Hey everyone and get ready for this chapter. This'll be chapter 26 and it's going to go more into the current state of things in the world and mostly where things are going to go from here.
26. The Start Of Changes.
Night fell after the declaration made by Euphie and the Black Knights regarding the return of Zero and the independence of Japan. Inside a meeting room within the Chinese Federation consulate was a wide-screen TV that was broadcasting news of what was currently taking place outside the consulate. Kallen was watching it alone.
"The terrorist group known as the Black Knights along with Soul and the newly re-emerged Zero have now been officially reinstated as enemies of the state and the territory that was once acknowledged to be the Specially Administrated Zone of Japan has served its ties to Britannia and is now being claimed by the Elevens as a Nation of their own. A female news anchor reported. "Currently the Black Knights, Zero included are currently hiding in a section of the Chinese Federation consulate. However, there's no cause for alarm. Acting Viceroy Guilford has taken command of the army in the absence of wounded Viceroy Calares. Former Princess Euphemia has also joined hands with thees rebels and is therefore considered to be a criminal who is guilty of treason against Britannia and will be treated as such. The consulate has been completely surrounded and the public…"
As Kallen listened to the report Soul, C.C and R.R entered the meeting room.
"You and Lelouch have the town jumping." Kallen congratulated.
"Naturally. A new nation has just been created in their own territory. And not to mention of course, that it also just declared war on Britannia." C.C said as she took a seat on the couch.
"That's right, not to mention the return of Zero and the Black Knights being enemies of Britannia," Rolo added as he took off his Visor.
"Well we already expected this much, so there's not much cause for concern." Soul stated. "Right now our only problem is Guilford and we should be able to deal with that much for a while. In the meantime, let's focus on moving on to the next phase of our plan. Urabe is only on standby with the Special Forces. Lyre is handling communication with the members of the Chinese Federation. Let's control our pace and keep things steady."
"Understood." Kallen and Rolo said in unison.
"My, my, you have become better adept at being a commander," C.C noted amusedly. "Completely different from your old self who couldn't do anything but pilot a Knightmare."
"Hmph, but you haven't changed at all." Soul replied in the same tone. "You're still just a lazy witch."
C.C just smiled as she got comfortable on the couch.
"By the way, where's Lelouch?" Kallen asked.
"He's with Euphemia," Rolo said. "It's been a year since they've seen each other, so they wanted to talk in private.
Meeting Room Within The Consulate
Inside a meeting room in the consulate with two couches and a desk was Lelouch in his Zero attire without his mask and Euphie who was standing next to him.
"With this, everything will start to move as I envisioned," Lelouch said pleased. "Though it took much longer than I planned."
"Even though you just got back, you're still able to act as though no time has passed at all," Euphie noted amusedly.
"I don't have much of a choice, considering I've kept everyone waiting for a year." Lelouch then smiled. "Still I'm glad, despite being gone for so long both Japan and its people are in a much better state than I was expecting, I have you to thank for that Euphie."
Euphie smiled back. "What are you talking about, it was Soul and everyone else that did all the work, I only helped with the simpler affairs."
"No, you're wrong about that, Euphie," Lelouch argued. "You've done much more than you realize. Both creating the Special Zone at the cost of your claim to the throne, as well as doing everything you could to maintain it all this time, you've been a symbol of hope to the people of Japan, that's why they never rebelled against it because they believed that you would keep your promise to do what you could to make things better for them. Euphie, this wouldn't have been possible without you."
Euphie was taken aback by his words. "I never saw it that way. To me, the only one who gave hope to the Japanese was always you."
"Hmph, you think too little of yourself," Lelouch said.
"Honestly though, I don't think anyone of us could have accomplished any of this without Logan. He really is amazing, Lelouch. Just like you." Euphie said.
"That's not surprising," Lelouch said, proudly. "When I first created the Black Knights, I chose him to be my partner because I knew if anything happened to me he could still full the position of leader on his own."
"If something were to happen to you." Euphie looked down, upset from hearing those words.
"..." Lelouch stopped and realized what he had said. "Forgive me, Euphie. I know I worried you the most in all this. I let myself became careless, and as a result, we both got captured."
"It wasn't your fault!" Euphie immediately denied. "No one could have predicted that happening. Or, that father had a Geass."
