AN: This is my longest chapter yet, I hope you all enjoy and maybe even take a break in the reading! Thank you for all the reviews! I really appreciate the support and it just makes me want to write even more! I am glad so many enjoyed the intensity at the end of the last chapter, I had fun writing that! Please keep up the reviews and give criticism! I want to hear your thoughts!
When she woke from her nightmares she sat by the electronic fire place in her room. It always calmed her, the warm crackling the fire produced. But soon she would have to
turn off the fire and the cold would return, her duties with it. When she peered into her closet her eyes were drawn towards the Ashford school uniform.
She would not wear it right now. She had called her maids, it was four in the morning but they diligently attended her, dressing her in a sleeveless tank top paired with a comfortable red skirt and a silver necklace. "Wake Liliana," she commanded them. "We are going to turn a school into a stronghold."
She spent the next thirty minutes reading reports. Her guard had scouted the tunnels in Shinjuku for hours and did not find the green-haired woman, worryingly enough they did not find the empty gas canister either. The terrorist beat us to it, did they beat us to the witch as well? Lilliana arrived soon yawning, wearing her usual white golden uniform. Both girls broke their fast and quickly left. But before she did Kallen grabbed a small bag with a history book: Maxim's Conquests of South America.
When they arrived at Ashford Academy they arrived with over thirty soldiers. The Ashford Academy president met them at the gates. "We are honored to host you, my lady." said a small old man whose hair had gone white years ago. It was five in the morning. Kallen's secretary had contacted Ashford to prepare the school so that Kallen could continue her education in safety.
"They will dress as policemen, I will not have soldiers wielding assault rifles neither, I promise you that." Kallen vowed.
The president of the school scratched his beard. "Yes, yes, that would be for the best. Ashford Academy is large, have them spread out. Of course I request that none of these men be in classrooms either."
They made further accommodations, Lilliana would be allowed to attend Kallen's classes and she would help look over Kallen. When it was done both Kallen and the president shook hands. "Education is important, you are wise to continue your pursuit of it." he said. Kallen only smiled, the old man left as she and Lilliana were directed to a clubhouse were Kallen wished to shower to begin her morning.
It would be a long day. She would only take two classes in the morning, then have a dinner in the embassy of the European Union, then prepare for the prince's funeral at night. It would be a large public ceremony directed by Jeremiah, something he requested multiple times and Kallen finally relented to.
"Ah, good morning Marisela. Or should I be saying my lady?" a familiar taunting voice ringed out across the entrance to the clubhouse. Atop the stairs was Lelouch, the student council vice-president.
"Kallen is fine." the Knight of Rounds said while scowling. It was too early for this. The school president had told her they had two students living in the clubhouse, she did not expect for this teen to be one of them. The student walked down the stair, his purple eyes glancing at Lilliana then Kallen. There was something different in them today, something he did not show 'Marisela', but he showed to Kallen. It was anger.
Lilliana must have seen it too because she stepped in between the two of them. This seemed to snap Lelouch back into a calm, his deep purple eyes scanning the young blonde haired squire. "You are even more beautiful than the viceroy," he said, a calm smile in his face as he offered his hand. "Lelouch Lamperouge."
The blonde girl had recognized his anger but she did not realize she was being toyed with now. The white girl's face quickly turned as red as Kallen's hair as she shook his hand. "Liliana Vergamon." she replied, but she did not look at Lelouch. Kallen couldn't help but laugh.
"Stop teasing my squire, Lelouch."
"Oh? I mean the compliment in the fullest."
Liliana was brave, strong, capable, but she was still far too young to deal with such comments. The blonde girl blushed furiously as Kallen sent her to the shower in the clubhouse so they could get ready for school. And then it was just the two of them. Their eyes met and she could see the anger resurging. When he approached her she quickly realized that Lelouch towered over her, but she did not move. A deep curiosity was clawing at her and she wanted to see what those angry violet eyes would do.
"What are you doing here?" he demanded. Kallen smirked. She wondered if his tone would have changed after having learned who Kallen was, but it seemed Lelouch was made of sterner stuff than she originally imagined. Or more arrogant than I thought.
"Why, continuing my education of course. A viceroy cannot rule efficiently if she never finishes high school, don't you agree? Plus there is something important I have to ask you."
