Rescue Angels
Wanda: And I'm back! Whew, planning out the Narita event took a bit more buildup in retrospect than I had initially expected. I guess I wanted there to be some precedent for the move that Shirley/Euphemia will be pulling there.
Shirley: I think I have PTSD.
Wanda: Why?
Shirley: Because you'll undoubtedly follow any victory up with another bunch of people getting shot. (Frightened squeak) You're going to make Mao worse, aren't you?!
Wanda: Oh come on, who can make Mao worse? Mao is...Mao. He's kind of his own warning. (facefaults when Shirley makes a break for it) Hey, get back here! It won't be that bad!
Disclaimer: I do not own Code Geass.
Chapter 6: Rebellion of Joy
Euphemia felt herself floating in a void. Again she felt the warm pulse of the golden power she had been granted, as images and voices flitted past her senses.
"...I didn't want to believe it was you!"
"...that Zero was Lelouch vi Britannia, my younger brother...?"
"...yes, my dear Lelouch...it's me..."
Euphemia trembled, feeling pain wrack her head again. Not for the first time, the tasks ahead of her seemed insurmountable. There was so much pain and suffering ahead, and their first big info leak had made the JLF fringe group more violent.
"Do not despair, Euphemia li Britannia."
Euphemia gasped at the sound of the familiar, warm and familiar voice. "you!"
"Yes, me. I haven't forsaken you, my angel."
"I feel like we've already made a mistake..."
"You haven't. In fact, you've already started changing things for the better. I'm happy with what you have succeeded in. Therefore, I'm unlocking the fullest extent of the powers I have granted you and Shirley Fenette."
"There's more?"
"Minor miracles have always been in the hands of angels. I trust you to use these abilities wisely."
"Miracles...like healing?"
"Indeed. And to smite one or two key enemies...though perhaps I shall leave that in Shirley's hands. I do not wish to trouble you with it."
Euphemia saw light growing in the dark green void she was lying in. Distant voices were talking again, but this time they seemed more familiar, more present – not whispers from a changing future. "Your brother is fretting over you," the voice said with light amusement; before Euphemia could ask him more, everything faded into white.
"...hey, be careful with that! Medical supplies aren't easy to come by."
"Then why are we spending them on a Britannian Princess?! Can't we just drop her off at a hospital if we aren't going to keep her as a hostage?"
Euphemia woke up with her vision still blurry, though it was much better than when she had received the injury. The pain had gone down to a dull ache, and she could see the ceiling – a purple and black mixture. It must be the Black Knight's transport, she thought. She shifted slightly and was pleasantly surprised to find herself wrapped in a warm blanket, with a pillow under her head.
"Hey, hold still there." An older man scolded her – was this Ohgi? - and pushed her down gently by the shoulders. "Take it easy, princess. You're still reeling a bit from that pistol whip."
"Mmm?" Ohgi – she was pretty sure that's who he was, though he was wearing a helmet that obscured most of his face – placed an ice pack on her head just above her right eye. "Oh...right...where...?" She asked tentatively.
"You're in my transport, currently." Lelouch's metallic voice as Zero broke the silence. Euphemia tilted her head slightly to see him walking over towards her. A red haired girl – that must be Kallen – was dutifully standing at his right. "I brought you out of Kawaguchi after the colonel gave you that injury."
"You did...?" Euphemia, her brain still muddled, just barely remembered to act bewildered about his motives. "But...why would the man who killed my brother...help me...?"
"I killed Clovis for butchering thousands of innocent, unarmed Japanese," Lelouch responded patiently. "But you, Euphemia...you gave yourself up to protect your subjects when the hotel was attacked. I gave Clovis what he deserved for his evils...and gave you what you deserved for your selflessness. You haven't changed."
"Haven't...changed?" Euphemia parroted, trying to sit up – much to Ohgi's consternation.
"What did I just say? This isn't a medical bed, you're going to aggravate your injury." The former schoolteacher said, pushing her back down again. Though this time, he did shift the pillow slightly so she could look at Zero.
"Do I know you?" Euphemia asked softly. Kallen tensed up at the question, but Zero gestured placatingly at her.
"I would hope so. I did release Kururugi on live television; if no one had seen that then I would have been quite put out."
"But..." Some, less dazed part of Euphemia knew she probably shouldn't pursue the question, but she forged on regardless. "haven't changed...you sound like...like..." She blinked a few times, shaking her head slightly. "...you sound like my big brother..."
"Schnizel?" Lelouch snarked slightly, his body language giving nothing away. "I hear he has a propensity for flattery, even when speaking to enemies..."
"N-no...like Lelouch via Britannia," Euphemia responded insistently. "My big brother."
This time she did see something, though just barely – Lelouch-as-Zero's shoulders went completely rigid. His Knights mainly looked confused, with Ohgi ready to put this down to her concussion. She could tell because he quickly took her temperature.
