A Code Geass fanfic – The Rise of Cobra
Written by WDCain Man

Disclaimer: Code Geass – Lelouch of the Rebellion is not mine. It's created by Sunrise and licensed by Bandai Entertainment with characters created by Clamp. Cobra and G.I. Joe was created by Hasbro with the show produced by Sunbow and is currently owned by IDW Publishing.

The animated GI Joe movie was the only part of the first cartoon series I enjoyed. In my opinion, it still trumps the crap-ass movie. I found the CGI movies to be kind of neat and found Sigma Six to be much better than the cartoon from the eighties. Resolute though was a stroke of genius and I personally would give my left nut if they made that into a series.

Jeez, a lot of people complained that the story's problem was Suzaku would immediately know who Cobra Commander was. Don't you think I already thought of that? This fic is set in the divergence category. Lots of my mini-fics (such as what if Lelouch revealed himself after rescuing Suzaku) were combined to create this story. Two of them make up the bulk of this chapter. You're know them when you see them.

My wonkiest idea had to be with Lelouch becoming the new manager of Dethklok and using the infinite resources of Mordehouse and the blind fanaticism of the Klocateers to take down Britannia. What a crazy horse that one would have become. But take heart as Dethklok won't appear in this story (there, there; don't cry) but I wouldn't mind having a new version of Cobra the Musical appearing but nothing more.

So I hope all of you will enjoy this and leave me many pleasant reviews.

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The Rise of Cobra

Part Two:

Nemesis Enforcer

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He threw out his arms in a grandiose manner and yelled out to the audience: The beast that said I at the center of the world. "I AM COBRA COMMANDER!"

Suzaku leapt to his feet as if he was touched with a livewire, memories of all the stories Lelouch told him coming back full-force. "Cobra Com-?!" The voltage from his prisoner-collar cut off anymore he would have said has he threw his head back to scream.

The masked man threw out his fist in righteous indignation. "Torturing an innocent into silence, what cruel criminals Britannia produces!"

Jeremiah grinned, finding this man more and more amusing. "Well now Commander, where do you get off calling this murdering bastard innocent?"

"I know he is innocent!" Cobra Commander continued. "The man who killed Clovis was… MYSELF!" There was a chorus of startled gasps and screams from the immense onlooking crowd below.

Jeremiah's face, though, was red with anger and embarrassment. All the publicity he made to drum up support for abolishing the Honorary Britainnian system was now down the toilet. The next day he would be the biggest joke in the morning editions. All because of this masked murderer! "Take off your mask! Now!"

Cobra Commander raised his hand into the air and snapped his fingers. Immediately the walls of his junkyard car fell away to reveal the container he found the witch in. "Are you certain you wish to shoot? Do think of the consequences."

All the Purists gasped at the sight of the poison gas container the Shinjuku resistance stole from Clovis' weapons lab. With this, Cobra Commander had taken the thousands in the crowd hostage. Jeremiah, now terrified at the loss of control, did the only thing he could and pulled out his firearm to aimed at his opponent's heart.

However that only seemed to amuse the masked terrorist. "Please, do go right ahead and shoot. At this short range you can't possibly miss."

His shaking growing worst by the second, Jeremiah felt a bead of sweat going down his face. "What is it you want?"

"I wish to trade," said the masked viper. "This capsule for Suzaku Kururugi."

Now Jeremiah was ready to tear out his own hair. At first he figured Clovis' assassination was a covert op by SIS. Penning it on the Eleven who would have been called the Savior of Shinjuku would have been a great P.R. move for the Purist Faction. Not for one second did he believe the real killer would come out and confess on global television. With his reputation on the line, there was still one thing he could do to salvage this fiasco. "Why bother with a trade when I can execute you where you stand?"

"Are you certain you want to do that?" he asked, an evil twist on his lips. "If you shot then the entire world will know the truth about you, Nemesis Enforcer, and the crisis at Cobra-La!"

That proclamation was more then enough to throw the Britannians into confusion over Major Gottwald's queer codename and where in the world Cobra-La was.

