Stage Twenty-Three "Minerva's Blessing"

It had been hours since the massacre and the announcement of the United States of Japan. Several groups of civilians that had lost friends and family at the hand of Euphemia joined hands with the Black Knights while armaments and ammunition were gathering at the venue and the captured Britannian Knightmare Frames and Command vehicles. The members of the black knights were quickly becoming larger with groups from the nearby area coming in to pledge their allegiance.

The day was ending with the sky colored a bittersweet red while the sun sank into the horizon. Feite sat on the rooftop of a standing building used as a temporary headquarters with her fringe cascading in front of her eyes. A dull look was held within her left eye while she held out her hand. "Is this punishment Suzaku? You should have killed me and the score would have been even." Her hand moved over to her heart while letting out a soft sigh. "What do you want to see me about Lelouch?"

Zero stood behind her with his cape fluttering in the wind. "Feite, how is your wound doing? Are you able to pilot the Voulge properly without your right eye?" He crossed over to the edge and stopped beside her. His gloved hand reached over to her with palm open. Feite looked down at him and moved her hand to his quickly clasping against it. "I should be well enough to pilot…it's just that I can't play around anymore Lelouch."

"I know that, we're venturing into uncharted territory now. I'm not sure if we'll have a chance in winning, but with these numbers it's possible." Zero placed his hand against the side of his helmet while slowly removing it. His bright red left eye caught Feite's gaze while she took a few steps back. "Your eye…don't tell me…" Lelouch turned his head to the side while he held his hand over it refusing to stare Feite directly in the eye. "Yes, my Geass has become out of control like Mao's. So Feite I…" Feite walked over to Lelouch and gripped his wrist and pulled his arm away. Her eye stared into his Geass sigil filled eye while she chuckled slightly. "You used Geass on me already Lelouch, so even if you accidentally ordered me to. I wouldn't be affected." Lelouch closed his eyes and turned his head away. "Feite, why did you not let me kill Euphemia? It was my responsibility to correct my mistake…"

Feite shook her head while pulling back from Lelouch. She turned her back to him, and smiled. "Maybe it was because I felt responsible. I could have stopped you from playing around with your Geass. If only I had known that you'd lose control of it like Mao did. I wanted to save you the sorrow of having to rectify the mistaken you've done." Her smile started to fade while she turned her head to the side. "Do you hate me for killing Euphie?" Lelouch turned over to the rooftop doorway and replaced the mask on his face. "No, as a matter of fact you've probably turned all of Britannia against you." His hand moved to caress Feite's cheek while Kallen pushed the door open. "Zero, we've received word that reinforcements are pouring in from all over the area." Zero let out a firm nod and walked over towards her. "Good, inform everyone that we will be moving out shortly. I suspect many other groups will join us along the way. Feite, please come with me I have to speak with you privately."

Cornelia sat inside her office with a napkin held inside her clenched fist. Her eyes were trembling while tears rolled slowly down her cheeks. A camera man pointed his camera at the Governor General while the other reporters from the local networks lie in a state of sympathy. Guilford looked over at his lady, and shook his head. "My Lady, do you wish to continue with this statement?" Cornelia closed her eyes and wiped her tears away. "Yes, please stare the broadcast."

On every monitor across Area Eleven, Cornelia appeared seated behind her desk with her face holding a malevolent look while her hands were folded over the other. "Attention all citizens of Area Eleven, with great sorrow I'm to inform you that your vice –governor general, and princess Euphemia Li Britannia was killed by a fatal gunshot wound sustained by Black Knight Member, Feite Alva Avalon."

The footage of Cornelia is quickly replaced with the footage of Feite shooting Euphemia in the vicinity of the venue near Mt. Fuji's Sakuradite facility. The loud crash from a glass of water filled the student council room while Nina's hands were resting at the sides of her face. Her eyes trembled while tears rolled down the sides of her face. "This can't be…" Milly stood in utter shock while a small stack of papers fell out of her hand and hit the floor. "Feite can't possibly have…"

"Sayoko…this can't be true right? Feite couldn't hurt anyone…" Nunally sat while a look of utter shock was displayed on her face. Sayoko entered the room with a tray of tea placed on it. She looked over at the television and closed her eyes. "It surely must be a mistake; did your brother say anything about it?" Nunally shook her head while reaching to the mobile phone lay out on the desktop. "No, but I'll give him a call…"

Nina crossed through the hallway with her hand supporting her towards the way to the elevator leading into the schools lower storage area. A look of madness was spread across her face while she mumbled under her breath. "That whore will die…I'll blow her up using that! Yes!" She stopped in front of the doorway and quickly imputed the code.

The elevator opened while Nina stumbled inside while she quickly pressed the close button. The large doors quickly slammed shut while the elevator started moving downward into the abyss of a storage room below the school building.

Azalea sat behind a desk while looking out of the window at the beautiful bay through the window behind her desk. She had returned to Britannia with Schneizel after deliberating heavily with the Chinese Government. It was a boring turn of events with Azalea being showcased around being hand in hand with the second prince of Britannia.

In the background a news report was coming live from Area Eleven playing the recorded rerun of Cornelia's speech filled the room with her emotionally distraught voice echoing in the large office. "The United States of Japan, quite an iconic name…catchy as well." She picked up the remote off the table and shut off the television. Her hawk-like gaze turned to the man standing at the nearby bar. "Feite you truly despise Britannia much more than I. Let's see if you can win against insurmountable odds."

Kallen sat at one of many tables set up in the staging area she stared over at a knife held in her hand while looking up at the G1 transport behind her. 'I need to become stronger, I need to strive to keep up with you…I can't let you keep Zero to yourself.' She blinked slightly while Soran walked up wearing a simple pilot suit for his Knightmare. "So, what are you thinking about Kallen?" He took a seat across from her while she shrugged her shoulders. "I was thinking about Feite, is it wise to have her still lead without the use of her right eye?" Soran let out smile and shook his head. He pressed onto the table's base and leaned back in his chair. "I don't know her well enough, but from when I fought with her in Akishima that girl is extremely stubborn. She'd fight with a stick if it meant protecting Zero." Kallen let out a small laugh while slowly turning up at the bridge of the carrier behind her. "I knew that already…but Soran do you think Zero and Feite have a relationship with each other? Something more than a protector and leader?"

Soran nearly fell backwards while swinging his arms forward to tilt his chair back to the ground. He took in several deep breaths while catching his breath. "Something else, what you mean lovers? Kallen do you have the hots for Zero?" Kallen's cheeks turned a hint of red while she turned away. "Not at all…it's just Zero has been with Feite for a few hours already, and it's almost time for the operation." Soran tapped his fingers on the table, and grinned. "Don't think about it too hard. Anyway I'm going to help tune up the Gekka."

Feite sat on the edge of a small edge of a cot while looking up at Lelouch while he stood by the window staring out at the volunteers. "I never thought it would come to this Feite. I actually formed an army strong enough to fracture Britannia." He turned over with a faint smile on his face while his eyes met Feite's. Lelouch walked over to her and lightly ran his hand alongside her cheek. "Your smile always inspires me to do my best…Feite; I think it would be right for me to finally tell you something." Feite's cheeks blushed while Lelouch lightly moved his hand behind her head and lowered his face to hers. Her eyes closed while her lips puckered up while Lelouch's met against hers. Her heart started to pound heavily while an intense heat burned across her skin.

Feite opened her eye and turned her head shyly to the side. "Lelouch, I…" He quickly shushed her and lowered her to the cot. "Feite…I realized something when you were injured…I've been too stubborn to realize it…" Feite turned her head to the side while embarrassment filled her face preventing her to even look up at Lelouch. "You were right; we are destined to be together…" Lelouch unbuttoned his collar while leaning down to kiss Feite once more.

Outside the room C.C. stood guard while Rakshata walked down the corridor. "C.C., where is Feite I was told she was speaking with Zero." She paused for a moment while C.C. shook her head. "Zero is currently resting with her, what is it Rakshata?" Rakshata let out a small gasp and placed the tobacco pipe into her lips. "Oh-ho, well C.C. tell Feite that the Voulge has had its entire filler system replaced with the experimental power source..." C.C. looked over with a curious smile and crossed her arms over her chest. "Experimental power source?" Rakshata sighed while nodding a few times. "Yes, something that effectively gives the Voulge a boost in power. It took forever to get the designs right, but tell Feite that the Voulge has received its final upgrades." C.C. let out a small nod while Rakshata turned around and walked off down the hallway. "I hope Zero doesn't get exhausted from Feite….we'll need him for the battle to come." She laughed while disappearing down the hallway only to have C.C. return with a blank look. "Final Upgrade? I wonder what it is."

An hour later, Feite go up from the bed and looked over at Lelouch who lay beside her. She gave him a loving smile, and moved in kissing his cheek lightly. She stared at him for a moment while he was still sleeping gathering what energy he could before the mission would be underway. "I have to get ready Lelouch…I'll see you later." Feite stepped out of the cot, and quickly started to put on her clothes. She crossed over to the door while it opened slowly. C.C. walked into the room and smiled. "Did you two have enough time to express yourselves?" Feite took a step back while turning her face away. "It's none of your business C.C…." C.C let out a small grin before shrugging her shoulders, and sat in a chair beside the doorway. "I guess you're right…"

Feite crossed down the hallway tugging on her uniform jacket and quickly popped the collar while coming across Kallen. She leaned against the wall while slowly turning up to Feite with a suspicious set of eyes. "So, what did you do with Zero in there?" Feite let out a smile and placed both arms behind her head. "Since when are you the jealous type Kallen? What we did has nothing that concerns you." Kallen looked at Feite's unwashed hair and turned her head to the side. "So, you are really Zero's lover… I always thought you and Lelouch were…" Feite moved her hand through her hair, and let out a sigh. "Lelouch and I? That would be fun if I were just a high school student." Kallen let out a small nod while kicking off the wall slightly. She took a step forward, and turned to get a look over her shoulder. "There were good memories at Ashford Academy…I hope everyone will be safe, when we march into the settlement with weapons blazing." Feite nodded while staring down the hallway with Kallen beside her. "Well make the world safe for future generations."

A shower filled the interior of the mobile headquarters vehicle. Feite's tattered uniform rest in a basket while her pilot suit was hanging from the towel rack. Kallen leaned against the wall wearing her red and silver suit while looking at a picture of her deceased brother, and her imprisoned mother. Her fiery eyes glanced at the photo with stalwart determination. 'I will make Japan into what you wanted…I'll set you free from that prison.'

Kallen paused momentarily while the shower quickly shut off and Feite walked out naked beside her. A towel was draped over her head while her hair seemed to be strategically placed over her breasts. "Feite…" Kallen's face turned red while turning away in embarrassment. She held her hands up while Feite turned over with a confused look on her face. "It's just us in here Kallen…I made the bath for you. I'm not in the mood to soak in the water." Kallen nodded slightly while Feite tugged the towel off her head, and wrapped it around her midsection. "Okay…" Her voice was a tad uneasy while Kallen started to unzip her pilot suit. Feite looked out the corner of her eye and whistled. "How bold Kallen…I wonder who would come in if I were to scream…" Kallen let out a loud gasp while turning around with half her pilot suit down. "I can see your…" Feite pointed at Kallen's chest while she quickly growled and turned away. "Shut up, you're a girl too man you are so much like Milly it's sickening." Feite shrugged her shoulders, and laughed. "I guess so…"

Lelouch stood in a darkened room with the Zero mask resting on the desktop. A small amount of light could be seen from the shutters while C.C. entered the room. Lelouch turned around with his Geass eye still glowing. He moved his hand over his eye as to shield it from C.C. but she laughed. "Lelouch, your Geass doesn't affect me. So you don't need to be on guard." Lelouch slowly moved his hand away, and turned to the window moving the blinds out of the way with his fingers. "C.C. did Feite say anything before she left while I was asleep?" C.C. crossed her arms over her chest and smiled. "No, but Rakshata came in and said that the Voulge received an upgrade to its generator. She also wanted to know if you were too exhausted from Feite to properly lead everyone into battle." Lelouch's eyes widen while he turned his back to C.C. and flipped his cape. "Preposterous, I may be horrible at athletics, but I'm not easily exhausted at doing what we did. Anyway…" His eyes widen while a ring came from his pocket. "Huh?"

He reached into his pocket and pulled out his mobile phone. Without much hesitation Lelouch answered the phone and held it to his ear. "Nunally?"

Nunally sat at a dining table with her hands holding the household phone to her ear. "Brother? I want to talk to sister Euphie."

Lelouch's eyes widen in shock while Nunally continued to speak. "Brother, me, and her, the three of us can go to the festival together. Milly said that, the school festival was interrupted; she wanted to organize another one. That's why I wonder what we should do then…"

"Nunally, did you hear about the news?" Lelouch walked over to the sofa and took a seat.

"No brother, the radio terminated halfway through its broadcast. Did something happen?"

Lelouch slowly moved his phone away from his ear, and spoke firmly into the receiver. "No, it's nothing…Sorry I'll be back tomorrow….we'll discuss it then."

Feite walked across the cracked granite and into the large assortment of captured Sutherland, Burai, and shockingly a captured Glaive. The armor was being painted in a quick fashion with the shoulders bearing the symbol of the black knights. She let out a whistle while crossing over to the large truck whose large tendril like cords were pumping coolant into the Voulge's abdomen. "What's going on? Don't tell me she installed it already…" She hustled over while Rakshata held a data pad in her hand while shouting out orders to her subordinates.

Rakshata paused and slowly looked over as if something told her that Feite was standing several feet away. "Feite, we managed to get the generator to work. The problem is that it only has an operational time of nearly twenty hours before it needs to be recharged. This Cold Fusion reaction is extremely complicated, and is hard to replicate without a proper lab. If only we were at the Longinus Facility we could increase the power ratio from barely fifty percent to its full potential." Feite crossed her arms over her chest while eyeing her machine once more. "Fifty Percent is all I need; I can outlast any Knightmare frame in Britannia's arsenal with this C.F. Drive." Rakshata let out a small pout while letting out a deep sigh. "I guess so, but I would really like to study your drive a bit more. I'm a bit jealous that my rival's sister designed such a unique energy source."Feite reached her hand out to touch the cold metal armor of her machine. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. "It's time to get things rolling!"

Rakshata threw her arm out while signaling for her engineers to move away from the Voulge while the cords attached to its abdomen start to detach. A small hiss exits the cords while Feite walked to the back of the towering frame and climbed up the cockpit access ladder. The cockpit closed around Feite while she took her seat, and activated the advanced machine. Instead of a red flash from its eyes a bluish hue took form while the Voulge took its first step out of the maintenance bed. "The reaction is going according to my theory; the reactor is working at fifteen percent…" Feite let out a small groan while typing on the small keypad on her right side.

Zero stood in the bridge of the G1 command carrier with his finger tapping against the side of his helmet. "Status report…" The operator turned around with her eyes wide. "Everyone is prepared to make the push to Tokyo. All Knightmare have been loaded up into the supplemental carriers while jeeps and trucks are ready for our ground personnel." Zero turned over to C.C. and nodded over at the crew on the bridge. "Everyone we make our push to the Tokyo Settlement immediately!"