"The dead son of Consort Marianne?" Lelouch asked, his voice smooth and perfectly hiding his internal turmoil. "I admit I wasn't expecting that. Why is that?"
"It s-sounded like...something he'd say." Euphemia said, pressing both her hands against her chest. "I remember him...w-when he played chess. He would always...move the king first. He said...only those prepared to be killed should kill."
"Hm. Interesting, especially coming from a privileged child," Lelouch said, trying to sound dismissive. "It's a pity the Emperor didn't protect him and his mother better. ...That's a long time to carry around grief, Princess Euphemia."
"It's not long enough," Euphemia whispered. Her vision blurred up again, the dull thump in her head aching all the more. "I loved him and Nuna with all my heart. I'd give anything to have them back. When Clovis died...it was like I was taken back to that day..."
Kallen and Ohgi exchanged awkward looks, which screamed 'are we really feeling mildly guilty for helping kill a Britannia Prince'? Kallen in particular was doing her damn best to deal with feeling sorry for a Royal of the family that caused her country so much pain. They were the enemy! Right?! But Euphemia looked and sounded about as evil and threatening as one of Shirley's stuffed animals.
Euphemia's eyes flicked between the various individuals in the room. "Are...you sending me to join them...?"
"No, Euphemia. You're not going to die." Lelouch responded, his voice almost gentle. "My doctor is going to give you a sedative, and then we're going to drop you off at a hospital."
"You are...?" Her dazed voice held a note of curiosity.
"Your devoted White Knightmare has been following us without much rest since we left the hotel; only stopping when he ran out of fuel." Lelouch said by way of explanation.
"Oh...Suzaku..." Euphemia whispered. "You're coming for me...?"
Kallen let out a squeak, and for the second time Lelouch violently started. "Kururugi is the one piloting the White Knightmare?" He asked her with a small amount of disbelief.
"He's...a dear friend," Euphemia muttered. Distantly she wondered if she'd made a mistake by revealing that. It was hard to tell when trying to focus made her head ache tremendously.
"I see," Lelouch muttered, slightly shaken, before quickly recomposing himself and moving on. "We only kidnapped you temporarily, in order to get past Cornelia's blockade." He chuckled lightly. "And as your brother Lelouch once said...only those who kill should be prepared to be killed."
Ohgi gently rolled up her sleeve, showing her the needle before injecting her on the count of three. Euphemia let out a small sigh, and whispered, "Thank you.", before her eyes slid shut. Blissful, gentle darkness engulfed her.
~Line Break~
Lelouch stepped out of the transport, once again carrying Euphemia. They were parked in the middle of the street, right across from the hospital where he had planned to leave her. But now, he was hesitating, looking down at Euphemia's sleeping face.
"I'd give anything to have them back..."
Lelouch – not one to admit weakness – had been somewhat tempted to remove his helmet and show himself to his little sister. In the end, he'd decided against it; not only would the shock be bad for her, but he didn't want to reveal himself to his Knights just yet. Would she know about what happened to my mother?, he wondered. If we mattered that much to her, she might have looked into it.
If Suzkau wasn't directly on his heels, he would have stayed long enough for her to wake up, and ask her. However, he still didn't have the mech capable of fighting the seventh generation Knightmare, so the questions would have to wait.
The devotion he was showing her surprised Lelouch; was Euphemia particularly important to him?
Perhaps Euphemia was the key to bringing Suzaku over to his side?
Lelouch paused at the entrance of the gate; his mind whirring as he put a potentially game changing plan together.
To meet his younger sister as himself – reveal himself as Zero – and tell her the truth about what he was planning to achieve. Then, if she responded positively, convince her to aide him in his struggle against Britannia. A spy within the royal family itself would do wonders. It would take much convincing, staging and wisdom, yes – but Euphemia had distinguished herself with her compassion towards 'Numbers' with her five million dollar charity concert. He believed that turning her could be possible, if he framed his desire for a better world just right for her.
And if Suzaku felt about her – what he thought he might, considering his relentless pursuit – then perhaps he would become a Black Knight in order to stay by his princess's side.
It was brilliant – a little too brilliant. It needed workshopping, because if it failed he may loose his ability to turn the pair to his side for good – and that was the last thing Lelouch wanted.
He strode into the hospital, causing yells of surprise and fear erupt from some of the guests. Approaching the front desk, he intoned, "The princess is suffering from mild head trauma. Get her a doctor."
~Line Break~
Euphemia woke from a long, dreamless sleep to a clear head. The ceiling of Zero's transport had been replaced by the white of a hospital, and the general numbness she was feeling was characteristic of painkillers. Blinking, she sat up and touched her forehead. It was wrapped in bandages, and the swelling had gone down considerably.
