A/N: And it just seem's I can't stop going huh? Well better than facing Writer's block and if you ask how I manage to overcome it, honestly I don't know. Ever writer deal's with it differently, just as every story written is in some way different, and as a result need's to be handled differently. It's just that at Time's I find myself facing a point where I am trying to work on something, and I get stuck, sometime's it's best to just take a few step's back, and switch to a different train of thought, see I often try to have a general idea of where my story is going to go, but how I get to that point in question is always left for the moment to moment, second-by-second thought's that just come in and out as I write them down, you might not believe it, but when I write out all of these scene's, I actually DON'T have the exact scene's and Dialogue already planned out, instead I just... Let it all happen and come out on it's own. And in that regard it's rather impressive how I've garnered such feed back, but hey who am I to complain on a system that work's out for me? And that's the real takeaway here, what work's for ME doesn't necessarily work for YOU, so if any of you reader's ever plan on writing yourself... Don't stick to any one style or plan that someone else has done, just find your own way, and you'll figure it out eventually...
And I did a quick update on the last chapter, got some plot details mixed up by mistake, should be fixed by now!
Without further adieu, let's get on with the Story!
Code Geass: Specter of the Rebellion
Chapter 12
THE RISE OF THE BLACK KNIGHT'S!
Lake Kawaguchi, Area 11, August 22nd 2017 a.t.b
Lelouch P.O.V.
Today is the day in which my Black Knight's will rise!
At least if they can get here in time...
Honestly, I knew well enough how the general time scale of event's were to take place, but honestly sometime's do I get TIRED...
Still I am impressed how I managed to make it look like I barely spent any lengthy amount of time having ran for my life after pissing off my sister...
I can only imagine what the scuttle-bucket will have to say about THAT!
So long as they don't imply that I would have relation's with Cornelia, that's just, ugh...
And I doubt they would say anything, not if they value their live's...
'Or their manhood's, more than likely' which I GUESS is a good point as any...
Now why is it that I appear to be talking to myself in a mental capacity...
Three word's.
Delegation. Of. Resource's.
Simply put, having my line's of thought be split into two separate pathway's mean's I can pretty much focus more effort's on one end, while the other aspect of me take's care of other matter's...
'Like Processing the input from your Sense's that most people ignore.'
Case in point, I am aware of various armed JLF member's preparing to storm the building any moment now...
'If only Jousi Kusakabe had a single clue as to how this event will end up with him...'
Indeed, however for the time being, best to give no indication of alarm, having the rest all panic would only complicate matter's...
'At least Kallen didn't seem to bother coming with, having her be off site when the rouge JLF invade will help lower suspicion as to her actual activities...'
Quite helpful to be certain, now all that I need to figure out is how to talk with Sir Stradfield without giving it away that I am Zero, nor that I am a Prince...
'Well, we could always just-'
No.
'But you didn't even-'
NO! I am NOT going to date her just to talk to her father into giving support to the cause!
'Oh come ON! When have you experienced ACTUAL Romance!'
That is NOT Important to the current operation, right now we need to focus on how to deal with all of this in a smart matter...
'You still certain it was a good idea to NOT Bring Jeremiah and Sayako as escort's? Chaperone's even?'
No, because even though I know they are skilled, they are also VERY Reckless when it come's to mine and Nunnally's saftey...
'Almost as much as WE are with everyone else!'
Was that meant to be a complement or an insult?
'Um...'
Forget I even asked...
'YEAH, right... Oh and it look's like they are just about to storm the main hall now...'
And right on time as well...
'What do you think Todoh-Sensei would think about this once he realizes WE killed Kusakabe and his men?'
Even during the Invasion, Todoh seemed to disapprove of the action's of Kusakabe and the soldier's under his command, all of which that are still alive to this day happen to make up the bulk of the current force's.
'When you say 'Bulk of the current force's' do you mean with some left back at Narita or...'
I mean in that he's dedicated the ENTIRETY of his loyal solider's to this operation, along with whatever weaker willed member's of the JLF they could strong arm into joining them, rookies for the most part it seem's...
'How is that we KNOW all of this anyhow?'
Why, Geass of course...
'Huh, that 'Absolute Connection' we have is rather versatile ain't it?'
Indeed, which explain's what Dark Ranger said about how we don't have to worry about our Geass running Rampart. Still, have a plan for every outcome, even the most unlikely one's...
'So if he's 'Dark Ranger' than what am I?'
What do you mean?
'Well, I don't think it'd be right to call me 'Zero' now would it?'
Indeed, I guess 'Ranger' will suffice...
'Huh? How come?'
Well, to me anyhow you seem more like of how he was back before his 'return' as it were, I would not at all be shocked if you are in a way a fragment of his psyche meant to aid me throughout all of this...
'And the reason why I can't figure that out MYSELF?'
Because if you did, it might be more than my Mind can put up with...
'Was that a compliment or an insult?'
I am afraid I can't answer you that question right now, if you are paying attention to our surrounding's then you'd-
'Yeah, yeah I know, still I wonder what's going to change since Nunnally's not Blind or Crippled in this instance, not to mention we've got Rai here...'
Knowing Nunnally, she's probably going to try using the Training given to her by Sayoko to good use, as for Rai...
'Shame we never did get to actually knew what went on in the media depicting 'his story' as it were...'
Honestly, with the amount of alteration's that have occurred, I don't think even RAI know's what's going to happen...
'Yeah I'll say what with- Wait, you hear that...'
Huh, it almost sound's like Nunnally is...
'...'
...
'I know Sayoko said for Nunally to use her 'feminine charm' when dealing with guy's, but even still...'
Agreed, THIS might be a bit to excessive...
And what exactly is it that me and my sub-persona are discussing about?
It's simple really, Nunally's trying to 'entice' the guard's by saying all matter of word's that Conelia would be utterly embarrassed beyond belief if she could translate the word's from Japanese to English, not to mention making a fair FEW sound's that simply put make me glad she has no real kink for THAT sort of thing...
