A.U. Slightly shorter chapter this time, had some issues in several areas.

Chapter 18

Tokyo, Britannia-November 28, 2021 a.t.b.

It came again, the dream, for days, weeks, repeatedly the dream came and left him sweaty and disturbed. It always began with a civilization of legendary proportions, so much so that it was not confined to one terrestrial body. Spread across the stars the great civilization thrived, peace reigned across the empire that was created. But as it thrived so did its own arrogance and its decadence the souls of the people growing complacent in their own power.

Then as Lelouch watched, from the darkness, a demon's voice spoke whispering words to the populace. Many fell to its words and aided the demon doing its biding opening the way for its coming. And from the darkness the demon came, its skin made of metal and dark flesh and with many limbs it beckoned a great horde of its kind and waged war on the civilization. The demon's army rampaged across the empire nothing the civilization could do could stop the demon's army. Even their own dead would rise at the demon's call and turn on their former comrades.

As the dark horde closed in around the capital of the civilization, leaving no survivors in its wake, the civilization searched for a last ditch plan. Anything even if it kills them they would at least take the enemy with them. It was then that a site familiar to Lelouch appeared, the androgynous forms of the Code Bearers, he had seen in geass vision, were contacted by the civilization. Together these two peoples built a great weapon, half mystic and half technological. At the center of which Lelouch saw a truly terrifying site, the swirling helix of the Sword of Akasha. The weapon that Charles had attempted to kill God with had been created for a different purpose. As the weapon was being built the Bearers and the civilization prepared for the final battle knowing that it would end one of sides.

The demon horde came, the battle shifted many times both sides gaining ground only to lose it paid with blood. As the battle raged the weapon was prepared, but in the haste to prepare the weapon for war not every part was complete. But with the enemy literally at the gates it mattered little to either of the defenders. Then the demon that had brought the war took to the field, its many limbs smashed the civilizations defenders killing scores in single attacks. As the dying cries of the civilization filled the heavens the weapon was activated, the Code Bearers lending their power to the weapons attack.

The Great Demon sensed the growing power of the weapon and made to retreat sensing the danger while sending its lackeys to try and destroy the weapon. But it was too late the weapon fired and the power of the attack spread across the empire. As the attack spread the horde fell dying as their spirits were burned from the inside out. Even the great demon was touched by the attack feeling the destructive force of the weapon. But as the weapon had been rushed not all of the enemy fell to the weapon and many escaped. Tis included the great demon, it limped back into the darkness its vita spilling out behind it. As it shrank into the nothingness of the void it called back swearing vengeance.

Yet within their victory the defenders lost, in using the incomplete weapon many of the Codes had been destroyed. The Bearers of the destroyed Codes becoming mortal, but the older civilization suffered even more horribly. The war and final battle had ensured the extinction of their race, culture and civilization. It was always at this point that Lelouch would awaken, sitting straight up and sweating profusely. Tonight was no different Lelouch sat up heavily breathing C.C. looked up at him from her own spot on the bed.

"Was it the same dream?" asked C.C.

Lelouch nodded and said, "yeah and I still don't know what's going on."

"Are you certain it's related to Geass?" asked the Empress.

Again Lelouch nodded and replied, "I'm certain especially with the reoccurring appearance of the Code Bearers."

"So what do you plan to do?"

Lelouch sighed, before reaching over to the side table pressing the activation key on the intercom. The voice of Sayoko sounded, "yes Lelouch-sama?"

"Ready my transport and guards," said Lelouch. "We're going to Kamine Island."

Paris, European Union-December 12, 2021 a.t.b.

Hans Maximilian was not an imposing man, he stood at about five foot five, had considerable girth and weighed close to two hundred pounds; though serious medical procedures kept below the mark. He wore round glasses that shown like the medals on his chest, and his hair line was receding and his hair stank of repeated dyeing to keep the graying hair away. If not for these things Maximilian could easily be mistaken for a child as his voice was also high pitched and childlike.

Said voice however was silent as the mind behind the blue eyes of the Republican Guard commander gazed across the map of Paris. He watched as icons swirled around the city, a separate map showed the area around the city, and like its counterpart icons swirled. The icons showed the movements of Britannian, EU, and Guard forces. A week prior the enemy had entered the outskirts of Paris, all attempts to stop the advance of the enemy had failed. Now Maximilian was in command defending Paris with a large amount of Republican Guard and army units.

Guard units were spread through the line of contact through the city bolstering the army units. As the enemy advanced he paid with each gain with blood, he continued to sit as reports flooded his sense. An aide said, "enemy air units have opened a hole in sector four, enemy ground units are advancing through the gap."

