A/N: Thank you guys for the reviews they are much appreciated.
The debate on Ryūko or Satsuki being paired Lelouch is still ongoing, but for now, I have closed the poll and replaced it with something else which is now on my profile. I was going to go with the yes option initially, but after some debate I am reconsidering if that would be wise without making events of the story too predictable…regardless of the choice it won't affect the story too much, but it will merely determine specific pathways for the story and Lelouch which are well planned out either way.
I just wish to settle it before proceeding further, but there will be more Life Fiber Hybrids in this story regardless.
Anyway, we are moving closer to No-Late Day as everyone is tending to their own business as Suzaku and Kallen adjust to their new lives beginning at Honnōji Academy, we'll be having some battles in the next chapter.
On with the chapter now…
Chapter 7
Old Friends and New Friends
Lelouch was stunned that Suzaku, whom he hadn't seen in seven years, would be a new student in his class. Suzaku who had been scanning the classroom noticed a very familiar face and spotted Lelouch as among the students who soon had a look of surprise upon his own face matching that of Lelouch's. Once the introductions were over Lelouch watched as Kallen and Suzaku were being assigned seats by Aikurō before Suzaku was sitting next to Lelouch while Kallen ended up behind Ryūko.
"I have to admit this academy is the last place I expected to run into you, right Suzaku," Lelouch began with an amused smirk.
"I think that feeling is mutual," Suzaku mused before he added, "It's been a long time right Lelouch?"
"Seven years is quite some time," Lelouch mused as he recalled their last meeting together following the devastation of Japan during the final stages of the invasion.
"So how is Nunnally doing," The brown haired boy asked as Mako being who she is jumped into the conversation.
"Oh does Lelouch have a girlfriend," Mako asked with a starry look in her eyes.
"No nothing like that Nunnally is Lelouch's younger sister," Suzaku explained causing Mako to look sad for a moment.
"Wait a second you didn't tell me you had a little sister," The brown-haired girl inquired with a sad puppy face, but Lelouch didn't flinch before explaining.
"I did mention her to you once before because you fell asleep while I was talking about her when you asked if I had any siblings," Lelouch answered with a deadpanned expression.
"Really," Mako replied as she brought her right index finger to her chin as she entered a state of deep thought for a few moments before answering rather casually. "Yeah, you are probably right since I think I recall you beginning to talk about her before I fell asleep."
Ryūko shook her head as an amused smile grew her on face at Mako's behavior.
"Anyway Nunnally is attending Ashford Academy since her disabilities present her from probably attending this academy," Lelouch said as he decided to just keep moving forward.
"Disabilities," Ryūko inquired.
"She…was crippled when she was young so Nunnally cannot walk and she lost her eyesight as a result of trauma during the same incident," Lelouch answered although he was reluctant at first, yet realized he had told more than he had wanted.
"I see," Ryūko said while noticing the depressed look on Lelouch's face taking as a sign not to ask further about it.
Suzaku observed Lelouch noticing the look of solemn sadness upon his face, but at the same time, he wondered about what his old friend was thinking.
Does he intend to still follow through on that vow he made seven years ago?
Within the imperial throne room located in the heart of the city of Pendragon, the capital of Britannia, Charles zi Britannia sat upon his throne in quiet contemplation. The room was dark save for a small beam of light over the throne upon which he sat adding to his imposing appearance his size and stature granted him. The rest of the throne room was empty as all other ways in had been closed with the lights dimmed to add to the Emperor's desire to be alone.
However, after minutes passed the Emperor's solitude was intruded upon as the sounds of a cane tapping the floor announced the arrival of a young man who was the same age as Lelouch. As he entered the radius of the light around the throne, the Emperor of Britannia saw the young man before him dressed in a black suit with a high white collar dress shirt, a black vest with gold buttons on it with a purple cravat. His hands were covered by a pair of white gloves and cuffs with golden cufflinks and black polished dress shoes on his feet. Over his shoulders was a black cape with a red interior with a black top hat over his blonde hair which isn't quite shoulder length, and was somewhat curly, which sometimes appears white under fluorescent lighting.
One hand held a black cane which its silver top was molded after what appeared to be a sewing needle while he wore a pair of circular, heavily tinted, wire-framed purple sunglasses with goggle sidings hiding the blue eyes behind them. His smiling face provided the picture of a young man with a friendly disposition, but Charles zi Britannia knew there was much more to the young man than meets the eye.
"I trust Code S is progressing smoothly," Charles said he met gazes with the young man who was among those who knew the real Emperor of Britannia regarding his real goals and agenda that was unknown to just about everyone in the Empire save for a select few.
"It is, but I think we know this meeting is for matters concerning Japan," The young man spoke before removing his hat with his free hand upon which he greeted the Emperor of Britannia properly with a respectful bow.
