A/N: Thank you all to everyone who reviewed the last chapter and for those who have voted so far on the poll. It helps me with weighing my options because how things go between Junko, Lelouch and Mukuro will be a deciding factor for a lot of things which I cannot explain without revealing some spoilers for later on. Such factors that could be affected would be the harem size, those involved and etc.
Other pairings so far will be…(how specific events in the story will change them.)
Makoto with Kyoko or Toko
Gundham and Sonia (she would fit better with him than Lelouch, only because he wouldn't have to worry about being stuck ruling her nation alongside him, and the fact I am kinda a fan of this pairing too.)
Izuru Kamakura and Chiaki Nanami
This chapter takes care of that and covers some introductions while taking care of the official formation of the Black Knights setting us up for some recruitments next chapter and some clashes between the Black Knights and a particular group.
02/15/2018: edited and cleaned up.
"Dialog from a flashback and the person reading something in their mind."
Thoughts (unless used to emphasize a word in a sentence)
Chapter 16
The Road to Hell
Crouched on the ground and carefully crawling through tall grass was a group of four students, one of them had purple hair styled into a usual spiky hairdo. He possessed a matching short goatee with lilac eyes wearing a light brown and brown pattern BDU (Battle Dress Uniform) with black boots while armed with an assault rifle. He was Kaito Momota, the leader of the team representing his class as his other two teammates were following behind him.
She was the only girl in the group with long brown hair, styled into two long pigtails with a fair skin complexion with red eyes. She wore a uniform identical to Kaito, as did the rest of the teams involved, while armed with a crossbow. Her name was Maki Harukawa, and behind her taking up the rear armed with an old Tommy gun was Shuichi Saihara while carrying a frying pan.
Shuichi was a pale young woman with black hair with a small ahoge on top with gray eyes.
"Damn it I wish Kokichi didn't run off like that," Kaito muttered as he and rest of his team carefully made their way through the tall grass while trying to avoid drawing attention to themselves.
Kokichi Oma, the Ultimate Supreme leader, was probably shortest of their group with purple hair, a pale complexion with purple eyes. Upon obtaining a shotgun and a sniper rifle, he split off from the ground to wander off alone.
"You know I can hear you thanks to the team chat," Kokichi pointed out teasingly. "I got to say this is quite the video game, the VR they set up for this really adds a sense of realism to the game."
The game they were playing was based on a famous online multiplayer game where a team of four would be randomly dropped off on a large island filled with buildings, bunkers, roads, and forests. They would enter with no weapons except for their fists, but guns could be found in the buildings along with armor, backpacks to help them carry more, medical kits and vehicles to transverse the map more easily. As an added challenge the play area would begin shrinking until a minimum space remains to force players to stay within the allowed play area. Otherwise, they will die outside of it until one team is left standing.
A team is out once all of their members are killed, so it was possible for one player to win if he or she is alive.
To make the game more interesting for the Sports Festival, especially for the Video Game Tournament for those not athletically capable to take part in the regular sports events. The school decided to use it to showcase the new Virtual Reality technology Hope's Peak Academy was developing to provide a more impressive display for both those taking part and those watching to make it into a spectacle.
"Should we stick together?" Shuichi offered logically.
"Not when our fearless leader thinks crouching and moving through a grassy plain in a wide open area is a bad idea, it's basically saying, please shoot me!" Kokichi replied.
"I don't like agreeing with him," Maki began calmly, "but we should've kept to the trees where we had more cover and shadows can hide us better."
"He might have a point there," Shuichi said seeing little reason to argue against Kokichi's logic of having not wanted to follow Kaito into a large open area despite the tall grass providing some cover. "I feel a little exposed out here."
"Well, it might not help because we might have the Student Council Team gunning for us," Kokichi said with a matter of fact tone much to the annoyance of his team.
"What the hell did you do now you Ultimate Prankster?" Kaito snapped.
"Ultimate Supreme Leader," Kokichi corrected, "and to answer your question I might've sent the Ultimate Toymaker, Ryōta Someya, and some of his friends some toad grease."
"That story sounds very incomplete," Shuichi suspected given how much of a compulsive liar Kokichi was to the point that no one could really tell when Kokichi was telling the truth or lying. "I am going to wager that gift exploded or left some kind of mess that has the Student Council out for blood against you."
Kokichi was, unsurprisingly, silent before answering, "Maybe."
"Oh great," Kaito grumbled.
Meanwhile, in another corner of the map, Lelouch led his team consisting of Makoto, Celeste, and Chihiro into an underground bunker the group had come across deciding to explore it for weapons and possibly take shelter inside since it appeared to be a promising defendable position. The underground bunker contained weapons and armor pieces the group wasted no time claiming, but after Lelouch finished obtaining an assault rifle along with a sniper rifle, he began exploring the rest of the bunker to verify if there were any other exits besides the one they used.
Sure enough, Lelouch found another exit in the back of the bunker that led up to the surface.
"We'll wait it out in here for awhile since we are well within the play area. Celeste and Makoto, you two cover the entrance we came in from while Chihiro and I will cover the back exit here. Shoot anyone you see trying to enter." Lelouch commanded composedly.
"We got it covered," Makoto replied as he and Celeste were armed with their weapons made their way to the entrance to guard it.
"No one has been reported killed yet," Celeste noted.
"It's still early, but that will change." Lelouch answered before adding, "So, for now, we'll wait it out and let the other teams take care of one another so we can mop up whoever is left."
"It's a wise tactic, but can we really spend all of our time here?" Celeste inquired as she and Makoto watched the entrance.
"We'll stay until the game forces us out, but hopefully by then the number of enemies has been thinned out." Lelouch pointed out while wondering which team will engage who first.
It would be a long wait, but in the meantime, Lelouch couldn't help to wonder.
I wonder how Junko is doing?
Junko Enoshima had chosen to represent her class in table tennis, although Junko didn't care if she won or lost she would do whatever could bring her the most despair. Not to mention that competing on her own would mean that there would be no one to save her making the situation all the more despair-inducing.
Facing her would be Miu from Class 78 B.
If I lost to her of all people, then that would bring me some sweet despair.
Miu stood opposite of Junko with a tennis table between them, although Junko said nothing Miu began with a verbal assault.
"What the fuck are you staring at? Jealous that I got a hot body, or do you have a fucking screw loose to go with those loose hips because you can't stand how fucking hot I am." Miu boasted proudly as she flaunted her sex appeal without shame.
"Oh losing to you would be just terrible for me," Junko replied seeing a good chance for some despair.
"Huh, are you mocking me?" Miu snapped before pointing her right index finger at Junko angrily, "Don't you know who I am? I am Miu Iruma, bitch! Your boobs seem big and all, but don't get cocky because mines are bigger!"
After that comment, Junko changed her mind because losing to her wouldn't be despair-inducing it would be unacceptable for her in more ways than one.
"Ok, I really don't want to lose to you because you'll make a big deal out of it if you won."
Miu readied her tennis paddle before shouting, "BRING IT ON BITCH!"
Across Area 11 near Mount Fuji, a train was speeding along towards a train stop located near their destination was the Lake Kawaguchi Convention Center Hotel, which built upon the lake Itself to provide a scene of view for those staying there. It was the destination for Milly Ashford with her friends Nina and Shirley. The trio was dressed in casual wear with Milly wearing a light blue dress with a white buttoned top. Shirley wore a slightly more modest green dress with a white long sleeve jacket.
Nina, on the other hand, was dressed much more modesty wearing plum-colored trousers with brown shoes and matching socks. She wore a wine red button up shirt with a plum vest and a matching beret.
