The cloaked Zero leap back, avoiding the Slash Harken aimed for him as he tried to maintain and control his breathing. The Glasgow Knightmare Frame had a limited operating time due to it being an older model, which means only a total of forty-five minutes left before the machine died out from lack of energy.

If Bradley decided to get an energy filler, Zero could blast it with lightning, causing a massive explosion most likely to kill the Vampire in one shot but that might be unlikely. The bastard must have something on his person in case the machine gave out, so he could try to kill Zero in person...key word is try.

*Three days ago*

Lelouch rested on the bed, exhaustion from his constant battles, meeting the Emperor himself, and adjusting to the modifications of his new arm had worn him out. He was given respite for a few days before the final battle and he slept like a rock. It made him unaware of the figures standing beside him that was not Leon.

"So he's the one Leon had us commission that armor prototype to?"

"Yes, and with the data we've acquired, phase two is a go. Install and activate the nanite system, Zero has been due for an upgrade after many battles."

They began their process, installing a minor add on system behind the back of the helm resting by the prince's side before placing it on his head as the helm's visor began to glow as a strange substance began engulfing Lelouch's unconscious body.

The nanites began re-configuring and upgrading the armor into the next generation of combat performance. But there was an important factor to the upgrade that made it incomplete...environmental data to develop the additional programming, one such problem that was slowly being corrected in the very future.

*Now-Ashford Academy*

"What happened to his arm?" Clovis asked in horror as Nunnally flinched at the question since she cannot see what he sees. "What do you mean big brother?" she asked worryingly. "His right arm...it's replaced with a prosthetic." the prince replied as Nunally turned to 'look' at the screen as tears began falling from her closed eyes.

She was helpless as her brother had been crippled like she was and there was no way of helping him in this dire moment while he is fighting for his very life with the Emperor watching this in person. She was shaking from the sounds from the television as the fight went on before a gentle hand rested itself on her shoulder.

Nunnally knew that touch anywhere and it soothed her, while it may not be her brother's comforting her, Vivian had a special place in the family that the blind girl secretly hoped would be her future sister-in-law. "He'll be alright, he won't lose easily to a machine." the Undine reassured her as Clovis cupped his chin in thought and a nod of his head.

"Agreed, his superpowers could change the tide towards his favor." the prince mused as Nunnally looked utterly confused. "My brother has superpowers?" she asked while Vivian felt a headache and decided it was best to be honest with the girl. "He has powers and has been training with it for some time." she explained, omitting the methods he's done to hone them and his nature as a Cypher.

She was warned by Leon of the dangers of people knowing the nature of the Cyphers and the reality 'this' world lives in; best to speak half-truths then lies.

"So Lelouch is trying to become a superhero?" Nunnally asked with excitement in her voice as her dark thoughts disappeared as she was currently distracted by Vivian's explaination as the match on television continued with Clovis looking surprised by what happened next.

*Britannia Homeland-Arena*

"I admit Zero," Luciano called out from his Knightmare as there were many signs of damages here and there, especially since the machine lost its right arm courtesy of Zero himself. "You truly are the one I want to kill the most!" he screamed out with glee as he tossed the assault rifle aside, out of ammunition as Zero stood on a pile of debris.

Behind his helm, Lelouch smirked at the sight of an exposed power cable connected to the arena as his contractor spoke of a spell he can use to decimate the Vampire of Britannia once and for all, time to call checkmate on this game of theirs.

Zero charged, not at the Glasgow the Knight of Ten was piloting but the power cable still crackling with electricity. Confusion then shifted into realization as Luciano charged after the boy but by then it was too late. Zero's mechanical hand grabbed the wires as the electricity began coursing into his body. The entire arena and even the city outside of it blacked out as everything was engulfed in darkness.

This alone caused the broadcast to stop as Zero's body began to glow as he began to hover above the arena as his body crackled with power while holding his right mechanical hand above him.

"Know the benevolence of the Heavenly Father-This light that smites the wicked. Angel whose name is Thunder aid me..." ghostly angelic wings manifested behind Zero's back as an orb of lightning grew from his outstretched hand as he glared down at the shocked audience as the world shook from the power.

"Light up the sky...Ramiel!" Zero called out as he swung his arm down as a concentrated beam of lightning and thunder descended from the sky.

The world turned bright as Britannia's world was changed forever.

*Three weeks later*

Charles sat on his throne as he listen in on the reports of both Cornelia and Schniezel on their failures of locating Zero. He showed them mercy, for the aftermath was quite catastrophic when his son killed Bradley with a showy display of power. That power alone can change the tide of battle against other global powers by a large margin and he did not need the EU or Chinese Federation acquire that power.

But Lelouch was a cunning child, eluding him and his armies in their hunt for him for weeks, especially after that creature appeared. The whole world was thrown into chaos as fear and paranoia at the warning Zero made.

"This is only the beginning of their return..."

There were more of these things and Zero had a clue to where these things would appear and he was the one to stop them. Things were no longer trivial as he thought they were, not with these new players on board.

The Ragnarok Connection could wait, because THIS was something that drew excitement and fear to him at the same time. Unknown variables, secrets that only his son knew, and the struggle against beasts that were the apex of evolution. He had to see this with his own eyes, for once he was drawn back into reality by the very actions his own son had done.