Chapter 9 (1/2)
The Laws of Equivalence
Part 2
Euphemia's eyes were deceiving her. They had to be. For right in front of her stood not Zero, the man who had killed Clovis, but her long lost brother, Lelouch vi Britannia. She stepped back, her heart now at war. Zero is Lelouch, and Lelouch is Zero. She knew all about how he felt when Lady Marianne had died, and how he resented their father for doing nothing about it. But even if he were… Her mind drew too many conflicting pictures, all of them horrific and hellish in nature.
"No. You're not Lelouch. Lelouch is dead." She knew what she said was a lie, not only to her brother, but to herself as well. But why would he, Lelouch of all people, where a mask and lead a group of terrorists. Revenge against our father, or possibly Britannia itself? To learn about Marianne's death? Or does it have something to do with...
Lelouch looked at her with a face of concern, but then quickly changed it into a loving smile. "Tell me Euphie, do you remember when we used to play at Aries Villa?" The demon asked her. Of course his smile was merely skin deep. Inside, a dagger had run it's way through his heart, and the he felt the scar of guilt that was there, beginning to fester once again.
Euphie. I'm sorry...I'm...sorry. I didn't… Lelouch shattered that guilt he had, remembering that it was never going to happen again. "Or when my mother and Cornelia use to play with your hair? Or perhaps, do you remember when Nunnally accidently spilled milk on us about 8 years ago?"
She began to whimper, her violet eyes filling with stinging tears. "Oh Lelouch... It really is you." She admitted, embracing him with a loving hug. He gasped, but hugged her back, a slight tear forming in his eye as well. Time froze around the two, making a few seconds seem like eternity.
They pulled apart, looking deeply into each others eyes. "Lelouch…" She looked away from him, turning to the floor instead. She was standing right next to the man who killed Clovis, her dear brother. But rather than grief or hatred, all Euphie could feel was happiness. She had Lelouch back in her life, and she had Suzaku as well. "Lelouch, is Nunnally…" He cut her off there, leaving her breath shallow.
"Euphemia, we will have plenty of time to catch up later." He promised her. "But right now, I need to be informed on the situation down there." He told her, closing his own eyes. I'll have to do it once I get all of the information I can. Jeremiah may be acting as my mole for now, but how long will that last? He asked himself rhetorically. And this way, I can keep a closer eye on her. He told himself. He trusted Suzaku, with his life even. But after what happened last time, he knew it was necessary to double the eyes that were watching her back.
Euphemia knew that he was lying to her, like he did when ever she or Nunnally got in trouble. "Lelouch, we're never going to meet like this again, are we?" She asked him with a hollow heart, her mind once again filling with grief. I'm a Britannian princess, and he is Zero now, Leader of the Black Knights and enemy of my country. But still… She found herself in an awkward position, struggling to hold back tears in front of one of the only she truly cared about.
Lelouch narrowed his eyes slightly at his sister's remark. He knew that she thought he was lying, as he usually does. "No, Euphemia, we will meet again. And when we do, it will be peaceful." He promised, stretching out his hand. Euphemia looked at it, but it was not just the palm of said hand. A large, black colored pentagon was there.
No. I shouldn't… She urged to grab it, seeing that he wanted her to. She held herself back, attempting to figure out what it was. I mustn't. I'd be a traitor. She kept telling herself, her hand moving towards it in disregard of her will. No… don't… It was cold. She looked upon the forbidden seal she just touched. It was the symbol of the Black Knights.
"Now then, Euphemia, as your brother, I have a few favors to ask of you." He said. After this, Euphemia's hands will be kept clean. His will hardened, trying to resist the urge not to do what was needed.
"Alright." She said reluctantly. Lelouch could see it in her eyes. It wasn't as bad as Nunnally's, but the realization of him being Zero shocked her.
"Nunnally is alive. I am taking care of her, and we are living inside the Tokyo settlement. I want to be certain that we are not disturbed by any Britannian military or government officials. Will you keep all of this a secret?"
Euphemia's eyes went wide. She wanted to say no. She wanted to be with them. She wanted to see them again, and through the mask of Zero. She wanted them to be in her life, and she wanted to be part of their life. But that's selfish of me. I want us to be together again, but that would only endanger them.
She took in a deep breath, deeper than any she had ever taken before, and answered her brother. "I will." She said, holding in a breath of despair.
Lelouch gave her concerning eyes. "Will you keep the identity of Zero a secret as well?" he asked gingerly, already knowing the answer.
"To my grave." She proclaimed impulsively. She clutched the object that Lelouch had given to her with an iron grip, never wanting to let it go. But as she felt her grip around the object grow tighter, she couldn't help but wonder. What is it exactly? She forced her mind back to Lelouch, whose gaze had hardened for some reason.
Now is the time. He proclaimed to himself. "And last and most importantly…" He said to his pink haired sister, a blaze of energy in his eye.
(Outside the hotel.)
Cornelia was stunned at the reports and visuals she was receiving. An Eleven that can pilot a Knightmare so efficiently and flawlessly. She opened her mouth, and her thoughts became audible. "What? The AE6 Knightmare?"
Darlton clenched his fist, furious that a low ranking Eleven was going to do his job. "Yes." he admitted, wanting to conceal his frustration behind a professional mask. "At the rate it's going it'll break through soon."
Cornelia's eyes narrowed as she engulfed herself in thought, unaware that she was speaking every word that she thought. "Do we dare hold out hope?" She pondered, clenching her hands on the seat of her chair.
(Underground tunnel.)