"I've never been outside of the settlement before," Shirley exclaimed happily, "this is so exciting."
"We can stay up late doing whatever we want including talk about which boys we like," Milly said causing Shirley to become instantly suspicious of her.
"Then you'll have a lot to talk about won't you?"
Milly grinned mischievously before saying, "Who can say."
At that moment the train passed through a tunnel causing Nina to nearly suffer a panic attack. During her early days at the academy, Nina Einstein had the misfortune of ending up in one of the ghettos where she ran afoul of one of the Japanese gangs, although she survived the encounter with her life the experience left her traumatized and with acute xenophobia.
Milly quickly responded by kneeling down before Nina, placing both hands upon hers in a comforting fashion.
"It's alright Nina," Milly offered gently, "there are plenty of Britannian tourists at Lake Kawaguchi, and so security is fine. It's not like the ghettos."
"Yes, but..."
"We'll be with you the entire time," Milly said reassuringly, "we will not leave your side."
Nina smiled faintly, "thanks."
Back at Hope's Peak Academy, specifically on its track field, Suzaku was pouring all he had to get ahead of his opponent from Class 77 B who was known as the Ultimate Gymnast. It didn't help matters that Akane was promised a feast prepared by the Ultimate Cook. On the one hand, Suzaku was impressed by the speed of his opposition, but at the same time, he realized he should've trained more. He thought he was more athletic than most, which Suzaku wasn't trying to act arrogant because he had always outpaced everyone during boot camp.
Seeing how difficult it was to keep pace with someone as fast as Akane, especially as Suzaku's lungs felt like they were on fire while his legs were ready to quit on him, he made a mental note to do some exercises when he had some free time.
Her speed alone is enough to put everyone training at boot camp to shame.
Thankfully Suzaku didn't have to run the full of the race, and he had only a short way to before passing the baton to Sakura. Akane was merely one second behind him as she was going to pass it along to her fellow classmate Peko.
Willing his body forward Suzaku pushes further ahead long enough to pass the baton to Sakura before she took racing down the track. Suzaku's efforts brought Sakura a short lead by twenty-second before Peko took off trying to close the gap between them. Suzaku stretched his limbs before taking a deep breath while resisting the urge to sit down on the ground to rest his aching body.
Suzaku was surprised to see Akane not even tired in the least, but his mouth was left hanging in shock when she ran over to the breaches for her fellow classmate had prepared an entire table lined with various dishes including a large turkey. The rest was too far away for Suzaku to see clearly from a distance, other than the large bird he could make out on the table, but it was clear it must've been quite the impressive feast judging from the excited cry of joy he heard from Akane that Teruteru had prepared.
Even from this distance Suzaku could observe Akane quickly devouring the feast in a way that was impressive, but unsettling at the same time.
I guess that explains why she has so much energy. Suzaku thought as he allowed an amused smile to appear on his face.
Back inside the game as the play area was shrinking against Kaito and his team had made it out of the tall grass and found a small town with some houses and a few two-story buildings. With the play area now shrinking and moving away, the group realized they needed a vehicle if they wanted to make it to the safe zone before the play zone shrunk then Kaito and his whole team would be killed if they were outside of it. Walking let alone running would be risky since a high chance players were seeking to reach the newly designated play area would spot them and gun them down.
Shuichi and Maki wasted no time heading for the more substantial buildings, in the hopes they had a garage that could have a vehicle inside. Kaito was heading for a building that appeared to be some kind of rundown warehouse on the edge of the small town. Kokichi was nearby, and he was heading for the city as well to rendezvous with the rest of his class since he had no chance of reaching the new play area on foot, but he didn't see any of the other teams since they began playing.
Then the map they were on, a large island with a bridge leading to a smaller island, was quite big for six teams consisting of four each.
It was probably another reason why the allowed area where they could play and run around would keep getting smaller and smaller as the match went on to ensure a confrontation.
Kaito entered the warehouse where he found a parked jeep.
"Alright guys," Kaito announced triumphantly on their team chat, "I found a car that's good to go!"
Suddenly a sniper shot hit Kaito in the back followed by a second that sent him to the ground. His character was critical condition and bleeding out, needing one of his teammates to revive him before he either bled out or the opposing team finished them off.
"Oh," Kokichi's cheery voice exclaimed, "so they were here."
"WHO'S HERE?" Kaito called out as he desperately tried to move his character out of their line of fire before they could finish him off.
"The Student Council," Kokichi answered before Kaito was finished off resulting in a game over.
Inside a small house that sat on a hill that provided an excellent vantage point of the warehouse and the town was a young man with blue hair and matching eyes. Usually, he would've been seen with various animal-themed plushies on his person including some in his pocket and hanging from his neck, but his avatar didn't allow for it.
Ryōta Someya, the Ultimate Toymaker, was disappointed the member of Class 78-B he had just killed wasn't Kokichi.
It wasn't long before Maki and Shuichi came under attack from the other members of the team consisting of members of the Student Council, who were waiting in ambush using the jeep as bait. It was risky for them since the longer they spent fighting, the less time they would have to reach the new play area, but knowing the team they had caught was the one including Kokichi convinced them to stay and ensure the Ultimate Supreme Leader didn't win the game.
On the one hand, it was fortunate that Maki and Shuichi were pinned down in the same building together so they could provide coverage to one another, but the problem they were facing was they were running out of time. They didn't know where their attackers were striking from since the buildings around them provided plenty of places to hide from their counterattacks.
"Damn that Kokichi," Maki noted with a hint of repressed anger, "he must've somehow known or suspected the Student Council was lying in wait."
"Then maybe that is an advantage for us." Shuichi offered much to Maki's confusion before she realized.
"Kokichi, I hope you are taking aim at them."
Kokichi laughter could be heard in their team chat before he answered, "oh you know it, and I got one in my sights."
During the initial attack, Kokichi slipped into a second story building that provided a good vantage point of the area where Maki and Shuichi were pinned down. With their attention focused on Maki and Shuichi, no one realized the danger of Kokichi scanning the area for signs of the Student Council. He found one close to him, so he decided to take him out first.
Judging from his hair and the fact that his avatar had glasses, Kokichi knew his target was Asukasei Hino, the Ultimate Entrepreneur.
With a mischievous grin, Kokichi took aim with his sniper rifle before landing a headshot that put Asukasei into critical condition as his character dropped to the ground as his reddish brown eyes were likely going wide in shock before Kokichi finished him off with another headshot. Reacting quickly Kokichi took aim at Ryōta before he had a chance to aim at him, provided he or the others could figure out his position. He knew where Ryota was hiding, thanks to Kaito being killed; he was able to discover his location.
Two shots finished off Ryōta before he could react.
"Alright two down and two to go," Kokichi exclaimed happily with maniacal laughter, but behind him, a BDU wearing Aiko was sneaking up the stairs.
Kokichi was occupied with tracking one of the remaining Student Council members, so he failed to notice the shortest of the council sneaking up on him. Suddenly Kokichi took damage as his character took a blow to the side of the head followed by Aiko bashing Kokichi's head repeatedly with a firing pan until he was left in critical condition unable to fight back.
Kokichi managed to get at look at the one who attacked him to see Aiko looming over him with an angry expression on her face before she brought out a Tommy Gun, and swiftly finished him off by riddling his avatar with bullet holes.
"That was for the toad grease you jackass!" Aiko Umesawa, the Ultimate Drama Queen, snapped angrily.
"You still look so cute when you are angry," Kokichi mused as the game over screen appeared for him, eliminating him from the game.
