Author's Notes: I am surprised no one made the notice on the Gawain firing last chapter. In canon, when it fired, dozens of blasts came from it. In this, only two. (Sigh) Oh well, just wanted to get that off my chest.
"Lelouch"-Speech
'What'-Thoughts
"{Live}"-Geass Command
"Stop"-Loudspeaker
"Report"-Radio
Chapter 26: Island of the Gods
September 23rd, Kamine Island, 8:02 A.M.
Zero
Zero jolted up with a gasp. He found himself not in the sand pit, but lumped against a tropical tree.
'What happened?' Zero thought back to when he was pinned by Suzaku. 'That airship fired, and the last thing I saw was a bright light. It wasn't the two beams, as they were red and black.'
He stood up, trying to get a load on his bearings. He didn't have his cloak nor his sword.
'Tohdoh is going to kill me for losing that. Damnit, I had my pistol, I could've at least shot him in the leg, so why didn't I.'
Leaving the treeline, his boots impacted sand as he looked across the sea.
'Tohdoh may be right. Suzaku is my friend, but I can only help him if he wants help.'
Seeing a large boulder sticking out of the sand, he climbed to the top, looking to see if there were any noticeable landmarks. As he observed the area, he came to realize he was on Kamine Island.
'How the hell did I end up here?!'
It was at this moment that Zero realised his helmet was mostly off, with the visor the only thing working. Putting his hand under the helmet, he did a self reboot. While most of the systems were inoperable, including the radio, the proximity sensor seemed to be working...which then told him someone was right behind him!
Zero turned around, gripping his pistol, and found Jeremiah Gottwald look at him several feet away.
Suzaku
Suzaku looked around his surroundings, also wondering where he was. He groaned in pain, looking at his bleeding hands.
'Better cover these up. Sorry Lloyd.' He tore the sleeves of his Knightmare suit before wrapping them around his palms. He didn't have any medical supplies, so this was the best he could do. He then saw The Starless Sky on the ground.
'I must've been gripping it when I passed out.' He picked up the blade before heading deeper into the jungle.
'I hope Lloyd and Miss Cecile aren't having any troubles without me.'
Cecile Croomy
Onboard the Britannian airship Avalon, Cecile was inside the Lancelot, working on the damages that were sustained. The only major damage was severe heat due to the blast. She was not looking over a console to see what internal damage occurred.
'These men tried to get Suzaku killed! All for a hope that Zero would be killed?!'
"Damage report?" Castor inquired.
"It looks like most of it was subsided due to being in the blast radius. It'll only take a couple days, at most, to fix. Any word?"
Castor shook his head. "Still missing. I have no idea what happened to Suzaku and the others, but I don't like it."
"Oh my, who would've imagined a floating aircraft carrier?" Lloyd exclaimed as he entered, along with General Bartley, Lady Ernst, and another man. He had blond hair and light purple eyes, and wore royal garments. The Prime Minister and Second Prince, Schneizel el Britannia.
"You told me to gather data before practical application, correct."
"Because," Schneizel responded, his voice smooth, betraying no emotions besides pleasantry, "I'm extremely interested in whatever you create. I needed to see if this could be made real."
"And the Hadron cannon?"
"We wanted to know if it worked. Thanks to Lady Enneagram and Lord Valstar proving the Gawain is combat effective, we could focus entirely on them." Schneizel looked up to her. "I've been waiting to meet you, Miss Cecile Croomy. And it's been far too long, Castor."
Despite the annoyance Castor currently has, he smiled and shook Schneizel's hand.
"I only wish our reunion was under less dire circumstances."
"Now that we've gotten that out of the way, onto more immediate concerns."
"Prince Castor!" Bartley roared, "Explain yourself. Prince Schneizel gave you a direct order, one which you disregarded!"
"My," Lloyd commented, "Aren't you quite bold to accuse a member of royalty. You must be quite loyal to Schneizel."
"Hmph, it's because of his mercy that I'm not chained up in Temple Tower."
"Regardless," Schneizel interrupted, "General Bartley is correct. My orders were clear on the matter."
"Suzaku Kururugi, despite other's opinions, is too valuable to simply be sacrificed in a gamble."
"I assure you, little brother, that, based on our calculations, Suzaku would be able to escape."
"He shouldn't have been placed in the firing line to begin with!" Cecile yelled out.
"Oh my," Lloyd joyously commented, "Getting a little bold, aren't we."
"Cecile," Castor retorted, "Just sees Suzaku as I do. You don't sacrifice a knight when a pawn would work just as well."
"I saw a chance to eliminate Zero, and I took it. Are you suggesting I allow Zero to escape?"
"I would rather let him escape than lose our future."
"Oh? Clarify."
Castor looked to Cecile. "Miss Croomy, what was Nonette's Knightmare Compatibility for the Lancelot Club during her last run."
'Huh?'
Knightmare Compatibility was a pilot's ability to use a certain Knightmare. The better the KC, the more effective the Knightmare fights. To put it into perspective, a normal person would have a harder time lifting 100lbs compared to a weightlifter. Cecile used her laptop and looked back at the data.
"77%."
"Now, tell me Suzaku's KC from Shinjuku."
Cecile's eyes widened. 'I see where he's going.'
Bringing up the data, she called out, "72%."
Schneizel's eyebrow raised marginally, only noticeable to the trained eye.
"And," Dorothea said, "How is that relevant?"
"That was when Suzaku first piloted the Lancelot. Not only that, but it was his first time piloting a Knightmare in general."
Bartley and Dorothea's jaws dropped at that revelation, but Schneizel kept a passive face.
