Toa Solaric: I don't own either Code Geass or Kamen Rider Zangetsu…They belong to their respective owners just as anything that originated from other series.
Code Geass: Lelouch of Divine Providence
Ch6: Enter the New Baron! Rise of Black Knights!
The event of Saitama incident and news of its outcome spread like wildfire across Area 11 and other countries.
Those Japanese that secretly, and some that no so secretly, opposed Britannia praised Zangetsu for his courage and strength for saving many people and whisking them out under the military's nose. And Britannian military and nobles cursed Zangetsu for his underhand method of defeated Cornelia and her personal troops. Especially some military officers were jealous of Zangetsu developed a Knightframe capability of flying in the air.
Although the fiasco of a battle was on the minds of many it was not on the minds of all. The time was coming for the Annual Summit of the Sakuradite Producing Countries held at Lake Kawaguchi on Sunday. It was an important event because the talks would determine how the vital resource Sakuradite would be distributed around the world determining the balance of power between the nations.
But the attention soon focused on the speed train.
"This is so exciting!" Shirley squealed as she viewed the rushing scenery through the train's window. "I've never been outside the Tokyo Settlement before!"
"I bet you wish Lelouch could have come with us, don't you?" Milly teased. "Don't be shy. We can stay up all night talking about the boys we like from the school."
It's unfortunately that Lelouch, Suzaku, Kallen, and Rivalz couldn't come with them to this trip for several of reasons.
"If that's the case you probably have a lot to talk about." Shirley muttered.
"You know that I think Lulu is batted for the other team." Milly said to her fellow members of the Student Council. "Think about it, he and Rivalz sure spend LOADS of time together… disappearing off the campus for hours on end…"
"THEY'RE JUST GAMBLING!" Shirley protested with a beef red face. "LULU ISN'T LIKE THAT AT ALL!"
"I noticed you aren't saying anything about Rivalz." Milly pointed out, prompting another screeching from the red-faced Fennette now.
It wasn't long until the train passed through the end of the tunnel revealing a magnificent vista of Mt Fuji and the surrounding countryside.
(With Euphie)
Sitting in her deluxe, private cabin, Euphemia Li Britannia blinked, wondering if there was something wrong the brakes, as the high pitched shriek echoed in the air. She could have sworn this cabin was soundproofed too.
"Sub-viceroy…" her female attendant muttered, looking most uncomfortable in such a public setting with suck a little back up, "Are you sure we should be doing this? I think it would have been better to arrange for a private…"
"A private tour would have been boring and scripted." Euphemia countered. "I would to experience the tour from the commoners' point of view, without the Empire's propaganda and people deifying me for my name."
"But you're a princess!" her attendant insisted. "For you to be traveling with such a limited guard… in a public place no less! If Viceroy Cornelia learns of this-!"
"Which is why I never told her." Euphemia cut in with a giggle. "Cornelia's always stepping in when I try to do something, for once I would like to do something on my own." The pink hair Princess smiled at the woman. "Don't worry, I'll assume full responsibility."
I need a new job… the woman thought in depression.
(Tokyo Settlement)
Kallen and the rest of her rebel comrades were meeting at a location specified by Zangetsu. The meeting location was to be their new hideout and what they found there was a large trailer truck. Opening the door to the trailer, the group was surprised by the interior.
"What are you waiting for? Come in," Lelouch replied, in his hooded costume as he reclined on the couch. "Come in. As of now, this place will be our hideout."
"So you think joining us with us is a good idea?" Ohgi asked, looking around at the slick, custom interior of the trailer in awe. Whoever Zangetsu was, he had some serious connections and cash to back them up.
Zangetsu nodded. "But of course. We're comrades, after all."
"Holy cow…" Tamaki gasped, the redheaded, hot-tempered rebel looking around the interior of trailer in awe, having never set foot inside anything this lavish in his life. "Hey, there's a second floor too!"
"Pardon my curiosity…" Ohgi began, the leader of the rebels, looking over at their masked samurai benefactor. "But would you mind telling me how you got your hands on this?"
"I liberated this from a rather libertine nobleman who indulges my requests." Zangetsu answered. Meaning he used his Geass to gain this from a noble who lost at poker with him.
"You asked for it? Just like that?" Ohgi said in disbelief. He was also a little worried at having something like this being known by a Britannian nobleman who could use the knowledge against them.
"Don't worry, there are no strings attached." Zangetsu assured.
Although the rebels had trouble imagining that such a thing could be given as a gift without any strings, especially by a Britannian, they were willing to trust Zangetsu on this.
Suddenly Ohgi and Kallen remembered the news about Zangetsu fighting strange monster.
"Hey, Tamaki and others claimed to saw you fighting a monster. I was hoping at least you can fill us in on that." Ohgi said. Zangetsu nodded.
