Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
"What is this place?" The voice of General Bartley demanded, looking around in alarm at this strange, desert facility he'd been brought to "I thought we were going to meet in the Britannian Homeland, by direct order of the Emperor!"
"Yes…"
Bartley watched as the young man stepped out to greet him. "P-Prince Castor Rui Britannia!"
"I asked him to bring you here, General Bartley. Because you were one of the people who helped 'rebuild' Lord Jeremiah's body before he disappeared, correct?" Castor asked. "In order to re-created C.C.'s powers."
Bartley was now sweating heavily.
"I am in need of your services again."
With Britannia's withdrawal and the people rising up against them the High Eunuchs were quickly deposed and executed personally by Xingke and his sword in response for their conspiracies and betrayal of the Chinese people. With the High Eunuchs removed from power the Black Knights and the Rebels were now standing together on the hull of the Ikaruga .
"Is this alright for you?" Xingke asked, kneeling before his Empress, his pinky finer reaching out to hold hers as he smiled kindly.
Well…" the Empress began uncertainly, causing Xingke to look up in concern "I was finally able to leave the Forbidden City…" She looked up at Xingke, and his allies behind him. "But… this doesn't mean it's the end… right?"
"I shall protect you in the future as well." Xingke assured her, bowing his head in a sign of fealty "Until the end of time."
Tianzi smiled, her ruby eyes glistening as she gazed down at her protector "It's so strange… I'm so happy… and yet…"
Looking on from the sidelines, the Black Knights watched with satisfied smiles at the touchine scene.
"Zero…" Diethard muttered, turning to whisper into the Zero's ears. "We need to let the world know that the Empress' betrothal to the Britannian Prince is off."
Zero nodded. "Indeed."
"And the best way to do that is to have her marry someone from our side… a member of a Japanese family would be perfect." Deithard continued.
"Seriously?" Naruto deadpanned. "After all we went through to cancel one arranged marriage?"
"What the hell, Diethard?" Kallen asked.
"They are right, you mustn't!" Kaguya exclaimed, the Kyoto princess imposing herself before the blonde Britannian man with a look of stubbornness about her features."
"Lady Kaguya…" Diethard muttered."This is a political maneuver, it isn't personal…"
"You're wrong!" Kaguya insisted, the Kyoto princess looking up at the Britannian born man with stubbornness in her emerald eyes "It IS personal! It's a simple question of love!"
"She is right." Euphie cut in. "Such practices are expected in Britannia, not here. We cannot simply take over and force the Empress into another loveless arranged marriage."
"She has a point…" Cera hummed, the immortal witch smiling knowingly as she inclined her head towards Zero.
"We are at war here." Deithard protested.
"You be quiet." Chiba cut in.
Diethard glared at Chiba. "You, how dare you talk to the chief of staff like that!"
Rakshata giggled causing Diethard to glare at her.
"Perhaps I should cut in and remind you Diethard that we have no jurisdiction here." Cornelia said coldly, causing Diethard to turn pale.
Traitor to Britannia or not Cornelia was still a recognized military leader, soldier and a warrior. Diethard would not dare provoke her, considering that Zero had allowed Cornelia to act as her sister's aid and bodyguard.
"Zero." The propaganda minister turned to Zero. "What's your decision?"
"Zero, about our talk from yesterday…" Tamaki called out as he stepped onto the deck but stopped when he saw the tense scene. "Oh, still in the middle of the meeting?"
"No, it's okay." Zero answered, moving to leave.
"Zero, we're-" Diethard protested.
"Tamaki's issue is important as well." Zero cut him off.
Naruto chuckled. "Translation: you're on your own on this one, Diethard."
Cera smirked while Kallen and Chiba grinned victoriously at the flustered Diethard.
'Even C.C. is against it. Even if I wanted to I could try and use my Geass but of course Naruto, Cera, Kallen, Rakshata and Euphie are immune to it.' Lelouch idly thought.