"Yes then you know I have spoken to Schneizel then Saihō," Charles asked with an inquiring expression.
"I do, but I trust the subject of me was avoided?"
"Don't worry I made no mention of you since it would be problematic if your survival were to reach certain ears," Charles said waving his left hand dismissively to assure Saihō that whatever secrets Charles kept about him was kept secret still.
"Thank you," Saihō replied before putting his hat back on his head. "Everything is proceeding as planned with Ryūko Matoi attending Honnōji Academy, but to help things along, I arranged through various parties to have Suzaku Kururugi attend as well."
"Lelouch's friend he made during his exile among his family," Charles asked which the young man nodded.
"Your son has the natural gifts of a battlefield commander and a leader, but a fighter he is not…at least not when you compare him to someone of Satsuki Kiryūin's skills," The blonde haired young man said with a sense of barely restrained disgust as he spoke Satsuki's name. "Considering Suzaku's training as a child and his new skills he has received since joining the military he would be more useful to your son and perhaps he could even help Ryūko better polish her fighting skills for what lies ahead."
"I see, but will he willingly aid my son in his plans for rebellion," Charles inquired as he seemed intrigued by the blonde haired boy's actions.
"Against Britannia no considering the information on I got on him, but against Ragyō Kiryuin once he finds out what she has planned then yes."
"If he was in the military how did you arrange for him to attend Honnōji Academy?"
"As you know your majesty there are some in the military who are concerned about Satsuki Kiryuin and her Goku Uniforms, so Suzaku was planted into Honnōji Academy as a means to observe events and get closer to the clubs involved to keep an eye on her for any signs of treachery," Saihō explained.
Saiho knew it was a weak excuse, but for the bigoted members of Britannia's population within the military and other political positions, it was something that would put them at ease. Most importantly it would be an excuse for the young man to have Suzaku attend Honnōji Academy so he can Lelouch could meet and hopefully become allies in the future to better the former prince's changes against Ragyō.
Charles closed his eyes for a moment as if he was carefully contemplating and considering all possible situations involving what Suzaku's involvement at the academy might bring about before saying his final decision on the matter.
"Very well we'll see where this goes, but regarding the demise of Isshin Matoi did you leak information about the Kamui he was creating for his daughter to Ragyō?"
"Of course I did," The boy replied without hesitation. "We both know Isshin was likely planning on telling his daughter everything, but given her profile and her personality its unlikely she would have willingly had joined his crusade against Ragyō Kiryuin especially given the strained relationship between father and daughter."
"So you sought to provide motivation," Charles asked as a small smirk was forming on his lips, but at the same time he couldn't help but suspect Saihō had another reason for leaking the information to Ragyō thereby bringing about Isshin Matoi's demise.
"It was a calculated risk, but Ragyō was closing in on him, and Isshin knew it too…I merely sped it up and ensured his demise would drive Ryūko to seek the reason for his death and to punish those responsible. Hate and a desire for retribution make for far better motivation don't you think so," The boy asked as a dark smile formed on his face.
"I see your point, but I judging from her appearance when I saw her standing with Ragyō recently I believe Nui Harime was sent to do the deed, but she lost an eye in the process," Charles mentioned which only made the smile on the boy's face grow larger in to a cruel smirk.
"That your majesty is what I call a bonus."
"You are quite the manipulator," Charles complimented.
"I had some excellent help, your Majesty which you provided for me ever since I came to you and your brother with information on what Ragyō Kiryuin intended for humanity about eight years ago," Saihō replied before performing a sweeping bow before the Emperor. "I see myself as more of a director," The young man began to explain as he extended his right hand out reaching towards something like a beam of light shined down upon him.
"For the play, I am writing Ryūko Matoi, and Lelouch vi Britannia are our main characters while Satsuki Kiryuin may be a supporting cast member at best unless she proves her mastery with her own Kamui. As the director of this grand play we have been writing for seven years I'll do my utmost to make sure everything proceeds in our favor and the Ragnarök Connection to ensure its success as humanity's last hope for salvation!" Saihō exclaimed boldly before holding out both of his arms in a dramatic fashion.
"Of course and we must stop or at least hinder Ragyō's plans until we obtain the last of the Thought Elevators we need, which reminds me have you discovered C.C's whereabouts?"
"My contacts in Japan have confirmed she has taken over leadership for Nudist Beach following Isshin Matoi's demise," The boy explained which seemed to surprised Charles a bit, but he brushed it aside a moment later.
"I see it still works to our favor either way, but I trust you are keeping tabs on her?"
"I am, but of course I am being careful not to tip off anyone to our observation of Nudist Beach and their new leader."
"Of course I would expect nothing else from you," Charles complimented with a smile.
"I thank you for the confidence and praise for my skills and abilities, which is more so than Isshin Matoi ever gave me for my help," Saihō replied.