Suzaku surged past the enemy boundary lines with ease. With the experimental knightmare, Z-01 Lancelot, he felt like a juggernaut, crushing anything that stood in his way. Lloyd was pleased with how well the Lancelot was holding up, but Suzaku was even more so. Yes. It can take this level of destructive force. The Lancelot's screen was coming clear now, and Suzaku felt his heart ignite with courage and freeze with fear. The emotions he had inside were in perfect balance, the way a soldier would usually feel in the heat of battle. I'm on my way now, my friends. Just you wait.
It front of him, Suzaku saw the thing that was making trouble for the rescue teams. So, that's the linear cannon. Suzaku told himself, narrowing his eyes at the behemoth of weapon. It looked like it was literally created out of Glasgows.
Suzaku was less than a few seconds from them, and it looked like they were preparing to fire the weapon. I won't be able to maneuver in this tight of space. His heart cringed, at the thought of saving himself, emotions mixing with the heavy grief that had been burdening him for years.
I shouldn't be allowed to live. After the things I've done, the sins I have committed. He reminded himself. After all, he was the one who caused Britannia to succeed in conquering Japan.I deserve to die. To atone for those sins. But even so... He clenched his fists against the controls of the proud white knight, reminding himself why he lives now. I'm not doing this for me, I'm doing this for my friends, and I will live...for her! He proclaimed, remembering the promise he had just given to Euphie. As his heart began its descent into hell, he turned on his communicator. "Ms. Cecile, it's time for me to use the VARIS."
Cecile's eyes widened, and she she began to reason with him. "Warrant Officer Kugurugi, that is not an option. The Lancelot could get damaged, and more importantly, you could get killed!" She demanded. She didn't know why, but she wanted to protect this young man. Suzaku was Japanese, but something about him, the way he would fearlessly march into danger, it reminded her of her older brother, Julius.
Suzaku hardened his heart, drawing out the weapon he hoped to end this conflict. "There's no room for me to evade, so I'll risk getting blasted to take the first shot." He checked the fuel, and the power supply for any problems. Rivalz, Shirley, Milly, Nina, Nunnally, Kallen… Lelouch. If I am to die here, thank you for being my friends. He said to himself, as he did every time when was about to die. And as the VARIS roared to life, as the enemy's weapon did as well, a single name had crossed his mind several times over. Euphie.
Suzaku snapped back to reality, upon hearing the linear cannon fire. He steeled his nerves, and pulled the trigger. As the VARIS fired, an explosive burst of blue light filled the air around him, the sound of piercing thundered greeting his ears. The tunnel lit up instantly, with Suzaku pulling away from the blast as he fired the second shot.
Upon impact, the building's tunnel, along with the water below, shot up in an explosive eruption of mist and ash. Suzaku launched himself into the air, the crosswinds heard through his cockpit. he aimed at the beams, just as he was told, and fired 4 shots at the foundation of the building. The VARIS had done it's job. As the smoke flowed out of the ground like a flood, the hotel began to sink, leaving Suzaku speechless, but relieved.
"Wait a minute…" He spouted out, unaware he had done so out loud. He couldn't believe his eyes, not even for a second. He wasn't mistaken. The man he was seeing was the man he had been hearing about since his court martial. The man who caused all of this.
"Is that..." his train of thought was demolished, along with the building as the rubble came crashing down to earth. They detonated the building. They've killed... everyone! His eyes widening, slowly filling with tears. His heart was once again hollow, and he was once again greeted by grief.
"Damn it. My friends. They're all dead!" He yelled, scorning himself for not being able to save them. "I've failed…." I've failed. I've failed to save people from dying. His despair transformed into self damnation, his mind filling up with the things he could've done to save them. "Not again!" He raged, slamming his hand repeatedly against the front control panel.
Tears began to flood from his eyes, as he lost the will to control them any longer. How could I even face them now. he asked himself, considering all the things that could happen once he returned to Ashford. He'd imagined that they would try to tell him that it wasn't his fault, which he wouldn't believe. Lelouch and Nunnally, I'm...I'm sorry. I'm sorry… He looked over at the building, now halfway through the ground.
As the clouds of ominous flames and ash began to clear, a man emerged from the shadows, a yacht being his vessel. Suzaku eyes widened, and his pain began to stir into hatred, the one thing he had never wanted to feel towards anyone. All of the evil that was coursing through him, all of the deaths of his friends, all of it was caused by the man he had only seen once in person. It was the only man he felt so much gratitude and so much hatred towards.
So this is your doing. He cursed in his head, his hands balling into dense packed fists. You'll regret doing any of this... Zero!
Kallen stood alongside Lelouch, a stern face behind that visor she was wearing. Last time this had happened, she had been too afraid to even breath. But now, it just came natural to her. There she was, after leaving the Black Knights after the conclusion of the Zero Requiem, once again spitting and laughing in the face of Britannia. She couldn't help but stand tall and proud behind their masked leader Zero, a.k.a Lelouch Lamperouge/ vi Britannia.
"People! Fear us, or rally behind us as you see fit." Said leader proclaimed, Kallen and his original Black Knights standing behind them. "For I am Zero, and together, we are the Black Knights!" He paused waiting for Cornelia's response, turning towards the lifeboats. He saw Shirley and C.C. floating among them, and he gave off a silent sigh of relief. "But before you decide, look upon the water. As you can clearly see, the hostages are unharmed."
As Suzaku gazed at the charismatic terrorist with frozen eyes, Cecile and Lloyd exchanged looks, one of them reacting more than the other. "The Black Knights." She pondered, questioning the very nature of Zero. They did this? I suppose it fits in with the 'knights for justice' act.
"Ironic, isn't it?" Lloyd mused, pushing his glasses back into place. "The terrorists referring to themselves as knights." He walked towards the Lancelot's monitors, showing little care for Zero or the Black Knights.