Aware that Kokichi was eliminated it Maki and Shuichi used the opportunity to push ahead and eradicate the last two members of the Student Council, but time was running out.
Besides Aiko, the only member of the Student Council left was the Vice President of the Council, Kotomi Ikuta the Ultimate Acupuncturist.
Outside the building where Aiko found and finished off Kokichi, Kotomi drove up in the jeep that Kaito had seen earlier. Aiko hurried out of the building, using the back door where her friend and fellow council member was waiting.
"Quick get in, we got less than a minute before the play area shrinks again," Kotomi called out as Aiko climbed into the front passage seat.
Once Aiko was in her seat Kotomi drove off leaving behind Maki and Shuichi, although they tried to shoot them Kotomi skillfully used the buildings as shields before speeding away.
"Battle Buddies!" Aiko cheered as Kotomi was grinning ear to ear.
"That will show him that you don't mess with the Student Council," Kotomi shouted before speeding off-road to take a more direct route to the new Play Area designated on their map.
Safely in the new play area as the countdown to zero approached Chiaki, Nagito, Sonia and the Ultimate Imposter disguised as Ryota had received notices of the four players that had been eliminated. Her group had been lucky that it found a two-story home on top of a hill, which provided a defensible position for them. They were even fortunate to find an excellent assortment of weapons and armor, which included the rare Ghillie Suit that allowed Chiaki to lay in wait with a sniper rifle as the suit camouflaged her in the tall grass near the house.
She was mindful to choose a location that had rocks and trees nearby to minimize chances of being run over by passing players.
"Hey Chiaki I see a car approaching," The fake Ryota replied as he peeked out of the window on the second floor as he noticed a blue four-door car approached the building they were hiding in.
"I got eyes on them, hold fire and let them exit their vehicle." Chiaki commanded, "Nagito, I would like you and Sonia ready."
"Roger that," Sonia replied happily while Nagito was merely grinning as he was wondering if his luck would continue to hold out.
In the first match of the game, the teams played a game called Murder Mystery Trivia, although it was generally a trivia game. It had an added spin if a player got a question wrong then he or she would face the test of random luck, challenges against themselves and the other players. For example as voting on a result or a game where the other players poisoning different cups then a player must choose one that isn't tainted or psychological games like a Prisoner's dilemma choice. The game goes on until one player is left standing while the ghosts of the characters who were killed for wrong answers would compete in a final round where they must answer the most questions correctly to catch up and become alive once more by overtaking the living player who remained.
The first one out wins while it's game over for the rest.
Chiaki and her group won the trivia game thanks in significant part to Sonia who was knowledgeable about a wide range of topics including, surprisingly enough, pop music, the occult, serial killers, movies and more impressing Chiaki and Nagito. Lelouch and his group were nipping at their heels allowing them to claim second followed by the Student Council, Class-78 B and the classes from the 76th year.
This battleground game was the second game so far, which from what Chiaki was told the final match would be a race that would include two members of their team to represent them.
Emerging from the car was Ruruka, Seiko, Miaya, and Sonosuke representing Class 76-A. Chiaki and the others had been fortunate enough to ambush and wipe out Class 76-B early on during the opening minutes of the matches thanks to the group finding weapons before the other team did when they landed in the same town as their starting point. Thanks to the nature of their video game avatars that all shared the same limited strength and unlimited endurance, Miaya could enjoy walking around in the virtual world, although she still used Usami's voice when talking to her teammates.
Chiaki kept her sights trained on them, but she waited for Nagito, Sonia and Ryota to attack first so in confusion she would attack from behind cutting off any chance of escape.
"So Seiko," Ruruka began sweetly with her boyfriend silently stand by her side, "why don't you and Miaya check it out first, and we'll wait right here to guard the rear."
Seiko seemed uncertain, but regardless she and Miaya went ahead. However, upon opening the door they were fired upon with the two was almost gunned down by enemy players on the inside of the house, but they had just narrowly avoided the hail of bullets. From his vantage point above Ryota opened fire upon Ruruka and Sonosuke, but as they were falling back, Chiaki was ready to attack. To Chiaki's surprise, instead of trying to help Seiko and Miaya, Ruruka and her boyfriend attempted to flee the scene in their car.
I really don't like players who abandon their teammates. Chiaki mentally commented before shooting Sonosuke in the head dropping him to the ground before firing on a panicked Ruruka.
From that point on it was easy for Chiaki to pick off the downed players who had tried to flee.
Meanwhile at the Black Knight's new mobile base Ohgi and a disguised Mukuro were overseeing the last of the conversion process of the trailer into a proper mobile headquarters. At the same time distribution of their new uniforms and weapons that Lelouch had obtained off of the black market with Mukuro's assistance and the former's deep pockets. They were well supplied and armed for what was ahead for them, which was further helped by the six-month budget plan Lelouch had devised after obtaining the trailer to act as their mobile base. He set up contingency budget plans in place if the size of their small group began to experience growth between now and the next six months.
Suddenly everything changed with an emergency news bulletin that began playing on the wall-mounted television, which had been left on for such a possible event. Appearing behind a table with the logo of Hi-Tv network on it was a man with short brown hair wearing a dark blue business suit with a red tie holding a stack of papers in his hands.
"We interrupter your normally scheduled program for this emergency announcement, but for details, our reporter at the scene Kate will elaborate."
The scene shifted to an area along the shore of Lake Kawaguchi where a female reporter, Kate, was standing with the Lake Kawaguchi Convention Center Hotel behind her dressed in a red suit with a skirt and a matching tie with brown hair styled into a short ponytail.
"I'm here in front of the Lake Kawaguchi Convention Center Hotel. The hijackers have identified themselves as the Great Japan Soten Party." Kate explained before video footage showing members of the Great Japan Soten Party armed with assault rifles, dressed in various forms of casual wear surrounded a group of hostages held captive in presumably one of the hotel storerooms given the items on the shelves surrounding them.
"Members of the Sakuradite Allocation Meeting, most notably, Representative James of the Future Foundation, were taken hostage as well as several tourists and hotel employees. This footage was taken by the perpetrators; in it, you can clearly see Representative James, including some students."
Mukuro instantly recognized Nina, Milly and Shirley among the hostages as did Kallen who was shocked to see them.
"The leader of the group claims to be Katsuhito Aoi, of this radical terrorist organization known for their extreme methods and views." Kate explained before proceeding to elaborate on their reasons for taking over the hotel, "Here at the yearly national meeting of Sakuradite producers, it will be determined how this resource will be distributed among the world's nations. It's no exaggeration to say that the outcome determines the balance of global power between Britannia and other countries. It is believed that the terrorists are using world interest in the annual Sakuradite Allocation Meeting to their advantage by carrying out this violent hotel takeover."
Junko and Lelouch need to be made aware of this if they don't know about it already. Mukuro thought as she retreated to one of the rooms upstairs to contact them via text message.
The game taking place at Hope's Peak Academy was beginning to reach its closing stage as Chiaki, and her group was cautiously moving to the new play area as the area shrunk further removing the house they had been holed up in outside of it once the field shrinks within the next minute. They noticed a bunker within the heart of the play area, which judging by how the circle kept shrinking towards it would be the likely area where all of the players left would gather for the final confrontation until one team remained.
Suddenly a sniper shot hit Ryota to the head putting him into critical condition, right before a second shot finished him off eliminating the Ultimate Imposter from the game.
Hiding on a nearby hill, where their jeep was parked behind some rocks, were the remaining two members of the Student Council Team armed with sniper rifles were taking aim at Chiaki's team trying to pick them off from a distance. Thankfully Nagito and Sonia responded fast enough to hide behind some small trees, but Chiaki was well camouflaged in the tall grass thanks to her Guile Suit allowing her to take aim at the two snipers.
