Chapter 8: Culmination of Disaster
The world revolves for everybody else but it takes a powerful heart to move the world!
-Lelouch vi Britannia
Part 14: Knights from Narita
"Today is the day of our rebirth, the day Area 11 will regain its former glory as Japan. Today is the day that marks when all our efforts and forces stand tall, ready to quarrel with the foe. Call out your name in honour and bring the enemy to their knees! Call out the name of our beloved nation and bring the world to peace!"
Lelouch announced his history-defining speech at a corner of underground Japan. The base of the Black Knights lies outside of Mount Fuji, where a multinational Sakuradite conglomerate was given its own authority to trade. There existed a local Japanese saying, "Nothing glows more spectacularly than raw Sakuradite." This was indeed entirely true as the natural superconductor brought wonders to all of modern technology, from Knightmare Frames to Airborne Battlecruisers. The mineral was so powerful that ancient alchemists exhausted their lives to recreate its mysterious properties. Sakuradite is very reactive and the Holy Britannian Empire relied on this property for most of their military batteries. Any structural tampering to this volatile Sakuradite may end the life of Britannian technology so the Black Knights have tactical immunity hiding near the mines.
The location was a dark mine where all the Sakuradite has been removed for harvesting and refinement. A large crowd of over five hundred leading personnel of the Black Knights gather in this abandoned mineshaft to discuss the logistics of Zero's planned rebellion.
"Ougi, you and your legion of men shall take hold of Ashford Academy. That zone is protected under Britannian district code, making it an excellent place for the crossroads of intelligence. Your station will be our main headquarters until further notice," said Zero.
"Yes master Zero," Ougi replied obsequiously.
"Diethard, you are in charge of infiltrating the central security of the Tokyo settlement. If you read the documents in that folder, you will find the list of commands required to hack into their system and shut down the power lines. After that deed is done, destroy the internal structure of the settlement's infrastructure."
"I understand Zero," Diethard replied, "The settlement's safeguard becomes its internal weakness. You know your enemy inside and out, just as I expected." Diethard joined the Dark Knights because he was amazed by Zero's awesome charisma and radical views for justice. Zero was sheer character that defined vigilante and a heroic reformer. Diethard was absorbed to this romantic spirit described in Arthurian legends and Britannian folklore.
"General Tohdoh, I trust with your expertise, you can wipe out the Britannian land forces without a problem," said Zero. General Kyoshiro Tohdoh, a thirty-seven year old military man was a former Lieutenant General of the Japanese Army and a leader of the Japan's Liberation Front. Known as one of the 'Four Holy Swords' and 'Tohdoh the Miracle,' he vowed to protect Japan under his blood and honour. He joined the Black Knights to play his part in the revival of Japan.
"I will fulfill what you requested, Master Zero," said Tohdoh, "On my honour."
"Alright, that sets for the three major assaults on the playing field: Diethard is responsible for cutting the resource lines of the Britannians and destroying their fortified defence from within; Tohdoh will confront the enemy on land, clearing as many of their major forces; Ougi's squad is responsible for channelling logistics and information and I will be taking on the aerial strikes," Zero said with utmost confidence.
Lelouch, the man behind the mask of Zero had planned this revolution for over a month's time. He anticipated every possible move that the other side, the enemy will take with all the intelligence they have gathered. Lelouch sent spies to get information of not only what the enemy was equipped with but what they know about the Black Knights. He applied several tactics and countermeasures in many layers to achieve his goal; an elegant masterpiece of intelligence and strategy. But ultimately, he does this because he holds a grudge against the Empire and he does this for Nunnally and C.C. Lelouch's final wish is to destroy the old, rotten world of Imperialism and change it into something everybody equally deserved: freedom.
C.C. and Lelouch walked into a section of the abandoned mine on the second level. There, they entered his private quarters, or their private quarters.
"C.C., you have the Gawain ready?" Lelouch asked her in a serious manner.
