The Sword And Shield of The New World.

University of Damas, Syria

Second World

Mahmud Ashraf was an honest man, and it was known in the city. He was respected so much that he had been named deputy mayor of Damas. On top of that, he was also a brilliant research professor in nuclear physics, and an exemplary father and husband.

Yet.

He broke the implicit rule.

"Give me the copies of your researches." The man said slowly after smacking the professor in the gut with his knee. This young man, one of his students, had entered Mahmud's office and closed the door shortly after. Then, he searched on his desk and burnt a hundred sheets of researches notes Pr. Ashraf did on nuclear physics. He was Japanese, and his name was Homura Shinji. Shinji had been a good student, and he showed an interest in Professor Mahmud researches.

"We have already cleared all of your computers, Professor." Shinji replied calmly. "If you have any copy, tell me now and no harm will be done to your family. I give you my word, and I always respect my words. It is my Japanese side."

The Professor took a deep breath. "You really are a ruthless boy."

"Yup." The student replied casually. "It's my Britannian side."

"Why are you against me?" Ashraf asked weakly.

Shinji raised an eyebrow. "I thought you'd have figured it out, but whatever. You broke the implicit rule by conducting researches on nuclear fission. It is too dangerous knowledge for humanity. And despite all of the warnings from the government you still continued your researches. You went too far."

The professor took time to analyze the situation and to understand the meaning of Shinji's words.

"Alright." The professor said finally. He took out a micro hard drive and gave it to his assaulter. "There is no other copy beside the ones you destroy, I swear!"

Shinji took the hard drive and burned it in front of the professor. "You chose the reasonable way, professor, I appreciate that."

Mahmud coughed, his ribs were hurting him badly, and every move was a pain. "Just… who are you?"

Shinji sighed. "You're going to die anyway so it wouldn't hurt to tell the truth. My name is Sato Kenji, I'm working for a special faction of the administration, the one that does the dirty work, you see?"

He narrowed his eyes. "Shin… No, Kenji, Someone as young as you is part of the CIA?"

"A faction of the CIA, if you prefer." Kenji conceded. "The World is filled with many secrets, and we know most of them. It is our duty to protect the population from the darkness of this World, and that implies making such missions when necessary. We, are the sword and shield of the new World, the neo-Black Knights." He added with a hint of sarcasm.

He took out a pen from his pocket, which held a hidden blade. Ashraf knew that his time had come. "I pity you. You must have a very sad life."

"I know." Kenji said. "But if we only care about ourselves, nothing will ever change for the better. This also applies to researchers." Then he pierced his blade into the professor's throat.

Kenji stood up calmly, wiped his knife with a tissue and fled the office through the window, before making sure no one saw him. He landed a level below, and got out calmly out of the university. Kenji stopped, remembering his last victim. He was an honorable man, probably one of the most respected people in the country, but he had to die. And it was Kenji that had to stab his throat.

Kenji puked. It was his first victim, and he was prepared to the eventuality that he would hesitate in killing him, which was why he took some amphetamine. At least he had the reflex to puke in one of his bags. The local police might have taken his DNA.

Kenji took out his phone. "Hi Margaret, I've bought what you asked."

"Good." Margaret, or rather Kenji's boss, Anya, replied with a neutral tone. "Go back home okay? Something happened."

Kenji raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? Something important?"

"That depends on you."

Los Angeles

Alexandra was on her apartment in the 4th district. There was nothing much interesting about this place, except for Bianca's place that was just at the next door and the multiple bars and clubs where many students went overnight. Alexandra probably went to every of them, unlike Bianca. Her friend didn't like to hang out with the other students, not like she wasn't sociable, but Alexandra felt like she was always wearing a mask, that she was always feigning to have fun in these mundane parties. When they were alone together, or with Theo, Bianca didn't wear that mask. It was during these times Alexandra could see her friend's true self, the cheerful, extraverted Bianca. Alex cherished these moments, just like she cherished the moments with her father, when everything was fine back home…

"Ohayo Alex!" A teenage girl came from her bed room, stretching her arms.

"Morning cousin." Alex said with a smile, preparing the coffee. "You and Dimitri slept well?"

"Yes." Anna replied before sitting on the kitchen table. "A shame you had to sleep on the floor."

"Oh, well." She put her hands on her back. "I'm accustomed to it, and besides, I let your parents sleep on the couch so I didn't have much choice."

A younger teen followed his sister and sat down too. "Morning." Dimitri said before allowing himself to let out a loud yawn.

Their parents were already sitting on the table, waiting for the breakfast to begin. Aunt Katerina was the sister of Alex's father, and Takeshi was Katy's husband. They were living in Japan, Katy was a Russian professor in Tokyo University and Takeshi was a retired professional car racer. They had three children, but the elder was away for his work.

