed, looking at her reflection in the mirror and checked herself over. Like Lloyd Cecile had dressed her new evening dress that made her feel slightly out of place. Lloyd had not exactly mourned the indignity of his exile and being disavowed as a member of Britannia's military and Earl of the Asplund family. Far from it he embraced it working under the science division of the United States of Japan, even if it meant he was working for Rakshata but what did it matter to him?
He cast aside everything possibly human in him for the pursuit of science.
Cecile only had minor problems with her status as Japanese citizen since unlike Lloyd she did not come from a noble family but often thought of them from time to time. She had considered taking the chance to contact them but didn't want to be thrown in jail on suspicion of being a traitor after Zero had pardoned her and Lloyd and her family would no doubt be cast under suspicion by the rest of the Empire that would accuse and even execute them.
Even after she was left in Japan and started working for Rakshata she still wore her military uniform to at least have some form of connection to her home land. Now as she looked at herself, wearing a black evening dress with little to no make-up that complimented her skin and figure so well she could barely recognize herself. She even wore black high-heels to go with the dress which made her slightly uncomfortable since she was not used to this dressing up like this. She knew as a member of Prince Schneizel's personal advanced science division she would be expected to attend important ceremonies and balls but after the Rebellion she never thought she'd be attending a wedding on behalf of the United States of Japan.
She'd rather be in her military uniform but old habits died hard, even for her.
On the bright side at least she wouldn't alone with Lloyd.
Milly Ashford, Lloyd's former fiancé and registered citizen of the United States of Japan had come along, acting as a representative of the Britanians living in Japan and was already ready for the wedding ceremony, wearing a blue elegant evening dress with her hair combed back on one side and high heels. She looked very beautiful, enough that Lloyd had been nice enough to actually compliment her which was surprising for both women.
Considering the only thing he thought was beautiful was the Knightmares and weapons he built.
"Lloyd, do you think Suzaku will be there?" Cecile asked, staring at her reflection.
"Hm? Hard to say. I can't imagine our former homeland being so welcoming to an Honorary Britannian that failed to prevent the success of the Rebellion." Lloyd rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Why? Do you wish to ask him for a dance?"
Cecile shot Lloyd a dirty look.
Milly looked over at Cecile with a curious look. "You worked with Suzaku?"
Cecile nodded. "He was our test pilot for the Lancelot in the Camelot division. He was the only pilot capable of almost synchronization."
"For the lot of good it did him." Lloyd drawled.
"Lloyd!" Cecile exclaimed angrily. "That's not fair to him and you know it!"
"And I suppose it's fair for him to condemn his people for accepting our new leader Zero's proposal of a new nation over his?" Lloyd retorted. "Let's face it, for all his skill listening to other people's ideas was never his strongest attribute."
"You believe Suzaku really hates his people for accepting Zero and not him, do you?" Milly asked rhetorically.
"Well, given that he opposed Zero every step of the way, even going as far as to reject his people for looking to Zero can you be surprised?" Lloyd asked his fomer fiancé.
"I see." Milly closed her eyes. "I truly wish that was not the case."
"So, what do you hope to do if you see him again? Try and talk to him, convince him to come back?" Lloyd asked.
"I don't have the power to ask a traitor to come back." Milly replied.
"Is he a traitor even though he was never part of the Japanese military at the time of the invasion or is he simply branded a traitor by the Japanese as a figure of treachery?" Lloyd smiled a bit. "Carefull, my dear former fiancé, you might sound too much like a Black Knight."
"In the eyes of the United States of Japan Suzaku is a traitor and not just for murdering his father, the Prime Minister of Japan at the time of the invasion. He willingly acted on Britannia's side at the worst battles before and during the Rebellion. Shinjuku, Narita, and Tokyo, while condemning the Black Knights even for cleaning up corruption in the system that made things better for even Britannian citizens." Milly sighed as she looked down at the floor. "The truth is I cannot help him anymore. I never could even when he was at school with us. Lelouch, Naruto, and Euphemia all tried but their words fell on deaf ears. What hope could I have if they couldn't?"
Lloyd shrugged. "I suppose we'll have to wait and see."
That did not comfort Milly or Cecile in the slightest.
Nunnally sat against a wall in a dark room, her eyes closed but her Rinnegan was active and she had been using it to listen into Lelouch's plans.
"So that is your plan, brother." Nunnally opened her eyes. "It's your kind of strategy but is it the kind that big brother Schneizel won't see coming?"