'Hey you never know, she could-'
DON'T even TRY to suggest it, understand!
'Fine, fine, you're the boss, beside's it's YOUR Body right?'
Yes it is, and DO NOT attempt to 'assume direct control' over me, ARE WE CLEAR...
'Really, of ALL the thing's you could reference, it HAD TO BE-'
"AAHH!" Came a rather HIGH Pitched Squeal from one of the guard's...
'She used the Knife didn't she?'
Yep, and I have a VERY good guess where she was aiming...
'At least she can hold her own, that much is certain...'
Yeah, I can't help but be proud of her to be able to do that much...
'Yep, oh hey she's coming along with Rai...'
"So, guess that training Sayoko put you through payed off didn't it sister?"
Nunally for her part, keep's her blush down somewhat, unlike Rai who's full embarrassment filled flush was a full display...
"Remind me to NEVER piss off your sister, Lelouch." Rai say's.
"Don't worry, I know well enough considering how I have prior experience with Nelly."
"You mean like the most recent example at Saitama?" Nunally suggest's...
'How long you think she knew?'
From the moment I revealed to the world the figure of 'Zero' of course...
'Make's sense, so what are we going to do about her?'
She has as much of a reason as I do to fight, and I know she's not some innocent girl, and DON'T start by saying how she knifed a guy in the ball sack...
'Actually I was going to say how she had seen so much death and decay she is pretty much as used to death as you are...'
Pretty much my own reasoning, as well as how she doesn't like to feel helpless, so having her own way to strike back is something she'd want to do...
"Yes Nunnally. I am going to assume you know since I revealed myself to the world, correct?" I tell her.
"Yep, also I don't blame you for what happened, I think the Clovis you killed was-MMPH?!" She say's before I place my hand in front of her mouth...
"SHH! Do you want anything to get back to them sister?" I tell her in a whisper, and she know's who I am referring to...
'Damn Wraith's, it's not bad enough they want to kill us, they also want to replace whoever they think is just enough of a hassle to have an 'attitude adjustment' yet also important enough to not leave any sort of body behind...'
Agreed, Damn Wraith's Indeed...
'Still we need to figure out how to get Euphie, not to mention the rest of the hostages, our of here before this place get's torn to piece's...'
Agreed, only one issue...
"Rai, are you sure you don't have a Geass anymore?" I ask him, shooting Nunnally a look that 'I'll explain later.'
"I can't feel it anymore, sorry I can't be of any much more help than a regular guy." He tells me with a dejected look.
"Don't, I understand at the very least from what you've told me that you might be better off without it." I tell him, placing a hand on his shoulder in a comforting grip.
'So, how we going to go about this?'
I think it'll be easy, if my theory is correct...
'OOH! OOH! I CALL DIB'S ON WHAT GET'S SHOWN!'
NO! Not for our test subject at least...
'Aw... Why won't you- Oh, OH! Ohhh... He's REALLY going to be pissing in his pant's if he still has anything left to piss with!"
Needless to say, the sound's of the scream's the Rouge JLF asshole who thought he could get a free chance with my sister were like Music to our Ear's...
Kallen P.O.V.
Have to admit, I was kind of tempted to go along with the rest of the Student Council, if only to see if I could help them out a little...
'Oh come on sweetie. You KNOW they can handle themselves, there's Lelouch, Nunnally, Rai...'
And only those three, plus it seem's like Rai doesn't have a Geass anymore of ANY kind, so how are we going to deal with all of that?
'Oh please, this is the like's of ZERO we are talking about here! Do you REALLY think he'd mess up the debut starring of his Black Knight's!'
Until he does, we're just a bunch of Rebel's without much of a name, much less a cause to fight for...
'Yeah I suppose, why aren't you bothered with talking with me?"
Huh? Oh you mean why I'm allowing you to speak instead of trying to keep you quiet...
Well it's simple really, if I am to be among the best pilot's among the Black Knight's, I need all the situation awareness I can get, so allowing a Sub-Presona like yourself to be active is really just a natural result of it all really...
'Oh yeah, right...'
What?
'Oh it's nothing, just that it might be a good idea to have Lelouch be in contact with Daddy and all right? Cause even if the rest back home don't like him and us, he's still the head of the Family you know?'
And while yeah, Dad is the head of the Stradfield family, doesn't mean they'll either seek to have him removed, or just simply replace him they like...
'They or THEM...'
Both...
'Well if you want to have the two meet you could-'
No.
'Aw, but you didn't even-'
NO! I will NOT be COURTING Lelouch just so he can speak with my Father!
'Oh come on sweetie, where's your sense of Romance!'
This is neither the TIME, or the PLACE, to be DISCUSSING all of this...
'Okay, fine, you win, this time at least...'
Ah there's our cue!
'Well I guess it's time to give our big reveal!'
Euphemira P.O.V. Kusakabe's Location
Honestly, what do these do all day with their live's?
"Hey, what do you think Todoh think's of this?"
"He probably ain't thinking much right now, considering that woman of his is probably pleasing him as we speak."
"You sure about that? When ever anyone say's anything CLOSE to Romance between him and Chiba, she just turn's as red as a tomato!"
"So? What if it's just a cover story for their asses?"
"Well, I'd like a piece of HER ass, if you know what I mean?"
They REALLY aren't helping to dispel the idea that 'All men are dog's and pig's' and act like proper soldier's at time's...
"Idiot's, the whole bunch of them" Said the guard present with me, the only female guard at that...
At least I don't have to deal with this alone...
Sigh...
Lelouch where ARE you?
"So uh, how do you put up with all of this?" I say to her, I mean it's not much but it's a start...
"You can speak Japanese?" She ask's me in a Whisper...
"As a matter of fact I can, I always wanted to see Japan and talk with it's people, then the war began and..." I tell her, starting to feel tear's well up.