"Hehe," Lloyd chuckled, "Now you see why I find him so important. One of the biggest hurdles when designing new Knightmares is finding pilots that can handle the strain of newer models. Kururugi is an anomaly, one that must be cultivated."
"With Suzaku, we could push our Knightmare technology faster than before. I think getting more advanced weaponry, which would help us in all future battles, is more important than the chance to kill a terrorist."
Schneizel simply smirked, "I'm impressed, Castor. I had not thought about that. Though, if I had spent as much time as you had dealing with Kururugi, perhaps I would have known of his potential. I hope you can forgive me for my ignorance."
Castor gave him a suspicious look, but he didn't say anything.
"Just don't try plans that will potentially sacrifice him."
"As you wish. Now, Bartley," the four then began leaving, "I understand there is something you wish to show me." Dorothea gave Cecile a very hostile look, one that concerned her. Dorothea never liked her and Lloyd from the beginning, but, now, it seems like she's ready to kill her.
'What did I do?'
When the four left, Castor spoke up.
"He's good."
"Huh?"
"It's one of his greatest strengths: never showing any negative emotions. If it wasn't for his last statement, I would've believed that he was genuine in his forgiveness. No, he knew Suzaku would've been killed, and he doesn't regret his decision. Personally, I find his greatest weakness to be his lack of empathy."
"Empathy?"
"Gah, maybe not the right word. Perhaps apathy. Regardless, he sees everyone as potentially replaceable. Suzaku is a valuable asset, one we cannot afford to lose. However, he doesn't see it that way. To him, if a pilot like Suzaku exists, then we can surely find another just as skilled, if not more."
'That's horrible.'
"But, let's discuss other things. Such as Nonette and Jeremiah. Did you know Nonette was ordered to bring Zero and Celaeno alive?"
"No. It surprised me that the Emperor not only gave her those orders, but that she didn't bother telling us."
"Yes, it's strange. Not the taking them alive part, that I have a few ideas why. But it was the fact that Nonette didn't tell us. Of more concern, though, is Jeremiah. Without warning, he decided to join the battle."
"Was there any reason why?"
"He only said 'I failed them once. I can't fail them again.'. Any idea?"
'Failed them once? Right, the siblings. If Zero or Celaeno die, the Black Knights' new leader might not be so kind to them.' "None. I just hope he's alright."
Zero
Zero quickly pulled out his dagger, bending his arm while he pulled out his pistol and rested on it to steady his aim.
"Waitwaitwait!" Jeremiah exclaimed, his arms outstretched from his body, "I'm unarmed."
"That doesn't mean I shouldn't consider you a threat."
Then, Jeremiah surprised him. He knelt to him, like a knight kneeling before their lord.
'What is he…'
"Lord Lelouch," Jeremiah said, almost pleadingly, "It's you, isn't it."
Zero gasped, clearly not expecting it.
'HOW THE HELL~ When did he find out?! Did he tell an~'
"My Lord, I haven't said a word to anyone. Please, before you decide my fate, let me look upon your face. To know that the past eight years haven't been for nothing."
Zero lowered his arms and began to contemplate his options.
'Okay, Lelouch, options. Killing him would be the safest. Geassing him would be the most practical. However, based on his tone, as well as his choice of words, neither may be necessary. Even while wearing the clothes of Zero, he sees me as Lelouch? Does that mean he does not care that I'm Zero. Well, time to take the leap.'
Zero placed the dagger and pistol away, and placed a hand upon his mask, removing it. Jeremiah's eyes turned to joy.
"Lord Lelouch."
Lelouch kept a neutral face. If he was going to turn Jeremiah, he had to make sure where his loyalties lied. He motioned his hand for Jeremiah to rise.
"I'm impressed, Jeremiah Gottwald," he said as he walked down the rock, "When did you discover my identity?"
"Yesterday, my Lord. During your attack."
"Yesterday?" Jeremiah looked upward, prompting Lelouch to do the same.
"The sun. It's in an earlier position than yesterday."
"Hmm, good eye."
"When I discovered from Suzaku Kururugi that you and Euphemia li Britannia lived, it was not hard for me to deduce that your sisters Cornelia and Nunnally also lived. However, the entire time I feared the Black Knights would potentially use you as hostages. When Celaeno, or, I guess Cornelia, informed me of Euphemia's kidnapping, I suspected that maybe there was more of a connection between you and the Black Knights. Funny enough, I didn't discover that you were Zero. It was more like I discovered Cornelia was Celaeno. When the Lake Kawaguchi situation happened, it was Celaeno that came, not Zero. When Euphemia was kidnapped, Celaeno contacted me, not Zero. When she was saved, and once Cornelia entered the truck, Celaeno contacted me again, not you. She also said that you and Nunnally were unaware of Euphemia's predicament~"
"I think I get the idea. A myriad of things eventually leading you to have an epiphany."
"That is correct, my Lord. Though, I will say, your spy didn't make things easy."
"Spy?"
"Yeah, the spy you've implemented into the Britannian ranks. I would've met with you much sooner if I wasn't worried about him reporting to you."
"...Jeremiah, I don't have a spy."
Jeremiah looked skeptical, believing his Lord was simply protecting the spy. "My Lord, forgive my doubt, but, back during Suzaku Kururugi's 'trial', you mentioned Orange. There was no way that you could have known about Project Orange without a spy of some sort."
"I will explain everything in time, but I assure you, I had no spy placed in the Britannian forces."
Jeremiah's face still looked skeptical, but slowly began morphing to one of bewilderment, then, unnerving Lelouch, a face of a man about to snap.
"So," Jeremiah calmly said, "You mean to tell me that, for the past several weeks, I have been looking over my shoulder, slowly going paranoid and crazy, over a spy that didn't exist?!"
