I know it's been a really long time since I posted a chapter but lots of things happened, among them was a month without internet. Still, I'm back and this story is too, so the inofficial hiatus is over and Armored Geass is back on track, with the arrival of the Black Knights no less.
Thanks to everyone that read, followed, favorited and/or reviewed, you guys are awesome.
Also, I'd like to announce that Criticanon has agreed to become this story's Beta-Reader, and he's done a great job about it so far. Last but not least, you'll find the Sky Ruler's schematics at the end of the chapter, one of the reviewers asked for it and I've decided to make it public in case any of you want to use it. If you'd like me to, I'm more than willing to post the schematics of every NEXT in this fic when they've appeared (You'll need to wait until R2 for many of them, though), be warned that all ACs on this story will require you to spend a great deal of points (50 most of the time) on the Load Capacity of the AMS System to be playable and not over-weight.
Now then, review reply time:
brave kid: Keeping it up, even after a long absence, or so I hope. Have fun.
RoyalTwinFangs: Well, Expies are helpful, for me at least. Enjoy the chapter.
Sieben Nightwing: Thanks, let's see what your impression of this one is. Enjoy it.
Criticanon: I plan to treat him well. I won't lie, I really like the guy despite how many people keep calling him a whiny brat and all. Using Expies is better for me as well since it's easier to adapt than to create, at least in my case. The ASEEC did find the Answerer's remains, as to what it will lead to, I won't say here ;)
cj1of4: Read the chapter to find out about your first question.
Oh, Lloyd's going to get back at the Sky Ruler, but since he got a divine inspiration of sorts thanks to its flight, he's not going to be too harsh. There certainly is a chance for both of them to get tangled up on what you've suggested, might happen sometime. As for where the KFW (I already like the name!) came from, Rand built it, the guy's that good.
Guest1 (7/10/13): Nope, Primal Armor is still out. I'll try to keep everything to Real Robots, but that doesn't mean Rand, and maybe others, aren't going to do absurd things that yield incredible results, the guy's already going to the battlefield armed with a giant wrench after all. So, while nothing like drills the size of the universe, energy tomahawks that cut through moons and rains of Rocket Fists are going to happen, expect a surprise here and there. Have fun with the chapter.
Guest2 (7/11/13): It'll be a it of both. Knightmare Frames are generally more maneuverable and suited for urban combat than NEXTs thanks to their size, while ACs are superior on an open battlefield thanks to being able to power greater weaponry and not having an operating time limit. The Tristan's feature would have been modified for NEXTs regardless, as it's just too good to pass up. Enjoy the chapter.
Nero Angelo Sparda: Well, let's see what you think of these little changes here. I try my best on both the plot and the fights, glad to know I'm more or less succeeding. And you're right, Kallen's going to flip the moment she takes on White Glint, even if it's a simulation.
Guest3 (Chapter 2 post): Well, glad you like it and here's hoping you'll like this one as well. As for Kojima theory, I'll get to that some time, but my intention is for it to make sense. Enjoy.
meganeshounen: I think I can handle it. Crowe will be arriving on this season, but Firebug is out until R2. Your mech recommendations are appreciated as well as your ideas, while what you've suggested won't be exactly what happens you've given some fine material to work with. Shikoku no Renya happens in the past so it won't be really influential to the story, Nightmare of Nunnally is way too different from the original, the only thing I would really take from there would be the way the Lancelot Albion looks. As for Akito, I'm still considering it. Thanks again, and have fun with the chapter.
Scientific Savior of Earth: While the Gunleon will not be making an appearance, sadly, I'm probably going to give you a good reason to use that song as BGM on R2 ;). Enjoy the chapter.
Siphon 117: Thanks, here's another chapter for you to enjoy.
KH-Hardcorefan4483: I'm really nothing special, but I'm truly happy you think that and hope you'll like this chapter just as much. You'll find the Sky Ruler's schematics at the end of the chapter like I announced. Enjoy (:
Infinite Freedom: They'll have their parts to play, I can assure you, and here's hoping you'll enjoy them. Have fun with the chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own SRW, neither do I own Code Geass or any of its spin-offs. I also don't own anything related to the Armored Core franchise, unless you count my copy of the Armored Core For Answer game, that I do own. All I own that is shown in this story are Hawk Magnus, the design of his NEXT/s, the K-Filter and the SKAI computer installed in it.
Chapter 07: The Black Knights have Arrived
Hawk could only be grateful that his basement and house were as big as they were. He had called Ohgi the moment he had reunited with the three remaining members of the Glory Stars and that Shinn kid that used one of their units and had soon been informed that they had run out of room for both people and Knightmares, since the Yamato Alliance had brought all their remaining Sutherlands with them.
Shinn had taken a deep blow in the fight, as had the Glory Star's members. Taking pity on the group, the Lynx had suggested they followed him and brought them to his home, which was spacious enough to accommodate them until he could convince Lelouch to find them somewhere else to stay.
As such, his basement was now holding two modified Glasgows, an orange customized one that was a meter taller than normal, and a two-seater at that, not to mention armed with a freaking giant wrench, and his NEXT. He once more mentally thanked the Ashfords for making everything thrice as big as necessary just because they could before tossing his pilot suit away and walked up the stairs after putting on pants and shoes.
He instantly regretted that choice, as sobs were easily heard coming from the three rooms he had lent his visitors. Setsuko had lost almost all of her third team already, all of them at the hands of the same enemy apparently, that man named Asakim Dowin. Rand had lost his friends and was crying manly tears while Mele sobbed on his chest. Shinn was clutching a pillow and sobbing against it while his grip threatened to split it in half as the scene of his parents' death replayed in his mind.
"I always wondered how it would be to see someone else lose a loved one for once, I wish I hadn't gotten an answer to that." The Lynx muttered to himself sadly as he made walked down the stairs again. Night was close and he had yet to contact Lelouch about what had happened, and the Exiled Prince would most surely be livid about his abandoning him, but before he could walk down the first step, his doorbell rang.
"Who is it?" He asked hesitantly, hoping the student council members had not opted to make a surprise afterschool visit, it would certainly be bad right now.
"It's just me." Kallen replied much to his relief and he opened the door for her. "I was asked by everyone to bring you your homework, although I'm not really sure about why they were smiling like they were."
"Thanks." He took the papers she was handing over before noticing her face reddening slightly. "Is there something wrong?" That seemed to get her back to reality and stop staring at him.
"Ohgi told me just now about what happened in Saitama." She started, and her voice revealed that she was slightly angry at having been kept in the dark about it but that soon vanished. "You did it again, both of you."
"We weren't good enough, again." The mercenary replied with a downcast look.
"Is there someone there?" Setsuko's voice called out from her room before Kallen could ask what he was talking about. "Oh, you have a visitor."
"And you would be?" For some reason, even though she was trying to be polite, she was upset at this girl that had just come out of Hawk's room if her memory served her well. The room she had used the day she stayed.
"She's from the Ghetto, one of the Glory Stars Ohgi probably told you about. There was no room in the hideout so I brought them here. There are three more, two in one room and another in the last one." The Lynx explained without so much as batting an eye.
"I thought you only had two rooms." She said, remembering the night she and Ohgi had slept in the mercenary's house.
"Turns out there was a third one, with a king sized bed, hidden away." Hawk admitted embarrassedly. "The doors resembled a closet's so much I had never noticed until the day I opened them to store some spare tools in there." The two girls giggled at the Lynx's expense. "I blame Milly's Grandfather."
"I'm Kallen Kouzuki." The redhead introduced herself, extending her hand for a handshake and getting a raised eyebrow at her uniform. "I'm half Britannian, from the Stadfelt family, that's why I am… allowed to attend Ashford Academy."
"Setsuko Ohara." The brunette replied in kind as they shook hands, and Kallen could see she had been crying for a while, her eyes were incredibly red. "I'm half Britannian as well, although my father was an exile so I'm not sure if it counts."
"Well, see you tomorrow in school Hawk, you better come this time." The girl said a bit hastily and soon walked towards the door. She had the feeling now was not the time to ask what had happened in Saitama, she'd wait until tomorrow.
"See you tomorrow." The mercenary replied before setting his eyes on Setsuko. "Are you sure you're alright? Today was a bad day, and that's an understatement."
"I'll manage, Strayed." She replied with a sad smile before looking away from him.
