A/N: A friend of mine told me I should I do an extra bout these characters, in order to expand on them just a bit. I had no better ideas, so here goes.
Disclaimer: I do not own Code Geass. I do own my characters.
Setting: scenes are either set an unspecified amount of time prior to the war, or in the Turn 41 or so area.
Cesia Moreva tried her best to look as stern as possible as she faced the latest batch of new recruits. She had only a few months to whip this group into top shape so that they'd be strong and proud members of the Black Knights. They were the future and it was her job to make sure that future was in the right hands. She didn't intend to go easy on them.
"Listen up, class! There are many things a Black Knight needs to know and I intend to be thorough with you!" Cesia barked to the classroom. "I expect you to be alert and attentive at all times!"
"Yes, ma'am!" the class replied all at once from their desks. She nodded in approval.
"We'll start today with discussing protocol," Cesia started. "There is a very specific set of rules a Black Knight must follow. A code that represents the values of our esteemed organization as laid out by our leader, Zero. It's something all Black Knights are required to know."
"Yes, ma'am!" the class replied again.
"Good," Cesia said, looking at all the faces looking back at her. It was then that she noticed something peculiar. One of her charges wasn't looking at her. This ingrate's face was resting in her arms on her desk. The girl was asleep. Cesia wouldn't stand for such a thing.
"Just what do you think you're doing, recruit?" Cesia started, walking up to the recruit. The girl slowly lifted her head and gave a healthy yawn. The less disciplined of the class gave a laugh.
"What, it time to fly the knightmares yet?" the girl asked groggily, looking up at the woman.
"You're disrespect is alarming," Cesia started. "State your name, recruit!"
"Ah, I'm Chiharu," the girl said, scratching the back of her head. "Chiharu Ohgi."
"I heard about you; your the Japanese politician's kid," Cesia spoke. "You're in a different world now, recruit. Money and a name won't let you just do as you please! You're in my world now, and if you ever hope of becoming a Black Knight you're going to have to prove yourself just like any other!"
"Ah... alright... I'll try my best," said Ohgi with a smirk. "So when do we get to the knightmare stuff?"
This piqued the true depths of Cesia's anger. "Sleeping in my class, persistent disrespect, I wouldn't be out of line to expel you from this program right here and now!"
"Hey, come on. Give me a shot, teach," Ohgi started softly.
Cesia narrowed her eyes. "I'll give you a shot, recruit. I will, but you're going to have to prove yourself in examination just like anyone else." She smirked cruelly. "And you'll be hearing today's lesson from the floor. Start doing pushups. Don't stop until I say!"
"Ah... but..." Ohgi started. She sighed. "Fine."
The girl dropped to the floor and started to do pushups. The recruit actually seemed fairly physically capable at least. Cesia turned and walked back to the front of the class. Alright class, let's continue.
"Now then," Cesia started. "Who can tell me about the history of our organization?" she asked, to get the attention of the class. Several recruits raised their hands. She pointed to a boy wearing a dumb grin. "Yes, recruit."
"The Black Knights were founded by Zero, 2017 a.t.b., during the Black Rebellion. They would become the main army of The United States of Japan upon it's formation, and finally later, that of The United Federation of Nations upon its," said the recruit steadily.
"And it was for what purpose did Zero found the Black Knights?" Cesia started, nodding.
"For the sake of justice! To protect those who have no power from those who do!" the young man replied. Cesia was pleasantly surprised. This boy didn't look intelligent, but he seemed to know what to say.
"Good answers recruit," Cesia nodded. "What's your name?"
"Wu Chaowei, ma'am!" the recruit replied readily.
"I see a bright future in store for you, recruit Wu," Cesia started. "You definitely have me more impressed than certain others in your class.
"I am happy to please you, ma'am. I hope I continue to meet expectations," the young man said, in a perfect, soldier like fashion.
"Very well, let's continue then," Cesia said before continuing with her lesson.