Lelouch didn't say a word, as he tried to decide if the situation was either funny or dangerous for him. He only nodded his head.
Suzaku
Suzaku walked through the forest, looking for any sign of life beyond the occasional wildlife.
"Aaaaa" Suzaku heard a slight roar in the distance. He would've dismissed it as simply the wind, were it not for the fact that it seemed to carry an air of anger and frustration. He soon heard rushing water, and decided to investigate.
When he arrived, he saw a waterfall, going over fifty feet tall into a pool of water barely two feet deep. Looking at the base, he saw a woman in a red outfit, putting on a helmet. She turned, and the lower part of the helmet hid her face, but her eyes still shown, a fiery blue.
"I take it you're Suwa?"
"Yes." Suwa replied. She gripped her sword, but didn't draw it.
"Any idea how we got here?"
"Well, good to know that you don't know either."
"You look as if you were expecting me to come here."
"Because I did. My mask has a built in proximity sensor. I came here to clean myself off. If my mask didn't warn me of your approach, you would've found me still washing. However, as much as I want to deal with a hypocrite like you, I have bigger issues to deal with…" Suwa then noticed the sword. "Zero will want that back."
Suzaku scowled, "He doesn't deserve to wield Nobunaga's sword."
Suwa pushed her thumb, extending her blade outward by an inch, "And you do? I won't lie, he might not be the best person to wield it, but at least he fights for Japan. Though, the irony isn't lost on me. A person who isn't japanese deserves it more than someone who is."
'A clue.' "So, you know who he and Celaeno are?"
Suwa seemed to realize her slip up, as she groaned, "God damn my mouth. Regardless, you can either give me the sword, or I'll take it. Make your choice."
Suzaku simply gripped the sword, and leveled it at her.
Suwa narrowed her eyes, "Very well." She pulled her blade, which Suzaku noticed was a wakizashi, and charged.
She attacked rapidly, not giving Suzaku a chance to counter.
'Her attacks are precise, but reckless. She must only be a recent student of swordsmanship.'
Suzaku would normally easily handle her, but his injuries made any kind of grip painful. The best he could do right now was deflect, and wait for an opening.
Eventually, he found a gap. When she made that gap again, he thrusted the sword at her, forcing her to move back. The blade connected with the side of her helmet, giving it a long scar across it.
However, this gave Suwa her own opening. She gripped the sword as it passed her, and yanked it from Suzaku's grasp. As she did that, Suzaku gripped her shoulder, and tossed her over him, both falling into the water.
Suwa was the first to recover, getting up and quickly looking at the Starless Sky. "I thank you for returning the blade."
Suzaku stood, about to retort, when the two heard something.
Ting ting ting tingtingting ting tingting
The two looked up, and saw Nonette and Celaeno at the top of the waterfall. A rock they were on collapsed, sending them both plummeting.
"Celaeno!"
"Lady Nonette!"
Said women screamed as they plummeted into the water. Suwa and Suzaku approached their respective superiors, and found them unmoving.
(Several Minutes Earlier)
Celaeno
'Lelouch, where are you?!' Celaeno thought as she jogged through the forest. Whatever force pulled her to this island, she figured it had to have grabbed her brother as well. She came up to a stream about five meters wide, and took off her helmet. Kneeling down to the water, she put the helmet to the side, and cupped a small bit of water.
'Mm, fresh.' Celaeno thought, quenching her parched throat. She cupped another bit of water and drank, before cupping another to clean her face. Seeing her reflection in the water, she turned and grabbed her helmet. When she turned back, she saw her reflection...and Nonette's right behind her!
'?!' Celaeno rolled forward into the water, putting the helmet on in the process. As she exited the roll, she drew her dagger, instantly extending it to spear form, and leveling it at Nonette's direction. Nonette simply stood there, a mixture of joy and concern.
"Cornelia."
'Damnit, she saw my face.'
"Please, stop hiding behind that mask, and let me see my friend."
After a moment of silence, Celaeno sighed, she stabbed her spear into the stream, before removing her helmet. Nonette eyes shined as she gazed upon her old friend.
"Nelly."
Cornelia stood, her gaze neutral, as she waited for Nonette to move. Surprisingly, she did nothing.
"How did you find out?" Cornelia inquired, since Nonette wasn't going to initiate a conversation.
"Ever since seeing you at Narita, I've had a strange feeling about you. You quoting our old teacher back at Camlann only compounded those thoughts. However, it wasn't until you busted out Kyoshiro Tohdoh that I realized who you were."
"Oh?"
"Think, Nelly. When you saw my Knightmare during that battle specifically."
'What happened? I escaped Dorothea's attack, busted through the wall. Nonette cut me off and tried to attack me, then I~' Cornelia's eyes widened in realization, before groaning, 'Then I countered with a move only we would know. Once again, I'm the cause of our identities being exposed.'
Nonette giggled, "Maybe next time, don't use a move that can be easily identified."
"In all fairness, you didn't really give me much of a chance to think back there."
Nonette giggled again before her face turned back to one of concern, "How are they? Euphy, Nunna?"
"Safe. Funny enough, that little nickname for Euphie, she changed it to be her new name, just replace the y with an ie. Regardless, both are safe, and Nunnally is unaware of any of this."
"So, that means Euphie is a Black Knight as well. Cornelia, we have been friends since Camlann. Why? Why are you betraying your country?"
Cornelia raised an eyebrow, "You make it sound like I was given a choice."
"Because you were! Ever since Japan became Area 11, you could've come back to Pendragon, come back home."
"Unlikely," Cornelia retorted, her voice angering, "seeing as how and OSI strike team tried to murder us during the invasion."
