Stage 12.5 "Setting Sun"

It was another early morning at Ashford Academy, but due to it being the start of a weekend the campus was almost empty. Feite walked out of the dormitory wearing a heavy coat while she could see her breath in the cold Tokyo air. Her hair was slightly a mess, while she held a folded envelope in her hands. The words "resignation" was written on the side of the envelope, while she tucked it back into the jacket pocket. "I have to make my life easier…I can't handle track, the student council, managing my grades, and the Order at the same time. Its best to quit one…" Feite jogged forward a bit in the cold morning air towards the admissions building.

Feite walked into the main lobby of the admission buildings to be spotted by the curious administration assistant sitting at the information desk. "Oh, Ms. Avalon what brings you to the admissions office? Did you come to pick up Ms. Glass's schedule for the track team over the weekend?" The assistant turned towards the nearby basket, and pulled out a purple colored paper with the recommended training schedule for the upcoming events. Feite stared at it and firmly shook her head while removing the letter from her pocket. "I'm actually quitting Track and Field. I'm having a hard time balancing student council and school work. If I don't keep it up, I won't be able to graduate early like I wanted to." The assistant turned to the letter and shook her head slightly. "Oh that is going to be bad news to Ms. Glass you're the top runner for Ashford. I guess school is more important, I'll put it in her mailbox for you." Feite nodded her head, and waved her hand. "Thank you; please give her my condolences…"

In the back of a taxi cab, Rai sits in the back wearing an Orange Uniform of a Britannian Private. He tugs at his collar, and adjust it while fixing his tie in the process. It was obvious he wasn't quite used to wearing the formal uniform, but it was strange to immediately be called to Narita after only joining weeks ago. "Rai, I know this is sudden, but Lloyd wants you to help us out over here in Narita. You have been transferred into the Special Envoy group, and are under Lloyd's command. Your pass codes, and everything will be given to you when you arrive…"

That was the gist of the message from Cecile the woman Rai had only recently started having conversations with as requested by Suzaku. Rai looked out the window while the cold air seemed to seep through his uniform. "Is it always cold in the mornings?" The driver looked into his rear mirror and shrugged his shoulders. "It depends; right now we're in sort of a cold front. So it'll be a few degrees lower in the mornings. So I heard something major happened in Narita. Is that why a soldier like you is being transferred out there?" Rai rested his cheek on the side of his open palm and sighed. "I have no idea, this is my first mission."

An hour down the road, the taxicab comes to a stop at a secured roadblock where a pair of Sutherland was guarding alongside military vehicles. A soldier walked over to the taxi while Rai exited the vehicle and looked forward throwing a salute. "Private Rai Creswell reporting as requested by Lloyd Asplund of the Special Envoy." The soldier looked up at Rai, and let out a small grin. "Man, they are recruiting younger these days." He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a small photo. Rai lowered his salute while the soldier compared the image to him. "Welcome to Narita, you should find Asplund and the others at the recovery sight. Hey Cabby, you should turn around!" The solider turned his attention away from Rai while waving the taxi to move on.

"Recovery sight, I'm completely at a loss here." Rai looked over at the other soldier in the distance while a small jeep pulled up from the closed off-ramp. "I'm glad you got here at such short notice." Cecile let out a lighthearted smile while sitting behind the wheel. She motioned over for Rai to take the passenger seat next to her. "Croomy, why was I called out here?" Rai walked over and climbed up into the seat and turned over to see a pout forming on her face. "How many times did I say it Rai? Call me Cecile please." The jeep pulled off at a fast speed causing Rai to nearly fall off. "Okay, but please don't drive so erratically!"

It was quickly approaching the time Lelouch wanted to meet Feite in the middle of the school grounds. Finally it was time to make the journey to Japan's old capital city in order to meet the Kyoto based group. The afternoon sunlight shined through a veil of leaves while Feite sat nearby the central fountain wearing a simple pair of shorts, and a track jacket. She looks at her shoes for a second while letting out an annoyed sigh. "What is taking him so long?"

"Feite? I'm sorry that I'm late. I had to discuss a few things with C.C. about the operation. There's going to be a change of plan." Lelouch points to the bag at his side and holds it out to her. "I'm going to play a counter to Kyoto's blind invitation to us. I want you to play a role."