This was what Lelouch was counting on. Taking advantage of their momentary lapse, he tapped his heel twice on the roof of the cab, signaling the redhead in the sexy chauffeur's outfit to move the vehicle forward. Once he was near the platform by a few yards, he initiated the final part of his plan.

"If I die it will all go public! Now if you want your secret kept then I suggest that," a tiny panel in his mask over his left eye slid open to allow Lelouch direct eye contact with Jeremiah, "you release Suzaku Kururugi and do everything in your power to let us go!"

The effect was immediate. The Major's face went blank with a glazed, almost drugged, look in his eyes. "Very well." He turned to face his subordinates. "Release the prisoner! No one is to interfere!"

Suzaku was thrown onto the junkyard vehicle and into Lelouch's waiting arms. The shock-collar was going full force as the now freed prisoner kept trying to tell his friend to stop this nonsense before anyone got hurt.

"Well then," Cobra Commander held up a small detonator "until next time." With that he pressed the trigger button causing the large container to release copius amounts of 'poison' gas, plunging the crowd into mass panic. In the bedlam the Commander and Kallen forcibly led Suzaku off the bridge.

One of the Purist's Sutherlands attempted to shot them but its rifle was knocked away by Jeremiah's own who immediately ordered all his troops to let them go.

However, one of those pilots would not obey orders. Perhaps it was because that in the original timeline Lelouch's masked identity was unarmed while his new one sported a gun. Maybe it was that he felt his national pride insulted when his country's flag was burned away to reveal the Cobra flag instead of an empty background. Another possibility was that he was a deeply religious man who always remembered the bible lesson to beware the serpent. Or maybe he was just plain scared of snakes.

Whatever it was, it began the second change.

His Sutherland opened fire on the escapees. Jeremiah used his Frame to take the shots, miraculously surviving the short burst fire. "Sergeant Katzenberg! I ordered you to stand down and let them go!"

"I refuse, Nemesis Enforcer!" Katzenberg dished out over his intercom. "Sergeant Sorsei, Sergeant Nu! I'll keep him busy; go after them!"

"No! They must escape!" The Geass reached its maximum effect of the order: Do everything in your power to let us go! With all restraint gone, Jeremiah turned his Sutherland's rifle on his own men. Katzenberg died instantly as his Knightmare exploded from Jeremiah's full-auto fire. The flaming metal went flying into the crowd, launching the massive mob into a frenzied stampede.

Obeying the ultimate command to its final conclusion, Jeremiah drove his Sutherland off the Bridge. And, to the sheer horror of the already panicked crowds and one grinning reporter with a TV camera, fired on the bridge's support beams. Bringing down a huge segment on the still panicking pedestrians, killing over forty civilians and dozens of soldiers assigned to crowd control.

Now realizing that his disobedient troops would still go after them, Jeremiah headed out to provide additional security. His far-range scanners showed the escapees landing safely on a net fired by a utility Frame followed by them getting on a train cart heading further away. Switching his IFF frequency off to prevent being followed, he drove at full speed. He must help them escape with all of his power.

He doggedly followed the train but unfortunately realized that his Sutherland was not up for the trip due to the black smoke venting out of the engine. Katzenberg's shots had done just enough damage that now the Frame starting to give out. He set the Sutherland to full speed to synch up with the train's caboose.

Entering a delayed command to sharply veer left in twenty seconds, Jeremiah exited through the back-hatch and with two quick hops landed right on the caboose's roof just as his now flaming Frame followed the command and head straight left on auto-pilot.

For the reminder of the train-ride he sat on the roof Indian style, ready at a moment's notice to spring into action. Far behind him dozens of helicopters' spotlights shined on the yellow gas cloud diluting over the now leveled bridge. Every type of Frame from Sutherlands to Gloucesters was combing the surrounding area instead of heading towards the ghetto.

The small train came to a sudden stop for the passengers to disembark into an old abandoned theatre on the edge of the ghetto. A group of Elevens ran out of the decrepit building to welcome them for the successful rescue. Kururugi was struggling against the electric shocks as he kept trying to yell something while shooting Cobra Commander dirty looks. A Britannian redhead followed them, eyeing the masked man with an intense look of star-struck awe and, possibly, adoration.