"I was planning on telling you since we're comrades after all." Zangetsu said. "But there is another thing I want to discuss with you first. I know about the fate befall your previous leader Naoto Kozuki." Zangetsu explained. This caught Ohgi and the rest of the resistance group silent immediately.
"You know what happened to Naoto…?" Ohgi asked shocked.
"How do we know you aren't lying!?" Tamaki demands.
"He got killed by another armored individual like me… His name is Baron." Zangetsu said. This caused them to be silent.
That is the name of bastard who killed Nii-san! Kallen thought furious.
"Then do you know who he is?" Ohgi asked.
"It was none other than the late Viceroy Clovis. Though I got a few ideas on how he obtained his and he transform in front of me." Zangetsu said. "I defeated him into submission before making him confessed his deeds as he claimed to take the lives of Japanese with it."
This causes shock among the group especially Kallen. Her angry and rage has subdued after hearing Zangetsu's words. She is relief that the murder of her brother has paid with his life, but she was disappointed that she wasn't the one who extract the vengeance.
"But where did you and Clovis gain the power from?" Ohgi asked.
"We gain our powers from these devices Lockseeds." Zangetsu takes out his Melon Lockseed and shows them.
"MELON!"
"Lockseed?"
"Locks with fruit symbols on them and I can change armors with different Lockseeds." Zangetsu explained.
"How many are there?" Ohgi asked.
"I'm not sure… but do you know how many different fruits are there in the world?" Zangetsu asked to them.
This causes the group stares quietly at him.
"Are you saying there are more Lockseed based on different fruits in the world?" Tamaki gawked. Zangetsu nodded.
"And each of them gives you different Arms and weapons for enhance strength, speed, and defense."
"The monster?"
"Another thing to be cautious about Lockseeds… they can draw creatures known as Inves from another dimension into our world. They have inhumane strength and agility as they can inflict diseases on their victims."
"How dangerous are they?" Ohgi asked.
"Imagine you have plants growing out of your body and you feeling constants pain. But the worst case is that you become an Inves if you don't get treated soon and there is no way of turning back to a normal human." This caused Ohgi and others to gulp.
"That…"
"Horrible, I know." Zangetsu explained. "But there is no way of turning them back to normal human since they already lost their minds and their self-identities. The only way to save them: kill them and send them to the afterlife."
"You know this from experience…?" Ohgi asked. Zangetsu nodded.
"Yes, I do. You will never know who would become Inves, they could be your own family or friends or beloved." Zangetsu said.
This caused them to think about his words.
Zangetsu soon brought out his Sengoku Driver to show them. "This device is known as a Sengoku Driver. They have the ability to use the power of Lockseeds and allow me to control Inves."
"Wait, you can control Inves with a belt?" Tamaki asked.
Zangetsu then takes out a Donguri Lockseed and activated it.
Suddenly a zipper portal opens as an Elementary Inves appears before them. This causes Ohgi and the group to move back as they looks wary at the Elementary Inves as the creature looks around the new surroundings.
"That is an Inves?" Kallen asked.
"Holy shit…" Tamaki muttered in shock.
"Sit." Zangetsu ordered.
The Inves complied by siting on the floor.
"Jump." The Inves jump.
"Go home." Zangetsu said before closed the Donguri Lockseed.
The Inves soon jumps back into the zipper portal and the portal vanished. Zangetsu then looks at Ohgi and his group as they have disbelief expression on their faces now.
"Do you believe me now?" They nodded.
"The portal that the Inves came out… it looks like a forest." Minami said.
"That is where they come from. The forest is known as Helheim Forest, the place where Inves roaming. But the place is dangerous for humans if they go there alone. It's also where the Lockseeds originally from. The Inves see them as snacks." Zangetsu said.
Ohgi and his group take the information from Zangetsu slowly before he continued.
"However, the Driver can only be used by the first person wore them until the user is dead." He explained. This got Kallen's attention.
"Does it mean that-" The young redhead girl said before stopped when Zangetsu then takes out the blank Sengoku Driver and Banana Lockseed as he places them on the table in front of the resistance group. "This is what I taken from Clovis's dead body as a consolation prize to prevent it falls from Britannia's hands." He explained.
Kallen stares intensely at the Sengoku Driver and Banana Lockseed. These used to belongs to the one who murdered her beloved older brother.
"Zangetsu, I want to thank you for avenge Naoto and getting this out of Britannia's hand. Because he means a lot to the whole group especially Kallen here." Ohgi said, placing a hand on Kallen's shoulder.
"…Thank you, Zangetsu." Kallen said with a respectful bow.
"Don't worry…" Zangetsu assured to Kallen. "I know the feeling of losing someone like a family member."
"Are there any more Riders beside you?" Ohgi asked.
"I have few individual trusted with Drivers especially one as an undercover agent in Britannia government but I will let you meet them later. I do know few other Riders, but they aren't in Japan as they association with different countries than Britannia. But I don't hear any news about Riders from the country Britannia itself." Zangetsu explained.