"Name's Hawk, Hawk Magnus, please use that while not on a mission or around the Resistance members." The Lynx replied as he eyed the homework he had been given, all of it for the next day, and sighed.
"Understood, Hawk." She replied as her features became serious. "Why did you save us?"
"Because I could, and because I thought my client would like to hire your services as well if the negotiations with the Yamato Alliance do work out." He stated matter-of-factly as he kept eyeing what he had been given. "Why are you asking?" He added, looking at her this time.
"After today, the Yamato Alliance will most probably join Zero. While I know Yamato is trustworthy, I want to know what sort of a leader Zero is before I cast my lot with him." She explained as she crossed her arms over her chest. "I trusted him in Saitama and I do not entirely regret it, but I want to hear more about him from a fellow mercenary before making a final choice. We may only be three now, but the Glory Stars are rather picky about their bosses."
"I see." Hawk nodded absently. He would have told her all she wanted to hear if it wasn't for the fact that he had noticed that. Setsuko was forcing herself and that just wasn't good in her situation, bloodshot eyes were never a good signal. "We'll speak about it tomorrow if you don't mind. You need some rest, you've been through a lot today, don't even try to deny it or say you're fine." He added, blocking all her attempts at refusal before she even attempted them. "And if you think you're fine, go see that Shinn kid over there, he needs as much help as he can get and I'm afraid I'm not good for this sort of situation, I wouldn't be any help."
"I understand." She replied simply before walking to the room Shinn was occupying and knocking on it before letting herself in.
"I can only hope this is for the best." The Lynx told himself as he walked down the stairs and set his homework on the table, ready to work on it. "I truly don't want anyone to share my fate, and that boy has already had the same start."
The boy in question, Shinn Asuka, was in what one could call a depression, although it probably wouldn't be as lasting due to how he shifted from sadness to anger over and over. No one could blame him for it, his entire family had been wiped out because Britannia had wanted it, and there had been no more reason than that they had been different, and then his second Family, the Yamato Alliance, had been massacred, not to mention that two of the first people to ever acknowledge him as useful on the battlefield had been murdered before his eyes. The teenager barely heard the knock on his door and looked truly surprised when Setsuko Ohara opened it and let herself in.
"Are you alright?" She started, only to stop herself. "What a foolish question, right? Of course you are not, none of us are."
"I just wanted to protect them, that's why I asked for that weapon, that's why I jumped at the chance of piloting your Knightmare Frame." The black haired teen sobbed angrily as Setsuko sat on the bed by his side. "And now, even after all the enemies I defeated, after all the effort I put into it, they still died because of Britannia... And because of that Asakim Dowin bastard." His voice broke at the name of the pilot of the black Gloucester.
"The world isn't a fair place." She commented sadly, small tears forming in her eyes. "I've seen that over and over."
"I know it hasn't been easy for you either, especially with what happened." Shinn muttered as he looked at the girl's face. "I'm sorry to trouble you with my problems, after all you have been through today."
The two looked at each other in the eye, both their faces soaked in tears. The powerful Lieutenant of the Glory Star team looked so weak now, so weak that Shinn suddenly felt a need to protect her. He wasn't sure about how or why, but it's what he was feeling. Was he taking pity on her? Projecting his dead sister on top of her? He could only hope that wasn't it, Setsuko did not deserve that, neither did any girl.
"I'm sorry, looks like this was not a good idea after all." Setsuko said, standing up and wiping away her tears. "I came to try and cheer you up and it looks like I'm the one that needs help."
"If I can do anything, please tell me." The boy said out of reflex. "I mean, if it hadn't been for you letting me help, I'd probably be dead… Since I would have been on one of the retrieval teams as well." He looked down at the end of the statement, the sadness returning.
"What will you do now, Shinn?" She asked him, sitting back down by his side.
"I want to make Britannia pay for what they did. I want to find that guy who killed my friends and make him suffer." The boy seethed in anger. "And I want to punch that Asakim guy to death, or until he's nothing but a bloody pulp, whatever comes first."
"Tomorrow morning, Strayed… I mean Hawk, will tell us what he can about Zero, I am considering joining this man, and I am sure Rand and Mele will do so as well if I do." Setsuko explained in a tired voice. "If you want to, you can come with us."
"I'll think about it. Thanks." The boy replied with a small, tired smile as the girl ran a hand gently, almost soothingly, through his hair. It was as if all the tiredness of the day caught up to him at once and he just couldn't stay awake. His eyelids closed slowly and he drifted into a dreamless sleep.
"Kid's been through a lot in his first battle, and lost a lot, good call coming to talk to him." Rand said from the doorway in the closest thing he had to a whisper. "If you hadn't, he probably would have snapped and done something dangerous."
"Are you sure you're okay, Setsuko?" Mele asked, appearing from behind her husband. "You look pretty beat."
"I'll be fine." She told them with a small smile. Somehow, talking to Shinn had helped her a great deal. "I suggest we rest until tomorrow, Hawk will tell us about Zero then."
"Is it safe to leave our units in his basement?" Mele wondered aloud.
"The same could be said about our presence here. He's trusted us and brought us to his home, I think we can trust him too." Setsuko countered as she walked towards the door, but stumbled and would have hit the floor hard had Rand not caught her. "Looks like I'm far more tired than I thought I was." She whispered as her eyelids closed on their own.
"You've been through a lot today as well, Setsuko." Rand muttered as he picked her up and put her to her bed. "Rest, you need it."
"We should get some rest as well." Mele yawned but Rand had heard something and he wanted to make sure what it was. "Is something the matter, Darling?"
"Not at all. Get going to bed, I'll join you soon." The crimson haired man told her as he made his way down the stairs and she complied. "What are you up to?"
"Resupplying." The Lynx replied simply as he finished loading the last flash rocket into the Flicker weapon on the shoulders of his NEXT. "And now that it's over, going to get some sleep." He yawned.
"I see." Rand sighed, feeling a bit bad with himself. He had assumed Strayed was tinkering with their units while they weren't looking. "I apologize, I thought…"
"Nothing to worry about, Rand. Can I call you Rand?" The man nodded in reply to the Lynx's question. "I'm a stranger, even if I saved your lives. I understand having a few issues about leaving your units in my basement, where I am, coincidentally, sleeping today of all places."
"True story." Rand chuckled as he eyed the teen's unit with his expert eye.
"By the way, I know it's pretty late but can I ask you something?"
"Sure, fire way." The mechanic laughed.
"Why is your unit equipped with a giant wrench?" The disbelief in the Lynx's voice was thick like brick.
"I'm a mechanic, even on the battlefield." He replied simply with a shrug, it wasn't the first time he had been asked that question. "Now, will you answer a question as well?" Hawk nodded in reply. "Why is your machine so freaking huge?"
"To house the engine that powers all the systems and weapons." The other mercenary explained in the same tone he had used.
"That makes sense… I guess." Rand muttered, not taking his eyes off the Sky Ruler until he determined he was just too sleepy to analyze it correctly. "Well, see you tomorrow, Strayed… or Hawk as Setsuko called you."
"That's my real name, Hawk Magnus." He replied with a dismissive wave of his hand as he walked towards his resting place for the night. "Have a good night."
"You too." Rand smiled genuinely as the Lynx yawned again as he approached the couch he was going to sleep on. "We really lucked out on our rescuer." He muttered to himself as he entered the room, finding Mele already asleep and smiling at that.
Meanwhile, in Lelouch's room, the exiled Prince finished the last details of a request through the phone and hung up. He had Geassed the man a few days back, when he had provided Hawk with ammunition, into granting his requests. He had made it plural so as to be able to use the command repeated times, he had come up with it after realizing that his orders lasted for quite a long time, and possibly forever. His request this once was fairly simple, a new headquarters for his little organization, he had nearly double the men and over a dozen Frames to hide and maintain now. Ohgi's place was simply not equipped to handle all that, so they'd lend it to the Yamato Alliance while they used the new ones.
Then there was Hawk's last message, he had secured the Glory Star team after breaking off the fight with the two new Frames. Well, the remains actually, but it was enough nonetheless. The three surviving mercenaries and the teenager aiding them were for now residing with him, although he had asked for a place for them to stay but asking too many favors from his little slave in such a short amount of time would call unwanted attention so he needed the Lynx to give them a roof for the time being.
"Are you done?" C.C. asked him from the bed.