"So, who would have thought that the downgraded Voulge was so fluid?" Soran sat behind the controls of one of the captured Glaive. Several weapons were attached to the hard points most of them being projectile based weaponry. The pistol weapons were mounted on its hips while a combat knife was held in what could be seen as the Knightmare's mouth. The monomolecular cutter weapons were disguised as elongated knee cap armor while a large Gatling cannon was attached to its back.

"I'm glad to see that you made a recovery Soran. You seem to be bringing a lot of firepower." Feite let out a smile while she approached the weaponry containers. The Voulge kneeled down and attached its shield blade, and started to load its weaponry to the Knightmare's hard-points. "So, where is Haruka at?" Soran scratched his forehead while let out a playful grin. "She's going to be a bit late. Haruka had a letter to give to Tamaki." Feite glared forward while the Voulge took a step forward. "We're moving out, Haruka can join up with Tohdoh's unit."

"We are getting riots all across the nation with reports of uprisings growing higher with each passing minute. The Black Knights are rumored to already be on its way to Tokyo, and with it absorbing the militant groups on the way here. We need to ask for reinforcements from the mainland, we can't hold off a force of ten thousand with our garrison." An officer sat inside the briefing room with Gilford sitting at the head with his hands crossed. "We can't do anything without Lady Cornelia's approval." The officer growled while restraining himself from slamming his fist on the table top. "The Governor General is in mourning now, shouldn't you her knight take action now and set up a defensive strategy? If we keep our forces scattered in the area surrounding the settlement we'll lose to this revolution." Guildford let out a deep sigh while rubbing his forehead. "We must wait for Cornelia, that is all I can say."

Hours after the announcement lines of fierce fighting turn the night sky red with tracer rounds and explosions filling the ghettos around the Tokyo Settlement. Feite and Soran were both well ahead of Zero's Carrier leaving a path of carnage and devastation in their wake. The Voulge stood in the embers of one such battle with its sword plunged deeply into a Sutherland. The pilot sat in the cockpit with blood flowing from his mouth. "Who the hell are you?" Feite's voice filled the cockpit of the Sutherland while her face appeared on the cracked monitor. "I am Feite Avalon, the killer of your beloved Euphemia say hello to her in the bowels of hell." The pilot's eyes widen while the cockpit starts to explode around him. The sword flipped back into the shield locking into place while Feite felt the euphoric sensation of battle starting to grow inside her body. 'This feeling, this clarity…I'll pave the path to victory with this machine and my talent.'

Soran looked over at Feite with an odd look on his face while following the leader through the devastation. The Britannian units were scattered with a majority of its honorary soldiers leaving in favor of the Black Knights. "Let's keep it moving, don't forget to be thankful that we're paving the way Tohdoh!"

Tohdoh stood at the communications terminal and let out a small scoff. "Very well, you have our thanks. Don't act foolish out there, paving a path is one thing, we'll need you to support us when we get to the settlement." He lowered the receiver and turned over to Nagisa, and the other members of the four swords. "Are we prepared yet?" His eyes turn over to Haruka who had only recently rejoined her old friends from the JLF. "Yes sir, the Gekka have received a final tune up personally from Rakshata." Tohdoh crossed his arms over his chest and nodded. "Haruka, why didn't you join up with Feite and Soran you're part of the 1st Autonomous Force am I right?" Haruka let out a small nod and saluted. "I opted to stay behind and support you Tohdoh. The Tasogare that was recovered from Akishima was repaired and I will be using that to help out."

"They've already breached the Atsugi line? Rumors have been following in that there is only a handful Knightmare at the head of the formation." The officer looked over with his eyes wide at the monitor. "It had just been identified; Feite Avalon is leading the frontal assault on our forces!" Guilford clenched his fist while sweat fell down the side of his face. "Tell our men to keep holding out till Cornelia gives us the order."

A solider runs through the hallways and enters the command center with fatigue weighing heavily on his face. "Lord Guilford!" Guilford stood up in sort of a state of shock. His eyes widen while the solider was covered with small burns and dirt. "What happened?" The soldier shook his head while walking into the room. "The entire experimental series Glaive units were destroyed! Someone sabotaged the entire hanger bay; we've lost all of them in the explosion!"

An officer stood up with anger in his face. "First the Atsugi line and now this! Our chances of holding the settlement drops even lower without the use of the Glaive. Now that reinforcements have been delayed…" Another turns over with a sour look in his face. "We should abandon this area…"

"Don't Panic!" Cornelia's fierce and determined voice filled the room while she stood at the doorway. Her fearsome eyes glared over at Guilford while the emotion of loss slowly vanished. "I already have the Glaston Knights on standby; we also don't need Avalon's new weapon to win this battle. Deploy all of our forces to the edge of the settlement. As long as we eliminate the Order of the Black Knights and Zero, the rebellion will be suppressed!"

Zero stared at the battle and got out of his chair. He flipped up his cape while walking forward with confidence emanating off him. "It's our victory once we bring down Cornelia! All troops, position yourself based on the combat deployment map, and the paths created for you by Feite's autonomous unit." He crossed towards the exit where C.C. leaned against the wall. "Leave the front-lines to Tohdoh, and let Feite do what she wishes. Diethard you have this place." Diethard let out a small nod while the door to the bridge opened.

Kaguya stood at the doorway causing Zero to take a step back in surprise. "Sumeragi…" The small girl let out an overjoyed gasp while leaning forward. "Thank goodness! I made it in time. How mean! You intended to leave me aside and head off into battle. I've been a fan of yours ever since your debut!" Sumeragi moved around with her smile and expression growing with every second. "I was thinking of finally getting a chance to have a good talk with you…" Her eyes widen while holding her hand up above her head. "Hey, you're surprisingly tall!" Sumeragi shook her head and turned to the side. "But its fine, I'll catch up with you soon."

Diethard turned over with a gasp. "Kaguya-sama, isn't everyone from the six major families staying at Fuji?" Kaguya shook her head and leaned to the side. "I chased after you, in order to see how my husband fights!" Zero looked down with a mocking look. "Husband?" Kaguya nodded while looking up. "Yes, you need a wife after you win this battle right? Since you can't reveal your identity, I think that you would need someone to compensate for that." Zero glared down at her and let out a small laugh. "Do you think we can win this battle?" Kaguya nodded with an unshakable amount of charisma. "Yes, because I'm the goddess of victory." Zero let out a small nod while walking beside Kaguya. "That is a nice gesture, but my soul is already being led by a demon." C.C. let out a small laugh while she looked out the corner of her eye. 'My my Lelouch talking about Feite or I?' Zero continued down the hallway waving his hand over his shoulder. "As things are now I don't think I can get along with gods."

Feite sat inside the cockpit with her hand gently hovering over the thick bandage over her right eye. Her hand shook slightly while pulling out a small metal case from her pocket. She opened the top revealing a small amount of pain pills. Her off-hand gripped a single pill and popped it into her mouth. It was bitter tasting while Feite swallowed the pill without the aid of water. The computer let out a small beep while the Gawain flew by overhead hovering slightly in front of the First Autonomous squad. "I wonder what you're going to say…I doubt Cornelia would accept an ultimatum…"

A window opened up on the side panel and slowly Soran's face appeared. "So what do you think he'll say to the Britannians?" Feite shrugged her shoulders while sitting back in the seat. Her eye was still aching from the surgery, while she closed her eye and sighed. "Probably ask her to surrender, as I see it now it'll take too long for Britannia to send reinforcements from the mainland. Also, we won't be seeing any Glaive units…" Soran leaned forward with a shocked look on his face. "What do you mean by that? My machine is a Glaive…" Feite nodded a few times before letting out a sly smile. "We have connections inside the settlement. Since I have access to Avalon's shipping documentation, I found out there were at least thirty combat ready Glaive machines in the settlement. So far it would seem that fifteen were deployed to Cornelia, while five were given to the Irregulars. Subtracting the ones that were destroyed with the one you're piloting we have at least three or four left. We might be seeing one, but I highly doubt it. The irregulars pulled out of Area Eleven shortly after Kasha was declared killed in action."

Soran let out a loud whistle while moving his arms behind his head. "That is very Zero like of you to calculate the situation." Feite shook her head while re-opening her good eye. She let out a small chuckle while staring at the settlement. "Do you think they evacuated the citizens? I don't look forward in fighting in populated streets." Soran shrugged his shoulders while running a final check on the captured machine's systems. "I know, but considering the overconfidence of Cornelia I bet it was just a stay indoors order." Feite glared up while, Zero's ultimatum played through the cockpit speakers of the Voulge.

"Listen up Britannia, I am Zero. A rebel against those with power. I'll wait until midnight, surrender and submit to my army. This is my ultimatum…let me reiterate. I will wait until midnight, surrender and submit to my army."

Cornelia sat at the controls of her Gloucester while glaring at the Gawain in the distance. "Its pointless Zero, the settlement is a fortress which you cannot enter. Even with Feite by your side. I highly doubt you'd be able to defeat me." She turned to her side monitor and her eyes widen.

"I'm sorry to say Cornelia, but Feite is mine for this battle. You can have Zero and his army...." Nonette's voice echoed through Cornelia's cockpit while an angered look flashed across her face. "I will get revenge for what Feite did…Euphemia didn't deserve that type of death." There was a slight pause before Nonette continued. "Well then we will both fight her at once. I would rather not kill her, but if it suits you Cornelia I will allow it. Even though as the Knight of Nine I can do whatever I want to…"

Nonette lowered her mobile phone while looking up at her Knightmare, Dagonet. The pure white machine stood in place with a float system of its own attached to its backside. It bore similar design to that of the Lancelot while the entire frame looked slender with a pair of swords resting at its sides. She paused while the warm wind brushed through her hair. Her eyes turn to the flaming wreckage of the building that housed the Glaive prototypes. "What a waste….those machines were state of the art…" Nonette let out a sigh while walking over to her Dagonet.

The clock quickly flashed midnight while Feite gripped the controls and readied the Voulge to perform a boost-jump. Her eye widens while the settlement's support blocks started to purge themselves from each other. "This is impossible; he had access to the settlement's structure systems!"

Cornelia's eyes widen while a scowl covered her face while the computer beeped loudly with signal lost flashing for every unit around her. The footing for her Gloucester started to give way while others simply fell to their dooms exploding on the fractured support blocks.

Lelouch let out a sinister smile while his hand rested on his chin. His eyes glare at the diagram of the settlement displayed on his monitor. "A layered foundation that can be broken up in order to counter earthquakes. There's nothing weaker than that when all the floor parts are crumbled. Setting up the battle formation around the outer edge to intercept the Order of the Black Knights has brought about your downfall…"

Feite shook her head while those around her were caught in the awe of Zero's planning and help from the inside of the settlement. Soran appeared yet again on Feite's monitor and grinned. "That was most anti-climatic; shall we head in and take the victory?" Feite turned her head to the side and pushed a button while letting out a nod. "Yeah…engage Britannia now!" The Voulge's legs dug into the ground while it quickly leaped from the earth and high into the air.

"Feite and the Autonomous squad are attacking head on." Tohdoh looked up at Feite and Soran's units leading the charge with the Burai Kai following behind them. He let out a small smile while looking over at Nagisa's machine. "What's the status of the enemy aerial forces?" Nagisa flashed on his monitor while examining the data at the same time. "The organizations allied with us have already started fighting in the areas to the left and right in order to split them up. Feite seems to be easily taking those in front of us. All that is left is the area around the Izu Island chain, Sado, and Awaji." Tohdoh let out a nod while throwing his arm forward. His Gekka mimics the movement while throwing its arm forward. "All right let's do this, Charge!"

The roar of land spinner fills the air while Tohdoh and the holy swords lead the way for the others. The Tasogare followed closely behind Tohdoh while he relayed the second batch of orders. "Team Three will head towards the press agencies. Team Six will head towards the public safety Department. The Special Forces Teams will try to suppress the airspace in the forward and lower regions. The rest will join Feite and engage in a frontal assault. Gather information about the remaining capabilities of the enemy."

"All units retreat, head back to the Governor's Building!" Cornelia's eyes stared down at the wreck of a Sutherland at her feet. "You, why is your machine moving erratically. If you can't move I'll carry the cockpit block…" The injured pilot inside shook his head while looking at Cornelia's face. "No need princess you get yourself to the Governor General's building, I'll be fine."

"To think I'd run into you this early!" Feite's voice filled the area while the sword flew forward from the shield locking into place while the Voulge leaped over to Cornelia's position. Cornelia's eyes widen while she quickly reacted moving the injured pilot's Sutherland to meet Feite's sword. "Feite, how dare you!" Feite growled while she quickly hacked the Sutherland in half with no hesitation for its pilot trapped inside. The blade flew forward while Cornelia jumped backward. The Voulge landed on its feet while the explosion brushed along its armor. Feite looked up ahead while a warning flash came from her right side. "What the?" She turned over barely pulling the Voulge back in time nearly avoiding being slashed by the Gloucester's blade. "Princess leave this traitor to me!" Guilford glared over at the Voulge while Feite breathed heavily from the maneuver. "Traitor? I would call myself a patriot…" The Voulge and Gloucester charged at one another with the shield sword slamming into the MVS blade.

Cornelia looked at the sparking coming from Guilford's Gloucester while she sternly glared at the Voulge. "Are you telling me to forsake my subordinate and run away?" Guilford's stressed voice filled her intercom. "Princess you must escape it's for Euphemia's sake too." Cornelia's eyes widen while Guilford continued to speak. "I was chosen to be the princess's protector. I am your Knight Cornelia; it is my duty to make sure you are unharmed." Cornelia quickly collected herself while turning for the Governor General's building. "This is an order. Come back alive, my knight, Guilford." Guilford glared over at Feite with a grin on his face. "Yes, your highness!"

Feite let out a disinterested gaze while the shield sword slammed against Guilford's MVS blade. The vibrations from both weapons sent pressure to the controls. Feite's arm jerked while she clenched her teeth and let out a chaotic chuckle. "Is this the power of a Britannian Knight?" Guilford's eyes widen while the Voulge pushed forward sending his machine off its feet and onto its back. The Gloucester skidded on the fractured ground while the Voulge stood several feet away. "The Gloucester is easy to knock off balance….I wonder how I know these things…Oh yeah my family made that model." Guilford glared up at Feite while getting back up and charging. "You speak as if I'm a novice!"

Tohdoh rolled up while slashing heavily at Guilford's machine. "Feite, I'll handle this man. You are to continue to chase after Cornelia." Feite looked over while pulling her machine to a stop. "What do you mean? I can take him out easily Tohdoh." Tohdoh shook his head while parrying a blow from Guilford's machine. "Zero has faith in you to do what is right. Let me have this battle, you will probably take the glory for the war." Tohdoh knocked Guilford's blade backwards and lunged forward. Feite let out a light sigh while the Voulge leaped backwards towards Cornelia's machine. "Very well Tohdoh, I'll leave the knight to you."

The Voulge ran across the debris laden outer area of the Tokyo settlement. The damage was immense while a few of the surviving members of Cornelia's army were easily destroyed during their retreat. Feite's eyes panned the battlefield searching for Cornelia's machine, but nothing was coming on her sensors. "Damn it, it seems she was more skilled than I let on."