Don't cry Euphie, DON'T CRY!
"Hey, hey, it's okay, shh..." The lady tells me trying to comfort me.
She's nice, I like her...
Actually now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure first time around the group Kusakabe had was all men...
And I DOUBT she actually BELIEVE's some of the crap these guy's are saying, at the very least of what Kusakabe is at least...
Soon enough, the sound's of gunfire and grunt's of pain sound out from beyond the door...
Ah, FINALLY, took you long enough Lelouch! I was worried those dimwit's were going to take a look at me and start saying thing's I have NO intent of imagining...
The idiot guard's walk right up to the door, planning on just shooting anything on the other side...
They really ARE stupid, aren't they? I mean, even I know better than to put yourself in a position where a Breaching move is most deadly...
Though considering how long I've been around Nelly, I'm not sure if I'm such a good standard...
Either way, the door's open, hitting the dimwit's in their face's, only for bullet's to hit them all dead...
Luckly the Female Guard and the other one on the opposite corner seem to know better than to offer any counter-assault.
And there's Lelouch, Nunnally, a guy with Silver Hair...
Wait a second...
...
NUNNALLY!
"AH! Zero! What are you doing here?" Kusakabe ask's, unsure why Zero would just kill his own men
"It's rather simple Kusakabe, I am here to rescue the innocent's who YOU have taken Hostage!" Lelouch demand's.
Ah brother, it's good to see you!
"Tch, if you want them, then YOU CAN HAVE THEIR BLOOD!" Kusakabe yell's while pulling out his pistol, and fire's...
"GAH!" Cries out a voice, Lelouch didn't seem to stagger, neither did the young man in Silver hair, but that mean's...
"NUNALLY!" Lelouch Cries out, catching our sister, checking her for any injuries...
"It's- okay brother, I figured something like this would happen, so I had Sayoko and Jeremiah get me a bulletproof vest to withstand something simple like that." Nunnally say's while getting up and not looking any worse for wear...
Oh Nunnally, just as smart as Brother aren't you! That's my sister!
"Heh, heh, heh, It's been a while hasn't it my Second and Third Pupil's?" The male Guard in the corner say's, taking off his helmet to reveal...
"T-TODOH!" Kusakabe exclaims in shock, and considering that he's speaking to 'Todoh of Miracle's' it only make's sense...
"I will admit, I did not expect you to show up, nor did I think we would meet this early, and you brought Chiba-san as well, and you look lovely as ever Miss." Lelouch say's while looking to the female guard next to me, taking off her own helmet to reveal a beautiful looking Japanese woman with Brunette Hair and kind Grey eye's.
"How did you know it was me?" The woman who I know now is in fact Nagisa Chiba ask's Lelouch.
"The answer is simple, there is only one woman whom Todoh-Sensei would count upon to assist him in something such as this, not to mention how could either myself or my sister forget the woman who our Mother said to be 'a Prime Example of beauty among the Japanese People.'" Really?! Did Lady Marianne honestly say that! Oh I WISH I could speak with Miss Chiba some more, but I know where this is going, oh well, once Lelouch can get his rebellion going proper, then perhaps I can talk with Miss Chiba again!
"Now then, JOUSI KUSAKABE!" Lelouch spoke with utter RAGE at the man's name...
Oh boy, Kusakabe, you REALLY messed up now...
May the god's have mercy on your soul, for Lelouch will grant you NONE...
"When I was coming to confront you, I was just going to kill you. But now?" He say's, his voice being a rather level tone with no indication of anger of any kind present...
Last time he did that was when Carnie was being PARTICULARLY annoying one day and mentioned what a bunch of Noble's said about his Mother and Sister, needless to say when he used it on the Noble's in question...
They wound up BEGGING for Father to have Sir Bismarck just kill them, but he refused, saying they needed to learn from their arrogance...
But Lady Marianne DID kick them rather HARD in the balls, that was funny...
"Now however, I think that would be too light of a sentencing..."
But with Kusakabe, oh he is going to make him suffer...
"Know this Kusakabe, I have SUFFERED the pain of being forced away from that which I called home, from the people who I considered FAMILY! First simply by the Upheaval, and THEN by the Usurper's invasion of Japan, I was FORCED to be away from my Mother and Father, FORCED to walk through the field's and remains of the dead. Having to be strong and enduring for the sake of my Sister and my first ACTUAL Friend..." Oh Lelouch, I hate how you have to go through all of this, no matter how many time's it might be...
"And then YOU come HERE, take hostage innocent people, who's only crime in the eye's of you and your men is that they are NOT JAPANESE!" Lelouch spoke with anger, as if he had known well the sort of people like Kusakabe, and the sad thing is he DID know, he knew better than me or anyone else in the royal family, save his Mother and Sister, who had faced equal scorn and disgust...
"I could have simply used my power to kill you Kusakabe, but NO I will make you WANT TO DIE! For what good is it of me to rely on such thing's..." As he spoke, his began to have another image overlay on himself, that of an armored figure who had become that of his left side, the place were his eye was was glowing red...
I am not sure how his Geass could do something like this, but if his plan to impose the Image of Dark Ranger in the mind's of other's alongside his own as a mean's to drive the fear of death into Kusakabe, well it's working...
Honestly it's working rather well as me, to my embarrassment...
...
At least it's not noticeable I guess...
...
"Truth is Kusakabe, the reason why you will lose is because of one thing above all else... It's IDEA'S." Lelouch goes on, his voice seemingly beginning to warp into a half-way point between his own and Dark Ranger's, he REALLY must be putting his all into it isn't he?
Then again, he's LELOUCH, and if their is one thing my Brother is known for above all else, it's putting his all into what he does...
"I-Idea's?" Kusakabe say's, his voice a shadow of the presence it demanded just moment's ago...
