A/N: I think by now, dear reader, you figured out to completely disregard Lelouch of the Resurrection, right? Right. Just a fair reminder with what you're about to read this chapter. The reasoning behind my actions for certain characters is for the plot.
Enjoy.
"You took things too far earlier with Kallen." Suzaku scowled as he entered the immortal's room.
("She needs a slap of reality. There will always be someone better than you in a fight. Therefore you both need to fight smarter, outwit them with everything you have. She has become too complacent believing she will always win.") E2 wasn't phased by the anger rolling off of the young man in waves.
"That doesn't give you a right to tell her to jump off a building!" Suzaku snapped.
("This is the most emotion I've seen from you. Why is that?") E2 studied him.
"Don't change the subject." Suzaku narrowed his eyes. "You went too far."
It was a battle of will. A test to see who was most stubborn. And Suzaku had been Zero long enough he felt that he had stepped into Lelouch's mind. Combine that with his own stubbornness then he can do this all day.
He was nipping a problem in the bud. For he knew what Kallen and even Empress Nunnally feared the most. Another Lelouch on their hands. At least this one was immortal, therefore limited in terms of Geass.
Begrudgingly E2 gave in. His expression too masked for Suzaku to understand his emotions.
("Very well. I went too far. But just so you know, I won't apologize until I know she won't attack on sight.")
"You know? That's perfectly fine. Because I would hate to have her out of commission for the next mission." Suzaku knew E2 was more than capable to injure her out of spite.
("Which is...?") E2 tilted his head. The action reminded Suzaku of C2. Was that a common motion with immortals?
"Soon, actually. If you'd like, you can follow me to a meeting. It's actually going to start within the next hour."
In that hour Suzaku showered, dried off then appeared in the Zero outfit. Even the helmet was on. E2 appeared at his heels, this time in Britannian fashion. The change made Zero do a double take.
"I see the resemblance even more now." He couldn't help but comment.
It was a noble status uniform, minus the stupid cloaks that some of Lelouch's half siblings were quite fond of. And he chose a pale lavender colored shirt with gold accents and black pants. The only piece that wasn't Britannian was the katana at his hip.
"I still don't like the fashion. But I can't turn down gifts from the empress."
"May I ask why lavender?" The color was close to bringing old memories.
"I felt the bright red might be a bit much for a meeting." E2 shrugged, but noticed the nervousness of the masked knight.
Zero didn't respond. Instead he turned to take the lead. E2 silently followed. Zero felt the immortal's curious eyes studying him. It was unnerving how well E2 can pick up the smallest changes.
"Oh, he's back." Lloyd greeted when they entered. He didn't sound too happy with the Zero costume.
A circular table. The immortal paused at the sight of familiar faces. He almost laughed out loud. So this was his punishment from Suzaku? This served more as entertainment.
"Who is this?" A woman glared at the new face.
"Surely you've heard the rumors, Prime Minister Cornelia li Britannia." E2 smirked. "I am E2."
It is known Cornelia attempted to put a stop at Shneizel's plan, and even lead a small resistance group during the tyrant Emperor. In the aftermath she disregarded her royal status. Nunnally begged for her to return only to be her Prime Minister until she can trust someone with that position.
Eventually Cornelia gave in. She had seen enough of her siblings perish. If she had the strength to protect and help Nunnally then so be it.
"Empress - " She tried to turn to the young lady in a wheelchair.
"Sister, I have already met and approved of him. He is welcome to join in these meetings." Nunnally shut her down.
"So the rumors are true. Are you sure Zero can still be trusted?" Shneizel furrowed his eyebrows.
Although he was Prime Minister, he was demoted from his position when Nunnally accepted the throne. However, she considered him a close ally and strategist. He was one of her fonder siblings she adored.
Nowadays Shneizel el Britannia is nothing more than an advisor in terms of war. Nunnally couldn't give him an official title until he proved himself worthy. But it seemed he remains content at just being an advisor. Or perhaps the Empress set the bar extremely high.
"His Geass power, although unique, isn't as devastating as Lelouch. And I have faith Zero won't abuse it. I also have faith in E2 keeping him in line." The Empress remained stern.
That surprised many, including the immortal. He studied her curiously. Her eyes were open and there was a confidence in them. And it dawned on him that she knew something.
