Rescue Angels

Wanda: And we're back, with plotting crossovers in the background.

Euphemia: (clamps hands over ears) Then don't tell me. I'd rather be unpleasantly surprised than kept in constant suspense, like you love doing.

Wanda: O..kay. Not sure I feel the same way, but if you say so, Empress.

Euphemia: Thank y - wait, what did you just call me-?

Wanda: Oh dear, a plot bunny! You wait here, I have to catch it before it multiplies! (runs off with a smirk)

Disclaimer: I do not own Code Geass.

Chapter 10: Rebellion Capture

Euphemia didn't have to fake an alarmed shriek when the EMP struck the G1 – the ship pitched beneath her feet, nearly throwing her to the ground while the map crackled threateningly as if about to explode. Cella quickly threw herself between the princess and the map while the lights went out and the ship ground to a halt. When nothing exploded, Cella quickly helped Euphemia to her feet and called out, "What just happened?!"

"It's an EMP!" Euphemia cried, resisting the urge to smile. "The G1 has been disabled! Can you get it running again? Someone try to raise the Viceroy!"

"The computer's been fried!"

"Someone get to the backup generator, see if its still running!"

"Communications are completely offline. Everyone is in the dark!"

Euphemia gripped her sleeves. Part of her wished she could see what was going on at the battlefield; had it worked as planned? For that matter, had Tohdo and the Four Holy Swords been affected, or were they still a good distance away? According to Nina, the friendly systems should only experience mild problems, but things could always go wrong...

**~With Shirley~**

Shirley obligingly sidestepped out of the way, as Zero and his Knights recovered from the surprise. As she would expect of him, Lelouch recovered quickly, and sent his forces forward. The disoriented and blind Britannia forces in front of them were easily smashed through. The Crowned Burai paused from moving forward, just to look down at her. Shirley smiled slightly, before spreading her wings again and flying into the sky.

Lelouch will want to know who we are now, more than before, Shirley noted with some concern. I may need to lend the helmet to Euphemia for a while. I'd love to tell him, but how could I explain our plan without revealing the factors to it? Lulu doesn't adapt well to unexpected problems.

Shaking her head – she'd worry about that afterwards – Shirley hovered for a moment before following Lelouch towards Cornelia's position. With their communications down, the Knights were crowding around the War Princess in an attempt to keep her safe. Kallen was cutting off the valley on the other side, and given that she was shifting in anticipation ever so slightly, she and Lelouch were still communicating.

Nina's invention went off without a hitch. Of course, whether or not it worked was hardly the problem last time.

Then the Burai with swords exploded out of the trees on the other side, just on time.

I should probably get back to dad and the other refugees.

Shirley swung right and coasted back to the edge of the hill. Jeremiah's Gloucester took aim at her for a moment; quickly she shot towards the ground, falling to a crook in the hill. Quickly she shed the overcoat and helmet; good thing she had left her street clothes on under it. Packing it into her bag and hastily zipping it up, Shirley swung it over her shoulder and buried her ankle in mud for a moment, before heading up the hill.

"...was right behind me! Please, I have to go back and look!" As the orange haired girl stepped over the crest of the hill, she saw Viletta Nu waving her arms about angrily, trying to keep order among a nervous group of refugees. Among the men near the front was her father – alive and very worried.

"Dad?" Shirley called, trying to sound tired – which wasn't too hard. Flying took a lot out of her.

Joseph spun around and let out a noise of relief; Shirley dropped her bag and let him grab her in a bone crushing hug. Tears dripped down her cheeks. They had managed it. Her father was still alive. Still with her. She could hear his heart beating.

"What happened to you?! One minute I was holding your hand, then you were gone!"

"I tripped and got pushed down by the crowd. My ankle got stuck in some mud." Shirley explained softly. "I'm sorry dad."

Joseph tightened his grip and kissed her on the top of her head. "Don't be sorry, Shirley. I'm just glad you're not seriously hurt. When I saw the mud flow falling, I was so afraid..."

Viletta Nu walked up to them, all business with wary eyes, and Shirley had to dig her fingers into the palms of her hands. This woman! "Did you see what stopped it?"

"Wha?" Shirley asked timidly, playing innocent and forcefully swallowing over the bile and assorted emotions she was feeling upon meeting Nu face to face again.

"The Lady in White." Viletta said darkly. A chorus of gasps and whispers spread through the crowd. "I saw her on the hillside, right before that light went off. Whatever it was she did, it stopped the mud flow in its tracks."

"It...did? Is that possible?"

"Did you see a clock?" The silver haired woman pushed.