"Why yes, Idea's! For you see, this visage of Zero I created is MORE than just a Mask, it is MORE than the man who hide's behind it... It is an IDEA! And an idea is what drive's people to create! To Seek out and Explore! To understand and interact with other's! ALL Conflict, be it the minor disagreement's between two stranger's, to the affair that is WAR itself, is really the simple matter of one set of Idea's vs another set of Idea's. And the reason why YOUR Movement will fail is because YOU LACK SUCH IDEA'S!" Wow, Lelouch must have had a LOT of time to think on his hand's to come up with something like this...
"And before you start going on how you wish 'For Japan to be for the Japanese.' and other such thing's, I think we ALL know that it's really just a mean's to an end, an excuse for which you allow to go on so as to ensure your own power is unchallenged. You claim to be different from Britannia, but you are JUST the same as they are! You act as if because you are born into a certain people, a certain CLASS of People, that it somehow give's YOU the right to act as you please, and be ABOVE the consequence's of your ACTION'S!" Lelouch spoke with such a fury that it felt as if it was something he had been holding onto for all of this time...
Is this what you've kept hidden all this time Lelouch?
All of this anger, all of this RESENTMENT for the like's of the High Nobility...
Of all of the people who thought you were lesser because of who you ARE...
I can see how that might be the case, but why do I feel like there is something more to it?
I don't think even Nunnally and your Mother or Father even know about it...
Actually, perhaps NO ONE know's about it...
...
It's okay brother. I won't try to force you to tell me, if you want to let us all know. We will be waiting for you to tell us when you're ready...
Just don't be on death's doorstep when you decide to tell us, please?
"You and your Ilk claim that you stand for Justice, AS IF ANYTHING YOU HAVE EVER DONE IN YOUR ACTION'S ON OTHER'S HAS EVER BEEN JUST!" He spoke in such a piercing way that he KNEW something Kusakabe wanted to have kept secret...
"Don't think I am unaware of your crime's from the invasion, Kusakabe, I met with people, and among them were a number of those who talked about a group of Japanese Military men who would demand all matter of thing's from them and their town's, be it food, wealth, Women..." He spoke out that last work with such disgust that I honestly think I don't want to even know what he was told by those poor women...
Todoh and Chiba had equal look's of Disgust and Rage upon their face's...
"I knew you often used your command authority to commandeer resources from the civilian populace during the war and month's after, but this..." Todoh said with disappointment in his voice, as if he was talking to a student that learned nothing from his master...
"Zero- No, Lelouch, may I be allowed to give the man payback on behalf of all the woman he has made suffer?" Chiba said with just barely contained rage...
I think Chiba-san and Nelly will become VERY fast friend's...
In fact, Chiba-san and Todoh seem to be a mirror image of Nelly and Gilbert...
I'm sure Lady Marianne will want to be involved in this...
"Don't do anything that will make him bleed out, I want him to suffer first before he make's his finial decision..." Lelouch say's, to which Chiba nod's and...
I'm pretty sure I heard something of his CRACK from that hit...
...
"Do you understand now Kusakabe? You have no true ideal or goal, aside from wanting whatever Power you can wield with your pathetic hand's. Whereas I? What I Wish for is a world where I am no longer forced to hide my true self from the world. Where I and the people whom I love and care for can live life's free of hatred, the world I wish to create, is a kind and just one, where People are viewed not for the status they are born into yet did not earn the right to wield. Where people have no reason to hate each other for the place of their birth, or of the land they call home. While I admit that not all men are created equal, I do not believe it in the same way that FAKE who sit's on the throne of MY Father's rightful keep, who had EARNED it through the tear's and bloodshed of not only the people under his command, but above all HIS OWN! Instead I believe that there are always those who live's will always set them apart from those around them, it is in many way's how the world function's. But just because we are not BORN in equal status, does not mean we are CREATED in an equal way, we must all go the same trials and tribulation's of life that all living thing's endure. And when I say create, I do not mean the act of union between man and woman that result's in the formation of what is one day our own bodies, no. I mean the event's which make us into WHO WE ARE AS INDIVIDUAL BEING'S are all the same in many way's, even if the exact details surrounding each person is different, we are all shaped by that which has come before, that which is now, that that which is yet to be..." And I am amazed, Lelouch took upon the idea of 'Survival of the Fittest' and made it in such a way that not only fit's in line with the thought's and idea's of those of Britannia, but also co-exist's and even complement's the thought's and idea's of which formed Washington's Rebellion! A true synthesis of idea's that took element's from both the concept's of such thing's, and had it all be placed against the hard fact's of reality to bombard it and have them be fully tested and broken down to that which remained true to the world, and melded them together to create something that was stronger than it's component's!
Honestly, if it were a physical object, I would say it would be beautiful...
Kussakabe appear's to realize that he really is nothing, not to the world at large, but even more so that his effort's really are just for vanity's sake alone...
Will he lash out in anger? Or will he just accept defeat?
"I have but one last request..." Ah, so he accept's defeat.
"And what might that be?" Lelouch ask's.
"When you reclaim that which was stolen from you, allow the people of Japan be allowed to be free, let them choose their own fate's..." Kusakabe said.
"And what is to keep them from becoming more of you?" Lelouch ask's, and it's a valid point, violence beget's violence and such...
"They won't become like me, because YOU will be the one to guide them to freedom, and they will know of what you speak, and they will learn the wisdom in your word's." Kusakabe say's...
And THIS is why you will become Emperor, Lelouch...
"I do not ask that I be forgiven for my action's, much less of those of my men. I have brought Dishonor and Shame upon not only the Japanese Liberation Front, but also that of the Japanese People, and myself!" Kusakabe goes on, admitting his own fault's...
"Though your soul may not escape Punishment for your crime's, nor of those of your men, I do believe you have earned the right for a proper Seppuku, Todoh-Sensei, if you would please..." Lelouch say's.