At the last words she saw the student grow tense, something she did not expect. His angry eyes even turned fearful. Does he think I've come to chop his head off for disagreeing with me? It was a humorous perspective, she reached for the bag and pulled out a history book. Maxim's Conquest of South America. The vice-president's mind seemed to be spinning and the fear on his eyes quickly went, and a smile spread on his face, one of amusement.
"Just because you are viceroy does not mean you are right about the work we did yesterday." Lelouch said while chuckling, his voice in disbelief.
"I know. I want an explanation, and advice."
"I did not expect to be advising a viceroy today."
"You're not advising me, I'm commanding you to explain something."
He gave a small bow. "As you wish, my lady, what do you want?" he asked. She could not tell if he was mocking her.
For the second time they discussed Maxim's famed conquest of South America especially how he divided his enemies. "Geography is king. The nations of South America were separated by vast jungles, rough mountain ranges and long rivers." Lelouch explained. Kallen had a thinkative face.
"So using terrain he was able to divide the enemies effectively?"
"It's a simplification but yes, he also divided them with diplomacy, economics, and even marriage."
I will have to find my own ways to divide my enemies. Kallen thought. Terrorists, dissidents, angry capitalists, angry nobles. She would divide them all. The vice-president of the student council has a certain wit to him, she admitted.
"Wait, what was that you mentioned about marriage?" Kallen asked.
"Maxim himself married a Brazillian princess. This helped bring Brazil under Britannian rule, it's also one of the reasons Brazil is still called Brazil, and is not an Area."
"Marriage huh? That's still years away from me thankfully."
The student seemed surprised. "I would have thought you would be involved in an arranged marriage." he admitted. "Considering your family's wealth and of course your own beauty."
You won't make me blush again. Kallen thought. This student had made Kallen turn red before but she decided she would have her own fun now. With one hand at her hips she struck first: "Beautiful? What do you find so beautiful about me, Lelouch?"
He had tracked the motion of her arms, the student glanced down, below her face, but above her waist. Kallen felt a cocky grin grow as the student quickly looked away, but he had the pride to answer. "Your eyes, they're a clear blue, few people in Area 11 have eyes like those." Lelouch replied with a calm voice.
"Why yes, my eyes, they're quite large aren't they?" Kallen was no fool, she knew she had a heavy chest that often drew unwanted looks. She saw the student's face grow somewhat red and she giggled. "Do not worry Lelouch, I am merely jesting. But on the marriages, when my family's wealth began to grow plenty of people tried to court me, businessmen, counts, dukes, but my father turned them all away. He said the only marriage he would accept would be a marriage to a prince." Kallen shrugged. "And that seems unlikely, unless you can find a me a prince without a wife."
Most of the Britannian royal family wedded early. A few prince's had tried to court Kallen but they were far too low on the line of succession for her father. There was Schniezel and Odysseus but they were far too high on the line of succession and had no interest in her father's wealth. She always remembered something her father liked to say: When my daughter marries a prince, the rest of the royal family will tremble.
"I see, prince's are a rare sight these days." Lelouch said. "If I find one I'll let you know."
Kallen laughed. "I'm in no rush." Suddenly Lelouch said words and approached her, he grabbed her by the wrist, muttering words. A dizzying feeling came over Kallen, her vision seemed to blur but it came back swiftly. Lelouch had a vexed face, dark and troubled, but he was not grabbing her wrist, nor was he close to her. Odd, I need more rest lest I imagine more things.
"Anyways, thank you for helping me understand Maxim's conquest, especially how he applied the divide and conquer strategy in South America. It was interesting, I learned a lot." But the student's vexed face remained unchanged, his violet eyes in deep thought. "Is something wrong?"
His eyes stared at her, deep and dark, he finally shook his face. "It is nothing. May I ask how much do you plan to attend school? I doubt a viceroy has much free time."
"Thrice a week, only for the first three classes."
"And all this additional security?" he said as he pointed out a window to one of the soldiers brought to guard and police the academy.
"Only when I'm here." she said, realizing why he asked. "Oh, don't worry they won't be a bother, the school owner told me there were students living here so none of them will ever the clubhouse, unless it's an emergency. Your privacy is secured."
The vice-president of the student council seemed satisfied. "Being the viceroy seems like quite the trouble." a frown broke across his face. "You plan to fight terrorists, attend school, govern Area 11 and be the Knight of Twelve, you'll have your hands full."