Sitting in a car, en route from EU military headquarters, Cesia Moreva reflected on how far she had come from that day. Going from a simple instructor at the military academy to a General rank Champion serving under the President of the EU himself, had seemed like a dream promotion. For the sake of her country and family it had been an obvious deal to make. The pleasantries whispered into her ears by the charismatic Nemesio only made it more effortless.
Now she wondered about it all. Had she made a mistake? Had she let herself get taken in? She was fighting them now, her former students. Or in the case of Ohgi, she was flying beside them, sad as that was. She recalled the boy, Wu. She had let that fool get out of hand. She wondered if the positive reinforcement she gave him early on hadn't attributed to his ego spiraling out of control as his training regiment had continued. He had seemed even worse when they had met on the battlefield.
It was kind of sad to see Ohgi on the wrong side and Wu still a horrible mess. She had entrusted the future to those children back then. It was their job to protect that future now. It was their job to protect it, even if it meant destroying her in the process.
Elischa Mayer wore a solemn expression as he approached the small but familiar house at the edges of a small, poor town in the German countryside. This was where he grew up. This was what he fought to protect. He knocked at the door. It opened.
"Ah, Eli! Come in, come in," the man who appeared, Elischa's elder brother, Johan, a handyman in the village, started excitedly. "I'll get you a drink."
"No, I'm not here for that today, brother," Elischa started as he walked in. He always took pleasure in meeting with the large family living in the small house, his aging mother, surely already asleep at this hour, his wife who he saw so little of, his two young sons, the wife and daughter of his brother and even the old family dog. "I come bearing good news."
"What is it dear?" his wife, Adalia, spoke in a low voice. "Are you being given a leave from your duty?"
"That's not it, dear," Elischa started. "In fact this news means I'll be gone from here even longer."
"Then how is it possibly good news?" the woman replied, disappointment evident.
"My service and skill is being recognized by the military. I'm being awarded a promotion to a prestigious new position," Elischa started earnestly.
"Eh, well congratulations, Eli," Johan started. "Always knew you had great things in store for you. Sure you don't want a drink to celebrate?"
"It's not necessary, brother. I can't stay long," Elischa started. "I have to meet with the President tomorrow."
"The President?" Adalia started. "The President of what, dear?"
"The one in charge of the EU itself," Elischa started, to the shock of the others.
"J-Just what is this new position, Eli...?" Johann spoke, at something of a loss.
"I'll be serving directly under the President as a personal champion. The position comes with a rank equivalent to General," Elischa replied firmly.
"You'll never be home anymore, will you?" Adalia started.
"I'm sorry," said Elischa. "The increase in status is matched by an increase in pay. For the health of this family, it's for the best I do this."
"Your sons miss you every day that you are gone," the woman said. "As do I."
"I should still be able to visit at times," said Elischa. "There's no danger of war so the job has little risk."
"It'll still be hard to bear," the woman said.
"Money will help restore some comfort to this house. Maybe in time, I'll be able to move you all closer to me," said Elischa in a strong voice.
"That sounds nice, dear," said Adalia in a soft voice.
"I'm afraid I can't stay much longer," said Elischa. "My car is still waiting for me outside. I have to catch a plane in less than an hour."
"At least say bye to your children," Adalia insisted. Elischa nodded. He walked toward where the two boys, still so young, four and two in age, sat atop the old couch, both sleeping gently.
"Good bye, boys," he said without waking them. "I'll see you again in time."
With that, he began to walk toward the door.
"Good luck, Eli," said Johan. "Sure you don't want one to take with you?"
"I suppose I can't fight the offer, brother," he said. The man disappeared and reappeared holding a bottle of beer. Elischa took it.
"Take care of yourself, dear," Adalia spoke.
"I will," the man said. "Don't worry over me."
Then he left. He got in the car and the driver started to drive without a word. he opened the beer his brother had given him and took a sip. The bitter drink tasted even more so.