Maximilian opened his mouth and spoke in his high pitched scratching voice, "artillery barrage flatten the blocks ahead of them. Move reserves forward, army frame unit to counter attack through sector three into the enemy flank."

"Yes sir."

Sector 4

EU artillery fell ahead of the Britannian advance and amongst the troops, buildings in front of the advance crumbled as their supports were destroyed. Britannian troops took cover were they could, Britannian frames who had them activated shields. Electromagnetic shields and Blaze Luminous shields activated and shrapnel and explosive shells bounced from the energy fields. But not all units were equipped with shields and many frames succumbed to the barrage falling into flames.

As the explosive rain let up EU Hummels appeared on flank of the Britannian forces. Infantry and knightmares traded fire, green/blue VARIS shots and autocannon shells passed each other. Minirockets swarmed from the launchers on the Mizuchis' shoulders, and like insects home in on their targets. Fire storms erupted from the alley ways and streets, the roar of the flames almost overpowering the screams of wounded and dying men. The Britannian infantryman's full body combat armor gave him more protection than the EU's chest armor and combat helmet. The helmets of the Britannian infantry helmet provided a large quantity of ear protection along with a wide range of views ranging from infrared to night vision and targeting systems.

Thus when the Britannian infantry fired from windows or nearby buildings or from behind debris EU soldiers fell like clockwork. Rockets fried from RPGs sent enemy soldiers flying and the occasional EU vehicle up in flames. Also on occasion the crimson light of the new Radiant Wave Hadron infantry weapons shown throw the clouds of smoke to contrast with the yellow flames of burning vehicles and buildings. As the battle waged the Britannian forces ever so slowly pulled back, yet for every step felled and enemy or wounded and disabled a vehicle.

As the retreat neared the border of Sector 4 the Britannians stopped with the appearance of a purple, white and gold custom Vincent-Cobra appeared. Guilford's frame, the "Athena," stood tall with a pair of horn like antenna that boar a great resemblance to those upon Cornelia's former Gloucester. Two MVS swords were held in his hands and the fact spheres of the frame pulsed as they scanned the approaching enemy. His frame had just finished a refitting where new weapons and tech had been implemented into his frame for field testing. Now he was ready to give his semi-new frame a proper baptism of fire.

The Landspinners of the Athena squealed as they rotated at high speeds, in a cloud of dust Guilford shot forward. The VARIS unsheathed itself from its casing on the V-Cobra's back and took aim. A green/blue blast shot out before Guilford's speeding frame and ark over the friendly retreating troops to land amongst the advancing EU troops. The slug passed through a Hummel before passing through a nearby APC, both vehicles ballooned in a burst of flames. The air pressure sent nearby soldiers flying while breaking their unprotected eardrums.

As Guilford got closer he activated another of his frames new toys, from the frames back prongs that gave the impression of a Float system extended. The space between the prongs flared with purple energy like Energy Wing feathers. Using the new prototype Energy Float Unit sent to him for testing by the Ashford Foundation Guilford leapt into the air and over the Britannian troops. As he flew through the air Guilford unleashed a fire from the Radiant Hadron Wave Blasters that replaced his wrist Coil Machine Guns. Red blasts passed through the armor of EU knightmares and APCs, their pilots and crews died in the following explosions. Infantry died as they were cut apart by shrapnel or burned alive or incinerated by the Hardon energy.

Guilford then descended upon the enemy his red glowing swords whirling in deadly arcs. The weapons carved through the armor of vehicles ripping engines and artificial muscle fibers apart. The wrist blasters continued their deadly attacks in minor bursts that took great tolls on the EU. In the pauses between kills Guilford fired the VARIS deep into the enemy lines, the slugs were alternated with new canister like exploding shells that mirrored the Raiko's. Plasmated air, shrapnel, and deadly shock waves killed EU soldiers by the scores.

As Guilford cut a great swathe in advancing EU forces the Britannian forces regrouped and counter attacked. Just as fast as the EU had gained ground they lost it as the Britannians pushed them back. As the two forces returned to the previous positions in Secotr 4 EU artillery began bombarding the area. Both EU and Britannian forces fell once again to the incoming fire, but this time Britannian air units had succeeded in finding the enemy artillery. Britannian artillery and air gunships smashed the EU guns and turned their alcoves into burning wrecks.

Slowly the fire ebbed and the two sides stopped all movement, the Britannians stopped to resupply and reinforce their current forces unable to break the newly reinforced EU defenses. Guilford sheathed his swords and activated his E-Float system and lifted into the air and moved back to the G-1.