"Indeed which was foolish of him, but I get the impression you are not going to be idle, and spying is the last thing you are doing?" Charles inquired knowing what Saihō Harime had in mind.
"No, but for Lelouch and Ryūko's outfits to be all they can be they need more Life-Fibers to absorb."
"Then I am to assume you'll be finding expendable pawns to fight against them then," Charles inquired with an inquisitive expression.
"Yes and I have two people already in mind so far, but I might use a proxy to reach out to some of the more radical members of the Japan Liberation Front and use them too," Saihō said with a devious smile as he put one finger on his chin as he contemplated his future movements and actions.
"You plan on sending more pigs to the slaughter?"
"Yes, because I seriously doubt they could win against Satsuki and the forces she commands, but against Ryūko and Lelouch they might have a better chance. How they act will be up to them, but we'll see if I can't get them to act in a way that will benefit our goals." Saihō answered while various plots and ideas were dancing about his mind, but it was merely deciding and focusing on which plan would lead to the most beneficial outcome.
"That also reminds me did you finish Gino Weinberg's uniform?"
"You mean his new Tristan Regalia," Saihō inquired which Charles nodded his head before the young man answered. "Yes it's finished, and the young man already has it, and his new weapons, a pair of Life-Fiber Blades made custom for his fighting style."
"Excellent, so I assume the other members of the Knights of the Round are adapting to their new uniforms as well?"
"Yes, but the one who stands out the most is Bismarck and his Kamui I designed just for him."
"Of course as the mightiest Knight of the Empire I expect no less from him," Charles exclaimed proudly with a smirk. "I'll be sending Gino to Area 11, but more specifically I intend for him to attend Honnōji Academy to help bolster Satsuki's forces. I hope you don't mind?"
"No it's about time that me hiding in the shadows is coming to a close, but when I step out into the spotlight, I intend to do so with a lot of flair and fanfare."
Once his meeting was over Saihō exited the palace onto a private helipad where a black VTOL transport was waiting for him. Once he was inside seated in a leather cushioned chair his assistant a dark-skinned man with a shaved head wearing a black turtleneck sweater with matching pants. He sat in his own chair before passing Saihō a teacup full of a mocha latte. The young man accepted the cup with a pleased nod of his head, but upon sipping the latte, his eyes snapped open in disgusted realization before spitting out the latte at his assistant Todd who cried out in surprise.
"TODD!" Saihō roared with a deranged and angry look in his eyes before voicing his displeasure about the latte. "DID YOU FORGET THAT I GET FARTY AND BLOATED WITH A FOAMY LATTE?"
"M-m-my mistake sir," Todd muttered fearfully, but he was saved when the phone began ringing. At that moment much to Todd's relief a white furry Persian cat hopped up onto Saihō's lap seemingly causing the young man to calm down. "Damn it enjoying a decent latte is becoming harder these days,"
As Saihō began petting his beloved pet affectionately, Todd answered the phone.
"Lord Harime…its Lord Zevon," Todd said offering the phone to his superior.
"Very well," Saihō said accepting the wireless phone before using one hand to bring the receiver to his ear. "This is an unexpected pleasure to speak to you again Oiaguro."
"Lord Harime I am calling to inquire about that order I placed with you about that uniform?" Oiaguro Zevon said speaking on the other line.
"Yes and you should be receiving the completed product through the usual channels, but what about our deal?"
"Everything is being arranged per your request."
"Excellent," Saihō replied as a devious grin appeared on his face. "I got to call someone else so ciao!"
Hanging up the phone Saihō began quickly dialing another number with a saccharine grin upon his face that seemed too devilish for someone his age to have which made it quite frightening especially for Todd who knew when Saihō had such a smile it did not bode well for anyone.
Across the continent inside an old six-story building within the slums of New York City was the aftermath of a vicious massacre. A merely hour ago the building was the private refuge and home to a notorious crime boss who had most of New York including its police and major businesses in his pocket. But as with most crime bosses, his growing influence and power made him greedy and overly confident which led to him crossing Saihō Harime by threatening some of his business ventures which in turn led to current events. All seventy of his armed guards, most of which were former military and law-enforcement who had the experience to handle almost any siege on the building, laid dead having been killed in very brutal ways. No police officers came to investigate thanks to Saihō Harime's ties to the Emperor to ensure no one would investigate the bloodbath happening within the building, which was for their own good since they would have only ended up dead in any event.
With all of the inhabitants of the building dead save for one man who laid on the ground in a terrified sobbing heap as his legs were bloody from the beating, he was receiving. He had been wearing what was formerly a pristine brown business suit with a red tie which was now torn in places and bloody. The man was a heavy set fellow, but not really obese with curly blonde hair and blue eyes with a slightly tanned complexion.