"I am." The black haired teen sighed tiredly. The day had taken a toll on him. "In three days at 1900 hours the Black Knights will see their new base of operations."
"So that's the name you chose." She chuckled humorlessly. "Fitting, I suppose."
"Of course it is." He replied with a smile. "The ones to correct the world's mistakes have always been knights, and black ones in particular could not care less about the method employed." He gave a short laugh. "I believe it fits me perfectly." Her reply came in the form of a wider smile.
Kallen was walking towards the classroom, it had been two days already since the battle of Saitama, a battle that was on everyone's mouths since the most extended rumor claimed that Zero had a flying Knightmare Frame on his side. The redhead sighed, no one except those inside the Resistance cell, which had been recently joined with the Yamato Alliance, knew about the fact that Zero was not the one that owned the Sky Ruler, that it was someone else. The military knew too, or at least suspected it.
The girl could only hope her friend would be fine. Not that she needed to worry, since he was no pushover, and also he was no longer alone in that house. Zero had apparently been unable to get a place to stay for his visitors from the other day so they were still living with him. She had spoken to them all and they seemed to be good people, although she could tell that both Setsuko and that Shinn boy had gone through something really bad recently. Speaking of which, the Lynx had seemed a bit different lately, as if worried about something that she did not know. The girl was so into her thoughts that she almost did not notice the three girls trying to talk to her until they practically yelled her name to her ear.
"Whew, about time you heard us Kallen." Milly Ashford huffed as if offended, standing in front of both Nina and Shirley who were smiling apologetically, but the mischievousness in her eyes revealed that she wasn't in the least. "What? Were you thinking about a certain heir of a noble family?"
"I wasn't thinking about Hawk!" She replied stuttering and flushing slightly
"Funny, I never gave any names." The blond student giggled at her reaction, which was to blush deep red. She still wasn't sure what she felt about the guy. He was comfortable to be with, funny at times, reminded her a bit of her brother and had taken an interest in her, or rather her abilities as a pilot. They considered each other a friend too, but she wasn't sure about anything else. "Oh, relax, we won't tell anyone that didn't hear you screaming in the middle of the hallway."
"I so want to die right now." She growled without anyone hearing her, letting her mask drop for about a second before finally recomposing herself. "W-What did you want, Madam President?"
"We wanted to invite you to come with us this Friday." Shirley explained before Milly made a mess of the situation any further. "We're going to Lake Kawaguchi to have some fun and we thought you'd like to join us."
"Grandfather said you could use some time under the sun." Milly added mirthfully while Nina nodded shyly.
"I-I'd love to, but I…" She stammered as she tried to come up with a reasonable excuse.
"No buts, President's orders. Besides, we called your mother and she said that there'd be no problem." The blond ruler of the council stated, cutting any further reply Kallen could come up with like Strayed and his NEXT through a Britannian defensive line. "We're leaving tomorrow after class and we'll be spending the whole weekend, so pack accordingly."
"Who else is coming?" The redhead sighed in defeat. Trying to deny a request from Milly when she claimed it to be an order tended to bring… unpleasant consequences... and blackmail.
"Lelouch won't leave Nunnally alone, so he's staying." Milly started with a thoughtful look. "And there's no way in hell I'm letting Rivalz come along." The rest of the girls looked away at the last bit and laughed nervously at how bluntly it was made, although they weren't truly surprised. "Which leaves us with Hawk, Rai and Suzaku, all of them really good looking if you ask me. Better snatch the one you want fast or someone will take him."
As the president made her rather scandalous statement, Shirley couldn't help but remember what had happened the other day. Lelouch had been absent due to an unknown reason and she had somehow gotten into a fight with Kallen about it because she suspected the redhead to be going after him, Milly had corrected her soon afterwards and pointed out that the one that seemingly had Kallen's attention was Hawk. Regardless of that bit, the situation had ended when Suzaku had entered the Council room and Kallen had exited it.
Then, as distressed as she was, Shirley had told Suzaku about her crush on Lelouch. The Honorary Britannian, after listening intently, had suggested he asked Lelouch on her behalf, discreetly of course, and proceeded to make the dreadful phone call. In a show of pure nervousness, she had snatched said phone away and they had begun trying to get it back from one another until they tripped and fell in a rather… embarrassing position. It was the first time she had seen a boy so close up and although the embarrassment had faded the moment Arthur, the cat, had bitten Suzaku's hand for whatever reason, she just couldn't get it out of her head.
"I'll go tell Suzaku then." The orangette said out loud.
"Alright then, Nina and I will take care of finding Rai." Milly smiled in reply and then set her eyes, full of mischief, on Kallen. "Kallen, can you ask Hawk for us?"
"Ah… Sure."
"Very well then." Milly beamed, looking ready to hug her. "We'll meet on the school grounds in an hour and see which one can come."
"And if they can't?" Nina asked in a low voice.
"Then it'll be only us girls." The President replied matter-of-factly. "And we'll be able to talk all we want about the boys we like and how to snatch them for ourselves."
'Why do I have a feeling that this trip just won't end well?' Kallen thought to herself as she nodded and walked away, looking for the Lynx posing as a student. It took her around a quarter of an hour to find the brown haired teen. "There you are, Hawk."
"Kallen." The mercenary greeted her from the bench he was sitting while working on a laptop. "Is there something you wanted?"
"I'm here on behalf of Milly." The redhead explained. "She's planning a little trip to Lake Kawaguchi on the weekend and wanted to know if you wanted to go as well."
"I'd love to but I can't just leave those four in the house, besides, you know I have a job to do that day." The Lynx replied with an apologetic smile. "Tell them I'm really sorry." She nodded in reply. "Are you going on that trip?"
"Yeah. I know we had an appointment with him but my stepmother… I mean, Miss Stadfelt already said yes to Milly so I kind of don't have any choice on the matter." She told him, looking a bit down.
"Don't worry about it and have some fun." He replied with a smile. "We can take care of things on our own from time to time."
"Yeah, I'm sure you can." She smiled back at him, a bit relieved somehow. "Well, then. I'll go find the others and see what we'll do."
"See you." Hawk replied as she walked away. 'I wish I could go, but I need to introduce Setsuko and the others to Zero face to face, and tomorrow's the appointed day.'
The group of girls met soon after, all of them having finished earlier than expected and soon shared the information. The conclusion was rather simple. None of the boys were available, all of them had to go to work. Even Rivalz, although Milly soon waved that away in dismissal.
"Then it's decided!" The Student Council President cheered. "All-girls weekend, here we go!" The girls in question merely laughed nervously at her antics.
Hawk got home late that day, and was soon greeted by both Shinn and Setsuko, who were in the living room. The two seemed to have recovered from the experiences in Saitama thanks to one another and bonded quite nicely, almost like a fraternal bond. The Lynx greeted them back as he left his bag by the door.
"Rand's down in the basement again?" Hawk asked as he looked around for the married couple of mechanics.
"He came back a while ago and said he was going to paint Shinn's Glasgow." Setsuko explained. "Tomorrow's the day, isn't it?"
"Yeah, tomorrow you meet Zero." The other mercenary replied. "Have you finally decided what you'll be doing, Shinn?"
"I'll keep fighting for now." The black haired boy replied with a grim but determined look on his face. "Until I've settled my debts."
"I won't tell you something like vengeance is meaningless and all that…" The Lynx started, locking eyes with the red eyed boy, who was for a moment replaced by an image of himself when he was younger and lost his family and almost everyone he cared about at the time. "But I have kind of taken a liking to you, so I'll make sure you come out of this alive and are capable to pay those debts." He then sighed. "Meet me in the basement in about an hour, that's all it should take for what I have been making."
And with that, he left the two there and walked down the stairs and standing face to face with the now blue and grey colored Glasgow and a proud looking Rand and Mele, who smiled at him when they noticed his presence.
"What do you think?" Rand motioned enthusiastically at his work. "Fits better than all that black, doesn't it?"
"Agreed." The Lynx smiled at them both. "Can you install this in your Frames' computer?" He asked, throwing a small USB drive at Mele.
"What's this?" The small pink haired woman looked at the device curiously.
"You'll know in an hour. Please install it." Hawk replied with an enigmatic smile. "And don't worry, it's perfectly compatible with the system you're using."