Nonette's eyes widened in fear, "What?!"
"Not only during the invasion, it was the first battle. While Euphie, Lelouch and Suzaku were outside in the countryside near the Kururugi Shrine, an OSI Cleaner squad assaulted us there. Had it not been for the Japanese soldiers stationed there, we would've shared Lady Marianne's fate."
Nonette clenched her fists. First her squire Rai, now Nelly and her siblings. Was the group responsible for Marianne's death part of the OSI?!
"Is that why you've rebelled against us? To find who killed Marianne? You could've come back, and we would've found out together."
Cornelia exploded, "There isn't a day that doesn't go by where I don't imagine the things I'll do to her murderer!" Cornelia took a deep breath, calming down, "However, I've given up on pursuing them long ago. If I find them one day, then that'll be a good day. No, I'm fighting to keep a promise."
"A promise?"
"I will never abandon Lelouch again."
"Nelly, you're being ridiculous. You didn't abandon him. You got yourself banished so that~"
"I did abandon him! I abandoned his sister, I abandoned Marianne, I left them all!"
"Nelly, what are you talking about?"
"When Marianne told me to leave the security the night before she died, I simply obeyed, despite knowing that something bad might happen! When Lelouch and Nunnally were to be banished, I stood by! I wasn't happy nor content, but I chose to do nothing! It was only when Euphie was threatened that I realized my mistake. When Marianne ordered me to leave, I should've stayed, damned the consequences. When her children were banished, I should've spoken out against father, damned the consequences. When I was banished, I made a vow to never leave him. When Japan fell, I told Lelouch where I stand."
(Years ago)
Japan Coastline
"I swear, Suzaku," Lelouch exclaimed, "For what they've done, I will destroy Britannia!"
Off to the side, Cornelia and Tohdoh had overheard Lelouch's declaration.
"Your opinion, Cornelia?" Tohdoh said, venom in his voice. He didn't like her, even more so now that his country had fallen to her father, so his anger is justified.
Cornelia looked at her brother, deep in thought. Just as the four were getting a sense of normality, and, perhaps, a chance at happiness, her father had ripped it all away. It was quite clear that they've been officially abandoned now.
'Lelouch, you can't possibly beat Britannia! You can't possibly fight your own family!'
Then, Cornelia remembered what Euphie said to her when after she saved Lelouch and Suzaku from the cliff face. How they are all they have now. She had failed their mother when she didn't protect her. She had failed them when she refused to act upon their banishment.
"Tohdoh." Cornelia began, however, she stopped herself, before approaching Lelouch. "Lelouch."
Lelouch looked up at her as she knelt down to him. Nunnally was asleep at this point, a side effect of having to constantly be moving since the war began.
"Lelouch, I do not believe that the path you are taking is the correct one."
Euphie looked concerned, and Lelouch was about to make an angry outburst.
"But, so long as there's breath in my body, and blood in my veins, I will protect you. If you will stand against Britannia, then I shall be a hawk, always by your side, ready to strike at any that come near you. No matter the path you take, I will not let you walk it alone."
Lelouch looked down, Cornelia unable to see his face. However, she saw a lone tear streak fall.
'He doesn't want anyone to see him weak, so he doesn't show his face.'
"Le~" She was interrupted when Lelouch practically jumped into her, wrapping his arms over her shoulders. The boy was finally able to fully trust his sister once more.
"I'm sorry for hating you, Nelly." The boy said, though the words were muffled as he had his face on her shoulder, so Euphie didn't hear it.
"There's nothing to forgive."
Lelouch pulled his head back. "You know, Clovis used to call me a warlock, on account of how some of my chess victories seemed like magic. Think I could pull a miracle against Britannia?"
Cornelia smiled, "If you're a warlock, then, will you accept this harpy into your service?"
Lelouch smiled, "Yes."
Cornelia pulled him into another hug, before a loud booming noise could be heard from the distance.
"We need to move," Tohdoh exclaimed, "Now!"
(Present Day)
"Every since that day, I swore to stay by his side. Even if it leads to my own damnation."
"Nelly…" Nonette exclaimed, shocked at what Cornelia had said, yet unsurprised at her determination.
"There's only one path left for me," she placed her helmet back on, the visor glowing menacingly, before detaching her cloak and letting it float down the stream, "And it's the one that Lelouch forges."
Nonette sighed, "Nelly, is there nothing I can do to convince you?"
"It's not me that you have to convince," Celaeno exclaimed, pulling the spear out of the ground, "And I doubt you could convince him."
Nonette looked down, a tear falling from her cheek. "Then, so be it." she said solemnly, pulling her sword, a shortsword with a white and red crossguard in the shape of a hawk, and a ruby in the pommel.
The two stood silent, before Nonette charged into the stream. She swung downward, but Celaeno parried it, grinding the spear against the sword and sending a ringing sound across the area. Nonette was actually surprised at the parry, but quickly recovered and thrusted the sword at Celaeno. Once again, Celaeno parried, deflecting it downward into the stream. Celaeno kicked up water into Nonette's face, causing her to drop the sword. When Nonette shook her head to clear the water from her eyes, she saw Celaeno's spear closing in on her face. She quickly jerked her head to the right, but the crossguard slashed at her cheek.
'Holy shit!' Nonette thought, 'She's actually trying to kill me!'
Nonette then steeled herself. If her friend was fighting all out, then the only way to respect her is to do the same. Before the spear could be retracted, she grabbed it and swung both the spear and Celaeno further down the stream. Nonette then picked up her sword, and the two continued their battle, continuously going down the stream.