"Now you made the big mistake of pissing off my employer city boy,"
His attacker and the one responsible for the dead guards and any poor soul unfortunate enough to be a witness had been slain by the large man looming over the terrified crime boss as his assailant spoke with a menacing deep, disembodied voice that sounded like a mix of two voices.
The man was a towering seven feet tall with a substantial and lean muscular frame wearing a large black trench coat with black armored gloves with bright red claws upon them with matching black heeled boots with a red blade tipped on the toes. The eyes of the man were blue, but they utterly lacked focus as if the man wasn't even awake or aware of his current actions. However, his mouth moved and spoke as usual. He wore a black trucker hat on top of his bald head while the rest of his pale face was completely clean shaven.
"So how about you tell me how sorry you are and then we can start discussing who else you have been talking to or I'll just keep beating you with this crowbar," The bald man said maniacal glee in his voice.
He eagerly proceeded to continue beating the downed crime boss with a bloodied crowbar inflicting even more pain upon the man which brought a growing amount of sadistic delight to the man.
"Please…" The crime lord struggled to say between each cry of pain each time he was struck, "I'll…tell you anything just stop."
"That's the spirit and now," The vicious assailant began, but his cell phone began ringing as its ringtone of Let the Bodies Hit the Floor by Drowning Pool began playing signifying that his boss and creator was calling him. "Hold that thought I got to take this," The man said before picking up the phone and bringing the receiver to his ear. "Well howdy, Mr. Harime where can I do for ya?"
The man began listening as Saihō Harime was giving him instructions for what was his next assignment.
"So I am flying to Area 11 huh, so its time then?"
As the bald headed assassin listened to Saihō Harime explained his upcoming mission in Area 11 the man began laughing manically causing the crime lord who was still on the ground to shiver in fear.
"Sure thing I'll be at the airport as soon as possible I just need to clean up…O'Malley out," O'Malley said hanging up his cell phone before turning to gaze upon the terrified and wounded crime boss. "As you heard I got to finish this up so why don't we make this quick?"
Drawing from his trench coat O'Malley drew a pair of machetes made of hardened life fibers before he slowly raised them before the trembling and begging of the crime lord who knew what was next for him, but his fate was already sealed. His crying and whimpering while trying to beg for his life only caused O'Malley's sadistic grin to grow as he prepared to finish up before leaving.
Later that evening in Area 11 where Lelouch had returned home, but this time he decided to have a guest over. Suzaku was invited over for dinner allowing the two a little more privacy for the old friends to catch up on old times since there were certain things the two could not discuss publically. It was hastily planned, but still, a part of Lelouch wanted to catch up with his old friend while speaking someplace where they can discuss specific topics more openly.
The son of Japan's former prime minister arrived shortly after sundown where Lelouch had readied a decent meal consisting of vegetables from his small garden with some of the food left from his own stash. Even though he had a good selection of other vegetables, he found that of all of the vegetables he grew he always found that Lelouch always managed to grow a lot of potatoes, which Lelouch ended up with much more than Lelouch needed, so he gave some of them to Mako's family.
"I am still surprised you are attending this school," Suzaku biting into the dinner Lelouch had cooked.
"The same could be said of you as I didn't quite imagine you would enroll in a place like this."
"Well I guess at least here it feels like I am more in control of my own life," Lelouch mused before taking a drink of water. "Maybe not the best choice of words, but I suppose things could be worse."
"So Nunnally is ok with you attending this school?"
"Yes, although convincing her it was something I had to do was…difficult," Lelouch mused with a smile, but deep down it pained him knowing he would be separated from his sister for long periods of time. It was even worse for Nunnally who did not like it any more than Lelouch did, but he knew it would be insanity to have her attend Honnōji Academy with him.
"I can imagine…I remember the times she would," Suzaku began, but he allowed his sentence to trail off.
"I know, but her time at Ashford Academy has done a lot for her. She is more open, and she is smiling a lot more now than before," Lelouch said with a faint smile as he recalled the times they were staying at the Kururugi Estate.
Few people knew about it, but Nunnally's condition following the demise of their mother worsened after being exiled to Japan. It wasn't physical complications Nunnally was suffering from, but in reality, the problem was with Nunnally herself. Having been rendered entirely helpless coupled with the knowledge that she would be unable to do anything on her own for the rest of her life was a massive blow to the seven-year-old girl. The first incident began when Lelouch was out later than he had intended, so he was caught completely off guard when he returned to the place they had called their home for about a year.
The room was a complete mess.
There was broken glass everywhere, and small furniture had been knocked over with clothes and books tossed around the room.
At first, Lelouch thought it had been the work of someone else, a Japanese person who hated the idea of members of the Britannian Royal Family living there. However, Lelouch realized Nunnally had created the mess as she sat in her wheelchair in the middle of the room seemingly wholly unaware of what happened especially since the doors and windows had been locked. Lelouch, of course, scolded Nunnally like never before including shouting at her, but what appalled Lelouch the most was the look of genuine confusion Nunnally gave him and was utterly oblivious to why Lelouch was so angry with her.