"If Britannia does have Riders…"
"Then they will start to make their own army by studying the Drivers and Lockseeds, more innocent people would suffer. But I will tell you more about Inves and Lockseeds for another day." Zangetsu said.
"Hold on, do you think we should decide to let someone wear this Driver?" Tamaki asked to others.
"I might let you, but are you certainly after learning how the previous one killed your friend?" Zangetsu questioned, crossing his arms.
Suddenly Kallen picks up the Driver and Banana Lockseed before looking at the cloaked benefactor. "I will do it." Kallen said.
"Kallen… are you sure?" Ohgi asked with concerned.
"I won't allow anyone using this power after I lost my chance of killing Clovis by myself." Kallen said with a serious tone. "I will use this to get back at Britannia for what they did."
"Very well," Zangetsu said. "But I believed you have better potential as a Rider than Clovis could ever have. If there is anything else you need, I will be in my personal room. Feel free to look around."
Zangetsu soon left to his personal chamber while the members of the resistance exploring the incredible mobile base.
"It's huge!"
"Check it out; it's even got a second story."
"One thing's for certain, the Britannians would never expect us to have something like this."
(In personal room)
Lelouch sighed as he sat on his chair and takes off his hooded as no one is around the room now.
He finally revealed to the resistance group about the fate of their former leader Naoto as that burden soon left his chest immediately. The resistance might developed more trust with him after avenge their previous leader.
Lelouch could tell Kallen is a bit upset about not being the one to kill Clovis. But he make it up by letting her having the Baron's Driver which will suite her.
On the matter of his identity, if Lelouch could judge Kallen by her personality, then he better prepared himself soon enough.
She is definite going to demand questions if she going to use force… Lelouch thought serious.
Suddenly he hears a knocking on the door.
"Zangetsu, we have a problem." Minami's voice from the door.
"Be right there." Lelouch said before gets his hooded back on his head now.
Zangetsu soon went out to where others are watching the HD TV.
"I'm here at the Lake Kawaguchi Convention Center Hotel where the hotel-jackers have identified themselves as the Japan Liberation Front." The anchorman said.
That announcement caught the attention of everyone else in the truck. "What was that?"
"Members of the Sakuradite Allocation Committee, most notable Chairman James, were taken hostage along with several tourists and hotel employees." The picture then changed to an image of a hotel supply room where the hostages were being held, forced on their knees with their hands behind their heads. "This footage was taken by the perpetrators. In it you can clearly see the hostages including Chairman James as well as some students."
They soon saw the footage of the JLF guarding the hostages. This got reactions on Zangetsu and Kallen.
Damn it, so they took the girls hostage… Zangetsu thought serious.
"The leader of the group claims to be Lieutenant Colonel Kusakabe formerly of the now defunct Japan Military. Sakuradite is an essential component in the construction of high-temperature super conductors; this resource that directly affect world security. Area 11 is the largest producer of this resource providing seventy percent of the world's total supply. Here at the yearly annual meeting of Sakuradite producers it is decided how this resource will be distributed among the world's nation. It's not exaggeration that the outcome determines the balance of global power between Britannia and other countries. It believed that the terrorists are using the world interest in the annual gathering to their advantage in this violent hotel takeover." The reporter noted.
"Zangetsu, what will happen to the hostages?" Kallen asked with worry tone. Despite how much she usually disliked Britannians, she'll admit that she had grown fond of the members of the student council.
Suddenly Zangetsu hears his phone vibration and saw Rivalz's Calling ID before leaving to his personal room while everyone discussing the issue. But Kallen looks at their hooded benefactor strangely and secretly followed him.
"I'm a little busy right now, Rivalz." The hooded Lelouch answered.
"Lelouch, the girls are in danger!" Rivalz said in a panic tone. He must have seen the news about what happened on Lake Kawaguchi Convention Center Hotel.
"I know, Rivalz." Lelouch said. "I know how you're feeling right now,"
"Lelouch, listen to me. You've probably worked out this whole situation in your head five times over, so tell me, will they be safe?" Rivalz asked with worried.
"Cornelia will not negotiate with terrorists. It won't be long before either side will consider the hostages expendable. Either the JLF will start killing the hostages to show that they're serious. Or Cornelia will order her men to break in without regard if any of the hostages are killed in the process, after which the military will blame any deaths on the JLF." Lelouch said.
He let Rivalz take a moment to sink through his words before Rivalz asks him next.
"But can you save them?" Rivalz asked.
"Rivalz, do you trust me?"
"I do, because I know you are the smartest guy and my best friend who fought a lot." Rivalz answered, hoping that his friend would help.
"That isn't enough this time, Rivalz!" Lelouch said. "I don't need you to trust me with your life, we're betting with the lives of our friends and every innocent trapped at Kawaguchi. Do you trust me with their lives, Rivalz?" he asked.