Nonette swung wide, trying to hit her side, but Celaeno held the spear vertically, blocking the blow. Nonette then twisted the blade, turning it around the spear, and cutting into her right shoulder. Once again, they continued down the stream, parrying blow after blow. Celaeno thrust at her, but Nonette blocked it. While their weapons locked up, Celaeno turned the spear back to dagger form, causing all the pressure Nonette was applying to be gone. As she fell forward, Celaeno slashed her hip with the dagger, before quickly turning back to spear form.
Eventually, they came to the top of a waterfall. Nonette swung downwar, but Celaeno blocked the attack. Before the two could disengage, Celaeno punched Nonette in the gut, sending her recoiling to the edge. Celaeno held the spear horizontally, with the intent of pushing Nonette off the waterfall. Nonette blocked it with her sword, but Celaeno kept pushing, placing a foot between two rocks to get an extra grip.
However, this eventually caused the boulder both were on to dislodge itself. Both their eyes widened in fear as they realised they were going to fall. As they began to fall, Celaeno ended up overshooting Nonette, falling a greater distance.
"Celaeno!"
"Lady Nonette!"
Whoever yelled their names, neither cared to notice, as both began to scream, both impacting the water, being knocked unconscious.
After a moment, Celaeno's eyes began to open, and she saw that she was being dragged by her shoulders from the pond. Despite her vision being hazy, she looked up, seeing Kallen, part of her mask opened, dragging her. Turning her head to the pool, she saw Suzaku hoisting Nonette up, slinging her arm across his shoulder.
As they passed into the treeline, and out of direct sight, Celaeno's stomach got incredibly painful. In an instant, she got herself out of Kallen's grip, falling to her knees, and began trying to rip her helmet off by force, not thinking clearly. Kallen hit the latch on the back, allowing her to take the helmet off. As soon as she did, Celaeno vomited.
8:47 P.M.
Tohdoh
Inside the Black Knight Submarine, the Dark Council and many others were in a mess hall, quickly debating current events.
"We need to find them NOW!" Tamaki slammed his fist onto the table for the upteenth time.
"Tamaki," Ohgi exclaimed, "We can't just rush in. That flying warship will make things difficult already. We lost the Morgana and Gorgon when those cannons obliterated the area, and, if Tohdoh hadn't moved into the pit, we would've lost the Guren as well."
The group retreated quickly when the airship rained hell upon the area. Everyone was concerned that Zero and Celaeno were either dead or captured.
'There's a chance that Lelouch might've been killed. However, Cornelia may have survived. AARs say that the Gorgon had no pilot inside it just before the blast hit, despite the fact that the cockpit wasn't open. What happened?'
"Like Hell we can't! Knowing Zero, he'll stick to the plan! Let's just go to Kamine island and pick them up."
"We don't even know," Tohdoh retorted, "If they're even alive, let alone on Kamine island."
"They're alive." C.C. exclaimed as she stood up, intending to leave the mess hall.
"Oh," Asahina scoffed, "And how could you possibly know that."
"It does not matter how, only that I know. Someone as ignorant as you should not be concerned about it."
"Not concern my~?!" Asahina stood up, "And who do you think you are to say such a thing? Each member of the Dark Council has proven themselves. You, on the other hand, were simply given the spot, and you barely do anything. I will not be insulted by Zero's mistress."
'That's too far, Asahina.' Tohdoh then noticed something. It was vague, but he could see a red crane symbol etched into C.C.'s forehead. 'Strange. How did this girl end up joining the Black Knights? Wait, this girl has been with us since the beginning. Ever since Zero first appeared saving Suzaku. Could it be?'
"You're her, aren't you?"
Everyone looked at him, curious about the sudden question. C.C. simply raised an eyebrow.
"You'll have to be more specific."
"During Suzaku Kururugi's rescue, Zero exposed that Clovis had experimented on a girl with 'unique' powers. You're that girl. And, I'm willing to bet that you gave Zero some of these powers."
C.C. simply smirked. "Yes," she turned and walked away, "So, you know that, when I say he's alive, I mean it." The door to the mess hall sealed shut.
C.C.
'I'm impressed by that man's intelligence.'
C.C. was currently walking down the hallway, heading for Zero's quarters.
'I must say,' a familiar annoying bastard said, 'I was highly amused at how easily that man was able to figure you out. Not the whole truth, obviously.'
C.C.'s eyes widened, "How are you~? You. You're responsible for what happened back there."
'Of course. You've been keeping secrets from me and Charles. I needed to find out. Though, I do admit, things didn't go quite as planned.'
"And, God forbid, did you intend?"
'I intended to grab only Zero and the Eleven. However, it turns out that the teleportation features has a...area of effect. Instead of grabbing those two, I grabbed anyone that was in that pit.'
"So you tried to do a trick that you never bothered fully understanding. Still, you are a petulant child."
'...' C.C. could swore he could hear the boys temper tantrum, 'Besides, my mistake pales in comparison to your secrets. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were planning to betray my brother.'
"Because, the longer I'm with the Black Knights, the more it seems that, maybe you two won't keep your end of the bargain."
'Hmph, and I wonder. What makes Zero so special. Perhaps I'll find out for myself.'
"Don't you~" But, it was too late. C.C. felt the connection drop, so she was now talking to herself.
'Damn that boy! I hope Zero is found quickly. I don't need that boy causing any more problems.'
Suzaku
Back on Kamine island, Suzaku had made a fireplace on the beach, though Nonette was still unconscious. Currently, though, he was thinking back to what Zero had told him earlier.
'My father actually had a plan? He had a plan to save Japan?'
'Like a child, you never considered the big picture.'
Suzaku looked up, and could see his father standing on the other side of the fire.