"So, what are we going to do today?" Anna asked eagerly. She was like a little sister to Katy, always looking for advices, and secrets from her cousin. Anna was the only girl of the three siblings, and Alexandra was an only child. That brought them closer.

"I don't know, you could visit the Britannia Museum, or maybe go to Mao Funpark." Alex shrugged while preparing the coffee.

"Will you go with us?" Dimitri asked to his cousin.

"Nah." She replied. "I have to go to the courthouse, filling some paperwork."

"Do you know where you will be assigned?" Takeshi asked.

"Nope." Alex said honestly. "But I hope I'll stay here. Then we'll live in the same city." She brought the coffee to the table.

"Anyway, Takeshi and I are going to search for a house in the suburbs today. You two will come along." Katerina said. "A shame you left the university just when I got a job there, Alexandra."

Alexandra shrugged. "Ah, too bad."

They started eating their breakfast. "So, where do you plan to go for your last summer vacations?" Takeshi asked.

Alex took a sip of her orange juice. "I was thinking of going to Mexico, it's where Bianca will work."

Anna's face brightened. Her cousin stared at her brightly. "Oh, that's nice, you'll be together for the summer!"

Alex sighed. She really shared too much things with her cousin. Even the fact that she…

Her phone rang, snapping her thoughts. She picked it up.

"Alexandra Ivanov?"

"Yes."

She listened to her interlocutor, unprepared to what he was about to say.

Alexandra opened her mouth in shock then put her hand on her mouth.

"My…" My father…" She said weakly, tears began to dwell on her face. "My father…"

First World.

"…Is a monster."

Bianca was walking on the streets, staring at her feet with a dead glance. She read everything about History, about her father, the demon Lelouch vi Britannia, and her aunt, the massacre Princess. She saw the executions, sometimes done by their own hands, she saw the destruction, the despair, all caused by them…

'It is not true.' She said to herself. 'It is not true…'

At the same moment Bianca passed next to a TV shop where all the TV showed the information channel. There was Rudolf Ivanov, a photo of Bianca's father when he was young and a subtitle: Ivanov, The Demon's Child?

Bianca sighed. "No, I'm the freaking Demon's child."

In this freaking twisted world, her aunt Euphemia had ordered the slaughter of hundred thousands of Japanese, and her father Lelouch had ruled the World tyrannically and cruelly. It was so unlike them, their personality didn't fit at all. It had to be a lie, everything had to be a lie.

And what if it wasn't?

Bianca hit the glass of the store. "I have to know the truth."

Bogota, Maximilian Tower.

The inner circle of the White Knights was composed of fifteen people. Two decades ago, most of them gathered together under one leader, for the sole purpose of achieving their personal goals.

"I wait for your reports, gentlemen." Infinity said. "What, do you have to say?"

This mysterious leader had popped up out of nowhere, but it was said that some members of the original WK knew the identity of Infinity. Some member had made their researches, also, and none of them had proofs, but there were some elements that showed that it could be a Britannian General that fled before his trial. Manipulated by The Demon Emperor, he had been framed for most of its murders and was seeking for revenge. But, it was only a conjecture; the identity of Infinity was a mystery…

It was Andrej Novak that spoke first. "45% of the Colombian population is favorable for the Colexit. We can easily upgrade it to 49% and let the rumors than some poll institutes put the Colexit at more than 50."

"You know I trust you in manipulating the opinion, Alpha." Infinity said to his lieutenant. "Iota, you're the specialist of the Parliament, what are your prognostics?"

Ivanov cleared his throat. "70 for the motion, 77 against, and 15 undecided. Out of the 70, 59 are under our pockets."

"You do not have the majority yet." A grey haired woman said. Her name was Margaret Walker, she was the CEO of a non-governmental association that helped poor people. "Really, after all this time, Ivanov?"

"I am sure we can trust him and Alpha to change the situation in seven days, Gamma." Infinity replied. "Isn't it, Rudy?"

Rudolf nodded. "Columbia Antepasado wishes that we become independent from Britannia, but they don't want us to take the power so they'll vote against the motion. However, we can find a way to pressure them."

"They represent 12 votes." Novak added. "It is enough to change the results."

"As for the undecided deputies, and the conservatives, I'm supposed to pressure them to vote against the motion." Bornstein said.

"Same for me." William added. "I will organize the strategy of the new government."

"The Crown and the Chancellery, together, to keep one of their provinces by twisting democracy." Henderson smirked. "It will only push the undecided ones on our side."

"Count on me to make threats I can't keep." The Minister of Interior said. "The hemicycle will appreciate that the mainland is pressuring their deputies."