"As he has served under my command, I am honor bound to comply and see his judgement be dealt with by my blade..." Todoh say's, grabbing his own Katana, ready to strike...
Kusakabe bring's his own blade, ready to plunge it into his stomach as Lelouch rasied his arm...
"KUSAKABE JOUSI! YOU HAVE COMMITED SHAMEFUL AND DISHONORABLE ACT'S AS DEFINED BY THE CODE OF BUSHIDO! AS A SOLDIER OF JAPAN! AND OF THE IMPERIAL FAMILY OF JAPAN! YOU ARE HEREBY DECLARED GUILTY OF ALL CHARGES AGAINST YOU! THESE INCLUDE! THE TAKING OF UNARMED PEOPLE''S WHO ARE UNABLE TO FIGHT FOR THEMSELVES! THE ABUSE OF YOUR POWER TO DEMAND AND PUNISH THOSE PEOPLE OF THE LAND WHOM YOU SWORE TO SERVE! AND ABOVE ALL, FOR STRIKING AT THOSE WHOM HAVE ONLY BUT THEIR HOMELAND'S AS TO CALL AS CRIME'S! MAY THE KAMI JUDGE YOU AND YOUR FELLOW SOLDIER'S FOR YOUR CRIME'S AND PUNISH YOU AS THEY SEE FIT!" Lelouch spoke in perfect Japanese, followed by him swiping down his arm as to signal the falling of the blade, as Kusakabe plunged his blade and cut it across his stomach, while Todoh sliced his blade across Kusakabe's neck, severing it clean from his body only a skilled swordsman could...
We all closed our eye's for a moment to ensure their soul's would face a fair trial...
Opening them, I ran to Lelouch and Nunally and hugged them both tightly, tear's flowing out of my eye's.
"LELOUCH! NUNALLY! I'M SO GLAD TO SEE YOU!" I yelled to them both as I cried out with all of my heart, finally seeing the two sibling's I have missed for so long...
I felt them both embrace me with equal strength to my own as they said "It's good to see you, Euphie." Lelouch said with a calm voice, still I could tell he was happy to hold onto me again based on how tightly he held...
"It's been so long, Euphie!" Nunnally said, her voice indicating how she was just barely holding back her own tear's.
I let go of my two half-sibling's and turned to study the silver haired boy with them...
He look's familiar, but I don't know why...
"Ah, this is Rai, you might not recognize him, but he's..." Lelouch start's.
Ah, now I know why I feel like I've seen him before.
"To think, we all forgot you, will you be forced to do so again?" I ask him with a knowing gaze.
"No, it seem's that the curse that has plagued me for so long to force me to have the world forget is no more, but even then. I feel as if thing's are different, in more way's than one even." Rai tell's me.
Seeing all but Lelouch have shared look's of confusion, can't help but wonder what my Brother is going to weave together this time...
"Rai, from what he can recall, was experimented upon as part of a secret project called 'Code-R' and as to what it meant for him. It caused him to have memories of different version's of him at different part's of time all come into his own mind, and as part of his 'curse' it meant that anyone who might have possibly known him at some point or another had any and all memories of him wiped. As a result he has had some difficulty separating which one's are actually his from the one's which aren't, some depict him as a Knight of Britannia, other's as a Resistance soldier, and one line of event's he has the most detailed recollection of has him wiping himself from existence so as to keep his 'curse' from affecting those whom he care's for. Thankfully it appear's that whatever reason, that said 'curse' has been broken, and he can now live a normal life if he so chooses." Lelouch explained smoothly, very clever brother, very clever indeed...
Though I don't think anyone else really buy's it, we all know that an actual explanation will have to come later...
"Speaking of your life, all I wish to ask you is this Rai. Do you wish to join me and my force's, or act a Knight of Britannia? Or perhaps you might wish to walk down a different path altogether? What ever your choice is, neither I, or anyone else, will stop you. You have lived a life of pain and sorrow, are you willing to deal with it all again?" Lelouch say's, and honestly it's no wonder even Schenizel think's Lelouch is the only real other person to be the choice for Emperor, with the charisma in his voice and action's, it's easy to see why Schienizel is willing to give up his claim to the throne if Lelouch can prove himself...
"Honestly, I don't know what path to take anymore. I've seen so many way's my life could lead, but I guess if there is one path I haven't bothered trying to take, then it'd be keeping watch over your sister here." Rai say's, much to the blushing embarrassment to Nunally!
Ooh! I think Nunna's got a BOYFRIEND!
"Fine, I'll let you keep guard over my sister, even I know for all their abilities, Jeremiah and Sayoko can only do so much to keep guard of her at any time. I am only giving you this chance because I know you can do what's needed and to watch her back always, DO NOT MAKE ME REGRET THIS!" Lelouch say's with a stern and protective voice.
AWW! And Lelouch is playing the 'Protective Big-brother card'! SO CUTE!
Now all I've got to do is have Suzaku and the other's help me Push Lelouch and Kallen together and it'll be all set!
Oh I am certain Lady Marianne would approve of this!
Meanwhile...
"What are you smirking for woman?" George Lux Britannia ask's his wife, who is having that smirk...
The one he know's mean's she is up to something...
"Oh nothing much my dear, just that I feel my 'Mother Sense's' and my 'Shipping Sense's' are tingling...
"..." Was all that George had to say.
"Oh! That's a PERFECT Idea C.C.! Add that one to the list!" Marianne say's aloud.
'My children, may you be able to endure your mother's and godmother's antic's' George whispered under his breath, thinking of how his children are going to be dealing with MUCH annoyance's brought on by his Wife...
Lelouch P.O.V.
ACHOO! ACHOO!
"Oh dear, are you okay Lelouch? Nunally?" Euphie ask's us both.
We both share a look.
"Mother's getting idea's again..." We both say flatly at the same time, and people wonder why we claim to be twin's when we seem as if we aren't!