At Narita recovery operations were already underway with civilians identifying the bodies of their deceased loved ones and soldiers bringing in more from the landslide. There was hardly any chance for a survivor to be found at this hour. Rai sat behind the cockpit of a Sutherland while digging through the tough dirt and rock. His sleeves were rolled up with his jacket resting on the back support. "This is atrocious…this place is like a graveyard." His hand rubs his forehead while giving a signal to the nearby group of infantry.

An image flashes on the central console showing a smiling Cecile. "How are you handling the Sutherland?" Rai let out a depressed sigh and shook his head. "The machine is handling well, but the excavating is disheartening. The Order of the Black Knights caused this whole thing right?" Cecile let out a nod while typing on the center console. "Yes, but we're still figuring out what was used. We found a few excavators, but it would require a little more than that to cause a landslide."

Rai looked down while some ground crews pull out a few bodies from a collapsed building. His eyes widen while a small girl is pulled out of the debris. Her arms were lifeless causing a painful memory to surface in the back of his mind. The image that had flashed before his eyes was a young girl with obscured features smiling from an upper balcony of a rustic building. "Rai?" Cecile looked closely into the monitor while he quickly shook his head of the strange image. "I'm sorry Cecile…" She shook her head while letting out a smile. "Rai, you can come back now. I'll inform Lloyd that you'll be returning. You need a break from recovery…"

The Envoy tagged Sutherland walked up towards the Lancelot and the waiting Cecile and Lloyd. The machine winded down while the cockpit hatch opened and the pilot seat retracted. Rai leaned forward while the cool breeze brushed against his sweating face. His hands move to his head while Suzaku walked up from the series of tents a short distance away. "Rai?" His eyes turn serious while running over to the Sutherland. "Hey Rai, are you alright…" Rai looked up and shook his head in disgust while he climbed down from the cockpit. "It's not right Suzaku…getting civilians involved." Suzaku let out a nod while turning towards his Lancelot. "I know, that's why we need to protect them. This is the reality that that coward Zero won't realize. His actions are getting Eleven and Britannian people caught into his little war." Rai stared up at the machine and took in a deep breath. "I'm going for a small walk…I'll talk to you in a bit Suzaku…"

Cecile stood at the foot of the Lancelot typing on the computer. The combat recordings of the Lancelot flash on the screen showing the high mobility movement of the Guren and Voulge fighting against it in a tandem effort. "I've managed to finish the investigation on the various units that saw the black armor, and I have scanned the remains of the Purist Factions machines." Lloyd walked up to the computer and let out a smile. "So the weapon used against them was that?" Cecile let out a nod, and looked up at the Lancelot. "Yes, the Radiant Surger…I didn't expect her to help out the enemy."

Lloyd looked up at the warped MVS blade that was recovered from the battle against the Voulge. "Did you find out anything concerning that Black Knightmare?" Cecile pressed a few buttons and displayed the battle footage of the Voulge. "Its equipment seems to be standardized much like the Lancelot or a Sutherland. It has been seen with a unique type of automatic anti-Knightmare shotgun, and something that seemed to be a mono-molecular blade." Lloyd let out a loud and interested shout while staring down at the video. "Impressive, but something seems odd about this unit. It doesn't seem to match with that red machine." Cecile let out a nod and looked up at the Lancelot. "The design seems to be based off our own Britannian Engineering. Do you think that we could possibly have a traitor?" Lloyd moved his hand to his chin staring at the image of the Voulge lost in thought. "Possibly, but we can't rule out the EU."

It was time for the meeting with the escort vehicle sent from Kyoto. Zero stood in the middle of the dimly lit parking garage while Kallen and the others look around for potential dangers. The vehicle would soon arrive while Feite leans against a stone pillar. "So, Tamaki has been blowing all the money on fancy dinners and whatnot?" She let out a small laugh while Ogi looked down with an uneasy look stretched over his face. "Yeah, Zero wasn't happy when he heard about our financial problems. That's why we're meeting with Kyoto today." Feite crossed her arms over her chest, and exhaled deeply. "Turning down easy to acquire weapons and free funding is hard to turn down. I just hope that we don't get shafted when we get there."

A black luxury vehicle rolled up the parking garage and stopped in the middle of the second floor. Everyone turned over to the vehicle while Zero stood stationary beside the vehicle. The driver's side window rolled down while the engine turned off. "Zero I presume? I will be your driver on behalf of the Kyoto group. I would guess that those are your subordinates?" Zero turned over taking a second to look at the group of four. "Everyone into the vehicle, we're moving out."