"Good morning, Princess." The doctor said, comforting with a touch of nervousness. It wasn't every day that he treated a member of royalty, after all.
"Morning?" Euphemia echoed, glancing out the window. "How long have I been asleep?"
"Several hours." The man supplied. "We've finished treating your head wound, and you've been given a clean bill of health. We're, erm, we're all glad your injury was superficial."
"Thank you."
"I mean, when the Black Knights took you prisoner, we had assumed...well, it was quite a shock for Zero to have brought you here himself." The doctor finished awkwardly. Euphemia carefully swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood up. To her relief, her legs were steady again.
"Is my sister's army here?"
"Um, no, except for the White Knightmare, the Lancelot. He arrived just an hour ago." The doctor explained, pointing out the window. Sure enough, Euphemia saw Suzaku's Frame drawing closer from a distant street corner. "he's been searching the city for any sign of the Black Knights."
Euphemia shook her head. "They're long gone, now. They only took me to ensure their passage through the blockade." Starting to walk out of the room, she said, "I'll go out and speak to him. Again, thank you for taking care of me. I'll see to it that a royal notice about this town goes out."
The doctor was still stammering his thanks as she left the room and headed towards the door.
Euphemia stepped out into the sunlight, letting it warm her face with a relieved sigh. Upon waking, she wondered what she had told her brother in her concussed haze – though she supposed that, since he hadn't kept her prisoner, it couldn't have been too much. Her memory of it was a bit blurry, but she had a sense that he had treated her gently.
Lancelot zipped up the road, and came skidding to a halt a few feet away from her. The pink haired princess waited on baited breath as the hatch opened and Suzaku slid to the ground via the crane. His eyes shone with joy and relief the moment they settled on her. A familiar warmth spread through her, and without thinking she raced towards him and embraced him tightly, as she had never had a chance to do before.
**~Suzaku's POV~**
Suzaku had spent the last day in and a half in an borderline uncontrollable state of panic and worry.
When the Black Knights, and Zero, had turned away from the camera with the mysterious anarchist/terrorist still holding Euphemia in his arms, he had realized what they were doing a second before they had done it. With the princess hostage, Cornelia couldn't capture or fire on the terrorists as had been planned, and they escaped through the barricade.
Suzaku had given chase immediately, and lead the chase ever since. Anger and fear had granted him the best performance he'd shown on the Lancelot yet.
Zero had already killed Prince Clovis, and he had a vocal grudge against Britannia and its royal family. What was to stop him from killing Euphemia once he no longer needed her?
Sweet, gentle, caring Euphemia, who had shielded him from the purists when he'd been accused of killing her brother. Euphemia, who had been nothing but compassionate and friendly towards everyone, who's laughter made his heart soar, who's company he loved and personality he treasured. Euphemia, who's love he wished he could possess and who's life he wished he could be a permanent part of until his own death.
Suzaku's hands tightened on the Lancelot's controls.
If Zero killed her, killed his gentle lady, nothing would stop him from destroying that man and everything he had created.
He arrived in a town a few miles away from the Narita mountains late at night, only to discover that the Knights had just left. Euphemia was interned at the hospital, her head wound carefully bandaged and cared for. The doctor said she would recover well, leaving only minor scarring from the attack behind.
Suzaku patrolled the town, but he saw no sign of the Black Knights.
This was so strange. Why kill one prince, but spare the princess of the same family?
Either way, he kept looking about until the sun rose, at which point he gave up. Cornelia's army was close to catching up with him; they'd be able to do a proper investigation. Returning to the hospital, Suzaku gasped when he saw Euphemia emerge from the hospital. Quickly disengaging the war machine, he disembarked and ran up the stairs to meet her.
Euphemia looked calm and sunny – surprisingly calm, considering she had been taken hostage just a few hours ago. Her eyes lit up when she saw him.
Suzaku hardly had a chance to be surprised before Euphemia leapt forward and embraced him like a lover. His heart nearly came to a complete stop; he could smell cherry in her silky pink hair and feel her slender fingers pressing against his sides. It was as if for a second, the living word had broken away and been replaced by a plain of heaven. After a few seconds standing frozen, he responded by sliding his arms around her back and fervently returning the embrace.
If this had been seen by Cordelia and her ilk, Suzaku would have been lucky to escape with his life. As far as the high government was concerned, Britannians didn't mix with Numbers – especially Elevens, and especially not the Royal Family.
But in that moment, it didn't matter. Nothing mattered except her.
"I knew you'd come find me," Euphemia said softly.
"I'll always protect you, Euphemia. Always," Suzaku swore, tightening his hold slightly.
They stood there in silence for a moment, before the roaring of tanks warned them of Cornelia's approach. Euphemia let go of Suzaku at that, stepping back and smiling warmly at him. "Let's go and meet up with my sister," she said softly.