"Just as former Viceroy Clovis was punished for ordering the slaughter of countless unarmed Elevens, I have made the cowardly colonel see the error of is own ways, and thus, he committed suicide as a mediocre apology." He lied. When we retreat as we did before, the Black Knights will immediately assume that I used my geass on him and his guards. However, that will only be a minor problem in the future. he assured himself, resuming his proclamation to the world.
"While Britannia itself is our main enemy, we could not stand by and allow such cruelty to be carried out, and so we made him pay for his actions. I will not repudiate battle on a fair and level field, but neither will I tolerate a one-sided massacre of the weak by the strong. The only ones who should kill, are those who are prepared to be killed!" Lelouch began to rant, easily stirring up the entire viewing world. "Wherever oppressors abuse their power by attacking those who are powerless, we shall appear again. No matter how mighty, how formidable our foe may be. We shall appear again, until all people are free!"
Lelouch took a step to the side, encouraging the others to follow his lead. "And as proof of my commitment to justice, I return to you, Britannia, the woman who was about to be killed by the cowardly Japan Liberation Front." He bowed in respect, the other hesitant, but soon mimicked. The sounds of footprints emerged from below deck, Kallen's heart stopping with every step. This didn't happen last time. I guess it's another deviation Lelouch created.
Out of the shadows, a woman with lovely pink hair appeared. Kallen's eyes widened at this, as did the other Black Knights. "Britannia, I return to you the only honorable member of your royal family. I return to you…." he paused, rising up as quickly as he had bowed down. He came to her side, and gestured towards her. "Princess Euphemia li Britannia."
(The government Bureau, 21:57)
Euphie's face remained unseen once she returned to the Bureau. Lelouch promised her that they'd meet again, though she didn't really believe it. However, that was not what was upsetting her. Lelouch had shown her face to the entire world, so she couldn't pretend to be an average, middle class girl around Suzaku any more. And from the way he talked about the royal family, she knew that he would act awkwardly distant around her, if not just flat out distant and cold.
The more she thought about it, the more painful the ache became. She looked out of the window, the urge to cry filling her whole head. And as the subtle sounds of the train passed by, the wall of maturity broke, and Euphie felt the her face becoming warmer as tears began to trail down her face. Suzaku, Lelouch…. She buried her face in her pillows, not wanting to be heard or seen by anyone.
Ring. Ring. Ring.
Euphie's heart nearly gave out. Her cell phone had gone off. She quickly reached into her normal girl dress, and saw the name of the last person she wanted to talk to right now. But she knew that she had to. She reluctantly flipped open the phone, and began to speak. "Suzaku?"
"Hey Euphie." He said, sounding half hearted. But in truth, Suzaku didn't know what else to do. When he saw her face emerge from below the docks, right next to the man he had sworn to kill, he couldn't believe his own eyes, let alone his own heart. Her real name, Euphemia li Britannia, still haunted him every second he thought about the times they shared together.
I've been such a fool. No, I've been a god damned idiot. She and Lelouch share the same eyes for heaven's sake! Why the hell didn't I figure out my… He stopped himself right there. Girlfriend? he remembered the peck she had given him on the day they met, the joy he felt when they were reunited, and the passion that had consumed him when she… Kissed me. His eyes narrowed as he tried to stop the petty tears that were in his eyes. He felt something with her, something stronger than friendship. But he had realized one thing when he learned of her true identity.
We are star-crossed. She comes from the Britannian royal family. She's a pedigree Britannian princess. And me, I'm the simple foot soldier, looking to save people when I know that I'll probably just kill more. But even so, I… He was cut off from his own thoughts, as said girl broke the uneasy silence between them.
"Suzaku, the truth is...you and I…" She hesitated, unsure what to say. I tricked him. I lied to him. I kissed him. Her mind kept thinking about what could happen to them if Cornelia, or anyone else for that matter, found out about them. "That is…" The silence had returned, wounding both of their hearts.
No, I can't bear it. I have to be honest now, no matter what happens! She ironed her will, and untied her tongue. "Suzaku, as the Sub-Viceroy, will you obey any command I give you?" She asked, her own words frightening her a bit. What am I saying? If anyone, especially Cornelia, found out about us, they'd most likely interrogate him, if not kill or torture him.
Suzaku forgot how to breath, and both of his eyes were as wide as a small plate. Obey any command? He kept asking himself, trying to regain control of his lungs. He couldn't believe what she was asking him. But without much thought, he answered the pink haired princess.
"Uhh….Of course, Princess Euphemia." He told her, trying to conceal the pain that was now eating away at his own heart. He wanted to take it back, but he knew that what's done was done, even if he didn't want it to be that way. His whole life revolved around the stupidest mistake he had ever made as a child. When I killed my father, I thought the violence would stop. I thought that if I ended the war, the deaths would decrease. He kept telling himself, even though he knew that none of his hopes had been realized on his own.
"Good." Euphie told him, her mind made up about what she was going to do. "Then as 3rd Princess of Britannia, I order you, Warrant Officer Suzaku Kururugi," She continued, knowing that there would be consequences to what she was doing. "I order you not to give up on us."
Suzaku felt the pain move to the side of him, other feelings driving around his heart in a complete corkscrew. Part of him wanted to disobey her orders, and hoped to protect what was left of her reputation. But the other part of him wanted to obey her blindly, hoping for something he knew he couldn't have.
"Princess Euphemia…" He finally said to her, speaking with a conflicted soul. I know I'm going to regret this... He swore to himself, his mind too divided to think clearly. He knew she wanted him, that much was clear, but he didn't know if he was right to want her back. But regardless of what I want, I have to do this… "I will obey your orders. I will not give up on... us." He said reluctantly.
