"Commander Zero, this is Major Graham. The ghetto is under heavy attack and you need to lay low. Come in, Commander." Graham spoke into his comm. but all he received was static noise and occasionally screams. Having a bad feeling, he disabled the camouflage and hit the thrusters. Few choppers had their sights on him and judging from the tapped channel, they were panic that Graham 'Phantom' Aker was here.

"My apologies, gentlemen. Once you have seen me, I can't leave you alive!"

The Flag made a sharp 90 degree dive to avoid the missiles before opening its own missile pots to unleash a dozen into them and few KMFs on the ground. The others returned fire at him with their rifles and rocket launchers but when the warheads were thought to have blown up the jetfighter, it performed an emergency halt and partially transformed with one arm stretching and grabbing the long rifle.

"Is that a Knightmare?!"

"Impossible! There is no flying and transformable Knightmare!"

Graham laughed at the incredulous responses. To surprise them further, he took aim and instructed the system to load a supercompact solar energy cartridge into the rifle. The barrel opened wide and built up energy. Once the charging process finished, the gun released a very destructive beam that completely vaporized the poor Sutherland it targeted and reduced everything on its path to dusts with the aftermath shockwave.

'Good thing Mr. Ashford was willing to fund this project. Carlos and the commander will be pleased with the result.'

Graham mused before returning his machine to jetfighter and resuming his work.

"Gyehehehe! Scream for me, Brit scums!"

The Astraea was dancing on the streets using its gravity boots that allowed the Knightmare to almost 'float' ground on the ground. The Heat Blade mounted on its left arm cleaved through KMFs like butter with the downside that he had to replace its generator every five minute or it would explode. The machine gun on its right palm shred through the proud armor plate on the Sutherlands like papers due to its chambered APFSDS specialized to pierce through even the discarded Sixth-Generation machines and G-1 bases.

"Huh?"

The sensor picked up something and Fon zoomed in. His eyes saw red as there was a group of Britannian soldiers mercilessly gunning down a family with two children. The bracelets on his arms began to flash repeatedly as the former mercenary let out an animalistic howl. The entire frame of the Astraea glowed in red as it tore apart the ranks of Britannia Military like a berserk beast. Witnesses described it as a crimson lightning zigzagged through the battlefield and left burning wreckages in its wake.

Lelouch gazed the bloody ground before him with indifference for a while before switching to the dead girl on the ground. She seemed to be an acquaintance of Asakim, presumably in his past life if he was correct. Furthermore, the way she granted him this intoxicating power was somehow very familiar, as if he had done this before. Lelouch had many theories but dismissed all but one suggesting that the other soul in his body was used to that.

'In case you are wondering, no, she is still alive.'

'So, a sane zombie?'

"I would prefer to be called a witch, thank you."

She nonchalantly commented as she rose up, the hole on her forehead had disappeared with the bullet lying on the ground. Lelouch should have been unnerved had he not gotten used to Asakim's nature, especially the show just few minutes earlier.

"I suppose you have a good explanation for this strange ability."

"That is Geass, the Power of Kings. Each person has their own kind of Geass. In your case, it is born from your desire to manipulate and control people. I would explain further if there weren't an eavesdropper."

The girl directed her gaze at the corpses and Lelouch followed it to see a half dead Royal Guard. Said guard was startled at being detected. The prince pondered for a second before aiming his pistol and finishing the deed.

"Have you killed before?"

"More than ten lives. OSI agents and some angry nobles who wanted to get their money back at all costs. Tell me, why did you give this Geass to me?"

The girl hummed, not feeling like to answer him. Lelouch, having dealt with someone like her in the past, sighed and decided to wait until she was willing to do that when a Sutherland burst into the warehouse, scattering smokes everywhere. He cursed at the worst timing yet; he didn't bring an armor-piercing magazine with him to deal with KMFs.

'I don't need to tell you to calm down, do I?'

'Yes. Let's bait the pilot out so we can hijack the Knightmare.'

Lelouch saw the green light indicating Factsphere being used and activated the Geass. However, he had one or two guesses that the power wouldn't work through glasses but who knows, he didn't try it yet.

"What in the…?! Why is a Britannian student here?!"

"And why should I tell you?"

"Answer me! Or else…"

The pilot threatened as she sprayed her machine gun around Lelouch, prompting him to click his tongue at the taunt. His eye flared.

"Come out of there and I may tell you."

A second passed and nothing happened. Lelouch clicked his tongue again.

"Who do you think you are, brat?"

'Oh well, at least I tried.'

"I am Alan Spacer, son of Duke Spacer. You can come out and check my ID card, it's in my breast pocket. Once you confirm it, I would like to ask for your protection."

Immediately, the female pilot exited her Sutherland and carefully approached Lelouch with her gun trained on him. He smirked.

"Keep your hands up. I will check your ID –"

"Now, would you kindly hand over your Knightmare to me?"