Shaken, Rivalz replied, carefully, "I do trust you with the life of Nation whether they're Britannia or… Japanese!" he finally answered.
Lelouch looks a bit surprised under his hood. This is the first time he hears Rivalz saying Japanese.
"Rivalz…" Another paused. "If you think so highly of me, I will tell you that I won't let Kusakabe lay any hands of the hostages. Milly and others will be back in the next day." Lelouch assured.
"Lelouch… thank you, pal." Rivalz said with a sobbing.
"Just stay calm and make sure your boss doesn't find you sobbing." Lelouch said before closing his cellphone now.
"So… how long have you been listening, Kallen?" Lelouch asked as the hooded teen turns to look at the red hair girl peek through the door.
"You can come in." Lelouch said.
This causes Kallen's eyes wide in shock before the hooded Lelouch let her into his personal office before closed the door again.
"You…" Kallen stammered, couldn't come up with any words as she stares shock at Lelouch. "You… are… Zangetsu."
"What's the matter, did something have your tongue?" Lelouch asked with a grin.
Kallen shakes her head before she soon have a serious look on her face.
"But why are you doing this…?" Kallen asked angry.
"I will explain later. But Kallen, I take it that you wished to save the lives of the Student Council as well?" Lelouch asked.
"I do. But do you think it possible to rescue them?" Kallen asked. She still shocked to learn Lelouch is Zangetsu, but she will hold off of the questions for later.
"I won't make false promises, but I will not fail them." Lelouch said with confident.
Kallen stares at Lelouch. She doesn't want to believe he is Zangetsu, but he did kick serious butt toward Cornelia and avenged her brother's death. "I will believe you for now. Ohgi and others want your answer about what should we do about Kusakabe." Kallen said.
Lelouch nodded before placing his hood back on as he and Kallen meet up with others now.
"So Zangetsu, what do you think we should do about this?" Ohgi asked. "Should we help?"
"But of course." Zangetsu affirmed, earning shocked whispers from the rebels. "Did I not say that our enemy is not the people, but the corrupted rules of Britannia?" he tilted his hooded toward the screen. "Kusakabe has involved civilians in his struggle… I CANNOT tolerate such actions."
"So what is the plan?" Kallen questioned.
"Everyone get ready to move out, we're going to recuse those hostages." Everyone nodded. Zangetsu soon takes out Driver before takes out his Lockseed.
"MELON!"
Suddenly the Melon Arms emerged from the Zipper portal above his head and Zangetsu locked in his Lockseed.
"Henshin…" Zangetsu said.
"SOIYA! MELON ARMS! TENKA GOMEN!"
He soon transforms into his Rider form and his Melon Defender appeared.
Kallen soon takes out the Driver before attached to her waist and Baron's faceplate reemerged once more. She spins the Banana Lockseed in her hand before unlocked it.
"BANANA!"
Suddenly another zipper portal emerged and the Banana Arms appeared above Kallen's head as the resistance group hears triumphs playing in the background. Kallen soon use the Cutting Blade to slice the Banana Lockseed to reveal its core.
"Henshin..."
"COME ON!"
The Banana Arms soon land on Kallen's head and morph her body into the familiar red and silver bodysuit.
"BANANA-BANANA-BANANA!?" Tamaki gawked.
"I am… Baron!" Kallen declared.
"BANANA ARMS! KNIGHT OF SPEAR!"
The Banana Arms soon disassembled and reveals Baron except she looks slight slender than the previous Baron. Appearing in her hand is the weapon Banaspear. The new Baron looks at her new appearance while the resistance members gasped.
"Kallen, how do you feel?" Ohgi asked.
"I like the colors… but the shoulder pads are uneven." Baron said. "How does Clovis handle it?" she asked.
Zangetsu shrugged.
Cornelia cursed, her teeth clenching as the reports came in that the Gloucesters she'd sent in via the supply tunnel had been wiped out by a cobbled together Linear cannon the terrorists had set up beforehand.
"We cannot show weakness to terrorists!" she snapped, glaring at her advisors, who were discussing the release of the political prisoners that had been amongst the demands set by Kusakabe, damn his hide.
"But Milady…" Guilford murmured, the Spearhead of the empire leaning in close to his charge's ear, his bespectacled face lined with concern as he urged her to remember that it wasn't just civilian lives at stake here, "Princess Euphemia…"
"I know…" Cornelia muttered, keeping her voice low, though the anger and helplessness was visible to her knights. She'd known that Euphemia was there, the girl honestly didn't know that Cornelia LET her slip away occasionally, but she was regretting it this time, as she had let the girl walk right into a trap.
Suzaku frowned, sitting in the cockpit of the completed restored Lancelot, itching to leap into the fray and rescue the hostages, but under orders from Cornelia to remain on standby until further notice.
