Rescue Angels
Me: Back with another chapter!
Euphemia: (looking into a box) This outfit...I like the aesthetics, but what are you planning for me...?
Me: Badass technical pacifism. It fits being an angel...and fits you.
Euphemia: (blushes) I don't think...
Me: I do. You, Shirley and Nunnally are the angels of this series. So naturally you had the worst stuff happen to you.
Disclaimer: I do not own Code Geass.
Chapter 2: Meeting of the Rebellion
"Throngs of people line the streets, waiting to see the accused."
Shirley rocked on the edge of her chair, knuckles white, her eyes glued to the screen. She was in the joint dorm room at Ashford Academy, accompanied by Milly, Rivalz and Nina. Nunnally had gone back to her temporary home, cradling a data pad as she waited to see what would become of Suzaku. They were all watching the screen, desperate for more information. Only one of them had an inkling of what was coming.
Quite some distance away, Euphemia was clutching a mug of hot chocolate, her eyes riveted to the action below. Her two guards, fresh recruits who were new to the job but utterly loyal to their gentle Lady, exchanged concerned looks. "My lady," The woman of the pair started uncertainly, "are you sure you want to see this? The court marshal won't being until tomorrow."
Euphemia glanced upwards at the woman and shook her head. "I appreciate your concern, Private Falsworth, but I want to see this through to its end."
"As you wish." Cella Falsworth said, looking slightly worried but accepting her charge's decision. She remembered how she had come by this assignment; the Princess had insisted that she personally choose her escorts herself when she wanted to travel. She had then surprised the other royalty by choosing a pair of raw recruits – one with a mixed background, at that!
It was probably a good thing Princess Cornelia was in Area 18. She absolutely would have thrown a fit if she had been there.
"Margrave Jeremiah, having been integral to handling the case, will be presiding over it as acting Consol."
Shirley lip twitched. She was torn between hating the man on screen and pitying him for how his life was about to nosedive. Gottwald had been loyal to Empress Marianne, but after her 'death' and the 'deaths' of her children, he had turned his rage on the innocent Japanese. She wasn't sure how she felt about all that.
At the very least, his undying loyalty was something to behold.
The car came to a halt. Shirley's heart thudded painfully, and Euphemia sat up a bit straighter in her chair. "This is not a scheduled stop!" The announcer said, his own surprise evident. "Has there been some sort of accident? ...There's a vehicle approaching...it's Prince Clovis's personal transport!"
"What in the world?" Cella gasped. Her partner, Jason Gambling, cast Euphemia a worried look, but her face may as well have been set in stone.
She would not risk her beloved brother's future by showing how this truly made her feel.
The car came to a stop in front of the convoy. "You dare desecrate his Highness's royal transport?! Come out of there!" The Britannian flag obligingly burnt away, revealing the Demon Prince concealed within as dramatically as possible.
It took all of Shirley's self control not to leap to her feet and scream gleefully. It was starting!
"I am...Zero!"
"Your highness, perhaps it would be wise-"
"Please, Gambling." Euphemia's voice was rigid. "I need to see what all this means." She locked her fingers together and placed her hands in her lap. Everyone in Britannia is watching you, Lelouch. But this time, I want you to escape!
The announcer did a terrible job of concealing his borderline panic. "W-W-Who is this person?! This masked man calling himself Zero?!"
The love of my life! Shirley bit her tongue to keep herself from saying that out loud. She pulled her chair closer to the screen and leaned forward, absorbing every moment of the chaotic rescue mission, ignoring Milly's complaints that she was hiding a fourth of the screen.
"What's in that container?" Rivalz yelled when the car burst apart to reveal the false gas canister. "Is that a bomb?!"
"Quiet, Rivalz, I'm having trouble hearing!" Milly yelled back.
On screen, Zero calmly offered to exchange the 'gas canister' for Suzaku. Everyone with a television watched in anticipation as Jeremiah refused, citing the supposed regicide...only for Zero to blow up the ground beneath him with his first brutal revelation.