The limousine rolled through the parking garage and through the streets of the settlement. The traffic was light despite it being a weekend where the highways normally were filled with commuters. The driver was an exceptionally good one keeping the ride smooth and free of any suspicious movements. Moments after getting on the highway, the limousine entered a lengthy tunnel that seemed to go on for miles.

Feite let out yawn while she crossed her legs over one another. Her hands rested firmly in her lap while a bored glint was visible in her eyes. "So, it's either we're driving insanely slow, or we're driving to Hokkaido." Tamaki let out a small laugh while letting out a firm nod. "It has been taking a while…" Kallen held a similar look of unrest on her face while sighing deeply. "Calm down, you guys are acting really disgraceful." Feite let out a smile while the car came to an abrupt stop sparking a hint of suspicion throughout the other riders. "What's going on?" She looked around while the sound of an elevator fills the interior of the vehicle. Kallen shrugged her shoulders, and nodded. "It seems we're moving up." The elevator moved the car several levels up while a large mechanical door opens.

The driver walks over, and opens the back doors before bowing cordially to both zero and the other members inside. "I'm sorry for the lengthy drive. My master is waiting for you all."

Everyone quickly disembarks the vehicle to see a large glass window overlooking a familiar landmark. Feite's eyes light up while Tamaki and Ogi both run over to it. "No way…its Fuji mine…" Tamaki's hands were pressed against the glass much like an exited child. "There's no way we could be here. How could we have come to a place like this?" Kallen looked forward with awe in her eyes. She too much like Ogi was caught in the majesty of Mount Fuji lurking in the distance. Feite however looked around the large room, and stared specifically at the bamboo veil hanging in front of a seated Japanese man. "So that old guy is the leader of Kyoto?" She stared out the corner of her eye at Zero, and let out a smile.

"Isn't it repulsive?" The booming voice of the Japanese man fills the room while a red shutter quickly covered the window darkening the entire room. "Mount Fuji, a sacred mountain renown in the past for her scenic beauty, and clear water…Right now seems to be reflecting the pain our Japan is having after being conquered and suppressed by the Empire. It pains me so…" Feite walked up beside Zero and the others while crossing her arms over her chest. "That voice sound so familiar…"

"I apologize for not being able to show my face. But Zero that goes the same for you. I must see and know who you are." The man behind the shroud pointed his cane forward while a group of four Burai rolls out of the darkness. Feite's eyes widen while she reached into the pouch at the back of her belt. "I wouldn't draw that if I were you. Last I checked a handgun couldn't beat a Knightmare frame." A scowl flashes on Feite's face while she removes her hand from the pouch at her backside. "Very well, I guess I can't take down four Burai…" Kallen ran in front of Zero and threw her arms out wide. "Please wait! Zero's brought us power and victory. That's…" The man shook his head and growled. "Silence! Who is Ogi?" Ogi took a step forward with his back stiff from the Knightmare at both sides of the group. "You shall remove Zero's mask."

Ogi walked over to Zero's side and looked up at him with a saddened expression. "Zero, I'm sorry…but I want to believe in you too. That is why…please make us believe in you." His arms moved up grabbing the helmet on both sides and soon after pulling up. Both Ogi and Tamaki gasp while the person wearing Zero's outfit is no other than C.C. Feite's annoyed expression becomes rather content while she stared up at the Burai. Kallen however turned to C.C. with a scowl in her eyes. She threw her arm to the side while a fiery glaze covered her eyes. "This person is not Zero! I've seen her before! She was together with him." Feite let out a grin, followed by moving her hands to her hips. "When did this happen? Wait a second, is this when you retrieved him at Narita?" Kallen let out a quick not and turned over to the leader of the Kyoto group.

The Japanese man pointed his cane over to C.C. and let out a minor groan. "Girl, are you Zero?" C.C. turned her face to the side while staring over at the bamboo curtain. "Yes." The man shook his head behind the cover and rubbed his temple. "So you're not Japanese?" C.C. turned over to Feite, and let out a smile at the man. "Yes, messenger from Kyoto. Kirihara Taizou." Reacting to the direct words from C.C. the two armed guards besides Kirihara reach for their handguns. "We can't let anyone go that said our masters name?" The other guard glared down at Feite with a malevolent gaze. "Especially if two of them are not Japanese." Tamaki holds his hands up and switches into panic mode. "Wait a second I'm not part of this…" Feite turned over to him and scoffed at him. "Tamaki are you even a man?"