"True, but..." Lelouch then thought to himself. "But I should have predicted that man would interfere." He clenched his fists. "He'll never be satisfied until he's taken everything from me."
Lelouch then remembered something.
"Euphie, Suzaku was there on that day, so he also knows about Geass, right?" Lelouch asked.
"That's right, he knows everything I know," Euphie confirmed.
"Then why did he leave his position as your Knight to join Schneizel?" Lelouch asked. "And, why did he later go on to became a Knight of the Round?"
"That's something that has a reason behind it, but it's something Suzaku himself should tell you. But believe me when I say, no matter how things appear, Suzaku is definitely on our side." Euphie assured him.
Lelouch thought for a moment before speaking.
"Very well, I'll trust you on this," Lelouch responded. "And, I'll trust Suzaku as well, I own him that much."
"Thank you, and now, I only have one thing left to say," Euphie said.
"What's that?" Lelouch asked.
He got his answer in the form of Euphie getting closer and wrapping her arms around him, hugging Lelouch in a gentle and emotional embrace.
"Lelouch, I've missed you," Euphie said, happily with tears streaming down her eyes.
Lelouch then wrapped his arms around her and returned the hug.
"Yes, I've missed you as well, Euphie," Lelouch said, with a warm smile.
The Next Day, Ashford Academy
At Ashford Academy, the members of the Student Council were inside a small kitchen room, wearing kitchen aprons and each was preparing individual parts of a coarse meal.
"Lelouch, open the oven!" Milly requested.
"Yeah, yeah." Lelouch complied.
"Some salt." Milly requested.
Lelouch added salt to a pot of soap.
"Frying pan." Milly requested.
Lelouch stokes the frying pan with meat on it.
"A fresh egg." Milly requested.
Lelouch cracked out an egg in a bowl.
"Bechamel sauce." Milly requested.
Lelouch stirred the sauce.
"Put the gelato on another plate. Oh, and add the rosemary to the sorbet. Then add the dill to the sauerkraut. The black forests cake needs…" Milly requested without stopping.
"I can't do this by myself!" Lelouch complained. "Why do you only keep asking me to help with that all?"
"We didn't have a choice. Rivalz has no sense of taste and of course, she is…" Milly looked to her right.
They all look to see Shirley holding an electric-mixer into a bowl of batter, which she has trouble holding steady.
"Well, after all, she isn't the most focused person in the world," Lelouch said, annoyed.
Milly walks up to Lelouch and leans on him with a smile. "Oh just behave and do what you're told now. Usually, a character like you would act as the type who couldn't earn a living."
"And he keeps a book of his household spending," Rivalz added.
"How did you know that?!" Lelouch questioned.
"Oh, jeez. You really do?" Rivalz said.
They then see Shirley, who ends up losing her hold on the bowl and causing it to fly out of her hand and fall on top of her, which makes Shirley fall onto the floor with the batter spilling all over her.
"Want a towel?" Rivalz offered.
"I will get it myself, thank you," Shirley replied.
"President, can I ask something?" Lelouch asked.
"Certainly, although I may choose not to answer you," Milly said.
"So today, we are celebrating Rolo and me coming back alive," Lelouch said.
Milly nodded. "You two escaped that terror attack all right? Shirley was practically out of her mind, poor girl. 'Oh if my Lulu has been killed, ah…'"
Shirley quickly stood up and rushed over to Milly, she covered Milly's mouth with her hands to stop her from continuing.
"Hey, where is Rolo?" Rivalz asked.
"I spoke with him but you know, the boy is a lot more sensitive now that his older brother isn't around," Milly said, while her voice was muffled because Shirley was covering her mouth.
"That's partly why he doesn't have any friends, isn't it?" Rivalz noted.
"You should simply say he is quiet," Shirley argued. "Besides, for as long as we've known him he's never been far from Logan, it's hard for him to be himself without him."
"Ah… not that I mind your dirty hands on my mouth but…" Milly said.
"Alright. I'm sorry." Shirley then removed her hands from Milly's mouth.
"Nobody remembers anything about Nunnally." Lelouch thought upset. "My little sister has been completely erased. I wasn't the only one whose memory was rewritten. The entire student council has been manipulated with as well. How dare they…"
Lelouch's thought was interrupted when he heard a bumping from his Cellphone, he checked it to see he had a message.
"Rolo?" Lelouch wondered.