For one thing, we both know EXACTLY when Mother is planning something that is of embarrassment to us both...
...
...
I wonder if I should tell C.C. her allowed amount of Pizza's are going to be revoked...
'How about we just IMPLY that to be the case? If nothing else hopefully she know's not to mess with us when it come's to important thing's...'
And what would YOU consider important anyhow?
'Let's see, planning our Rebellion, making sure we don't get the attention of any Wraith's, oh and more important right now, GETTING THE HECK OUT OF HERE BEFORE WE ARE CRUSHED UNDER RUBBLE!'
...
...
...
'...'
'...'
'...'
SHIT!
'SHIT!'
"I do believe we need to get out of here, as I am certain Suzaku will be bringing the place down with his Lancelot any moment now..." I managed to get off before the whole place start's SHAKING
DAMMIT SUZAKU! WHY NOW OF ALL TIMES DO I HAVE TO BE RIGHT ON THE TIMING!
The other's didn't have to be told twice and we are all about to make it out when...
'Um, there's a kid still inside!'
WHAT! HOW!
'DON'T LOOK AT ME! I'M THE ONE WHO POINTED IT ALL OUT!'
"Hold on I think there's someone still inside!" I tell them, much to the shock and fright across all of their face's...
"WHAT! HOLD ON WE AR-!" Euhpie tries to say before I stop her.
"NO! I can handle this on my own, beside's your not exactly dressed to handle running in such an outift, Todoh-Sensei, Chiba-San, keep the girl's from doing anything stupid." I say, to the shared nod's from them both.
"Hold on, let me help." Rai start's, but I cut him off saying.
"No, if you want to prove your worthy of my trust and the task at hand, then I am ASKING you to watch over my sister's for me." I tell him
He give's me a hard look, but nod's.
"Don't get yourself killed, you have a Rebellion to lead." He tells me with a slight smile.
I smile back underneath the mask, knowing the he can tell "I'm planing on being alive for as long as possible, I promised someone I know, and I intend to keep it!"
I'll leave them to wonder just who that promise was made to...
The whole thing is shaking, it's hard to keep a sense of balance...
'Good thing you made sure that it would take long enough to make sure everyone was at a safe distance before it'll all collapse huh?'
Agreed, yet again my instinct's prove to be right in this case as always.
Now where could...
"THERE!" I exclaim as I hear the young child's cries for help...
I will NOT allow the death of an innocent child occur on my watch...
"Who-who are you mister?" The young child, a girl, ask's, as I take a look to memorize the child's feature's...
Around 15 year's old short hair in pigtails, and black-red hair...
Deciding to try to calm down the young girl I tell her.
"I, am Zero. And I don't believe this is a place for a child like yourself to be in, what is your name young girl?" I ask, honestly unsure of who this girl is, much less why she is here...
"Be-Benio Akagi, are you going to help me, mister Zero..." She tells me...
Ah, a girl who, in another time and with a different Lelouch, had lost her parent's due to a simple mistake...
I will NOT make the same mistake as he did, I WILL NOT!
"Take my hand, Akagi-chan, can you walk?" I tell her, offering my hand for her to stand on.
"I-I can't! My leg feel's all funny." She say's.
I check to see which leg and I can see the issue.
Her leg show's sign's of a minor break, thankfully with enough time and rest, so long as she doesn't strain it, she should be able to make a quick recovery, hopefully this turn's out to be a blessing in disguise for her and her parent's...
"Hold on, I'll carry you, just hold on tight!" I tell her, keeping my voice calm yet determined...
Come on Lelouch, you can do this!
"AGH!" I cry out as I slip and fall, and again even louder when I feel something strike against my left leg hard...
I try to get up, only to feel my leg ablaze with pain...
No...
I grit my teeth, willing my body to stand up
I will not let that pain stop me...
I order my body to move, even as I feel the bone's in my leg begin to strain and feel the slight crack's along it...
I WILL NOT LET THAT PAIN RULE MY LIFE AGAIN!
I muster up all the will I have, forcing my body to go into a head long sprint, keeping the girl I carry on my back from falling off...
I WILL NOT LET IT ALL END BECAUSE OF THIS!
I see the whole floor around us collapse around us, I push even harder than I did before, more than I ever had in either of my lives...
I! WILL! LIVE!
I just barely grab onto a the edge were the exit is, the floor having given way just as I got to it, young Akagi holding onto me for dear life...
Come on Lelouch! Just. A bit. MORE!
I try to pull myself up, only to have the ledge I held onto break away...
NO! THIS! IS! NOT! THE! END!
"HOLD ON! I'VE GOT YOU ZERO!" I hear a voice, and see two arm's grab my own...
That's right...
I AM NOT ALONE!
We put all our Strength into getting us out, me Pushing up with my feet and Upper Body Strength, her with her Arm's and every last part of her body to pull us up...
We both cry out in pain as the struggle seem's all but impossible, and yet...
Somehow, I end up being pulled up into the arm's of Kallen Kozuki-Stradfield...
And all I can think of, is how amazing she look's, how she appear's so strong willed, even after everything, and how I can only feel one thing above all else...
How my Heart is beating at a slow, yet steady rhythm...
Kallen P.O.V.
I made it...
I MADE IT!
I! MADE! IT!
All I could feel as I stood there, seeing Zero, young Akagi-chan holding onto him as if he was a lifeline, was just how glad I was to see them alive...
"Thank you, Q-1, this girl was trapped inside, she has a broken leg, though I do believe it's nothing dangerous, she'll need medical attention, however it's not urgent. I do believe however her Parent's are no doubt worried as to her status and safety, shall we?" Lelouch told me, I could tell that he was also in pain, and yet even despite it he held firm. Never letting anything to indicate something was wrong, he had to put on a strong face after all...
But he shouldn't HAVE TO!
'You thinking what I'm thinking?'
Yes... I'm sure of it, but not for now...
'When then?'