Aiko was the first one Chiaki spotted, so she was swiftly eliminated before she could get to cover with two well-placed headshots.
Kotomi, on the other hand, seeing her teammate get eliminated from the game realized the enemy team had another member who was likely well hidden enough to use a sniper rifle against her, so Kotomi decided to retreat for now and wait for another opportunity.
"Damn it I am only one left." Kotomi snapped at herself while she was cursing under her breath.
Typically, she was known as the most vocal, impulsive and probably short-tempered member of the Student Council. However, she was very protective and caring towards her friends and fellow members of the Student Council and was the most instant they seek revenge on Kokichi for his prank using the video game tournament during the Sports Festival as a golden opportunity.
Besides that, she was trying to ensure the Student Council would win the video game aspect of the Sports Festival, but couldn't shake the feeling that the deck was stacked against them.
"What the," Kotomi said suddenly as she realized someone was shooting at the jeep shattering the window next to her.
Pulling up alongside her was a modified dune buggy with two seats, Shuichi was driving it. Sitting on top of a chair above him was Maki armed with a light machine gun with a fierce and almost vengeful look in her red eyes that seemed unusual for the Ultimate Child Care Giver.
The two surviving members of Team Class 78-B had clearly gotten lucky and found the buggy after the Student Council members left the area to escape the closing of the Play Area. Now by pure chance, they came across Kotomi with Maki firing upon the jeep and its driver, but this was to distract Kotomi from the grenade he threw to land ahead of the vehicle before pulling away at the last second. The grenade exploded just as it passed under the jeep sending into the air before exploding into a fireball. Thus the last of the Student Council was eliminated from the game.
Kotomi couldn't fight back because drivers could only drive and throw a grenade relying on her teammates for defense and offense. It was an odd rule, but it was meant to put an emphasis on the need for teamwork among the players and their teams.
"Shuichi, swing around and let's finish off those students they were attacking," Maki ordered as she reloaded her weapon.
"Alright," Shuichi complied as he began steering the buggy towards the area where Chiaki and her team was located.
Having seen the exploding jeep in the distance along with the buggy responsible; Sonia and Nagito readied themselves as Chiaki was aiming at the driver waiting for them to get closer. Even though the vehicle was apparently a fast vehicle, it didn't offer any protection for the driver and its passenger, a fact Chiaki intended to exploit.
Two quick shots were all it took to eliminate Shuichi followed by a sniper shot to the right tire to send the buggy crashing into a rock and a tree in the middle of the grassy plain they were fighting in. It was near where Sonia and Nagito were, but the boulder and tree protected them. However, while Maki was trying to pull herself from the crashed buggy, Sonia and Nagito seized the opportunity as the two emerged from behind the rock to attack and finish off the last member of the team representing Class 78-B.
"Light her up!" Sonia commanded as she and Nagito teamed up to swiftly finish off Maki under a hail of assault rifle fire.
"Light her up?" Chiaki asked as she thought that sounded unusual coming from the Ultimate Princess.
"I am sorry it's my bad as they say," Sonia apologized after finishing off Maki, "I thought it was something you say when you wish to swiftly eliminate an enemy in these types of games?"
"Not really, but I guess some people do take these games very seriously to the point they act like how they would in such a setting." Chiaki pointed out, although that didn't compare to the fact that Sonia was very familiar with various military weapons and tactics.
In her country, it was common for her people to learn about military weapons, hardware, and tactics in elementary school. Chiaki wasn't sure if that was exclusive to the wealthy class of her people or the entire population of the Kingdom of Novoselic, but it was likely the latter when Chiaki inquired further about it.
Such knowledge had proven unexpectedly useful to them in this game, and she transmitted her familiarity with various weapons into the game.
"Anyway the only team left now must be Lelouch's," Chiaki said after recounting the teams that have been eliminated so far leaving her and Lelouch's teams as the only ones left. "I think there is a good chance they are inside that bunker."
"Then defeating them will be problematic," Sonia said before adding, "If that bunker is designed for Military use then they'll be a stockpile of weapons and various crates."
Naito put his hand under his chin in a careful contemplation before saying. "Meaning they'll have plenty of course, and they are only two ways in according to the map."
"Then they'll have two members of their team guarding those entrances."
"Lelouch will likely be aware of this, and he will be ready for us," Chiaki said as she recalled her experiences of facing Lelouch during the times they played video games together.
A short time later as Lelouch observed on the small map that the play area had shrunk down to the point that the bunker was now within the shrinking playing field, which of course meant that the last team left was probably right outside as there wasn't really anywhere else to go.
Seeing all of the other teams that were eliminated it's unsurprisingly Chiaki's team that is left, but they lost one member, so it's three vs. four. Lelouch thought as he began weighing his options.
"Everyone get ready because the last team knows we're down here, so all we have to do is to kill them or outlast them." Lelouch commanded before adding, "Avoid staying too close to the entrances because they'll begin their assault with grenades."
"Yes, because as they come down, they won't have anything to protect them, so their only chance is to create an opening with grenades," Celeste said agreeing with Lelouch's assessment of how Chiaki and her team would attack. It wasn't too hard because the layout of the bunker left them with very few options.
As expected a pair of grenades was tossed down the descending passageway as they bounced into the room, the first being a smoke grenade. However, the second was an explosive grenade. Then gunfire erupted as a vicious gun battle broke out. The smoke cleared to reveal an injured Nagito, but his sacrifice allowed Chiaki and Sonia to rush into the bunker before diving behind some crates near the door while Nagito was left wounded by taking all of the enemy's shots.
Instead of attacking both sides at once Chiaki and Sonia agreed their best chance was to gamble it all by invading through one entrance. It was a gambit that Nagito laid down his life for, although it wasn't literal it still bothered Sonia and Chiaki somewhat since Nagito had wanted to be a stepping stone for others.
I'll have to ask Miss Yukizome to have another talk with Nagito. Chiaki thought while deciding to make a mental note of some of the more unusual quirks of her classmate.
Nagito struggled to move his character to Chiaki and Sonia's location, but Chihiro quickly finished off Nagito, thus eliminating him from the game. In turn, Sonia gunned down Chihiro in retaliation removing him, but this as part of an ongoing domino effect left her open to a counterattack from Celeste. Sonia was injured by her attack, but she wasn't out yet.
Knowing their position was about to overrun Chiaki hurled a grenade at Lelouch and Celeste, but as they moved to dodge the coming explosion, Sonia took a chance managed to shoot Celeste putting her into critical condition. Lelouch retaliated and shot Sonia until she was immobilized as she went into critical condition, but before Sonia wounded her, Celeste managed to throw a grenade into her direction.
So when the grenades they threw exploded both Sonia and Celeste were eliminated.
Makoto fired at Chiaki, but despite the latter taking hits she managed to take out Makoto by unloading all of the bullets within her assault rifle leaving her with her sniper rifle and a frying pan. With Makoto eliminated it was only Lelouch, and Chiaki remained.
The play area had been reduced to the room the two were in, so all that was left was for one to eliminate the other and claim victory.
Checking her bullets Chiaki realized she had only six shots left for the sniper rifle, but she didn't know what Lelouch had yet.
Trying to use the sniper rifle might be too risky since I would be exposed in-between each shot while taking aim.
Unless Chiaki could land a headshot on her first shot, there was a high chance Lelouch could take her out first since the assault rifle offers a higher rate of fire and he wouldn't be too concerned about aiming.