O.S.I Underground Ashford Base
Underneath Ashford Academy was a secret base the belonged to the O.S.I, inside that base was a meeting room that the members currently in the base used to hold discussions and operate surveillance over the entire Ashford Academy campus. Members of O.S.I. Along with Villetta who was leading them was currently having a meeting.
"Even after the Babel Tower incidence, Lelouch Lamperouge has shown no special changes." An O.S.I member reported.
"There are 180 cameras on campus, as well as 47 undercover observers. We found no clues or information that could connect Lelouch with the destruction of Carthage's unit." Another O.S.I member reported.
"Surveillance is perfect. He has no opportunity to use his Geass. If he is Zero, it would be odd if he returned here to the school." Villetta pointed out.
"Then the situation hasn't changed from before the Babel Tower incident." A third O.S.I member said.
"Those of us in the Office of Secret Intelligence will carry on our mission to capture C.C. People, continue observing the bait as you have been," Villetta ordered.
"Yes, My Lord." They all said in unison.
Bedroom At Lelouch's Residence
[Yes, My Lord.] They all said in unison over a recording.
After hearing a recording of the meeting and conversations between Villetta and the O.S.I members, Rolo switches off a tiny recording device and hands it to Lelouch. The two of them are currently inside Lelouch's bedroom.
"Because they're watching someone else, they wouldn't even consider the possibility that they're being watched themselves," Rolo said.
"It's human nature to think of yourself untouchable when you put in a favourable position," Lelouch told him. "Besides, why complain when it's to our advantage."
"Still though, will it be safe to place wire-taps in a place like that?" Rolo asked worriedly.
"Don't worry, they'll never find out," Lelouch assured him. "And even if they do, worst-come-to-worst I can still use my Geass on most of them, as for Villetta, she's no threat on her own."
Rolo nodded and they both left.
E.U Battlefield
Meanwhile, on a Battlefield in Italy, Britannian forces with Sutherland and Gloucester Knightmare Frames were battling against Italian forces who also had Knightmares, on a location filled with steep cliffs over a sandy shore. The Italian forces were showing themselves to be capable enough to hold the Britannians hold for a while.
At the top of the cliffs was the commander centre of the Italian forces.
"Italian state forces are holding strong on the right flank, too." The Italian Commander reported.
"The victory Bordeaux drink tonight will be a fine vintage." The Italian Vice-Commander celebrated.
"Unknown craft approaching from above!" An Italian soldier reported.
"What?" The Commander asked surprised.
Back on the Battlefield, soaring through from the sky and landing in the middle of the Italian forces was the Lancelot, only now it had a more advanced float system and seemed to possess newer upgrades making it more powerful than it was a year ago. All the Italian forces came to a halt and looked on it both shock and fearful at seeing the Lancelot.
"The Lancelot." An Italian soldier said shocked.
"Britannia's White Death." Another Italian soldier said fearfully.
"Knights of the Round here in the front line?" A third Italian soldier said shocked.
"Please surrender." Suzaku in the pilot seat of the Lancelot said, drawing sounds of confusion from those around him. "You have no chance of winning. Anyone who throws his weapon down will not be shot."
Suzaku's voice was also heard by those in the command centre.
"Of all the impertinent!" The Italian Vice-Commander said insulted.
The Commander was angered greatly by Suzaku's words.
"Destroy it. Damn it! He's only one knight." The Italian ordered.
By his order, all the Italian Knightmares charged at the Lancelot ready to fight.
"Then so be it," Suzaku said as he began to fight back. The Lancelot fired its Slash Harkens at two enemy Knightmares and used it to slam those two into several more enemy, thus crushing them. It then drew both its MVS Blades. "Do you want more?"
They continued to charge him and Suzaku had the Lancelot slash apart every enemy that approached the Lancelot. The Lancelot then took off into the air and drew its VARIS Rifle, using it to shot down and destroy every remaining enemy from higher ground.
Britannian Naval Fleet
Off the coast of the Battlefield was a Fleet of Battleships with Knightmares on them. On the ship that was leading the fleet was Schneizel and with him was his aid Kanon. On the ship, the two of them were seeing the status of Suzaku's battle against the Italian forces.
"Allowing him to conduct a solo operation, are you sure?" Kanon asked. "Kururugi used to be your subordinate, your Highness."