"Clock? I'm sorry, I didn't see it. I just saw a massive flash somewhere behind me; w-when I tried to look back, I just saw blinding light...I thought it was a bomb or something like it." Shirley played it off, miraculously keeping her face somewhat neutral.

Joseph pushed her slightly back, glaring at Nu, not liking her tone. "It wasn't a bomb?" He guessed. He had an inkling what it could be, thanks to some of his research, but he couldn't go and outright say it. Especially not to a soldier.

"I'm not sure what it was," Viletta said tersely, annoyed by this girl's apparent cluelessness. How do you miss something like that, even if you've fallen on your face?, she wondered. Teenagers these days! "It must have been some sort of device. Now we can't raise the G1 or either Princess. We're all going to have to sit and wait here."

Shirley nodded. "I'm sorry," She whispered, as Joseph lead her away.

Viletta watched her leave with narrowed eyes. She saw something, she just doesn't want to talk about it. What are you hiding, girl? One little girl, separated from the crowd...are you connected to the Lady? She crossed her arms. I should keep an eye on you.

**~With Lelouch~**

Lelouch stood on the side of the mountain, watching Kallen in the Gurren MK II systematically tear Cornelia's Gloucester to shreds, until only the cockpit peace was left in tact. He should have been elated at capturing his warmongering older sister – and he was! - but the circumstances surrounding it were distracting him.

The EMP burst had rendered all of his opponents easy targets. The battle had turned from a semi equal match to a slaughter, with the Black Knights shooting fish in a barrel. Even Cornelia and her two Knights, Darlton and Guilford, struggled to mount a meaningful resistance when blind and deaf to the approach of their enemies. But they had both protected their princess to the last. Tohdo had subdued Guilford's Frame, meanwhile Kallen had blasted apart Darlton's cockpit, killing him, when he managed to follow Cornelia's track and tried to protect her.

"I had expected losses; hell I had expected the White Knightmare to show up. But this...this was a nearly flawless victory."

The lack of the White Knightmare may be attributed to the status of the G1. Lelouch had sent some men around to destroy the command centre, and capture Euphemia – non lethally, he had stressed, under the guise that she would make a good hostage. However, they had been forced to flee after half of their Burais were destroyed by a single opponent. That could only be one person.

Suzaku is truly an unparalleled Knightmare pilot, Lelouch thought. I'll be much happier if and when I convince him to switch sides.

So Euphemia was still out of his hands – the G1 had managed to boot back up thanks to a backup generator, and wisely abandoned the mission. Lelouch didn't mind that. Capturing Euphie had been a cursory thought spurred by the EMP. There was still a chance she would be helpful to his cause otherwise – though with Cornelia now in his custody, it may be a tricky negotiation.

"The Mission's complete, Zero!" Tamaki whooped. "We've gotten everything we could have wanted, and more!"

"So it would seem," Lelouch stated calmly, before opening another channel. "Ohgi, any sign of her?"

"Negative, Zero. I'm not picking anything up on the radar. She left the mountain just after using that wicked pulse." Ohgi said apologetically. He'd been tasked with keeping an eye out for their 'helper'. "I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize. I expected as much. We'll have to look into her later." Lelouch rested his head against his hand for a moment.

The Lady in White had looked up at him, just before taking to the air – on wings, he wouldn't have believed it if he hadn't seen it with his own eyes – and smiled. She knew him – or at least, she supported him. And yet he didn't know who she was, or what she was capable of.

She had access to data on Code R...she must be relatively high up in the Britannia line of command. That would explain the need for the mask, though the whole outfit screams of someone trying to make a statement. With the wings...an angel? An angel delivering justice and deliverance...and judgment? hm. It has a good ring. The opposite of what I went for.

But someone high in the government...who would feel compelled to try and take down Britannia? They should feel quite content, being in the position to reap all the rewards such positions offer. Yet here we are. This person would have to loath what Britannia does, reject their philosophy of letting the weak die so the strong can prosper. They'd have to recognize the injustice, and have enough power to retrieve the data and ensure the silence of anyone connected to it.

That doesn't leave many suspects. The only ones who could possibly do that are some of the Knights, and the Royal Family.

..The Royal Family...

"I loved him and Nuna with all my heart. I'd do anything to get them back."

"...?!" A thought struck Lelouch so violently he sat up straight in his chair. A thought so insane, yet so plausible – and so little else made sense – that it had to be the truth. "Could it be possible...? Could it really be you? ...Euphie?!"

"Zero?" Kallen's voice floated over the communications channel. "I have the prisoner. Waiting for your instructions."