And catch whoever killed Clovis, find my brother, and also find an immortal witch, Kallen wanted to add, but two of those were secrets, the other was personal. "Battles are easy, but I admit governing will be quite a headache."
"Easy? Charming as you are, that arrogance is an ugly trait."
"Arrogance?" she huffed. "You have no idea what you're talking about and you call me arrogant?" A knight of twelve, a viceroy, and she was being called arrogant by a high school student.
"Knight of Round or viceroy, you are nobility, you were arrogant the day you were born."
Kallen was beginning to understand Lelouch. This high schooler hates Britannia, she realized. Not just the country or its people but everything, its expansion, its institutions and its structure. Therefore she would not let his words go unchallenged. "I am the Knight of Twelve, the youngest viceroy in Britannian history, and when I am done with Area 11 I will turn it into a peaceful and prosperous land. You will not call me arrogant then."
"Oh? You will simply wave your magic wand and fix all our problems? You want to make Area 11 peaceful? How? By destroying all the terrorists through steel and bloodshed?" his voice rose, challenging her.
"Aye, I will do just that," Kallen barked back. "It does not matter how numerous they are, how strong they are, nor how durable they are. I will destroy them." she said fierclly. His eyes once more scanned her as they often did and the student scowled.
"Who speaks those words, Kallen? You? Or your father? You? Or your vows as the Knight of Twelve?" he waved his hand dismissively. "Either way you will not succeed especially when you talk like a brute, with your words of destruction"
Kallen felt her face redenned but this time it was anger. "Nobody is controlling me, and I'm no brute," Kallen said with venom in her voice. "I decided to come here of my own free will. And I will succeed with this dream."
Lelouch shrugged, dismissing her words. "No, first you will break, and then that dream of yours will turn to ash."
Lelouch's words stayed with her through the morning. She had almost let her wroth break out with the high school student but Liliana had finished showering and now it was Kallen's turn. The cold shower tempered Kallen's fire and anger, and she began her second day of school. The classes were uneventful, everybody looked at her now, but most were far too afraid to even come close.
It seems Lelouch Lamperouge is the only one who does not bend, she thought. Kallen still enjoyed her classes, a satisfying break from all the chaos of governance. She had worked on an English assignment with a spirited orange-haired girl named Shirley.
"Is it, your, or is it you're?" Shirley asked.
"You're." Kallen corrected.
The two girls exchanged numbers and soon Kallen's schoolday was done. She returned to the viceroy's palace to prepare for the rest of her day, a press conference and a lunch at the European Union embassy. But first she planned to visit her guards. The sky was blue, not a single speck of white doted on the sky. "I hope the weather holds for the funeral." she commented.
"The forecasts don't indicate any rain, the weather will be kind to us." Liliana promised.
She arrived at her guard's barracks, soldiers stood at attention, all stopping their actions at the sight of her. Thirty members, thirty-one with Suzaku. She knew all their names, they were people she could trust with her life. Arthur, her captain would usually be in command of training but he had taken half the guard to scout Shinjuku, to look for their green-haired witch.
The others were training, her second in command, Jaime greeted her. "My lady!"
He was tall, thick, strong. A scar on his lips, proof he had risked his life to safe Kallen once before. Happy and jovial, he was a man many looked up to, figuratively and literally. He towered over most of the other guards, a symbol of his strength. A good second in command of her guard.
"How does he fare?" she asked.
They began to walk to the Knightmare Frame simulations.
"He is getting used to it all, many of your guard I fear distrust him," Jaime said. "Arthur treats him respectfully, but he isn't taking it easy on the boy either. Alexis and many others hate him for his blood, for his heritage."
Kallen frowned. "They will treat him with respect, Suzaku is one of you now."
"I understand that my lady, but it will take time." Jaime said. "He is the first non-Britannian to be in the guard after all."
We nobles are all arrogant, just like Lelouch said. Suzaku will come out stronger though, dealing with such an enviorment, but she needed to put out a warning. "If anyone seriously injures Suzaku out of malice, let them know there will be punishment, two eyes for one." she said, and glanced back at Liliana who remained quiet. Even her squire was unhappy that she had let an Eleven into her guard.