"The man who killed Clovis was myself!"
Euphemia let out a small, shaky breath. Cella knelt next to her chair, murmuring her concern while Jason's hand tightened in disbelief. Clovis...you murdered all those innocents, and yet I still mourn you. I hope you can find some redemption in another life time.
Zero then dramatically Geassed Jeremiah into releasing Suzaku, in a final epic stanza for the night's performance. Everyone, from Ashford Academy to the palace, watched on the edge of their seats as Zero swept Suzaku away while the purists were attacked by their own leader, ensuring the escape as the civilians fled from 'poison gas'. Nina made a small noise of terror.
"What was that?" Rivalz finally cried out when the news program cut away from the aftermath. Shirley let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.
You're so dramatic, Lulu!
**~The Next Day~**
~With Euphemia~
Euphemia finished putting in the online order and sent it with a click, before her computer automatically deleted the memory of the transaction. She had been up for part of the night working on the two side projects, and she was quite happy with how they looked so far. The government was in an uproar, so most of the guards around the area were nicely distracted. So even if they had gotten curious as to what the princess had been doing awake for so long, they had been in no position to see for themselves.
Pushing the chair back and stretching, Euphemia then went to her closet and grabbed some street clothes – a pink long sleeved shirt and blue jeans. She had told her two guards to assist with the media fallout, so she could have her little 'day off'. Changing quickly, she walked over to the open window and perched on the sill, looking down and waiting.
Sure enough, Suzaku emerged from the building, and after a second she launched herself out of the window. "Look out below!"
Just like last time, she fell right into his arms. They were so strong; just like his moral core. She was so happy to be held in them again her heart wilted slightly when he put her on her feet. Blue eyes met brown and she was beginning to worry that this was a mistake. How could she look at him and pretend to be a stranger?
"I'm sorry!" She said lightly. "I didn't mean to run into you; I didn't think to check before I jumped."
"It's okay. I wasn't expecting a girl to fall out of the sky and into my arms," Suzaku responded. His eyes flickered as he recognized her from that night in his cell. "P-Princess Euphemia! What are you doing out here?"
Euphemia straightened up, smiling shyly. "I've had a long week," She said. Not a lie. "Things are quiet dismal in my home at the moment. I wanted to go outside, and see if I can lift my spirits."
"I..." Suzaku stammered, before balking. "I-forgive me, princess. I extend my deepest sympathies for the loss of your brother."
Euphemia nodded. "Thank you, Suzaku Kururugi, for your kindness. I will miss him, but I cannot drown in my grief. There is a world I need to look after."
"Shouldn't you be accompanied, Princess?" Suzaku asked tentatively, his eyes flickering between her and the building behind her. "It might be dangerous out here, after that man Zero's appearance."
Her heart grew warm, and she resisted the urge to smile. Check and mate. "Actually, I was planning to go alone so I could see what kind of people live here in Area 11." Euphemia said, before reaching out and grabbing his hand. "But if you're that worried about me, you can come with me and ensure I'm safe!"
Suzaku's cheeks flushed as she started tugging at him. "Ah, as you wish, milady!"
~Line Break~
"Princess, I never got to thank you for what you did for me."
"You mean the purists?"
Euphemia and Suzaku had been walking for over an hour now, taking in the sights deep in Area 11. Despite the young man's concerns, Euphemia's dress decisions and low profile thus far in life had kept her from being recognized. Sure, Lord Lloyd and Miss Cecile were discreetly shadowing them, but she didn't mind that; they wouldn't bother them during the day.
"Yeah."
"I'm glad I was there." Euphemia said. "That kind of treatment, of anyone, is unacceptable." She sighed. "The thing that bothered me the most was, I don't think Gottwald would have mistreated you so badly if you hadn't been born an Eleven."
Suzaku gave her a slight surprised look. "Is that right?"
"Yes." Euphemia nodded. "I think it has something to do with the death of Empress Marianne, years ago. Protecting her was his first job."