Soran slashed a Sutherland in half with its monomolecular cutter while its head popped up with its eyes letting out a cold electrical flash. "Huh?" From the sky a machine dove down with its own blade clashing against Soran's. The feminine laugh of Nonette filled the airspace while the Dagonet pushed the Glaive backwards. Soran jerked in the cockpit while he stared at the unknown machine. "A new model? Wait a minute that logo!" His eyes widen while spotting the Royal Insignia. "Damn it, you're a Rounds aren't you?"

The Glaive's legs dug into the earth while the Dagonet came to a sudden halt. Nonette let out a less than amused sigh while appearing on Soran's main monitor. "You were pretty smart to stop my blade with such a maneuver, as expected of an elite pilot. I am the Knight of Nine Nonette Enneagram, tell me where Feite Avalon is and I will spare your pitiful life." Soran scoffed while pushing the Dagonet backwards. The air enabled Knightmare simply pulled backwards while the Glaive held its combat knife in a taunting gesture. "Like I'd do that…I'll kill you before you can touch her." Nonette blew on her nails while letting out a sigh. "I guess it'd turn to this. However you do seem to possess a good heart." Her eye widened while the Dagonet flew forward.

A large series of sparks filled the battlefield while Soran and Nonette's battle started to appear on the main communication lines. "A Knight of the Rounds?" Lelouch's eyes widen while C.C. simply stared at the footage displayed from Soran's machine. "It would seem that only one of them is here. Judging by the audio confirmation from Soran, it's the Knight of Nine, Nonette Enneagram." Lelouch growled while slamming his hand into the console. "Damn it, I wasn't expecting a Rounds to be in Tokyo. Where is Feite at?" C.C. let out a confused expression while turning to him. "She's pursuing Cornelia…" Lelouch pressed a switch on his console. "Feite, I need you to reroute, and help Soran defeat that Knight of the Rounds!"

A G1 carrier sparks wildly while its bridge was sliced off by the Voulge. Feite glared over her shoulder while Lelouch's words echo inside the cockpit. 'Nonette is here…quite a nostalgic reunion we have here this morning…' She took in a deep breath while pulling back before the entire G1 exploded from the heavy damage. A few Burai brush past the Voulge and continue towards the remaining portion of the settlement. "This is Feite; I'll take care of the Rounds member."

"What the hell are you?" Soran leaped backwards while a slash from Nonette cleaved the armor off his Knightmare's shoulder. The blade continued downward cleaving the delicate machinery underneath before the limb fell to the ground below. "You are a novice, I was wrong in thinking that you were capable of even touching my Dagonet." Soran skidded against the ground while gripping the knife tightly while sparks flew through the cockpit. "Damn it, the difference in the strength is too much…" His machine rushed forward in a desperation attack. The remaining arm pulled backwards while Nonette simply stood in a mocking manner. "This is no way you can win…"

The monomolecular knife flew forward with the weapon clashing against the first of Nonette's two blades. The weapon continued forward and pierced into the left shoulder the small serrated edges alongside the knife's blade rotate quickly while it shreds thought the thick armor. "At least I can take out one of your…" Soran's eyes widen while Nonette slashed the right arm of her Knightmare down. The blade held within its slender hand flew downward with tremendous force. 'Damn it." Soran cursed to himself while pulling backwards and avoiding the blow.

"Let us help you out." A few Burai from a different faction roll forward while Soran's unit came to a turbulent stop. Its knife stabbed into the ground in order to prevent it from being pushed back further. "Don't do it, that pilot is more skilled than you!" There was nothing but silence on the radio while the Dagonet pulled backwards and threw out its left arm. A slash harken flew forward spiraling in a circle before sundering the legs off the first Burai. A frown appeared on Nonette's face while sighing deeply. "Is there no one able to match my strength other than Feite?" The slash harken flew back into the forearm while without much effort Nonette turned around and without looking cut the second Burai in half. She slashed the blade downward spilling the machine fluid off the edge. "Are you going to kneel there or continue to fight me?"

Soran's eyes were trembling while he gripped the controls tightly. His heart was beating while hearing the voice from the Knight of Nine echo in the cockpit. "I am merely readying myself…I'm going to push this machine to its limit!" The Glaive's chest exhausted a large amount of heat while its eyes flashed heavily. The machine pushed off its back foot and charged forward at a much faster pace. The pressuring caused Soran to grunt slightly while Nonette's eyes widen. "You disabled the limiter? You're quite a fool." She shot out the slash harken once more with its rocket anchors twisting the wired weapon in an erratic path. "I don't think so." Soran twisted the Glaive's controls while leaping over the harken and slashing it off. He pressed the trigger sending a barrage of bullets from the head mounted Vulcan cannon. Nonette leaped backwards and returned to air with a satisfied look on her face. "My, this is quite exhilarating, but it's my duty as a knight to end your life."

The Dagonet replaced one of its swords while pulling out a Varis rifle from its skirt armor. Nonette let out an annoyed sigh while the sights flashed over her eye. "Farewell brave Black Knight." She pulled the trigger sending a single shot towards Soran's machine. Soran jerked at the controls while grunting from the added pressure of the limit release. The Glaive's left leg was ripped off by the Varis shot sending the machine crashing to the ground. "I would have rather my first shot kill you, but…" Soran's Glaive creaked while it pushed itself up with its only arm. Several sparks surge over his Knightmare while he growled. 'I'm sorry…Feite' He shook his head while looking down at the static filled controls. Nonette re-aimed while pulling the trigger yet again, a single shot flew forward piercing the downed Glaive twisting its chest armor open before exploding. The fractured limbs flew everywhere while a smoke stack appeared from what remained of Soran's Knightmare.

A loud frenzied yell filled the area while Nonette looked over and let out a smile. The Voulge stood at the fringe of the battle with the flames of Soran's Knightmare reflecting on the black armor of the Voulge. Feite had her head hunched over while a shadow covered her eyes. "You killed Soran….you killed my subordinate when his machine was disabled." Nonette appeared on her monitor and let out a mocking laugh. "Yes, you should have trained him better at using the Glaive. It would seem that you're only talent is being a solider not a leader. Since that's why you follow Zero right?" Feite looked up while her eyes retained the demonic look from battles long since past. "I follow my heart, and that is all I need! Now prepare yourself Nonette!" The Voulge charged forward moving at a faster pace than that of the Glaive.

"Faster?" Nonette's eyes widen while the speed of the Voulge caught her off guard. She pushed on the throttle moving her Dagonet out of the range of Feite's shield sword. She quickly raised the rifle and fired off a barrage of shots. "You're an expert at using that machine; its modifications are on par with my Dagonet. Sadly, the only thing that separates us is that I taught you every maneuver you know!" The Voulge using its acrobatic like movement twisted and flipped over the incoming shots. Feite landed on the ground with the large feet of her Knightmare digging into the remains of the purged platforms. "You failed to say one thing Nonette...you trained me to become a Knight of the Rounds!" The shield sword retracted its blade while Feite fired a pair of shots from the integrated pistol.

"This is amazing…" Diethard stared at the battle between Feite, and Nonette with a bright smile on his face. "I can't believe that Feite is taking on a Rounds with so much fire and tenacity. She is worthy of the position Zero gave to her." Kaguya looked over with a pout on her face, "But that woman is too unrefined for Zero, don't you think I'd be a better bride for him?" She pushed on her cheeks while Diethard turned over his shoulder. "You're still thinking of that milady? It is just speculation that Feite and Zero are involved with one another." Kaguya pulled out a fan from her sleeve, and gently fanned herself. "Zero himself isn't Japanese, it's natural for him to be attracted to a beautiful Britannian girl, but I have one thing she doesn't." She pressed her chest out and grinned behind the cover of the fan. "My exotic Nadesico like look." Diethard let out a small laugh while turning back to the battlefield.

"Why won't you listen to me and just turn sides?" Nonette slammed both blades onto the shield covered right arm of the Voulge. Feite growled under her breath while pushing the Dagonet back. She took a slash at the abdomen, but Nonette quickly dodged. "I'm not a traitor; I will be with Zero until the end. Be it my eye, my body or my soul. I will tread the path I have chosen. Even if I must chop off my blood stained wings and become mortal." Nonette's laugh filled the area while the Voulge barely parries the attacks on its right side. "Still talking like you are an immortal. Why can't you see your right side?" Nonette threw the slash harken forward and threw her second sword. Feite's left eye focused while she tried to maneuver herself. 'I can't see it.' She slashed the MVS sword in half while the Harken pierced into the middle of the shield blade. "I don't need both my eyes to defeat you Nonette!" Nonette's eyes widen while Feite's face was displayed on the monitor. She pulled her second MVS sword out and charged forward. "I see so you were wounded…it's a shame."

"A shame? You don't realize that I've already won Nonette!" The Voulge jerked its right arm and extended the blade once more. The weapon cut into the harken's wire releasing the Voulge from the tether from the Dagonet causing both Knightmare to stumble backwards from the release in pressure. "You're taking too much time to recover!" The Dagonet flew high into the air and dove downward holding its arm out for a slash.

Nonette and Feite both growled heavily while their weapons clashed against one another yet again. The two towering Knightmare frames stand in a deadlock while the upgraded MVS blade starts to crack through the Voulge's shield blade. 'Damn it, the blade is going to...' Feite threw the left arm forward and shot the magnetic harken at the chest of the Dagonet. The magnetic clamp latched onto the armor making Nonette give her former pupil a confused look. "What are you plotting Feite? The second your blade breaks I win." Feite shook her head while pressing a switch on the main controls. "If I short your filler you have no power!" A large jolt of electricity shot through the connecting wire and into the Dagonet. The Dagonet's body stiffened while Nonette let out a mocking laugh. "Are you shocked? That attack won't work me. This Dagonet has been fitted to counter your black-out harken."

"I see, so you've been getting help from Lloyd!" Feite looked out the corner of her eye while the shield blade shattered. The Voulge shook while Nonette pulled the MVS sword back up for a follow thought slice. Feite pulled the controls backward while pressing heavily on the pedals. The Voulge leaped backwards while throwing its damaged shield blade at the Dagonet. Nonette shook her head while cutting the shield in half while hovering in midair. "Feite, now that I've gotten rid of that useless weapon. Pull out the weapon you specialize in, and fight with me unhindered."

Feite looked down at the console while the Voulge quickly pulled out its M2 Cutter from its skirt mounted scabbard. The serrated blade started to heat up while it rotated alongside the weapon's core. "Very well Nonette, I was never good with swords." Nonette charged forward holding the weapon backwards while slashing heavily against Feite's M2 Cutter. "You are skilled in any weapon that is why you've become a dangerous person. I can't let you continue to blossom into another Marianne the Flash." Nonette pushed over at the Voulge only to spot the warning symbol flash on her monitors. 'Impossible, even the Dagonet can't match its muscle pack system?'

"There are a ton of things I've perfected Nonette!" The Voulge's eyes let out an ominous flash while it pushed the Dagonet back. A large crack formed alongside the edge of the MVS sword, as Nonette regained control of her Knightmare. She brushed her hand across her forehead and let out a small smile. 'You're able to make me sweat, I was wrong in thinking you were still a novice.' Feite exhaled while slowly calming herself down. A single drop of sweat rolls down her forehead while her eyes move around trying to figure out her opponent's next move.

"It's time to end this Feite…" Nonette let out a smile while bringing the Dagonet to a midair hover. She slashed the blade once before readying it for a forward charge. The float system lets out a loud roar while the secondary boosters ignite propelling the machine forward. "An all out charge, something isn't right with your strategy Nonette." Feite threw the Voulge's arm out shooting the magnetic harken at the remains of a Sutherland that was half destroyed by the purge system. The clamp attached to the batter top half of the cockpit block and was quickly retracted. "Improvising?" Nonette looked over while the Voulge dispersed a thick cloud of black smoke. Her sensors went dark while the fact spheres opened on the Dagonet's shoulders. "Damn it…where are…" Nonette slammed the Dagonet's legs back into the ground and shut off the Float system. Her eyes scan the cloud while her sensors let out a red flash. "There you are!"

Nonette's eyes widen while she slashes the cockpit block of a Sutherland. "A decoy?" She turned around slowly, but it was much too late. The Voulge appeared at the backside of the Dagonet while it turned over. The M2 cutter shimmered brightly in the dim cloud while it slashed heavily through the right arm. The Dagonet's right arm fell to the ground while a follow through slash cut through the chest armor with the blade entering the cockpit. Nonette held her arms over her face while shrapnel flies into her body. She jerks from the pressure and coughs out blood on the half exposed cockpit. The Dagonet sparked wildly while it fell backwards into the debris below. Its float system's wings fractured under the pressure while the Voulge stood stationary several meters away. "You still managed to dodge the full attack." Feite was exhausted with sweat now fully running down her face. Her pilot suit was already turning into an oven with the internal temperature of the cockpit rising despite the climate control.

"I barely dodged that attack…" Nonette weakly spoke into the communicator and flipped a switch activating the damaged float system. The Dagonet creaked heavily while pieces of its chest armor fell to the ground. "Are you going to fight more Nonette?" Feite pointed the M2 cutter at her former teacher preparing to finish what she started almost an hour ago. The Dagonet shook its head mimicking its pilot's gestures while rising slowly into the air. "No, you've bested my Dagonet. You truly do hold true to your nickname, Minerva." Feite lowered the weapon sliding it slowly back into its scabbard while eyeing Nonette's Knightmare flying off toward the governor general's building. "Nonette, I'm going to change the world. Live until you can see it."

Lelouch stared down at the Voulge while it started to rush off towards the governor general's office. "Feite actually defeated the Knight of Nine…." He closed his eyes while the smile on his face vanishes into a cold and tactical look. "Now that Feite has cleared the obstacle, the remaining members of the Special Forces team with Team Zero will go in first and take control of the school area. We'll make one of those buildings our headquarters. Ogi, you'll be in command there." Feite looked over at the Gawain while holding the side of her head. 'Are we going after Nunally now?'

Kallen let out a gasp while turning over to the Voulge running beside her Guren. "Feite, are you serious we are going to the school?" Feite shrugged her shoulders while staring up ahead. "I'm confused by this as well Kallen, but we do need a headquarters." Kallen looked over at Feite's sweat covered face and sighed. "You really did have a hard time taking out that member of the rounds didn't you." Feite looked off into the distance, and let out a small nod. "The pilot was a tough person, I expected that much….you could say I took it out with one eye closed." Kallen let out a small groan and shook her head. "That isn't a good joke Feite." Feite shrugged her shoulders while smiling. "At least I'm trying to lessen the mood here. Soran would have wanted that at the very least." Kallen looked down while nodding. "Was there no ejection?" Feite rubbed her temple while shaking her head. "No, the Glaive series lacks an ejection system since its frame isn't remotely like any of the other Knightmare frames. Soran died protecting what he believed in. We need to use his death as a catalyst to bring Japan out from the shadow of Britannia."