Before the gunmen could turn to C.C. and the group near the bottom, one of the Burai fires its slash harken across the room. The two pierce into the pair of Burai and quickly knock them off balance. The single Burai slams its arm into the other beside it and rolls forward rapidly at Kirihara. The guards aim their weapons up at the machine while the Knightmare frame's rifle aims directly at Kirihara. "How weak. Not only weak, but the way you think and act is outdated." Zero's voice echoes from the loudspeaker of the Burai while Feite let out a small laugh. The cockpit shoots open and Zero stands out resting his arm on the side of the Burai's open canopy. "That's why you can't win."

Zero leapt down with the heels of his boots making a tapping sound as they touched the floor. He held a remote trigger in his hand while walking slowly towards Kirihara. The two guards aim over at Zero, but with the remote switch in hand Zero held all the cards. "Kirihara Taizou, you became famous as the founder of Kirihara industries through the extraction of Sakuradite. You were the shadow supporter of Kururugi's political policies. However you switched you alliance after Japan's defeat in the war, and became a proactive supporter of the colonization. You are commonly known as, Kirihara the traitor, but you true identity is. The figurehead of the six major families of Kyoto that support the resistance nationwide. Pretending to be obedient is something that comes naturally to you, isn't it?" The guard steps forward only for Zero to provoke him with the switch. "How do you know so much about our master?"

Kirihara cleared his throat and glared over at his subordinate. "Be quiet…" Zero turned his attention back to Kirihara while contining to advance. "It is as you say, I'm not Japanese." Ogi, Kallen, and Tamaki let out a combined gasp from the shock of the statement. Feite stood with her arms crossed over her chest and smiled. "Feite, you're not shocked at all…" Ogi looked over at her with a suspicious look. Feite put her arms behind her head, and shook her head. "Its not that I'm not shocked, but look at me. I'm brittannian and I'm supporting you guys. So what does it mean if he's Britannian, EU, Japanese, or Chinese? I will follow that guy no matter what that's how devoted I am." Tamaki crossed his arms over his chest, and let out a small laugh. "You're right about that, but it explains a lot about before you joined us…" Kallen turned over with a similar expression as Ogi. She wanted to know a lot more after finding out this bit of information from Zero. "Feite…"

Zero looked forward while Kirihara continued to mask his presence with the curtain. "Why are you fighting if you are not Japanese. What do you want?" Zero smiled inside the helmet while speaking in perfect tone. "The destruction of Brittannia." Kirihara scoffed at Zero's remark and leaned forward. "Are you saying you are capable of doing that?" He clenched his fist and nodded fiercely. "I can, why? Because I have a reson that I must do it at all costs! I'm glad that I'm dealing with you." Zero reached up to the sides of his helmet and pulled the helmet off. Kirihara's eyes tremble while Lelouch stares directly at him. "It's been a long time, hasn't it Lord Kirihara." Kirihara closed his eyes while the image of eight years ago plays back in his mind. "You are the one that was left behind eight years ago as a hostage…" He paused for a moment and looked over at Feite standing in the crowd. "That girl was also around before the war began." Kirihara changed his attention back over to Lelouch while smiling. "If I weren't the one that you were dealing with, what would you have done? Hold me hostage?" Lelouch shook his head and kept a straight face to Kirihara. "How can that be? I'm only capable of voicing my wish." Kirihara let out a series of nods while a large grin appeared on his face. "Has the seed from eight years ago started to flower?" He started to fill the room with a large amount of laughter while Tamaki tried to move past the Knightmare frame to get a look. "I can't see him at all." He tried to move only for Kallen and Feite to hold their arms out to restrain him.

"Ogi!" Ogi nervously looked up ahead while his back stiffened once more. "Yes…" Kirihara's laughter came to a stop while he cleared his throat. "This person is defiantly an enemy of Britannia. I accept why he couldn't reveal himself. I guarantee it. Follow him, much like that girl does. We will assist by providing information and identifying military strong points." Lelouch placed the mask back over his head while walking off down the steps. "I'm grateful Kirihara…" Kirihara moves the veil out from his eyes and grinned. "Are you moving down the path to carnage?" Zero shook his head. "I will move as destiny sees fit."

