I can't believe how well this series is doing, and honestly, I hadn't expected this kind of takeoff. Thanks!
Lelouch exited the tailor, two bags in tow as he briskly walked down the street, a phantom of a smile on his lips as he turned down an alley way.
He had already prepared his meeting with Ohgi and the others, the train going to be empty from the get go, while also being able to have Kallen help to convince them to rejoin.
The prince chuckled lightly to himself, 'would rejoining be the right word here?' He stopped before the tunnel entrance, his hand deftly typing in the security key, the door opening to reveal the tunnels below Ashford academy.
"Time to begin again.."
Kallen looked at the artifacts recovered from the Great Pacific War, the helmet of a Japanese officer as well as an old pair of binoculars, a scowl on her face. She could never bring herself to forgive Britannia for what it had done to her people, though with some help she had begun to tolerate the country as a whole, actually somewhat impressed with how the country managed itself.
She stared a bit long until the chime of an intercom rang out through the building, "Miss Stadtfeld to Guest Services" she took a deep breath as she went to retrieve the cell phone, not sure why Lelouch had done this again, but let it be, leaving to rest at him wanting to keep appearances for the time being.
She arrived at the counter, the brunette handing her the cell phone, a cheerful smile on her face, "Make sure to keep better track of it, your boyfriend won't be able to cover for you again."
Kallen's face flushed at the statement, completely off guard at the fact he didn't use his geass on the women, "Thank you very much.." her voice somewhat shaky, 'Why would he do that? And why does everyone assume he's my boyfriend?' A smile adorned her features as her mind wondered to the idea of him actually being with her, how it would have been if not for Zero Requiem.
She shook her head slightly, pushing the hopeful thoughts away as she made her way to the window where she had first received the call, the device firmly in her hand. After waiting for a while, the phone rang, Kallen answering on the second ring, "Who are you?" she asked unsure how close to the script they were going to stick to.
"Relax, I want things how they were last time, though this call will be a bit longer."
She sighed as she listened to him ramble on about his plans, most going out the other ear, a smile on her face as she listened to his plan unfold and how he was going to return Suzaku his memories.
She stood there blank faced for a second, the realization catching up after a moment of silence, "Your returning his memories?" Her voice a whisper.
The response hitting like a truck, "Yeah, that's why we're following the script till this is over, haven't you been listening?"
She felt her stomach sink, the fact that the man who killed her beloved having his memories back leaving a sick feeling in her gut, "I have, but won't he try to kill you again? That was his job wasn't it?" There was an obvious amount of worry in her voice, but she didn't care, the thought of losing him again pushing her feelings to the surface.
There was a moment, as if he was choosing his words carefully, "Kallen, I know you're worried, and I'd be lying if I wasn't to but we could use a man on the inside with the clearance he would undoubtedly get, and I owe it to him for having him carry the weight of Zero"
She opened her mouth to start her defense, but was cut off by something that she hadn't expected to hear, "I know my words aren't exactly the most trustful given my past/future actions, but I care for you and this time, I'll do everything right."
She stood there her jaw dropping with shock at the implications those words meant, no longer caring if the others saw her, "You care about me?"
There was silence again before the answer came, "Of course, what would I be without you?"
Kallen's face flushed, unsure to assume the second nature of those words, her heart dropping a bit at the thought of it only meaning he needed her as a pilot, "I guess you have a point.."
"Anyway, I need to come the train like last time, though you won't need to wait for my call, just move to the front like before" She could hear him smirking at the other end.
"What are you planning" her own smile growing again, wondering just how theatrical he'll be.
"Don't you worry my Queen, everything will be revealed shortly" The line cut as Kallen mulled over the info, 'Did he say MY queen?' She blushed again as she made her way towards Ohgi to lead them to their new organization.
Oghi looked around on the train, something didn't feel right, though he couldn't place this uneasy feeling. He looked back over his group, Kallen the only one who didn't look like they were ready to kill.
He placed a hand on the red head's shoulder, "When are we gonna meet this guy anyway?"
The girl looked up at him, a smile on her face, "He actually said to start moving up right about now"
Ohgi knit his brow, confusion evident on his face, 'Does she know this guy?'