(Ashford Academy, 4th period, 12:17)
Kallen had stared blankly at the board all morning, occasionally taking glances at Lelouch through her reflective pencil case. No matter how much she worked with him, she was always surprised by the actions he took to ensure their victory. She finished her ramen, and headed for her next class. The building was empty for the most part, so she could walk like her real self for a change. And all the while, her mind kept thinking about Lelouch, both as a student and as Zero.
At first glance, Lelouch looked just like a typical, handsome, lazy ass genius school boy. But she knew better than to make that assumption. Behind that school boy routine, there was a man who was leading the world into a new age of justice and equality. Ever since we made our big splash at the hotel jacking, the Black Knights have taken the world by storm. We've become a friend to the weak, just like before. Kallen mused, comparing all the events that had happened before and the events that were happening now. Of course, no one can show that in public. After all, Lelouch killed Prince Clovis.
She paused, her thoughts becoming darker, and her concerns growing faster. There are many in our ranks who wish to know his true identity, but I know that they wouldn't trust him any other way. She raised her head, and resumed her walk. However, once we returned to headquarters, there were those who accused Zero of using his geass to control Kusakabe and his men. He confessed to that much at least, but Ohgi and I defended him on the grounds that we aren't terrorists anymore. Tamaki and the others were skeptical, but they ultimately caved. She smiled, seeing how pissed he was at everyone for going along with it.
Kallen turned the corner, and Nunnally appeared in front of her, Lelouch and Suzaku right next to her. She knew that Nunnally was aware of her mask, Lelouch as well. But she put it on for Suzaku, the most assuming one in the entire student council.
"Hi there, Kallen." Nunnally said in her ever so sweet voice. She wasn't looking at the innocent, nearly helpless little girl that she knew from Ashford anymore. She was staring at Nunnally vi Britannia, 100th Empress of Britannia. "Lelouch wants to talk to you about something." She said with a wink.
"About what?" She asked the former Empress. She had a feeling, deep in her gut, that this was something about Kallen's arrangements with the Black Knights. She hadn't reclaimed her Guren yet, so this was most likely something about her mother, and the refrain smugglers.
"Big brother was wondering why you're a day student instead of a boarder?" Nunnally said to her sweetly, hiding behind her own mask of innocence. If Lelouch would just go ahead and awaken Suzaku, we wouldn't have to be this cryptic about what we're talking about. She thought, agitated at hiding her true self from her friends. It didn't bother her that much before, when she was barely friends with any of them, Lelouch and Suzaku especially. But now…
She knocked herself back into reality, focusing on what Nunnally was trying to say. "Why would he wonder about that?" She asked her, trying to look mildly suspicious. Of course, she wasn't. Lelouch, Nunnally, and even Suzaku already knew all about her mother from the previous timeline. Suzaku was just unaware of it at the time.
Lelouch's face sparked to life, looking embarrassed and clueless at the same time. He was acting like Lelouch Lamperouge. Not the evil demon known as Lelouch vi Britannia, or the cold, calculating Zero, leader of the Black Knights. No, the man she was talking to was Lelouch Lamperouge, a typical high school genius.
"I'm just a bit curious. Since you are a Stratfield, I assume that you have plenty of money" He lied. Lelouch was completely aware of what her life was really like. He walked a bit closer to her, Nunnally and Suzaku closely behind him. "And you don't seem to be that close to your mother and father. In fact, they seem to be distant with you…"
Kallen gave him a serious scowl, and Lelouch's expression darkened as he realized he had struck a nerve with her. "First of all…" She began. "She is not my mother, she is my step-mother. Second, I wouldn't care if they both went straight to hell…" She froze, realizing that she had completely forgotten that Suzaku was there.
Suzaku looked at her with a startled expression, his emerald eyes growing larger. "How could you say that? They're your family…" He tried to lecture, before he found himself on the floor, punched in the gut by Kallen. What the… He felt as though his lungs were collapsed, for he was unable to breath. He sat still for a moment, trying to collect his thoughts. Where did she muster this strength from? And why did she even punch me in the first place?
"They are not my family, got that! I am Kallen Kozuki, not Kallen Stadtfeld! And I am sick and tired of this sick little school girl routine!" She raged, before returning to reality and clamped her mouth shut, every molecule in her beginning to panic. Lelouch's eyes narrowed at her, while Nunnally's gave off a sense of despair. She hadn't noticed it before, but she just snapped.
Suzaku's eyes widened, which seemed to be becoming a habit with him, as he gasped at the sickly little school girl who just knocked the wind out of him, his mind completely taken by surprise at her behavior. But even more surprising, what she had called herself. He got up slowly, not wanting to get her any more angry than she already was. "Wait... Kallen…" He said, nervous to ask such a personal question. "Are you… an Eleven?" He suddenly found himself on the ground once again, in more pain than before.
She looked around the hall. Fortunately for all of them, they were the only ones there. She turned back towards Suzaku, utterly unable to control her temper anymore. "What kind of gutless lapdog are you? Show some pride, Suzaku." She scolded, already knowing what he was doing in Britannia. And although she knew she should have punched him at all, she had to admit: That felt good. Her mind refocused on reality, and her anger resurfaced instantly. "Suzaku listen to this and listen good: We are not Elevens! We are Japanese dammit!"
Lelouch grabbed her shoulder, and pulled her away from Suzaku. He pulled her closer, and whispered in her ear. "Now is not a good time for this, Kallen. We are having a meeting today, and we need to discuss our next move." Kallen nodded, putting her anger away for the time being.
Lelouch checked the area, his heart beating unsteadily, and sighed with relief. Suzaku was the only one who saw that. He smiled internally, grateful that no one else about Kallen's true lineage. He turned towards Nunnally, who looked relieved as well. His eyes, however, wandered off in Suzaku's direction. Lelouch saw the discontent written all over Suzaku's face. He never did take spontaneous news well. He was always the one shocked at these kind of things.