"The Gawain is stored safely in the hanger and every maintenance check for Knightmares has been complete," C.C. said.
"Promise me one thing will you?"
"What is that master zero?"
"Be on the lookout for Nunnally. I know you can feel her presence when she is in danger."
"My intuitions are true."
"Then make sure she is safe."
"You really love her, do you?"
"Of course, she is the reason for all this madness. I promised her that I will do what I must to make the world a gentler place," Lelouch said, "If she dies, then I have no purpose to live,"
C.C. looked and him, slightly depressed and said, "Do not worry; she will not be sacrificed in this war," she assured. Lelouch put on his mask and turned towards the door out of his private quarters.
Lelouch and C.C. walked out of his private quarters in the facility. There, they joined the legion for another debriefing.
"I know this sound like a premature event, but this point in time will define whether the Black Knights of Justice and Japan will be revered in history. It is critical that our preparations be precise because in one week from now, the world will either change forever fall deeper into the treacherous world of Britannian Imperialism!"
The crowd cheered, "All hail Zero! All hail Japan! All hail our freedom!"
The meeting ended with a bold, "Dismissed."
Among the crowd was a thirteen year old girl named Sumeragi Kaguya. A beautiful cousin of Suzaku, Kaguya bears a high rank under her name as the young head mistress of the Kyoto house. She was always seen wearing a lavender kimono and white stole around her shoulders that left the scent of lavender everywhere she went. Lady Kaguya supported the Black Knights with all her heart; she worshipped Zero and his gallant propositions to rid the world of corruption. Since the Zero's inspirational debut on the day Lelouch announced the existence of his resistance group to the world, Kaguya became infatuated. She showed overzealous kindness and forgiveness to her beloved hero and will do anything to get his attention. She knew something that she thought Zero doesn't know; Suzaku was on the Britannian side. She felt there was no need for Zero to know because the two are unrelated. She didn't know Zero was Lelouch and they had met before when he and Nunnally lived in Suzaku's shrine. To have a family member fighting for the enemy's side was heartbreaking for her. She will always hold him dear, despite his 'traitorous' approach but at the same time was too blind by her love for Zero that she valued the Black Knight of Justice over her family and family name.
"Look at that C.C., she never leaves his side. It is like they are lovers or something," Kallen whispered into Kaguya's ear.
Kaguya looked very crossed and said, "I bet they are just acquaintances."
"Judging from how tied they are, I bet they even sleep together."
"No, I will be the first to sleep with him!"
Kallen looked startles and said, "What are you saying?"
"I know you are jealous at C.C. as well, looking all envious at her. But I get first dibs on master Zero!"
"You are terribly mistaken Kaguya; I just think C.C. is too close to him! Besides, I do not share any feelings for master Zero!"
"I bet I can pleasure him better than she ever could!"
"Now you are going overboard!" Kallen exclaimed.
Part 15: Cornelia's Cards
Meanwhile
The bright sun baked rows of soldiers, organized by echelon, on the training grounds outside of the Tokyo settlement. Suzaku was one of the soldiers standing in the crowd, carrying a rifle in his arms and pointing it upright with the muzzle directed towards the sky. Trumpets and violins vibrated the intro to "Hail Britannia" as the military began to sing as a mass choir:
Truth and hope in our Fatherland and death to every foe! Our soldiers shall not pause to rest, we vow our loyalty. Old traditions they will abide, arise young heroes! Our past inspires noble deeds, All Hail Britannia! Immortal beacon shows thy way, step forth and seek glory! Hoist your swords high into the clouds Hail Britannia! Our Emperor stands astride this world he will vanquish every foe! His truth and justice shine so bright, all hail his brilliant light! Never will he be overthrown, like mountains and sea! His bloodline immortal and pure, all Hail Britannia! So let his wisdom guide our way, go forth and seek glory! Hoist your swords high into the clouds, Hail Britannia!