She was right to ask that question for Schneizel was perhaps the only other genius of the Britannian royal family whose intellect rivaled even Lelouch's but Schneizel was far more experienced than Lelouch in the realm of politics and combat. Lelouch had confidence in his own skills and the abilities of his Geass along with Naruto, Cera, Kallen, Euphie, and Cornelia with him but he might be too confident for his own good. There was the matter of who Schneizel would have with him at the wedding and what measures he would set up to prevent such an attack.
"You can challenge Schneizel to a chess match and perhaps even beat him. Even if he were not to honor his word he would not refuse." Nunnally sighed. "You both have that crazy love for chess. But what will Schneizel ask of you if you lose?"
Sometimes her brother was such a hot-head.
And it did not help with Naruto right there with him who enjoyed crazy stunts that her brother thought up.
"Sometimes I wonder how we are all even alive with your crazy schemes." Nunnally sighed and looked at Sayoko who standing perfectly still like a sentinel. "Sayoko, we have a wedding to attend and I think Infinity is due for another appearance."
"Yes, my lady." Sayoko bowed her head, keeping her mistress from seeing the small smile forming.
The location of the wedding reception was the resecption hall of Luoyang, the Vermillion Forbidden City and it had been set up and decorated extraordinally for the celebration of the wedding between the Empress and the First Prince of Britannia. It was a larger gathering than Suzaku who wore a white formal outfit, similar to the uniforms worn by the Knights of the Round even though he was not an official member. It was a sting to him but he was allowed to remain a member of Prince Schneizel's Camelot division even if Lloyd Asplund and Cecile Croomy had been left behind in Japan-
No, that place was not Japan.
Suzaku scowled as he refused to call that so-called new country Japan. The country that was once his home died long ago and Zero had created a lie built on the blood of the innocent.
In his eyes it would never be Japan.
Just a hollow corpse brought back to life by a mad man.
Suzaku's fists clenched as the mere images of Lelouch, Naruto, Tsunada or rather C.C., and even Kallen in his mind was enough to enrage him for what they did.
Betraying the system.
Causing chaos and death across Area Eleven.
Lying and sowing destruction wherever they went.
And building a mockery of his former homeland instead of settling for peace within the Empire.
Lelouch, his best friend who was the masked leader, Zero who started the rebellion over pitiful vengeance.
Naruto, Lelouch's ally and the second but greatest opponent who stood in Suzaku's path the entire way of his attempt change things for the better.
C.C., an immortal who bestowed the damned power known as Geass that ruined a peaceful life for him and the one girl he truly loved.
And Kallen Stadfel or rather Kallen Kozuki who spilled the blood of her own kin, rejecting part of herself out of foolish hate.
And worst of all everyone, including his own former sensei were blinded or perhaps enslaved by Lelouch's Geass as they kissed the very ground he walked on.
It was enough to make Suzaku sick.
"This is thing is made of potato right? I can eat it right?"
Suzaku shook his head and looked over to see another of the guard entourage that had been sent with him, the Knight of Three Gino Weinburg. Gino was extremely tall, being even taller than Lelouch, and had a muscular build like Naruto. He had blonde hair with three braids that are typically draped over his shoulder, and blue eyes which reminded Suzaku even uncomfortably like Naruto. It didn't help that like Naruto had been at Ashford Gino was as outgoing and energetic and always was looking for the best in everything around him.
And there was his other fellow guard who he could not keep track of.
He spotted her tapping her phone near one of the tables, 'memorizing' something as usual. The Knight of Six, Anya Alstreim who happened to look about as young as Nunnally with pale skin, pink hair tied in a pony tail that left thick strands of hair falling next to her face and reddish eyes. Anya was stoic and nearly void of emotion in all the times Suzaku had known her, paying attention to only her phone and video diary for some strange reason. At the very least she was not C.C. had been at school because the last thing he needed was a reminder of those two together with him 24/7.
What surprised Suzaku the most was who Prince Schneizel's escort was.
"Nina?" Suzaku whispered.
The former xenophobic student of Ashford Academy looked so different from the last time he had seen here. She was not wearing her glasses for one and was dressed in a beautifull red and pink Victorian dress with purple flowers in her hair that flowed perfectly down her shoulders.
It was complete change from the girl he had seen before.
"Be strong." Schneizel said to Nina who had her head down. "Euphie always presented herself grandly."
"Right." Nina said as the two Knights and Suzaku bowed before him.