"He's now the Knight of Seven and reports directly to His Majesty." Schneizel reminded him.
"Yes, My Lord." Kanon bowed.
"He has been elevated in rank. He's to be admired. The world today is overflowing with despair. That's why he uses his humility and sense of duty as a compass to guide him through these dark times. Even despite his previous position as my Sister's Knight, he was still capable of seeing the bigger picture and making chooses that are more in his best interest." Schneizel noted.
"And what about Area Eleven, your Highness?" Kanon asked.
"Unfortunately we can't just abandon our battles against the E.U so I can't be as present as I would like, but the Knights of the round are a different matter," Schneizel said pleased.
Ashford Academy
Back at Ashford, Lelouch was alone in the Student Council room looking over an album on his computer showing pictures of all the events that had transpired this past year. The album had many pictures of the members of the Student Council, including one with all of them wearing sports clothes, one where they were dressed in Halloween costumes, and one of them dressed up for Christmas. Through these pictures, Lelouch noticed that Suzaku, Nina and Arthur weren't in any of them.
"Nina's gone, too. I wonder if Suzaku took Arthur with him." Lelouch thought to himself.
"What's up? How come you're looking through the album?" Rolo asked as he walked in. "Hey, that's the student council marathon dance fire isn't it?"
"You know the Prez, she runs us ragged with all these events she likes to put on," Lelouch commented, looking at more pictures.
The next picture was one with a group of male students on stage all looking heartbroken and Rivalz being given a trophy by Milly.
"Oh, that's the broken heart contest." Rolo recognized the picture.
"Talk about sad irony. The Prez dumps on Rivalz's heart then presents him with the award for winning." Lelouch noted.
"I think I get it, you're looking up the things we did this past year while your memories were gone." Rolo guessed.
"A year may have gone by, but for me, it feels like it's been a day," Lelouch said. "At the very least, I'd like to know just what it is that's been going on in my life while I wasn't myself. At best my memories are still hazy."
"I understand," Rolo said while taking out his Cellphone.
Lelouch looked and noticed that strapped to Rolo's Cellphone was a Heart-shaped locket.
"That locket. That's right." Lelouch thought. "I remember, Rolo bought that locket a few months ago, he said it was a gift for a friend." Lelouch widened his eyes. "Wait, he bought that on October 25th. That's Nunnally's birthday."
Rolo noticed Lelouch's expression.
"Huh? What's wrong." Rolo asked.
"Rolo, that locket you have, you were planning to give it to Nunnally, weren't you?" Lelouch asked.
Rolo at first looked surprised but then upset. "Yeah, I was, honestly though a part of me was hoping that seeing me buy a gift for someone on the date of her birthday would trigger a memory from you. But it didn't work."
"I see if nothing else it was worth a try." Lelouch then noticed Rolo was still holding the locket. "Rolo, you cared about Nunnally, didn't you?"
Rolo was taken aback and answered immediately. "Of course, she…" He stopped and looked down. "…She's my best friend.
"I know," Lelouch said. "I'm sure she thinks of you as her best friend as well."
Rolo had a surprised expression.
"That's right, Nunnally is a part of all our lives." Lelouch thought. "And no matter the cost, I will get her back."
Chinese Federation Consulate
Within the consulate, Kallen was in one of the bathrooms currently taking a shower. "It's been 3 days since the United States of Japan was established. Our forces are stationed around the broader of the area that was once the Special Zone, but I doubt Britannia's will be fooled for long, it'll only be a matter of time before they find out that the main members are actually in the consulate. And yet, while we've been following the orders given to us from Soul, we still haven't received any instructions from Lelouch. What on earth is he doing?" Kallen thought to herself as she stepped out of the shower and looked at her clothes in a basket beside the shower, next to them was a basket that had the blazer Lelouch gave her. She holds it and looks distraught. "You really are Zero, aren't you?" Kallen then sees that her Bunny girl waitress/prostitute uniform was also in that basket, Kallen looked as though she realized something. "…Of course!"
Meanwhile, in the meeting room, Soul, Euphie and C.C were in the middle of a discussion.
"I spoke with Gao Hai," Soul said. "He can drag out the extradition negotiations with Britannians. For now, our limit is up to a week at best."
"That may not be much, but it should be long enough while we wait for the others," Euphie said.