Switching to her frying pan and equipping one last grenade Chiaki tossed it into the air towards Lelouch before looking away. Lelouch had no idea what kind of explosive it was so he quickly retreated, but when it went off Lelouch was blinded by the flashbang Chiaki had used. Seizing the opportunity Chiaki rushed towards Lelouch hoping to finish him off with the frying pan before he could recover, but as she approached.
If Lelouch hadn't gotten behind one of the large crates, she might've shot him with her sniper rifle, but she didn't have time to move to a better position for that.
However as Chiaki approached to take Lelouch out, she saw at his feet a grenade, one that Lelouch had managed to drop at his own feet knowing that Chiaki would have to approach him to deliver a finishing blow.
-BOOM-
Because they were the last members of their respective teams, they were both instantly killed by the grenade instead of entering the critical condition stage, and the match ended in a tie between Chiaki and Lelouch's teams.
If Lelouch's Team could win the next game with a first place victory, then they might have a good chance at winning the tournament.
Removing the VR headset from his head, Lelouch wiped the sweat from his brow, although it wasn't the victory he was aiming for he at the very least captured a chance for them to win. There was time before the next game as the systems had to reset and adjusted for the next game, so it was no surprise when Chiaki and her team came over to the area where Lelouch and his team had been sitting in their own spot in the auditorium. Every player had a chair with a computer terminal and a VR headset with everything connected to a more substantial machine in the center of the auditorium while the stands were filled with other students and various members of the facility and others who were watching the game take place on multiple large wall monitors positioned around the room.
"That was a crazy and suicidal move you pulled Lelouch." Chiaki complimented.
"You had me concerned at that point so I did the only thing I could do," Lelouch admitted.
"I suppose, but that means I'll have to be careful around you the next time we play any first-person shooters."
"I have to say you have played an impressive game Ultimate Strategist," Nagito said eagerly greeting Lelouch.
"You must be Nagito," Lelouch said recognizing him from the description he had gotten from Chiaki and others before shaking his hand in a friendly gesture.
"You are Lelouch right," Nagito said having heard about him from Chiaki, "Chiaki has been quite impressed with your performance as a gamer."
"Well I am not quite good at the wider range of games she plays, but there are a few we have found to enjoy playing," Lelouch admitted modesty.
"I suppose since I haven't met anyone who could truly be a match for the Ultimate Gamer."
"It is a pleasure to meet you I am Sonia," Sonia said greeted with a formal bow.
"Oh your highness," Lelouch said respectfully, but Sonia stopped him with a raised hand.
"Please, there is no need for formalities. You may just refer to me as Sonia since I am only a student here like the rest of you."
"Very well," Lelouch said intrigued by the Ultimate Princess as her personality was refreshing from the spoiled daughters from families among the nobility he had dealt with during his time in Ashford Academy, "it was not my intention to offend you."
"There is no need to worry about that."
"Anyway I guess I should introduce myself I am Ryota," The Ultimate Imposter said offering his hand, which Lelouch shook to return the gesture.
"I guess I should help with introductions on my end," Lelouch said before proceeding to introduce, "this Makoto, Celeste, and Chihiro."
As everyone was busy greeting one another Junko arrived on the scene putting a hand on Lelouch's shoulder to get his attention.
"Junko, did you already finish the table tennis events?" Lelouch said appearing to be surprised to see Junko since he wasn't expecting her until later.
"Oh I just crushed my competition," Junko replied as the mental image of leaving Miu a sobbing wreck replayed in Junko's mind after utterly crushing her during their match thanks to her true talent. "Anyway, there is a situation I think needs your personal attention."
Junko showed Lelouch her Smartphone that displayed the text with an attached photo article explaining the hostile takeover at Lake Kawaguchi, and the photo showed Milly, Nina and Shirley were among the hostages. Lelouch was visibly worried but quickly composed himself.
"I am sorry guys, but I have something I must take care of," Lelouch said quickly excusing himself before making his way out of the auditorium.
"Lelouch, what's wrong," Chiaki asked.
"Don't worry; it's a personal matter that needs his attention. I don't want to ruin moods, so I'll tell you guys the details when this is all over." Junko said intervening on Lelouch's behalf. "I am here to fill in for him."
"The next game is bound to be more chaotic with you Junko," Celeste commented with a devious smile.
"And you are?" Sonia asked while Nagito seemed oddly wary of Junko suddenly, although he didn't understand why he had this feeling of uncertainty coming off of her.
"I am Junko Enoshima."
It was late afternoon by the time Lelouch rendezvous with Mukuro, and he arrived at the location of their mobile headquarters dressed as Zero. Still, he was kept appeased of the situation by Mukuro while he was in route to the trailer. So far it was a tense standoff between the Britannian Military and the terrorists, which was being overseen by Cornelia herself. Since the terrorist was still holding the hotel well into the afternoon, it meant that all of Cornelia's attempts to reclaim the hotel and save the hostages had likely failed, which was worrying on its own.
In the past, Cornelia was known to only sacrifice the hostages when attempts to rescue them failed because she refused to submit to terrorists no matter the hostages they held.
It was all the more reason Lelouch wasted no time hurrying to rendezvous with Mukuro and the others.
Mukuro was waiting at the door to greet him.
"Has there been any changes?" Lelouch as Zero inquired to Mukuro dressed as Null.
"None, so far."
"So Zero what's the plan?" Ohgi said as he was obviously aware of the situation. "The Great Japan Soten Party is one of the most extreme groups in Japan. Null told us you planned on intervening."
"Bah, a bunch of nut jobs the lot of them who use fucking kids to fight for them," Tamaki commented from the sofa. The use of children as soldiers and occasionally suicide bombers was enough to sicken someone who was more likely to oppose more radical methods of dealing with Britannians by use of poison gas which only served how much the Great Japan Soten party was viewed by a majority of Japan.
The use of children alone was ensured to bring the wrath of Cornelia upon anyone foolish enough to use children as soldiers.
Even though it was evident that Cornelia was pro-Britannia who opposed anyone who opposed her country in any way and looked down on those not born Britannian, however, she did possess what was noted to absolutely hate for those who used children as soldiers. This didn't stop her from dealing with them the same as she would her enemies, but rumors spoke that Cornelia had those responsible begging for execution by the time she was through with them.
Obliviously the use of child soldiers isn't stopping her, so why hasn't she made a move?
"I am contemplating my options, but this isn't something I am going to ignore," Lelouch answered, although getting to the hotel without Cornelia killing them was the most immediate problem.
Still, why hasn't Cornelia made her move yet?
Lelouch thought until realization dawned on him because there was only one thing could be forcing Cornelia to stay her hand.
Euphemia must be among the hostages.
It was the only explanation why Cornelia was likely avoiding aggressive action.
A smiled appeared on Lelouch's face under the mask as a plan began to form.
Later that night at Lake Kawaguchi, Nagito Komaeda was sitting along the shore of the lake with a small pocket television in one hand and a bag carrying a meal he brought from a nearby fast food place. His was lamenting his bad luck that not only did the place he went for dinner got his order wrong, but the bus that was supposed to bring him closer to the Lake Kawaguchi Convention Center Hotel dropped him off on the opposite of the lake itself facing the rear of the hotel.
He wasn't sure why he decided to come out here, but it was his luck that led him here.
Besides given how chaotic the video game tournament had ended, especially after Junko joined to replace Lelouch…
Twenty Minutes after Lelouch's Departure…
The final race and game offered as part of the competition would be a race. As an added twist because this last match was where a player wouldn't drive a single vehicle this race was designed that at certain checkpoints the driver would have their car transform into something different to add both an exciting spin to the race itself and additional challenge of adaptability.