"…Understood." She threw her ignition key to Lelouch, red rings appearing on her eyes. "The number is XG21-G2D4."

"Thank you for your cooperation. Have a nice day, my lady." Lelouch mockingly bowed before gesturing to the girl. "I hope you can tolerate tightness. A KMF's cockpit isn't exactly big enough to fit two persons."

"Beggars can't be choosers, I guess."

"Don't worry. We will find you another Sutherland if encountered."

Kallen snarled as the launcher she had snatched from a downed Sutherland was out of ammo before using it to bash the hell of the Purist KMF in front of her. She was trying to suppress the increasing turmoil in her mind as earlier, flashing images of Lelouch being shot and crushed under the wreckages of a warehouse almost made her berserk. Thankfully, Xine was able to calm her down but she could only do much.

'Dear, just focus on surviving this and we can find him later. I seriously doubt Rurushu and Asakim would die this easily.'

'But, I…'

'But nothing. You will only endanger him more if you lead them back to him.'

Kallen was distracted by the conversation long enough for the downed Sutherland to leap at her, Stun Tonfas crackling with electricity. She was spared from the imminent death by an emerald energy shot through the KMF's cockpit and the machine dropped dead few inches before her.

"What…the?"

There was a black, sleek-looking flying Knightmare with its forehead shining on the sky. She had heard from Naoto few days before his public execution that the Britannia had a prototype 7th-gen KMF. Was this the one?

"Who are you?! Are you my ally or foe?!"

"Heh, you should focus on your task. Go to the west entrance using the train tracks, I will take care of your pursuers."

"Why do you expect me to obey you?!"

"Simple, miss Kouzuki: You desire victory, you desire revenge, you desire retribution. Now go, before the Purists reach you."

"If you backstab me…"

"I wouldn't. After all, a certain raven-haired young man has asked me to ensure your safety." And the receiver went silent. Kallen's heart skipped a beat; that guy was acquainted of Lelouch or at least she thought so. Three Sutherlands sneaked on her and one of them openly gloated her Eleven nationality but they were either shot down or incapacitated from the man calling her. Using this, Kallen hit the accelerator and went to the direction as told.

'Lelouch' smirked. The Luster Edge worked just as expected but the high energy signal from it soon gathered unwanted attention so he needed to hide again. After destroying two of the three KMFs, the black humanoid machine flew away, leaving a confused and outraged Margave Jeremiah Gottwald.

Lelouch landed on a ruined floor of a building and when the machine touched the ground, a dark cloud enveloped it and revealed the Sutherland that he had taken earlier.

"I never thought you could do that."

"A magician doesn't reveal all of his tricks, my dear."

'Lelouch' replied with a knowing smirk, Asakim's voice overlapping his host's, as his right eye shone. The purple circular symbol disappeared as his expression returned to normal.

'Alert me before taking over my body next time, Asakim.'

'My sincerest apology. I was eager to test my unlocked power.'

'Is this the Stigma you always told me about?'

'Yes but not quite. The metamorphosis is a part of my Stigma, however it takes quite a strain to perform it. Yours is still unknown to me but I'm very confident that it will be somewhat similar to mine.'

Lelouch hummed as he navigated the console of the Knightmare. A wide map with multiple blue dots appeared on the screen. He thought for a moment before a soft vibration of his phone told him otherwise.

"Hello, Lamperouge here."

"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN, LULU?!"

"S-Shirley, you don't have to yell." His ear was ringing now and the woman calling herself C.C next to him snickered. "I'm in middle a match…"

"You are still gambling! Do you have any idea of how worried I was?!"

"Right, my fault. By the way Shirley, do you near a TV right now? If so, check the news for me."

"Hang on… Hey, can you change the channel for me… Are you talking about Shinjuku, Lulu?"

"Yes. What does it say?" Lelouch asked, hands still typing on the keyboard.

"Nothing except the traffic restrictions. They didn't say why though."

'Hmph, typical Britannia media. They will kill every single person in the ghetto and release whatever story Clovis wants them to.'

"Thanks a lot, Shirley. In case you are wondering, yes, I'm gambling near Shinjuku and they are prohibiting guests from leaving for some reasons. Tell Nunnally I'm going to be late coming home. You understand why I do this, right?"

"Well yeah, but… *sigh* Just be careful, Lulu."

"See you tomorrow then. Love you."

Lelouch grinned at the gibberish mess Shirley was shouting to the phone and turned it off. He put on his earpiece and connected to the collective channel.

"Fon, are you there?"

"Boss? Thank whatever-on-the-sky you are still kicking. I was worrying about digging up your corpse."

"Haha, very funny. Fon, I need you to provide suppressing fire for a resistance cell. Clovis has gone too far and I intend to wipe out his little pets."

"All of them?"

