Here is the second part, as promised. Sorry, it came out later than intended. Life happened.
Anyway, Enjoy This!
"I think this might be a bit much."
The entire stadium was surrounded by Knightmare frames. Only a few were manned and active, but all of them were imposing figures. Every person that came for the ceremony, a number that was currently surpassing the hundreds, was nervous whenever they looked at them.
"They are all here for your protection, Princes Euphemia" Andreas Darlton, one of Cornelia's top officers and leader of Glaston Knights, informed her. "Trust me, no one will attempt to harm you while we are here."
"You're missing the point," Euphie thought while frowning. The goal of the zone was to get everyone to feel secure and at ease with each other. To try and heal some of the damage that the invasion had left.
Having a bunch of giant war machines laying around was not helping to ensure confidence. It made it look like the Britannians were expecting a fight.
But Cornelia had made her choice and signed all the paperwork. That meant that she couldn't just send them away. So she was stuck with them.
"Just make sure not to activate them unless absolutely necessary. Understood Darlton?"
"Yes, My Lady!"
Saluting like a good soldier, Darlton then left the room to check with the stadium security team.
Suzaku came up to Euphie shortly afterward. "Don't take this personal Euphie. This high-level security isn't because no one has faith in you. It's because of what happened... with Clovis."
Yes. It was her brother's murder months ago that increased tensions in the country. The persecution of the Japanese was increased, and so was discrimination. That was why she wanted this Special Zone to work. If it did, there could be peace between Britannians and Japanese.
"I know. I just wish the road to peace would be easier. I guess that's just wishful thinking"
Smiling, Suzaku grabbed her hand. It was a violation of so many protocols, but there was no one else around. And neither of them cared anyway.
"We'll get there Euphie. It will be better."
Euphie smiled at the thought.
"Do they actually expect us to buy any of this crap?" Tamaki yelled at the screen of the shared TV.
Right now, the entire resistance group was gathered in an old warehouse, where they were watching the coverage of the Special Zone. Tamaki, wearing his usual heavy sweater, was doing nothing but yelling at the news.
"Seriously, they treat us like dirt for years, and now they want to be our friends. Screw them!"
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I agree with Tamaki," Ohgi said, much to the surprise of everyone. "This just feels like some sort of trap. I don't think blindly trusting it is a good idea."
The rest of the group agreed. While they would like to join the zone, none of them felt the promise of equality would be honored. Some for special reasons.
Kallen, the youngest and often the most outspoken member of the group, just glared daggers at the TV through her sunglasses. She was always wearing them. Something about an eye condition.
All of them continued to watch the coverage.
Inside a small block connected to the Special Zone Stadium, the broadcast team was getting busy preparing. Right now, the only footage being shown to the world was b-roll of the stadium and a few people inside. That included the remnants of the old Japanese government and a few high-ranking nobles who pledged funding to the zone.
Outside the block, two guards stood to watch at the door to the room. Neither of them were expecting any trouble.
Until they saw a hooded woman in white walking towards them.
"Halt. Who goes there?"
The woman kept walking.
"I said stop. Drop on your..."
"Drop your weapons and let me pass. Once you hear the door close, resume your duties. But don't disturb me."
"Understood," both men said in unison.
"Thank you," the woman said as she walked inside. She made sure to lock the door before turning to the broadcast crew.
"Hey. Who are you?" One of the technicians asked. "You're not supposed to..."
"Be quiet and get back to work. Don't do anything unusual until I tell you to."
Quieting down, each crew member went back to their tasks. It was just business as usual.
The woman pulled back her hood, letting her long green hair flow free. She then put two fingers to her temple and sent out a message.
"All clear here."
"Good."
Floating high above the stadium, Lelouch was unseen by anyone below. But he could see the stadium fine. He could see the people in their seats. The stage where announcements would be made. He could also see the Knightmares.
His targets.
