"Peace and power, they go hand in hand, for there can only be peace if those with power want it."
Alexander Andreas Gustavos Di Britannia.
….
Well, life just is strange, it's something I always knew of course, always expected to be reminded off, but a feeling I can somehow not shake, especially not after the events of last night. I do not know why, but despite the clear happiness I feel at the change in our relationship, something feels off... like an itch in the back of my mind, it's weird and uncomfortable if I am honest.
Still, waking this way is more pleasant than I ever imagined it to be, entirely different from the few times we fell asleep on the couch, and far better. I do not know if it is because of the fact we are now official dating, which is something strange in and off its self, but laid back in our leaf bed, warmed by the still smouldering fire, Kallen's head placed on my chest as she gently snored... it was weird and amazing at the same time.
The one prevalent thought in my usually overactive always planning mind was a quiet, I could get used to this.
So strange, when I came to this world to serve as Amon's entertainment I never thought this would happen, I had focused on my goal of the most entertaining victory for year after year, but now I was changing my plans, because of emotions...
So strange, but I could get used to this.
...
"I think I see smoke..."
"Hmm, Suzu its early... sleep more..."
"Euphie I see smoke!"
"Huh." The Pinkett in question leapt, understanding the words now that she was slightly awake, following her knights pointed finger to see the small puffs of smoke rising from what appeared to be close to the beach. She couldn't see much more than the smoke because of the way the islands hills blocked the view, but it appeared to be pretty close, maybe a few hundred meters through the islands hilly interior.
"Should we go and investigate?"
"Well, it might be dangerous, but I also don't want to leave you here alone... it is up to you Euphie."
"Let's go."
...
"Witch, your leg is close to crushing a place I would like to keep uncrushed."
"Are you complaining Lulu? Usually you like a little pain..."
Damnable temptress. This was so not the time...
"C.C, we have to get up and start looking for a way to contact the Knights, we might be fine for now, but if a storm hits we are absolutely fucked." He began to slowly extract himself from the by now familiar tangle of limbs that C.C always put him in at night. accidently stabbing himself with one of the small twigs they had used as a makeshift blanket.
"And not in the fun way... fine."
"Must everything be a sexual innuendo with you?"
"Of course, it's always fun to fuck with people." Of course that is her answer, because why would it not be, damnable immortal Witch and her plans to annoy literally the entire world including him. She was wiggling her eyebrows too...
"Goddamn it woman!"
...
"Hmm, breakfast..." Kallen muttered before she could stop herself, slowly opening her eyes and panicking at her surroundings for a moment, the simple shelter around her, the smoking fire and form of a large man, before she remembered the previous night, and smiled slightly. It had been a bit... well strange, maybe the stress had gotten to her? She was not sure, but something had triggered that latent anxiety she always kept buried under her confident and school personas, and it had almost fucked up her first attempt at a relationship.
Relationship, what a word... so strange, she had never imagined herself ever being or wanting to be in a relationship, not with the rebellion and certainly not at school, but it just felt right... somehow...
"Want some?"
Kallen turned to look at the man in question, the shirtless giant was holding out a skewer with... was that a shrimp? She nodded and took it from his hands, nibbling at the hot food as she slowly woke up.
"So, we can both agree that this is a bit weird right?" She asked, quickly getting a nod in return. "Everything feels simultaneously different but the same."
"A good way to sum it all up, yes, we both are not very... physical people, other than in combat at least, I don't think much will change now that we are officially in a relationship."
"Other than the occasional kiss right?"
"Indeed."
...
"Is that Andre? It is! Andre! Big-Brother!"
The cry coming from not too far away quickly drew my attention away from the comfortable discussion over close combat tactics and towards the nearby hill, where a pink ball of excitement and a white slowly limping form were making their way down. Hmm, Suzaku was injured, not good, not with the federation battle coming up soon, sure I was planning to take part myself, but we need as much firepower as we could possibly get.
"Ouch!"
And Euphie tripped. While running downhill. Directly towards me.
Fuck my life.
...
"Did you hear that too, my Witch?"
He turned to his green hair companion, the immortal was casually strolling along the ridge of a sandbank along the beach, supposedly keeping a look out. which he did partially trust her with, if any actual threat or thing of interest were to come into view she would tell him, even if she would ignore other small things just to be herself some more.
"I think so... east of us I believe, further down the beach,"
"Do you smell food too?"
"I do, smells like sea food."