Suzaku blinked the stars out of his eyes and hastily nodded. "O-Of course. Princess," he added quickly, before returning to Lancelot. Euphemia then began to walk towards Cornelia's forces, her head raised and her gait strong and purposeful.
**~Elsewhere, a day later~**
**~With Shirley~**
Shirley had experienced the same dream at virtually the same day as Euphemia. But she was the first one to test out their fully unlocked power.
She had woken in the middle of the night, lost in her own thoughts, when she glanced over at her closet where her secret outfit was hidden. She felt restless, and a tug to strike another blow, whatever it may be, against the horrors inflicted by the Empire. She had woken from another nightmare, depicting the events that would come if she and her friend were unable to change the future. Usually, she found them extremely distressing, but tonight it hardened her resolve.
Getting up, Shirley walked over to the closet and pulled out her Lady in White getup. Changing into it, she walked over to the ceiling-size window and pushed it open, standing up onto the ledge. Taking a deep breath, she then jumped out.
Instead of falling to her death, her wings burst into life and caught the wind, suspending her in mid air. Shirley couldn't help but let out a startled cry; part of her had expected it but the sensation was still very new. Wobbling and nearly loosing altitude for a moment, Shirley pumped her new wings heavily and took to the sky, looking down at the world.
Flight was incredible and europhic. Feeling the cool wind caress her hair and skin and looking down at a small world, Shirley felt a new boost of confidence. She flew away from Ashford, instead moving about and following an instinct in her heart.
About twenty minutes later, she came upon a mass of people, shaking and trembling, pounding on the door to an abandoned looking building. Shirley frowned, on a closer look she saw a lot of broken vials littering the ground.
Drug addicts, she thought silently. Probably Refrain, from what I've seen so far. Her wings twitched, and she swung down towards the ground.
Landing with a soft thump, Shirley straightened up and faced the addicts, who had turned at the noise and were now in a state of panic. Some made noises of recognition, while some were so out of it they couldn't tell her from a member of the Knight Police. Several had fallen to their knees, hands clasped in prayer.
"Please, be at peace," Shirley called out, taking a few steps forward. Many froze and stared at her. "I mean you no harm. What are you all waiting for?"
The man who had been pounding on the door gaped, and then stared down at the ground in shame, unable to answer her. He was wearing an apron with a hotdog on it.
Closer to her, was an older lady in a maid's outfit. She too looked terribly ashamed, though she had not lost her voice. "Refrain, L-Lady White." She stammered out.
Shirley shook her head sadly. "Why are you poisoning yourselves?" She asked. "What will this achieve? Why abandon the people and the world that still need every last one of you?"
The woman flinched, and muttered a name very quietly. If it weren't for her helmet, Shirley probably wouldn't have picked it up. Kallen. The others fidgeted and milled about, while one eventually cried out, "It's the only hope we have!"
"...Not anymore." Shirley said firmly. "This world is about to change, and when the dust settles, every one of you will be needed to rebuild it."
She had their attention now. They were all looking uncertainly at her. The woman in the maid outfit spoke then. "B-but why?" She asked timidly. "W-We're addicts, no use to anyone."
"The chains of destruction are all the same at their core." Shirley raised both her hands towards the sky. "They are not indestructible. Not for me."
While none of them could see under her visor, both Shirley's eyes glowed gold. The fragmented Omega symbol exploded to new life, brighter than it had ever been before.
The Geass and the Grace were both active. All they needed was a voice command.
Shirley gave it...by singing. "I survive... ...I'm still breathing, I'm still breathing, I'm still breathing," she serenaded sweetly. A golden clock materialized in the air above the addicts. The minute hand began slowly moving backwards, moving as she sang. "I'm alive...I'm alive...!"
The trembling stopped. Minds cleared. Strength returned. The maid, who had been too weak to stand without Refrain just a minute ago, got to her feet and looked at the Lady in White in wonder.
"I heard there was a new orchestra house that needs all sorts of workers six blocks from Ashford Academy," Shirley said with a slight smile. "Just a thought."
Then, with a sweep of her wings, she took back to the sky, leaving the astonished former addicts to stare at each other for a moment, before rushing home to tell this story to their families.
It was a miracle. The first of many, not just in arms, but in people too.
End Chapter
What? I didn't mention the wings and angels title just for aesthetics. Don't worry, though - just like Lulu's Geass, there are very defined limits on what Shirley and Euphie can do, as they will discover soon enough. For what Shirley did, her Geass is directly time related, because it's part of the anchor that allowed her future memories to become a part of her original body. She can alter time controlled properties to small, short bursts, and straining it will hurt her...as you'll see at Narita.
And they are both still extremely mortal, as Euphie's concussion hopefully proved. This isn't gonna be a game breaker, I promise.
Read and Review please!