After a few seconds he nodded to the others to come and follow their comrade, the train surprisingly empty as they were only people sitting down, their group the only one standing as they moved through each car, and as they reached the second car they could see all the lights had been shut off for the first one.
Oghi and the others, excluding Kallen, all glanced at one another, this mysterious benefactor seeming to be shadier then them, "Kallen is this such a good idea? I mean we barely know the gu-"
He never finished his sentence as the intercom blared, "There is no need to be worried, I won't bite," This new voice modulated to obscure his voice, a hint of annoyance in his voice.
Ohgi looked around, everyone looking to him for orders. He looked ahead through the door, a dark figure standing alone in the first car, "Looks like we don't have much of a choice…" He pushed the panel, the door opening the room to them, allowing them access.
"Who are you? Why did you call us here?" Oghi called, worry evident on his face, unsure if this guy was the real deal. His jaw dropping slightly as the masked figure began to laugh, starting as a cackle at first quickly turning into a full blown laugh.
"What's so funny?" One of the resistance members called, "Is this some sick joke to you?"
The figure raised his hand, "I apologize, that was uncalled for, I am Zero" The figure flourished a bow, one that would befit royalty, "And for why I called you here you will learn, but first, what is it your group seeks?"
Oghi thought for a minute, his hand on his chin, "We fight for the freedom of Japan"
"Weak, you will never win if that is all your ambition" The figure raised a hand towards his guest, "What would you do once Britannia starts acting in force, would you be able to handle Cornelia or Schneizel with your group?"
Oghi looked away, a scowl on his face, "No we wouldn't last a month, a week if they pulled out all the stops.." Kallen watched the conversation closely, watching to see if Zero tried any 'tricks', Not wanting her comrades forced into this.
"Good answer, Now I must inform you I hold a terrible power," The figure approached the window, seemingly looking out over the ghettos," One that has harmed those close to me many times," He looked back to them, "It is half the reason for my mask, it is built to cancel out this ability." Zero waited watching the skeptical look on the faces of his to be leading officers, a scowl beneath the mask as one stepped up.
"How are we to believe a load of bull like that? You have some super natural power? Bullshit" He stepped towards Zero again, "Cancel out your ability? You're just a coward who won't show his face!"
Kallen face palmed her comrade's stupidity, knowing the next course of action.
"Coward? Well, I've been called many things but this is quite unexpected" He brought his hand to his face, right above where his eye would be, "I command you, do push-ups until I tell you to stop"
The rebel stiffed for a second before saluting, "Of course, Your Majesty" The order being carried out to his fullest extent, his friends watching in confusion, Kallen in awe at how stupid his ability is.
Oghi approached the man, his confusion turning to anger, "What is that?" He pointed to his friend, "What did you do to him?"
Zero shrugged, "He doubted my ability so I gave him his punishment, one befitting the difference in positions"
Oghi watched his friend, "I see.. Wait? Position? What do you mean?" He looked back at the intimidating figure, his look of surprise reflected off the surface of the mask.
"Why I would be the King of course, but I wouldn't execute him for standing against me at the start," He motioned towards the group, "It would complicit you guys joining me after all."
Oghi looked back at his comrade, "Wait, What would we be if we joined up with you? Knights?"
Kallen cracked a smile as the masked figure nodded, "Knight of justice, the ones who fight for a world where the weak can live amongst the strong! You would become the Black Knights!"
Oghi watched the man, trying to figure out if this was a trap or just the ravings of a mad man, settling more on the latter, though go a feeling this is what he truly wanted.
"I'll join" Kallen stepped to the mask figures side, "He'll need someone stro-"
"I'll need my Queen, you make it sound like you could be replaced" Kallen's face flushed, he hands curled into fist.
"Despite your attitude, you really are a smart ass huh?" She faced towards Zero, "Though I'll still join you"
He bowed, taking her hand in his, bringing her knuckles to where his mouth is, "I wouldn't have it any other way" The action inciting another round of blush from the red head.
Oghi scratched his cheek, "Umm, do you two know each other? You almost seem like a couple."
Kallen turned towards her friend, protest rising in her voice, "No w-"
"Well, Of course we do, not hitting far from the truth there."
Wow all the follows and favorites kinda make me feel bad for not posting more often, Kinda :P