Following that incident, Lelouch took great care to ensure any dangerous and sharp objections were out of her reach, but that didn't solve anything.
Lelouch closed his eyes recalling that whenever he had left Nunnally to either collect food or to attend to a matter outside Nunnally would wreck and make a mess.
She was fine as long as I was around, but the problem was when I wasn't around.
When Nunnally was separated from her brother, her mentality broke down which led to her becoming increasingly more anxious and destructive whenever he was gone. He recalled one time it had gotten so bad he found Nunnally had fallen out of her wheelchair with blood dripping from her head and he found bruises and cuts on her arms which were the result of pounding them on the walls. Lelouch was at a lost over Nunnally's increasingly destructive behavior whenever he wasn't around, but the young man figured it out.
It was a signal from Nunnally to stay with her.
Realistically Lelouch knew it was impossible; because Lelouch knew perfectly well, it would just make matters even worse. If Lelouch stayed with Nunnally, then she wouldn't break things, but she would become even more dependent on him. There was no way Lelouch could have resolved this on his own especially knowing that the more Lelouch protected Nunnally, the more dependent she would become on him. It was a vicious cycle in which the more Lelouch cared for Nunnally, the worse her condition got.
Then Suzaku Kururugi entered their lives.
Their first meeting had been anything but pleasant, and Lelouch didn't hold the boy in high regard seeing him nothing more as a violent boy even if he did help him a few times. His opinion of Suzaku changed when he began visiting Nunnally a month after they started staying at the estate which led to Nunnally stopping her destructive tantrums. Lelouch didn't know if it was because Nunnally was nervous about being around someone else visiting or what, but regardless of the reason, Nunnally had stopped.
I was surprised, but, Lelouch began thinking as he realized he was frustrated and a bit angry that Suzaku of all people was able to take care of a very problematic situation he couldn't resolve.
However it was then Lelouch saw Suzaku Kururugi as a person and not just a savage Japanese child, a view he held for other children from Japan at the time until his time with Suzaku changed his views in more ways than one. In the end, Suzaku and Lelouch became friends after the latter opened up more to him, which was only possible because Nunnally had opened up to him and befriended him first because Suzaku had shed some light on Nunnally's closed world.
"You know you have changed a lot since those days," Suzaku commented deciding a new direction in the conversation was called for.
"So have you," Lelouch said with a slight smile before he added. "You seem to be more mellow than you used to be seven years ago."
"Heh and you seem a lot rougher, but considering the conditions of the slums you are doing a good job taking care of yourself here," Suzaku complimented.
Suzaku recalled the garden he saw outside along with some of the supplies Lelouch had on hand including with how well kept and clean his living quarters were compared to the rest of the homes he had seen around the slums.
"Well unlike a majority of some of the students I knew what I was getting into when I enrolled here, so I moved in here prepared with everything I needed to get started," Lelouch answered, which was true, but at that moment Lelouch remembered something. "Speaking of which I just remembered No-Late day is happening the day after tomorrow."
"No-Late Day?" Suzaku asked with a look of genuine confusion on his face.
"Yes, so I better tell you what it's about and what you'll need."
A few hours later that same evening close to eleven Kallen was inside the hidden room of her brother's sewing shop along with Ohgi, but they were not alone as others were present inside the room as well. All of them were Japanese with them at least over their twenties. Naoto took a deep breath before he addressed the gathering before him.
"Thank you guys for coming," Naoto said as a proper greeting to those who were his friends and were members of his own resistance group he had formed. "We're still far from being ready to retake Japan from Britannia, but we are better off than we were."
"What the hell do you mean by that Naoto?" Shinichirō Tamaki snapped.
"What he is saying is that we are going to need a lot more manpower and weapons to pull this off, but it's not like we're going to be liberating Japan tomorrow or anything," Ohgi pointed out.
"Well aren't we part of Nudist Beach?"
"No we're splitting away from them," Naoto explained with a stern expression on his face.
"WHAT," most of the room declared collectively with the exceptions of Naoto, Ohgi, and Kallen, but she was nevertheless surprised by this move.
"Don't tell me you guys think Nudist Beach is going to be Ragyō Kiryuin and liberate Japan especially since they are moving more towards developing their Dōtonbori Robo," Naoto said with a tint of disgust in his eyes as he recalled the Dōtonbori Robo.
"I agree with you, which we all know Knightmare Frames could run circles around those things."
"Then why the hell are they so focused on building them up?" The only other female of the group, Naomi Inoue asked.