"Ah, well." Rand sighed, dropping the defensive glare he had been sending at the Lynx. "If you wanted to do something bad to our units, you could have done it already and without informing us." He shrugged as he snatched the USB from Mele and entered their Custom Glasgow followed by the now pouting girl. "I'll get it done."
"I still want to know what it is…" Mele pouted and looked at the brown haired boy in pleading.
"Just a gift from a mercenary to another." The Lynx explained dismissively, although he smiled at her. "As I said, you'll find out in an hour."
Lelouch was, in the meantime, finishing the details of the meeting with both Ohgi and Yamato. Once he had taken care of everything, the black haired teen let out an exhausted sigh. Leading a group was tiring and he needed even more people if he wanted his plans for Britannia's destruction to become reality. To create a world where Nunnally could be happy, he had to raise an army. Easy to say, yet hard to accomplish.
"No matter how hard I try, we're still too small to accomplish anything. I need a means to gather followers." He mused out loud, deep in thought. "Simply going around and looking for people is just too troublesome, not to mention ineffective, so I need another way. A way to gather attention and announce the recruitment to the world."
"And going out on TV is out of the question, right?" C.C. asked him in her usual monotone. Although she had been showing more emotions with each passing day. "Admit it, you need help in preparing this stage."
"And how am I going to do that?" Lelouch asked with a raised eyebrow. "I'll think about this tomorrow, after the meeting with the Glory Stars and once everyone has settled down in the new headquarters."
"Come to think of it, aren't some of your friends going on a trip tomorrow?" C.C. asked as she stretched on the bed.
"Yeah, Kallen is going too so she won't be there with us tomorrow."
Kallen had to admit that it wasn't as bad as it could have been. So far, she was having a pretty fun time with Milly and the others, and they had recently been joined by that pink haired girl she and Hawk had met along with Suzaku in the Ghetto the day the Honorary Britannian and Rai had kicked Tamaki and a couple guys from the resistance around.
"I hadn't expected to find an acquaintance of yours here, Kallen. But the more the merrier." Milly said as they talked.
"I agree wholeheartedly." Euphy smiled kindly at them all. "Ah, I forgot. This is my guardian, Nonnette."
"It's a pleasure to meet you." The green haired woman gave a small bow, like a servant or a bodyguard would, before she and her charge took a seat by the group of girls. "You're Millicenta Ashford, of the Ashford family, right?"
"It seems I have been discovered." The blond girl sighed dejectedly. "And you would be?"
"Just a curious woman." She replied with a smile. "Like you."
"Well, now that that's settled…" Milly started after returning the smile. "And since we're still all-girls, let's start talking about the boys we like in school." While the rest of the girls blushed heavily at Milly's imminent interrogation, the disguised Knight of Nine allowed herself to enjoy the moment. She hadn't expected this development in the least, but this trip was going to be fun after all if Euphimia's face was anything to go by.
A couple hours and a few xenophobic incidents later, because of Nina's inherent fear of Elevens, Lake Kawaguchi was finally in sight. The pristine waters welcoming the group of girls as they looked out the window. They all gathered their bags and set towards the hotel, which turned out to be the same for both groups. Not even five minutes had passed since they crossed the doors that it happened.
It started with one soldier and then more and more of them. JLF soldiers, dressed in their usual greyish green military uniforms and armed with different weapons ranging from rifles to machineguns and even one bazooka.
"Alright, those hands up in the air. Now!" A bearded man carrying a Japanese Katana shouted. "Each and every one of you, Britannian dogs and bitches alike, are hostages now. Behave quietly and no harm will come to you, show any sign of hostility and you'll be swiftly dealt with."
'Dammit, what a bad timing.' Nonnette cursed in her mind as she did as told, knowing that this many enemies were too much for her to get Euphimia to safety unharmed. 'They must have come here for the conference on Sakuradite rights and uses, and now we're trapped along with the representatives.'
Lelouch, in his Zero guise, sat comfortably on one of the purple couches inside the massive, two story truck he had acquired, waiting patiently for the core members of the Resistance and the Yamato Alliance to appear. He didn't have to wait too long, since, as if on cue, there were a series of knocks on the door. Recognizing the password he had given, he unlocked it remotely.
"So we're joining you after all, you think we're good enough for that?" Ohgi asked the moment everyone was inside, admiring their new headquarters.
"Of course, we're comrades now." The masked man replied in a solemn tone.
"Not to be rude to my host, but how did you come across this?" Yamato asked as Tamaki was gaping all over the truck, taking in every detail.
"I have a few likeminded noblemen I can call upon." Zero explained dismissively, although everyone noticed a hint of amusement in his voice. "One of them offered it, no strings attached."
"Wait! He just up and gave it to you?!" Tamaki was dumbfounded at that, and the rest of the people in there weren't far behind.
"Now then, I know Ohgi does approve of joining me." Zero started, standing up to his full height. "What does the Yamato Alliance have to say on the matter?"
"We will never be able to repay you for what you did in Saitama." Yamato bowed politely, showing his gratitude and respect towards Zero. "The Yamato Alliance has decided that if you want us to fight alongside you, we'll join you unconditionally."
"I'm grateful for that." Zero walked towards them, letting the cape cover his purple suit and extending a hand at the two leaders. They both shook it in order, sealing their alliance. "Once Strayed brings the Glory Stars, we'll…" The news from the TV cut the masked man off, one of the Resistance's members had turned it on.
"The hoteljackers have identified themselves as the Japan Liberation Front terrorist group." The newswoman explained. "They invaded the Lake Kawaguchi Convention Center Hotel not even half an hour ago and took all the representatives and several tourists hostage." The image soon changed to that of a dark storage room just as the door opened in the truck, but no one paid attention to Hawk's arrival, nor at the people accompanying him. "This footage was taken by the perpetrators. In it we can see Chairman James and the lead Scientist of Camelot, Lord Aim Liared, as well as a few of the students that got caught up in the mess."
The image did show the aforementioned men alright, but to some of the people in the truck, those guys took a back seat when they spotted rather familiar faces. The students in the footage were none other than Shirley, Milly, Nina and Kallen. The pink haired girl that Hawk had met in the Ghetto a few days ago was also there.
'Euphy?' Lelouch wondered in his mind, shocked to see his half-sister among the hostages. 'They must have mistaken her for a commoner, but there's no doubt about it. It's her. They've also got Kallen, and from what Hawk has told me, she's someone I cannot allow myself to lose yet.'
"I apologize for interrupting." Setsuko coughed a bit, gaining Zero's attention. "It would seem there is something troubling you."
"I have a few issues with this hostages they've taken." Zero stated simply, not letting his distress be shown. "As well as the motives I suspect they have."
"Anyone care to tell me what we're going to do about Kallen?" Hawk asked, interrupting the conversation. A deep frown on his face as he glared at the screen so hard that many expected it to explode from the intensity of the glare.
"All we can do is wait until Britannia accepts the JLF's conditions." Ohgi sighed, worried. "They're the largest resistance group in existence, they wouldn't listen to us even if we tried to talk to them."
"It seems there is a development!" The newswoman got their attention back to the TV. "They're dragging a man onto the roof… they're…" The poor woman could not continue as the man in question was pushed over the edge of the building and fell down to his doom.
"Barbaric." Lelouch seethed under his breath, few noticed it but Setsuko and Rand took careful note of that action. "Where are you going, Strayed?"
"It should be obvious, right?" The lynx asked back from the door, his tone cold.
"Be sure to announce our arrival when you're done, we'll be going there shortly." Lelouch replied, knowing exactly what the mercenary was about to do and being fully aware that stopping him was impossible.
"Since our demands have been ignored, we'll keep throwing a hostage down from the roof every fifteen minutes until negotiations are established in good faith." Lieutenant Colonel Kusakabe, leader of the group that took over the hotel, stated in a brief communicate to the Britannian forces.
"I thought we were the good guys…" Shinn muttered to no one in particular, glaring at the screen. "This… I just can't believe we Japanese are falling so low."
"Ohgi, Yamato. Do me a favor and start handing what's in those boxes to everyone." Zero commanded casually and the two leaders nodded. "Lieutenant Setsuko Ohara, would you please accompany me upstairs?"
"Our contract can wait until this situation is solved." She stated with a look of determination. "Consider it a test to see if you are as good as Strayed says."
"Very well." The masked man chuckled in reply. "Then, I trust you'll be joining in this operation?"
"We will." Rand replied for her.