Even with his recent promotion, Cornelia doesn't want to put her faith in an 'honorary Britannia.
"Some of the hostages are your friends from school aren't they?" Cecile noted, the blue haired woman working on the Lancelot's systems, keeping it prepped for launch at a moment's notice. "They're still negotiating, don't worry."
"I have faith in the system." Suzaku informed her, looking out at the captured resort through Lancelot's optical sensors, magnifying the view as best he could, "I prefer the logic of systems to individual emotions."
Cecile frowned sadly, looking at the young pilot in concern, only to start as he sat up straight, a look of shocked horror on his face.
"Oh god…" Suzaku breathed his face paling as he watched several uniformed terrorists lead a bound hostage on the roof of the tower. "Don't do it-!"
The pilot's pleas went unheard, his scream echoing over the water as the terrorists pushed the desperate hostage off the roof, all on live camera, for the public to see.
"NNOOOO!"
A news van has just arrived at the Hotel with Zangetsu on the roof. They were soon meet by a G1 and Cornelia. The purple hair Viceroy pointed her gun and glared dagger at the white armor samurai before her presence.
"Cornelia." Zangetsu greeted. "As ravishing as ever."
"What are you doing here, Zangetsu?" Cornelia demanded as her features fixed in a suspicious scowl as she locked gazes with the man had defeated at the Saitama Ghetto.
"Cornelia, you are aware that I can take you down before you even attempt to pull the trigger, but that's not why I'm here." Zangetsu said.
"Then why?" Cornelia asked. "Are you here to join the Japan Liberation Front?"
"Cornelia," Zangetsu said, "Which would you choose," for the first time a crack appeared in Cornelia's poker face, even so slightly and her weapon holding arm lowered ever so slightly. "Clovis who is dead or Euphemia who is alive?"
That struck a nerve, shocking opening displayed on Cornelia's face. And that was enough to confirm Zangetsu's suspicious. Euphemia was inside the hotel and that was the only reason that Cornelia even the dotting sister, had not taken hostile action.
Cornelia trembled with suppressed rage as he continued. "I have the power to save Euphemia."
Taking control of herself, Cornelia yelled back, "What do you mean? I have no idea what you're talking about!"
"I said that I am able to rescue her!" Zangetsu declared.
The deal was struck. The Britannian army would allow Zangetsu to negotiate with the Japan Liberation Front to release the hostages.
The Gloucesters moved aside and allowed the news van to pass. It wasn't long until Zangetsu and Baron walks the stairs to the upper level while others went to the lower levels. When the door opened, Lt. Colonel Kusakabe was standing there with two armed guards.
"Ah, Zangetsu, I have to say I knew this event would bring out attention but I didn't expect you have another one." JLF commander said. "But considering the known information about your kind… I can't really trust you." Kusakabe stated.
"So you won't come friendly with us?" Zangetsu asked.
"We're here to talk about what you are doing with these hostages." Baron said with a serious tone, pointed her Banaspear.
"To gain attention. I want Britannia and the world to know that the Japanese people aren't dead yet." This causes Baron to gritting her teeth while Zangetsu have a calm expression.
"By sacrificing these innocent people? It makes you no better than Britannia." Zangetsu stated in a dangerous tone.
This causes Kusakabe to glare at the Riders as he and his guard men stares at them.
"Then it looks like we won't be doing any more business with you…Men!" Kusakabe said before he takes out a purple fruit.
The armed guards got out purple fruits as well. This sight causes Zangetsu's eyes to widen with disbelief now.
"No! Don't eat them!" Zangetsu shout in panic tone.
But the warning was too late as the three men ate the fruits before they're starts to feeling horrible and covered in strange vines as they soon morphed into Inves. Kusakabe turns into a Byakko Inves while the guards turn into a Kamikiri Inves and Komori Inves.
"No way…! They turned into Inves!" Baron said as she look shocked.
"We have to stop them immediately!" Zangetsu said. Baron nodded as the two Riders go into their battle stances now.
The three Inves growl stares at the two Riders before they try to pounced on them. Zangetsu brought up his Musou Saber to slash the Byakko Inves and Komori Inves back while Baron charged forward as she swung the Banaspear and slammed the Kamikiri Inves to the wall.
Suddenly the door opened immediately to reveal a shocking Euphemia and JLF guards as they saw the fights between Zangetsu and Baron against the three Inves now.
What is going on here!? Euphemia thought.
Kamikiri Inves smacked Baron aside before send its antennae like whips as it caught the JLF guards before electrocute them to death. The Komori Inves soon leap over Zangetsu before catching Euphemia with its legs and takes off into the air as the Inves flying through the hallway.
"Save me!" Euphemia screamed in the air.
"Damn it," Zangetsu cursed angrily. The Byakko Inves was about to take advantage of Zangetsu's distraction when Baron smacked the Inves down with her Banaspear.