Across the Pacific Ocean, the Avalon hovered slowly through the clouds. Suzaku walked through the corridors entering the hanger where the Lancelot stood. Lloyd walked out from behind the slender legs of the Knightmare while sighing. "You intend to go, right? To the Tokyo Settlement. However…" Lloyd let out a smile while cheering. "Congratulations. The special envoy was established in order to carry out our research. We have already finished what we were supposed to do." He held his hand out while placing his other firmly against his hip. "We haven't gotten at orders from the Governor General to sortie either. That is why you'll be violating orders if you launch now." Suzaku walked forward with a look of malice in his eyes. "Suzaku, I don't know what your feelings are but…" Cecile held her hands over her mouth while Suzaku simply grabbed Lloyd by the collar and punched him across the face. His glasses flew off his head, and crashed against the flooring. "Zero and Feite are in Tokyo! I will defeat both of them with my own two hands. Don't hinder me, I will do it!" Suzaku pulled out the emblem Euphemia gave him and pinned it to the lapel of his pilot suit.

"It can't be that's the…" A few engineers look over while the Glaston knights ready their Knightmare to sortie. The Dagonet smoked while it crashed to the ground its float system exploded while the Knightmare came to a skidding stop on the staging plaza. "The Knight of Nine was defeated?" The cockpit hatch flew open while Nonette climbed out holding her wounded arm. A few engineers rush over while she glared up at the Governor General's Building. 'I failed you Cornelia…Feite is more than a shadow of the two of us. She's her own being, the true visage of the late Empress."

"Are you alright Lady Nonette?" An engineer held his hand out to her while she accepted his aide. "I'm fine, how are the preparations going?" The Glaston Knights roll forward as if the loss of the Dagonet didn't affect them at all. "The Glaston Knights have been deployed, and will hold this building." Nonette looked over weakly at Cornelia while she walked forward. "I suspect Feite gave you those wounds?" Nonette let out a small chuckle and nodded. "If she keeps fighting that way, there is a slim chance we'll hold out if we get attacked by that Knightmare." Cornelia clenched her fist, and grinned. "That is if she makes it here, I don't think Zero would sacrifice the Black Armor in a frontal assault."

The Voulge walked in front of various Burai of the special operations squadron. The Guren walked behind them while the Ashford academy grew larger on the horizon. "They are pulling most of their forces to the Generals office. That is where I should be at Zero." Feite's eye shuddered at the thought of having to show her face to not only her cousin, but her fellow classmates.

"No, you will continue on this course, I need you here. Cornelia expects us to charge in. I have another plan for such a decision." Kallen looked up at the Gawain and the Special Forces as they entered the campus grounds. "Zero, what will we do with the students?" Lelouch grabbed hold of his mask while smiling. "Nothing will happen; this facility will serve as a headquarters nothing more. We will treat them with respect, and no one will be harmed."

The Voulge entered the grounds while it quickly fell to its knees, and hunched over with the cockpit shooting open. Feite climbed out of the cockpit holding a handgun in her hand. The cool wind brushed across her skin while she climbed down to foot level. She stared over at the student council building while other members of the order run past her. "Secure the area, and don't harm any of the students."

Kallen rushed over wearing her visor, and jacket over her shoulders. "Feite, why aren't you wearing your visor?" Feite gave a blank stare to Kallen while she shrugged her shoulders. "I have already made myself a traitor to Britannia. I'm sure the others will understand my methods. You at least still can fool them. That is if you wish to do that Kallen." Kallen reached for her visor while Zero walked up behind them. "We should go, Feite Avalon you are from this school correct? Lead me into that building." He lifted his hand up and pointed at the student council building. "I want that location as the hub of our headquarters." Feite gave him a weak glance before nodding. "As you wish…Lets go." She held up her hand and motioned for the others to follow her.

Inside the meeting room, Rivalz, Shirley, and Milly all stare at the video feed from the news. The screen turns to static while the logo of the Order of the Black Knights flashes on screen. "This is no good; all the news stations have been taken over." Rivalz presses a few buttons only to catch the same thing on all the local channels. "What are we going to do Rivalz?" Shirley held Nunally's wheelchair while her hand touched Shirley's. "I'm scared, where is my brother at…" Milly looked over with a smile. "I'm sure Lelouch is safe…"

The door shot open while Tamaki entered with two others. He aimed his gun over at Rivalz while shouting like a madman. "Raise your hands! This school is no under the command of us, the Order of the Black Knights." Rivalz took a step forward placing him in the line of fire from Tamaki's weapon. He threw his arms out in a protective gesture while holding a determined expression. "Put your guns away." Tamaki raised his eye brow while scoffing. "Huh? What are you saying at a time like this?" Milly looked down at Rivalz while whispering slowly into his ear. "Rivalz…" He quickly cut her off, and shook his head. "Let me act cool for once. I'll protect everyone!" Tamaki shook his head and gripped his rifle. "Ah, I see."

"Stop this foolishness Tamaki, Zero told us to not harm any of the students." Tamaki's eyes widen while he holds his rifle back while spotting Feite at the doorway. Her dull eye stared over at him while Zero and Kallen both walked in after her. Milly turned around while Nunally let out a gasp. "That voice it's…" Feite looked down at Nunally, and over at Milly. "Yes, it's been a long time hasn't it." Milly's hand moved over to her mouth while Feite turned her head to the side. "What happened to your eye Feite? Are you…" Feite let out a smirk while shaking her head. "I'm fine, now I want you all to be calm. We will not hurt any of you. All we, the Order of the Black Knights want is to use this school as our base of operations." Milly stared up at her cousin while crossing her arms over her chest. "I guess we will not be able to refuse." Feite looked over at Zero while he took a step forward. "I guarantee your safety that no harm will come to any student. As long as you obey our commands that is."

"Feite, why did you become involved in the Black Knights!" Shirley glared over while Nunally looked up at her with a shocked look. Feite let out a small scoff while moving a strand of hair out from her eyes. "You have no idea how much pain I've been put through at this pathetic school. Ever since I was forced here, I made a few friends, but that alone will not mend a shattered spirit." Shirley threw her hand out while tears swelled up in her eyes. "Is that what our friendship was? Something that is able to be thrown away?" Feite let out a nod while she gritted her teeth, and moved her hand over her eye. "No it's something I treasure, but the injustice of Britannia must end…." She stumbled to the side, only to catch herself against the wall. "We would hate to throw away such friendships. All of that is what made us…us." Kallen took a step forward while removing her mask causing everyone to gasp.

"Kallen, even you are…" Milly let out a soft nod while glancing up at Zero. "So I have your word that we will not be harmed? Not a finger on us or anyone else inside this school?" Feite took a few deep breaths while she popped another pill into her mouth. Her right hand fell limp to her side while she nodded. "Yes, as of right now…the boys' and girls' dormitories have been secured with none of them able to leave." Shirley's eyes were trembling while she grabbed the side of her head. "It was you, the two of you what did you do to me? Why are you…" Feite looked over at Kallen while she stood in shock over Shirley's weird question. "Shirley…I."

A member rushed into the room, and hunched over to catch his breath. "Zero, the Lancelot is here, and it's coming to us!" Zero let out a smile underneath his mask while looking over at Feite. "Good, he came." Feite shook her head while staring at Kallen. "I can't pilot while in this much pain…Kallen you should go and fight against him." Zero looked over at Kallen, and nodded. "Very well, I'll try my best to stop him." Feite stumbled over to the nearby chair and took a seat. Milly held her hand out and took a step only for Tamaki to yell at her. "Don't go near her you…" Feite looked up while shaking her head. "Tamaki, don't bother…my cousin is very stubborn." Tamaki's eyes widen while he looked over. "Cousin? You're related to this girl??

"Anyway, Feite are you capable of handling this area with Ogi? I would like for the Voulge to defend this area from a surprise attack if it is to occur. Rakshata has brought the necessary equipment to resupply your machine. I'm going to greet the Lancelot with Kallen." Zero flipped his cape while walking off towards the exit. "Also, Tamaki please restrain yourself around the students." Tamaki let out a sigh and pouted. "Whatever man I'll try."

Suzaku growled while he hacked through the outer defensive lines. "Damn it, where the hell are you Zero?" He glared over a the mobile cannon and flew towards it. The engines flare while the MVS blade slices through the half of the mobile cannon and tearing off its support legs. Yoshida grips the controls while the cockpit sparks around him. 'Damn it, I won't be able to….' The mobile cannon explodes while the Lancelot easily dispatches the remaining guard around him.

Flashback

Inside the medical bay of the Avalon, Suzaku stands beside V.V. while they discuss Euphemia's death. "Geass?" V.V let out a small nod while looking up with a sly smirk on his face. "Yes, that's right. Zero has an extraordinary power. Why did Her Highness Euphemia's personality suddenly change? Why did Zero have Feite Avalon shoot her openly? Or why did Feite Avalon join the Order of the Black Knights in the first place? Also, what were you, someone who obeys rules, doing at Shikinejima?"

~End~

Villetta leaps out from the debris while thinking of Lelouch's power deeply inside her head. 'A power that is capable of manipulating people and making them lose their will. Everything falls in place now that I know about it. Most likely, due to its side effect, an eleven and I actually…' She bites her lip while running up the nearby wall of debris on her way to the school building in the distance. 'That student Lelouch Lamperouge is truly the devil.'

The Lancelot glides across the scarred landscape while the school building grows larger in the distance. "Huh?" Suzaku looks up ahead and quickly slashes a knife that was thrown from a nearby rooftop. The knife spirals around like a boomerang, and returns to the hand of the Guren. "Suzaku! Since we've encountered each other in combat…I'm sorry, but you have to die here." Suzaku growled while he threw his hand out. "You're an idiot, you and all the Japanese are being fooled by that man." Kallen scowled while she gripped the controls tightly. "The way you say that pisses me off! What the heck do you know about Zero?" Suzaku growled while he shot his slash harkens below the Guren. "Then tell me who Zero really is!"

Kallen threw the large arm backwards and activated the radiant Surger just as it impacted against the Lancelot. Both Knightmare frames start to cause the building they both were on to shake and collapse. Kallen shoots the slash harken while Suzaku hovers away with the use of the float system. Kallen kicks off the opposite building and fires the radiant Surger once more against Suzaku's Lancelot. "Now tell me where Zero is?" Kallen growled while the Guren started to freefall. She slammed her hands on the controls sending the large arm clawing into the damaged skyscraper. "Don't act so arrogant just because you can fly!" Suzaku slashed downward only for the Radiant Surger to push the Guren backwards and onto the street level. "Damn you Kallen! I will end this now!" The Lancelot charged forward and slashed its sword only for the Guren to slide underneath and grip the left arm in its large clawed hand. "I caught you…" She pushed the trigger sending the surging radiation through the Lancelot's arm. Suzaku quickly jettisons the arm while pulling out the Varis rifle. In a split second he fires directly at the Guren's main weapon destroying the large clawed arm in a single shot. Kallen lets out a scream while the shockwave enters the cockpit.

Suzaku hovered backwards while aiming the rifle yet again at the damaged Guren. "Now talk, tell me where is Zero?" Kallen looked downward while a smile flashed on her face. "I hate persistent men."Suzaku shook his head while tightening the hold on the trigger. "Then, I'm sorry Kallen." She bit her lip while Zero's voice filled the nearby area. "Wait, Kururugi Suzaku. It's naïve for me to feel attached to you. How about we have a one on one duel to sever all ties." Suzaku growled while nodding. "Yes, I do…"

Cornelia walked through the throne room of the General's office while adjusting the cape at her backside. "Tell Lord Cray to retreat, and have him form a defensive line in the railway tunnels." The nearby officer let out a salute, and rushed off. "Lady Cornelia." Cornelia turned around to see Guilford displayed on a nearby monitor. The battle seemed to have died down with both sides refueling for the final onslaught. "We are in formation. What about the defense line of the government office?" Cornelia let out a small nod. "Leave it as it is, it'll be disadvantageous to be Order of the Black Knights for this war to be dragged out." Guilford let out a nod while the transmission cut off.

"And, how are things on brother's side?" Cornelia gazed at the few Glaston knights that stood in front of her. "The pacific fleet will arrive in seventy-five hours." A second knight let out another nod. "Yes, and within area eleven, the aerial fleets from Sado and Torishima have already taken off." Cornelia's eyes narrowed while contemplating the reinforcement's time. "So in other words in about thirty-five minutes…Leak that information to the Order of the Black Knights." The knights all let out a gasp while she turns to the side. "After leaking it out, you guys will defend the front of the government office together with Guilford."

Feite sat on a small crate beside the downed Voulge with a cup of tea in her hands. The pain in her brow had long since vanished but there was something else building in the back of her mind. Out of the corner of her eye she stared at the empty space of sky. 'He's coming…Lelouch do you think Suzaku will join us?' She chuckled slightly while looking over her shoulder. "What do you want Rakshata?" Rakshata leaned forward with her hands tucked in her pockets. "The Voulge has been patched up from the minor damage in the engagement with the Dagonet. You are really something to take out a Rounds without sustaining damage."

Feite's eye narrowed while she lightly placed the tea on the side of the crate. "I just hope that my victory against that Knight is enough to bolster our attack." Her eyes slowly lose their ferocity after hearing her phone ring. She reached into the pocket of her jacket, and removed the phone.

"Feite, this is Lelouch…I'm having quite a problem with Suzaku. He is much more skilled than ever, I would like for you to lure him into the trap." Lelouch dodged Suzaku's attacks with the help of C.C. and the advanced flight system of the Gawain. C.C. studied Suzaku's every movement while looking over her shoulder. "How long will it take Feite to get here?" Lelouch flipped the phone shut and grinned. "I'll let you guess…" C.C. shook her head while bringing the Gawain towards the forested area at the outskirts of the school. "Zero, why are you brining the battle this way? DO you not want to fight me?"Suzaku growled heavily while firing several shots from the Varis. The shots streamed across the sky only to slam into a nearby building. "As a matter of fact, I have another opponent for you Suzaku." Suzaku's eyes widen while his face contorted. "Good, I would rather kill her first."

Feite stared at her phone while Rakshata looked over with a look of confusion. "I guess I'll be the one luring Suzaku into you're Gefjun Disturber." She tucked it away into her jacket, and zipped her flight suit all the way up."I see, so that's why you were placed on standby. Don't destroy the Lancelot all the way; I need to study it in a complete form." Feite crossed over to the Voulge, and let out a mocking laugh. "The Lancelot is vastly inferior to what you've already seen inside the Voulge, but I'll leave the core for you at the least." Rakshata placed her hands against her hips and sighed. "I already knew that, but I'm curious how Lloyd made that unit…" Feite paused at the leg of her machine, and placed her hand against the side. "It's time to pay you back for scarring my face you pathetic excuse of a human being."

The systems came to life one after the other while the Voulge got back up to its feet. The cockpit sealed shut while Feite cracked her neck. Her face showed a mixed look of fatigue and pain while gripping the controls. "Ogi, this is Feite, I'm going out to sortie." Feite turned over towards the location of the Gawain, and without much of a whisper from Ogi the Knightmare rushed off.

Ogi stood in the command center with a look of concern on his face. 'Is she well enough to continue to fight?' He rubbed his temple while turning over to the large display built into the wall. "Ogi…" A man rushed over from the other room, and stopped short of Ogi. "Ogi, we found a suspicious person wandering around the campus." Ogi looked over with his eyebrow raised. "Huh?"

In another room, Villetta was held by the arms by a pair of guards. Her eyes glared at the doorway while they opened showing Ogi. Ogi looked over at her catching her gaze and looking away slightly. "That woman is a supporter under my direct command. Lead her into another room. I'll listen to her report."