"I'm sure Lelouch would agree," C.C said. "As for the Chinese Federation government…"
"C.C, I was just thinking," Kallen said loudly, walking into the room upset. wearing only a towel. "Wouldn't it've made more sense for you to play the bunny girl?"
Kallen then notices the other two and realizing how immodestly dressed she is in front of them, proceeds to run behind a stained glass pane, embarrassed.
"Well, that was unexpected," Euphie said with a nervous smile.
"It's normal for Kallen." C.C Corrected.
"That's not true!" Kallen quickly denied.
"Oh? Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't you appear before Logan once before dressed the same way." C.C reminded her, with a hint of amusement. "No wait, you weren't wearing a towel at that time."
"Don't say things that will give people the wrong idea!" Kallen shouted embarrassed. "The circumstances were different!"
"We can see you," C.C said, referring to the fact that her towel begins to unfurl, revealing Kallen's boobs. Causing Kallen to re-cover herself.
Soul places a hand over his head and sighs. "Will we really be able to succeed? At this moment I'm starting to wonder."
"Oh come on now, there's nothing wrong with taking things a little easy, once in a while," Euphie assured him.
"Sorry to interrupt." A voice said, they turned to see Orpheus walk in. "But I have a report."
"Lyre." Euphie addressed him.
"Very well then, what's the report?" Soul asked.
"I just spoke with Urabe, he told me he was able to get in contact with Kyoshiro Todoh. He and the rest of the Executive members of the Black Knights should be able to arrive in Japan within the next two days." Orpheus reported.
Everyone's eyes widened at this new information.
"They'll all be arriving here?" Euphie asked.
"And that means Ohgi and the others," Kallen said.
"Two days means we have plenty of time," C.C stated.
Soul nodded. "Indeed, I'll pass the message on to R.R, he'll make sure that Zero hears this. But first…" He then stands up. "I have a matter of the utmost importance that I must take of, the rest of you continue as planned if anything new develops report it to me immediately." He gave one last order, before walking away.
"Understood." They all said in unison before he left.
Ashford Academy
A few hours later. Back at Ashford Lelouch was alone in the Student Council room while on the phone.
"I see, that's good. If anything else is reported pass it along to me." Lelouch said.
He then hung up and smirked.
"Ohgi and the rest of the senior officers of the Black Knights will be here in a few days. That means before long we'll be able to move the final stage in establishing our new Nation." Lelouch thought.
Just then the door opened and Shirley walked in.
"Lulu, are you in here all by yourself?" Shirley asked noticing him.
"Yeah, Shirley don't you have swim club now?" Lelouch asked, in his usual student tone.
"Yes, I do but you see I have to go shopping because I have to buy a birthday gift," Shirley said.
"Whose birthday?" Lelouch asked.
"Ms Villetta, our counsellor. They all agree I should buy it since I'm always the one who gets her mad." Shirley said, with a smile. "Problem is I'm incredibly impaired of picking out present. She seems to enjoy liquor I could buy her that, but I don't know a brand she likes."
"Should I go with you?" Lelouch offered.
Shirley was surprised by that.
"I could help you select the present for her." Lelouch clarified.
"Y-You would? Seriously?" Shirley asked gratefully.
"Sure, you ready to go?" Lelouch asked.
"Yeah," Shirley replied with enthusiasm.
Unbeknownst to the two of them, outside the window was Rivalz who was eavesdropping on their conversation.
"Oh, right. Now I've got my scoop. Thank you, guys." Rivalz said deviously before running off.
Later, Lelouch was in the bathroom wearing more casual clothes and getting ready to go out. After he was done he made his way to the front door. There he saw Rolo standing in front of him.
"Are you going out?" Rolo asked.
"Yeah, I have to help pick out a gift. It's a present for Ms Villetta's birthday." Lelouch answered.
"Her birthday? I see. I guess this is just something we do on the council, isn't it?" Rolo said.
Lelouch walked up to him and stopped while he was right beside Rolo, at that point he passed a hand on his shoulder and leaned his head down to whisper in Rolo's ear.
"Keep close the whole time, when you hear the signal follow my lead," Lelouch whispered.
Rolo simply nodded.
Lelouch then lifted his head and removed his arm, he made his way out the door.
"Well, I'd better be going," Lelouch said.
"See you later," Rolo said.
