Chapter 7
Battle of Tokyo-Center
The forces of Sugiyama and Minami stared in shock at the monstrous form of the Gawain. The massive frame floated in midair supported by two dark purple energy wings, each with six energy feathers, the devastation caused by the energy bolts from the feathers struck down many of the enemy frames leaving scrap metal littered on the ground.
"I say this to the enemy before me," said Lelouch over the Gawain's speakers and echoing across the battlefield. "You have gone against the will of the Japanese people, seeking to destroy what they have built and cutting down the innocent in your path. For this leniency is not an option, you can only live past this day by surrendering and slaving for the people you have wronged. If you resist then you shall die and burn in the deepest pits of hell!"
"What are you waiting for shoot him!" cried Minami. The traitorous frames opened fire and a storm of metal flew through the air towards the emperor's frame. But like a wave on a cliff the shells bounced off the absolute defense field that surrounded the massive frame just as the projectiles neared.
"So be it, your useless shells have answered for you!" yelled Lelouch, "therefore your fates are sealed. Now face the might of Britannia, face the vengeance of the Japanese you wronged."
Men in their knightmares began to shake in fear at the metallic voice of zero as it grew steadily louder.
"Face the wrath of zero! Behold the power of the RADIANT WAVE HADRON CANNON!"
Flashback-Unknown Location
"Here sire is your new knightmare or maybe old is a better word," badly joked a scientist. The emperor just kept the bored expression on his face until he saw the frame before him.
"The Gawain?" said the emperor. "I thought it was destroyed."
"Well yes it was your majesty," replied the scientist. "But we still had the blueprints for it, unlike the Shinkiro. My apologies about that frame sire, but it was too badly damaged to repair."
"It's fine please go on with your briefing," said Lelouch coldly.
"Now, now Lelouch no need to be mean," said C.C. in a teasing voice.
"Remind me again why I brought you along?" asked Lelouch.
C.C. just hugged Cheese-kun closer to her and smirked, "you just can't stand being apart from me."
Lelouch just sighed and said to the scientist, "continue please."
"Yes sire," said the scientist. "As you can see this is basically a rebuilt Gawain, however it is 7 meters tall instead of the old 6.57 meters. This is for several reasons, one of which is because we have implemented a slightly more powerful energy core. We've also installed the new prototype Radiant Wave Hadron Cannon, surprisingly Radiant Wave and Hadron tech are extremely compatible, any way the new cannons are nearly as powerful as the Mordred's Stark Hadron Canon and with less recharge time. Not to mention there's different firing styles for the canons, giving them a wide range of uses. Moving on this frame also includes the salvaged Absolute Defense Field from the Shinkiro."
"Impressive," said Lelouch.
"You are too kind sire," replied the scientist practically swooning from the compliment. "We have also replaced the old float system for energy wings, this will allow for faster movement and mobility. And since they are energy wings they can be used as offensive weapons and defensive shields should there be a reason. And just in case an enemy should happen to get close to you the upper wrist have sheathed MVS swords and the underside of the wrist is the new experimental Duel Fire VARIS. This weapon can fire like a normal VARIS but can switch to a hadron blaster mode, and fire sphere like hadron blasts like the Shinkiro, plus the a Gawain still has its finger slash harkens. "
"Excellent," said Lelouch. "I also heard that you salvaged the Shinkiro's blasters, if you would please mount those on the Mordred."
"Yes sire, now if you follow me to the cockpit," said the scientist. Lelouch and C.C. complied and followed, they quickly arrived on a raised platform looking into the pilot compartment of the frame.
"Sire," said the scientist. "The Gawain still comes with all the necessities that make it a battlefield command frame. Advanced communications, multiple display screens, ect. As well the entire cockpit is ejectable and can fit two people if needed. On a very interesting note sire the cockpit also has an experimental neural link system that we based off Jeremiah's implants and we designed this neural system for your neck implant."
"Really?" asked Lelouch.
"Well sire the reason you'll be able to use this system is because your physic is at a higher level than before, dew to your code, therefore you can handle the strain of the system. This is a simplified version of the system the Knight of One uses, however as I said it requires a certain level of physical fitness to use though hence your upgrade."
"Alright," agreed Lelouch. "Though I take it that even simpler versions of this system are in the works."
"Oh yes sire, definitely, we are working on a system that does not require too much physical conditioning and bodily tech upgrades."
"Very well what will this system allow me to do?"
"Sire it will allow you to operate the Absolute Defense Field, communications, and weapons targeting and firing. You will however need to pilot the knightmare manually though, in my opinion however this is a good trade off don't you think."
Flashback End
Two red beams shot from the Gawain impacting ahead of the barricade, knightmares began to melt and bubble and finally exploding. Lelouch then directed the beams up the street destroying even more knightmares and disintegrating infantry, their dying screams barely left their mouths before they died. Shouts of triumph emanated from the Black Knights as they began to fight back, advancing back onto previously lost ground.