"The government of Bogota will defend himself pitifully, using the arguments that annoy every one of us, and despising those that seek sovereignety." William said. "Something like, 'Yes for the Union, no to the Treason.'"

"It will become too obvious that you're trying to help the other side." The only dark-haired man of the group said. He was bald and had a couple of scars on his chin. "Be careful, boy."

"You overestimate our foes, Epsilon." Infinity said. "Democrats are nothing like soldiers or generals."

Jean Epsilon was the CEO of Epsilon Corporation, a company specialized in security that hid some mercenary activities. Congolese War chief during the pre-Lelouch era, he had been fighting alongside Colonel Henderson against the EU. When Lelouch was gone for good, Benjamin had contacted him to manage the private army of the group.

"Speaking of foes." Epsilon continued, ignoring Infinity's remark. "What will be the moves of the UFN?"

The leader of the OSI spoke up. "The trio of royal ladies is fighting back, as expected. They called the BKIS to the rescue."

Andrej Nojak raised an eyebrow. "Why not the OSI?"

Henderson snorted. "They obviously don't trust them."

"They are right not to trust them." Bornstein mused.

Novak raised an eyebrow. "We don't have influence on the BKIS, isn't it?"

Everyone seemed a little bit more nervous.

"Don't worry, my friends." Infinity said calmly. "The BKIS loves procedures. When they will be able to hurt us, it will be too late."

"I'd rather be prudent." Ivanov said. "Rosenberg, are our bureaus clean?"

Lord Rosenberg was the lawyer of the BFN, and in extensor the White Knights'.

"Yes, they can search for compromising documents, they'll find nothing." The lawyer said.

"Even our bureaus in Quito, Medellin and Caracas?" Ivanov asked.

Rosenberg nodded. "They are all cleared."

"It is too late." Infinity said finally. "The unipolar World dreamt by Zero is already gone. The United Federation of Nation is a too naïve system, that doesn't take into account the realities of this World. Peace, prosperity for everyone and liberalism has caused the overpopulation and the soon-to-be struggle for resources. A global organization like the UFN avoided any possibility to resolve this problem with pragmatism, and now, the war has already started. Yes, it has already started in the wombs of mothers. Their children will grow in order to kill their neighbors for a slice of bread. We, are the White Knights! We are the Sword and Shield of the new World. We are those that will protect the Earth from the madness of social justice."

The hologram disappeared.

Second World

Sonia and Lelouch were arguing on the Demon's office.

"You are a monster." She snarled. "How can you be alive after what you've done?"

"Because someone gave me a second chance." Lelouch said simply.

Sonia raised her eyes. "Oh, and what is it? Surely some mysterious, superior being we call God, Allah or whatever, I've heard your crap already…"

"Someone who loved me, and died for me." Lelouch interrupted her. "She wanted me to live an ordinary life, to be spared from the curse of solitude every Geass users, or should I say every one of those that had too much power in their hands, have. That's why, when my first child was a girl, we named after her. Bianca."

There was a pause.

"She was wrong." Sonia said finally, but she calmed down a little bit. "What you did was pure evil."

"And what Zero did was pure justice." Lelouch retorted.

Sonia widened her eyes in anger. "Don't put Zero on the same level as you! Zero did amazing things for the World, and killing you was the best one…"

"Yes…" Lelouch vi Britannia lowered his eyes. "You are perfectly right. You know, when I was young I thought it was also the best decision I have ever made."

Sonia gulped. "I'm not sure to understand…"

"But every human have the right to be happy, and I am a human being." Lelouch continued. "On that day, I made the knight for justice slay the demon emperor, and, miraculously, the human being I was continued to exist in this alternate timeline. I made Zero become the Sword and Shield of the New World, because Zero is the fruit of my will." He declared using the same gestures as the masked messiah. "Yes, I am Zero."

1st World

Los Angeles

Bianca was finally on "her" apartment, taking a bath because that she desperately needed relaxation.

Many things were on her thoughts, like, why was she thinking that this World was real? Why wasn't she rejecting all of these lies, all of these fakes, all of these alternative facts… Every second, Bianca was thinking: what if it was real? What if her father had slaughtered two hundred million people before dying and then raising her as his child… or his heir… What if she was fated to become the same mass-murderer as her father and grand-father?

'Father, is our family, the royal family, really cursed or is it just school rumors?'

This question really made Lelouch feel uncomfortable.

'You know, it is not us the problem. It is what made us to become like that. And we became like that because of our birth responsibilities. We don't have them anymore, and I can assure you that we are not cursed.'

'So it means Naoto and I won't kill each other off?'

Lelouch winced.

'Never say that again.'

"What if they were right?" Bianca asked herself.

At this moment, the door opened.