Suzaku looked at Lelouch carefully, seeing that his expression was relatively unchanged. He shifted his eyes between Kallen and Lelouch, attempting to piece together the puzzle. Lelouch, did... did you know about this? He asked him in his mind, attempting to find out the truth. He couldn't just ask him directly. After all, Lelouch was a liar, for the most part, after all.
(Student Council room, 19:05)
"Lord Lelouch, I have confirmed the data you have requested." Jeremiah reported. He had served Lelouch well, ever since he first swore his loyalty to Lelouch after he had revealed that he was the son of Lady Marianne. Jeremiah looked over his notes, not wanting to misinform lelouch on anything. "It appears that Suzaku has indeed contacted Princess Euphemia after the Lake Kawaguchi incident."
Lelouch smiled at this, and he began to draw conclusions to their conversation. If Suzaku contacted Euphie, he would most likely attempt to end their relationship, hoping that without him nearby, her reputation would remain intact. Of course, Euphemia would most likely try to keep that from happening. And judging from his attitude, I can conclude that he agreed to remain her 'boyfriend', while continuing to date her in secret. Though if that were the case…
"Well done Jeremiah, as always." He said, switching into a more serious tone. "Now then, have the Purebloods made any assumptions about Zero and Euphemia?" He asked. he knew that the royal code would prove to be a useless clue if he didn't have a plausible suspect. He needed someone who he could manipulate without hurting, at least not intentionally. The choice was clear: It had to be Euphemia.
"Lelouch…" Nunnally began to say, er voice sounding a bit peeved. "Why would they do that? Euphie is a good person, and a royal family member. If they accused her of treachery, they themselves would be considered traitors, if not treacherous hypocrites." Nunnally sounded unsure, but she already had the idea in her head that it was intentional.
"Well said, little sister. If the Purebloods go against their own loyalty, they will be accused of treachery, which in turn would create a counter theory of insurgents. That is the true purpose of Project Orange. To divide and conquer Britannia."
C.C., now holding another Cheese-kun, walked over to Nunnally, and smirked at Lelouch's plan. "Sounds more thought out than the original 'Orange' idea." She teased, her smile mocking him. It was always that smile from her that pissed him off. But then again, it was that smile that always made me revise my plans, and thus making them better than they already were. He mused.
"It is a more well thought out plan." Lelouch remarked, slightly peeved at the witch. "However, there is one major flaw: If someone were to assume that Project Orange was not real, it would put Jeremiah in hot water, and they would interrogate him in order to get to Zero and the Black Knights."
Kallen stood up, looking over at Lelouch's raven colored hair and violet light eyes. She grabbed her head, the blood rushing down her body like a waterfall. She had been sitting in that chair for the last half hour. But even so, she wanted to ask Lelouch one simple question. "Alright then, how do we keep that from happening? Have him deny any involvement with us? Or perhaps build stronger evidence against Euphemia?"
Nunnally gave Kallen the evil eye, silently stating; No, we've picked on Euphie enough. Kallen hadn't realized it before, but sometimes, Nunnally could be just as stubborn and persuasive as her brother. It was scary how similar their scowls, tones, and even their body language matched in those situations.
"No, I already have the best solution already worked out." Lelouch simply stated, his eyes lighting up with a determined fire. Lelouch's heart became sore, thinking about the next matter they needed to discuss. he took in a deep breath, his mouth tasting like metal and blood. "Jeremiah, as you have told me, the Purebloods did not have a real duty during the battle of Narita, correct?"
Jeremiah's eyes lit up, but then he realized why he asked the question. "That is correct my lord." I see Lord Lelouch. You want me to have the purebloods evacuate any civilians that would be caught in the avalanche. He deduced, knowing about Joseph and Shirley Fenette. And if that would happen, then the terribly unfortunate events you caused for them would never happen.
"By the look on your face, I'd say you already know what I want you to do." Lelouch stated to his loyal knight. "See to it that the Purebloods don't screw it up. If I know them, they'll probably attempt to redeem themselves by killing Zero." If they do that, Project Orange would further draw conclusions as to who is Orange, and whether or not it is successful. Lelouch stated, taking a white pawn with a black knight.
"And what happens if they disobey Jeremiah, and attack you anyway?" Nunnally asked, her eyes now looking bored. Lelouch smiled at his sister, seeing how similar she had become to him. Kallen, on the other hand, looked at Nunnally like she expected this kind of behavior. Of course, she knew Nunnally as the empress of Britannia, and had learned to speak like a politician fluently.
Kallen smiled at Nunnally, knowing that behind her calm demeanor, Nunnally was genuinely worried about Lelouch, despite the past. Kallen, closed her eyes, and began to speak. "If they do that, they'll be fresh meat for the Guren Mk II. That'll put em' in line." She said, confidence coursing through her veins at lightning speed. She remembered how helpless they were the first time they ever laid eyes on her inside the Guren.
"That only leaves one obstacle: The Lancelot." Lelouch proclaimed, sounding a bit uncertain of what to do about Suzaku. Last time, Suzaku had taken us by surprise, and damaged the Guren, along with my Burai. But now that we know what to expect... he reminded himself, having already come up with several different ways to deal with the white knight. He lowered his head for a moment, attempting to make heads or tails of which tactic was going to work out the best for him. "I suggest that we keep the encounter with the Lancelot the same. If we act like we expected it, it will seem too convenient. However, Kallen…" He said, his eyes gazing in her direction now. "I want you to be certain that the Lancelot does not come into contact with me, and be sure that the Guren is not damaged as severely as last time."