When they arrived at the Knightmare frame simulations she saw Suzaku's score was as impressive as she had hoped. She glanced at the scoreboard, he had ten wins, and one draw. The draw was with Alexis, Kallen's third in command. Otherwise he had thrashed the other ten who sparred with him. After a minute Suzaku exited the simulation machine, scoring his eleventh victory.
"My, my, eleven in a row." Kallen complimented. The Eleven's face looked below, his eyes wide and surprised.
"My lady, I did not expect you to be here." Suzaku said while bowing, and then climbing down the machine.
"I came to see how you fare." Kallen admitted. You will prove Elevens can integrate into Britannia, a symbol of progress, you are an investment, one that will pay me well. But she did not say that. "Mayhaps tomorrow you can face me in the simulation, see how you fare against a Knight of Round."
"It would be an honor," Suzaku said. "As has been allowing me into your service." he thanked her.
"It's a responsibility, not an honor." she said sternly. "Tell me, how do your new brothers and sisters treat you?"
His eyes hesitated, looking at Jaime who nodded. "They treat me like a foreigner. It is understandable, their hesitation, but I hope to prove myself to them." his green eyes shined bright, his words unshaking.
"And what if they never do?" she asked. "What if no matter how great you are, how loyal you are, they always whisper behind your back?"
"Then it is a weight I will forever bear." Suzaku responded without a moment's hesitation.
Kallen sighed. "You need to grow some spine, Suzaku. If not, they will forever push you around."
"I'm an Eleven, my lady, they are Britannian." he said, this time frowning. It was an unfair world, if they struck Suzaku they could get away with it. Nobody would blink an eye. But if he, an Eleven, struck back at them there would be outrage. She could already hear it: He is nothing but an Eleven, a monkey, how dare he raise his hand against me.
"No, you are not an Eleven, nor are they Britannian. You and they are my guards, my sworn protectors," Kallen said, a hint of anger in her voice.
Suzaku nodded then. "I will try then, my lady, but if you would I have a request."
"Speak it."
"I want to meet with a friend tonight, I understand the prince's funeral is tonight-"
She waved her hand. "Granted. Only I and Arthur will be in attendance anyhow. I let the purebloods deal with that whole event."
Suzaku looked confused. "The purebloods? I thought as viceroy you would be in charge of that."
"Usually, yes, but Jeremiah, their leader, wanted to host it all. He and his group did much to help us when the prince was killed so I gave it as a reward for their service. He likely thinks this will give him some sort of legitimacy, but I care not, at the end of it all I am viceroy, he is not. I am curious though, you seem quite dedicated Suzaku, who is this friend of yours that you would even ask for a leave?"
"An old friend," he said. "From my childhood, we met before the war, and survived together after it." his voice sounded hesitant but he could not stop the sadness in his voice. "We were seperated after an incident and I lost contact with him. I thought he was dead all this time but I happened to come across him a few days ago, a coincidence."
Kallen imagined a young Suzaku and this friend of his surviving together in Area 11 after the war, it must not have been easy. What did Naoto do after the war? Did he survie with one of his friends as well? Or was he alone? Maybe he didn't even survive the war. "It is good you were able to meet with him then. Friendship is an important part of all our lives. Suzaku, you lost this friend of yours once, do not let go of him again, lest you lose you him again."
The funeral for Prince Clovis was a public spectacle. Or it would have been. The purebloods had planned a grand ceremony where the prince's body would be taken in an open casket from Shibuya to the Viceroy's Palace with hundreds of thousands if not millions coming out to pay their respects. The casket would be escorted by a dozen Knightmare Frames, there would an air show by Britannian jets, even fireworks to honor the prince's life. It would all end with a speech given by Jeremiah and Kallen.
Which is why Kallen laughed loudly when it began to rain heavily.
"The weather will clear." Jeremiah had said grumpily.
Then the winds picked up and lightning began to strike. Kallen only laughed harder.
Jeremiah had likely hoped for many to see the prince's body, to come out to pay their respects, but the rain and thunder turned most of them away. From the windows of her armored car she did see people come out, thousands, all determined to pay their respects. But the winds and rain never gave rest, and the longer the ceremony ran, the less people came out. There was a small television in the armored car, and Kallen at least saw a hundred citizens in every road they went through.