"Because of two people…Kaneo Takarada and Aikurō Mikisugi," Zero spoke from the doorway as he had just arrived in time to hear Inoue's question. Lelouch had come wearing Reiketsu in its active form complete with his signature mask. "Kaneo Takarada especially has been fueling the developing of the Dōtonbori Robo, which isn't helped by the fact that most Japanese rebels would prefer using them over Knightmare Frames simply because they don't like using anything that is from Britannia unless they got no choice," Lelouch added in a cynical tone.
"You took the words right out of my mouth Zero," Naoto said with a smile.
"He's Zero," Kent Sugiyama said in surprise at the appearance of the mysterious masked man.
"Yes and one of the few people capable of wearing a Kamui at full power, but also Japan's best hope for liberation from Britannia," Naoto said introducing Zero to his friends.
"Thank you Naoto," Zero said with an appreciated nod from the masked man. "As I was saying, although the Takarada Conglomerate had managed to survive and continue operating underground since the conquest of the Britannia thanks to the former head of the Takarada Conglomerate having bribed all of the right people and had been ready for the worse when Japan lost the war. It was officially ended when Japan became Area 11, but unofficially it has managed to survive through some proxy and dummy companies operated by Britannians who had been bought out that was created in Area 11."
"Ok, so why hasn't that bitch Kiryuin found them out yet?" Yoshitaka Minami inquired.
"Kaneo Takarada may be arrogant and shameless on many counts, but even he is no fool. When leadership changed from Clovis to Satsuki, he was careful enough to hide his operations while ensuring he carefully paid off the right people to keep Satsuki's clean sweep of the government from discovering his activities. Even the threat of possible execution for their association with Takarada was enough to ensure they kept quiet as well," Lelouch explained.
"To complicate things further Takarada had taken over Kururugi's Seat on the Six House of Kyoto, which as a result has spilt the six houses down the middle," Lelouch explained.
Although they should technically be called the seven houses of Kyoto because unofficially the seat the Kiryuin family had been forfeited, but publically they are still considered a member for the sake of maintaining appearances and avoiding drawing the wrath of Satsuki Kiryuin and her mother.
"So what does this mean for us?" Kallen asked joining the conversation.
"We are forming our own organization independent of Nudist Beach and the Japan Liberation Front," Zero answered before going on to further explain with a dramatic extension of his right arm. "We have obtained the support of Kaguya Sumeragi and Taizō Kirihara thanks to the connections of Dr. Isshin Matoi before his unfortunate demise."
"You still need to meet with them to finalize arrangements through," Naoto said to remind the masked man.
"Yes I know, but it will have to wait for the first break that is to come after No-Late Day," Lelouch noted before deciding to address another related issue. "That reminds me did you discuss with your sister about her preparations for No-Late Day?"
"No-late Day," Kallen inquired with a confused expression before Naoto shook his head in response.
"Not yet, but I thought once we were done here I would talk to her about and provide her with some tools she'll need to make it through it."
"So what is our group going to be called then," Ohgi asked knowing that Zero and Naoto had been discussing some ideas for names.
"Zero and I have been talking about that," Naoto said deciding to let anyone else know it was something discussed between Zero and him to avoid any obvious objections at the name.
"We shall be called the Black Knights," Zero declared proudly.
Around the same time another late night meeting was taking place at Honnōji Academy itself, but this time it was in one of the sub-basements of the academy where its own stores of Knightmare Frames were kept. Satsuki Kiryuin walking along a catwalk overlooking the Knightmare Frames while working beside her was Inumuta with Gamagōri faithfully close by following behind two of Satsuki's guests. One of them wore a white lab coat with black pants and had light pale blue hair wearing glasses over his blue eyes while his assistant had dark blue hair and light blue eyes wearing an orange and black trimmed uniform.
"You say you lack a pilot for your new prototype?" Satsuki inquired stoically.
"Yes ma'am, all of our attempts to convince a pilot to volunteer due to the lack of an ejection block," Lloyd Asplund answered.
"Such pathetic cowards," Satsuki commented in disgust as the group continued their way towards the end of the catwalk where a door ahead of them led into a unique hanger where the prototype Lloyd spoke of was being kept. Once they were in the next room, Satsuki followed by everyone else behind her ascended down a flight of stairs before walking towards the machine in question.
It was similar to most Knightmare Frames, but its design was much more streamlined and less bulky than models Satsuki was familiar with. Its armor was white with gold trim making it look more like an actual knight with slash-harkens on its hips and forearms.
"Is this it," The Viceroy of Area 11 inquired.
"Yes, this is the Z-01 Lancelot the world's first seventh generation Knightmare Frame."
Satsuki approached the machine to examine it more closely; it looked impressive but was it adept as Lloyd claimed it would be.
"It looks impressive, but is it all you claim to be?" Satsuki asked as she examined the machine with a discerning eye until Inumuta spoke up.