G-1 Base

The mobile base sat in a captured area of suburb of Pairs, civilians had been evacuated to ensure their safety with the presence of the moveable fortress. Accompanying the fortress Raiko mobile artillery units and other armored vehicles provided support. Wounded flooded the area as they were moved back, the Medical Corp worked constantly to aid the injured. Casts filled with gelatiness liquid covered broken limbs and large wounds, the liquid being a newly developed medical agent. Developed from research done by the Geass Directorate the agent could heal injuries at a fast rate and could heal injuries that would've killed another man or paralyzed him. This and the new sparse battlefield prosthetics got soldiers back into the fight that would've forced him into early retirement never to truly live and walk again.

As Guilford's Athena landed support crews swarmed over the machine replacing the energy filler, refilling the ammo supply, and checking the power core itself. Men in white coats also appeared trying to ask him questions on the frames upgrades. Guilford waved them off as he entered the G-1 his boot steps echoing in the halls, soldiers saluted as he passed them by. Entering the bridge he saw Durand standing over the electronic map at the center of the map.

The French commander had been transferred to this front so he and his army could be present and take part in the capture of Paris. With EU soldiers present to capture the city alongside the Britannains the intention was to bolster the morale of Durand's army and ease the tension of the EU people of Paris. Though since the civilians were now witnessing the Eu command's tactics it was likely that the tension would be minimal, few could watch as their own artillery bombarded their own unknowing troops and dazed civilians and not hold some sort of animosity.

"Your intervention was well timed my friend," said Durand not looking up from the map.

Smirking somewhat, and coming to stand next to Durand, Guilford replied, "we have succeeded in entering the sector and will be ready to break through within the hour."

"You gotta give that fat pig some credit," Durand sneering at the mention of Maximillian. "He knows how to fight a battle, make every attempt to beat an enemy."

Guilford nodded at the statement, "even if it means losing is army in the process."

"Such as his kind's type of warfare," said Durand his frown never leaving his face. He pointed at the area of the city Guilford had just come from and continued, "we have cleared what artillery we could find in this sector, or troops will soon break through again but our real problem is hear." He then pointed at a ring in the inner city that surrounded Palais-Bourbon, Louvre, Bourse, Temple, Hôtel-de-Ville, and Elysée and was the last powerful line of defense for the city. "Our next obstacle to overcome and the enemy has had this whole time to reinforce it."

Guilford nodded in agreement with this assessment, "our only other option is to starve the city into submission."

"Quite, speaking of which the encirclement is nearly finished," Durand zoomed the map out showing two lines that were slowly making their way around the city. "The enemy is slowing us down, flooding canals and low areas, and dedicated EU knightmare divisions are being supported by Guard units. The good news is that the enemy is being forced back into the city as the pincers keep the pressure up, as well the enemy wounded are unable to return to combat as fast as ours."

Pointing Guilford said, "so thus far Observatoire, Gobelins, Passy are under our control. Sugnificant bridgeheads have been made in Reuilly, as well as significant pushes have been made in Panthéon, and Luxembourg, and Vaugirard."

"Good gains," said Durand. "But we need to quickly finish capturing the city before it turns into a death trap."

Guilford grunted in agreement, "some will wonder why we are even bothering to try and capture this city instead of bypassing it and waiting out the city."

Durand sighed, "all to true my friend, but this is not only the first capital of the EU but it is in itself a symbol. If Paris falls then the rest of this half of the continent will follow, as supplies and orders are cut."

"My lords!" an officer at a console exclaimed.

Looking up Guilford replied, "what is it?"

"A friendly air fleet is approaching," said the officer. The air fleet assigned to Guilford's army were patrolling the area around Paris and were making emergency supply and medical runs for the most serious cases of injury. Thus there was only two options for where the fleet had come from, Guilford asked, "Anya's fleet?"

The officer shook his head in the negative and said, "no sir, it's the Imperial Zero Squadron. The Great Britannia is with them, and they report the Emperor is on board."

This drew eyes from around the bridge, the Emperor coming here? To Guilford and Durand the last they had heard from Lelouch he had been on Kanime Island, and that was just over two weeks ago. So for him to reappear aboard his flagship and a continent away from where he had been and without a word spoken was a surprise.

Outside

The glow of large civilian camps bathed the land outside of Paris, residents evacuated from their homes so as not to be killed in crossfire. Many wondered if their family and friends were other camps or trapped in the bunker/shelters in the city. Many of the civilians in the camp were those in from the residential areas on the outskirts of Pairs. They had woken up to a normal day their children getting ready for school dressed in school clothes and stood waiting for buses. However instead of the sound of the bus engines they had heard the rumble of and purr of Britannian armored vehicles and knightmares. Many could only stare in shock as Britannian vehicles passed by their homes soldiers marching next to them or riding in and on them, no EU soldier in site and no battle waging around them. They had then been evacuated by Britannian Military Police and other units. They were taken out of the city and given accommodations in prefabricated cabins set up for them. From the camps they watched as many of their neighborhoods burned in battle, meanwhile columns of supply convoys and reinforcements flooded passed and into the city they had called home and capital. On this night the people looked up into the sky and saw, not stars, but black shapes of Britannian airships. The fleet cast an eerie and frightening aura as it passed overhead their new Float units glowing with energy, smaller shapes detached from the ships and moved towards the city and the headquarters of Guilford and Durand.