Viceroy Cornelia stood on a tall platform before her army and began with an imperial decree, "Honourable knights and warriors of Holy Britannia; our day of justice is coming soon. In the name of our forefathers we will fight and march onward to our never-ending reign of triumph. As members of this glorious army, failure is not an option! We must crush the enemy until they submit to our rule! Let our sacrifice be for Holy Britannia! Let our sacrifices be for our flesh and blood! In the name of our ancestors, we must fight until the end, our struggles for our future and heavenly peace! March on honourable knights and warriors: march on to victory!"
The thousands of troops shouted in a symphony of brave notes, "Rule Britannia! All hail Holy Britannia!" The parade of soldiers was dismissed afterwards.
Princess Cornelia sat on her throne in a vacant hall. She asked an advisor to execute a command, "Bring Suzaku Kururugi here."
The advisor humbly replied, "Yes your majesty."
Within minutes, Suzaku was brought into the hall from the rest of the army. He was only a soldier of middle rank, raised twice for his excellent demonstrations as a Knightmare pilot and a fearless warrior who would sacrifice his life for the Empire.
"I Suzaku Kururugi humbly serve your royal highness, Princess Cornelia," he pronounced with rites.
"I heard you are a skilled pilot," Cornelia asked.
"I pilot the Lancelot."
"Your rating?"
"Ninety-five percent."
"Wonderful! I would like you to defend Ashford Academy."
"Ashford Academy?"
"Your talents should be reserved for when times are dire. We do not want to lose another excellent pilot like you, especially when you have many years ahead to serve."
"I am honoured your royal majesty."
"You will be reassigned when logistics change."
"I understand your royal majesty."
"You are dismissed," Cornelia said.
"Yes, your royal majesty," he replied with total respect towards imperial authority. He left the room in a straight and disciplined conduct.
"Gilford," Princess Cornelia exclaimed.
"Yes your royal highness," he obediently replied.
"Make sure Suzaku Kururugi survives. He is a potential knight," Cornelia ordered.
"Yes your royal highness," Sir Gilford responded.
Cornelia dismissed everybody in her throne room and thought to herself, "My father has plans for Gilford and Suzaku. I cannot let them die in vain, for the Empire's sake!"
Part 16: Zero's Personality
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
Kaguya and Kallen knocked on Zero's locked room simultaneously. They were wondering if C.C. was there as well.
"Come in," said Lelouch, wearing his mask of Zero.
They entered the sliding doors and looked around his rather furnished room. It was bright with fluorescent lighting and there was a wide flatscreen T.V. in the middle.
"Wow, this place looks very light master Zero. It doesn't really match your persona," Kallen commented.
"A man cannot be entirely dark. He requires the light to retain sanity," Lelouch said beneath his guise, which consequently augmented his voice.
"Ah, master Zero, your words cannot be any truer," Kaguya said with a lovesick expression.
Lelouch ignored her and left the two with C.C., who was lying on the sofa in his quarters at a corner. Kallen stared at the beautiful witch with a flustered look and asked, "Huh, you were here all along?"
"Yes, is that a problem?" C.C. responded with a monotone expression.
"Why are you always with master Zero? It is like the two of you are inseparable," Kallen asked rather directly.
"It is true, the two of us are inseparable," C.C. replied. She wore a bored expression on her face because she thought Kallen's question was rather rhetorical.
"What is your secret?" Kaguya beseeched for an answer.
"What do you mean by my secret?" C.C. returned with a raised brow.
"How did you seduce him? I want to learn your bewitching ways," Kaguya asked without shame. Kallen on the other hand was in deep shame and thought, "This girl is way too bold!"
"I did not seduce Zero," C.C. replied, "We are one person."
"What?" Kaguya exclaimed.
"Wait, you do not address him as master!" Kallen noticed, ignoring what made little sense to Kaguya.
"That is right, our identities are one," C.C. replied. This confused the two; they thought, "How can a man and a girl be one person?"