"Is Feite too busy killing people for you Zero? Is she your trained assassin?" Suzaku slashed at the Gawain only to miss by several feet. Lelouch let out a mocking laugh while typing on the nearby keyboard. "Suzaku, you are much too naïve, if Feite were a hired assassin do you think you'd be breathing still? Feite did what any patriot would do for Britannia. She stopped a massacre, a massacre that killed…" Suzaku shook his head while charging once more. "Don't even say anything you bastard! You don't deserve to say her name!" A warning light fills the cockpit of the Lancelot while a bluish tracer round surged through the sky between the two Knightmare.

Suzaku turned away from the Gawain and glared down at the Knightmare standing at the street level. His teeth clenched while diving downward. "Feite, I thought you'd simply run and hide behind your family's name!" The Voulge ejected the round from its Anti-Knightmare rifle, and tossed the weapon aside. "Why would I hide behind my name? I choose my own path Suzaku, and that meant joining the Black Knights, and eventually killing a close friend." Suzaku's eyes started to tremble while pulling out the MVS sword. "How dare you call Euphie your friend? You need to be punished for what you did." Feite's eye narrowed while she shook her head. "Punished? You are much too dull Suzaku, that is why I never paid much attention to you. So please spare me from the cries of your lose beloved Euphemia."

"You won't dodge this!" The Lancelot slashed heavily at the Voulge with MVS blade held tightly. The weapon moved quickly only to meet the grinding edge of the M2 cutter. Feite stretched her fingers out on the controls while shaking her head. "Suzaku, you do know that you're not on the same level as me inside a Knightmare." Her eye widened while she pushed the Lancelot backward. The blade cleaved the entire MVS blade in half while Suzaku quickly regained momentum, and flew into the sky. "Same level? You are just a pawn, and I'll cut you down just like any other." The Lancelot reached behind its back and pulled out its rifle. "My machine has something that you don't…the ability to fly!" The Lancelot glided left to the right while firing several pot shots at the ground based Voulge.

"Childs play…" Feite simply adjusted her feet on the pedals while her single eye tracked the incoming fire. The Voulge responded quickly while it flipped backwards dodging the shots from the Lancelot. The Knightmare's feet came crashing to the ground while Feite fired a barrage from the head mounted machine cannon. Suzaku flew higher into the sky, and flew side to side nearly avoiding being hit by Feite' attack. "Flight is meaningless if you can't use its full potential." The Voulge jumped into the air and shot out its magnetic harken. "Damn it, I can't let that…" Suzaku's eyes widen while the clamp attached to the Lancelot's left leg. "It's over Suzaku!" Suzaku threw the Varis at the Voulge and quickly pulled out the second MVS blade. Feite's eyes widen while the electricity transferred along the harken and into the Lancelot. Suzaku yelled out in a large amount of pain while the Voulge simply dangled while transferring the electricity. "I'm not going to let it end this way!" He gripped the controls while slicing the magnetic wire off his Knightmare. The Voulge fell backwards letting Suzaku dive in and deal a defining blow. "You talk way too much Feite, now die!"

Feite grinned while a compartment opened near the Knightmare's chest. A grenade shot forward and exploded releasing a bright white light into the Lancelot's cameras. Suzaku shielded his eyes while the Lancelot missed the Voulge completely. The Black Knightmare fell into the trees crushing them under its weight. Feite jerked from the shock of the impact while Suzaku's frantic yells filled the proximity communicator. "Heh, I have a lot more toys to counter your combat style Suzaku. How do you like being blinded?" Suzaku rubbed his eyes and glared down at the Voulge. "Cheap move, I won't let you do that to me once more." The Lancelot charged forward only to see the Voulge pull out a linear pistol from its skirt armor. "Stop it or, I'll kill these students."

Suzaku paused while his eyes shuddered at Feite's cruel words. "Despicable! You intend to hold them hostage? This was supposed to be a One-on-one!"

The Gawain hovered nearby while Lelouch stared at the Lancelot with a great deal of disgust. "You are the one that turned down chance after chance to become my ally."

A drop of sweat fell down Feite's cheek while she zoomed in on Milly looking through the window. She blinked while removing her hand off the trigger for the linear pistol. 'I'm sorry Lelouch, but I won't kill my Cousin or friends just to delay Suzaku.'

Lelouch zoomed down at Sayoko while she stood laying in wait for Suzaku to enter the Gefjun Disturber net. "I'll make you forget those boring aesthetics you hold so dear!"

Suzaku growled while charging in with thrusters blazing. Feite glanced at the Lancelot and fired a blast at the remaining arm of the Lancelot. The armor peeled off while the Knightmare plowed into the Voulge sending it backwards. "I don't think so; I'll protect everyone even if it means that I would have to kill the two of you." Feite's head jerked back and forth while the Voulge was pushed backwards tearing up the dirt and trees around it.

Both Knightmare entered the Gefjun Disturber's field, and almost instantly a wave of energy engulfed both machines. The Lancelot sparked while the Voulge simply regained its footing. Suzaku hunched over while jerking at the controls. "How do you like this turn of events Suzaku?" The Voulge moved its left arm up again and aimed at the Lancelot. Suzaku's eyes shook at the Voulge's movement in the Gefjun field. "How is your Knightmare still moving?" He jerked on the controls yet again, but there was no response. Feite let out a small laugh while lowering the weapon yet again. "My machine doesn't need to rely on Yggdrasil Drive, so the Gefjun Disturber is useless. Suzaku, I should kill you, but someone wants to study your machine."

"Yes, it's shocking to see in the field, but Feite is correct Suzaku. Now that she has successfully distracted you, I'll leave this to my subordinates." The Gawain hovered up into the sky while the Voulge stepped out of the Gefjun Disturber's field. Suzaku clenched his teeth together while yelling at the top of his lungs. "Damn it, Zero are you going to constantly bluff and betray people?"

Lelouch let out a smile and rested his chin against the palm of his hand. "I have no time for a hypocritical game. Farewell Kururugi Suzaku." The Gawain floated higher into the sky and flew off towards the Governor General's office. Suzaku slammed his fist down against the console while glaring over at Feite while she exited the Voulge and stood on its shoulder. "Suzaku, I'll give you an option now. Exit the Lancelot, and we'll let you go."

Rakshata looked over at her computer while a red flash appeared on it. "Huh? We're receiving a message from…" She looked over at Feite while letting out a faint smile. "Feite, you have a message from Azalea." Feite closed her eye allowing the cool night breeze to brush across her face. Her hand moved to the headset mounted on her ear, and slowly pressed it. "Azalea? What does she want?" Rakshata shrugged her shoulders, and sighed. "No idea, it's bouncing off a few satellites. So the location is scrambled." Feite shook her head while climbing back into the cockpit. "What do you want Azalea?"

Azalea sat at her desk with her hands folded over her mouth. Her hair was disheveled while staring at the audio communication system. "Feite, I can't talk much, I'm bouncing my signal off so many satellites its' ridiculous. I'm sending you something from the Longinus Facility. Its' on autopilot, so it'll take awhile to trace in on the Voulge's beacon." On a mini-window, the flight path was displayed showing the Ashford Academy, and the current position of the Voulge. "I'm sending you and Rakshata the data for the Sarissa and the transport helicopter."

Feite looked up at the sky while staring at the data running down her screen. "Azalea why are you sending us this now? We're just about to win over here."

Azalea shook her head while sighing deeply. "Schneizel is leading the reinforcements across the Pacific Ocean. If the Black Knights can't finish the job in Tokyo, I want you, Rakshata, and the remaining commanding members of the Knights to evacuate Area Eleven, and fly to the designated coordinates in Chinese Federation Territory."

Rakshata let out a small nod and crossed her arms. "I see, so this is basically a contingency plan." She smiled briefly while staring at her small laptop. "I guess it's workable…." Feite leaned back in the seat while resting her head against the supporter. "Azalea, has the government suspected that you were supporting me?"

Azalea took a sip from a cup of coffee, and sighed. "I doubt it, Britannia is confused with the Zero incident in Area Eleven, and most agencies are pointing fingers at each-other. Well, I'm running out of time for the moment so I'll try to contact you in a few hours. Good luck…"

Rakshata threw her arm out while shouting. "I want the pilot out of the Lancelot on the double. I need a cutter here now!"

In the sky above the Tokyo settlement, an Aerodyne equipped helicopter flies across the skies towards Ashford. The cockpit was empty with the autopilot controlling the entire craft. On each wing pylon were a few missiles and rocket pods. Attached to the fuselage of the large transport helicopter was what looked to be a float system.

Suzaku breathed heavily inside the cockpit while staring at the side monitors of his machine. His eyes narrow at the sight of the helicopter as it started to come in for a landing. "A combat transport? Damn it….I need to figure out a way to…."

Across the Voulge's computer several lines of data started to flood the monitors. Each program and system on board was being quickly overridden by the A.I. "System update confirmed, Link up with Sarissa has been confirmed…." The A.I. voice filled the cockpit while the float system from the back of the helicopter detached and activated. "Pilot Input will be disabled until program has been fully loaded." Feite's eyes widened while she pulled out the side keyboard and started to type. "Keyboard input is not available on this time. Sarissa Software is now installed proceeding to link up with Aerial Parts." Her hand lightly applied pressure to the keyboard while she exhaled. "Damn it Azalea if I'm attacked now the Voulge is useless."

Rakshata let out a small whistle while watching the fully automated update system. "Wow, I've been bested yet again. Hey, load up the helicopter with the data on the Lancelot we've collected so far. Also tell Ogi that we've retrieved another transport."She stared over at the Lancelot while sighing. "You really spent too much time on that armor pudding earl."

Meanwhile, The Gawain hovered above the Governor General's office overlooking the entire battle taking place. The Black Knights were being suppressed while in the distance aerial reinforcements were closing in for a last ditch bombing run. Lelouch looked down at C.C. while grinning. "Has the filler been replaced with the backup?" C.C. let out a small nod while the power indicator rose back to full. "Yes, but we should reload another in case this battle last longer. The Hadron cannon uses a lot of energy."

Lelouch ran his hand across his chin and sighed to himself. "We'll need to take out their air forces before we take out Cornelia…." He let out a smile while gripping the controls and charging the Hadron Cannon. The reddish beam shot out in a long stream from the Gawain while it rotated three hundred and sixty degrees. Within seconds the sky was covered with flaming orbs of Britannia bomber and early reinforcements. The shrapnel fell to the earth while the Black Knights appeared to have another chance at victory. "Tohdoh, I will be invading from the aerial region of the Government office."

Tohdoh hacked a Sutherland in half while looking up at the battlefield up head. Several Burai were getting annihilated by the defenses while the remainder was pinned down. "Hmm? I think that it's too dangerous to depend so much on the capabilities of your machine."

Lelouch lowered the Gawain to the rooftop of the building while grinning. "I know, I'm just creating a distraction." The Gawain landed in a garden causing Lelouch's eyes to widen. "This place looks familiar." C.C. nodded while looking over her shoulder. "Yes, like the Aries Imperial Villa." Lelouch beamed an evil glare downwards while growling. "How do you know that?" C.C. let out a small smile while turning her gaze forward. "I'll tell you why, someday. Wait for that day."

"Welcome, Zero!" Cornelia stood at the end of the garden inside her customized Glaive. The armor was partially burned while it held the curved and platinum collared lance in hand. "As I thought, you'd come her upon hearing about the aerial bombing." A sinister looking smile appeared on her face while the Glaive lowered its weapon in preparation for charging. "Welcome to the banquet, I wonder if you like dancing."

"Feite is it possible that we gain your support on the front lines. We're having trouble with the defenses here." Tohdoh hid behind a large piece of debris while firing the forearm mounted cannon around the corner. Several explosions fill the lower level while the Britannian defenses were overwhelming the volunteer units. "Don't just rush in wait for everyone to get into position!"

Feite closed her eye, and let out a deep sigh. "I'll be there in a second Tohdoh. I'm reconfiguring the Voulge." The monitor flashes blue while the data flies down and the power level rises. "Voulge LNG-00X Sarissa Activation…retinal scan in progress." The biometric system re-activated while scanning Feite's eye. "Pilot ID 001 Feite Avalon confirmed….welcome aboard ma'am." Feite rolled her eye while nodding. "Engaging float system, Voulge Sarissa activation completed."

The float unit's wings deployed while a light blue light shimmered off them. The Voulge slowly started to rise up into the smoke filled sky while Feite's hand jerked on the controls. 'It's just like riding a bicycle….' Feite let out a deep sigh, and blasted off towards the Governor General's building. She was pushed back slightly while the Voulge entered a spin while steadily approaching the target.

"A fast unit is approaching from the south…." A Glaston Knight looked up into the sky while firing his rocket launcher at the Burai that were trying to breach the last line of defenses. "It's not one of ours…have the AA teams take that machine out! Cornelia told us to not let anyone breach out front line." The AA guns on the building quickly turn and fire several streams of anti-aircraft fire into the sky. The large plumes of shrapnel fill the sky while the Voulge continued ahead. "Anti-Aircraft fire? Is that all you have?" Feite pushed the throttle forward while a sonic boom exited from the Voulge's position. The extra pressure felt like daggers while the aerial Knightmare frame twisted through the anti-aircraft fire almost as if she were predicting the shots.

"It's dodging all our weapons at that speed? What the hell is piloting that?" The Glaston Knight leader raised his rifle while the Voulge dived from its altitude. Feite's eye shuddered while the reticule flashed red over her left eye. "Since I can't humiliate you by shooting off your limbs might as well just go for the death blows." The Voulge weaved through the combined fire of bullets while firing its linear rifle at the incoming missiles.

Tohdoh looked up with a grin, and pushed out from his cover. "Everyone we need to push them back or we'll fail!" He looked up at the Voulge while it spiraled and fired on the Anti-Aircraft turrets on the building. "Feite is giving us the distraction we need! Push forward!"

Guilford turned upward with a scowl on his face while Governor General's building started to fracture from the Voulge's attacks on its defense turrets. "Damn it, we need to take that machine out! Concentrate all fire on that machine! If we take that out, we can stop their final push!"

Feite spiraled around a rocket and threw out its right arm. The rifle shimmered in the moonlight while it fired a single shot at the defense line below her. The accelerated shell flew downward piercing through a Gloucester knocking it backwards while it exploded in the defense group. A few of the Gloucester managed to take small damage while the Voulge continued to fire a second volley of shots. Guilford detached the arm of his Gloucester while the monitors inside his machine fill with minor static.

Sweat poured down Guilford's face while staring at the Voulge. Its rifle was angled more towards its left side while firing. The movements despite being face paced were constantly moving in a direction where the right side seemed to be the weakest. He lifted up the Anti-Knightmare rifle nearby and aimed at the Voulge. "I may have found a way to disable you!" He pulled the trigger while the back of the rifle discharged sending the high velocity round forward.

The cockpit flashed while Feite turned her head over completely. "My right side?" The Voulge turned towards its right and sluggishly moved the right arm to defend. The shell impacted against her Knightmare sending a shockwave of pressure through the cockpit. The right armor shattered against the explosive while the shrapnel itself tore the entire limb off. Feite's pained yell filled the radio band while the Voulge fell backwards with smoke billowing from what was left of its right arm.