Elischa Mayer thought about his family as he rode in the front seat of the car taking the former Japanese President and former Federation Empress back to the EU prison from their meeting with the Field Commander. He was doing this all for them, even now.
The outbreak of the war had stressed Adalia to the point of sickness. The money he had been saving to one day buy a new house for her family suddenly had to go to keeping the woman alive and well. Johan and his wife were caring for his sons in the meantime, with the help of the checks he sent them. He tried to visit Adalia at the hospital at least monthly, but it was becoming difficult to even manage that with so little time.
Elischa thought about what the black haired woman in the back seat of the car had told him earlier. He really couldn't lower his blade now, even if what it would have him do sickened him. He'd remain a dog if it was what it took. There was no other choice he had.
"Don't you ever wonder why we're so keen on keeping so many knightmare's around?" a young man started. "This peace is meant to last. The Black Knights have enough forces to keep it. Why does the EU need an army of it's own knightmares?"
"It's a good question, kid," an older man started. "But I'll be damned if I know the answer."
"Guess we just got to do our job as mechanics and keep the things in working order, even if it's a mystery as to why they're even necessary," the younger man started.
"Exactly. Take a cue from the girl over there. She's been working away there this whole past week," the older man said.
Valeria Giullare felt eyes fall on her. She paid it no mind. The two human bodies looking at her didn't interest her. She just stared ahead at the Panzer-Kugelblitz in front of her. She smiled at is as she examined every inch of it, making sure not even a single screw was loose, making sure the armor was untarnished and shimmering, making sure the precious machine stayed beautiful.
Valeria loved doing this. Tending to the knightmares, keeping them healthy, there was hardly anything more that she could ask for.
"You sure are committed to this job, Valeria," the younger mechanic started, walking up to her. "Doesn't this sort of stuff get boring for you ever?"
"Boring?" Valeria questioned, tilting her head. "Why would something so beautiful ever bore me..."
"Sure is a strange girl, ain't she?" the older mechanic started, walking forward.
"I guess you really love knightmares, huh?" the younger man spoke in a low voice. "I always did too, that's why I got into this field."
"Then why would you call them boring?" Valeria started somberly. "It makes them sad..."
"They're not really alive you know..." the man replied in a low voice.
Valeria closed her eyes. "You can feel their heart if you try hard enough..."
The young man seemed prepared to say something more, when the older stepped forward. "I guess it kind of is like that. Understanding the heart of the machines you tend to, that's kind of what it is to be a mechanic."
Valeria tilted her head, unsure if the older man truly understood. She didn't care though. People were boring.
"So I guess you're some expert mechanic, Valeria? I've been kinda meaning to ask that actually. Where'd you study? How long you been at the job?" the younger man asked in a low voice.
"Valeria actually isn't a mechanic by trade," the older man started as Valeria paid neither of them much attention.
"What? What do you mean?" the other exclaimed.
"When she showed up here last week it wasn't on anyone's orders. This is all volunteer work," the older man said.
"Wait, but she's a better mechanic then you, old man?" the younger man started. "If she isn't a mechanic, just who is she?"
"A solider," the man said. "To be more exact, she's a recently a pointed Champion of the EU, serving directly under the president."
"That's a joke..." the man started. "Such a person is..."
"I'm as surprised as you are," the man said. "Most in her line of work just see knightmares as a weapon, not caring in the slightest when they get smashed up or broken yet this girl cares more about the things then we do."
"I guess the famous people are the most eccentric," the young man said. "But this might be taking it a little far."
"I'm tempted to agree," the other reply.
Valeria didn't even hear them though they were just feet away. She was too focused on her beloved knightmares. She was too wrapped in their pure beauty.
As she sat in a car between two women of importance, Valeria was lost in thought. It wasn't fair. When she thought on how many knightmares were being killed today she became sad. The beautiful machines were tarnished now, reduced to machines of war, cutting through each other gruesomely.