When the time come's when Zero is thought dead to the world, when it is time for his return, THAT is when I will do it...
'You act as if it will go EXACTLY like it did in the baseline rendition...'
It's because I know that when it's at that point, that is when the Wraith's will come out, and I'm sure he know's that...
'So as he will return as the Black King of Zero, what shall you be then? His Red Knight of Justice?'
I still haven't decided on that just yet...
'Liar, I know what you want, you wish to be his Queen...'
NOT now, WE have a reveal to show the world...
Benio P.O.V.
I was so scared when all the bad men with gun's came in, and said that every one was being held 'Hostage' as they put it...
I don't think I like being held 'Hostage'...
I was so afraid, that when all of those people in mask's showed up and started shooting all of the bad men, I wound up trying to hide.
Then I heard people started moving, I was so afraid that I didn't try to come out...
The something went BOOM down bellow and soon the whole place started to shake...
I thought I was going to die, like how everyone else Mommy and Daddy knew from the old day's was...
Then a guy in a cool black outfit and awesome mask showed up!
He said his name was Zero, so he was the same guy that showed up on T.V.!
He asked me for my name in such a nice voice, it kind of reminded me of how Daddy would talk to me when I was scared from all the 'Brit's' as Daddy and Mommy called them...
I really Like Mister Zero, he's so nice!
And when I told him how my leg hurt funny and I couldn't walk. He told me to just climb on his back and hold on, it reminded me of how when I was younger, how Daddy used to play with me!
But then Mister Zero slipped and fell, then some heavy looking thing got on his left leg, and I heard a really not nice sound from his leg...
I think he got his Leg hurt like me now...
But he just got up and just kept running, even though he sounded like how I was when I tried to just walk!
Mister Zero must be a really strong guy!
But then the floor gave out just as we were about to reach the door, and it looked like there was going to be a really long fall...
But then this nice lady came in and grabbed onto Mister Zero's arm's and helped us get up!
Mister Zero called her 'Q-1', what a funny name!
"Hey, what's your name?" The nice lady asked me, she kind of remind's me of how Mommy used to talk to me, before all the bad thing's happened...
"Beino Akagi." I told her, I was just so scared, even if she was a nice lady, it doesn't mean there weren't any not so nice people around.
The nice lady smiled "Well Akagi-chan. Let's go see where your Mommy and Daddy are okay?"
I'm really starting to like the Nice lady, she's kind of like a big sister!
I wish I had a big sister...
If I did, she'd be like the nice lady!
I tried to see if I could walk, but it only just hurt still...
Then I felt Mister Zero hold me up "Easy there little one, how about Q-1 and I carry you, alright?" He told me in his cool voice!
It was really dark out, so it was kind of hard to see, but Mister Zero and the Nice Lady seem to know where to go!
"BENIO!" I heard Mommy and Daddy shout out to me!
"MOMMY! DADDY!" I cried as I felt Mommy pick me up and how she just started crying, and I did too, even if I didn't want to cry, cause I want to show how I'm a Big Girl now!
"Thank you, Zero-sama! THANK YOU!" I heard Daddy say to Mister Zero.
"It is wrong of you to thank me, after all if it were not for the effort's of my stalwart Q-1 here, then your Daughter and I would have mostly likely fallen to an early grave." Mister Zero said, while the Nice Lady got all red in her cheek's.
"It's nothing at all, really, I'm sure anyone could have done what I did." The Nice Lady said to Mommy and Daddy.
"Don't sell yourself short Q-1, not just anyone would knowingly run into a collapsing building to rescue someone." Mister Zero said.
"Oh Yeah? Than what does that say about you? Mister 'I Don't give a care if I live or die'?" The Nice Lady said.
*giggle* The way the two of them act kind of remind's me of how Mommy and Daddy used to when I was younger, and even now to a smaller amount!
I think Mister Zero and the Nice Lady like each other, they're just too shy to tell anyone!
"Regardless, I am only glad to see that another family such as your's is spared the heartache of losing a loved one. Now if You'll excuse us, Q-1 and I must regroup with the rest of our force's." Mister Zero say's, with him and the Nice Lady walking to a BIG and Fancy looking Boat!
"What a second, who are you People?" I hear Mommy ask, I want to know too!
"It just so happen's that if you'll wait a few second's. You will get your answer." Mister Zero tell's us. He seem's so COOL! Like a SUPERHERO!
Maybe He IS a Superhero, and that the Nice Lady and the other's are his Teammate's!
Maybe that's why he call's her 'Q-1' and himself 'Zero' they are like Superhero name's!
I wonder if they have any Superpower's? Or Maybe they are really smart and tough!
Either way we get put onto a small boat with a lot of other small boat's with other people on them, and then we see the Light's on the big Boat turn on and I see Mister Zero standing on the very tip of the boat and the Nice Lady and a couple of other's standing off to either side of him...
"PEOPLE OF THE WORLD! I AM ZERO! FEAR NOT FOR THE HOSTAGES! FOR WE HAVE RESCUED THEM! AS FOR WHO WE ARE! WE ARE THE BLACK KNIGHT'S!" I heard Mister Zero Speak out to everyone, and I couldn't help but feel like now. Thing's were finally going to get better!
"KUSAKABE AND HIS MEN HAD COMMITTED DISHONOR TO BOTH BRITANNIAN'S AND JAPANESE ALIKE! FOR THIS REASON WE HAD ACTED UPON THEM! I MYSELF HAD CONFRONTED KUSAKABE! AND HE RECOGNIZED THE SHAME HE BROUGHT TO THE JAPANESE LIBERATION FRONT! AND SO AS BUSHIDO CODE HAD IT DECREED, HE COMMITTED SEPPUKU OF WHICH I WAS WITNESS TO FIRSTHAND! KNOW THIS PEOPLE OF BIRTANNIA, AND OF THE WORLD AT LARGE! WE BLACK KNIGHT'S CARE NOT FOR WHO IS FOUND VICTIM OF INJUSTICE, NOR DO WE WE CARE FOR WHOM IS FOUND GUILTY OF SAID CRIME'S! IT IS SIMPLY A MATTER OF THOSE WHO A INNOCENT AND POWERLESS BEING MADE VICTIM OF THOSE WHOM ARE GUILTY OF UNJUST USE OF THEY POWER THEY WIELD!" He continued, he was SO cool, like he was making a statement to the world! And he called his people the Black Knight's! SO AWESOME! I Want to be a part of them too!