Tohdoh jerked back on the controls while the Voulge fell backwards. He shook his eyes while lines of fire shot at the Voulge tearing its armor off piece by piece. "Feite!"

Feite jerked at the controls while dodging what fire she could. The cockpit flashed red while the damage reports ran down a side monitor. "This is Feite I've sustained damage and I'm not…." Feite's eyes widen while another rocket flew up at the Voulge. She jerked the controls moving to the left only to have another rocket strike the Knightmare.

C.C. felt a small pain in her head while turning over into the distance. The Gawain's cockpit shook while Cornelia inside the Glaive was more than a match for the Gawain. "Lelouch, Feite has been…" Lelouch looked over while barely being able to dodge Cornelia's onslaught. "What do you mean by that?" He pushed the nearby communication switch and yelled into the receiver. "Tohdoh, where is Feite?"

Tohdoh once again was pinned down by the fire from the Glaston Knights while he growled heavily. "The Voulge is taking too much damage. It was fool hearted to send her out here with the wound she sustained."

Lelouch clenched his teeth while Feite appeared on his monitor. His eyes widen at the sight of Feite while blood ran down the side of her mouth. "Lelouch…I've been shot down…" She smiled at him while coughing slowly. "I can still fight, but I can't take on all the Glaston Knights by myself. I think we may have…" The screen turned to static while Lelouch growled heavily. "Feite! Feite come in!"

The Glaive slammed its foot into the side of the Gawain knocking it backwards while Cornelia simply laughed at the report from the defense line. "Why are you so hesitant Zero? Did you just receive the news that Feite was shot down by my knight Guilford?" Lelouch growled while typing on the fold out keyboard. "This is impossible; the Glaive should be outclassed going on the Gawain's specs alone…"

A pile of smoke exited from the side of a collapsed building while the Voulge sparked in a kneeled down position. Its float system was battered while most of the Knightmare's armor was bullet ridden. The cockpit was indented from the bullets while Feite wrapped the bandages from the first aid kit across her right arm. A small hue of red stained the white cloth while she laid her head back against the support. "I lost communications. I need to head back to Ashford." Feite reached over to main console and pulled open the nearby panel. She quickly started to play around with the cut wires and damage circuitry.

The Voulge's eyes flashed on briefly before the Knightmare came to a standing posture. The joints creaked heavily while more of the thickened armor fell to the ground. Feite reached behind what remained of the skirt armor and removed the M2 Cutter. "I only have access to this weapon. I'll have to make use of it…" The Voulge sparked while it came to a hover and blasted off towards the rear of the Governor General's office. Feite looked to her side and removed her cell phone. She manipulated the keys with her thumb and dialed Lelouch.

Cornelia easily overwhelmed the Gawain while leaping onto the Knightmare's chest, and readying the killing blow with its lance. "It looks like I have your life in my hands. You lost everything, now join the devil in hell!" Cornelia let out a malicious laugh while her eyes shot open and a lance plowed through the side of her cockpit. Her head arched backwards while blood started to stain her left arm. The cockpit sparked wildly while Dalton's voice filled the cockpit. "Princess, this is Dalton." Her eyes glared at his Gloucester while replying weakly. "Why…" Dalton stared forward with his eyes under the command of Lelouch's Geass. "Don't worry, I won't kill you. In order to deliver you to Zero…" His eyes return to normal while they widen at the sight of Cornelia's Glaive falling to the ground below. "What is this?" The Gawain turned over to Dalton's machine and charged its Hadron cannons. "Dalton, Thank you but your part is now over." A light burst of fire engulfs Dalton's machine scorching the metal and causing its filler to explode. Explosions filled the cockpit while Dalton yells out a pained yell before the entire Knightmare blew apart.

Lelouch leaped out of the cockpit while quickly removing his phone from his pocket. "Feite? Are you alright? I'm busy at the moment, where are you?"

Feite stared weakly at the monitor as it displayed the destroyed garden at the roof of the building. She zoomed in on the Gawain while sighing deeply. "I'm right above you…"

Lelouch looked upward and shook his head at the heavily damaged Knightmare. "Very well, you'll escort me then. I'll end communications for the moment." He let out a small grin while Cornelia coughed out a small amount of blood. "I see…so that is the reason why Feite followed…you are Zero." Lelouch walked up to her with his hand masking his left eye. "Hatred against the Britannian Royal Family. Dalton's analysis was right…" Cornelia stared weakly up at Lelouch while blood ran down the side of her cheek. "Are you doing this for Nunally's sake?" Lelouch nodded while glaring evilly at his sister while she lies in her own blood. "Yes…I shall destroy the current world, and bring about a new Era for her." Cornelia growled while looking over at Feite's machine as it landed nearby. "Is that why you're using Feite? To kill others for something so stupid? You killed Clovis, and had Feite shoot Euphie!"

Feite looked down at Cornelia and turned her head away. 'I can't believe Lelouch managed to defeat Cornelia so easily….' She turned over to the Gawain and activated short-band communication. "C.C. do you see the right arm over there?" C.C. appeared on the monitor with static filling the screen. "Yes, do you wish for me to purge it from the Knightmare?" Feite shook her head while letting out a mild scoff. "I would love for you to do that."

Lelouch shook his head while walking closer to Cornelia. "You as well my sister, you did that even though you admired my mother, Queen Marianne, the flash of Lighting." Cornelia sat up while holding her wounded arm. "Looks like this conversation is pointless." Lelouch smiled while removing his hand from his left eye and glared down at Cornelia. "I see, I, Lelouch Vi Britannia, seek an answer from you." Lelouch's Geass flickered while quickly overpowering Cornelia's will. "Yes?"

"Elder Sister, were you the one that killed my mother?"

"No…"

"Then who did it?"

"I don't know…"

Lelouch's eyes widened while he gasped from Cornelia's shocking words. A scowl overcame his face while he glared down with more intensity. "Elder, Sister you were the guard commander back then right?" Cornelia let out a small nod, while Lelouch continued to probe her for information. "Why were the guards withdrawn?" She coughed slightly and quickly covered her mouth. "Because I was ordered by Queen Marianne." Lelouch gasped and took a step back. "By Mother?" His eyes trembled while he started to question that sorrowful day. 'How can this be? In that case, Mother knew that there would be an assault that day? No, that is not the case. If she knew we would have run away.'

Feite stared down weakly at Lelouch while looking at the static image of C.C. "Lelouch isn't getting much from Cornelia…is his Geass working on her?" The Gawain moved the burned arm of Cornelia's Knightmare to the empty right shoulder of the Voulge. The receptor quickly linked to the joint and attached. Several indicator lights flash on while the fingers on the new limb move. "It's working Feite, it's just the answers isn't what Lelouch was looking for. So far only you have developed immunity." Feite stared over at C.C. with an odd stare. "What do you mean by that? I'm turning into a creature like you?" C.C. shook her head and smiled. "You are turning into something else. Now I wonder why you were selected to be Lelouch's. You were born special…"

"Why do you talk as if you're familiar with who I am?" Feite growled at the top of her lungs while clenching her fist.

"I will tell you at another time, you feel it don't you…" C.C. looked down at Lelouch while her eyes widen. "Hey come back…" Feite turned over quickly in the direction of the academy while an intense pain filled her head.

Lelouch turned towards the Gawain, and replaced the mask on his head. "Yes, I know the guards will be…"

C.C. shook her head while extending the Gawain's hand to retrieve Lelouch. "No, your sister has been taken away!"

Lelouch shook his head while glaring at the Gawain. "I'm not in the mood to listen to jokes at the moment. We should take Cornelia hostage, and head back to the base…" Feite's hand moved to her chest while her eye was wide open. She took in several deep breaths, and spoke weakly. "Lelouch, you should listen to C.C. isn't Nunally your reason for living?" Lelouch looked over with confusion on his face. 'Not entirely…Feite…" He stared at her machine while C.C. shouted frantically. "They're heading off to Kaminejima!"

"A heat sensor?" Feite turned over and blasted off into the sky while the ground in the distance gave way to a large bulbous Knightmare. "What the hell is that thing?"

The familiar voice of the pilot shouts heavily from within the spherical machine. "All Hail Britannia!" Feite zoomed in at the top and spotted the pilot. "Jeremiah Gottwald? That guy survived the Radiant Surger?" Lelouch glared at Jeremiah while letting out a small laugh. "You mean Orange-kun?" Feite gripped the M2 cutter while holding her hand on the throttle. "We need to retreat that thing looks dangerous Zero."

Jeremiah's body shook after hearing Zero's words. His hands rise up and his fist clench. "O-o-o-oh please!" He clapped his hands together as if praying. "Can you die?" Lelouch removed his mask upon entering the Gawain's cockpit and glared at Jeremiah's machine. "Capture Cornelia!" C.C. let out a nod, but Jeremiah quickly pushed forward tackling the Gawain backwards. "Feite get…." Lelouch glared over while the Voulge blasted after them. "I don't care about Cornelia!"

Jeremiah looked around while lowering back into the cockpit. The triple seal hatch moved downward while the cockpit flashed a bright red around him. "I see you!" Jeremiah knocked the Gawain off its hull and charged over at the Voulge. "I won't let you even touch me!" The Voulge blasted into the air, and plunged its knife forward.

Inside the bellows of the Governor General's office, a researcher looked up with his eyes wide. "The Siegfried's hull can't be penetrated by a weapon of that caliber. We created a monster…" Another stands up from under the debris of the rooftop. "Only his emotions are out of control, we can at least reason with him if the time comes. We need to wait and see if that happens!"

The M2 cutter sparked heavily on the electro-active armor of the Siegfried and slowly started to die into the thick metal. "Damn it, even my M2 cutter is useless!" The machine rotated quickly and shot out a harken from a concealed port. "You're foolish, this Feite quickly pulled back and twirled out of the way.

"Feite, we need to take out that machine together." Lelouch growled heavily while C.C. fired the Hadron Cannon. The large blast missed the Siegfried by a mile as it quickly dodged it. "It's nimble…" Lelouch flipped his mobile, and dialed Ogi's phone. "Ogi…."

"Zero thank goodness." Minami held the phone to his ear while Ogi lie in the background being treated by a pair of doctors.

"Minami? What happened to Ogi?" The Gawain hovered backwards while the Voulge engaged the Siegfried. The M2 Cutter grinded across the hull leaving nothing more than a scratch in the armor. Feite growled while looking over at C.C. "Fire the Hadron when I have it distracted!" C.C. growled, "I Know, just give me a line to shoot at."

Minami moved his hand over his ear and turned over her shoulder at the wounded Ogi. "He was shot; he has lost consciousness and is undergoing treatment. In addition the culprit is still…"

"I understand. You'll suffice then. Can you go and find what the girl in the wheelchair is doing?"

Minami gasped while a small amount of shock was displayed across his face. "Well, before that Ogi is…"

Lelouch growled into the receiver while Feite and C.C. swirl around the Siegfried dealing little to no damage to the towering fortress of a Knightmare. "I'll think of a replacement for him later! Right now the girl in the wheelchair comes first!"

"Replacement?"

"Hurry up and confirm it!"

Minami stared over at Ogi while speaking quickly into the phone. "The students that we held hostage have all vanished. During the confusion fight after Ogi got shot."

Feite growled while the Voulge sparked heavily against Jeremiah's attack. The indicator flashed red while the heat started to rise in the cockpit. "Damn it, I can't keep this up. We need to find a reason to stop this thing now. What the hell are you two doing help me out here?" Feite growled while solely engaging the Siegfried. The Gawain fired a single burst from its Hadron cannon's while Lelouch tightened the grip on his cell phone. "Damn it I can't get a hold of Nunally or Sayoko." C.C. turned over her shoulder and sighed. "Lelouch, I'm your accomplice…as is Feite. We're your allies." Lelouch glared over at the Voulge then down at C.C. "You want me to believe that? First you and now Feite is acting odd. It's nothing but nonsense from a woman who won't explain her own existence." C.C.'s gaze intensified while speaking in a stern voice. "I'll be troubled if you die. Feite can't make a contact with me, it's the truth."

Feite flew ahead of the Gawain while clenching her teeth. "Stop acting like a jerk Lelouch, and help out. Well find Nunally when we defeat this damned machine!" The sensor came to life while it spotted a formation of Burai in the debris ahead. "Lelouch, team three is up ahead. We can use their equipment to take out that beast."

Lelouch exhaled while throwing his arm out. "Very well, team three, it's the enemy aerial machine chasing me and the Feite…Concentrate fire and take it out." The Voulge and Gawain both flew over the formation of Burai while they fire a salvo of missiles at the large craft.

Jeremiah let out a small laugh while the Siegfried responds to his nervous system. The Siegfried twists and turns through the incoming missiles. The large giga fortress starts to rotate quickly with it Vernier sending it into a twisting motion. The entire craft plows into the earth cutting the entire group of Burai in its path apart. "Zero!" The Siegfried continues forward and shoots out one of its conical harkens. The large harken flew forward at the Gawain only for the Voulge to kick the weapon away. The limb sparks heavily and rips off at the knee. Feite let out a mild yell while Lelouch appeared on her monitor. "Feite, we're heading towards 12th street. Follow us and don't do anything else stupid."

The Gawain blasted backwards with the Voulge moving quickly to its side. Feite looked at the rear monitor while gritting her teeth. 'What is Lelouch planning?' The Gawain's Hadron cannon sparked while firing at the Siegfried. Jeremiah lets out a small laugh while dodging the blast. "You missed; you're facing me, Jeremiah Gottwald!" Lelouch shook his head while letting out a laugh of his own. "You are mistaken Orange-kun, I've already hit." The building at the rear of the Siegfried topples over on top of the towering Giga Fortress. "How dare you attack me from the back?" Lelouch glared down at the machine and sighed. "Crumble to piece you outdated piece of junk."

The Voulge and Gawain hovered for a moment over the large cloud of smoke while Feite exhaled softly. "I doubt that destroyed it, but we bought us some time." Lelouch let out a nod while the Gawain blasted off towards Kaminejima. "Yes, Feite we have no time to confirm the machine hurry up or I'll leave you behind." Feite stayed in position for the moment before letting out a nod and following after Lelouch.

Back at the academy, a Burai deactivates the torch that was burning at the Lancelot's cockpit. Suzaku looks over with a hint of relief in his eyes while leaning forward. "Man its tough!" Tamaki groaned at the feet of the Lancelot with his rifle resting on his shoulder. "Guess we should have borrowed the Voulge's M2 Cutter for this!"

"Tamaki, what should we do with this kids? We found them wandering around." An armed man approached Tamaki with, Milly, Shirley and Rivalz in tow. "Should we lock these students in the gymnasium with the others?" Suzaku listened though the cockpit with the voices muffled from the layer of armor. "Students?"

"Contact Zero!" Shirley looked over with a trusting look within her eyes. "Zero will definitely protect us. It'll be weird if he doesn't; everything up until now has been…"

Tamaki growled while removing the rifle off his shoulder and aiming it at the group. "Shut up, I'm the one that knows Zero the best. He wouldn't hesitate at a time like this."