It was the lesbian woman she found on the bed, Chigusa was it? Suddenly Bianca felt uncomfortable.

"What are you doing here?" Bianca asked defensively.

Chigusa rolled her eyes. "I wanna talk to you, that's all, but if you don't want…"

"It's ok." Bianca said, sighing. "I don't even care right now."

Chigusa sat near the bathtub. "What's going on, today? You aren't yourself."

"I don't know who I am, really." Bianca said bitterly.

Chigusa poked her. "Hey, don't say that! You're Sonia Weinberg, and you're my girlfriend."

"No, that's not me."

"What?"

She stared at her in the eyes. "My name is Bianca, and I am the Demon Child."

Chigusa coughed in surprise. "The fuck you're saying? Who are you? What is your real name?"

"That's right." Bianca said. "Sorry to disappoint you but the girl you love is gone god knows where." She stood up from the bathtub and stared at her from above. "My name's Bianca fucking vi Britannia, I'm the eldest child of what is there probably the most awesome, intelligent, caring and loving father of the World and what is here a freaking psychopath that slaughtered millions of people and conquered the World. What does that makes me here? The heir to this shithole we call Planet Earth. Nice to meet you."

Chigusa burst into tears.

Second World

Lelouch Lamperouge was on the undergrounds of the UFN building in Phoenix, the former-Pendragon. There was some huge stairs behind the former throne room (that was now the canteen of the building) and Lelouch was descending them. The plane had been hit by the thunder and crashed. It was no ordinary thunder, every electronic device seemed to have been shut down.

It was obvious now. It was a Divine Intervention.

Lelouch opened the only remaining Twilight Door of the World, and entered the Sword of Akasha.

First World

Bianca had left the apartment, Chigusa had kinda thrown her away but she didn't care. Bianca had realized that this girl was despising her. She had seen this look too many times, when the students stared at Alexandra. Why did they despise her? Simply because she didn't reject her father, someone who had the misfortune to have thoughts from another era. Now Bianca finally understood what her friend felt like.

"Would you want to try it?" The gunsmith asked.

Bianca had found something in her apartment. The gun license for Miss Sonia Weinberg, the woman she was supposed to be. Daughter of Kallen Kozuki (at least they had the same mother) and Gino Weinberg, barwoman, lesbian, and soon-to-be Black Knight. If Sonia had followed the path of her mother, what would Bianca do?

"Yes, please."

Bianca vi Britannia took the Beretta 92 she bought at the armory. It was a foreign World, the danger could come from anywhere, especially with her situation. She went to the shooting range and put a helmet on her head. Shooting was one of her favorite hobbies, well, shooting paper targets at least. She wondered if she could really shoot someone one day, but with the family she got there was no doubt. Even though, Bianca was perplex…

Three targets appeared, who had the shape of humans.

Bianca prepared the gun and aimed at the target on the right.

She shot once, and hit the heart.

Bianca aimed at the target on the middle. She shot once again, and hit the heart with the same precision than the other one.

Bianca aimed at the target on the left, and then, she hesitated.

She hesitated because her mind showed her the face of her father.

The face of a young boy, the manipulator, the tyrant, the murderer, the liar.

Her father.

'Hey, what's going on? Who made you cry?'

'No one. I mean … the guys from the social rights association.'

'Oh, they are dumb, just ignore them. What did these fuckers did to you?'

'Nothing, they… well, they despise me because I didn't reject my father.'

'Like I told you, they're dumb. I'm gonna put some rat poison in their coffee, that'll teach them to make my friend cry.'

'Ahah, you're so funny.'

She wiped her tears.

'And what did your father do for you to be despised like that?'

'Oh, he's a far-right political leader.'

Bianca blinked. 'That's all?'

'It's already a lot!'

'But, did he kill some BK during the war or something like that?'

'No, he's innocent. Well, he's been charged with vilifying…'

Bianca blinked again. 'Ah. But we don't care, right? I mean, we're in democracy and all that, plus you cannot be responsible for the things your father did.'

The girl grinned. 'Yup, you're totally right.'

'My father killed thousands of Britannians and everyone sees him as a hero. Your father talks about traditional values and her daughter gets harassed. There's really something wrong with these people…'

'Sure there is. I'm Alex by the way.'

Bianca grinned. 'Nice to meet you, you probably know my name…'

Bianca shot once, and hit the head. Bianca shot twice, and hit the head. Bianca shot thrice, and hit the head. Fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, nineth, tenth bullet, Bianca emptied her clip on the head of the target, and kept on pulling the trigger even though there were no ammo.

Then she burst into tears.


"We meet again, God." Lelouch vi Britannia said, standing in front of the Sword of Akasha. "I have a request."