Suzaku's eyes shadowed. "I see. So that assassination happened on his watch? That must have been a terrible experience for him." He glanced at her. "He thinks the...the Elevens are responsible?"
"He's projecting all his bitterness onto other people. I'm sorry you had to go through that."
"Oh, please don't apologize Princess." Suzaku said quickly. Euphemia felt her cheeks grow warm again, and she party hoped he hadn't noticed. "You came and assisted me, even though I was accused of killing your brother. That's more than some people would be willing to do."
"I'm glad I did." Euphemia said with a small smile. "I got a chance to meet you."
"Ah! Is that right..."
They kept wandering, putting the political conversations away to discuss the scenery and the varying stores they came across. Euphemia spent a huge chunk of time window shopping, often making Suzaku laugh with her exuberance. They even came across Arthur, exactly where she found him last time. The cat was no less ornery than before and it made her very happy. When they weren't looking at things, they just sat and talked about traditions and history in the area. Suzaku always discussed them with this sweet, sincere enthusiasm that sucked her into the old myths he was weaving for her. Euphemia decided silently that she would try her hand at origami the next time she had a moment. She had plenty to wish for.
The sunset was starting to paint the sky as Euphemia asked Suzaku to take her to the final place on her list. Shinjiku ghetto.
"There? Are you sure?"
"Yes. Please." Euphemia raised her hand. After hesitating for a moment, Suzaku took it, raised her hand to his lips and kissed it.
"As you wish, my lady."
Her heart fluttered, nearly lodging it in her throat. Euphemia smiled tenderly at him and the two of them headed towards the place together. Together they made their way to the place of the massacre. It took about twenty minutes by train. When Euphemia stepped into the lands of Shinjiku, she felt a spark of heat just at her shoulders. The phantom feeling of her wings pressed against her back caused her to take a slightly shaky breath.
She experienced a small swell of emotions – righteous anger mixed with grief. This is connected to my power, isn't it? She wondered. The god that had brought her back to life had given her something – that much she was certain of. But she hadn't yet been in a position to discover them yet.
How different would it be from the weapons of war that Britannia possessed?
"People were starting to come back here," Suzaku noted when they came to a stop in front of a series of memorials. "And now this..."
Euphemia knelt on the ground, placing one hand on the sign depicting this mass grave. Suzaku hesitantly stepped right next to her, wanting to give her a comforting touch but knowing it wouldn't be considered appropriate.
Princess Euphemia gave the lost ones a short prayer. In response, a golden star flickered in the late evening sky.
"Thank you for bringing me here," Euphemia said as they walked further along, reaching the familiar decapitated statue. Suzaku was about to respond when a shout cut him off and drew their attention towards the ground in front of the sad monolith.
There were two boys there, one with a camera, the other having just been posing. However, this time they were trying to cajole another person to join them.
"Hey, c'mon babe! Those are authentic bullet holes! It'll be a great shot!"
"Please, don't touch me!" The orange haired girl backed up, irritably swatting away the grabbing hands of the two sheltered boys. "I'm not here for a photo op!"
Euphemia's eyes lit up. It was her fellow angel! Shirley!
Suzaku frowned at the sight. "Wait here a moment," He said, dropping his bag and going to assist the young woman before Euphemia could formulate some sort of response. She felt herself smiling again. That's my Knight.
Shirley let out a startled noise of surprise when Suzaku abruptly appeared next to her. The two boys yelped when they recognized him. "You're making this young woman very uncomfortable," The would be Knight informed the two coolly. "I'm going to have to ask you to leave."
Intimidation alone seemed to work this time, and the two boys skedaddled. Shirley let out a small breath and turned towards him. "Thank you for that," She said, as Euphemia raced over to join them. "I just came here for a visit and they kept following me."
"Well, they're gone now. Maybe next time you should come with a friend, just for safety's sake." Suzaku told her.