They had avoided the Britannian army and reached safety. It had taken all of the Major's skill and influence for it to happen but he had done it so now—

Jeremiah blinked. Where was he? A ghetto? He should still be on the bridge and - why was he on a train? Wait, Cobra Commander and Kururugi are entering the old theatre! How did they get here? 'Something happened, something very wrong has happened.'

He pulled out his radio to bring reinforcements when he caught a message transceiving. "Still no trace of Gottwald. It looks like he escaped with Cobra Commander."

"New orders from on up: Gottwald and Kururugi are to be apprehended and Cobra Commander shot on sight. Repeat: Apprehend Gottwald and Kururugi and terminate Cobra Commander."

"Fa-fatalities from Major Gottwald's assault are approaching over forty civilians." He recognized the shaky voice as Villetta Nu's.

"DON'T CALL HIM MAJOR!" Kewell Soresi screamed over the channel. "He killed Katzenberg and all those bystanders! JUST TO HELP THAT MURDERER ESCAPE! Shoot him on sight!"

Jeremiah numbly dropped his radio. He… he went on a rampage and killed Katzenberg? Murdered civilians? All just to help them escape?

Something was not right, no not at all. Hundreds of thoughts were rushing through his head over his actions and his career. He briefly thought of killing himself to spare the subsequent investigation or just head back and throw himself at the mercy of the court. Yet both were guaranteed death sentences.

The Commander. That's it. Capture the Commander and tell the brass it was all some black Op to capture Prince Clovis' real killer and regain the poison gas the terrorists stole. Maybe, just maybe, the higher-ups will believe him.

With all the rebels inside, Jeremiah leapt off the train cart and dashed inside. The Numbers were all congratulating themselves except for one noisy one who kept mouthing off that it was just luck. The redheaded race traitor had a goofy love struck expression, completely oblivious to all the hooting and hollering the dirt monkeys were making.

It was almost embarrassing how easily Jeremiah snuck by them. Their little win made them so complacent that they never noticed him sneak pass them. Duck and cover behind a pillar here and crouch behind some rabble there was all it took. The ease it took infuriated Jeremiah as his squad lost to them at Shinjuku.

Finally he sneaked into an isolated amphitheatre where the Commander was being yelled at by Kururugi.

"How could you!" he yelled at the mask man. "Major Gottwald killed people, civilians, covering your escape! WHAT, WERE, YOU, THINKING?!"

"WHY ARE YOU SO MAD?!" No longer the cool confident leader from before, he screamed at the son of Genbu like they were equals. "Don't you get it?! They were going to kill you, Suzaku!"

"STILL THAT GAVE YOU NO RIGHT!" Suzaku was practically in tears. "Don't you get it! People aren't chess pawns just for you to sacrifice!"

"SO YOU WANTED TO DIE! IS THAT IT? YOU WANT TO DIE!"

Suzaku pulled his hair, his knees badly shaking like he was on the verge on a nervous breakdown. "…you can't do this… you're suppose to be better…" he whispered before he buckled and fell to his knees.

"Suzaku…" Cobra Commander whispered, so much sadness in his voice as he looked down at his broken friend.

And they were friends, this much was obvious to Jeremiah. With his attention focused on the Honorary Britannian, the Major dashed out of hiding. He grabbed the startled masked man in a one-arm choke hold with a gun pointed at his head.

"No!" The Commander screamed and made a pathetic attempt to break out; but considering his pathetic level of strength was only suited to open a book, he made zero progress. "LET ME GO!"

"I don't think so, Cobra Commander," Jeremiah chuckled with a sadistic cheer as he cocked back the gun. "You're my explanation to Central." His evil smile vanished as he glanced at Suzaku. "Kururugi! I would shoot you too but I'll need you as a witness."

"NO!" Suzaku leapt back to his feet with an absolutely panic expression. "You can't do it! You don't need to shoot him!"

"Damn straight I can!" he pressed the barrel right against the helmet. "He killed Prince Clovis!"