'You never told me about your plans!'
'Must I explain every little detail to my son, who should be expecting that his father, the Prime Minister of Japan, would have a plan beside countrywide seppuku? I only told you what you needed to know, that I would fight to the bitter end.'
'Yes, which made me think that you would've sacrificed our country out of spite.'
'Perhaps. Or perhaps, as Zero said, you wanted to end the war as soon as possible. An admirable quality, wishing to preserve as much life as you can. However, think about how it has affected our people. Think about how it has affected the image of our family. The father who turned coward by committing seppuku to stop the war, and the son who turned traitor. I don't know what's worse, the fact that people believe that lie, or~'
Nonette woke up and began swinging wildly, the image of his father dissipating instantly.
"Lady Nonette." Suzaku exclaimed as he quickly moved to her side.
Nonette gasped, now clearly aware of her surroundings. "Where are…?"
Suzaku pointed farther down the beach. Another campfire, which Suwa and Celaeno around it.
"Close enough to see them, but far enough away that, if either tried to rush the other~"
"We'd see them coming."
Nonette
'I'm surprised, Nelly. Years ago you could only barely scratch me. Now, it took all I had to match you. Well done.' Nonette then noticed that Suzaku was looking depressed as he sat back down.
"What's wrong?"
"Oh, it's nothing."
Nonette raised an eyebrow, "Suzaku, we're stranded on an island, with no idea when a rescue team will find us. If you wanted a better non-disclosure therapist, I don't know where to find one."
Suzaku looked down, clearly in turmoil about saying anything.
'If it's something Lelouch or Cornelia said, I need to nip it in the bud.'
"I killed my father."
Nonette's eyes widened in shock. 'Not what I expected!'
"During the invasion of Japan, my father refused to concede defeat, despite the fact that our people were losing on every front. I begged him to reconsider. I didn't want our people to die for a hopeless cause. When he refused, I stabbed him."
'Ok, maybe I'm not the best person for a therapist.'
"I didn't mean to kill him, it just…"
"You acted on instinct."
Suzaku nodded.
"And, has this been what's bothering you?"
"No. Zero told me yesterday of my father's true plan."
'Okay, something I can work with.' She motioned her hand to have him continue.
"He said that Russia, despite all their troops in Africa, had a plan to save Japan. One my father had come up with. All my father had to do was simply hold the line, and, eventually, reinforcements would arrive."
"Are you certain that Zero wasn't simply lying?"
"I thought of that, but it makes sense. Near the end of the war, I caught my father talking with someone from Russia. It was only for a second, but it was clear."
'So, now, he's thinking that, if he simply didn't do anything, then Japan would not have become Area 11. Lelouch, it seems your cunning has grown since your banishment.'
"It's not just that."
"Oh?"
"What was reported on my father's death?"
"Only that he committed suicide in protest of the war. Wait~"
"Yes. Everyone covered for me. It was clear they knew that he was murdered, but they decided to lie about his death. I was never punished for it. I never~"
"Stop."
Suzaku looked up, his face concerned.
"You can't dwell upon the past. If you do, you'll break yourself down in doubt, and that means Zero wins."
"But~"
"Do I have regrets? Many, but I don't let them consume me. I simply push forward to make sure that they can never happen again. Suzaku, what do you want?"
"...I want my people to be able to live in peace."
"How?"
"By changing the way Britannia sees my people."
Nonette kept a neutral face, but, inward, she had some concerns. 'That's a nigh impossible task.'
"That's how you'll prove to Zero that he's wrong. Continue down your path with no regrets, or else all you do is prove Zero right. However, I believe that you should take responsibility for your actions. Tell one of the Princes what really happened to your father. Perhaps Castor."
Suzaku looked down, his face in deep thought, a marked improvement from his depressive look before.
'He's aimless. He wants to change Britannia, but he has only been following the current, not going against it.'
Nonette looked down, placing a hand on her chin.
'Perhaps, all he needs...is the right opportunity.'
Zero
On the other side of the island, Zero and Jeremiah were gathered around a fire, a cooked fish on a stick above it.
"So," Zero exclaimed, "Let me recap: Clovis came to Japan, hoping to find our bodies. When you brought the Purebloods, he recruited you to help in his search. For seven years you have systematically searched all of Japan, coming to the conclusion that we were most likely alive. When you found us, you were going to join us, while Clovis would've 'lost' a small fortune so that we could remain in hiding."
"A watered down version," Jeremiah croaked, his voice still sore from his outburst, "But, yes."
Zero groaned, "I was afraid of that. Killing Clovis did a blow to Cornelia. She may have tried to hide it, but I could see that it weighed heavily on her. The only thing that balanced it out was the fact that Clovis appeared to have grown opulent and cruel in the years since coming here. I'm not sure I should tell her that it was all a ploy to eventually help us."
"Yes, that may not be wise. On another note, why did you use the word Orange when you rescued Suzaku, and, if I hadn't released him, what would you have done?"
Zero smirked, letting part of the mask slide open, and activated his Geass. Jeremiah gasped.
"As I said, Clovis experimented on the girl for her powers. She gave me one of those powers. This is called Geass. Unique to every person, mine allows me to force someone to obey one command. I was intending to use it on you during the bridge event, but you gave him to me anyways. As for why Orange, I simply remembered when we visited your manor in Florida."
Jeremiah raised an eyebrow, "Forgive me, my Lord, but you'll have to be more specific."
"Remember? The blender, the truck full of oranges, the window~"
Recognition and horror flashed through his eyes, "Lady Marianne swore we'd never speak of that again!"
Zero chuckled, "Nunnally couldn't stop laughing until we got back to Pendragon."