"Just enough to distract Clovis. That clown has gone too far this time and I fully intend to kill him. Knowing EAGLE, he sent Graham with you, didn't he?"

"Huh, that guy's here? Let me check… What the – Why did you follow me, you bastard?!"

"To help the prince, you maniac! Commander, glad you are still alive."

"I'm too stubborn to die, Phantom. Now, I want two of you to assist the terrorists for the time being. Destroy all witnesses of your machines and leave no trace. I will tell IC to try to hack the camera footages later. I have sent the coordinates to you."

"Coordinates confirmed."

"Excellent. I will contact the cell now."

Ohgi admitted that he was spooked when the comm. went to life and it wasn't either Nagata or Kallen. The voice guided them to the train, which was full of Sutherlands, and said that they needed tools to win and if Ohgi and co wanted to win, they must listen to the voice's orders. Tamaki, as usual, wasn't amused.

"Why would I listen to a bastard not bothering to show his face!"

Sugiyama was quick to fix that.

"I'm sorry. Tamaki is known for his temper."

"I don't mind as long as he listens to me. Now, we have 10 minutes until Clovis sends in more troops. Woman in Glasgow, you have two decisions: abandon your Glasgow for a Sutherland to boost your performance or use both it and yourself as a bait. Either way, I can still guide you to victory. Meanwhile, I will call for reinforcement. That's all for now, Zero out."

"Reinforcement?" Kallen was surprised. Were they another resistance cell in Shinjuku? That was impossible as the last time she and Ohgi checked, theirs was the only one left after the large purge in the hands of the Purists. Still, she didn't have the luxury to question. Either follow him or die, her choices were clear.

"So his name is Zero. But is it his real name or just an alias?"

"Who cares. The guy gives us Knightmares for free. I say we trust him." Tamaki was quick to change his opinion.

"Even if we die here, I say we give those Purist bastards a hard beating they will never forget today." Yoshida voiced his thought.

Lelouch looked at his watch; 10 minutes passed. He uploaded the IFF signals of Fon and Graham into the system and it showed that they were in position. Checking the channel from Clovis' G-1 Base, he smirked at his brother's growing anxiety and frustration as his men couldn't still find the 'content' of the gas capsule. C.C laughed at the incompetence of her former captor.

"I'm really amazed at the fact you were captured and experimented on by that utterly pathetic brother of man. Did you get knocked out after a lengthy session? Lelouch cheekily asked, earning a light chop on the head.

"Like I would let that insect touch me." C.C pouted. "I never expected to see Marianne's child so dirty minded."

Lelouch laughed heartily at the remark; Fon's eccentricity apparently had rubbed off on him. That was before he noticed she spoke out that name.

"…What?"

"Um, forget what I said."

"Don't lie to me, witch." He addressed her with her chosen nickname. "How did you know that name? Now you mention it, you really look familiar to me. Who are you really, C.C?"

"…I can't answer them, for both my and your sakes. When you are ready, I will tell you everything."

"Don't pull that 'you are still a child' card to me. I started a private army and gained many questionable allies just to avenge my mother and build a perfect world for Nunnally. If you won't tell me, fine." Lelouch smiled viciously. "You know of Stigmas, correct? A member of my army has a certain kind of Stigma that can extract the exact information I need from your brain. And trust me, she never fails me once."

C.C looked at him as if she saw a demon. A whisper in her ears told her that even Asakim was interested and would not stop his host from torturing her.

'What happened to the cute, innocent little boy I met in Aries Villa?'

Meanwhile, in a small, secluded building in West Shinjuku district.

"Sir, you need to see this."

"Hmm, is it something important?"

"Stigma signal, sir."

A man with curly silver hair and mismatched eyes in high-ranking Britannia uniform put down his coffee mug and walked to the bridge. The operator opened the large display and showed a chart with a detailed Shinjuku map.

"The signal is somewhat between of a Geass and a Stigma but the latter's spiked for a moderate period before disappearing. What is your opinion, General Liard?"

"Hmm, I would say that woman is responsible for it." General Aim Liard massaged his chin and wondered out loud. "But for the Stigma data this high, it must be him. There is no Stigma user that can generate such power for a very long time, Lieutenant Regis."

"Should we…alert his Majesty?"

"No need. The Emperor is more concerned about his pet project. I would say, even if we found the lost Prince and Princess, he wouldn't even bat an eye. He is that cold."

"Sir, that's treason."

"I have said much worse right at his face many times." Aim smirked. "He even complimented me for that. Lieutenant, how many agents do we have in Area 11?"

The young woman in her 20s typed rapidly on the keyboard and replied. "Sir, we have Warrant Officer Ribtail stationed in Narita and Colonel Pistail in Osaka."

"Oh well, we didn't have the luxury to bring even 1/3 of our force. Fine, I will go out myself. Prepare the Arietis."

"Yessir."

'Looks like our reunion is sooner than expected, Swaying Scales.'