And with that, Lelouch had left. Rolo stood there about to leave when he heard a voice.
"Rolo!" A female voice called out and Milly appeared beside him, draping her arm around his shoulder.
"Oh, Miss President!" Rolo noted, surprised.
Rivalz appeared as well, the two of them stood next to Rolo.
"Rolo, you come along, too. It'll be fun to chat." Milly said, confusing Rolo.
Omotesando Mall
Lelouch and Shirley were now at a large indoor shopping mall centre and were looking over different bottles of wine to figure out what they should buy.
"Hum, I've learned about wines but never tried any." Lelouch pondered.
"Out of luck there. How about this stuff?" Shirley suggested.
"Maybe those are too sweet. How about a Sopron." Lelouch wondered.
"Could this be a date? If it's not, I'll make it one then." Shirley thought while blushing.
Lelouch turned his gaze to his right and saw the wide mirror with his reflation on it, and he could also see the reflation of Milly, Rivalz, and Rolo hiding in the distance.
"I knew they would try something like this, although I didn't think they bring Rolo, too. Typical of Milly. Oh well, at least this'll make it easier for him to stay close to me." Lelouch thought.
Milly simply watched them from their hiding spot, unaware that they had been seen.
"What a great topic for a next meeting of the Society of Research on Male-Female dating," Milly said, with interest.
"Am… right," Rolo replied unsurely.
"Yeah, but is it fair for him to follow his Brother's best friend?" Rivalz asked, referring to Rolo.
"You're as interested as we are, aren't you?" Milly asked. "Logan would want Lelouch to be happy, so while he's away, you can help set things up with us."
"She's right." Rivalz agreed.
Ah…But, while he was here, Big Brother never followed any of your idea's, President." Rolo pointed out.
"And that's why this is even better," Milly told him. "He doesn't, but you do."
Lelouch and Shirley left the liquor store and continued their walk through the mall, and the others followed them while hiding. While doing this a woman sitting on a table who was watching them took out and communicator and whispered into it.
"Target is taking assumed route "Zebra"." The woman informed.
O.S.I Underground Ashford Base
Villetta and the other O.S.I members heard her from their communications.
"Roger. Switch off with group 7. Group two, watch for contact with C.C." Villetta ordered.
"Yes, My Lord. Cleaning the perimeter." The woman said through her communicator.
Omotesando Mall
Lelouch and Shirley were now in a Cellphone store, checking out different types of Cellphones and outside the store, Milly, Rivalz, and Rolo were still watching them. While holding a Cellphone that was turned off, Lelouch used the screen on the phone to see the reflation of what was behind him to check if anyone was watching him.
"They specifically set a trap at Babel Tower. Which means my enemy isn't the settlement's viceregal government. Well, I can't tell for certain who's watching me. The system itself that they are using has flaws in it." Lelouch thought.
He then went to purchase the phone and was filling out a form while in front of the main desk, on the other side of the desk was a male member of the Store's staff who was working on his computer.
"Excuse me, how do I fill this part out?" Lelouch asked the staff member.
"Pardon?" The staff member asked.
Lelouch then activated his Geass. "Sorry, but could you do me a favour, please?"
The staff member was then under Lelouch's control. "Sure, what can I do for you?"
"Well, it's like this," Lelouch said.
Meanwhile, Shirley was looking around the store while putting away a Cellphone she was holding, she was also wearing large headphones. As she looked around she noticed a few feet away, there was a couple sitting on a bench and the two of them were leaning in to kiss one another. Shirley found herself watching them with great interest, just before they kiss Lelouch appears behind Shirley.
"I'm back." Lelouch startles Shirley. "What were you looking at?"
"Oh, hum…that." Shirley nervously and hasty points to a billboard ad about a cable car system. "I was just wishing I could take a ride on that cable cars some time."
Lelouch is shocked by those words and thinks back to the haunting memories of a year before when facing Mao inside a cable car and seeing him hold Rolo at gunpoint, worsted of all is the fact that he was reminded of the fact Shirley and the others don't share memories from the previous year.
"It's my fault. My fault that Shirley's memories were wiped. Milly and Rivalz, too." Lelouch thought with shame and regret. "Their memories were rewritten without their consent. I just can't let things go the way they are. When this is all over, I swear. I'll…"
"What's the matter?" Shirley asked, bringing him out of his thoughts.