A silence encompassed the two, as Jeremiah looked at the fire, while Zero stared at the stars.
"Jeremiah, what are you going to do now?"
"What do you mean?"
"You now know who I am."
Jeremiah simply sat silent, "Is this for Marianne?"
"Yes, and no. I do wish to take revenge on the people who killed her. However, everything I do is to create a gentle world that Nunnally and Euphie can live in."
"...My loyalty is to Marianne and her family. That means my loyalty is to you."
"And you would so easily betray Britannia?"
"Is your plan to completely obliterate Britannia?"
"No. I had such plans as a child, but they have changed. I will simply make Britannia incapable of waging war upon other nations. At least, not without destroying themselves in the process."
"Then I have no regrets. The nobility of Britannia have become rotten. It's one of the reasons why I admired your mother so greatly. She was the first true noble lady I have ever seen."
'Such devout loyalty.'
"I have to ask, my Lord, what would you have done if I had kept my loyalty to Britannia."
"You wouldn't have had the chance."
"Pardon?"
"Based on all that I've gathered, I made a clear observation. That your loyalty to my family did outweigh your loyalty to Britannia. Before this morning, I came to two conclusions, either you'd join me, or you'd keep my identity secret. If I did not believe you'd do either of those, then we wouldn't be having this conversation. I would've simply Geassed you and be done with it."
Jeremiah looked nervous, "Glad to see your skills of deduction haven't faltered, my Lord."
September 24th, 7:42 A.M.
Schneizel el Britannia
Schneizel neared the ruins on Kamine island. Last night he deduced that, since neither Nonette, Suzaku, or Jeremiah were on Shikine island, then searching here would be the next best location. However, early into the search, General Bartley informed Schneizel of the ruins Code-R were investigating. According to him, they were discovered shortly after the Shinjuku incident.
Entering the ruins, light stands were erected , and wires from outside funneled in towards computers gathering data. At the end was a massive door with tectonic markings.
"General Bartley," Schneizel said, "I believe you called this a 'Thought Elevator'."
"Yes, your Highness."
"A Thought Elevator," Lloyd exclaimed, "I'm afraid that archeology isn't my strong suit, especially not this paranormal stuff."
"Why you~Show some respect~"
"Anyway, this is way outside my field. Cecile may have been more useful to you in this situation."
"Do not complain so much," Schneizel politely asked before turning to Bartley, "My father is infatuated with this as well, correct?"
"Yes. We've found artifacts similar to this one in a number of places around the world. I discovered this quite by accident. All other known sites are under direct imperial control. This is mere speculation on my part, but I believe the real reason we're invading other countries is to obtain these objects."
'Fascinating. But, what could you possibly be using them for, father?'
"And so," Lloyd turned to the Gawain standing nearby, "In order to study this ancient occult data, you're going to use the Gawain's Druid System, prototype as it is?"
"Yes, and that's why I've called you here."
Zero
Zero and Jeremiah pushed deeper into the island, hoping to find something of note, when they eventually came to a clearing. At two separate points on the opposite end, came Kallen, Celaeno, Nonette, and Suzaku. They appeared to be keeping an eye on each other, not letting the other out of sight. Kallen was the first to see them.
"Zero!" All four turned to look.
"Lord Jeremiah," Suzaku exclaimed, "Are you alright?"
"A little sore on my back, but, otherwise, healthy."
"As amusing as this is," Zero interjected as he began approaching the four, "We need to find a way off this island. I don't suppose a cease-fire until then is too much?"
As he got close, he took a step, and the ground almost darkened, and the red symbol of Geass appeared on the ground, covering the entire clearing.
"Huh?/That symbol!/What?/Why is it here?!" Kallen/Nonette/Suzaku/Celaeno all exclaimed, while Jeremiah was dumbfounded.
Before Zero could respond, his entire brain locked up, and he doubled over in pain.
Celaeno
"Zero?" Celaeno asked worriedly, only to be answered by Zero's screams of pain. "ZERO!"
She ran to him as he placed his hands on his mask.
'Is his Geass hurting him?!'
Before she could inquire further, the ground shook, and began falling. As it descended, Celaeno took note of their surroundings. They appeared to be ruins, with at least half a squad of soldiers gathered there. She saw General Bartley, Lloyd Asplund, and...her brother Schneizel!
'The hell's he doing here!'
The platform finally reached the bottom, but Celaeno was already in action.
"Suwa, FB!"
Kallen nodded and grabbed a capsule from her hip before tossing it into the air. It let out a bright light, blinding all combatants, aside from Celaeno, Kallen, and Zero. Celaeno needed an exit when she spotted the giant Knightmare from Narita.
'Perfect.' "Suwa~"
"On it!" Kallen picked up Zero, who was groaning in pain. Zero was aware of what was happening around him, and tried to move, but the pain was too much. Celaeno quickly climbed up the Gawain, letting Kallen and Zero use the harness system.
"Put him in the back, you'll have to stand on the shoulder."
As she entered, she saw that some idiot left the ignition key in, allowing for easy hijacking. Activating the Gawain, she began moving, taking off her helmet to get a better look at the controls.
'All this gear...Code-R's interest in this island...and now Schneizel being involved. Yeah, no.'
Celaeno quickly turned the Gawain towards the door, before finding the controls for something called the 'Hadron Cannon' she fired, destroying the stone door, causing a red flash to engulf the area.
Unknown
Inside another Thought Elevator, the boy looked on in horror. He had learned who Zero was, but at the cost of possibly the only Thought Elevator near Area 11. His shocked turned to rage, however.
"You whore! You stupid bitch! How dare you interfere with Charles's plans!"
C.C.
