I did not expect there to be a six-month timespan between this and the last chapter. And I was going to upload it a few days ago, but after getting nauseous and a little sick on a plane back from Seattle, I needed to relax for a few days. Life just beat me up that way.
Anyway, I do not own Code Geass or X-Men. They belong to their respective owners.
Enjoy!
"Nunnally? How...? Why...?"
"It's a long story sister. One that involves the wheelchair," Nunnally partially explained. "Moreover, I think it is a discussion best saved for another time. I believe you have other problems to deal with?"
At the mention of her problems, Cornelia's concerns dissipated into her frustrations. "You heard about that? Then why are you only here now?"
"Cornelia, was I a paraplegic the last time we met?"
No. She hadn't been. But Cornelia assumed the wheelchair had been because of an injury. But paralyzation...
"Nunnally, what happened?"
"I can't say much. Just know that... Magneto was involved."
Cornelia's confusion and concern suddenly turned to rage.
"What did he do? I swear to you Nunnally. I will find him and-"
Cornelia, please. I appreciate your concern. I do. But you won't be able to do anything against Magneto. Even I can't."
"What? But you for all my people in place. Can't you do the same to him?"
"If he weren't wearing his helmet, possibly. But not while he has it on," Nunnally admitted. "It blocks my mind from reaching him."
Cornelia's scowl made way for a frown. "He can block you? How does a stupid-looking helmet do that?"
"I don't know. The original designer was long dead before I could ask. Magneto is the only one who knows how it works. And he's not open to sharing anything with me."
"Then what is your plan, Nunnally? If we can't force him to stop, then how can we make any headway?"
For the first time in their meeting, Nunnally smiled. "We prove him wrong."
Elsewhere...
"Are you sure you need to go? I'm sure Lelouch would love to give you more missions."
"And I would be happy to go on them. Especially if they are as fun as this one," Leila responded to the green-haired telepath. "But Akito and I may have overstayed our welcome. I'm sure our allies in the E.U. will be asking about us soon."
"It's better not to draw attention to ourselves," Akito added. 'We believe in Lelouch, and his goal. But we have our own mission."
"And I sincerely hope you complete it."
Once the door had opened, a helmet-less Lelouch walked through it.
"I appreciate that," Leila told him. "No hard feelings?"
"None at all," Lelouch waved off. "Just know that you are welcome to return whenever you feel like it. Our doors are open."
"Because we're useful?" Akito accused. The small grin on his face was the indicator that he wasn't serious.
"Among other reasons," Lelouch admitted. "Good luck."
A nod was shared between the three. Once it was done, Leila threw out a portal. She Akito walked through it, leaving Japan and entering back into the EU. The portal closed behind them, leaving only Lelouch and C.C in the room together.
"I think we're going to need a new teleporter."
Lelouch smirked at his telepathic accomplice.
"Why do you think we would help a bunch of prisoners escape their confinement?"
"To scout out new talent."
"You didn't even need to read my mind," Lelouch smiled as he took a moment to examine the people now living at his base. They were scattered everywhere, most already working on setting up tents and picking up food.
"So when do we begin testing them?"
"Not yet. They've been through a lot already," Lelouch ordered. "I don't want them to think that I broke them out simply to conscript them to my service. I'm not my father."
Cera didn't need to go near his mind to understand the anger present there. The bitterness in his voice made it all apparent.
"I won't force anyone who doesn't want to fight to do so. A willing army will be a stronger one," Lelouch explained before laying out the groundwork. "Sayako can take my place at the school over the weekend. I can spend my time here examining the ones who are willing."
"Are you sure that will be enough? You yourself said we would need an army to fight Britannia."
"And that is true. But this is just the first step," Lelouch responded. "And don't worry. Once our recruits set an example, more mutants will take notice. And they will follow it."
Smiling, Lelouch gazed out to his charges. The people he had just saved from imprisonment, enslavement, and possible experimentation. People who had reason to want to see the empire end.
This would be the base for his Brotherhood.
"They're all like me."
That was the thought that ran through Rivalz's mind as he walked slowly across the camps that were being built. He saw people who had eyes of unnatural colors and shapes. He saw people with lines on their skin and deformities that weren't deformities. Some had wings, and some had limbs of extra size. Others had more than four limbs.
Some here seemed human. But so many of the people here would never fit in among the normal people above them. The same way he never would.
The entire structure seemed like a city street that existed underneath the true city. There was no sun, but massive generators created light and heat. And there were even stands built for food and water. Rivalz himself had already gotten a drink and a small sandwich.
Now he was trying to find a place to sleep.
Which was harder than getting food. Everyone was trying to claim a spot for themselves. And they were being open and aggressive about it. Rivalz, having never been a confrontational person, found himself backing away from many potential beds as a result. He just needed to...