"But you can't kill him!" Suzaku pleaded, looking back and forth between Jeremiah and his best friend. He would hate him for this but at least he would stay alive. "He's a prince! He's Lelouch Vi Britannia!"

Jeremiah froze right on the spot. "No. No no no nonononon." He started gripping at the blue helmet in a mad effort to rip off the reflective visor. "GET OFF!" With the strength of desperate rage he tore away the facemask. He violently twisted him around to meet his face and study it like an art curator would examine a possible fake.

His eyes, the same as Empress Marianne.

His face, a mirror for a young Charles zi Britannia.

His posture, the greatest strength or royalty.

It was him!

Jeremiah fell to his knees in grateful servitude. "My prince…. You've finally returned…" He lifted his bowed head and tears, actual tears, were in his eyes.

The unmasked Lelouch wiped away his tears. "Jeremiah Gottwald… why do you cry?"

"You are found, my prince… you are found…" the tears wouldn't stop as Jeremiah wept in sheer happiness. "My prince, I proudly served in your mother's personal guard when she was struck down. I loved her. I swear on her name that my life, my obedience, is yours. I swear to you, my lord, that I will never fail you as I failed your mother."

There was a long pause for Lelouch to absorb what the delirious happy soldier said. Finally he stroked in hair in a gentle manner that Suzaku only saw him act with Nunnally. "Does your obedience serve only me via my royal blood or does it extend to all of Britannia?"

"Only you, milord! My sword is yours and yours alone!" Jeremiah proclaimed, staring straight into his master's eyes.

"Would you follow me on a road built from the bones of Britannians? Would you gladly strike them down so their bodies would be made into the mortar from which I will build my kingdom?"

"I swear it!" Jeremiah said without a second's hesitation.

Lelouch raised an eyebrow as a strange smile slid on his lips as he beckoned by the cold black leather of his glove. "Then rise, my knight. Rise, Nemesis Enforcer!"

"YES, YOUR MAJESTY!" Jeremiah yelled, his oath echoing throughout the amphitheatre, and leapt to his feet, eager to serve, eager to slaughter in his name.

Suzaku stood speechless through the mad drama that preformed before him. Lelouch was going to kill more?! He brought a hardliner like Major Gottwald to his insane army. "NO! This isn't happening! It CAN'T be happening!"

The two madmen took notice of him. Lelouch, nay - Cobra Commander stepped forward with his black gloved hand extended. "Join me, Suzaku! Join Cobra!"

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End Part Two…
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I originally planned to include Suzaku's fate but I think I'll save that one for the next chapter. I hope no one will commit suicide over this decision.

I reread the novelization of Revenge of the Sith several times to get Jeremiah's 'conversion' just right. I can now take him either one of two ways. I can have him serve Lelouch by his side as his chief henchman/bodyguard or I can have Lelouch send him back to Britannia to have an insider. I'm still not sure. Any suggestions?

Also, I've made a list of who every character will become except for the twins Tomax and Xamot. Are there any sets of twins in any CG media? I don't care if it was in the original manga, spinoff manga, TV show, radio show, or even the novels. I need a set of twins and I don't want to create some OCs. Heck, I don't even care if it's the right gender! I need help here, people! What do you got?

Since this will be most likely my last update for 2009, I'm going to list my favorites of the year.

Favorite new game: Persona 4. It's dark, it's brilliant, and I can't wait for the next one.
Favorite new comic: Empowered. Found vol. 1 in the $1 bin and fell in love on the first read.
Favorite new anime: The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. A birthday gift I'll always treasure.
Favorite new novel: Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried. I thank my teacher for assigning it.
Favorite new TV show: The Big Bang Theory. I have not laughed so hard since Seinfeld. Watch it!
Favorite new music group: Coldplay. I have never heard such wonders except for Freddie Mercury Jr.
Favorite new movie: Monsters vs. Aliens. Hurry up with that TV show, DreamWorks. This I Command!

So there you have my favorites of 2009. I hope all of you will check out these marvelous forms of entertainment! Enjoy!

As always, read and review, my loyal readers!

Marry Christmas and a Happy New Year!