"Let's hurry."
"Lets."
...
"Well, that was painful, you okay Euphie?"
She found herself shaking her head at the sight of the large man's mirthful smile, even when smacked into the ground by the rapidly falling pink ball and clearly in some sort of pain he was still fucking joking. Still it made her smile slightly, even if he was nearly always putting up a persona, he had shown her who he truly was, how he thought, and how he fought, she could live with him putting up acts, especially when she herself did so in her daily life.
And when he became emperor it was likely she would need to act herself, and empress should b-
That thought was going straight into the back of her mind to fester, because she did not want to think about that yet, or maybe even ever. Their current relationship was already complicated enough, or at least it felt like it was, maybe this was normal, there was no need to add thoughts of the far future into everything.
"Ouch, I have more bruises than ever before, but I am okay."
"Good, good, it's nice to see you, but I do have to ask, how did you get here?"
...
"That looks... more complicated than I expected..."
"Charles is pulling a prank on us, I can fucking feel it.?" Lelouch raised an eyebrow at the greenettes words, slightly panicked.
"So he is watching now?"
"Now? No he most likely lost interest the second the sun went down."
"He has such a short attention span?"
"Hmm, where do you think the women in your family get it from?"
"That is such a weird thought..."
...
"So, good to see you're okay too Lulu." The insufferable smirk was back, and even Suzaku found himself sweat dropping at the look of pure rage on the other prince's face. Still Alexander did not notice, or at least pretended to not notice, still smiling and sitting near the restoked fire, grilling him and his Princess some breakfast, where did the man learn to cook anyway...
"Alexander..."
"Zero!"
"How long have you known where I was hiding?"
"Oh since I first took command of the pacific, you really did not hide well, without me OSI might even have picked up on you."
The stare down continued, and for once Suzaku chose to sit at the side-lines of it, simply eating his own food and watching some chaos unfold, it was a... well strange experience. Normally he would be on his feet already, trying to break up the oncoming fight, trying to prevent conflict, but he had a task now, a clear goal. Protect Euphie.
"I am not going to thank you."
"You shouldn't, I am a massive asshole, still it's nice seeing my little brother again."
"I do not concur."
"As expected, want a snack?"
"Yes."
...
"The Gawain, what a beast! I am glad those incompetent new hires managed to follow my blueprints at least to this point."
"Come on Lloyd, just because the druid system and hadrons aren't calibrated yet doesn't mean they did a bad job."
"Well it should! This machine may be our second greatest creation ever, it needs to be perfect!"
"Did I hear we?"
"I meant mine Cecile! My second greatest creation!
...
"Alright, truce?"
"Huh?"
"I offered Kallen one in a similar situation, with the cave in, if my side finds us first you and your side goes free, if your side finds us Me and mine go free, deal?"
"What."
"Oh come on Lulu! We both know going our separate ways here won't work, might as well work together to get off of this island."
"Work together. With you."
"Yes?"
"Alexander, why?"
"Depends on the question, but more than half the time the answer is because I can."
"You are as infuriating as I remember."
"Thank you."
"That was not a compliment! But I will accept your deal for now, we should head inland to find a point where we can get a look around from."
"Alright then."
….
With the truce crafted, or at least verbally agreed upon we set out for the innards of the island, looking for a vantage point from where we would hopefully be able to see out surroundings. Our goal of course was a large hill that we could see from all over the island, a decent hike away from us which made it difficult for the less athletic among us, mainly Lelouch and Euphie, but also for Suzaku with his injured ankle. I meanwhile quickly found out that while i had plenty of stamina for such a hike, I also was somewhat of a bug magnet.
I despise bugs, damnable insects and their stinging and buzzing. It made the whole time travelling far less enjoyable then it should have been, even if my continues banter with Kallen and C.C was hilarious, those two know how to take a joke and clap right back.
"I am going to die, it's over, I can't handle this..."
"Come on Lulu, it's just a walk, don't you want your reward?" The teasing tone drew my attention away from my thoughts and towards the green haired immortal and my brother, who was panting like he was running a marathon. damn, i knew he needed exercise, I did not think it was that bad. Still C.C 'motivation' seemed to work, anger sparking in Lelouch's eyes that caused him to pick up the pace.
For about ten steps.
"Alright, how about a short break?"
...
"We will hook the druid system up in about an hour Earl."
"Good! I want a test run before we give the boss his new steed! and that wall has such... interesting readings! I have to know!"