Rakshata looked over Xingke's medical files with an intrigued look. The greatest general in the Chinese Federation seemed to be suffering from a rare disease eating away at his body. It had been thanks to some 'special' sources that she was able to get her hands on Xingke's medical files once her Rinnegan had spotted signs of a disease inside the general's body, eating away at his vital organs.
'I could probably cure him, given the right amount of time even through all the other work.' Rakshata thought idly. 'But it's unlikely he'll trust me so soon to treat his condition. Still this does present me a challenge.'
"And now with the Chinese Federation now allied to us the United States of Japan needs only one more ally to fully become a super power capable of challenging Britannia." Lelouch said, taking off his mask once the door was closed and revealing his face to only those who knew of his identity.
"The E.U." Cornelia said frowning as Lelouch sat down on the couch. "Assuming they would even want to do business with us. They have been in talks with us for months but show no interest in having an alliance."
"She's right, Lelouch. The E.U. is properly only interested in the Sakuradite like the Chinese Federation was." Kallen spoke up. "I did some trade with pilots working for them months ago and the official response was they would consider it."
"Perhaps but now that the Chinese Federation and the United States of Japan are officially allies now they won't hold out for long, especially since Schneizel has been pushing them back for the past year now." Lelouch replied, looking at his chessboard.
"Perhaps or perhaps there would be another way to solve this." Cera spoke up, walking out of the bathroom, wearing only undergarments and a towel.
Kallen and Cornelia scowled at how Cera carelessly flaunted herself but said nothing since it wouldn't matter anyways.
She never cared what they thought anyways.
"And what is that?" Lelouch asked, not even turning to look.
"A long time ago I bestowed Geass on someone in Europe who had the same ambition as you, Lelouch." Cera answered, surprising everyone, including Naruto.
"Another Geass user?" Naruto asked, looking at Cera in shock.
Lelouch narrowed his eyes. "And you didn't tell me?"
"What point would there be? I was captured after I gave her Geass and I haven't heard from her since then. For all I knew she could have been dead and I didn't exactly have the time pop over to Europe during the Rebellion." Cera shrugged. "But I have been doing some digging lately and I believe I may be able to find her."
"Would she help us?"
"Depends on what state she is in when I find her." Cera sat up.
"Then I suppose the next move will be against the Geass Order." Lelouch stated. "You and Naruto will remain here and contact me once you have information on the order. I know you two have the abilities to track them."
With the Chinese Federation now allied with them the Black Knights were now in the perfect position to begin searching for the Geass Order and destroying it as an opponent in the war against Britannia. Without Geass Order Britannia would not have any soldiers with any strange powers that could give them the advantage and it would open the path straight to the Emperor himself. It was also important to destroy it with an incarnation of the Sword of Akesha out there somewhere with the power to negate Naruto and Cera's powers.
This made the Geass Order extremely dangerous and needed to be eliminated as quickly as possible. When Cera left the order there was a total of fifty Geass users but most of them were children and were still being trained to properly use their Geass. With the Siegfried, the experimental mobile fortress defeated during the Black Rebellion it only had the conventional military forces to protect it. Now all that was left was to find it.
Cera and Naruto grinned, already having a few ideas on how to find the Geass Order. "Trusting a single mission to only us?"
"Yeah. Not worried about those Knights causing trouble without us around?" Naruto asked.
"With Schneizel's deal null and void they will have to fall back and consolidate their forces before making another move. I want to use that opportunity to eliminate the Geass Order while they are still off balance." Lelouch explained.
"Well, I guess it's better now to finally put those bastards out of commission than later." Naruto's grin turned eager.
"In that case I will ask that Kallen and Rakshata be allowed to remain behind and while we contact Infinity." Cera spoke up.
"Uh?" Kallen tilted her head slightly. "Why me?"