Reaching into his back pocket, Lelouch pulled out several small metal rods. Turning his hand, he allowed them to drop towards the ground. But with a flick of his hand, he directed them toward the Knightmares. Making them fluid, he had the rods snake their way inside the machinery.
For a brief second, each of the Knightmare's eyes glowed, before returning to normal.
"My part is complete for now."
Now he just had to wait for the ceremony to start.
Taking a moment, Lelouch took off his helmet and held it in his hands. He released a breath.
"The design has been making it hard to breathe. I've been thinking of changing it."
"To what?"
Thinking for only a second, Lelouch held his hand over the helmet. It soon began changing shape.
What once resembled a spiky fish-bowl was now shaped more like a missile head. The face was not completely open, with the purple outline of an "M" adorning the front.
"It looks kinda dorky to me. And it leaves your face open. What if they see what you look like?"
"At least I can breathe in it. And it doesn't matter if they learn who I was. Once they see who I am, what I am, the message will be clear," Lelouch said as he tested the new helmet on his head. If C.C had any other remarks about it, he couldn't hear it.
Taking the helmet off again, Lelouch said, "I like it."
"If you insist," was the teasing response. "Does the "M" have anything to do with that new name you won't tell me about?"
"Don't worry. Everything will become clear soon enough."
"Our little sister truly is amazing, isn't she?" Scheinizel said through the screen of a video call.
"You know I'm opposed to this, right?" Cornelia responded.
"Yes, but the benefits certainly outweigh the concerns you bought up. The terrorist groups in the country, while small and scattered, have been a nuisance to us for months now. Ever since Clovis was killed, they have become more bold and outspoken. The opening of the zone will make them lose their popular appeal."
Cornelia frowned at the reminder of her brother's death. While they may have never been especially close, and she might have found him idiotic, he was still her brother. And she loathed losing another one in the same country.
"Besides, we all agreed that she should take more responsibility as Sub-Viceroy. This is a very good way to start."
Cornelia sighed. "I suppose you're right. I may not like this, but it's too late to stop it now."
Schneizel smiled. "Don't worry sister. Once this is over, we will all be able to rest peacefully for a while."
"It's almost time."
Euphie had to take deep breaths to keep herself calm. A lot was riding on her now. She had to do this right. Her speech was prepared and practice. And she knew which words and gestures to avoid.
It would be fine. There would be no panic. There would be no massacre.
Everything would be...
"They're ready for you Euphie."
Terrible.
She looked back at Suzaku, who was still smiling at her. "Alright. Let's go."
The two walked towards the stage. The hallway itself was dark, but it was brightened more and more as the two neared the exit. Seconds later, the two were outside.
And the sight took Euphie's breath away.
There were so many people here. Britannians and Japanese alike. And all of them were here because they believed in her. In her vision for peace. She would have had tears in her eyes if not for what was required of her.
It was now or never.
"They're ready for you, your highness," Darlton said, directing her sight to a microphone at the center of the stage. Steeling herself, Euphemia walked to the stage.
Applause began the moment she reached it. The Britannian people were happy to see their princess. The Japanese were happy to have someone in power who seemed to genuinely care about them.
"Thank you! Thank you so much," Euphie said, fighting to hold back tears of joy. It seemed that today would work out.
"I would like to start by-"
SSSSSCCCCREEEEE
Suddenly, all that could be heard from the microphone was feedback. The sting of the sound was making everyone cover their ears. And it continued for almost ten seconds, after which everyone was disoriented.
"I-I'm sorry about that. But let's..."
*CLICK*
At that moment, every single Knightmare in the stadium was moving, their guns loaded and locked.
"What is happening? Darlton, who gave the order to activate them?"
"No-No one your highness. This wasn't supposed to happen."
Concerned, Euphie watched as the Knightmares moved around, seemingly without pilots. They blocked the exits, and pointed their guns at anyone who moved towards them.
"Find out what's happening now!" Darlton yelled into his ear. "Fix this right..."