"The rain will make it all go quicker. The purebloods must be frustrated." Arthur said with a small smile. He rarely ever did smile. Old man Arthur was not so old, but for a soldier he was. Forty-three, his hair had begun to gray. He was Kallen's right hand man, in combat, in governing, he was capable and resourceful. She may be the captain of her guard but he was more of a mentor than a soldier to her.
"I hope they do speed up the ceremony, there is still much to do tonight."
The lunch at the European Embassy had been droll, but thankfully quick. She had spent the rest of the afternoon preparing tomorrow's day, which included a counter-terrorist operation outside of Tokyo. She had also spoken to her father, Prince Schneizel, and Princess Cornelia on the phone. The two princes had both given their gratitude in how she had helped their brother the last few months, and asked for Kallen to find the killer as soon as she could.
Her father on the other hand did not even mention the dead prince, he spoke instead about her responsibility as a Stadfeld, to be wise, lest she shame their family. "And of course, you can always ask me for help." her father promised.
Suddenly the convoy stopped. It was a hard stop, something was wrong. "What happened?" Kallen saw in the television, it was the prince's own personnel vehicle. What is happening? "How did this vehicle even get here? Every other path to here should have been blockaded by the police."
"Jeremiah likely did not set up any blockades of our route." Arthur said unhappily. "Maybe on purpose."
Kallen felt a ting of danger as her hair stood. Is Jeremiah hoping some terrorist will do something? That the prince's killer will come out of the shadows? She knew Jeremiah was a man who craved the limelight but this was far too much. Too arrogant, too prideful.
Arrogant, like all other nobility, Lelouch spoke in her mind.
On top of the car there was a booth, with a Britannian flag covering it.
"Come out you insolent fool, who dares defile His Highness's memory with this charade?" she heard Jeremiah speak through his Knightmare's speaker. But he was not angry, he almost sounded happy. He is a gloryhound, glory is all he seeks. Kallen glanced around through her windows, she would not be foolish enough to get out of her vehicle, not now. Too many buildings, too many windows. All she could do was watch.
The Britannian flag burned on the booth on top of the car and out stepped a man in a suit.
"My name is Zero." His voice boomed on two large speakers on the prince's car. Kallen could see the confusion spread through the crowd, small as it may be.
"Zero?" she heard Arthur mutter in astonishment. The man was wearing an elaborate suit, it was a black tinted with gold outlines, a cap with the same pitch black. His helmet was oval, his visor a dark blue, almost purple.
"Who is this person?" she heard one of the newscasters say in shock."If he's a terrorist, he's a terrorist far too foolish!"
Kallen tried to analyze the situation, she was two cars behind the front, where this mysterious Zero was standing. There were at least two hundred civillians, all with their umbrellas, confused and muttering among themselves.
"Zero then," Jeremiah said, he had exited his cockpit, pointing his pistol at the stranger. "This show is over, remove yourself from our path and remove yourself from the prince's vehicle at this very moment."
Two sutherlands behind Jeremiah began to approach the car. She heard Zero laugh. "This ceremony is not over, I have only just arrived."
"This ceremony is for His Highness, His Highness that you have just disrespected with this folly." Jeremiah lowered his pistol, the camera pointed at him showing his grin.
"It is you who is mistaken, Jeremiah Gottwalt, this ceremony has always been meant for me." he raised his hands triumphantly and he shouted. "For this is my chance to tell the world the truth, I killed Prince Clovis. I was the one who shot the prince of sin, the prince who partied and lusted while Japan rusted and bled!"
"What?" Kallen this time shouted from her armored car, her mind racing. She went for the door but Arthur stopped her, grabbing her arm. The old man's face was vexed.
"Do not do this, my lady, there is far too many unknowns, we must let Jeremiah handle this, he will catch this fool, I am certain."
Kallen looked at her captain, angrily, she knew she was right, but she did not like it.
"You dare say this to my face?" she heard Jeremiah said, in shock, but his smile did not disappear. The Sutherlands approached Zero's car, but the terrorist snapped his finger and the container behind him suddenly opened: a familiar large steel machine was placed there. Kallen's eyes widened: the gas canister.
"Tell Jeremiah not to be reckless!" she cried.
Arthur was already doing so. When the camera showed Jeremiah's face Kallen saw the smile had been destroyed, now his face was a mix of shock and anger.