"Despite the fact that we can possibly track the Geass Order it would go much faster if we have an extra pair of hands with us. They still have over fifty Geass Users and will be heavily protected with secret weapons." Cera remarked with a smug grin. "It'll go much faster with our Paths with us to destroy the Order than just the two of us."
Lelouch looked at Cera but couldn't tell what she was really thinking but that was no surprise. She wasn't easy for anyone to figure out.
"Should I not also come along? I am one of your Paths as well after all." Euphie spoke up.
"You are needed back in Japan, Euphie. You are the official representative for non-Japanese citizens there." Cornelia spoke up in protest.
"True but perhaps she should come along." Cera pointed out, smirking. "As I said it's better if all my Paths are with us."
Lelouch considered it. "Very well. When you find the Geass Order it's best if it is destroyed. Geass is a dangerous power and it should be destroyed."
"Leave that to us." Naruto answered solemnly.
The faster the Geass Order was destroyed the faster they could get rid of the Sword of Akesha, no matter what form it was in.
"And I believe Rakshata has something for Cornelia anyways." Cera said, earning a curious look from Cornelia.
"It's about time you asked me to reveal this. I guess it's appropriate since we just encountered my wayward child." Rakshata said as the tarp covering the Knightmare she was storing secretly on the Ikaruga came off, revealing her latest child. "Behold, the Murasame!"
Cornelia stared up at the new Knightmare supposedly made for her and was amazed by its appearance. It was the same size as Shinryoku with a golden and violet color design. The armor on its chest and shoulders seemed to resemble Britannian armor back during the time of Hundred Years War with Factspheres installed into the chest and shoulder armors. Like the Shinryoku an MVS nodachi was sheathed next to the left hip with energy emitters in both hands and energy wings folded on its back like its 'siblings'. It had Harken blades installed into its wrists, under the hands like the Seizan only it did not have an MVS kunai.
"Made exactly to match Cornelia's specifications and skills. I took a bit from Britannian history as inspiration in the design." Rakshata said, holding up a violet colored key.
"Reminds me of the armor I wore when I served Henry IV." Cera admitted with a nostalgic smile.
Cornelia glanced at Cera. "You served under Prince Henry IV?"
"I was the Witch of Britannia during those times." Cera admitted with a smug smirk.
"The one who defeated Joan of Arc, the Witch of New Orleans." Cornelia shook her head. "Why am I not surprised?"
"I enjoyed watching that bitch being burned at the stake." Cera said as Cornelia accepted the violet key from Rakshata. "And now the former Witches of Britannia in this era will be serving one of its enemies. Can you not see the humor in that?"
"I am more interested in seeing how this new Knightmare works." Cornelia said, changing the subject.
Cera pouted but said nothing as Rakshata spoke up. "Its design is meant for close range combat with an MVS blade that actually mimics the Raijin Sword of the Guren. The Harken blades under the hands can be used to spear and pull enemy units to be finished off with the blade."
"Exactly the kind of fighting that was done back during the war." Cera admitted, still lost in her memories.
"And the kind of fighting Cornelia specializes in." Lelouch said, silently impressed but frowned. "When did you start working on this?"
"A few months ago." Rakshata shrugged.
That was technically a lie.
She started designing the new Knightmares shortly after the Black Rebellion at the requests of Naruto and Cera, deciding they would need extra fire power if and when they would go after the Geass Order.
"And now I present the Chimera!" Rakshata pulled down the sheet covering the second Knightmare.
It was similar to the Murasame but its color design was white and pink and it had similar emitters to the Lancelot. For weapons it carried an MVS kunai matching the ones used by the Seizan and two MVS short blades.
"Who did you design this Knightmare for?" Leleouch asked, gazing at the details of the second Knightmare.
"Why for Infinity of course." Rakshata said simply.
"This is Infinity's Knightmare?" Kallen asked, impressed by the look of the new Knightmare.