"The Prez and others are following us," Lelouch told her quietly.
Shirley was surprised by that statement. "What? Where?" She looked around.
"Shirley," Lelouch leaned closer and whispered. "I thought of a terrific idea."
Later Lelouch and Shirley were heading to a clothing store, another O.S.I agent was watching them from afar, this time a male. He contacts Villetta.
"Target entering store, Alpha-14. It's a small shop. There's a risk I'll blow my cover if I follow." The agent informed.
"Cover the front of the place. I'll send three people to cover the rear." Villetta said on the other line.
Inside the clothing store, Lelouch opening the curtain to a changing room and is about to walk in.
"OK. All I want you to do is pretend I'm in here for a while." Lelouch said.
"What are you going to do?" Shirley asked.
Lelouch opens up a booth in different clothes. "I'm going to sneak out of the store and surprise the Prez and others."
Shirley smiled. "Sure. I gotcha." She then closed the curtain once Lelouch walked in.
Lelouch then looks around. "I don't normally shop here. I hope they don't have any surveillance cameras or microphones." He then gets changed and takes out his Cellphone. "Shirley thinks this is only a harmless prank. Even on the off-chance that something goes wrong, I won't cause any trouble for her. I used my Geass to make the preparations. Now all I have to do." He places a small device on his phone and makes a call.
In the mall security officer, the phone started to ring and one of the security guards picked up.
"Hello, Omotesando Mall Security. May I help you?" The security guard asked, he then looked shocked. "The Black Knights?"
Back with Lelouch, he was talking to the security guard through his phone, while the device attached to it disguised his voice.
"We have planted a bomb in the mall and we will detonate it if all our following demands are not met immediately," Lelouch said.
Suddenly an announcement was voiced over a loud-speaker that could be heard throughout the entire mall.
"Paging Mr Maximillian from the Hakodate settlement. Paging Mr Maximillian from the Hakodate settlement. You have a phone call." The loud-speaker announced.
The staff members of different parts of the mall all looked shocked, knowing what that announcement meant.
"That means a…"
"A terrorist warning."
"It must be the Black Knights."
"Zero has returned."
"Keep your voices down. The customers will hear."
"But…"
While this was happening, unbeknownst to anyone Lelouch was sneaking away.
O.S.I Underground Ashford Base
"A bomb threat has just been made to Omotesando mall, my lord." An O.S.I soldier reported.
"OK. Hold your positions. Prepare for contact from C.C.!" Villetta ordered.
Omotesando Mall
Lelouch soon left the store and was now walking away while wearing different clothes along with a long coat-jacket and a hat that covered the top of his face to hide his identity, another male O.S.I agent saw him leave from a bench and got up so he could follow Lelouch.
"All tasks at hand have been cleared except for the detonator." Lelouch thought while he noticed the one following him was getting closer, he then looked at the clock above him and saw that it was almost 4:00 pm. "10. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1."
Once the countdown was over it was 4:00 pm on the dot and the man that Lelouch Geassed smashes open a safety glass and activates a terrorist alarm that is heard by everyone in the mall.
"It's the Black Knight." A male shopper said panicked.
"Terrorists?" Another male shopper said afraid.
At that moment everyone at the erupting into mass panic and hordes of people run around in every direction trying to flee. While this is happening the agent that was following Lelouch also gets caught up in this panic and loses sight of Lelouch.
"What's happening?" The O.S.I member asked himself shocked. "What the hell?"
Milly and Rivalz were also shocked by all this.
"Whoa, what's going on?" Rivalz wondered.
Rolo simply looked determined and ran off quickly.
"Rolo, don't run off!" Milly called out worried,
Rolo kept running, ignoring everything else.
"This must be the signal, so right now I need to meet Lelouch there." Rolo thought.
Shirley left the clothing store trying to make her way through all this hysteria
"What's going on?" Shirley asked shocked.
O.S.I Underground Ashford Base
"We've lost the target, my lord." An O.S.I soldier reported.
"What should we do about the info that we got from Scorpion?" Another soldier asked.
"What about the agent we have on the field?" Villetta asked.
"All cell phone call's are being jammed to maintain cynic order." A third O.S.I soldier reported.
"My lord, should we act on Scorpion's info or not?" The second soldier asked again.