C.C. smirked. She felt the Thought Elevator being destroyed.
'Stupid boy. Now, because of your meddling, you've lost something far more valuable.'
Celaeno
At the moment of destruction, the pain inflicting Zero ceased as well.
'Good, two birds with one stone.' She turned the Gawain back at the exit, where a dozen Sutherlands were waiting.
"Out of my way!" She fired again, destroying many of them, leaving only two left.
'What other tricks does this Knightmare now have.' She noticed that, somehow, this Knightmare had a flight system. She pulled the level to it, and the Gawain was sent flying above the Sutherlands.
As they flew over the ocean, Celaeno got on the Knightmare radio, and tapped into the BK frequency.
"This is Celaeno. Are there any forces nearby?"
"This is Ohgi. Kami, it's good to hear your voice again."
"Situation report. How many did we lose?"
"None of our forces we killed during the assault, nor the retreat. However, both the Morgana and the Gorgon were destroyed."
Celaeno sighed, 'The Twins won't be happy about this.' "And the Guren?"
"Asahina and Chiba were able to recover it. What's your position?"
"Off Kamine island, heading North by North-West. Wait for us two miles from my current heading."
"Roger."
"Kallen, I just contacted Ohgi they'll be waiting to pick us up."
"Good. And the Guren?"
"You can thank Asahina and Chiba for that."
"Yes, Sir." She replied, happy her Knightmare wasn't destroyed. Celaeno heard another groan from behind her. Zero sat up, taking his helmet off, and placing his hands upon his face.
"Lelouch, are you alright?" She said softly.
"No," Lelouch groaned, "No, I am not."
"What happened?"
"I don't know. When the Geass symbol appeared, it felt like someone was reaching into my skull."
"We'll have the Twins look at you. Your Geass may have been tampered with."
"Celaeno, this is Deithard."
"Go ahead."
"We may have a situation."
Viceroy Palace
Pollux
"Any updates on Shikine?" Viceroy Pollux asked the approaching major as he sat in the throne room. He had already heard from Sub-Viceroy Castor how Prime Minister Schneizel tried to sacrifice lieutenant Kururugi in order to kill Zero. Needless to say, Pollux was also not pleased. He'd rather lose a chance to kill an enemy than risk losing a valuable ally.
"Yes. Unfortunately, Zero and Celaeno were able to escape. They stole the Gawain, and used it to aid in their escape."
'And now, because of your actions, Schneizel, they have another Seventh-Gen Knightmare.'
"Your Highness!" Guilford exclaimed as he ran into the room.
"Guilford," Pollux sighed, placing both hands on his nose, "I doubt I'm in the mood to speak to the NAC."
"It's not that. The enemy has just destroyed the Great Kamon Bridge in Kyushu block!"
"WHAT!?"
"They also cut off vehicle access at four other points, and large numbers of assault landing craft are moving into the Genkai Sea!"
"Genk~Is the Chinese Federation declaring war on us!?"
"No, your Highness! The crafts are bearing the flag of Japan!"
Northern Kyushu Coastline
Hundreds of landing craft, all bearing the flag of Japan, began charging towards the shore. Thousands of Japanese, supported by Chinese 'deserters' all readied themselves to reclaim the island of Japan.
Along the shoreline, a squad of Sutherlands and tanks waited, preparing for the sudden attack.
"How long until reinforcements arrive?"
"Ten minutes. All forces, get ready for beach assault."
The water in front of them erupted as a large black mass launched over the Sutherlands, and landed on two tanks, crushing them. When the Sutherlands turned around, many of them backed up in fear.
A towering behemoth, over twenty meters high, dwarfed the Sutherlands. It's bipedal legs walked off the remains of the crushed tank. Its tail swayed to and from, ready for any attack. Its arms more resembled fins. (Metal Gear Ray)
"What is that thing!?"
"Open fire!"
As they engaged, several turrets on the titan began firing at them in return, damaging several Sutherlands. Then, the head unit opened up, revealing a cannon. Yellow energy gathered around the cannon. Several Sutherlands were smart and began running away, but it was too late. The cannon fired, releasing a torrent of energy that destroyed every Sutherland that crossed it's path. When the dust settled, the titan saw a lone tank attempting to flee. It raised one of its fins, and it opened up, revealing dozens of missile launchers. Firing a single one, it flew at the tank, destroying it.
The first Russian Knightmare, Akula, had tasted it's first blood.
Author's Notes: Good news: They got the Gawain. Bad news: They lost the Morgana and Gorgon. I know it might seem unceremonious to simply have them blow up here, but I am setting things up, and I have always intended them to lose those Knightmares eventually.
Worse news: Now V.V. and Charles will know who Zero is. Wonder if C.C. will be angry and spill something to him.
As for why Cornelia destroyed the Thought Elevator. Do you really think a commander like Cornelia would let an unknown asset like that fall into enemy hands.
The Japan Military is making a comeback, armed with a new Knightmare unlike any before, thanks to their Russian ally. How will the Britannian forces deal with this new threat? And how will the Black Knights favor into it?
As for why Lelouch was in pain, that stems from context. In canon, V.V. already knew who Zero was, so, all he did was jump start Lelouch's Geass Rampancy. Here, he had to do that and find out who Zero was. He pretty much just reached into Zero's head and pried the information.
As always, leave a review, favorite/follow, and I'll see you all next time.
P.S. if you're wondering what gave me the idea for Cornelia to destroy the Thought Elevator, look up Code Prime R1: Rebellion. It's a Transformers/Code Geass Fanfic, and it just finished, with a sequel announced. Personally, it's one of my favorites, and I think you'll enjoy it too if you like mine.