Kallen smiled at her leader. It had been so long since he gave her orders like that: clear and to the point. She saluted at him slightly, teasing him about his authority over her. "As you command, Master Zero."
"Excellent answer, Q-1." Lelouch chuckled, returning the joke. But as soon as he smiled, his scowl returned to it's rightful place, his eyes narrowing to a thin line. "Now then...Kallen. About your living arrangements..."
Kallen, Sayoko, and Nunnally stared at Lelouch, their eyes slowly widening as they inferred what Lelouch was planning behind that devious mask of an expression he wore. C.C merely chuckled at this notion, and Jeremiah bowed to his master in respect as he took his leave.
(Statfield Manor, 10:03)
Kallen felt like a rag doll as she laid on her bed, her body unresponsive to her will. Her legs were like jelly, as were her arms and chest. She hadn't been able to get much sleep last night, considering that right after Lelouch adjourned the meeting, he immediately switched his persona into that of Zero, and contacted the Black Knights for another refrain… Refrain! She moaned in her mind.
Her heart felt as if it had been stabbed, and tears began to form in her eyes as she remembered that her mother was still hooked on the stuff. She concentrated on getting up, urging herself to speak with her. She moved her numbing arm over to the side of her bed, pushing upwards with all the strength she could muster.
Suddenly, her arm slipped, and she fell back to where she was, her assets the only thing keeping her head away from the pillow. She forced herself to try again, using her other hand to push herself to the side, and using her limping legs to hold her up. Kallen hadn't felt this weak since she was captured by Xingke in China, and she was hating herself for it. Come on Kallen, you've been in full scale battles before, and yet you're tired from one night at the docks?! She scolded herself, before the sound of the doorbell awoke her reserve strength.
In that instant, she rose to her feet, and grabbed the lavender robe that hung against the bathroom door. She looked at what she had grabbed, then put it back. She then grabbed her dark red t-shirt, black jeans, and her steel gray jacket, deciding it wasn't the best idea to greet her ticket out of hell in a bathroom robe. Damn it Lelouch, I barely had time to talk to my mother about this, let alone pack. She ranted, wanting to give him a lecture about how long these kinds of things take.
She walked down the stairs slowly, her hair in her prefered, terrorist hair style rather than her sickly girl hairstyle. She didn't mind it though, knowing that the person who was coming to see her already knew who she was really.
"Mistress Kallen, mistress Kallen." Her mother greeted, her fake smile making Kallen feel worse about all of this. She had been pushing her away for 6 years now, and now was about to go up to her and say 'Hey mom. Sorry about all the bs I've been giving you over the last few years. Let's get out of here and go live in Area 11 without the Statfield family getting in the way.' As Kallen took the last step, her real mother opened the door, revealing the last person she had expected to help her directly.
Kallen stared at the guest she had. "Lelouch?" She knew someone would show up, but she expected Sayoko or possibly C.C to show up. Why would he come here himself? She thought to herself before the sounds of footsteps snapped her back to reality, Kallen now turning her attention towards her Britannian stepmother. She scowled at the woman, her eyes looking outside straight at limo right there in front of the Stadtfeld Manor.
"Oh, I heard you had a friend down here, I knew it would be a boy. Out all night and missing school, not to mention all your visits to the ghetto." she goaded, her expression turning into a smirk. "You're lucky your father's back in the homeland."
Kallen turned to face the witch that she had been forced to suffer, pointing to her bags behind her back. Lelouch turned in the direction, ready to grab them as soon as her mother broke the vase. "You're the one who enjoying dad not being around here, aren't you?"
"Uh…" was all the Britannian noblewoman could say, before they heard the crashing sound of smashed porcelain strike the ground. Just like last time. Kallen told herself, remembering exactly what happened last time. After Kallen found out why her mother was really putting up with Britannia for, she realized that she knocked the vase over on purpose, so that Kallen would be able to get out of trouble.
"Forgive me, milady, forgive me." Her mother apologised, knowing that the focus of Kallen's guardian was now on her alone.
"Can't you do anything right?" The noblewoman demanded, before grunting out her next racist remark. "Besides selling your body, that is." She smirked, venting her hatred towards all 'numbers'.
Kallen felt her temperature rise, and felt her mind ignite with a burning blaze. She took a deep breath, but the flames did not die out. She was able to keep calm last time because she hated her real mother for not standing up for herself. But now…!
The flames died out, and shortly after, Kallen felt as though humans were but twigs, and she had just been snapped. "DON'T YOU DARE LOOK DOWN ON HER, YOU ELITIST BITCH!" She raged, feeling a flood of bottled up anger release all at once.
Kallen's stepmother was speechless, her eyes filled with shock. Kallen had been resentful towards the women for years, but had never had the audacity to say her thoughts directly at her before. "What?!" The women regained control of her own self, deciding to lecture Kallen to remain composed. "How dare you talk to your mother like that!" She began, but was unable to continue from the sheer amount of gravity Kallen's anger was emitting.
Kallen couldn't control her tongue anymore, not that she wanted to in the first place. Last time this happened, Milly was here, and I couldn't do a damned thing about what was going on. She reflected, reminding herself of why she was doing this in the first place. "You are NOT my Mother!"
"Mistress, what is this all about?" The would-be servant asked, looking at her daughter with a worried expression. She had sacrificed so much so Kallen could live a happy life. She sacrificed being her mother, her freedom, her pride, her security, and possibly her sanity. But in spite of all of her efforts, however, Kallen refused to be content with her life, seeing herself as Japanese, not Britannian.
Kallen turned towards her real mother, feeling her heart burn with courage and love, even if she was looking only slightly angry. She couldn't see it while Kallen was faced towards Mrs. Stratfield, but Kallen's eyes were also filled with another emotion: concern. "Mom, don't give me that crap." She told her, reaching out her hand.