Shirley resisted the urge to giggle fondly at the remark. Her eyes swung over to Euphemia, who was giving her a pointed and hopeful look. For a moment, the orange haired girl was stumped on how to signal that she was indeed returned just like her, before settling on something she'd seen Lelouch do. She raised one hand to her face, her left eye partially covered by her fingers. "I guess I wasn't expecting too many Britannians to be down here," She admitted.
Euphemia smiled, and she mirrored the gestured for a split second. A moment later, a loud explosion shook the ground. Shirley glanced at the princess, seeking clarification for the event. The young pink haired woman quickly nodded, mouthing out, purist squabble.
"Stay here," Suzaku instructed, worry in his voice. Lloyd and Cecile's truck appeared around the corner a moment later, and he ran over to it, leaving the two women alone.
Once they were sure he was out of earshot, the twosome laughed and clasped hands. "We really came back-!" "then you also saw-?" "-was the top of the elevator-" "-have the start of a plan, but-" "-seeing all my friends again-" "-can't believe it!"
Eventually realizing this was going nowhere, they stopped for a moment. Shirley giggled and said, "You first, princess!"
"Please Shirley, call me Euphy. All my friends do." Euphemia encouraged, smiling. "I think since we're bound together by this mission, it's only appropriate."
"O-Okay. Thank you, Euphy." Shirley took a deep breath, and then glanced after Suzaku. "He really is the do gooder of this time, isn't he?"
Euphemia quickly sobered at that. "Yes. And I intend to keep it that way."
Shirley crossed her arms and rested her chin on her hand. "I was awake thinking a lot of last night, and I figured the best ending can only be achieved by him, Lulu and you co-operating to change Britannia. But how in the world are we going to convince them of that if we can't tell them why it's so important?" A distressed look crossed her face. "They'd never believe us!"
"They'd need some help," Euphemia agreed. "Tell me – did you make a Contract when-when you were dying?"
Shirley looked surprised. "Yes, I did – you did as well?"
"Mm-hmm. I think we might have been granted a Geass like ability." Euphemia said. "I say that, because I think I unconsciously used it just a few days ago. I wanted to choose some raw guards who have sympathy towards Japan, and when I asked for it, everyone in the selection process accepted it without question. Normally they would have fought for me to put a good, experienced Britannian on the job."
Shirley blinked, before saying, "I had a dream where I heard the voice that spoke to us before we were sent back here. He mentioned something about a Grace, and possible miracles. Was that it?"
"A Grace...?" Euphemia's mind flitted over various theologies. "Isn't that what gave Angels their powers? Grace granted by God?"
"I didn't hear anything else. I have a strange sense that he was limited by what he could tell us; it must have something to do with the Elevator." Shirley said. Her eyes narrowed. "Speaking of which..."
Euphemia shook her head. "We'll need to get there when we get there. There's still too much at stake and too much in the way for us to confront Father and Marianne straight up."
Shirley sighed. "That's what I thought." The battle between the Knightmares was raging on. "We probably don't have much more time, so is there any way I can contact you?"
Euphemia smiled and handed Shirley a small, sleek black phone. "This is a phone off the grid, and it only has one number – mine. We can talk whenever I have a free moment – mostly in the evenings, alright?" She then pulled a hard drive out of her pocket and pressed it into Shirley's hand. "And that's part of a plan I have, which I'll explain later. Right now I need to quiet that ruckus over there.
Shirley nodded.
"And one more thing-" Euphemia said as they started running towards the site of the battle. "-Zero had a mask. I thought that we should have a mask of our own. A mask we can share."
"I like the sound of that," Shirley said brightly.
"I ordered a costume on line, one for both of us." Euphemia went on as they reached the old structure where the battle was going on. "I'll get it mailed to you. It won't have any postal marks."
"Thank you."
They reached the old structure, and Euphemia turned around. "You should probably go home," she told her fellow angel. "I'll call you as soon as I can."
End Chapter
I do have a brilliant, slightly evil plan, for a 'mask' for our lovely angels. It will be thematic and visual contrast to our beloved Zero, and I'm excited about it.
Read and Review please!