"If this ever activates who knows how many will die." Zero said. "You must be wise here, Jeremiah, you have the lives of thousands in your hand."
But the Sutherlands did not stop approaching. Kallen held her breath.
"Of course, this is not all." the car approached Jeremiah and the Sutherlands. "I will announce Orange as well,"
Orange?
"I will not be threatened by terrorists!" Jeremiah was angry, he raised his handgun once more. The Sutherlands stopped.
"With all your might you will let us pass, I command this. Unless you want me to activate this weapon and to expose Orange."
There was an eerie silence in the broadcast, then Jeremiah lowered his weapon. "Fine, you may pass."
Kallen did not even have time to react in shock as the chaos began. She did not know where the gunfire came from but suddenly Jeremiah's Sutherland had slashed one of the other Sutherlands. The small crowd screamed, running away. And suddenly the gas canister was activated, a white smoke pouring out of it. This is not poison. She had seen this smoke many times, it was not poison, it was smoke found in smoke grenades. This terrorist means to escape!
"Arthur! On me!" she opened a container in the car, grabbing a handgun.
She opened the door and Arthur did not have time to stop her. The shooting was between Knightmares, but she did not know why. Have we been betrayed? The confusion was frustrating but she had a goal in mind. She ran past the chaos of the Knightmare Frames, the smoke aided the terrorist, but it also aided Kallen to move undetected. And through the smoke Kallen found the prince's car. On closer inspection she realized the car was a fake, a poorly made imitation. But there was no masked terrorist, inside nor on top of the car.
She looked around, and even behind her. The shooting between the Knightmare Frames had stopped, but Arthur was not with her, likely lost in the poor visibility of the smoke. I cannot lose any more time though. When she checked behind the car she confirmed her suspicion about how the terrorists had escaped: a manhole leading down to the sewers. They truly are rats.
Without a second thought, Kallen jumped in. Her leggings and shoes became soaked with the shit and piss of all of Area 11, the smell did not bother though her. Death smells worse. She began to move as fast as she could, and after a few minutes she heard footsteps. She turned the corner with her gun pointed at the first figure she saw.
"Hold it!"
She had caught him running. The disguised terrorist stopped, turning around. His deep blue mask hiding any emotion or any weakness. "I am impressed, Viceroy Stadfeld. It was quite a feat of bravery to follow me all the way here."
"Quiet!" she said, slowly approaching him, her eyes darting to the darkness behind him. Is he all alone?
"Quiet? But discourse is an important part of politics. Allowing only one side to speak ruins the game."
"This isn't politics, now don't you dare move." her blue eyes looked at his arms, but the poor visibility made it hard to tell if the terrorist was hiding something. He could have a gun, a dagger, anything. Her shoes may be covered in shit, but she could not see shit.
"War is an extension of politics, Viceroy." Zero said. She heard it, a gun was cocked behind her head.
"Drop it." a woman's voice spoke behind her.
Kallen cursed silently as she dropped her gun. "Kick it over." the voice insisted, and Kallen did so.
"What are you doing here?" Zero asked. Kallen thought the question was been directed at her she was about to answer when the other woman spoke.
"I have to ensure your safety. You were a fool to escape by yourself, you should have gone with the others."
The woman walked past Kallen, her blue eyes widened, she took a step back in shock, her mouth even opened for a second. She knew who it was: the green hair fluttered past her, a slender woman with yellow eyes. It's the witch, it's her, there's no mistake.
Zero did not react to the green-haired girl's statement, he lowered his weapon instead. "Your friends will catch up to us soon, my lady, do not follow us by yourself, or I will be forced to shoot you."
The green haired girl was already walking behind Zero, escaping into the darkness of the sewers. Her blue eyes met Zero's deep blue visor. "Why not shoot me now?" she demanded. Zero began to retreat into the darknes, she could not even see him, but she heard his voice.
"Our battle will be one of wills, Viceroy, and I plan to break yours."
AN: Well you guys got more Lelouch/Kallen interaction again. Please let me know what you guys think of this chapter. Who could this terrorist wearing a custom be? Wow so mysterious.
I plan to have a Lelouch POV chapter soon, I will also have another POV chapter with one of Kallen's guards, I don't like doing OC POV chapters but it's mostly to give some more time to Suzaku, without his POV. Suzaku won't get his POV chapters until halfway through. For reasons I won't disclose :)