Her mother was hesitant, not wanting to get Kallen into anymore trouble. Kallen only scowled at her, and took her mother's hand, helping her up in the process. "Come on, we're getting out of here." Kallen told her, her angry scowl transforming into a concerned smile, her blue eyes looking solely at the women in the maid's uniform.
"Now hold on a minute!" The Britannian women demanded. "What do you think your doing young lady?!" Kallen looked back at her stepmother, fury contained within the deepest part of her eyes.
"You heard me, you fucking bitch! I'm leaving…" She said, walking over to the door, grabbing her mothers arm as she did so. "And I'm taking my mother with me." She approached the door, Lelouch stepping out of her way as she took her mother outside.
Mrs. Statfield was enraged to her boiling point. She didn't care about whether or not Kallen lived here, but they needed an heir, and she was the only candidate. "Now wait just a second Kallen Statfield ! Who do you think pays for all of this? Those clothes you wear, the food you eat, the very roof you sleep under. We even pay for you to go to school, so don't think for a second you can survive out there." She insisted.
Kallen looked back at her, her expression unchanged in even the slightest way. She opened her mouth, her tongue now free of it's binding. "Wrong." the redhead stated boldly, continuing to escort her mother to her salvation. "Lelouch makes more money a day than either you or my bastard of a father make in a year. He's offered to pay for everything." She claimed. She had never really approved of Lelouch's gambling before, but she was thankful for it now. Wow. she realized. Never thought I'd hear myself say that, or even think it.
The Statfield women was completely enraged now, marching towards her adopted daughter with a furious face. She approached Kallen and the women she had led outside, but was soon cut off. It was Lelouch that stood between them. "What are you doing this for, boy? Looking to score with my daughter, or perhaps gain respect by acting all heroic like this?" She asked him.
However, Lelouch looked at Kallen instead, her bag firmly in his hand. I hadn't even thought of that outline. I suppose it would be a reasonable assumption, considering the circumstances. He pondered, pushing away the dirty doubts and thoughts he had before meeting the eyes of the women in front of him.
"I have no intentions of anything like that, Mrs. Statfield." He assured her, even though it wouldn't matter in about 3 seconds. "However, I will not tolerate oppression on any grounds."
"And what, may I ask, does that mean? You are sound an awful like that terrorist I've been hearing about. Whats his name... Zero?" She assumed.
Lelouch smiled at the old hag, ready to repay Kallen for her past services to him as Zero. "I wonder about something: What is superior in terms of humanity?" He activated his geass, his eyes ablaze with a cold, commanding sense of authority. "Now, Lelouch vi Britannia commands you…. hand over Kallen's guardianship back to Mrs. Kozuki." He ordered.
The glow of geass appeared after he issued the command, and she simply said "Understood." before returning back inside the manor. Lelouch waited for several minutes, wondering how this alteration would affect the timeline. I cannot simply continue to act as if everything will continue the way it did before. After Narita, I'll have to act on my own, my knowledge of the past useless for the most part. He told himself, looking back where Kallen was standing.
She had gotten her mother and herself inside the limousine before Lelouch activated his geass. That easily reduced the chance of her mother overhearing him, which in turn, would keep her from knowing about his geass. His heart was pounding, thinking about what could happen when they returned to Ashford. Kallen agreed that she would remain there, playing student just as I have. But even so, I can't simply explain the situation, or use my geass to convince them. It would definitely arouse suspicion among the Student Council members, if not the entire school. But perhaps I could arrange things so where it looks natural.
"Here you are, good sir." He awoke from his thought induced trance, seeing the woman had returned with Kallen's paperwork. He smiled, seeing that Phase 1 of his plan was nearly complete. "Good. Now then, when your husband returns from the Britannian homeland, I want you to tell him that Mrs. Kozaki was arrested for using illegal Refrain." He instructed her, using the sad past to his advantage for a change. "And in her despair at realizing what her mother had done, Kallen ran away from home, disappearing into the ghettos. After that, you will convince him to disown Kallen, and give up the search for her. Once that is complete, you will remember what you said, but will forget the events that happened today, including these instructions." He finished, waiting for his geass to compel her into submission.
"I understand. I will do as you have told me. And until I have made contact with my husband, I will not remember any of the events that had transpired today." She finished, walking backwards into the Statfield Manor, and finally closing the door.
Lelouch chuckled, his mind abundant with possibilities as to what he could do. However, I do not have the luxury of coming up with such things right now. He reminded himself, carelessly walking back towards the limo where Kallen and her mother were waiting for him. He opened the door, and climbed inside the car.
He sat down on the cushy black leather, the smooth material sliding across his school uniform. Kallen and her mother were sitting across from him, Kallen attempting to calm her down as they sped back towards their destination. He looked into the rear view mirror, seeing that his geass still had control of the driver.
Lelouch had instructed him to escort him alone to the Statfield manor, wait until he had returned with two more passengers, then return them to Ashford. After that, he was to return to the dealership, and forget all the memories of the events that had transpired when he was around Lelouch. Phase 1 complete. He told himself, pondering about what was coming next for him.
(Black Knights warehouse, Shinjuku ghetto, 23:09)
Kallen couldn't believe she was in this place again, staring at everyone gawking at the Knightmares they received from Kyoto. Her heart felt heavy and sad, but happy and grateful at the same time. Before she had her memories returned to her, she thought she'd never see Kyoto give them acknowledgement, let alone support. Back then, all I wanted was to see Japan free of Britannia, and I didn't care who got in my way. She told herself, trying to keep her spirits high.