"It's been a while, Your Highness. The Emperor has demanded that we accept orders from you while in this land." Gino said, keeping his head bowed.
"Two Knights of the Round and the White Knight himself in court. How splendid." Schneizel said with a happy look. "All though…"
"What sir?" Gino asked, looking up.
"This is a celebration. Relax a bit and have some fun." Schneizel stated.
"Understoo sir." Gino said simply.
Nina looked at Suzaku. "Suzaku, I trust you have been doing well."
"Yep." Suzaku answered with a smile.
"A secret agreement has already been made by the High Eunuchs and Prince Schneizel. When she's married they'll hand our territory to them. He'll then grant the High Eunuchs the title of Britannian nobility." Xianglin said to the gathered officers in their meeting room.
"Nobility? They'd sell off their country for that?" Xingke asked, angered by such an action.
"And our people?"
"Death to the Eunuchs!"
"We've got to stop this wedding! Even if it means putting our plan into action early!"
"When we stage the coup Britannia's going to declare war." Xianglin pointed out quickly.
"Either we ensure peace or we do not." Xingke said with his arms crossed.
He left the meeting room and walked out onto the deck, looking at the building where the ceremony was taking place. "Either I protect her majesty or I allow an alliance to ensure peace."
He was torn between his loyalty to his country and his loyalty to the Empress, the young girl who he once promised to show her the world outside the Forbidden City.
"Well I see my younger brother has things well in order." Odysseus su Britannia said, sitting at the table with the Eunuchs and the Empress who was trembling slightly. "In an case I'm glad this arrangement worked out. I am not good at fighting."
"Your Highness, will the Emperor be attending the wedding?" One of the Eunuchs, a portly man asked.
"He informed me at the banquet back in that he would attend." Odysseus answered.
"Lady Sumeragi Kaguya! Prime Minister of Japan and leading member of the Sumeragi conglomerate!" An announcer said as the doors opened.
The Empress looked at the doors as they opened, looking happy instead of sad and nervous at the thought of one of her friends being here. It's who she was with that caused everything in the room to turn so silent that when a fork fell to the floor it was as loud as a bell.
Kaguya Sumeragi walked in while wearing a pure white kimono with her arms around the arm of none other than the masked terrorist Zero who was flanked by his two knights and Kallen dressed in her Black Knight uniform. Behind them came Lloyd Asplund and Cecile Croomy along with Euphemia who wore her Black Knight gown and next to her was Cornelia who wore a Britannian military uniform with a cape.
Suzaku looked at them in shock before narrowing his eyes. 'So they have come. Lelouch, Naruto, this time I will stop the both of you.'
Naruto and Cera looked across the room and spotted a red light coming from one of the Knights and Cera narrowed her eyes when she saw the light was shaped in the outline of a woman.
'So that's where you've been hiding, Marianne vi Britannia.' Cera thought, scowling at the idea of seeing her former contractor again. 'You and Charles must be pretty anxious to come here to try and find me. Only you'll be disappointed when I am through with you, Marianne.'
'Cera's pissed. That girl… She must be that woman Marianne's host.' Naruto scowled. 'Haven't given up yet have ya?'
Things were about to blown out of preportions again.
"ZERO!" Nina shouted in pure hate and would have moved to attack if Schneizel had not grabbed her and pulled her back.
A few guards helped pull her back as Schneizel looked on in amusement, holding up his wine glass. "Well now, this evening just got more interesting."
"Zero. How dare he show his face?" Schneizel's assistant Kanon Maldini said with a glare.
"That red head and those two masked guys? Those are Zero's best pilots. The red head is the pilot of the Guren." Gino whispered, motioning to the three escorting Zero and Kaguya. "She's a lot cuter than her wanted poster, that's for sure. And that guy with the fox mask is the guy who beat Suzaku during the Rebellion."
Suzaku scowled at Gino for mentioning that in front of him.
Anya was staring at the female knight, taking out her phone and snapping a picture. "Recorded."
The guards came forward with their spears pointed at the newcomers but Naruto and Cera pulled out their katanas, taking position to protect Zero and Kaguya while Kallen readied herself for the possible fight about to break out.
"I seem to recall hospitiality of this place being more courteous the last time I was here. I thought weapons were not allowed at a wedding." Cera spoke, sinking into her Shinyroku persona. "It is fortunate we came prepared, right Zero?"