"You know who I am." He knew Suzaku wouldn't keep it a secret from her. But he got the feeling that she read into the family history for a better understanding.
"I had to double check what Zero told me was true. You prevented wars. Even with Britannia's worst enemies at the time. So it wasn't hard to connect the dots you prevented one last war over your supposed death." Nunnally informed.
"Empress, who is he?" Shneizel had some speculation, it was noted in his eyes. The similarities weren't one to be ignored.
"Can I tell them?" The Empress turned to E2. He tried his best not to smirk at the idea that an empress was asking him permission to inform the others.
"While I wouldn't mind watching some of them squirm to find out on their own," His eyes darted at Shneizel. "I think it's best to earn their trust now."
"Everyone, this is Elijah Cromwell. Grandfather of Edward zi Britannia, who changed his name from Edward Cromwell."
Immediately Shneizel stared in shock. Cornelia was skeptical. Lloyd had access to a computer and typed the name. On the projector showed a side by side of a painting and a very old photograph. It was the same face that greeted them.
"I have many questions for you later. Perhaps over a game of chess?" Shneizel was compelled to get to know the immortal.
"I'm a mediocre player at best." E2 admitted. "But perhaps."
Zero noted how wary the immortal was with Shneizel. Then again, he didn't blame him. When they weren't training or going over fixing the Merlin, he seen E2 doing his best to learn what transpired during his stay as an experiment.
"Can we continue with the meeting?" Zero knew Lloyd was growing bored. And Cornelia looked like she just swallowed bog water tea.
"Yes. Earl Lloyd, please explain." Nunnally agreed.
"So there's been strange movements within the EU. They're having some trouble with some strange rebel groups in France and Germany. These forces get close in range claiming to be Britannian."
The projector revealed airships. While they looked Britannian, the metals were off. Too reflective. And there must have been some confusion on the paint job, for they were mainly blue with gold accents instead of white with gold.
If they were trying to copy older versions of airships by Britannia, then they should have chosen solid blue. The gold accents didn't appear until recent years, and the main body was always white with the gold. So thus far whoever these people are weren't doing a good job on disguises.
"It's either a ruse to confuse everyone, or they're insulting us." Shneizel commented.
"What is their tactics in a fight?" Zero asked.
"They swarm a city of their choice. They work like a hive in mentality. However, they're destructive. Bridges and highways leading out of the city are destroyed. Any high ranking officials of that country will also have their houses and all known hang out spots will be destroyed."
"Have they revealed what they call themselves when confronted?" Cornelia didn't like any of this.
"That's the strange part. They admit that they're not Britannia. But won't reveal much else. Thus far the EU can't reclaim these cities back, and they're pushing further outward. They are also efficient in cutting off all communication from the city they've taken over from the outside. We have no idea what's going on with the people trapped."
That was peculiar. Everyone had the same thought. Maybe it was an attempt to hide their true motives? Or perhaps draw out the real Britannia to join the mess.
"How long has this been going on?" E2 inquired. From the map, they had already captured major cities of France and Germany. But they also strategically targeted the cities tied with the army bases to render the countries unable to challenge and defend themselves.
"Almost two weeks. And the EU is just now coming forward to ask us for help once they knew for sure we aren't behind these attacks."
"They can't get through the enemies defenses?"
"There were attempts. But with each attempt the army sent to help was overwhelmed and slaughtered. Very few escaped alive. The empty shells of their Knightmare Frame units stand outside of the cities as a reminder of their strength."
Another photo, likely from a photographer who was risking their lives being so close, revealed the outskirts of Paris. And there were damaged and pieces of Knightmare Frames circling the city.
"When they overtook Paris, the EU panicked. They're afraid of the jump to London next. Or even worse take over the other EU countries surrounding them and cutting them off from the world then making that jump."
"So our mission is to protect London?" Zero caught on.
"If we can send them away then it will be a message that their actions won't be tolerated. And with the seed of doubt then perhaps the others that have taken over the cities won't be able to fight at their best." Empress Nunnally was determined. She stared at Zero.
"Can this be done?"
E2 tensed. His eyes shifted to the masked knight. He wondered if Suzaku came clean with the curse Lelouch gave him was lifted. One glance at Lloyd told him no.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Zero promised.