But in truth, she felt sad inside. Even though her mother and her were living in an apartment together, it wasn't the same as before. After Lelouch died, her mother was released from prison, and she and her lived together in Tokyo. Kallen had even started going to school again. But now, everything seems wrong. Sayoko promised me that she'd help Mom get over her addiction to Refrain, but I still can't be sure.
Now whenever she thought about Lelouch, she didn't see Lelouch vi Britannia, the Demon Emperor who had once plunged the world into terror, and she didn't see Zero, the messiah of Japan and it's people, either. All she saw now was Lelouch Lamperouge, the man she loved. And the man who brought her family back together.
After the Zero requiem, she thought she'd be able to move on without Lelouch, even going as far as to resign from the Black Knights. And even though she talked to him everyday since his death, the pain didn't lessen, it only got buried deeper. She forgave him alright, but she didn't dare forgive herself for thinking about him like that in the first place. What if I stayed with him until the end, like I had dreamed I was going to? What would happen then? She kept asking herself all those days whenever she thought about him.
And as fate would have it, I got my wish. I can do things differently this time. But after all the people who suffered because of him, because of me, do I dare think I deserve happiness? She pondered sadly as she strolled through the warehouse. She saw everyone getting excited, but she wore a face that was cold, the same thing Lelouch would do whenever he felt this kind of pain. She looked around at her fellow Black Knights as they admired the Knightmares that Kyoto had sent them.
With Kyoto's support, there's no stopping us now. Everyone kept telling her, sunny smiles stretching from ear to ear. But she knew that today was not the day for celebration. Today was merely the calm before the storm, a storm known as the Battle of Narita. She didn't really listen to any of the statements that weren't directed at her, but what she did manage sounded like:
"Wow, these are amazing!" one would say.
"These are Glasgows, aren't they?" another would ask.
"Burais, a Japanese modification." a third one corrected, taking pride in his Japanese heritage.
"I've never seen these before." the first one remarked.
"Man, the Black Knights have some serious muscle. What with these Burais, and have you seen those Ronins." the second one stated, confidence rising in his voice.
Kallen merely sighed at these remarks, seeing her real friends along side Lelouch, under the guise of Zero as usual. She looked over at Sugiyama, whose face was like stone, rough and unchanging. However, as he read the report, a smile lurked its way up his face. "Those guys from Kyoto, They believed in us. They've even sent us this. A completely made Japanese Knightmare.
Kallen stared at a familiar picture, the Knightmare she had spent the rest of her Black Knight career piloting, and was about to do so again. "The Guren MK II."It had been a while since she saw her own Knightmare in it's original form, but it was a sight for sore eyes regardless.
Lelouch turned towards Kallen as Tamaki and the others left. She couldn't see his face, but she was sure it wasn't looking too happy. " First Tamaki, then Izumi, and now Inoue and the rest are cheering this like a party. Don't they know that Kyoto is backing multiple resistance groups?" He said sarcastically.
Kallen put on her fake smile, trying to lighten her own mood as well as his. "We both know the answer to that Zero." She said half heartedly, thinking about how they were going to prevent the deaths of the civilians, especially the one of Shirley's father.
"Hey Kallen." A voice called out to her, making her jump inside her combat boot. She turned her head around, seeing that it was only Ohgi. she looked in his hand, seeing the files for Diethard.
Even though Kallen had lived through this before, Ohgi still managed to spook her a bit as he showed up behind her, making no noticeable sounds until he spoke. "Zero. you got a second?" He began. "We got some weird intel here from a Britannian who wants to join up with the Black Knights." Kallen already knew what the intel was about, but thinking about it made her heart ache. And she was certain it made his heart ache even more so. After everything that happened to Shirley, she was sure he was struggling to bear the burden of his own mask.
Lelouch nodded as Ohgi handed over the files on Diethard. In all honesty, she felt pretty cross with that guy. As soon as The Black Knights betrayed Lelouch, he had hightailed it out of there, going to Schneizel instead. Ohgi lifted his head towards Lelouch, and began to inform him on things that Lelouch already knew.
"This maybe a trap to draw us out. I'd say even if we wanna confirm the information, it's too risky to contact him directly." He looked at his leader with a stern sense of duty all over his face, his gray eyes gleaming with confidence.
"But then again, news like this isn't something we can just ignore. So, what should we do?" he asked, concerned about their next move.
Lelouch snorted, then gave Ohgi cryptic orders as usual. "This weekend, we're going hiking."
Ohgi gasped at what he said, probably thinking it was the last thing that Zero would say at a time like this. "What?" he managed, before Lelouch raised his hand, calling for silence.
"To the Narita mountains." was all he said to Ohgi, who seemed to have little control over his breathing at the moment. Lelouch always had that effect on people, including me. She told herself, remembering the fun times when she was at Ashford, as well as the intense times she had as the leader of the Zero Squad.
"Very well, then." Ohgi replied, bowing as he left him and Kallen alone. Kallen turned back towards Lelouch, who was holding something in his hand. Something she had known for a long time. The key to the Guren. She remarked in her mind, staring at the only piece she had kept from the red Knightmare frame. He walked over to her, and put it in her hand.
"If we are to succeed, we are going to need the Guren. If we need the Guren, we need it's pilot." With every word that came out of that mask, kallen felt weak in her knees, yet strangely motivated at the voice washed over her like a river over the rocks at the bottom, his strong voice filling her with a sense of purpose. She hadn't felt this since she was first entrusted with the Guren, and it felt great. "And since you are the pilot, you will need this, and therefore, the Black Knights need you Kallen."
Kallen chuckled at her leader, seeing straight through his mask. "Thay need you to, Zero. Never forget that." She advised, remembering how the Black Knights fell apart after the Black Rebellion.
"Of course, Q-1."