"Hey! There's a spot up there!"
Turning around, Rivalz saw what everyone was referring to.
It was an empty bunk bed. One with a missing lower bunk. But the top was still intact, and it had a clean mattress.
And several people were already running to get it.
Rivalz wanted that spot. He didn't know if he would find another, and that one seemed comfortable. And he only knew one way to make sure he got it.
*BAMF*
One second and one puff of smoke later, Rivalz was on the top of the bed.
"Seriously?"
"Come on!"
"Let's go find another one."
The dejected mutants went to find new places to rest. While Rivalz pulled off his coat and settled into the bed, he noticed one person who hadn't left. A child.
A child with orange skin and gills.
"You... just appeared there. Are you fast?"
Smiling, Rivalz shook his head. "No. I, um, I teleported here."
The child flashed a bigger smile. "Cool."
The child walked away, leaving Rivalz alone on the bed. He looked up once to see the man who had saved him overlooking the entire camp.
As Rivalz watched Magneto walk, he wondered if this was a chance for him to do better now.
Elsewhere...
Todoh had not changed much in all the years since Suzaku had seen him last. A part of him was glad for that. It meant he still knew his old master.
There was also a downside since he was also just as concerned as to how his master would react to certain things. So far they had only seen the mess hall, a small training room Lelouch had cleared out, the main strategy room, and the area where the new arrivals were being asked to camp out. He also showed him the exit that led back above ground.
"Any questions sensei?"
The old man, who until this point had been silent, looked to his student.
"How did you get all of this?"
"We've been getting ready for years, sensei," Suzaku explained. "And Lelouch's powers are helpful in that regard. It doesn't matter how heavy something is. If there is even a trace of metal on it, he can lift."
"I'm assuming that's still more than his arms can do?" Tohdoh said half-jokingly. Suzaku nonetheless chuckled.
"You wouldn't be wrong, sensei."
Todoh almost smiled. But when he saw the different mutants who were making camp in the underground base, he remembered his concerns.
"What exactly is Lelouch's goal?"
"He wants to beat Britannia. It's what we all want."
"No. Beyond that," Todoh elaborated. "The empire has to fall. There's no doubt about that. But what will Lelouch do after that?"
Suzaku frowned. "What do you mean, sensei? What are you implying?"
"I'm not implying anything Kururugi. I'm asking whether or not we need to worry about the apple falling far from the tree."
Suzaku's relaxed posture instantly became rigid. "There's no chance of that. Lelouch is genuine of his hatred for the empire."
"But that doesn't mean he wouldn't try to make his own," Todoh pointed out. "He can already galvanize many mutants to his cause. What happens when he gets an army that rivals Britannia's?"
Suzaku wanted to argue against his old teacher. But he was making some good points.
"You seem to forget, sensei. You and I are still here."
Tohdoh raised a brow.
"You and I have an influence here. If Lelouch does go off the deep end, we should be capable of pulling him back. if C.C doesn't first, of course."
Upon hearing the green-haired woman's name, Tohdoh felt a slight concern. "And who is she exactly? What role is she playing in this?"
"Cera was with us when Lelouch and I decided to do this. She's obviously closer to him than to me, but she is trustworthy. You don't need to worry about being undermined by her."
Todoh would have to take Kururugi's word for it. He had no other point of reference to judge her from.
"Anyway, Lelouch set up a place you can rest at. He said you can also contact your people from there."
Todoh raised a brow. That was considerate.
"Lead the way Kururugi."
That Night...
Lelouch enjoyed his work. he wouldn't willingly put on the ridiculous-looking (but still useful) helmet if he didn't. But even he had his limits.
Which was why he was happily sitting on Cera's couch with his legs stretched out. His head was resting on the back of the couch, and he finally let out a relaxed breath.
"For someone who can control an element of the universe, you always seem low on stamina."
"Blame it on royalty," Lelouch said. "You get pampered from the moment you're born, told you never need to do unnecessary things for yourself. Then you lose all of that due to circumstances of birth. Now I have to do everything myself."
"My heart bleeds," Cera said jokingly as she relaxed next to Lelouch. Lelouch noted that she was only wearing her white nightdress.
"I know you scanned all the people we have the base, Cera? Does anyone stand out?"
"For your information, Lelouch, I only scanned three-quarters of them. I'll do the rest tomorrow," Cera said casually as she took a sip of her water. "But based on what I did see, a lot of them are ready. They have drive and passion. We would just need to see if their powers would be useful.
"It's a good thing I won't be missed at school the next few days."
Smirking, Cera shuffled closer to Lelouch. "You have the next few days planned out. Anything for tonight?"