"By the way, where exactly did Hawk go?" Mele asked curiously.
"He's got a bit of a hero complex, I'm afraid." Zero explained, looking at her. "He's probably on the way to Kawaguchi now, pushing the Sky Ruler to the limit."
"Just yesterday he was almost jumping happily about having brought some Over-Whatever back online." Rand mused with a hand on his chin. "Any idea what that is?"
"A means to get to Kawaguchi fast enough to actually make a difference." Zero replied cryptically, although he was smirking under the helmet. With the Over-Boost back online, Hawk might be able to make it in time to stop the next hostage to be thrown. "If you have any questions about Strayed's NEXT and the technology related to it I suggest asking him." He added, predicting Rand's next question just as the man opened his mouth. "Although you should gain his trust first."
"Is this what you wanted us to distribute, Zero?" Yamato asked as he and Ohgi came back with the boxes in question.
"I'll admit it looks cool, but we're just a resistance group so…" Ohgi added but was stopped by the masked man's raised hand.
"Wrong." The word, once more, caught everyone's attention. "We're not a resistance group, Ohgi. That is not what we are in the least." Zero looked around at the gaping faces surrounding him and cupped his hand, posing for impact as he answered the silent question. "What we are… no, what we'll strive to be, are Knights for Justice." He then added in a commanding tone. "Now gear up, we have work to do."
'This is bad.' Kallen thought to herself as she considered her situation. 'I can't just up and tell these guys I'm from a resistance cell, not in front of them.' She glanced at the terrified Nina, who seemed close to having a nervous breakdown. 'And time is almost up for the next hostage to be thrown. I can't believe the JLF would resort to that sort of thing!'
"An Eleven…" Nina squeaked in fear when one of the JLF soldiers came too close for comfort, and all hell broke loose.
"We're not Elevens, we're Japanese!" The soldier in question shouted, pointing his gun at the black haired girl.
"Looks like she needs a little reeducation." Another added with a dangerous glint in his eyes.
"Alright, we'll take care of it, now leave her alone!" Milly embraced her friend protectively and Shirley managed to gather enough courage to glare at the two Japanese soldiers. Kallen did the same thing, despite her intention to keep appearances.
"It seems all of you are in need of that." A third soldier chuckled. "Take them away, we have a lesson to teach."
"Stop at once!" A female voice commanded with authority. "I, Euphimia Li Britannia, will not tolerate this behavior."
"Your Highness!" Nonnette seethed, although deep down she approved of her actions she knew this would cause more trouble than it was worth.
"So we have a Princess among the hostages, that changes things, doesn't it?" One of the three soldiers muttered as they focused their attention on her. "Lock her separately, I'm sure Lieutenant Colonel Kusakabe will like a word with her soon."
The other two soldiers carried Euphimia away. The pink haired Princess spared a glance at the four teenager she had befriended today, a sad one. She was genuinely surprised when Kallen muttered a thank you her way and managed to smile a bit. She continued walking, but with the dignity of a Princess apparent in each of her steps.
"That doesn't mean you are exempt from punishment." The remaining guard said as two more JLF soldiers came in, the ones in charge of picking who to throw out of the roof. The guard whispered something in their ear and the four Ashford Academy students shivered at the sinister grins in the faces of the three men.
"You, the redhead." One of them pointed. "You're our lucky winner."
"What?!" Kallen managed to get out as she was seized and dragged out of the room despite the cries to stop from her friends.
She tried, many times once she was far enough from the room where the hostages were held, to convince the soldiers that she was one of Zero's men, but to no avail. She was either ignored or simply told to shut up. It didn't take them too long to reach the roof and she was soon standing by the edge, hands tied up and just a push away from falling to her death.
"This can't be happening." She muttered in fear. "Naoto, Zero, Hawk… I'm sorry." And she was kicked in the back. In the blur of memories that followed, Kallen would recall spotting something in the distance as she fell, something black and white that approached at amazing speeds far surpassing anything she had ever seen in movement, before fainting.
She woke up somewhere cold and hard. Confused, she looked around and below, finding Lake Kawaguchi and the Hotel easily and soon identifying the place where she had landed as a giant black hand. More specifically, the Sky Ruler's hand.
"So this are the JLF's methods?!" The Lynx's voice boomed in the night through the unit's speaker and the anger in it was almost palpable. "Pathetic."
"No way…" Kusakabe was gaping at the imposing figure of the Sky Ruler, hovering in the night sky and with the moon behind it. With the Twin Sirius Cannons deployed and aimed at the room he was in. "So that's… the Black Titan the Britannians fear so much."
"Zero will come soon, he wants a meeting with you, Kusakabe." Strayed stated coldly. "For your sake, there better be no more deaths or you won't be alive to meet him. I'll personally make sure of that."
"He's threatening us?!" Kusakabe spat in disbelief, although seeing the cannons aimed at him and starting to glow bluish white seemed to convince him that listening to this guy was probably his best choice. "Fine, give me that." He pointed at a megaphone that was soon delivered to him. "Alright, accepted! We'll wait to see what Zero has to say!"
"It wasn't a request." The NEXT Pilot replied as he disengaged the Cannons and turned around, setting a course towards the coast, right where the two Lancelot units were.
"My, my." Lloyd squealed as he saw the machine approaching. "Pretty honorable for a terrorist, isn't he?"
"Should we prepare to fight?" Suzaku asked in worry as the black and white unit approached more and more.
"If he wanted to fight he'd go somewhere else, he's hailing us through our own private channel too." Rai muttered from his unit as he used the Club's camera's to zoom in on the Sky Ruler. "Suzaku, get inside the Lancelot now! Lloyd, you hide too."
"Why?" Both of them asked at the same time, one worried, the other simply bothered.
"Because he's carrying Kallen Stadfelt on his hands, you don't want our covers blown, right?" The silver haired teen replied. "We'd never hear the end of it from anyone."
"Point taken." Lloyd sighed dejectedly while Suzaku ran towards his Frame. "Cecile, better make use of the opportunity and take a few pictures or sneak in a tracer or two… I forgot we don't have any of those." He gave a silly smile before running for cover.
"This is Strayed, the Sky Ruler's pilot." The voice said over the channel just as Lloyd disappeared from sight. "I'm just leaving a rescued hostage in your care, I won't stay more than necessary."
The Sky Ruler landed soon after, kneeling and letting Kallen jump out of it hands. As precaution, the two ASEEC units had pointed their weapons at him, the VARIS Rifle and Sniper Rifle were ready to fire if Strayed tried anything. The Black Titan soon stood up once the girl had gotten far enough.
"So that's how it looks up close." Lloyd mused aloud from his hiding spot. "Awe-inspiring indeed, but as I thought, Rakshata had nothing to do with it. It's not her style or her design."
"Are you alright?!" Cecile ran towards the red haired girl the Sky Ruler had left in their care once the massive machine had taken flight again.
"I am, thank you." The girl replied weakly before jumping the gun. "When can I leave?"
"We'll arrange for transportation immediately, unless you live nearby and want to walk." A technician said as he ran for a phone. "Although her Highness Cornelia might want a word with you before you go."
"As a matter of fact, I do want a word with her." The lavender haired Princess in question said as she appeared, followed by her two trustworthy knights. Kallen's brain nearly collapsed at being in front of the Witch of Britannia. "I do not like to beat around the bush, young lady, so tell me: Has my sister been discovered?"
"She has." Kallen replied weakly, and not because she was faking, but because the woman inspired fear in her. "It was our fault, she did it to help us." She explained the situation to the current Viceroy and could see how she paled as she did. "I apologize, Your Highness. We…"
"Euphimia has always been reckless like that." Cornelia cut her off. She did not need to waste time on this girl, the ones she had to punish were the JLF bastards holding her sister, not a poor bystander that got caught up in the mess. "You can leave, miss…"
"Stadfelt." She replied out of reflex. "Kallen Stadfelt."
"Ah, yes." Cornelia recognized the name. "Your parents will be glad to know you're safe. Can you get home on your own?" She nodded in reply. "Then leave, I have matters to attend to."
Kallen needn't be told twice, she just turned around and left. Hawk had sent her a place to go on her phone before they landed so that's where she'd go meet him and the rest of the resistance, who had just received a new name from their mysterious boss. The Black Knights.