Whatever Darlton was about to say was cut off by a sight no one expected to see today. Even in their most outlandish fantasies, no one could have expected what was now being seen.
Several Knightmares were now floating above the ground. They continued to rise until they were now standing on the roof of the stadium. They just stood in place, weapons ready. As if nothing unusual had occurred.
"Wh-What's happening?" Euphemia mustered, her voice quivering in fear.
"It's quite simple."
All the thousands of eyes of the stadium turned upward. They could now see a man floating down towards them.
The man was wearing what looked like a black and purple bodysuit, and he had a dark cape flowing from his back. His head was covered by a helmet, one that had a purple "M" embroidered on it.
"I am here to make an announcement."
The situation inside the broadcast room was no better than that outside. The cameramen and operators had no idea what was happening anymore.
"Who is that? We need to..."
"Don't cut the broadcast. Make sure the world sees this."
"Keep focused. This is big news. Don't lose sight."
"Actually, try to get closer. Make sure you can hear him."
"I want a closeup. And make sure the audio can reach him."
"Yes Sir!" Every single broadcast worker, under her control, got to work
C.C smiled. Now the plan was in motion.
Now the world would see.
His feet touching the ground, Lelouch relaxed onto the ground. He could feel the thousands of eyes on him, watching as he had descended from the sky.
"Who are you?" One of the soldiers on the stage asked. He seemed to be of high rank. One of Cornelia's men, perhaps? "I said, who are you? Are you responsible for all of this?"
It didn't matter who he belonged to. He was annoying.
With one hand gesture, Lelouch pulled the guns away from every soldier and security detail. Just to deter any actions against him, he cocked the guns and had them pointed at their original owners.
"You humans really do love your guns" he mused. "Stay where you are. I'll not allow interruptions."
"Why are you doing this?"
His eyes turned to Euphie's knight. The son of the former Japanese Prime Minister, Gendo Kururugi. But unlike his father, Suzaku was very willing to serve Britannia. At the expense of his people.
Even if Lelouch's suspicions were correct, and Suzaku wasn't truly one of them, it didn't matter. The fool was too dedicated to the Britannians. he would never stand with his own kind.
Lelouch took his sword and had its tip kiss Suzaku's throat.
The (minuscule) threat of the humans neutralized, he turned to face the people of the stadium. With a swift turn of his fingers, all of the cameras were turned to him. Now he had the world's attention.
It was time for the message.
Euphemia couldn't believe what she was seeing.
This man had dropped from the sky and thrown a wrench into every one of her plans. The Special Zone was meant to bring the people of Britannia and Japan closer together. It was supposed to create a sense of peace that would help wash away the stains of war.
But now they were all being held as hostages. The man, who could somehow move things with his mind, had taken control of the Knightmares, blocked the exits, and turned everyone's weapons against them. How was he doing that?
But a bigger question was just who was he? His head was covered in a helmet, but his face and neck were visible. She could see pale skin and light eyes. There wasn't much that could reveal an identity.
But yet, she felt like she almost knew it.
The way in which he spoke. His voice was familiar. And so was the way he held himself. That natural arrogance combined with an undeniable charm and swagger. And when he spoke, the gravitas and power of his words was something she had heard once before.
"People of the world. I am Magneto. And I have come to deliver a message."
"Lelouch?"
I've changed my mind and decided to drag this story out just a bit more. One or two more chapters. The next one will be Lelouch (Magneto) giving his speech to the world. And making a demonstration of his power. And the threat of mutant-kind.
After that, I don't really intend to write more, but we'll see what the future holds.
Also, does anyone want to take a guess which Code Geass character takes after which Mutant? The obvious one is Lelouch as Magneto, but does anybody want to guess the rest? I'm willing to hear your ideas. Just know that the characters in this chapter have been decided. But I'm open to suggestions about future mutants.
That one will be revealed soon.
I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Let me know what you think in the reviews.
Bye!