Villetta got up from her seat. "Very well. I'll go myself." She rushed out leaving her communicator behind.
Omotesando Mall
Back at the mall, Lelouch was walking amidst all the panicking people feeling satisfied.
"And that's just one easy way to cause panic," Lelouch said pleased.
O.S.I Underground Ashford Base
That afternoon back at Ashford once the sun had gone down, Lelouch and Rolo had returned and went to where the Underground base was themselves. Once they enter the meeting room they find that it's empty, all the soldier and even Villetta are gone.
"Where is everyone?" Rolo asked.
"They've all gone searching for C.C," Lelouch answered.
"Huh?" Rolo didn't seem to understand.
"One of their agents was following me, once the panic started I used my Geass on him to make him my slave." Lelouch clarified. "I had him give them false information on C.C's location because her capture is their top priority they'll follow any information they get, no matter how wrong."
"I get it, and with that, there's no chance of them getting back while we're here," Rolo said.
Lelouch went over to the control panel and the surveillance monitor.
"All I need to do is gather the data on their control monitors. With that, not only will we have wire-taps that let us hear their every conversation, but we'll also have the ability to enter this base whenever we desire." Lelouch said while working on it. "The O.S.I surveillance can cover both Ashford and the Tokyo settlement, it'll be a valuable tool."
"But what about Villetta and the other agents?" Rolo asked. "Shouldn't we take care of them?"
"The other agents aren't anything to worry about, as for Villetta, I already have plans for her," Lelouch said confidently.
Chinese Federation Consulate Private Room
Night had fallen over the Tokyo Settlement and Soul had met up with Gao Hai in a large private room inside the consulate, in that room was a large desk with a throne behind it and on the wall above it was a banner with Chinese writing on it.
"Things are going extremely well, Gao Hai. You've been a great help to us, Zero is pleased." Soul told him.
"That is excellent news. Zero must be pleased in every way." Gao Hai said, still under the control of Geass.
"That's right." Soul then approached him. "And you have pleased Zero greatly. Unfortunately, you have reached the end of your usefulness to use, and so…"
"Hmm?" Gao Hai seemed confused by this and Soul stopped once he was right in front of him.
"…We have to dispose of you now." In that instant, Soul took out a gun from his sleeve and quickly shot Gao Hai in the throat, thus ending his life.
The now-dead Gao Hai fell to the floor in a thud. And when that was over Xingke walked in and saw the corpse of the High Eunuch.
"I see the deed is done. The crimson dynasty is dead." Xingke said as he stood next to Soul.
"That's correct, just like we agreed on." Soul replied. "Still, this means we won't be able to stay in the consulate for much longer."
"Are you sure this was the wisest move, killing him at this time?" Xingke asked.
"It's no problem, in truth we plan on disposing of all the High Eunuchs. What does it matter if one is early." Soul said.
"And so, your next move will be?" Xingke asked.
"The rest of the Black Knights are in the area around Mount Fuji. We'll be moving there as well. With the escape route, we can do so unseen." Soul said. "Tomorrow will be of great importance."
Next-Day At Ashford Academy
The next morning at Ashford Academy Lelouch was in class preparing for what he was planning today. What he never saw coming was an unexpected surprise that took of a person standing in front of that was going to be a student from now on, a person he recognized but never thought he'd see here of all places.
That person was his friend Suzaku Kururugi who was currently standing in front of the class.
"Hello, everyone. My name is Suzaku Kururugi and I'll be returning to classes here at Ashford Academy starting today. I look forward to studying here." Suzaku announced.
To Be Continued
And that's the chapter. As you can see this chapter was mainly setting things up. First I wanted Lelouch and Euphie to have their reunion because I felt they desired it after finally having the time. And as for the O.S.I, to Lelouch, they're just a mild inconvenience that he plans on dealing within the most beneficial way, the same for Villetta.
And as for the rest of the Black Knights. They'll be arriving shortly, after all now that Zero has returned they can move forward with their goals again and their organization is stronger than it was a year ago. As for Xingke, as you saw he and Soul were conspired to kill Gao Hai and plan on doing the same with the rest of the High Eunuchs. But that will come later.
And as for Rolo having the locket, I figured I could still use it, but have it have a different meaning than from the canon. Though in the end, it's still for Nunnally.
So see you next time, leave a review, hope you enjoyed, and have an awesome day.