"I do not believe you," Kaguya responded in disbelief.
"What else can explain the two of us sharing this room? It is called Zero's Room isn't it? Therefore I am also Zero!"
"You could be his wife!" Kallen blurted.
"Hah! A wife to that man? In your dreams," C.C. responded. She actually wished this were true.
"I am Zero's feminine side, the side that doesn't appear in all the dramatic debuts," C.C. stated.
"Have you slept with master Zero?" Kaguya asked with her stern voice.
"I wish, but that is impossible," C.C. said in a monotone voice, "I am more like his accomplice."
"Yes! Then I have the chance to be his first woman!" Kaguya exclaimed like she had won.
"But I must warn you, Zero is a dangerous partner when you come to know him more. He is a dangerous man underneath that suit and mask," C.C. warned.
"Why is he always behind a mask?" Kallen was curious.
"Providence," C.C. replied bluntly.
Kallen stared at the youthful witch and could not respond to what she just said. It conflicted too much with her conception of the Knight of Justice. She thought, "What on Earth is this woman trying to say? The man who saved many lives from massacres cannot be a wicked and dangerous person. His intentions were good yet he would not show who he is."
"That makes Zero is all the sexier!" Kaguya exclaimed, "A true hero enjoys physical pleasures," she said in a naughty voice.
C.C. and Kallen looked at the young girl in surprise. In Kallen's mind, she thought, "This girl is crazy! She is the type who will grow up with marital problems!"
C.C. thought quite the opposite, "Amazing! This girl is only thirteen but she lusts for Lelouch beyond my limits! I have to be cautious when she is near Lelouch!"
Kaguya then suggested something out loud in a sassy voice, "How about this. If all three of us love Zero, then we can be his harem!"
Lelouch entered his room as Zero and heard only of the word harem and stood petrified by the closing door.
Kallen responded by saying, "What are you talking about… Oh hello there master Zero! We were just talking about you!"
Lelouch turned around and exited his room again from the awkward moment and thought, "A harem? What are those girls thinking! I hope C.C. wasn't the one who suggested that wild idea." Lelouch walked down the corridor outside. He paced back and forth to calm himself down. His heart palpitated faster than usual and he thought, "I have problems with one annoying girl. A foursome would be death mounted on top of three extra layers of hell!"
Kaguya and Kallen left the room and noticed Zero pacing. Lelouch turned around and said, "Finished in there?"
"Ooh, master Zero, what do you think we were discussing in there," Kaguya said rather vulgarly.
Lelouch cleared his throat and said, "Anything that will ameliorate our chances of victory."
"You are certainly right," Kaguya said with a blow kiss. The two girls left.
Lelouch was stunned by that embarrassing moment and walked into his private quarters, now tarnished by feminine gossip.
"What the hell did the three of you chat about?" Lelouch asked C.C. while removing his stuffy mask.
"None of your business," C.C. said, "It wasn't you; it was about you."
"You didn't tell them my true identity, did you?" Lelouch said in anger. He spread his arms and pinned her down to the sofa.
"Lelouch, you are getting excited all of a sudden," C.C. teased.
Lelouch looked at her face and loosened his frown. C.C. pointed at his arms to indicate his awkward position. Lelouch let go of her and said, "I am a civilized man and I will let you be. But never and I mean never ever tell anybody, I am Zero."
"I said I was Zero. The feminine side of you," C.C. notified him.
"Clever but confusing C.C. but I have to say, that would perfectly explain why you are always in "Zero's Room," he complimented.
"My sentiments exactly," C.C. responded, "Look how close we are! We even think alike!"
"No way! I am not a person with an overdue death day," Lelouch exclaimed to his defense.
It was the start of summer vacation and Lelouch will be moving between living at Rivel's house and being with C.C. The war between Holy Britannia's army and the Black Knights will happen one week from now on an early summer's night; a night of no return and no regret, a duel of fates between the Demon and the Imperial Juggernaut.