"Indeed." Zero remarked, looking at the second born prince. 'Schneizel, so you are the puppeteer behind this act. I expected as much.'
"Kaguya!" Tianzi, the young Empress called out happily to her friend.
"It would appear our wedding present has arrived of it's own accord." The dark skinned Eunuch said amusedly, looking at the Empress. "Please put that girl out of your mind. Her crimes warrant the death penalty."
"You can't!" Tianzi protested. "This isn't Britannia!"
"Your majesty, the Black Knights are the ones who killed Gao Hai, please don't get involved and leave the politics to us ." Xiao Ho smiled down at the girl. "Isn't that what you've always done? Let us do things our way?"
"But…" The empress stammered, looking back at Kaguya. "She's my friend…"
"Could we please stop quarrelling like children now?" Schniezel called out, walking forward with his aide Kanon at his side. "Today is a celebration, isn't it? Lady Sumeragi, while I'm certain you will be welcomed with open arms by the Empress, will you refrain from having Zero accompany you to the wedding tomorrow?"
"I suppose I have no choice." Kaguya said but her smile remained and looked at her cousin. "Kururugi Suzaku? Do you remember me, dear elder cousin?"
"Of course I do…" Suzaku noted, regarding the smaller girl he had once thought of as a younger sister.
"We are both blood of the Six houses of Kyoto, aren't we? It is so sad that you could not support them in creating our new Japan." Kaguya said cheerfully, but her words stabbed at Suzaku for betraying their family.
"Kirihara Taizo and the others supported terrorists." Suzaku retorted. "I would never have supported such a crime."
"But this is different." Kaguya countered, her smile remaining. "Cousin, did you forget that Zero once saved your life? Did you truly intend to execute someone you owe your life to?"
"T-there's no comparison…" Suzaku retorted, glaring over Zero and Seizan.
"Oh how sad…" Kaguya exclaimed with an innocent smile. "It's a good thing we aren't able to kill anybody merely with the words we say."
"I quite agree."
Suzaku looked with widened eyes as Euphie stepped forward, looking at Suzaku with a stern look. "P-Princess Euphemia-"
"I no longer answer to that name." Euphie cut Suzaku off, her voice stern but calm. "I gave up my claim to the throne and disavowed my relation to the Britannian Royalty Ramily. I am now Euphemia Lamperouge, head representative of the former Britannian citizens that had integrated themselves into the United States of Japan."
Suzaku could only stare with widened eyes as Euphie turned away from him, struggling to keep the feelings of anger and remorse from causing him to lose control.
Nina looked at Euphie with shocked and horrified eyes. "She-She supports the Elevens?! It can't be! She can't support them!"
'Lamperouge. Lady Marianne's maiden name before she became empress consort. I remember how Euphie and Cornelia idolized her.' Schneizel thought with an amused smile.
Euphie looked at Schneizel. "It has been a long time, brother Schneizel. Forgive me but Lady Kaguya wished to keep our coming to this event secret as a surprise. Though, I do protest the treatement from the guards since I am sure you were aware that Lady Kaguya was invited to attend the wedding."
"Of course, Miss Lamperouge. I apologize on behalf of the Eunuchs but given Zero's reputation a little security was believed to be prudent." Schneizel said, deciding to keep the atmosphere professional for the time being and looked to Cornelia. "And Cornelia, have you settled well into your new role?"
Cornelia maintained a calm and aloof look like her sister. "Though I never would have believed this would one day be the role I have to play but I am content to be at my sister's side. And like my sister I am now Cornelia Lamperouge."
"You did not take name of your mother?" Schneziel said, watching Cornelia's eye twitch. "It's understandable I suppose, given how rocky the relationship you both had."
That was one way of saying it.
"In the meantime." Zero spoke up. "Prince Schneizel, I wonder if you would care to join me in a game of chess."
Schneizel raised an eyebrow. "Chess you say?"
"I recall you and I agreeing to a game of chess when we last spoke a year ago at the end of the Rebellion. It would seem now is as good as any time." Zero said.
"Yes, I recall that conversation. Very well then. I accept your offer."
"Your highness!" Gino protested.
"It's alright Gino. It's only a game of chess. Besides… this will make a fine evening of entertainment for the wedding. Can someone please procure a chess table for the two of us?"
Suzaku glared at Lelouch along with the other masked terrorists while Kallen glared back at him, showing her disgust for him and his beliefs but he paid her no mind.
Lelouch and Naruto were the real threats and he would make them pay.