At Narita, Rai stood in the main room where several civilians were to identify the various corpses that had been recovered. His uniform was a little tattered from recovery duty, but he still maintained a professional look amongst the other soldiers. "Creswell, did you bring the body up from sector five?" Rai looked over at Villetta, a woman from the purists who had also fought in the battle. She was placed in chage of data control, and consolding the family members of the deceased. Rai nervously looked up while trying to hide the small amount of blush on his face. "Yes, but that was a few hours ago. Did the family come to…" Villetta looked over at Shirley and her mother as they entered the tent. "Creswell is something the matter?" Rai shook his head while his fist clenched. "Why is Shirley here, don't tell me one of these bodies is…" Villetta gave him an odd stare while they both walked over to greet them.

"Hello, I'm Villetta Nu, and this is Private Creswell. May I see your identification?" Shirley let out a nod while reaching into her purse. She paused for a moment and noticed Rai come into view. "Rai?" Her mother followed suit while Rai looked over from Villetta's shoulder. "Shirley…" He spoke in a quiet tone, as the situation seemed grim. Villetta took hold of the mother ID card and examined it. "Rai put this in the PDA. F-e-n-e-t-t-e and see if it matches."

Rai held up the PDA and carefully entered the name into the search bar. The computer took seconds to process the ID, and despite Rai's constant praying that the name didn't match it did. The image of Shirley's father appeared on the screen with the ID tag of a recovered body next to it. "I'm sorry, but if you would follow me." Villetta stared at Shirley's ID and a small photo fell out from the side. She quickly caught the image and stared at the picture. Her eyes widen at the sight of "Lelouch" as if something had sparked up in the back of her head. "Villetta Nu?"

Minutes later, Rai walks over around the body-bag while Shirley and her mother stood on the opposite side. "Please if you could confirm the body…" Rai looked up at Shirley, her face was trembling with fear, and the inescapable hand of fate. "Its cruel…the effects of a battle on the innocent…" He gripped the zipper and revealed the body to the Fenette family. Shirley and her mother both covered their mouths as they start to emotionally break down. Her mother waved her hand motioning for Rai to re-zip the bag. "Yes, that is my husband…" Rai quickly zips the bag while Villetta let out a nod. "I'm sorry for your loss. If you need anything please feel free to call." While walking off Lloyd came into sight at the front of the tent. He motioned over for Rai to come over while more people walk past.

"So, it seemed that you know that girl." Lloyd walked over to a table set up for the soldiers. A few of the family members were outside some of them weeping and others in absolute terror over what's to come. Rai shook his head and looked over his shoulder. "Yeah, she goes to school with me at Ashford. She's in a different class, but we're in the student council together." He couldn't see Shirley, but he could sympathize with her feelings. Lloyd looked forward and let out a small smile. "I see, anyway I analyzed the data from your Sutherland, and decided something!" He clapped his hands together in excitement while Rai gave him an strange look. "Decided…" Before he could finish his sentence Lloyd interrupted him. "We've decided to place you in our division. You will be a devicer much like Suzaku! You will help us test out a lot of experimental equipment!" Rai looked down while letting out a deep sigh. "Are you not happy about it?" Lloyd stared up at him while Rai glared up. "You have really bad timing at telling people good news."

It was a few hours trip back from the Kyoto facility, the members that had been taken were dropped off beside the mobile headquarters that was parked in the vacant lot. In the makeshift locker room, Feite pulled her jacket on while Kallen pulled a shirt over her head. "Oh great, it's raining outside…" Kallen let out a small laugh while placing her uniform into a nearby backpack. "I know how you feel, but I don't need to travel far." She placed the bag over her shoulder and walked to the door. "I'll see you later…" Feite waved while unzipping a small compartment on the backpack. She reached inside and pulled out her medication. Her eyes skim the label while her hand lightly touches her chest. "I'm lucky I didn't have an attack…it seems the medicine is repressing it for now." She took off the top and took the dose prescribed.

"So, are you heading home?" Ogi looked over at Feite while she walked out into the main room. Feite let out a smile and waved her hand. "Yeah, I'm heading back…are you the only one here?" Ogi lowered a magazine, and nodded. "Yeah, by the way do you want me to walk you to the station? It's quite a distance from here and its night." Feite shook her head and let out a small laugh. "Thank you Ogi, but I'll walk alone on my way back. Maybe next time, have a good night." She waved casually while walking out into the wet parking lot. Ogi looked out the window while Feite ran off splashing a few times in the water. A concerned look was on his face while he looked over at the phone sitting on the nearby table.