"I will take care of these pests," Baron said.
Zangetsu nodded before disappearing in a flash as he ran after the Inves who carried off with his half-sister in tow.
"Save me!" Euphemia screamed panic.
Meanwhile the Byakko Inves and Kamikiri Inves attempted to make a break out of the room. The Inves soon kill more men from the JFL when they try to defend themselves.
But Baron saw them attempted to make an escape and she pushed the Cutting Blade on her Driver.
"COME ON!"
"BANANA SQUASH!"
"I won't allow you bastards to escape…" Baron declared serious. She brought her spear back which began to glow with energy before she thrust forward with it. From the tip, a spear of yellow power shaped in the form of a banana's tip extended forward. The attack struck the Byakko Inves in the chest before Baron swung her weapon to hits the Kamikiri Inves and piercing straight through the wall now. She soon struck the Inves again with the same attack before she slashed them and the two Inves exploded.
Baron looked at the Banaspear in her hand.
"I can see why he enjoys this…" Baron said, realizing what she has now. "I… have power."
Meanwhile Zangetsu continued chasing after the flying Komori Inves that is carried Euphemia and the Inves hasn't stop yet. Zangetsu soon throws his Melon Defender at the Inves's head. This stunt the Inves before it loosen its grips on Euphemia for Zangetsu to caught the pink hair princess in his arms.
Euphemia never expect to be this close to the mystery white armor individual as her face heat up a little. But Zangetsu gentle let her down before focusing his attention on the Komori Inves as the mutated Inves regained its focus now.
"LOCK OFF!"
Zangetsu attached his Lockseed to his Musou Saber before it began the counts.
"1-0-0-0! MELON CHARGE!"
Zangetsu move forward in incredible speed before deal deadly slashes at the Inves. The Inves exploded with slices of virtual melon everywhere.
Zangetsu soon places his Melon Lockseed back into his Driver before looking at Euphemia and few members of Black Knights who witnessed the fight just now.
"If you can give me some time with the Princess, I would be grateful." Baron nodded as they left the two alone together. The Black Knights were placing the explosives around the hotel building now.
Zangetsu approached Euphemia as their eyes stare at each other. "I heard you are a Sub-Viceroy, Your Highness."
"It's not the appointment I'm happy with." Euphemia answered.
"No it's isn't. It's because I murdered Clovis. He begged pathetically for his life to the very end. And to think it was the same tongue that ordered the deaths of the Japanese." Zangetsu stated.
"Is that why you murdered my brother?" Euphemia asked. Zangetsu shook his head. "Then why? Why did you murder him?"
"I killed him because he was an offspring of the Britannia Emperor. That reminds me, you're one of his children too, aren't you?" Zangetsu pointed his blade at the pink hair princess.
Euphemia took a step back. She clearly wanted to run, but she knew that she couldn't go anywhere.
"Then again," Zangetsu said in thought as he pulled back his sword. "It difficult to believe that you are truly related to that man, considering out you act completely against his ideals of Social Darwinism."
The Princess breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that she would live to see another day.
"But be warned, I will be watching you and Princess Cornelia. Cornelia already has one strike against her for her willing to sacrifice innocent life to get to me. If either of you continue to act as Clovis did, with no disregard to the lives of the Japanese, I will bring my judgement down on you." Zangetsu swears in a deadly tone. But the threat was almost empty. Out of all his half-siblings, Lelouch has been closest to Euphemia and Cornelia when they were little kids.
However, if it came to it, the white Rider would be able to kill Cornelia. But Euphemia, who was so much like Nunnally, Lelouch could never kill her.
Suddenly the hotel shook due to the Lancelot destroying the Cannons and result weaken the building structure now.
"Come Euphemia, it's time for the show."
"Show?" Euphemia looks confused.
"Yes, the big debut." Zangetsu said.
Soon the whole building was destroyed from the explosives the Black Knights placed earlier ago. Everyone was silent until they saw a yacht surrounded by rafts with the hostages on them. On the main deck stood Zangetsu with Baron behind him.
"My dear Britannians," Zangetsu announced, "have no fear, all of the hostages from the hotel are here, safe and sound. We, the Kamen Riders, return them to you unharmed."
All over the Tokyo Settlement, people breathed sights of relief, whether they actually had loved ones amongst the hostages or not. The only people who did not share that sentiment were the military. Right away they recognized that the rescued hostages were Zangetsu's shields, for if the military were to attack him, the civilians would in turn become his hostages.
Soon more light flickered on the main deck revealing black-clad figures with masks on.