"I finished going over the data of the machine, although I am not expert on Knightmare Frames its combat specs are much higher than the Gloucester by a considerable margin."
"The data we're hoping to collect will be used to improve the technology and then develop newer machines before creating a new model for mass production."
Lloyd was quick to throw in hoping to sway Satsuki's decision since the Advance Envoy Special Engineering Corps had been running into trouble trying to acquire a pilot to continue its research and development program. In the Britannian Homeland, the Advanced Special Envoy Engineering Corps otherwise known as Camelot was a Britannian Special Research Division founded by Schneizel el Britannia with Lloyd as its leader, but what made it an irregular division is the autonomy that was granted to it by the Prime Minister of Britannia and the former Viceroy.
Clovis never made aggressive use of Camelot nor helped it developed the new technologies and weapons it was seeking to create and improve upon them, but upon learning about them, Satsuki had begun to change that ever since she took over as Viceroy.
"In that case, I'll personally use the Lancelot," Satsuki announced to the surprise of everyone present before she added. "I will be leaving for the city of Nakatsugawa in the Gifu Prefecture tomorrow morning. From the city, we will launch an attack on the Blood of the Samurai hiding at their mountain base on the edge of the Kiso Mountain range. Jakuzure and Inumuta will accompany me while Gamagōri and Sanageyama will remain behind to manage things while I am away."
"Very well Lady Satsuki," Gamagōri said somewhat reluctantly, although he knew the members of her personal guard would be there and with Jakuzure he was confident she wouldn't allow anything to happen to Satsuki.
"Thank you very much for this opportunity," Lloyd said excitingly.
"If your machine fails to live up to exceptions the price will be steep," Satsuki warned without a hint or change from her stoic expression.
It was past midnight when Lelouch finally returned home, and he was tried as he changed out into his sleepwear as he was preparing to go to sleep after brushing his teeth. His Kamui was set upon its usual spot which was a hanger hanging from his closet door. As Lelouch lay down to go to sleep, his Kamui spoke to him.
"Lelouch are you alright with lying to Ryūko and Suzaku like this?"
"Not really Reiketsu, but," Lelouch allowed the sentence to trail off for a moment. "It's for the best, so I must lie to Suzaku, Ryūko, Mako, and even Nunnally for their own sake and not just my own. Even if I had reservations doing, so there's no going back now. I can't turn back…as long as you and I are together, we have to keep at this because…I don't wanna lie to myself anymore."
"Lelouch," Reiketsu said feeling concerned for his master for all of the lies he must put up for the sake of protecting himself as well as his sister.
"Until I meet you I was dead…an impotent corpse existing behind a false guise of life," Lelouch began as he lay in his bed looking up at the ceiling. "A life in which I did nothing real as day to day I simply went through the motions of living as if I were a zombie and I always had the feeling that I was gradually dying. If I am condemned to go back to that, then I would rather die, so this is the path I will walk down."
"Give me liberty orgive me death is it?"
"Heh yeah you could say that, but I appreciate you sticking with me Reiketsu. You have become one of my closest friends since you are one of the very few people I don't need to lie to."
Reiketsu was surprised by that admittance as well as touched.
"Thank you, Lelouch…"
Two days later, it was morning at the royal palace at Pendragon the Emperor was seated on his throne for another day of dealing with vassals and various complaints from the nobility including reports and news from the military higher-ups. But there was one appointment the Emperor was both interested and yet somewhat concerned about at the same time.
On the opposite side of the throne room, one of the royal guards standing by the massive double doors spoke as the doors opened letting in a bright if not almost blinding rainbow light into the throne room causing some nobles and members of the royal family to shield their eyes from the bright light.
"Now announcing Grand Duchess Ragyō Kiryuin, head of the Kiryuin Conglomerate," The guardsman announced as Ragyō began walking towards the throne while her personal secretary Rei was following right behind her.
Ragyō was grinning as she felt the glares of the nobles that hated her or rather envied her for a variety of reasons which included how quickly she rose through the ranks of the nobility and positions she and her daughter had received.
Upon reaching the throne as Rei bowed respectfully to the Emperor before Ragyō addressed the Emperor while the Kiryuin matriarch did not bow at all which was something else that angered the nobility.
"Hail your majesty I trust everything is going well with our arrangements?"
"To provide free REVOCS clothing to the numbers in the newly conquered territories of Britannia, but yes, of course, however that is not the only reason you are here today."
"Of course, but you are aware of one of those reasons." Ragyō replied with a coy smile on her face.
"There have been some troubling rumors surrounding you that have reached some here in Pendragon."
"There are so many to choose from," Ragyō mused with a smile as she brought one hand to her face.
"Unsurprisingly betrayal is a common one."