Everyone began using a high-speed sports car, which everyone was free to color and design with different patterns before the race. He painted his car green with some red so he could be identified by everyone else easily enough while Chiaki chose pink with video game characters on the side. Initially, it was planned for four games, but given the length of the last two games, it was decided to have the race to be the final one thus allowing everyone instead of the planned two from each team to take part in the last race so no one would be left out.
Chiaki didn't waste time speeding off to gain as much of a lead as possible, because as she warned her team before the race started.
"As soon as the race begins you guys must get ahead as quickly as possible, or you'll be trapped, not to mention it would be a long way down if you fall off the track."
This was because the race was beginning in the sky above the clouds, so falling from the race track would ensure you would lose the race.
When the race started Chiaki wasn't shocked to see the track beyond the starting line becoming quickly congested with drivers trying to pass and hinder their opposition at the same time. Ryota and some racers were unfortunate enough to be sent falling off the track. Chiaki managed to gain a healthy lead using the winding roads coupled with the downward plunge to obtain a substantial advantage with Sonia and Nagito following closely behind to cover her rear.
Upon reaching the bottom a checkpoint changed their vehicles from sports cars to sailboats, but from there the chaos would begin.
"INCOMING!"
Junko shouted as she landed her sailboat on top of Kaito's boat crushing it under her own boat thus sinking his, which was something Celeste did as well to eliminate another competitor. Then everyone else behind them began to imitate them leading to some disastrous results. Some were successful, but others failed and put themselves further back.
Then stage three of the race had their vehicles change into motorcycles, speeding through a trench until they raced up a ramp where stage four of the competition began as the racers switched to jets.
"Bye Aiko," Kokichi said before bumping the top of her jet plane with his causing it to explode removing a member of the student council from the race.
Kotomi was quick to avenge her fallen fellow member by performing the same move on him, thus eliminating Kokichi from the race. Much like Junko's actions early on this led to others attempting to use the same move to remove more competitors from the competition.
Sonia fell victim to the maneuver by Celeste and Junko gave another player a love tap she called it.
Despite the chaos, Chiaki managed to win first place despite some close calls with Junko when the latter made her way into second place. Nagito noted that it wasn't just trying to stay ahead that was the issue but trying to avoid being shoved off the road, crushed or blown up in mid-air with a love tap.
Lelouch's team won second place for the whole tournament while Chiaki and their class won first with Class-78 B winning third place.
Returning to the present, he began to focus on events that brought him out here, although he didn't mind the evening breeze as it was relaxing and helped loosen him up more after such a chaotic finale to the Video Game Tournament.
A free bus pass to Lake Kawaguchi doesn't just fly into your lap for now reason.
Since then his luck had taken a sour turn, but since he won a free pocket television from a crane machine after picking up his dinner, Nagito thought fate was telling him that he was meant to be here. His luck has always been strange in which events, for good or ill, have still happened in a way that seems unbelievable. Such as the time he took a trip around the world, but the airplane he was flying in crashed landed in the middle of a scorching desert.
However, the plane crashed next to a lush oasis that had everything Nagito needed to survive until rescue, although the other passengers were not as fortunate.
It was events like those that convinced him his luck was trying to guide him or direct him in the direction he was meant to be going.
Maybe lady luck will smile on me tonight.
However, little did Nagito realize things were about to take an unexpected turn.
"WHAT?!" Diethard snapped as he looked up from the fishing pole he had been using to fish as a way to pass the time. "What happened again?"
"It's just like I told you. Don didn't realize what was happening until it was too late?"
Diethard had just been informed that one of their news vans had been stolen by a group of armed men.
"So where is van five right now?"
"Driving straight for the military stationed at the bridge leading to the hotel!"
Around the same time, the stolen news van in question was driving towards the military troops under Cornelia stationed at the end of the bridge that led towards the hotel. The other two bridges that connected the hotel to the mainland were destroyed by explosives during the initial stages of the takeover. Thus allowing for only one way in, although the underwater supply tunnel that ran below their feet to the hotel itself was technically another way in as well it was blocked off by a couple Glasgows that had been modified and combined into a mobile linear cannon.
How the Great Japan Soten Party obtained such a weapon was baffling, but there were suspicions that they were being aided by a third party who had access to various weapons and military hardware which was supplying the Great Japan Soten Party with.
Regardless it made attempts at reaching the hotel almost impossible, especially as efforts by air and water had poorly failed as well.
"What the hell is Zero thinking?" Tamaki grumbled from inside the news van they had stolen.
"I don't know, but what does he mean by proving a point?" Ohgi asked as he and the others were just as confused as he was.
"We might not live long enough to find out," Kallen added grimly, but Mukuro overheard them as she sat in the driver's seat slowly driving the van towards the military blockade at the bridge ahead of them.
"Just relax; Zero knows what he is doing."
The Sutherlands and various military vehicles allowed them to pass so they could surround them at the bridge. However as Zero stood atop the van, he was confident he would be granted passage to the bridge, but the question remained if Cornelia would allow it as she in the company of two members of her Royal Guard rushed in to bar Lelouch's path forcing Mukuro to stop the van.
Lelouch stood still as a statue as Cornelia emerged from her cockpit to face Zero directly before drawing a long rifle-like weapon that seemed like a mix between a rapier and a long barrel pistol.
"Well Zero we meet again," Cornelia said as Zero was silent, "are you here to help us or are you with the terrorists? Regardless this isn't your concern, but right now I shall avenge my brother Clovis."
As Cornelia took aim, Lelouch finally spoke, "Cornelia, who is more important, Clovis who is dead or Euphemia who is still alive?"
The look of surprise confirmed Lelouch's suspicions as he began smiling deviously under the mask.
Just as I thought, Euphy is among the hostages. You always dotted on sweet little Euphy ever since she was a small child, which is why you won't take aggressive action. Your emotions are getting in the way.
"What are you talking about?" Cornelia demanded while trying to deny the fact that Euphemia was among the hostages, but the terrorists were not aware of that fact because Euphemia wasn't on the guest list as she intended to observe the meeting. "I have no idea what you are implying."
"It is within my power to rescue her, so let me pass, and I shall save Euphemia for you." Lelouch offered, although if negations fell apart, he would use his Geass on her if the situation demanded it. "How long before the terrorist find her and potentially execute her when all of your other attempts have failed?"
Cornelia flinched at the possibility, and it was only twenty minutes ago the leader of the Great Japan Soten Party announced they would begin executing hostages every thirty minutes until their demands are met. As much as it angered her, Cornelia knew she had little options, but at that moment an idea that could allow her to solve two problems at once came to mind.
"Inform the terrorists on the other side that we'll be allowing Zero to pass," Cornelia said with a great deal of reluctance, "give the order to let Zero pass across the bridge."
Dalton was surprised by the order, but he complied.
"Attention all forces let Zero pass, and inform the other side that Zero wishes to cross the bridge to meet them."
Smirking triumphantly under his mask Lelouch enjoyed the distressed look on his older half-sibling's face as Mukuro began driving the van across the bridge.
Once Zero and the van were out of earshot Dalton turned to Cornelia and asked, "Viceroy, what are we doing?"
"I believe by letting Zero pass we can buy more time before the next hostage is executed." Cornelia answered before a smile appeared on her face, "this is our chance to eliminate two of our problems at once."
Given their extreme methods and ideology I have no intention of allying with them, and I am sure they will feel the same, but regardless I doubt they can resist the temptation of meeting the infamous Zero.