"No, NO! It can't end like this!" screamed Mianami as his frame deployed a float system as did two others next to him, they then flew up towards the Gawain. "I will not allow it to end like this!"
Then two Cobra knightmares whose heads resembled the helmet of Zero appeared, this signified them as part of the IZG. Their MVS lances in their hands they charged the advancing knightmares, Minami dodged the Cobras as they engaged his bodyguards. The left Cobra slashed in a downward right arc slashing across the enemy frames chest, then peppering the frame with bullets from its left machine gun causing the enemy to explode. The right Cobra had its lance blocked by the enemies arm, the cobra reached out with its other hand and gripped the enemy's free hand, keeping it from bringing its weapon to bear. The guardsman then fired its shoulder mounted VARIS blasting a hole through the chest of the enemy frame which then fell limp back to the ground.
Minami meanwhile had continued his mad charge towards Lelouch screaming a war cry all the way.
"You are a fool Minami," said Lelouch, "you cannot stop me this time."
Lelouch brought up his left arm deploying his sword, blocking Minami's attack. Throwing him away and deploying his right sword, Minami let out another scream and charged again. Lelouch blocked with his right sword this time and taking advantage off the opening swung his left across Minami's center cutting the frame in half.
"Your anger blinds you," smirked Lelouch. He then took advantage of the added agility and speed granted by the energy wings to twirl around behind Minami. Bringing both swords to bear he sliced both Minami's frame's arms and float wings off, and causing the ejecting system to activate.
"Capture him," ordered Lelouch, "he will be dealt with later."
Turning his attention back to the battle at hand, he began to issue orders.
"Jeremiah, Anya, send out skirmishers and begin counter attack. You two will act as pincers to cut off the enemy's ability to maneuver."
"Yes your majesty," both Jeremiah and Anya answered over the radio. Turning Lelouch saw Tamaki's Gekka and a dinged pink Lancelot which had clearly seen action.
"Tamaki, C.C., the center will advance, friendly reinforcements are coming in behind the enemy lines, we will tramp them on all sides and crush them. Only take prisoners if they surrender, otherwise kill them all," said Lelouch darkly.
"Certainly Lulu," replied C.C. using his nickname to tease the emperor.
Tamaki then used words Lelouch never thought he would hear him say, they were repeated by every Black Knight present when Tamaki gave the order to advance. "Yes my lord."
"I will take out their air power," said Lelouch as he focused on the three enemy air ships. Words then appeared before the emperor on his HUD 'Target locked, RWH Canons-Armor Piercing mode'. Twin red beams shot forward, the target not maneuvering to get out of the way was impacted by the beams. The area around the impact rippled and twin explosions ripped the ship apart. The other two then stopped their attacks and began to maneuver away, it was then that the Great Britannia and her escorts dropped shields and let loose volleys of shells and rocket fire. Both enemies were rippled with explosions one succumbing to its damage almost immediately and crashed to the ground breaking it bunches of exploding pieces. The second was ripped apart by the twin beams from the Gawain.
Enemy VTOL gunships then began an attack obviously aimed at destroying the Gawain. They were however surprised as Knightmares of the IZG appeared amongst them, for they had been moving on the ground and waiting in ambush for this very thing. The gunships stood no chance against the IZG and were being shot down left and right. But as quickly as they appeared they retreated, the pilots of the VTOLs then turned their gaze to the Gawain. Said frame then unleashed its RWH canons on the gunships, when they fired they fired in blooming fashion like the wide blast from the Guren. The gunships began to explode the rippling explosions rattled the sky, those that did not explode were shot down by the IZG when the Gawain's attack stopped.
"Sire," said Jeremiah over the radio. "All enemies are retreating to their center, they are no doubt preparing for another attack in the hopes to break us."
"Very good Jeremiah, Invincible's planes have arrived," said Lelouch gazing at the blips that appeared on his radar screen. "They will make their attack run on the concentrated enemy, the IZG will then attack from the air amongst the enemy and cause confusion. You, Anya, C.C., and Tamaki will then attack from all sides. Tell all units to watch their fire and go with honor and strike like steal."
"Yes sire," replied Jeremiah and all the compadres.
Sugiyama's Position
"Why isn't the Gawain destroyed, where are the VTOLS and our air cover?!" screamed Sugiyama. Frustrated over the disappearance of Minami, the destruction of his battleships and the continuous reports from field commanders saying they were falling back.
"They have been destroyed sir," answered a soldier.
"What?!" yelled Sugiyama. "No matter our counter attack will break enemy lines and we can capture the demon and use him as a bargaining tool."
"INCOMING," cried someone. Looking up Sugiyama could see silver specks in the sky, he then realized that they were getting closer. Planes lots of planes. Streaks of smoke then shot from the planes and moved towards him.
"Oh shi-," Sugiyama never finished as his command frame was shook and knocked over by a massive explosion. Standing his frame up he looked around and saw that the area around him was scorched and many frames were in pieces and sparking. Explosions continued to ripple around him as the planes swarmed overhead, suddenly blue green flashes could be seen. Deploying his fact sphere he looked ahead of him and he what looked like a bulked up version of a Vincent. On its arms were what looked like large VARIS rifles, two green flashes burst from the barrels of the weapons and the frames that were hit blew apart in spectacular form. Quickly following the explosions the Mizuchi loosed streams of bullets from its machine guns as it activated its float system and took to the air.