"Yes." Rakshata answered, looking very pleased. "She came to me with a request for a Knightmare of her own."
"She's a pilot?" Lelouch asked, remembering that Infinity looked rather young to be a pilot despite the skills she showed in their brief meeting.
"And a rather skilled one." Cera said with an irritating smile on her face.
A smile showing she knew something and wanted to taunt everyone about it.
"Where is Infinity anyways?" Euphie changed the subject.
"She's agreed to meet with us and help search for the Geass Order." Naruto answered. "She wants to remain hidden for now."
"So she still wishes to remain anonymous." Lelouch noted, slightly annoyed that he did not know much about the mysterious Infinity other than that she was the newest of Cera's Paths. "Very well. I've seen enough of her to not doubt her skills."
Now he needed to get back to Japan and see how Nunnally was. He was sure Sayoko's disguise was enough to fool her.
Nunnally giggled loudly at the many dates her 'brother' had in the last few days. It wouldn't surprise her that he would gain the reputation of a 'player' in a few more days.
'You are clever Big Brother but I am the apprentice of a Prank Master with a master of disguise as a maid.' Nunnally thought as she could only imagine the look on her brother's face when he got back to Japan to see the clone she left behind.
"Jeremiah, Rai." Nunnally spoke up, closing her phone. "It's time we meet with the others and deal with the Geass Order."
"Yes Lady Nunnally."
"Is that what his majesty said?" Schniezel asked, frowning at this latest, yet not entirely unexpected decision from his father.
"Yes." Bismarck admitted, the Knight of One inclining his head respectfully towards the second prince. "He said to take all of it."
"I agree!" Carine le Britannia chimed in, the fifth Princess of the empire clapping her hands together. "I say we wipe out the Chinese Federation for good!"
"Those savages humiliated Odysseus," Guinevere su Britannia agreed, the grey haired First princess smiling coldly as she spoke. "We can never forgive them for that. Zero has been the bane of our existence since he first appeared and the Rebellion he incited in Area Eleven has caused other Areas to rebel against us. If we have the chance to eliminate we must take it."
"Guinevere please." Odysseus chastised. "I harbor no grudge for the incident that occurred with the Empress. The war with the E.U. is ongoing and the other Areas are still suffering from heavy terrorist activity since the end of the Black Rebellion. We also have the matter of the Chinese Federation in open negotiation with the Black Knights."
"Oh as if we care what those savages do over there!" Carline pouted. "We should be sending an armada there to wipe them out!"
"This would be an easy matter to resolve if Cornelia were present." Guinevere noted but scowled at the mention of her younger traitor sibling.
"I haven't." the Knight of One answered apologetically, bowing his head low as he shook somberly. "And there has been no word from Lord Guilford either."
"We can station two divisions along the Mongolian border." Schniezel pointed out. "Battle is unnecessary, the Chinese Federation has fallen apart we can gain half their territory by rattling sabers and through negotiations, which should more than placate the emperor."
"Your awfully confident brother," Guinevere noted. "Or could it be you simply don't wish to confront Zero again so soon?
"Zero is a matter for another day." Schniezel countered. "However, if I play my cards right… he might just fall into my hands."
"You mean to bring him to side?" Guinevere asked, arching a brow imperiously. "After he murdered Clovis and brought Euphemia and Cornelia to his side against their own country? Have you gone mad?"
"As I said, Zero is a matter for another day." Schneizel replied, smiling confidently.
A man in a cloak scowled as he slew yet another one of the guards that tried to stop him.
"I've finally grasped it…" He muttered, gazing into the facility "The tale of Geass… and now I'll drag it from the shadows, and wipe the stain from Princess Euphemia and Cornelia's names at last!"
It easily hijacked a boat and took out across the sea, leaving China behind it.
It knew where to look in the sea and unlike the meat puppet it was using as a vessel it did not require sustenance.
It had infinite time to find what it needed to find.
And no one would stop it.