He and the nice lady happened to look around all over, and then I could see them smile at ME! OH WOW! THAT'S SO COOL!
Then they turned their head's back to where they where.
"LET IT BE KNOWN THAT WE SHALL PROTECT ALL WHO ARE FOUND NEEDING SALVATION FROM THOSE WHO SEEK TO TORMENT ALL! FOR WE ARE NO MERE GROUP OF TERRORIST'S! FOR WE ARE KNIGHT'S OF JUSTICE! THOSE OF YOU WITH POWER! FEAR US! THOSE OF YOU WITHOUT! RALLY BEHIND US! FOR JUSTICE IS UNYIELDING, AND IT WILL NEVER DIE! NO MATTER WHO DARE'S ATTEMPT TO BREAK US! WE SHALL NOT YIELD! THOSE WHO HOPE TO CRUSH OUR BODIES WILL FIND THAT EVEN IF OUR BODIES CEASE TO WORK, IT DOES NOT MEAN WE WILL HAVE DIED! YOU MAY SEEK TO BREAK US, TO TAKE OUR HOPE AND CRUSH IT UNDER YOUR HEEL! IF YOU SEEK TO HAVE US BEG, THEN YOU SHALL BE DISAPPOINTED!" Mister Zero kept saying, and soon people on all of the various boat's started CHEERING, and saying thing's like 'ZERO! ZERO!' and more kept claiming all matter of joyful sound's at the speech he gave!
"And one last thing before we leave! Lord of Wraith's! Best Prepare yourself for the time in which we shall meet upon the battlefield, and let your minion's know that JUSTICE will come for them ALL!" Mister Zero finished off, to which EVERYONE gave loud cheer's and applause for!
Whatever you plan on doing Mister Zero, I support it!
"He and his friend's will need all the support you can give sweetie, but don't worry, I'm sure they'll be fine." I heard someone say behind me I turned around to see a figure that look's like some sort of cool Knight figure!
"You sure about that mister?" I ask the strange figure, surprised that not even Mommy and Daddy Notice him...
"Oh, I am ABSOLUTELY Positive on it, after all. Zero is my Lighter half after all! He is me! and I am him!" He told me...
This guy seem's to talk in funny way's...
"Who are you mister?" I ask him, he can tell me his name right?
He let's out a slight laugh "You may call me Dark Ranger little Akagi, and if you must know. I am a Specter of Justice!, where Zero and his Black Knight's fight for the justice of those who are alive. I fight for the justice of those who are no longer with us..."
Oh, so while Mister Zero fight's for people here, Mister Dark Ranger here fight's for the souls of the dead! COOL!
"Well young Akagi, I can not say when we shall meet next, I can only hope it will be in an event as good as this one, for the sake of yourself, as well as that of Zero."
"Huh, why's that mister Dark Ranger?" I ask him...
"Because, the one time I am sure to show myself to the world, is the day the world will believe Zero shall die..."
"WHAT! NO! ZERO CAN'T DIE! HE JUST CAN'T!" I tell him, there is NO WAY someone like Mister Zero can die! He's just too cool to die!
"Rest assured, Akagi-chan. I did not say he will die, I only said that it would be when the world think's he'll die, there is a key difference between the two."
Oh I think I get it, Mister Zero will make people think He'll die, only to come back even better!
"So when he come's back you'll be there too right?" I ask him...
"I'm afraid I can't tell you, what I will say is this, even if I am seemingly gone from this world, know that I will always remain as a part of the soul of the one who is Zero. No matter what..." He tell's me, and then once I blink, he's gone!
I look back to where Mister Zero is, and I feel as if he really has more to him than what even those closet to him know about...
Ranger P.O.V.
Was it a good idea for me to tell her?
'She is a child, and can better adapt to it...'
Even still, WHEN the moment come's, I'm sure she will be crying her eye's out at what will happen...
'She is a strong girl, both in mind and in soul. She can recover...'
I know, it's just I HATE it when I see children cry...
'As do I my lovely Ranger, as do I...'
I'll always love you...
'And I'll always love you, from now to all of time...'
A/N: Well that's it for this chapter! I know this one didn't seem to have a whole lot, but I'm doing the best with what I have. Also what do you think of my perspective on young Benio Akagi? I'm not sure if it is accurate for her, both in her exact age during R1 as well as to how I wrote her P.O.V. but it's the best I can do considering, and I'm sure you are all asking yourselves in the back of your head's why it is Ranger and Wayinder (the actual one's mind you) keep finishing off by saying 'I love you' all the time? Well I won't say anything, just know that when it finally come's down to it, well I think you all will be crying as much reading it over as i will be writing it, I tend to express some amount of emotion's while I write when it is relevant to a scene, also if you ask about the hair and eye color, never knew of any official work of Benio Akagi colored in to give an idea of how she is meant to look color wise, aside from her skin being Japanese native of course, as can be assumed from the obvious details about it, and also I read a review saying how it can be a little jarring with all the P.O.V. swap's, sad to say it come's with the territory with thing's being written in first person. And I can't say I'm good with writing in general, still I hope you all can enjoy it for it's fault's! And that I get how the chapter's can seem a bit well off, thing is I just write when I feel like it, however I do, so do understand it might not all feel smooth, it's a learning process for me as much as anyone else! Anyhow, till next time!