"People! Fear us, or rally behind us as you see fit. We are the Black Knights. We of the Black Knights stand with all those who have no weapons to wield, regardless of whether they be Elevens, or Britannians. The Japan Liberation Front cowardly took innocent Britannian civilians hostage, and then mercilessly executed them. It was a wanton and meaningless act; therefore they have been punished, just as former Viceroy Clovis was punished for ordering the slaughter of countless unarmed Elevens. We cannot standby and allow such cruelty to be carried out, and so we made him pay for his actions. I will not repudiate battle on a fair and level field, but neither will I tolerate a one-sided massacre of the weak by the strong. The only ones who should kill are those who are prepared to be killed! Wherever oppressors use their power to attack those who are powerless, we shall appear again, no matter how mighty, how formidable our foe may be. Those of you in power, fear us! Those of you without it, rally behind us! We, the Black Knights, shall be the ones who stand in judgement of this world!"
Baron looks at Zangetsu from behind.
So this is what he meant for us to become the Knights of Justice… Baron thought.
(Mobile base)
Kallen is giving Ohgi and others her recount about the event happened when she and Zangetsu encounter Kusakabe. They looks quite shocks according to their expression.
"Say what!? Kusakabe and his men turn into Inves!?" Ohgi asked in shocked.
Kallen nodded.
"Does it have to do with the fruits they eaten?" Minami asked.
"It does," Zangetsu answered. "Because the Lockseeds I used were from the same fruits created the Lockseeds. When Inves cross into this world, they released spores from their world which caused plants from their world to emerge here along with the fruits. If a living creature devours the fruit without hesitating like Kusakabe and his men, they will become Inves."
"That is why you try to warn them not to eat them…" Kallen said in realization. Zangetsu nodded.
"But how did Kusakabe and his men discover them?" Tamaki asked.
"We can't be certainly. But we should keep a look out for Shinjuku." Ohgi said to others. This stuff about Inves and parallel dimension is still new to him.
Kallen approached the hooded teenager.
"Zangetsu, may I have a word with you in private." Kallen requested.
"Of course, Kallen." Zangetsu said.
He leads Kallen into his private office and locked the door shut. Lelouch takes off his hood and looks at Kallen now.
"What is it do you need?" Lelouch asked calm.
"Tell me why a Britannian going against the Empire?" Kallen asked.
"I can't tell you the whole reason, but you saw the state of my sister. My mother tries to protect her from unknown assassin before she got killed in the process and the case went cold. We were casted from Britannian society and we were there when Britannia attacks Japan before it becomes Area 11." Lelouch answered. This causes Kallen's eyes wide.
"You're fighting this for revenge?" Kallen asked. Family was something she could understand. She had loved her brother dearly before he was killed, and the main reason she carried on in the fight against Britannia.
Lelouch shake his head. "Partly revenge, but I can't trust dealing the Helheim to Britannia after what happened to Japan and Britannia's law system. There are things they mustn't find out about the forest." Lelouch said.
Kallen was stunned. This was not the Lelouch she known from class or Student Council. Most of all, he is similar to her. Both of them living double lives.
"So what now?" Kallen asked.
"I'm going to helped you trained with your power if I have to leave the group to you protect. Because there are stuffs about the Drivers and Lockseeds, you might be unaware of." Lelouch said.
"I see…" Kallen said with a frown.
"Also, would you mind keep my identity hidden? Most Japanese would not follow me if they knew I was Britannian. In fact, they would probably try to kill me. And if Britannia ever found out what I am doing, I will be executed for treason." Lelouch explains.
Kallen nodded in understand.
"But I only revealed my identity when I deemed them trustworthy enough." Lelouch said.
(Next day)
It's been a day since the Black Knight made their presence known across the streets. Lelouch got off his Sakura Hurricane as he came in front of an old house in the Shinjuku resident. The house remain intact despite no one excepted him visit this place in a long time.
This place holds an important memory for Lelouch. After all, this house once belonged to a childhood friend he meets when he was looking for a present for Nunnally.
(7 years ago)
A 10 year old Lelouch was exploring the Japanese market. He wanted to get a gift for Nunnally since her birthday was soon. It wasn't long when he accidently bumps into someone as the two falls to the ground.
"Sorry..." Lelouch said.
"Watch it, jerk!" a female voice shout.
"I said I was sorry!" Lelouch said before seeing a young girl who seemed to be 2 years younger than him, had light brown eyes, short black hair and a sheathed wakizashi in her hands. "Aren't you a bit too young for that?" He asked, pointing at the sword.
The girls held it close.
"I was taking this back from so low-life thieves! This belongs to my family!" The girl stated serious.
"Really?" Lelouch asked, looking surprised.
"Where are you going off to, skinny boy?" the girl asked. This caught Lelouch completely off guard.
"Skinny boy?!" Lelouch said, feeling offended.
"Hey, I think that brat came here!" A voice said.
"Dang it, I thought I lost them." The girl cursed. This make Lelouch looks confused now.
Soon a few males saw her and Lelouch.
"There she is! And look she has a sidekick too!"
Oh crap... the girl thought.
But Lelouch immediately forms a plan in his mind as he taken the girl's hand and they starts running.