"Stop this!" The cockpit of the Lancelot opened and the chair pulled out. Tamaki aimed the rifle over at Suzaku while he stood up. "You're willing to come out for some Britannian Bastards? What we want is that White armor of yours. Traitors shall die here." Tamaki reached for the trigger, only to have Arthur leap on him and hiss. His small claws dig into Tamaki's skin causing him to fire several rounds into the air. "Damn it, enough finish all of them off."

A large amount of spotlights fill the sky while the Avalon flew by overhead. "Good Evening!" Lloyd's voice filled the air while a modified Lancelot Club flew out from above. "Retreat for now!" Tamaki growled while running away with a few others.

Rakshata turned over to the Avalon with eyes wide. "Damn it, the Pudding earl actually came to the frontlines?" She threw her hand out, "Get the data onboard the helicopter now, we can't waste any more time! "

The Club landed on the ground and deployed its particle shield. Cecile stared down at the Black Knights while they scrambled to take out her machine. "How is it, Cecile? What's the status of the Club?" Cecile glanced at the controls and nodded. "Looks like it can be used in actual combat. The Club's settings are hard to get used to thought. I'm not sure how Rai was able to pilot using these." She aimed over at the Gefjun disturber emitters and quickly shot them apart.

The Lancelot's systems come back to life while the Gefjun Disturber's effect wears off. "It recovered..." Suzaku re-enters the cockpit to spot Cecile on the main monitor. "Open your filler; I'll recharge your energy." Suzaku looked over at the Club and let out a sorrowful gaze. "Yes, but Cecile why are you here…?" Cecile loaded the filler cartridge into the Lancelot while smiling. "Why is that Lloyd?"

Lloyd ran his hand through his head and sighed. "We just came here to take things back. The Lancelot and various other things. I can't continue my research using just the Club."

Cecile moved a Sutherland arm over to the limbless left side of the Lancelot. The automated linking system quickly attached the limb. "Its' just a Sutherland part, but is it working properly?" Suzaku let out a small nod, "Yes, it's completed the connection check." Cecile turned over at the regrouping members of the Black Knights. "Then leave this area to us. You go after Zero." Suzaku smiled while gripping the controls yet again. "Thank you, I'll leave Ashford Academy and everyone here, to you guys."

Lloyd looked down while letting out a mild laugh. "I know. My fiancée is here after all." The Lancelot floated upward only for a message to flash across the screen. "Royal Private?" Suzaku looked over at the message, and flew directly over to the Governor General's office. "Kururugi?" Suzaku's eyes widen while Cornelia's voice exited his speaker. "Lady Cornelia…"

The assault on the Governor Generals office was failing with Tohdoh standing at the front of the battle. He growled heavily while leaning forward in the cockpit. "They are persistent. As expected from Cornelia's elite."

"Tohdoh?"

Tohdoh looked over at his radio with an odd look on his face. "I'll leave the rest of the battle to you. Diethard will take over the Injured Ogi's duties." His eyes widen at Zero's words while replying in a shocked tone. "Leave it to me? What do you mean by leave it to me?"

Over the waters separating the island of Kaminejima the Gawain flew beside the battered Voulge. Lelouch sat back in the co-pilots seat with his cheek resting on his open palm. "There is something I must do. I'll be terminating any further communications for here on out." Tohdoh growled while replying. "Did you find, Feite we lost communications with her. Can you send her over to us? We're taking on a lot of fire." Lelouch looked over at the Voulge, and shook his head. "Feite's machine is in no condition to sortie. I've ordered her to escort me on my mission. I'm ending communications now."

"Is it wise to leave them to their own devices Lelouch?" Feite looked over her shoulder while Lelouch appeared on her monitor. "We will only be at Kaminejima for only a moment. You can turn back and support them if you care that much." Feite shook her head while moving her hand over her heart. "No, I should be here at your side. Tohdoh and the others can manage Cornelia's elite."

On the rooftop of the Governor General's office Cornelia leaned against the cracked pillar with a few bandages wrapped on her body. "Lady Cornelia, I should bring you to the infirmary…" She held up her hand dismissing the medic while Suzaku walked up. "You came…T-the combat situation….favors our army. Listen up…hide the fact I'm injured. They'll lose what's left of their morale…Nonette was defeated by Feite, and they couldn't take the fact that I too was defeated by Zero." Cornelia took in a few deep breaths while Suzaku kneeled down beside her. The medic lowered his radio and spoke lightly into the receiver. "Cornelia is fine, she managed to fend off Zero, but her machine is damaged." Cornelia looked over at the medic, and gave him a minor thank you with her eyes. "However….only you…Kaminejima, Zero is…over there. Also…no good I can't remember." Suzaku glanced at Cornelia and whispered. "Geass…" Cornelia weakly turned over while moving her hand up. "You are Euphie's Knight, right? Go and clear Euphemia's stained reputation. I herby grant you…even though it's a simplified ceremony; I've knighted you as a Knight of Britannia." She crossed her hand over Suzaku's shoulder, and lowered her arm to her side. "You are now a Knight in name and reality. Go forth Kururugi…" Suzaku let out a soft nod and saluted. "Yes, your highness." He got back up and rushed back to the Lancelot in the distance.

"Milady, are you sure you don't wish to leave for the infirmary?" The Medic moved back to her side and started to re-treat her wounds. Cornelia let out a weak laugh, and groaned in a large amount of pain. "No, leave me here. Go and help out the other…" The Medic shook his head, "The others are taking care of them, I'm here to support you milady. Now please be quiet and let me patch you up."

All across the settlement the Black Knights were in disarray after Zero's disappearance on the battlefield. The Britannian forces were rallying and pushing off their defense point tearing apart the Black Knight forces in their path. Kallen looked over with shock in her eyes while speaking to herself. "Zero…what would I do…"

"Kallen." Ogi's voice filled the cockpit of the Guren alerting Kallen to respond.

"Ogi are you alright?"

Ogi let out a pained nod while speaking into the phone. "Yes…Kallen more importantly…chase after Zero and Feite. There must be a reason behind their actions. Go and help them…Zero and Naoto's dream." Kallen shook her head while a replacement arm was attached to her machine. "How can I find them?" Ogi coughed while holding onto the strength to speak. "You should be able to see him soon…you're in the area…" Kallen looked up while the sensor tracked the Lancelot flying by overhead. "That bastard must have a reason for leaving this place." Ogi gritted his teeth while the medic tried his best to keep the pain away. "Kallen, get the launch mechanism from Rakshata..."

"Cecile, we just need to last until the last bit of the students are on board."

Cecile let out a small nod while evading the fire from the Burai below. The sensor moved quickly to an opening hatch in the ground. "Why is there a heat generation this big coming from there?" The hatch opened completely with the elevator containing the Ganymede came into view.

Rakshata looked at the machine from the helicopters computer, and sighed. "What's with that ancient thing?"

Milly looked over at the Ganymede with a shocked look while noticing Nina sitting in the cockpit. "Nina!"

Lloyd stared at the data while throwing his arm forward. "Oh crap, Cease all firing! Get the order of the black knights to stop as well!"

Rakshata looked over with a confused look. "Huh?"

"Cease all firing; we must not shoot that thing! Rakshata that thing has…"

"Listen to him, everyone stop firing…I already know Lloyd. I just scanned that machine." Rakshata lowered her hand while it slides off the keyboard. 'This is terrible; this is exactly what Feite told me about why she chose to use Cold to generate energy…'

"Nina, you've completed it?" Nina sat in the open cockpit holding a remote detonator in her hands. "It's not completely checked through. I don't know if I can make it explode. But I…" Milly rushed over with concern in her voice. "What do you mean by explode?" The Club hovered nearby and held its arm out. "Stand back its dangerous."

Lloyd stared down with fear growing in his brow. "If it goes according to her theory. The entire Tokyo settlement might be caught up in the explosion."

"How is that even possible?" Tamaki growled while Rakshata flashed on his screen. "Listen to him, there's Sakuradite being used in that. It's extremely explosive…."

Nina sat up in the cockpit with her small body shaking from the pressure of those around her. "Where is Feite?" She held up the detonator with her hands shaking. "Please tell me where she is, so I can get Princess Euphemia's revenge!

Feite shivered in the cockpit while rubbing her right arm. "Something seems to be out of place, why would they bring Nunally to a place out this far?"

"It's managed to drag the three of us away. Nunally is the center of Lelouch's battle. She is the reason why Lelouch is doing this. You should know this more than anyone." C.C. glared over at the Voulge while Feite sighed to herself. "I knew that, but Lelouch who do you think would take her? I doubt any of the Royal Consorts could have managed to sneak her out. Do you think we had a traitor in the Black Knights?" Lelouch shook his head while the island grew larger. "No, something strange is at work here, and we'll find it out."

Inside a strange area, V.V. stood behind Nunally with Rolo standing behind him. 'You are a really perceptive woman Feite Avalon. I guess that is why the Emperor wishes to let you live. I wonder why he wants this girl to live as well…' V.V. turned over to Rolo, and moved his hand in a dismissive way. "Rolo, please leave this area, I'll meet you at the location." Rolo looked down at Nunally while flipping his knife back. "Very well V.V. I'll be at the institute." V.V. crossed is arms over his chest, and tapped his foot in anticipation of their arrival.

Moments later, in the view of the morning sunlight the Gawain landed in front of the large cave while the Voulge landed at the side. It extended its arm to brace itself due to its missing leg. Feite let out a small pout while staring at the opening. "A cave? Are you sure this is a real enemy? And not some deranged pirate?" Lelouch growled while flashing on the monitor. "Feite I will have none of your joking at a time like this. We will explore that cave in a moment." Feite let out a nod and opened the cockpit. The hatch creaked open while she lowered herself to the ground using the access wire.

Lelouch looked over at Feite as she reached the ground and turned his attention back to C.C. "Is this really the place? Does this place have any connections to you?" C.C. stared at the cave while Feite pulled out a flashlight. "I don't know this place…" Lelouch scoffed while Feite started forward. "Hmph, so that means there are other places like this? Is the one that took Nunally a Geass user?" C.C. shrugged her shoulders while Feite's voice filled the cockpit. "I'm pretty sure that it's a possibility. We had to deal with Mao, and then I had the run in with Rai before I had to kill him." Lelouch rubbed his temple and let out a tense sigh. "I see…

Feite's eyes widen while an odd feeling engulfs her body. A strong feeling of pain surges through her head while she drops the flashlight and grabs the sides. "My head it's…" C.C. looked down at Feite with her eyes wide. "Feite, what's wrong?" C.C. flipped several switches, but it was too late. Both Lelouch and C.C were caught in the odd power emanating from the cave.

"Calm down, both of you this is a trap to ward of intruders. The one who activates it…" C.C.'s eyes widen while everyone was overcome by the trap.

Feite stood in a field of flowers while staring at a perfect copy aged seven years younger. She was dressed in a pink summer dress while Feite still wore her flight suit. "Why is it that papa always considered Callia and Azalea his favorites?" Feite looked over at her younger self and shook her head. "I have no idea what you mean….father treated me just like the others." The younger self shook her head while a huge pain shot through Feite's head. "Papa did treat us differently. To him we were considered a weapon."

Feite's eyes widen while the flowers burned away by a bluish flame before changing into the interior of a laboratory. "Feite, what is this…?" Lelouch walked up behind Feite while she held her head down low. "This is a memory I thought I had forgotten forever. You'll find out soon enough. This is probably why I became so different from everyone else."

At the doorway of the laboratory, a six year old Feite stared into the room from a crack in the door. Inside the room, Feite's parents were engaged in a heated argument. "How dare you do such a thing to me? To our own daughter, she isn't a beast to experiment on!" Elsa yelled frantically while slapping Aidan across the face. His glasses flew off his face landing a few feet away on the ground. "Her life expectancy was one year! If I didn't give her the genetic therapy she would have died!" Several tears fell down her face while she threw her hand out. "The Code R cells have already fused into her DNA, and by now have started to cure the mutations Feite had when she was born!"

"The Code R cells are deadly to humans, you are an idiot Aidan. Those cells may make Feite stronger and more perceptive, but she will die! You didn't think of the side-effects did you?" Elsa clenched her fist while Aidan took a seat at his desk. His hands grabbed the sides of his head while he sighed. "The side-effects are curable Feite is within the four percent that could accept the treatment. There is only a twenty-five percent chance of her having heart failure in ten years." Elsa shook her head while pulling out a handgun from her jacket. "Aidan, you fool…."

Lelouch's eyes widen while Elsa pulled the trigger several times followed by Aidan falling to the ground covered in his own blood. "Feite this is…" Feite looked over at her father, and nodded. "My father didn't die of heart disease, my mother shot him after finding out I was given Code R cells when I was in the womb, and the two years after I was born." Lelouch crossed over to Feite and placed his hand on her shoulder. "What does that mean?"

"It means that Feite was infused with the artificial copy of cells from a witch such as me." C.C. walked towards the two while the laboratory quickly vanished showing a pure white room. "That would mean…" C.C. shook her head and laughed. "Feite didn't receive my cells; there are a few others that possibly were harvested. Sadly, that is all I know." Feite turned over to the two, and glared at them. "I thought I would never have to bring myself to remember this…my body, everything could be a result of those cells." Lelouch shook his head and grabbed Feite by the shoulders. "No, you are what make yourself Feite. Both you and Nunnally are my raison d'être."

Feite's eye opened while the inside of the temple was visible to her. Her eyes narrowed while she quickly leaped out of the way of a conical harken. A large cloud of smoke and dust filled the ground masking if Feite dodged or was crushed by the large weapon. "Feite!" Lelouch pulled the Gawain backwards while the Conical harken slammed into the area where Feite once stood. "Now that I've killed the pilot of that other machine, I Jeremiah Gottwald will make you repent Zero!" Lelouch growled while the Gawain increased speed and evaded Jeremiah's incoming attacks. "I will make you pay for what you just did you persistent bastard!"

Feite let out a small grunt while blood ran down her forehead soaking into the bandages over her eye. Her hand moved up while letting out a pained groan. "I need to get back to the Voulge…" Her arm reached out and pushed off the wall getting back to her feet. Feite took a step with her left leg and fell down to the ground. Her eye widened while pain surged through her leg. A piece of shrapnel had entered her leg from the surprise attack from the Siegfried immobilizing her from joining in or running. "Damn it, I can't get to the Voulge in time." She turned over, and stared at the inner sanctum of the cave. 'I at least can limp to get to you…Nunally.'

The Conical harkens sweep around the Gawain slamming heavily into its Hadron cannon's and the pre-existing damage from Cornelia. Several sparks flew across the large Knightmare while Jeremiah continued to attack without mercy. "We can only fire the Hadron Cannon once." Another hit from the Siegfried sent the Gawain falling to the ocean below. Jeremiah let out a bright smile while charging after the falling machine. "My wonderful revenge!" C.C. gripped the controls, and quickly stabilized the machine. "I don't think so…" The Hadron cannon charged and fired at the ocean below. The concentrated blast of heated particles flash boils the water below causing it to shoot up into the sky.