Lelouch was already expecting the meeting lead to a violent confrontation, but at the least, he was sure they would allow the conference to happen because he didn't doubt the Great Japan Soten Party was interested meeting the man who killed the Viceroy and a member of the Britannian Royal Family.
The only wild card will be Cornelia because an opportunity like this would be too much for her to resist.
The stolen news van was nearing the gate leading to the hotel grounds, although Lelouch was concerned they would turn hostile the gates opened allowing the vehicle to pass through.
Excellent, all of the plan's preliminary conditions have been met.
Around the same time in another part of Area 11, a tense meeting was happening with a man who was formerly the number three man in Area 11 behind General Bartley until Clovis's demise and Cornelia becoming the new Viceroy. His name was Gigelf Muller, a general in the Britannian Army and the Chief of Central Troops of the Kanto region of Area 11. He was slimmer compared to Bartley, and he had a full head of brown hair with blue eyes wearing the traditional Britannian military uniform.
He was sweating profusely as he sat at the head of a long table because sitting opposite of him was Monokuma.
"You have been a very naughty boy General Muller," Monokuma mocked before laughing his signature laugh, "I mean selling old weapons and intelligence to terrorist groups was one thing, but if word of this got out then Cornelia would just skin you alive."
Before the panicking general, despite his efforts to hide it was on the verge of breaking down, was photos showing Muller overseeing the selling and delivery of a weapon made from using four Glasgow Knightmare Frames as its base to create a giant mobile coil gun dubbed the Raikou. It had been assembled initially by the Japan Liberation Front to use as a massive siege weapon, but a raid on a small base controlled by the JLF allowed for the gun platform to be captured by Britannian authorities overseen by Muller.
After conducting an examination of the mobile weapon to learn anything useful from it Muller was then tasked with disposing of it, but instead, he sold it to the Great Japan Soten Party. He even gave them intelligence revealing critical details about the security detail at the hotel that enabled a successful takeover of the hotel.
"I have been gathering dirt on you for months, which is your fault since cut so many deals with different terrorist groups. You didn't know which of them wasn't tied to cute little old me." Monokuma mockingly pointed out. "The reason for it has changed I'll admit."
Initially, Monokuma had been gathering enough weapons-grade blackmail to coax the general into cooperating with Ultimate Despair. His high position coupled with the fact he oversees the military and related matters for the central region of Area 11 that included the Tokyo Settlement. When Cornelia came to power, he was given the proverbial cold shoulder that saw the influence and power he held as the number three man in Area 11's power structure diminish.
He kept his position, but it was apparent that his ego couldn't accept the loss of influence he had suffered.
"I'll give you kudos for dealing with that banker and his family." Monokuma said mockingly before adding, "No, I meant to say undercover Bureau of Internal Affairs agent from the homeland."
Muller had discovered from his own contacts that Cornelia had asked for the Bureau of Internal Affairs to send an agent to investigate his cash flow, so he had asked a small terrorist group to take care of the matter. The agent along with his wife and daughter were killed in a public bombing, which worked to hide the actual target of the attack to misdirect suspicion, but Muller didn't know the group he had contacted was a subsidiary group tied to Ultimate Despair.
It was just more dirt to add to the pile of blackmail Monokuma had over him.
"What do you want?" Muller asked, his voice was trembling as he did.
"Oh nothing much," Monokuma replied, "but in exchange for making sure no one knows what I know I want you to do a couple favors for me."
Behind the controls Junko Enoshima was grinning evilly as a critical component for making the next Killing Game possible was in her grasp.
More work and preparation was needed, but she was closer now and had an essential part of her plan to make it all a reality.
For Lelouch, it was difficult for him to stand before the men who commanded the Great Japan Soten Party because upon seeing the children they were employing as soldiers on the ground floor only fueled Lelouch's rage. Unknowingly it was something he and Cornelia shared, and one that stemmed from his own situation as a political tool as a child. Their position didn't compare, and looking at how determined they were to fulfill their orders Lelouch couldn't begin to imagine what must've been done to them.
Lelouch didn't feel sad when he used his Geass to order to kill themselves, which he would claim that they took their own lives upon realizing the futility of the situation.
When the gunshots from the room were heard, Mukuro knew it was the signal to begin cleaning house.
"YOU BASTARDS!" One of the armed members of the Great Japan Soten Party yelled as he charged Mukuro who had been standing near the door but decided to take out the masked woman while his two comrades chose to enter the room to assist their leader.
Using a throwing knife that slipped into her hand, Mukuro threw the small blade sending it into the neck of the unfortunate man. Before the man's body could slump to the ground dead, Mukuro quickly seized it using it as a shield while members of the Great Japan Soten Party opened fire. The corpse soaked up the bullets like a sponge, but Mukuro didn't wait and pushed forward until she was close enough to throw the body at them disrupting their efforts to gun her down and creating an opening where she delivered a bone breaking punch to the face one of man.
The impact of her punch caused blood and shattered teeth to erupt from his mouth before quickly drawing one of her combat knives to slash open the man's throat before swiftly killing the last one before he could open the door.
It wasn't over as two more armed men arrived, but this time they had a hostage with them.
Euphemia…
Mukuro recognized the young girl, but she didn't pause as she quickly drew her pistol to shoot each man in the head thus eliminating them as threats before they could use their assault rifles against her.
You can't call these worthless fools soldiers, Mukuro thought internally while at the same time she was wondering how they could've taken the hotel so quickly given the importance of the Sakuradite Allocation Meeting.
Lelouch emerged from the room, but his mask hid his surprise as he saw her.
"Euphemia, you were willing to sacrifice yourself for the commoners. You haven't changed." Lelouch said as Zero, suspecting correctly she must've revealed herself to stop another hostage from being executed.
He didn't know that he was half right, and the cause behind her reveal was because of Nina's own xenophobia getting the better of her. She had unknowingly provoked the anger of a guard that nearly resulted in her demise along with that of Milly and Shirley had Euphemia not intervene by revealing her true identity.
"Null, go secure the hostages I would like a word with the Princess here," Lelouch ordered as Mukuro replied with a simple nod before departing to accomplish her task.
Euphy merely silently stared at Zero, the man who killed her brother Clovis. Similar to how Suzaku met her, Euphy was dressed in casual wear consisting of a white dress with a short yellow jacket to stylishly compliment her attire.
"I hear you are the new Sub-Viceroy Euphemia li Britannia."
"It's not an appointment I am happy with." The young girl admitted with disdain in her voice.
"No, it's because Clovis was murdered," Lelouch answered before adding further. "That was my handiwork. He begged pathetically for his life to the very end. He pleaded with the same tongue that ordered the deaths of countless unarmed Elevens that included women and children."
Euphy was left reeling, although she was aware of the actions her older half-brother had done and it left a bitter taste in her mouth that Clovis had done something like that.
"Was that the reason you killed my brother?"
"No," Lelouch answered flatly.
"THEN WHY!?"
"Because Clovis was an offspring of the Britannian Emperor, which reminds me," Lelouch replied before he drew a handgun from within his cape that he had kept on his person, "you are one of his children."
Does he have a grudge against the royal family?
Euphy stood her ground despite the danger, but a moment later Lelouch lowered the gun.
"I suppose, for now, you haven't done anything worthy of being punished."
"Zero," Ohgi's voice came from behind the masked man as he Kallen and Inoue arrived on the scene. "Tamaki and the others are planting the explosives, but we still need to deal with those child soldiers on the ground floor."
"Leave that to Null and me," Lelouch ordered before turning to face Ohgi, "gather the hostages and bring them to the ground floor for stage three of the plan."