"Where are we going, skinny boy?" The girl asked.
"Don't call me that!" Lelouch argued back. But he can't stand to see someone like a little girl being chased by bullies.
Lelouch and the girl hid in an alley. He looked at a bunch of trash and approached them now.
"Help me out." Lelouch said to the girl.
"What are you doing?" The girl asked.
"Getting us out of this mess." The raven hair boy said.
The girl hears more runs feet and helped Lelouch with the trash.
Soon the thugs appeared.
"Find them. Look through the trash if you have to." The leader said.
Unknown to him, a makeshift bomb was in one of the trashcans. Lelouch and the girl were hiding behind the dumpster.
The thugs soon starting looking through the trashcans, but they didn't find them.
A thug opened another that had the bomb before it blew up and a huge amount of trash fell on them.
"Now!" Lelouch said before he and the girl pushed the dumpster against them, pinning them against the wall. "Go!"
The two ran and kept at it until they were very far from the alley. They stopped to take their breaths.
"You saved me there... skinner" the girl said.
"Stop calls me that… midget." Lelouch countered.
"Mi-Midget!?" The girl said, redden face. "I'm still growing, baka!"
"Well you didn't tell me your name so that's I'm going by." Lelouch said with a smug look.
"Ugh, it's Ayano. Ayano Kosaka."
"Nice to meet you, Ayano. My name is Lelouch." Lelouch said.
"Well, that's a very uncommon name. Anyways, I guess...thanks." Ayano said, looking at the wakizashi.
"Guess? Not a full thanks?" Lelouch smiled.
"This sword belongs to my family for generations..." Ayano said.
"I see..." Lelouch said. "I take it that this isn't the first time someone stole that."
You have no idea... Ayano thought before looking at Lelouch.
"You don't look like you're from around here, what were you doing?" Ayano asked.
"I am looking for a gift for my little sister, it will be her birthday soon." Lelouch said. This got Ayano looks interested.
"Maybe I can help with that." Ayano said.
"Really?"
"You got me out of that mess. Think of it as my way as saying thanks." Ayano said. "Let me drop this sword at my house first."
Lelouch nodded and Ayano led Lelouch to her house before a young woman answered.
"Ayano, where have you been?" The woman asked before noticing Lelouch. "Who's this? A new friend?"
"He helped me escape from those bullies today, Kaa-san." Ayano explains.
"I see... thank you," Her mother said.
"It's no problem." Lelouch shrugged.
"I got this back too!" Ayano pulled out the wakizashi.
"Ayano, you risked your life for it!?"
"How can't I? You know how important this is!" Ayano asked.
The mother looks surprised at her daughter.
"If it wasn't for Lelouch here, I wouldn't have gotten this back or come back in one piece." Ayano said, making Lelouch smile.
Her mother knelt to face Lelouch.
"Thank you."
"My pleasure." Lelouch said.
(Present)
Lelouch got his head out of the past as he standing in front of Kosaka shrine as he paid his respect to his childhood friend and her family.
"It's been awhile, Ayano." Lelouch said softly.
If Britannian didn't invade Japan, you would have survived… But I promised you that Britannia will pay for everything, Lelouch thought serious.
Before he leave the Kosaka resident, Lelouch felt a strange presence and turns around as he saw a girl coming toward him.
The girl has blonde hair, one brown eye and one red eye while dressing in white clothing and brown boots. To Lelouch, there is something familiar about this girl…
"Who are you…?" Lelouch asked.
"Be warned." The girl started as she continued to approach him. "Your choice now will turn the course of fate."
"What do you mean?" Lelouch asked.
"Continue down this path… And there shall be no turning back." The girl continued. "You will have to fight until the bitter end. Till the world is dyed in your image." She finished while holding Lelouch's right cheek with her left hand as if she was holding someone she cares a lot about. To Lelouch, it doesn't make any sense to him.
"I made a promise to not go back when I accept this responsibility and power after what happened to Japan. Because of Britannia… they take away the place I call home again and they take away the life of important friend. I will make a gentle world for Nunnally and break the Rule of Reality." Lelouch said. The blonde hair girl has a sad look before she disappeared from the area.
Who was that? Why do I felt like I know her? Lelouch thought, confused. Is the blonde hair girl similar to CC?
Next time…
"What the heck?" Kallen asked in shocked.
"Welcome to Helheim, Baron. This is going to be the new training ground for any new Riders especially you." Zangetsu said sadist.
"Yo! I was wondering when you're going to show up… Lelouch." A new voice said.
"HAI! BUDOU ARMS! RYO HOU! HA-HA-HA!"
AN: I finally decide to make Kallen the next user of Baron as many of you would have waited! Hopefully, she could endure whatever trainings Lelouch might throws at her… What do you think of this chapter? Anyway, be sure to review or message me for any questions, comments, or concern. And don't be afraid to look at my other stories.