Turning once more Sugiyama saw more frames like it doing much the same everywhere. Firing VARIS shots that took several knightmares frames down with each shot and peppering other frames with their machine guns.
Several Akatsukis moved next his and the soldier said, "sir you have to move our positions been compromised!" Looking at the soldier Sugiyama was about to scold the soldier for cowardice but never had the chance, as small slash harkens collided with it and the others around it sending the frames to the ground. Looking up Sugiyama beheld the form of the Gawain, releasing a war cry he opened fire with his machine gun only for the shells to bounce of the Gawain's shields. Raising its right arm a VARIS shot blasted the ground below him, Sugiyama's frame fell to the ground riddled with holes and unable to move.
"You have lost," echoed Lelouch's voice. More bullets suddenly flew by the Gawain, but none seemed to find their mark, and those that did bounce of the large frames armor. Lelouch's gaze fell upon the prone form of one the Akatsuki's his harkens had downed. It had razed itself on what was left of his left arm and its right arm was pointed at the Gawain, but shook under its own weight. Raising his own arm Lelouch fired a Hadron blast from his Duel Fire VARIS obliterating the frame once and for all.
Turning one last time Lelouch looked down at Sugiyama's frame as the man inside spoke. "Dammit, why don't you just die?"
"It is you who will die traitor," said the emperor coldly. Breathing heavily Sugiyama screamed, "no! I won't die, not by your hands!" His frame was then engulfed in light as it exploded disintegrating the traitor within.
"Coward," stated Lelouch.
The battle that day was won by Britannia, towards the end of the battle with their leader dead the enemy was thrown into confusion. Of the around Ninty-thousand troops under Minami and Sugiyama's command, only about five-thousand surrendered. The speed and ferocity of the Black Knight's final attack had left no time for the enemy to think as a whole about surrender, the five thousand that gave up did so on their own. No enemy wounded that did not surrender were not taken prisoner, the third and last battle of Tokyo was a resounding victory in the annals of military history.
Tokyo-Execution Grounds
Darkness was all Minami knew when he awoke until the blind fold was removed from his face and his eyes burned from the light. The last thing he had known was men entering his cell and injecting him with something. Now he realized where he was he was tied to a tall pole on the execution field with a crowd of Japanese staring at him in a deathly silence. Tamaki then appeared before him a starred at him with absolute hate in his eyes.
"Traitor," growled Minami, but his attempt to sound intimidating did not work as he cowered when he had spoken.
"No," said Tamaki coldly, "you are the traitor, I'm just your executioner. But your situations not all bad the crowd has a song to bid you farewell."
At Tamaki's gesture loud music began to play over speakers and the crowd began singing a very familiar song, "Truth and hope in our Fatherland and…"
Minami stared in horror and began to shed tears realizing he was now going to die with the hate of the Japanese people on his shoulders. Tamaki then pulled a pistol as the crowd continued to sing and pointed it at Minami's head.
"I have only three words to say to you and I've thought over these words and they're quite fitting," said Tamaki, Minami looked up into Tamaki's face as his executioner screamed. "ALL HAIL BRITANNIA YOU SON OF A B****!"
The crowd stopped singing and burst into cheers as Minami's brains were blown out the back of his head. The execution pillar stained red with blood Tamaki then holstered his pistol and walked of the stage with a satisfied smirk.
Tokyo, Japan/Britannia-Outside the Temporary Government Building
Lelouch in his black and gold suit stood on a makeshift platform with a podium in the center. C.C. stood at his right wearing and elegant black and gold dress Jeremiah on his left in his knight attire. Tamaki to Jeremiah's left in his uniform and Anya at C.C.'s right in her uniform with a pink Black Knights sigil sown in her cape. Lelouch then moved to the podium.
"People of Japan and of Britannia," spoke Lelouch to the crowd and cameras gathered before him. "We have won a victory that has secured Japans position as the capital of this new empire. The will of the Japanese people can no more be denied, and we have proved that freedom will be fought for at any cost. And today we will show the world the strength the Japanese have given to the Black Knights and the commitment of the whole empire has to its ideals."
With those words music began to play, a march, the loud sound of brass and drums filled the air. A column of soldiers then appeared on the street they were packed in a tight formation that stretched the width of the street. In front of them strode a color guard that escorted the new Britannian flag and the flag of the Black Knights in all their glory. Following the soldiers were parade formations of Knightmares and Armored Vehicles their pilots and crews sticking out of their hatches. As the troops marched passed the platform that held the emperor their heads swiveled to see him and they presented arms. Five hundred thousand Black Knights then paraded through Tokyo a cheering crowd on either side of them and all this was broadcast all over the worldwide. Fear of Britannia and the Black Knights redoubled that day.