Guilford and Durand quickly exited the G-1 and stood out to watch the approach of the Emperor. Their soldiers quickly massed around the area in quickly assembled ranks, knightmares and soldiers quickly stood at attention as IZG frames landed facing them their fierce crimson and gold highlights instilling a sense of nervousness in those nearby as it appeared the frames bled from golden veins. The frames' Fact Spheres pulsed as they scanned the area. Finding no threat they formed to lines as IZG infantry disembarked from VTOLs to stand alongside the frames clad in their IZG armor that was similarly accented by crimson lines.

As they stood at attention another VTOL, painted black, gold, and purple landed. The aircraft's ramp dropped and eight more IZG foot soldiers disembarked, these however wore Zero style capes with crimson Black Knight sigils on their backs and crimson highlights and borders. In their arms they carried combat rifles with underslung MVS blades, their masked heads were covered in crimson highlights and where their eyes would be two faintly glowing lights shown. Similar Guards also disembarked from smaller VTOLs and stood close to the sides of the Emperor's aircraft, close to twenty-four but who's to say the exact number. These were the guards that stood at Lelouch's side at all times, the elite of the elite.

The black and crimson guards formed another line next to the ramp, another figure then disembarked. Lelouch stepped off the VTOL, dressed in his black cape with the gold epaulets and gold outlines, highlights and borders. Knee high boots covered his lower legs and his black pants that had a gold and crimson stripe running up to his waist. He wore a simple black gakuran, similar to his old Ashford Academy uniform, with similar gold, crimson, and purple colorization. The dark purple cravat at the top was pinned down by a crimson jewel. But both Guilford and Durand's breaths hitched, not at the emperor's clothes but the physical appearance of the Emperor.

Lelouch's hair had grown to the base of his neck, and they could see small streaks of what could only be silver hair at his temples. Circling his neck like a necklace his code sat, the wings of the sigil stretching around the Emperor's neck to almost meet across the metal plate of the Emperor's neural interface. And his eyes, his eyes were what caught their attention. No pupil could be distinguished from the iris, the two seemingly melded together and glowed a crimson/purple glow as if they were casting Geass; however no Geass sigil was present in his eye. It also seemed as if the entire iris had enlarged taking up more of his eye, the sclera was still present though it was small in comparison.

"Guilford, General Durand," said Lelouch smiling at the military commanders.

Snapping out of their daze they replied, "my lord," and "your majesty."

Lelouch still smiling said, "come let's speak inside."

The two nodded still slightly unnerved at the appearance of the Emperor. Together the three turned to the G-1 and began walking, the crimson cloaked IZ-Guards turned and walk alongside them in lockstep. They passed through the halls swiftly their boot steps echoing in the metal armored halls. As they walked Lelouch spoke, "so how do you like my Guard's new color scheme? They decided amongst themselves that in order to better protect me they needed to inspire fear in any who attempt something against me."

"I must say their doing a magnificent job," said Durand eyeing the Guards that silently kept pace with them.

"Quite," agreed Guilford who then turned to the emperor. "My lord if it is not to bold of me to ask, what has happened to you?"

As they entered a conference room on the G-1 Lelouch smiled as he replied, "many this Guilford. Things we shall speak of when this room is cleared."

The Guards took out small devices that scanned the room, after the devices beeped they pressed other buttons that jammed any unauthorized transmission from entering or leaving the room after which they took up positions around the room. He gestured for the two to sit, they did and as Lelouch did so himself.

Lelouch then spoke saying, "before you two get any ideas let me say that I am not here to take the glory of taking Paris from either of you." The two looked at each other and looked back at the Emperor, "I am here for only one thing, Maximilian, I am here to cut off one of the heads that make up the beast that is our enemy."

"Simple as that?" asked Durand being blunt in his speaking still put off by the sight of both the Emperor and his guards.

Lelouch nodded and replied, "simple as that."

Guilford then leaned forward and asked, "my lord, to us your intentions are yours, but what I think we would like to know is, what happened to you?" Lelouch smiled as his glowing eyes gazed at the two military commanders.

A.U. The places spoken I used in this chapter are actually places in Pairs I found on a map. look them up if want to understand a bit of how I described the battle. Also i don't know which of myy stories will be updated next I have ideas for both, but the trick is putting them to paper. Until next time my friemds.