The Gawain pulled backwards through the veil of mist while C.C. glared up at the shadow of the Siegfried. "Leave him to me. You go to where Nunally, and Feite are." Lelouch's eyes widen while he leaned over at C.C. "But the energy fill is almost out of…" She let out an uneasy smile while tightening her grip. "I'll be fine…or rather I'm a tad anxious." C.C. turned over her shoulder and smiled. "Lelouch you must win. Against your own past and against the results of your own actions." She climbed out of the seat and leaned into Lelouch kissing him on the cheek. Lelouch's eyes widen while he lets out a small nod. The cockpit opened while the hand rose to the cockpit. "Now, please get out…"Lelouch paused for a moment while leaping out onto the Gawain's palm. "C.C. don't die…" She scoffed over at him while closing the cockpit. "Who are you talking to?" Lelouch replaced the mask over his face and chuckled. "I see…"

Feite limped to the main platform and stared up at the symbol on the wall. She stopped short of the symbol, and lowered herself. She let out an exhausted grunt while pulling herself into a seated posture. 'This is as far as I can go…the rest is all up to you…Lelouch.' Feite's eye glanced at the figure approaching from the cave entrance. The cape flew while the ocean breeze entered the cavern. She let out a faint smile while cocking back the handgun in her hands. "Zero…you made it where is C.C.?"

Lelouch gasped while he ran over to Feite and kneeled down to her. "Are you okay?" His eyes moved down and spotted her left leg. Feite weakly smiled at him while coughing. "I'm fine; my leg is wounded now so I can't continue forward. I can at the very least defend this side of the…" Her eye narrowed while she quickly raised the gun and fired a shot. "What?" Lelouch turned around only to see Suzaku bleed from a wound on his cheek before firing a shot at Feite. He slowly turned while blood splattered from Feite's shoulder. She quickly dropped the weapon and grabbed her shoulder. "You dare shoot at me Feite? You can't aim properly without your right eye." Suzaku wiped the blood off his cheek, and walked forward pointing his gun at Lelouch.

"Feite…" Lelouch stared out the corner of his eye while turning over to Suzaku. "A woman like Euphemia who kills Japanese mercilessly to you is worth more than…." Suzaku continued forward while looking over at Feite writhe in pain from not only the wound from Tokyo, but Jeremiah and now the bullet wound in her shoulder. "It's convenient the power called Geass." Lelouch's eyes tremble from underneath the mask as Feite weakly stared at Suzaku. "You bastard…" He turned over to her and sighed. "Zero you hide within the shadows and all the responsibility is thrown onto others. Feite this bastard has tricked you…Zero is arrogant and despicable. That is his true self, you need to understand that." Feite coughed out a small amount of blood and snickered. "I find your blind dedication to Euphemia deplorable. She murdered your own people, such a cold hearted…" Suzaku growled and aimed the weapon at her. "You have no right to speak that way about Euphie!"

Suzaku stared out the corner of his eye spotting Kallen hiding in the shadows. "Kallen, I know you're there. Come out…don't you want to know Zero's true identity?" Kallen stepped out aiming her own weapon at Suzaku's back. "Why should it concern me?" Suzaku nodded while re-aiming at Zero. "You have the right to witness the truth as well." Suzaku fired the handgun while Feite's eyes widen. She shook her head while the bullet slammed into the top of the mask. 'No, please no….' She reached her hand over while Lelouch stood stationary the helmet on his head cracked and split showing his true face.

Kallen's eyes widen while Suzaku lowered his gun immediately before narrowing his gaze at him. "Are you happy now Suzaku?" Feite covered her mouth while slowly pushing herself to her feet. "Lelouch is Zero, and I will serve him until my dying breath." Suzaku shook his head and threw his arm out. "Feite, you are under his power. Don't throw your life away for him." Feite shook her head while glaring down at Suzaku. "I'm not under his power, as lame as it sounds I make my own destiny." Kallen looked over at Lelouch, and ultimately fell to her knees. "Lelouch is Zero….that is why Feite is…" Lelouch stared over at Suzaku, and her while smiling over at Feite. "Yes, I am Zero. I lead the Order of the Black Knights, against the Holy Britannian Empire. Feite was the first member of my army, and perhaps the strongest. We together will take over the world."

"You made use of us Japanese?" Kallen's tear stained face glanced over at Lelouch while Feite let out a pained smile. "Yes, in order to exact our revenge we needed a beginning. Think of it, that Japan will be liberated if Lelouch and I are successful." Suzaku glared over at the two, and growled. "You both are twisted beyond saving." He turned away from Lelouch avoiding eye contact as if he were ashamed. "I should have arrested you earlier." Lelouch smiled over at him while Feite pressed hard against the wall propping herself up with her right leg. "So you knew all along? That is nice of you Suzaku." Suzaku shook his head while growling. "I didn't do it because I was your friend; I knew it because I thought you were a different person. Sadly, you always lied. You lied to both me and Euphemia. Even Nunnally has been lied to."

"That's right Nunnally has been kidnapped! Suzaku can we have a truce for now? I hope that we both can save Nunnally. There's nothing that we can't do together." Lelouch stared over at Suzaku hoping for him to calm down, but he was sadly mistaken. Suzaku's eyes filled with rage while lifting the gun up once more. "No, you should have cooperated with Euphie. If you had cooperated with Euphie, the world…" Lelouch shook his head, "That is all in the past. They are already over. No matter how much you regret it, the past will always be the past." Suzaku shook his head while shaking the gun in his hands. He tried to restrain himself while his grip tightened on the firearm. "You or Feite don't deserve to be in a world together. All you two will do is destroy everything. Your wishes shouldn't be granted all they will do is cause pain and suffering."

Lelouch chuckled while placing a small mine on his chest. "Go ahead and fire. I have liquid Sakuradite with me. It'll explode if my heart stops beating. Trust me it'll detonate, Feite has a knack for making weapons that work." Feite shook her head while her vision was blurring from the blood loss. "Suzaku, if we die no-one will be able to save Nunally….come to your senses."

Suzaku clenched his teeth while growling, "No, I had enough of the two of you. The two of you don't even belong in this world. I will save Nunally." Lelouch's eyes trembled while he growled at the top of his lungs and aimed his gun at Suzaku. "Suzaku!" Suzaku followed suit while both started down each other. "Lelouch!" Feite kicked off the wall and charged in front of Lelouch.

Lelouch's eyes widen while Feite stood in front of him. She buckled for a moment while holding her hand to her side. Her legs gave away while she collapsed to her knees. "Suzaku….you will not lay a finger on…" Suzaku growled while charging forward. "I won't listen to the words of a disabled opponent!" Feite's eye widened while Suzaku passed her and leaped into the air entering to a spin kick. Lelouch regained his composure only to feel the kick from Suzaku across his face. His body fell backwards while the liquid Sakuradite bomb detached from his shirt. The bomb hit the ground several times while Suzaku aimed at Lelouch. "Zero, I will put an end to you…" He looked over his shoulder while Kallen ran for the exit. Lelouch glared over at Kallen while Feite sat there with blood flowing from her two gunshot wounds. "Feite…speak to me! Feite!" Suzaku flipped the gun around and knocked Lelouch out with the handle of the weapon. "She's dead Lelouch! An eye for an eye…"

Feite fell forward her face slamming into the cold stone while warm blood started to flow out around her. Her eye slowly started to close while now she was too weak to even say a word. 'Will I die here…Suzaku…I will….not…let you…' Suzaku picked up Lelouch and started off towards the exit. He paused for a moment and turned around. "You chose your own path Feite; I will send someone to retrieve your corpse. You at least deserve a decent burial." Feite held her hand out while coughing out blood onto the stone. "Su….Su--Suzaku!" She yelled his name while he simply ignored her and continued on down the hallway.

Outside, Kallen hid in the debris while Suzaku re-entered the Lancelot with Lelouch in hand. He took a moment to look back at the cave then over at the overturned Voulge at the side. "Let this mark, your end. You could have been such a better person if you didn't let revenge take over." Suzaku shook his head and activated the Lancelot and took to the air. He zoomed in on Kallen hiding in the debris and sighed. "What will you do now Kallen, you have lost…return to being who you were…"

Kallen looked over at the Lancelot while her eyes widened. "He left Feite to die inside…" She rushed over to the nearby Guren, and climbed up into the cockpit. She tosses several containers inside before pulling out a medical kit. "Please be alive still….Feite please." Kallen rushed over into the cave to spot Feite crawling from the platform with a trail of blood marking her path.

"Ka…ka-ka-llen…?" Feite looked up with a dull eye, her vision had vanished due to the blood loss, and her pale face showed signs of the end. Kallen shook her head while tears sparkled as she ran over to her ally. "Feite hang in there I'll try to stop the bleeding." Feite coughed while shaking her head. "Le…Le…" Kallen flipped Feite over to her back without much resistance. "Stop talking, I'm going to save you!" She quickly opened the medical kit, and started to perform the basics of first aid on the main gunshot wound.

After an hour of treating Feite's wounds, Kallen sat beside a small fire while Feite lied on a sleeping back with an IV needle in her forearm. A blood pack was dripping into her while she was unconscious. Kallen looked over at Feite briefly and turned back to the coffee in her hands. "You dove in front of him, you protected him….despite being wounded you tired to sacrifice your own life…Now it's my job to protect you until we can rescue Lelouch."

Kallen sat on the rock while her eyes started to become heavy with fatigue. She took a moment to stare over at Feite who was still breathing from underneath the cover of the blanket. "Please hang in there….the others should be coming to get us."

Meanwhile, the reinforcements poured in from the mainland while the Black Knights were completely overwhelmed. The last remaining Knightmare frames fought to the death while others were simply ordered to surrender. Tohdoh stood beside of few of his subordinates while looking off into the distance. "Damn it Zero, we have failed because of you…" Nagisa turned her face away while growling at the top of her lungs. "That bastard, I hope I never see his face again." Senba crossed his arms over his chest and sighed. "At least before we lost communication Haruka, and Urabe…had managed to escape with a few of the surviving members. So we shouldn't lose hope yet."

In the sky flying towards Kaminejima Rakshata, her crew, Diethard and a few surviving members rest in the craft Azalea had landed remotely nearly six hours ago. The optical camouflage covering the aerodyne based craft kept it off Britannian factsphere and radar. Rakshata looked over at the others; the moral had hit the floor with some of them contemplating surrender. "My, how many did we lose?" Diethard shook his head while looking at the ground. "Too many, a lot of us were captured due to Tohdoh's orders. We may have a chance, but we need to re-gain power." Rakshata sighed and rubbed her temple. "We should follow Azalea's contingency plan, and head to China. A man named Xingke has accepted to take a few of us in." Diethard looked up with an odd stare. "Then why are we flying towards Kaminejima?" Rakshata turned her head back to piloting. "We're retrieving Kallen."

The night sky fell upon the island of Kaminejima while the waves tussled against the shoreline. A body flushed up to the sands completely soaked in sea water. C.C. let out a weak moan while gripping the sand with her hands. Her head ached while the pressure of the ocean had done a number to her body. If she were any lesser of a being she would have died bringing down the Siegfried. Her eyes open and stare up ahead at the cavern. 'Lelouch, you're not here…I can sense it.'

C.C. got up to her feet, and limped across the beach towards the cavern and the view of Kallen sleeping against a log. The fire had gone out while both Kallen and Feite were fast asleep. C.C. stared over at Feite and shook her head. 'You must have not given enough fight to keep Lelouch safe. We need to retrieve him from Britannia…surely Suzaku is delivering him to that despicable man of an emperor.' Kallen opened her eyes slowly and glared over at C.C. with a half dazed look. "Huh? Who is there?" C.C. turned over to Kallen with a disinterested look. "It's C.C. where is Lelouch?" Kallen mumbled for a moment before shaking her head. "Lelouch was…" She turned away with guilt weighting heavily on her. "I could have helped him, but I…" C.C. looked off across the ocean, and sighed. "I guess we'll have to rebuild. I don't think Britannia will give us a chance to rescue him if he's in the mainland." Kallen got up to her feet and dusted off her pilot suit. "Rescue him? What do you mean by that?" A cool wind brushed across the beach while C.C. shielded her face from her flowing hair. "We'll have a chance again to stage a rebellion…we just need to wait for Britannia to forget about us."

In the distance, a flicker appears in the sky while the Aerodyne piloted by Rakshata appeared over the horizon. "This is odd…" Diethard walked up into the co-pilot seat and looked down at the sensor. "Three life signs? Does it mean that Zero is down there?" Rakshata shook her head, "I don't know, we're going to land." Diethard crossed his arms while looking over at the others. "Load up; we may be getting lured into a trap." A few of the remaining soldiers reload their rifles while the Aerodyne came in for a landing. "Oh, look at this…"

Kallen turned over while the transport appeared over the horizon kicking up and pushing sand over the encampment. "Rakshata? What happened in Tokyo, why are you…" Her eyes lose hope while there was a moment of silence. "We failed, Tohdoh, and Ogi were both captured. We couldn't get to them fast enough. Where is Zero?"

Kallen shook her head while turning to Feite. "Zero was captured by Kururugi Suzaku; also he fatally wounded Feite she needs to get to a hospital or she'll…" C.C. shook her head while staring down at the comatose Feite. "She'll live; her will is the strongest I've seen anyone have. A lesser human would have died from the amount of damage her body sustained. We should head to the coordinates Azalea gave us."

Diethard glared over at Feite while a few of the members rushed over with a field gurney, "Why did you let Zero get captured? We're you Team Zero Kallen? What did you…." Kallen glared over at Diethard and grabbed him by the collar. "We were caught off guard by Kururugi. That bastard went in with intents to kill; he left Feite for dead inside that cavern. She took two bullets let alone the other injuries to her body in an attempt to protect him." Diethard pushed Kallen back while adjusting his collar. "So that means our rebellion is over?" C.C. shook her head, "No, I believe Britannia will do something else. All we have to do is wait and see. Now, we should leave. Surely Kururugi notified the reinforcements that we were here."

Three weeks later, Chinese Federation Capitol City Luoyang

At the side of a bed inside a luxurious estate in the noble sector of Luoyang, Feite stood on the veranda overlooking the city. The cool wind blew through her lengthy hair while a few bandages were wrapped over her arms, and chest. A small scar was visible over her right eye while staring at the city with agitation in her eyes.

"In current news, the Avalon Foundation has issued a statement regarding the involvement of their youngest Feite Avalon in her participation in the Black Knights."

In the background, C.C. watched the news feed from Britannia while letting out a small grin. Elsa stood at a podium with a stalwart look stretched on her face.

"It is unfortunate that Feite was involved in such despicable group, and we as a corporation and family are eternally ashamed. We are also thankful that newly appointed Knight of Seven, Kururugi Suzaku for ending the life of Feite before she could tarnish the name of Avalon. There also have been allegations circulating that we have been dealing arms to the Black Knights. This is entirely false, and should be stricken from all documents. We have a long standing friendship with the Britannian Military and will continue to make breakthroughs for the good of the Empire. That is all."

Feite walked into the room with an apathetic look on her face. She crossed to the edge of the couch and let out a mocking laugh. "My mother has quite a tongue on her. The Britannians are foolish enough to fall for such a statement. Also Suzaku becoming a Knight of the round is laughable…" She clenched her fist while letting out a chaotic laugh. "I will get revenge against him for what he did to both me and Lelouch. In due time Lelouch, I will return to you with the others in tow."

To Be Continued in R2.

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I hope you liked the fic thus far, Be prepared for an Epologue that will bridge the gap, and perhaps fill in some lose ends.