"Lloyd, calm down, eat your lunch."
"Oh yes! Time for tea and Pudding! Thank you for reminding me Cecile!"
"No problem, but I made some new donuts today so no pudding! They are Chilly filled!"
"Oh, joy."
...
"Well, where there are ruins, there are usually tourists... it's a better sight then more trees that is for sure."
"Really, tourist come just to see ruins?"
"Why do you think Italy and Greece are so often visited by history fanatics, I understand the appeal however, walking among the remains of those civilizations that came before."
"Bit weird, but I would not say no to a trip to Rome."
"I will keep that in mind."
The words exchanged between Kallen and Andre had seemingly gone unnoticed by the rest of their little truce group, Kallen did not mind, C.C and Lelouch were seemingly flirting constantly, or well, C.C was doing enough flirting for the both of them while Lelouch was trying to keep his legs from giving out. While Suzaku and Euphie were just walking hand in hand seemingly in trance.
"I do believe we are being ignored..."
"Not used to it?"
"I am a prince, usually people listen to what I have to say, why there is almost no point in trying to sound poetic..."
"Ha! You admit that you try to sound like a ham?"
"What is a good Ham without the seasoning of poetry?"
"You should know, you are one after all."
"You wound me Kallen, truly."
...
"Hit the switch in thirty seconds! I have to get this headset on first, ruddy thing has the worst Velcro I have ever seen."
Cecile shook her head in exasperation over her boss, the genius inventor struggling with a simple Velcro strap, sometimes she felt like she was babysitting a three year old, which in retrospect would have been the by far easier option...
"Alright, let's take a short break here, don't want to exhaust our less physically included companions."
"Fuck you Andre!"
"Not into incest Euphie, that's Marybelle your thinking off."
"Goddammit Andre!"
Laughing I lowered down to a nearby piece of rubble, sitting down on the ancient stone, most of our little group was at least a little tired, other than me and C.C Kallen and Suzaku could go for a little while longer. But unlike me they trained for short bursts of fighting, instead of the marathon fighting training I kept to, meaning they were a bit tired by now.
Lelouch and Euphemia however, were beyond exhausted, looking like the walking dead and in desperate need of a chance to rest their legs, a bunch of weaklings. At least Lelouch made it this far, which was far further than I had expected of him, he actually survived over three hours of walking and exploring, damned impressive.
"Alright, let's take ten and get back on our feet, don't want to stop until we get to the peak, we can set camp up there."
I got reluctant nods from the group, Lelouch for once not commenting back, looking far too tired to do so. And that is when a now familiar red light shone around us.
"Fuck."
...
"Well that was a cluster fuck and a half."
"My Prince!? You are here too!? Could you not have stopped them from stealing my baby!?"
"Now now Lloyd, you don't work for me, it's not my responsibility to monitor your pathetic security measures."
"But your highness! My Gawain!"
"Come on Lloyd, let's lay you down for a bit..."
I chuckled as the Earl was led away, looking like he had no idea what to do with his life, what a poor man, this is why I prefer Harris, just as insane, but he uses his depression positively. Maybe he should see a shrink though... should I see a shrink... Nah, Currently fine, that can wait.
"Now, I need a plane to the military hangar housing my Perseus, the Chinese are sure to launch an attack soon, get me a line to my commanding officers too while you're at it. And a shirt, and some aftersun, a lot of Aftersun."
"..."
"Now!"
"Yes Sir!"
...
"Zero, it's good to have you back."
"It's good to be back, deputy commander, have Rakshata analyse the machine we came in on, I want it stripped and its upgrades added to the Dragons ASAP, tell her the cannons are non-functional."
It always amazed Lelouch how easily and quickly C.C could fall into the role of Zero when wearing the mask, she had to have been an actress at some point, she must not have gotten to that part of her life yet, in the stories she told him it was around the fifteenth century...
'Right, I need sleep, food and drink, I am rambling in my mind.'
"Me and K2 need a moment to get ourselves ready and take in the state of things, do not disturb us for at least three hours, Q1, take some R&R, then visit Rakshata for an update." C.C knew him too well, damn woman, he could take care of himself, even though it was nice to not have to.
"Roger K1."
...
"It is glorious... Why did we wait this long to upgrade him again, Marius?"