"Why did I have to go through that?" She asked the mercenary once she reached the place. Hawk hadn't even bothered to get into his pilot suit and helmet, he had merely jumped into the Sky Ruler's cockpit and engaged the Sky Ruler's Over Boost to reach Kawaguchi in a record time, going at roughly 1500 Km/h was a great way to cut distances after all.
"Because I can't just go and kidnap you from kidnappers." The Lynx replied simply. "There's a bit of a process for that, and if I had taken you with me, you could have been monitored and interrogated once the Military found out who you were."
"Alright, you have a point." She replied as a news van came up to them. "What's the situation?"
"The JLF has several linear cannons holding the only way in apart from the main entrance." Zero explained from the top of the van as it came to a halt. "They modified a few captured Glasgows into that sort of weapon."
"Blame me, I was the one that gave them the idea when I got into an argument with that Rakshata woman in a little get together the Yamato Alliance had with the JLF." Rand grumbled as he came out of the van, barely fitting inside his Black Knight uniform. "Change into that and come in, missy." He ordered, throwing a uniform at Kallen who glared at him. "Don't look at me like that and go change where no one can see you."
"That aside." Zero coughed, getting back his spotlight as Kallen hid from sight, her face flushed. "Cornelia will let us in once I have talked to her. Although there's always a chance she'll use us as a distraction to send the two experimental Frames Strayed should have destroyed in Saitama to face the cannons and open a way for them." Despite Lelouch's face being hidden by the helmet, Hawk could clearly feel the exiled Prince's glare. He hadn't really liked that he had let the Lancelots go with just minor damage after revealing the Sky Ruler's ability to fly, it wasn't a good trade. "If it comes to that, the Sky Ruler will support that assault, our plan and theirs need those weapons to go down regardless."
"Understood, Zero." Strayed replied simply as Kallen came out of the bushes clad in Black Knight uniform.
"The rest of us will proceed as planned." The masked man continued after acknowledging the Lynx's reply. "Kallen, have Ohgi fill you in on what you need to do."
"Got it." She got into the front of the van, alongside both Ohgi and Yamato.
"We're the Black Knights." Zero started, and Strayed easily recognized where his boss had gotten the inspiration for what he was about to say as he hopped into his NEXT's cockpit. "The ones that will stand in judgment of the world. And this is our Grand Entrance, let's put on a show, Gentlemen."
Despite their leader's words, several of them didn't have as much faith on what they were doing, and Setsuko noticed it in their nervous whispers. She, on the other hand, had to admit that their plan, while risky, had a good chance of working out just fine. The brown haired girl glanced at Shinn, who was standing by her side with a focused look in his eyes. The boy seemed to notice, because he locked eyes with her and they shared a brief moment of silent understanding.
"We'll be fine." The boy said out loud. "It's not like this is Zero's craziest plan that works out."
"Kid's right." Tamaki admitted, changing opinion for the fifth time in ten minutes, but everyone was used to that already. "And even if something does go wrong, I'll do something about it."
"The day you have to solve our problems will be day we all die." Rand stated simply as he reclined against one of the van's walls. "But still, Shinn's right. We've seen him do some really crazy stuff that turned out for the best."
"Says the guy that goes into battle with a giant wrench." Tamaki grumbled, getting bumped in the head by Mele for it.
"Don't mock My Darling." She seethed in a menacing tone that scared Tamaki to no end.
"Stop right there, Zero!" Cornelia's voice was heard outside. She was inside her Gloucester and flanked by her men, all of them inside their units.
"Let us pass, Cornelia." Zero replied as the Princess came out of her cockpit to face him. "We have an appointment with Kusakabe."
"And let you join him?!" She asked in a half-mocking, half-angry tone. "Besides, this is where I take revenge for Clovis."
"Which one would you choose?" The masked man asked, unfazed by her pointing a shotgun at him almost in front of his face. A bit closer and he could smell the gunpowder in the weapon. "Clovis, who's mere remains and has already been buried. Or Euphimia, who is alive and trapped in that building?"
"You…" She seethed angrily. "Are you threatening me, Zero?"
"On the contrary." He replied, a hint of amusement in his voice as he pointed his finger at her. "It's within my power to save your sister. Let me pass, and I give you my word that she will be delivered to you along with all of the hostages, alive and unharmed." Seeing that Cornelia was still doubting he added. "Consider it a thank you for leaving the Saitama Ghetto untouched once our little duel was over the other day."
"Very well." She relented at that. He was right, she had behaved honorably and he was seemingly repaying the favor. Of course, he was playing it so it would serve him as well but that was far more than what the usual terrorist leader would do. "All forces, let Zero pass!"
"I thank you, Viceroy." Zero said as he passed by her side. "Strayed will be helping with your strategy in the tunnels. Please, avoid shooting him in the back, his anger is something even I fear to face."
Cornelia's face was shocked at how this man had read her intentions like an open book and planned accordingly. Still, collaborating with him seemed like the best choice. She wouldn't be condoning terrorism but competing, they'd be racing to see which plan would come to fruition first, hers or Zero's. And that was something she could allow herself to do, even if it churned her stomach.
"As much as I hate to admit it, we need all the help we can get." She grumbled as she made up her mind. One or two of those Linear cannons would have been no trouble for the ASEEC units, but there were seven of those things down there according to the data, and the tunnel was longer than they had expected it to be. "Send word to the ASEEC to prepare the Lancelots for the operation. Also, inform them that the Black Titan will be aiding in the assault!"
"What?!" Guilford was aghast at her orders. "But, Your Highness…!"
"Guilford, I know what I am doing." She cut him off. "Don't think of this as cooperation, it's a race between us and Zero, to see whose plan is realized first."
"Understood." Darlton replied before relaying the orders to the ASEEC post.
"Once that pillar is down, we'll move in to rescue the civilians. If you find any of Zero's men, shoot them as well." Cornelia commanded. "Sir Asakim, you're in charge of sweeping the upper floor of terrorists, Guilford will take the lower floors and rescue the hostages."
"Gladly." The black haired man replied from his Sutherland. 'I know you're with Zero now, Setsuko. Whether I take you back today or not is of no consequence. We'll meet again and again, until you're back in my hands. You cannot escape me.'
"Thank you for such a lovely order!" Lloyd squealed happily as he closed the communication line. "Alright boys, get ready to rumble."
"What?" Cecile asked in surprise. "What did they say?"
"The Lancelot units are to enter the tunnel and deal with the linear cannons." The white haired scientist explained with a feline smile. "Apparently, we'll…"
"Be supported by me." Strayed's voice finished from the Private Channel of the ASEEC. "No hard feelings, I hope."
"Apart from breaking my machines, not much." Lloyd told the helmeted man in his screen, who seemed to flinch when he saw him. "Although I must thank you too, you have given me the solution to a problem I've been having for a while, so I suppose we're even."
"I don't know whether to be happy or sad about that." Strayed replied, glad that he had taken the time to put on his suit and helmet before going in. Lloyd being a military scientist was something he hadn't expected. 'Next thing you'll tell me is that Rai and Suzaku pilot those things.' He joked in his mind. 'They're in the engineering corps as apprentices, so I doubt it. Maybe I should ask Lloyd about Knightmare mechanics discreetly, say it's for a project. I'm sure he can point me in a better direction than Rand.'
"Do you know the plan?" Lloyd asked, taking him back to the matter at hand.
"We're entering the supply tunnel through the opening by your side." The Lynx replied in monotone. "We have to slice through the enemy and blow up the main pillar. From that point onwards, yours and my boss' plan differ." He paused for a moment before adding. "I also know we're little more than decoys wherever Princess Cornelia's plan is concerned."
"Well then, shall we begin?" The enthusiastic scientist suggested as he made quick modifications so that Suzaku and Rai could only send sound through their communications at the Sky Ruler, that way he avoided them being recognized and possibly assassinated in the future. If that pilot was concealing his identity, his pilots would too.
"Suzaku, we both have questions for him but save them until we're done with this." Rai said through the close range private channel to avoid being heard by Strayed. Their units were side to side so reaching the Lancelot wasn't hard.
"Understood." The Honorary Britannian replied, gripping the Lancelot's controls to calm himself. Shirley and the others were in there, they were hostages, and he had to rescue them. Questioning Strayed could wait.
"Calm down, partner." Rai told him, trying to lift his spirits. "I'm worried too, you know. Euphy's in there as well."