It was all that woman's fault too. Valeria could tell. Unlike machines, people had potential for evil. Valeria didn't like evil. She didn't like it, but she didn't know what to do. She was scared. Just like the knightmares were scared, so was she. Either way knightmares would suffer until this war ended. She'd fight for this evil person still then, hoping that, just some end would be reached, no matter what that end was.
Edouard Valentin sat at his master piano, alone, playing an elaborate piece without fault. He wore a smile on his face despite the fact that he was bored. Of course he was expecting a guest shortly. That was sure to liven things up, if only for a moment. The world he was living in was a boring place. Even in the extravagance of his beautiful manor, what was there but dull emptiness? It was depressing.
"The President of the EU is here to see you, Monsieur Valentin," Edouard's butler started from nearby. Edouard looked up and smiled.
"Ah, please send him in at once," he said, grinning and going into a livelier piece on the piano.
"At your command, sir," the butler said before departing. After a few minutes, Belisario Nemesio entered the hall. Edouard didn't look up, he kept playing. He played until the piece was completed, becoming absorbed in it.
When he was finally done, he heard some applause. He smiled.
"You really are a master at that, Monsieur Valentin," Nemesio started. "Truly impressive."
"The praise of one such as yourself means a lot, Mr. President," Edouard said, standing and taking a bow. "Now what did I do to deserve an audience with the handsome and charismatic leader of our esteemed Euro Universe?"
"Your reputation places you as a man of skill in various fields," said Nemesio. "Not the least of which is a master of many types of combat."
"It's all contests, my good sir," Edouard started. "Nothing that deserves your attention."
"What's your opinion of the state of our military at this moment, if you don't mind me asking, sir?" asked Nemesio in a low voice.
"Broken. Rotting from the inside. The Black Knights are useless body composed of peace-crazed children looking for a free ride who haven't the right mindset to be soldiers. They're nothing but fools," said Edouard harshly.
"You've heard the rumors, have you not? The EU has recently been slowly building up it's own private army outside the Black Knights," said the President in a quiet voice.
"A decision I commend you for, sir," Edouard spoke. "But still, in a world as dull and soft as this, it'll be hard for even a man as capable as you to find soldiers worth a damn."
"I found you, did I not?" Nemesio asked, smirking.
"Me?" Edouard started. "A socialite who orchestrates and wins knightmare death matches to sate his eternal boredom? Am I really who you want?"
"As I see it, yes," the president said. "You have the right mindset for battle, I believe. You could bolster my ranks."
"What point is there in it?" asked Edouard. "There's no war in Zero's world. Why sign up to be a killer if you're not going to see any blood."
"The future is an unpredictable thing," said Nemesio. "Not everything is as clear and stable as it looks now."
"You amuse me, good sir," Edouard started with a clap. "Don't tell me those who cry warmonger at your images are onto something!"
"The EU won't have to start a war, sir," said Nemesio. "But it will happen all the same."
"Do I get a fancy title?" Edouard asked, smiling.
"You will be one of Four Champions, serving directly under my command. It bears the equivalent military rank of General," Nemesio said, nodding.
"How nice," said Edouard. "Very well, I'll join your little show, sir. I'm eager to see what you have in store."
Edouard smiled as he thought back on that day. Belisario Nemesio really hadn't let him down. The war that came was more amusing than he had ever imagined. There was more than enough blood flying off his blade than to sate his thirst. Now that he was serving Deifilia Amarantha, now that he had his Geass, it had only gotten more wonderful. Murder was becoming art to him. It was beautiful, like the finest piano piece.
At the very least, Edouard could say he was never bored anymore.
A/N: Yep. More stuff about the four Champions. My friend who pointed me toward doing this wanted me to include stuff on Bernard and Lyall as well, but it doesn't fit in as well and this is long enough for an extra. They'll probably get some coverage in a extra eventually though. Maybe. Some of these scenes were easier to read then others (namely the first and last). Elischa's scene was hard to conceptualize as I had to give a lot of thought to where he was coming from and what was 's scene was hard to write because of her awkwardness. Regardless, I think it turned out well, more or less.