The massive mecha had received its long awaited update, I am sure the Perseus will be a true showstopper when we deploy tonight. The plan for that is already set of course, I have requisitioned the Avalon, under Schneizel's command still but following my orders, and Euphie will ask Suzaku to fight in the new Lancelot prototype, all ready for my heroic saving of the day. Or well, Night, as the case may be.
"Because you had your priorities in order brother."
"Still, it is a sight to see, what a surprise it will make, have him moved to the Olympus, get the Hercules ready at Hiroshima base, I will head for the Olympus too, it won't be long until they make their move."
"Understood my Prince, good luck."
"You need it more, Dora is going with you brother, and I heard some very interesting com chatter coming from Nonnette, she was quite interested in the fact that you are now engaged."
"Oh god please no."
My laughter was loud and heard across the base, thank Amon I don't have to deal with Nonnette's teasing until after the battle.
...
The Chinese struck at dusk, fleets moving in great formations as thousands of troop craft shredded through the seafoam, aircraft roaming the skies and contesting the Britannia aerial dominance. And Lelouch watched it all from his command chair, watched as interlopers tried to take his battleground and efforts for themselves.
"What are we going to do Zero?"
"We will not become slaves of the federation, I would sooner side with Britannia then that, not after the Lion kicked the wasp nest of federation racism towards us. Ready the Guren and Shogun, we need to strike hard and fast." His words drew small looks of understanding, so he continued. "Diethard, get me a line to the Britannian command, I wish to speak to the Lion."
"What are you planning for Lelouch?" Kallen's question made him grimace under his mask, he had to acknowledge it now.
"I am making a deal with the devil."
...
With the fall of full darkness the Federation had taken control of Kyushu island, setting up defences and fortifications, missile batteries and artillery, all in the cover of a grand storm. It could not have been more perfect in Xinke's opinion, it was almost too perfect, something was bound to go wrong, it was his job to make sure that the consequences of that were minor.
"General, we have that Britannian Airship coming, The Olympus and its fleet are heading straight north, but our mines will slow them down."
"Prepare missile barrage on the Airship, bring it down from all sides."
"Understood General."
It was going to be a long night, that was for sure, but for his empress, he would withstand anything.
...
"Are you sure about this Suzu?"
Was he? He was not sure, he was not sure about a lot of things these days, everything was moving so quickly, the world around him changing by the day. Luckily one thing remained the same, one constant that he could hold to.
"For you I will do anything Euphie, if you think this is the best plan, then I trust you."
Of course it was not her plan, he knew that Prince Alexander was using his sister to get the Lancelot to fight with him, it was clear. The more time he spent around the man the more the urban myths of the monstrous lion seemed to make sense.
"I... Thank you Suzaku, just be careful okay?"
How could he lie to her? Well Suzaku simply had to, even if this felt like a suicide mission, going in to clear a beachhead with just a single frame was suicide, there was no other way to describe it. Still, he could not worry Euphie, he was simply not able to.
"I will try, everything in my power I will use to get back to you."
With that he rose up the stairs and into the cockpit of his machine, the Lancelot a welcoming thing, as it had always been since his first time behind the controls. This time felt different, more final.
Once more into the breach, once more into the breach.
"Lancelot-Conquista-Testbed, ready to launch."
...
"So Zero, we are kind of busy right now, as you can tell I have taken command and there is an active invasion going on."
"About that Lion, I have a deal to make with you, a truce if you will."
My smirk lit up the room and I swear that Lelouch scowled under his Zero mask at the sight of it. What an unexpected idea, I had thought it a possibility of course, but it was a small chance thing, honestly I expected him to just intervene when he felt like it. It was why Suzaku was going in alone, even knowing it was a bad idea tactically and strategically, because I knew for a fact Lelouch would not let him die.
"What are your terms Zero?"
Lets see what you are planning little brother, you never did like to share those plans.
"A truce, two weeks of no conflict on either side, I send two of my aces to help your planned attack tonight, I know about that new toy too, and I want to be the leader of this attack."
"Hmm..." He wants Xingke... smart little bastard, the federations best general and only hope of winning against me, geassed by Lelouch now that just sounds like perfect entertainment. "Deal, our first attack will launch soon, you can join that wave and our reinforcements will come in once the beachhead has been cleared, help us clear that beachhead, and you can have the general.."
"Agreed."
...
"Love and war mix like a cocktail, that might sound fun at first, but then you realize it's a Molotov cocktail and it's about to explode."
Alexander Andreas Gustavos Di Britannia.