"Yeah, we have to save her too." The pink haired Princess had been extremely kind to both him and Rai, they owed her their lives and Rai probably considered her a really close friend, seeing that the two spent a lot of time together whenever she visited the ASEEC when she had free time.
The Lancelot and then the Club were dropped into the hole, landing softly and getting ready to speed towards the first enemy, which was roughly eight hundred meters ahead. The Sky Ruler lowered itself through its boosters and landed behind them, like a menacing big brother protecting his siblings.
"Mind if I take command of the operation?" The mercenary asked over the line. "I've dealt with situations like this already."
"What do you suggest we do then?" Rai asked out of curiosity.
"I'll take care of the first one. You two use the explosion as cover and dash for the second one." Strayed instructed as he weighed the situation. "Once that's over I'll take front and act as distraction."
"The Blaze Luminous can take those blasts, they're similar to a Chaos Mine and we already stopped that." Suzaku replied.
"I know, but my Cannons can take them out in one shot and I barely need time to aim. The other three will be one for each and then that pillar goes to whoever fires first." Strayed countered, shutting Suzaku up. "Deal?"
"I have no better strategy." Rai admitted with a sigh as Suzaku grunted in agreement. "We'll go with yours."
"Mission Start. All units, launch!" Cecile ordered.
"Reminds me of Kasumi." Hawk mused as they all did as told and started moving forward.
The first of the massive Raikou Linear Cannons the JLF had installed through the tunnel was surprised by a flash of white in the distance and soon vaporized by it before the people inside even noticed what was going on. The people in the second one panicked and activated the long range radars and scopes, detecting the two blurs in movement that approached their position. One silver and blue, the other white and gold.
"Another attack!" One of them reported to his companions. "They got through unit one before we detected them!"
"Charging Electromagnetic Shrapnel Cannon." The man in charge of unit two stated as he locked onto the two closing in Frames. "Those are no Sutherlands or Gloucesters, but no matter. The Raikou will take care of them. FIRE!"
Both Lancelot Units activated their Blaze Luminous, and withstood the assault with relative ease, not slowing down for even a second in their charge towards the Linear Cannon in their way. Rai took aim with the Sniper Rifle and fired a second later, the round entering the cannon and making the Shrapnel bomb charged inside it explode, taking the second Raikou with it in a burst of fire.
"Nice aim." Strayed whistled in admiration as he sped past them, Over Boost active and Sirius Cannons deployed. By the time the third and fourth Raikou units, standing side by side, had seen him coming, they were nothing but smoking wrecks engulfed in the Hi-Laser vortex of the Sky Ruler's twin blast. "And three to go."
'What was that speed?' Suzaku wondered as they caught up to the massive machine, who had stopped in place to wait for them. 'It's always moved fast but this was over five times the usual speed it shows.'
'Another thing that defies all reason that the Sky Ruler seems to possess.' Rai thought to himself. As they moved forward towards the last weapons 'Where did he come from? Why is he siding with Zero? How did Strayed come by that technology that is years ahead of Britannia's own?'
"Those guys are completely ignoring the whole decoy business and going for the kill!" Lloyd shouted in glee as the explosions were heard, and felt, outside.
"I hate you, Lloyd!" Cécile shouted back at him as they took cover from the rubble falling around due to the shockwaves.
Meanwhile, Zero had been led by the JLF soldiers towards the room Kusakabe was using. The Lieutenant Colonel had all but forgotten about Euphimia being found among the hostages after the Sky Ruler's and the Zero's appearance, although he had recently remembered and asked that she was brought to him immediately. He'd deal with her after he had met, and judged, Zero.
"So you're the infamous masked man that killed Clovis." Kusakabe smirked as the man in question stood in front of him and his men. His cape surrounding his body as if he was some sort of vampire and the Lieutenant Colonel's face reflecting on his mask. "You're… squishier than rumors say."
"Everything tends to be exaggerated wherever rumors are concerned." Zero replied dismissively. "You yourself are far shorter than I had heard."
"Why you…" Kusakabe stood up, failing to stand taller than the man in front of him and sitting back down to avoid the embarrassment. "Speaking of rumors, there's one that interests me greatly about you that I'd like confirmed."
"As long as you answer a couple questions of mine first." The masked man stated in reply.
"Fair enough." Kusakabe allowed himself to smirk. "What are those questions?"
"The first one is rather simple. Would you join me?"
"The JLF, the Pride of the Japanese people, join you after you just popped out of nowhere?!" Kusakabe laughed at the mere thought of it. "No way in hell. Especially when dealing with a man that does not trust us with his face." He glared at the mask. "Take that out, it's disrespectful."
"Once you have answered my second question I'll comply with your requests." Zero replied, not moving a finger as he mentally counted the time. He just needed two more minutes for the rest of the Black Knights to plant the bombs and rescue the hostages. Strayed was making progress if the explosions he had seen take place outside were anything to go by. "What do you seek to accomplish with these actions you have taken?"
"Gaining attention." Kusakabe replied with a grin. "With this act, I'm showing the whole world that the Japanese are not dead and buried yet."
"How pathetic." Zero spat in reply. "You people are so obsolete it hurts my eyes. There's no salvation for you."
"What is that supposed to mean, Zero?" Kusakabe asked, slowly unsheathing his Katana despite still being seated.
"I have brought Princess Euphimia as ordered." A voice said outside, taking their attention for a second.
Kusakabe stood up fast and dashed at Zero after that was heard. There was no need to listen to him anymore and he had disrespected him. They'd discover if he was not Japanese once he had cut that mask in half anyway. What neither he nor any of his subordinates present were expecting was the small squared hole that opened in the mask, revealing a purple eye with a strange looking pupil.
"Die." Lelouch commanded simply, not needing any grandiloquent speeches or commands in this situation, and none of the people in front of him could resist the order.
"What the hell… argh?!" a soldier opened the door and the masked man shot him swiftly, making him drop his weapon.
"Kusakabe and the others committed suicide when they realized the foolishness of their actions." Zero explained, taking a good look at Euphimia. "Now leave, I have something to talk about with Princess Euphimia as well."
"Do as Zero says or there will be consequences." Setsuko commanded from the outside, where she, Rand, Mele and Shinn had their weapons trained on the JLF soldiers.
"Why you bastards." One of the soldiers cursed as he dropped his weapon.
"Zero, we're done." Shinn informed as they tied up the captured soldiers.
"Proceed with phase two, take the JLF soldiers as well." The masked man commanded from the inside. "We have about a minute left, tell Ohgi and Yamato to speed things up. Now go!"
"Understood." Setsuko replied.
"If you guys want to stay alive, better get running towards the basement." Rand told the JLF soldiers, who looked at him skeptically before obeying, even the wounded one was running at a fair speed.
"See you, Zero." Mele shouted cheerfully as they left running as well.
"Now then, Euphimia." The masked man turned his attention towards the girl in front of him. She was putting a strong face but was also afraid. "As usual, you'd sacrifice yourself for other people. That much hasn't changed." He chuckled humorlessly. "I heard you've become sub-viceroy, your Highness. I suppose congratulations are in order."
"It's not a position I'm happy to have." Euphimia replied with a glare. "Because…"
"Because you obtained it due to my killing Clovis." Zero finished for her. "How amusing it was, he begged pathetically for his life with the same tongue that ordered the deaths of thousands of Japanese, many of them innocent and simple bystanders."
"Is that why you killed him?" The pink haired girl's eyes would have vaporized him if looks had that ability. "Did you kill my brother to take revenge for them?"
"Not entirely." The masked man admitted much to her surprise. "While that played a big part in my actions, there was one reason that stands above the others." He paused for effect. "Clovis was an offspring of the Emperor." He then seemed to blink for a moment, as if recalling an important fact. "And I find myself remembering…, that you are as well." He pointed his gun at her but soon lowered it and hid it again. "However, I promised Cornelia that I'd deliver you safe and sound today. And I am a man of my word."
"Zero. Ready when you are." Strayed reached him over their private communication line and Lelouch smirked under the mask.
"Looks like our escape will happen soon." He stated out loud, catching Euphimia by surprise. "Come with me, Your Highness." When she hesitated he added. "No harm will come to you, I promise on my name."
"A fake name." She pointed out, not taking a step forward.
"It'll have to do." Zero countered as he offered his gloved hand.