"Sure thing," Ohgi replied as Euphy silently observed trying to understand Zero as he felt familiar to her somehow.
Meanwhile in the service tunnel below the Lancelot, piloted by Suzaku, was struggling to take down the Raikou. Its wide range of fire and the destructive capabilities of the ammunition it fired gave it a dangerous edge that shredded most Knightmare Frames apart, but the Lancelot was holding its own thanks to its speed and its Blaze Luminous Shields. Cornelia had ordered Suzaku into action after Zero entered the hotel to create an opening for their forces by sinking the hotel by destroying its foundation block providing a window of eight to ten minutes to rescue the hostages before the hotel sinks into the lake.
It was a stalemate so far, but the operators of the Raikou realized it was only a matter of time before the Lancelot would break through, so they readied the smaller guns that had replaced the arms of the Glasgows that made up the sizeable mobile weapon.
"Miss Cecile I have to use the VARIS," Suzaku reported when the visual scan of his machine spotted the Raikou preparing to use additional guns to aid its primary weapon leaving with Suzaku with no window to evade.
The VARIS was another prototype weapon called the Variable Ammunition Repulsion Impact Spitfire, was the Lancelot's most powerful ranged weapon in its arsenal. It hadn't been tested in a combat situation yet, and it had settings for more destructive shots. Some of which could potentially damage the Lancelot or even destroy it thanks to the devastating recoil, or so they feared.
"No, you could get killed!"
"I have no room to evade, so I'll risk being blasted by the recoil to take the first shot."
Suzaku drew the VARIS as its barrel extended. Once Suzaku had the main barrel of the Raikou in his sights he fired a quick shot from the VARIS that sped down the tunnel. The projectile tore through the shell the Raikou fired before piercing the large weapon itself causing it to explode that brought down the underground passageway the Raikou had been in causing an explosion that could be seen from where Cornelia and her men were waiting to begin the rescue operation.
Taking advantage of the explosion, Suzaku used it to propel himself high, launching himself and the machine out of the tunnel, into the air giving him a clear shot of the hotel's foundation block as he switched VARIS to the appropriate mode.
Suzaku skillfully shot the foundation block despite the distance and the angle he was in, but the hotel began to sink thanks to his shot.
However, as the Lancelot began falling towards the ground, Suzaku spotted someone watching him from one of the rooms on the higher floors of the sinking hotel.
Suzaku…
Lelouch thought as his eyes narrowed, but this didn't stop him from pulling out a remote he was holding and detonating the explosives Ohgi and the others had planted throughout the upper floors of the hotel.
Suzaku and Cornelia were horrified by the chain of explosions that tore apart the hotel causing it to lean back as debris was sent flying everywhere. Without thinking Suzaku, after the Lancelot landed on the edge of the bridge leading to the hotel, leaped towards the collapsing hotel in a desperate bid to save the hostages, but he and Cornelia didn't realize that this was part of Zero's plan.
Only Diethard seemed to realize this, because why steal one of their vans with their equipment inside if there wasn't another purpose behind it.
Diethard's suspicions were proven correct when they picked up a signal being broadcasted from one of the cameras, while at the same time as the dust from the hotel's destruction began to finally clear a small yacht began sailing away from the ruins of the hotel.
Aboard the vessel Lelouch was thankful, they had managed to get out in time, but he was also glad that he didn't have to order Mukuro to kill those child soldiers. Thankfully they were not aware of what had happened on the upper floors, so it allowed Lelouch to use his Geass to order them to disarm and surrender at the chance of being rehabilitated. It was risky since there was a chance Cornelia could have them locked away for life or executed, but Lelouch didn't have the means to take care of them.
He bargained with Euphy to take them under her custody as the Sub-Viceroy as a humanitarian gesture, which she agreed. The rest he could only leave in fate's hands.
Now there is one thing left to do, Lelouch thought before making a silent gesture for Ohgi to begin.
Within moments Zero's visage was being shown across Area 11 as he spoke to the camera.
"My dear Britannians have no fear." The camera was directed at the hostages who were sitting in life rafts surrounding the yacht. "All of the hostages from the hotel are safe and sound. I, Zero, return them to you unharmed."
Most people around Area 11 were pleased with this development, except for Cornelia who realized another purpose.
"Of all the brazen audacity!" Cornelia cursed with barely restrained anger, "If we attack you, those people will quickly become your hostages, won't they?"
One cue the lights on the deck of the yacht were turned on revealing Zero, but standing behind him was Ohgi and the others wearing the black uniforms Tsumugi made for them while Null was operating the boat from inside.
"People! Fear us, or rally behind us as you see fit. We are the Black Knights." Lelouch declared before he continued. "We of the Black Knights stand with those who have no weapons to wield; regardless if they are Japanese or Britannians. The Great Japan Soten Party cowardly took innocent Britannian civilians hostage, and then mercilessly executed them. It was a wanton and meaningless act. Therefore they have been punished. Just as former Viceroy Clovis was punished for ordering the slaughter of countless unarmed civilians, we could not stand by and allow such cruelty to be carried out, and so we made him pay for his actions."
Across Area 11 Sayaka was watching the live broadcast as was Makoto and others from Lelouch's class.
"I will not repudiate battle on a fair and level field, but neither will I tolerate a one-sided massacre of the weak by the strong. The only ones who should kill, are those who are prepared to be killed! Wherever oppressors have abused their power by attacking those who are powerless, we shall appear again. No matter how mighty, or formidable our foe may be!" Lelouch said before he began bringing his speech to a close with a dramatic display.
He began by dramatically extending his left arm.
"Those of you with power, fear us!"
Then he did the same thing with his other arm.
"Those of you without it, rally behind us! We, the Black Knights, shall be the ones who stand in judgment of this world."
Junko was grinning maliciously, but across the lake, Nagito was intrigued by Zero.
"How wonderful, maybe this is my luck directing me to someone who could create a powerful shining hope for the world!"
Monokuma Theater:
Monokuma was standing on a large stage, but he was wearing a red cape with a black and white mask, that oddly was opposite of the different colors of his body.
"Now let's ask ourselves an important question," Monokuma began before cutely flexing his arms, "what do people admire superheroes?"
The two-tone bear dressed as a superhero turned to a cardboard box behind him as he began throwing balls into the air, which he started burning to a crisp using heat vision from his eyes.
"Do people really understand what superheroes are like?" Monokuma asked before adding, "Superheroes stop people from achieving their hopes and dreams you know. They attack people in groups because they don't have any friends themselves. All of them are short tempered and say things like I am mad or I am going to stop you. Then they'll start laughing at you, and they'll run away once the other guy starts to fight back."
On cue, Monokuma took to the air and began flying around the stage.
"They even wear flashy costumes, and they'll use weapons when the other guy doesn't have any, so that means superheroes are a bunch of smart, good-looking, violent, stubborn elitist who does not have many friends. Are you sure we should admire people like that?"
A/N: man this chapter ended up being a LOT longer than I thought it would be, which I'll blame on the whole game tournament. Worry not it will be the last one for a very long time (I might add in some video game moments, mostly when Chiaki is involved, but don't expect any for a while).
Monokuma's plans for the next Killing Game are in motion with someone who has the authority to help it come together now in Junko's pocket thanks to blackmailing him. The guy is a character from the Code Geass novels, and I have made use of him to further my plans for the next Killing Game along.
I felt a little disappointed with how events at the hotel turned out, but it's a means to an end, and I have a few Black Knight operations in mind that should provide some originality and some new twists as they soon come into conflict with Ultimate Despair.
Anyway thank you all for reading, and I look forward to your feedback/reviews, and I look forward to them.