"Ah, yes. That is usually the first. Let me see if I remember it correctly." Ragyō began before folding her arms under her bosom. "While Britannia's enemies both within and beyond attack the evil Ragyō Kiryuin undermines Britannia from within forging secret alliances with Britannia's enemies to take over the entire world once the smoke clears."
The nobles began muttering to themselves while Ragyō kept speaking as Charles was silent.
"But really, Your Majesty, why stop there. I have heard much more festive variations. I make oaths with pagan gods, seduce you in your own chambers, teach pigs to dance and horses to fly and keep the moon carefully hidden within my hair. Have I forgotten anything?"
"It does seem rather farfetched," Charles said with an amused smile while Rei was seemingly equally amused by some of the rumors with the teaching pigs to dance rumor her favorite since it was in some ways accurate which made it quite humorous especially when you think of humans as pigs instead.
"Sire, if there are any doubts about my loyalty, they will be laid to rest by the end of this year I assure you. Of course, my daughter's performance as Viceroy thus far should also help quell any questions about my loyalty." Ragyō noted as the smile never faded from her face.
"I am not overly worried about your loyalty, but there is something else is there?" Charles replied as stoically as he usually was.
"I have noticed some of the new uniforms your royal guard, especially your Knight of One is wearing," Ragyō said as her eyes shifted to look at a man standing off to the side of the throne room where Ragyō noticed the man in his late forties was watching him. He had long black hair and one eye sewn shut wearing a white and gold trimmed uniform which seemed similar to past Knight of the Round Uniforms, but this one had a pair of red and orange eyes around the wide collar of the white coat Bismarck Waldstein wore.
So he's wearing a Kamui, but who could have made that for him?
"The Grand Couturier of the Royal Family," Charles replied as Ragyō had a clear look of interest in her eyes.
"A new post you created?"
"Yes indeed creating clothing for members of the royal guard, the Knights of the Round and certain members of the royal family. Including select members of the nobility similar if not greater than the Goku Uniforms of your daughter's academy," Charles explained which surprised some members of the Nobility present considering how well guarded the secrets of Honnōji Academy's uniforms were.
"My daughter didn't loan you someone from the academy I presume?"
"No she did not, but if you wish to know the identity of the Grand Couturier, it shall be revealed in good time I assure you."
"Really now…I look forward to learning the identity of this genius you have hidden away," Ragyō replied with a sweet smile while thinking.
Not if Nui finds out who this person is after breaking into Area 51! Ragyō Kiryuin thought.
Ragyō recalled how she and Rei had Nui parachute down to the outskirts of Las Vegas with the mission to break into Homey Airport otherwise called Area 51 which is over eighty miles northeast of Las Vegas. The purpose of the base is unknown to the public, but it was secretly the site where Britannia conducts tests on experimental new weapons and technologies and a place where a tremendous amount of life fibers had been detected at.
It was merely a question if Nui Harime, the girl who claims she can go wherever she wants, was capable of breaking into one of the most heavily guarded Britannian bases ever.
A/N: Well another chapter is over, and a lot is going to happen next chapter with Satsuki taking the Lancelot out for a spin with Jakuzure likely to provide some aerial support as the Viceroy goes resistance fighter hunting. Although it seems radical for her to go, does Satsuki have another reason for going after those poor folks hiding in a mountain base?
Meanwhile, Nui is going to try her hand by breaking into one of Britannia's most heavily guarded bases to determine the identity of Grand Couturier of the Royal Family who has been producing Life-Fiber infused uniforms for Charles including a Kamui for the Knight of One as a game changer. Of course, the other Knights of the Round will have either a Kamui of their own or a uniform similar to what Satsuki's Elite Four wears.
And yes the Grand Couturier of the Royal Family is Saihō Harime, the twin rebellious twin brother of Nui Harime. He has been supplying Charles with uniforms infused with life fibers and information on Nudist Beach, Lelouch and even Ryūko as well as Ragyō's plans including very clear indications that he has a history with Ryūko's father given that he indirectly sold him out to Ragyō to give Ryūko better motivation as he puts it.
His first name means Needlepoint.
Now no one worry Ragyō Kiryuin will still be the final villain Lelouch, Ryūko and Satsuki will face off with Saihō Harime seeking to overthrow and kill his own maker, but he is willing to use whatever it takes including using allies and enemies alike to achieve his ends with a Xanatos Gambit coupled with a pragmatic mindset.
You can find his profile and picture on my deviant art profile page/gallery, but be warned there are spoilers there. He was made to be a flamboyant villain to be different from other ones I made with a mix of David Xanatos, Rattigan, Mugatu, and Willy Wonka (Gene Wilder version specifically) borrowing some aspects and inspirations.
So vote on my profile page, and I am open to suggestions and thoughts on upcoming events in the story. I look forward to your reviews. Depending on the reception of the character Saihō Harime I might use him in the KH fic as well too.