Lelouch knew that she had the answer to the question. But he did enjoy playing along.
"Not currently. You?"
Without warning, Cera moved and straddled Lelouch's lap with her legs. Pulling him closer, she all but smashed her lips against his own.
When they pulled away from each other, Lelouch didn't fight the smile overtaking his face.
"Is this going to be our "go-to" nightly activity?"
Cera caressed his cheek. "Do you have an issue with the idea?"
Lelouch grabbed her waist. "Not at all."
The two of them went back to kissing. At some point, Lelouch lost his clothes. He didn't mind, since Cera lost her dress as well. And the two of them ended up doing a lot more than kissing.
The Next Morning...
Naoto could tell something was wrong the moment he woke up. After he put on the glasses the doctor had made for him, he immediately checked his phone for notifications.
The first and biggest one was an order to get to the lab pronto.
Which Naoto did.
Leaving the apartment Euphemia had helped him get, Naoto walked until he reached the laboratory where he often visited. The same lab of an eccentric (and possibly sociopathic) doctor.
"Ah! Naoto, my boy. Good to have you here."
Naoto smiled, but he still tried to keep his distance. He was grateful to the doctor for giving him the glasses and a way to walk among people, but gratitude only went so far. Especially when he wasn't sure if Lloyd saw him as a person or as a potential lab rat.
At least Cecile was kind.
"Naoto!"
Turning around, the young Japanese man was met with a much more welcoming sight. At least with Euphemia, he could be sure that no one was going to carve him.
"At least he's punctual," came the voice of Euphie's sister. A person Naoto would never be comfortable standing so close to. She was a person who was responsible for killings and destruction across so many parts of the world. A person he could not believe Euphie was directly related to.
But she was also a princess and Euphie's sister, so he would have to put up with her.
What shocked Naoto the most was the final arrival. A young girl with violet eyes, and riding around in a wheelchair. She also was smiling at him, which seemed to be an out-of-place choice.
"It's nice to meet you Naoto Kozuki. My name is Nunnally vi Britannia. I look forward to working with you."
Naoto frowned. "I'm sorry? Working with me?"
Nunnally smiled.
"Yes. I do believe we can help each other."
Naoto stepped when the words entered his brain. Literally. He heard the words not out loud, but in his mind.
"How did you do that?"
"It's like I told my sisters. You're not the only one with gifts."
"Gifts?" Naoto questioned. "That's not what I would call this."
Nodding in understatement, Nunnally smiled. "I know you feel that way Naoto. And I understand why."
"How could you possibly understand that?"
"Because communicating with minds isn't the only thing I can do."
Frowning in confusion for only a moment, Naoto backed away further when he realized what the girl meant.
"How deep into my mind did you look?"
"Not very far at all. I promise you Naoto."
The red-eyed man wasn't entirely convinced. "What reason do I have to believe what you're saying?"
"Her station should be good enough," Cornelia interjected. Her hand was already hovering over her gun-sword. "She is a princess of the empire. And I suggest you show her some respect you dirty little-"
"Cornelia!"
Nunnally's shout shocked both the warrior and her sister, as well as the two scientists. None of them were used to seeing the Goddess of Victory spoken to in such a manner.
But Nunnally soon softened. "I apologize for that Naoto. My sister is still learning."
Cornelia was a little offended by the remark, but she stayed her tongue. She would discuss this in private with her younger half-sister later.
"You asked before why you are here Naoto. The answer is simple," Nunnally explained. "Magneto is a threat to the world even beyond the empire. He is someone that must be stopped, and Britannia alone can't do it."
The statement shocked Naoto for a number of reasons. Not the least of which was the fact a princess of Britannia herself was admitting a shortcoming on the empire's part.
"The only way for Magento to be halted is for a force of equal strength to match him. In layman's terms, it will take mutants to stop a mutant threat."
And the shocks just kept on coming. Naoto was now hearing a princess that wasn't Euphie say that the empire would only win if they accepted help from a species they wanted to have eradicated from the world.
"I've already convinced my sister to sanction an M-Force squadron," Nunnally explained. "And Naoto, I want you to be its first official member."
This is where I will stop or now. The next chapter will focus more on Lelouch getting to know and testing his recruits. The reason this chapter is short is that I'm still getting into the swing of writing here, and it's mostly a set-up for things to come.
As for Nunnally and the team she is putting together, they will meet the Brotherhood soon enough. And since Naoto will be helping her, she has a Cyclops to her Professor X. We'll see who else ends up joining her personal crusade. I have a few ideas for it, but I am eager to hear any ideas for recruits to M-Force.
Anyway, please leave reviews, tell me what you think, and I will see you all next time.
Bye!