Meanwhile, the three machines moved onward towards the JLF's last line of defense and the terrorists were readying the full power of the Raikous to counter them. Even if the three remaining cannons went up in flames, they'd defend the position to their last breath. They were unaware of what was going on in the building or else they would have tried to flee already.
"I take center." Strayed stated as they moved. "You take the sides."
"Got it." Both Lancelot pilots replied, knowing that this was the last enemy they needed to surpass in order to save their friends.
"Fire at once!" The commander of the Raikou platoon ordered. "The three shots together. Our lives are meaningless if we can't put them on the line for our land. Long Live Japan!"
The three Shrapnel bombs flew out of the cannons, which would never fire again due to the internal damage the full energy output caused them. Strayed deployed the Sirius cannons on his NEXT's back and blasted the enemy attack en route just as the Lancelot and the Club activated the VARIS rounds. The three units fired again, this time at once. A shining ball of blue swirling energy, a powerful vortex of white Hi-Laser power and a spiraling red beam soared through the tunnel and impacted on a cannon each.
The combined explosion of the three Raikous blasted a hole on the tunnel's ceiling that they used to shoot out into the night sky and get a clear view of the main pillar holding the hotel in place. Taking aim once more as they switched the weapons to normal and Strayed changed the cannons for the rifles, both Knightmares and the NEXT supporting them fired at once. The rifle rounds from their weapons tearing through the pillar in a matter of six shots.
"The stage is yours, Zero." Strayed muttered as he prepared to move towards the building, more specifically the window Zero was about to jump from along with Euphimia.
"Wait until the explosions are set off." Zero commanded, making him stop. "Use the smoke as cover and deliver Euphimia onto the boats, then we'll take the stage as planned."
"Got it."
"Wait a minute, isn't that…?!" Suzaku and Rai's cameras focused in on the window where Zero was holding the pink haired Princess by the hand just as the masked man pressed the detonator he had in the other.
Multiple explosions surrounded and destroyed the sinking building long before Asakim or any of the Britannian troops made it in. The Sky Ruler flew into the smoke just as every witness, both on the scene or watching from a TV screamed the name of a known person that got caught up in this. Hopelessness invaded the hearts of many as the rubble fell into the lake and the remnants of the once proud standing hotel were seen. No trace of the NEXT that had gone in anywhere.
"They're both fine." Cécile sighed in relief as they saw the two Lancelot units standing in front of the rubble in one piece. Both pilots had jumped forward in an attempt to do something, anything, to help, but to no avail.
"No way…" Suzaku cried inside the cockpit as he repeatedly banged his fist against one of the walls. "I failed again… I failed!"
"Euphimia… Shirley… Milly… Nina…" Rai was in a state of shock as tears ran down his face. "What am I going to tell the others? How am I going to face Princess Cornelia or any of the Student Council members after this?!"
In the news center established by Diethard Ried, the dirty blond reporter was trying as best he could to get a signal from the news van Zero had stolen from them. They had absolutely no idea how that had happened, not even the people inside the van had known about it until they realized they were not inside their transport.
"The only reason for Zero to have taken that is because he wants to show us something." Diethard told his more than reluctant subordinates. "So keep trying to get that damn signal and stop complaining."
"We've got it." One of them yelled as the image stabilized, showing Zero's mask in all of its glory.
"Dear citizens, relax." He started reassuringly as the image switched between the many boats surrounding the yacht he was on. "None of your loved ones are dead. I, Zero, return each and every one of them unharmed. And I deeply regret the death of the first hostage, I was too late to react." He added with a small bow of repentance.
"Of all the dirty lies you could spew…" Cornelia seethed, although she was inwardly relieved to see Euphimia unharmed in one of the boats the broadcast showed. "If we tried to take you in now, you'd take these people hostage as well to protect yourself!"
"They're all alive, thank goodness." Suzaku cried, but this time of happiness.
"He had it all planned." Rai mused, he was happy to see no one had been harmed, but knowing that Zero had planned everything to this degree was sort of ruining the mood. "Still, I have to thank him for it."
"People! Fear us… or follow us, whichever you prefer!" Zero called out as more figures appeared at his side, all of them dressed in the same black uniform and with their faces concealed by a darkened visor. "We, are the Order of Black Knights."
"A terrorist organization taking the name of knights?" Lloyd smiled at the idea. "Amusing to say the least."
"The Order of Black Knights stands in the name of all those who are powerless, whether they are Japanese or Britannian does not matter." Lelouch continued, getting into his role in the speech he had planned. "The Japan Liberation Front, in a desperate grab for attention, resorted to taking hostages and then mercilessly executed one of them." In the JLF headquarters, Kyoshiro Tohdoh closed his eyes in regret only to snap them open soon after the next sentence. "Such actions were intolerable, which is why I sent my most powerful asset to stop them."
As Zero finished speaking, the Sky Ruler rose menacingly from under the water behind the yacht. The black and white machine hovered protectively over the boat they were using, instilling fear with its mere presence into everyone that merely gazed at it. Although one Aim Liared among the hostages was unable to take his eyes off of it, especially the engine that glowed greenish white as it kept the machine airborne.
"This is the Sky Ruler, piloted by Strayed, my Ace." Zero stated proudly, cupping his hand for emphasis. "Remember him well." Many soldiers gulped at the sight of the NEXT, not wanting to go against it ever in their lives. "Once Strayed announced my arrival, I met with Kusakabe to convince him that this was not the path to take. He refused to listen and he paid the ultimate price for his folly."
"You heard me right, I said let it run." Diethard yelled over the line to another of his subordinates. "I'll take all the responsibility, so do as I say!"
"I dealt with him the same way I dealt with Clovis, who ordered the slaughter of countless Japanese civilians and even Honorary Britannians in Shinjuku." Zero continued as the people hearing him became more and more interested in him. "We could not stand by and let these merciless acts to continue, so we put a stop to them and punished the perpetrators. I will not refuse battle on a fair and level field, but neither will I tolerate one sided massacres of the weak by the strong." He paused for effect before adding. "Remember this well, all of you. The only ones who should kill, are those who are prepared to be killed!"
"Thermidor, he's trumped you in the introduction." Strayed chuckled as he listened to Lelouch's speech. "Let's just hope he can trump you in end results as well." He added before drinking a mouthful of water.
"Wherever oppressors threaten those without means of retaliation, we will appear again." Zero continued with fervor, the speech being heard I practically every house in Area 11, whether through a television or a radio. "No matter how mighty, how formidable the enemy may be."
'Knights… for Justice…' Kallen thought to herself, admiring the idea and their leader.
'Like this, we can make right.' Shinn told himself as he listened. 'Knights for Justice… This is where I must be. I'm sorry, dad, mom, Mayu… I'll be fighting for a while, and I know you hate that.'
'I've made my decision, Zero.' Setsuko concluded in her mind. 'It will be an honor to fight alongside you.'
"Those of you with power… Fear us!" Zero flung his right arm, letting half of the cape flutter in the wind. "Those of you without it… Follow our backs!" He flung the left one, revealing the whole disguise and standing in a vampiric fashion. "We, the Black Knights, will be the ones that judge this world!"
There we go, the Black Knights have made their presence known to the world at large and they've left no one indifferent, hopefully.
Well then, I don't have much to say except that next chapter is in the works, so I'll leave you with the Sky Ruler's Schematics.
-AC Name: Sky Ruler
-Lynx: Hawk Magnus, AKA Strayed
-Body Parts
Head: EKHAZAR [Algebra Corp]
Torso: SOLUH [Eqbal]
Arms: HOGIRE [Rosenthal]
Legs: WHITE GLINT [Line Ark]
-Weapons
Right&Left Arms: 047ANNR Rifles x2 [BFF]
Backmounted: Sirius Hi-Laser Cannons [Interior Union]
Shoulders: 09-Flicker [Rayleonard]
Extra weapons: EB-O600 x2 [Omer]
-Hardware
Targetting system: INBLUE [Akvavit]
Engine: GN-LAHIRE [Omer]
Main Booster: MB11-LATONA [Interior Union]
Back Booster: BB11-LATONA [Interior Union]
A. Booster: AB-JUDITH [Omer]
Over Booster: KRB-JUDITH [Omer]
I'd like to apologize if some of the terms I've used to list the parts are not the actual ones, I'm spanish and so is my game so some of the things could have been translated differently.
Now then, that's all from me. Please review and tell me if you liked it.