"Of course." Lelouch started an open channel and addressed all the Black Knights. "My friends! We've struck a great victory against Brtiannia today. Cornelia li Britannia, the fearsome War Princess, has been captured!" Roars of approval echoed across the hilltop. "We have lost some friends achieving this. But their sacrifices will not be in vain! We shall press on, and destroy this oppressive alter of tyrants in their name!" Some paused, praying that their lost friends and family were seeing what they had achieved from the afterlife. "We must leave Narita for now. The remaining soldiers are undoubtedly calling for reinforcements. Let us return, celebrate, and plan our next move."

"Zero!" "Zero!" "Zero!"

As one, the Black Knights unit came together – Kallen attaching a chain to Cornelia's cockpit and dragging her along behind like a piece of slag, causing laughter to ring out among several of the knights surrounding her – and they moved down the mountain, the opposite side from where the G1 had been stationed. With them were Tohdo and the Four Holy Swords. Having seen the Black Knight's capture of Cornelia, Tohdo had ordered them to follow the mysterious Zero, and see what he had in store for the world, and Japan.

Someone who could do what he had just done warranted close watch.

**~Several Hours Later~**

**~With Euphemia~**

"I'm sorry I couldn't protect your sister, Princess..."

Euphemia sat in the Viceroy's chair, hands clasped in her lap, a carefully crafted mask of stoicism on her face. Guilford was kneeling in front of her; she could see redness at the edges of the man's eyes, however he tried to hide it. It caused her some guilt; though she was certain Cornelia was still alive – her brother had questions, obviously, and hadn't killed her last time. As far as the pink princess knew, he had no reason to do so this time. Besides, Cornelia was more valuable as a hostage.

How the mighty have fallen, Euphemia thought sadly. Big sister was vaunted as the most feared military commander ever. Now she's merely a hostage at the mercy of whatever I decide to do next. This must be destroying her.

"Please, don't apologize, Guilford," Euphemia said gently. "You did everything you could, given the circumstances you preformed magnificently, as you always have."

"I've placed a bounty on the Lady in White." One of the nearby majors offered. "Eventually these terrorists will learn the consequences of their defiance."

We'll see about that. "Keep me updated on your progress, please." So I'll know if I need to give Shirley a heads up. "Any news from the capital?"

"None. I'm sorry, we haven't reached your father yet."

"You mean father is disappointed by how much we are struggling against the Black Knights." Euphemia noted with uncharacteristic dryness. Guilford looked up at her in surprise. "I think we may need to change tactics on this front, sirs."

"I'm...not sure I understand, Princess." Guilford said uncertainly.

"The Black Knights have seen their people be slaughtered mercilessly –" Euphemia felt a bolt of anger go through her when, of course, at least ten nobles started shouting in protest. "ENOUGH!" She shouted, stunning everyone there into silence. "We know it to be true. The footage leaked by that white woman was taken from our own cameras. Innocent civilians have been massacred on a brazen scale, and that blood is on the hands of the empire."

"P-Princess." Guilford stood up straight, looking at her in alarm. "Are you alright?"

"I've been having a trying time, Sir Guilford," Euphemia said more calmly, leaning back against her seat. "If the assembled lords would kindly let me finish speaking, I will tell you what I believe the next step should be."

The court fell into uncertain silence. The lords looked nervous. They had taken Euphemia to be a soft, easily manipulated figurehead of the Empire. But the girl – no, woman – sitting on the Viceroy's chair was none of those things.

"The Black Knights have power because they have much support," Euphemia noted calmly. "Not just in Area 11, though most of their power rests there, but among other Areas who have been inspired by his example to rise up. And now that he has succeeded in either capturing, or killing, my sister," She hesitated, before continuing strongly, "that support will increase. It has always been official policy to never aquese, to tighten our grip, but now the more we do so, the more people and places we will loose. And we will loose them, my lords. Even under the threat of death, who would you choose? The kingdom that mistreats and exploits you? Or the radicals who offer you freedom from tyranny, justice, and happiness?"

Silence followed the question, for the only answer was the one none were keen to acknowledge.

"We act as though we are invincible," Euphemia continued, "but the defeat at Narita has proven to me that we are not. If my sister, veteran of a hundred campaigns, can be defeated and imprisoned, then we cannot continue to pretend that these people are incapable of doing us serious damage. If Andreas Darlton, bless his soul, can loose his life fighting 'lowly Elevens', we cannot blindly believe these people can be easily brushed aside and destroyed. There is a fine line between confidence, and arrogance. If we fail to recognize it, we stand to loose not only Area 11, but the future of our kingdom."

"Then what should we do, Princess?" One noble protested. "Simply let the Black Knights do as they please?"

"No." Euphemia responded, though her silent answer was perhaps. "But there are other ways to rule, than violence and intimidation alone."

"What is that, Your Highness?" A different lord asked. The young princess noted that many were now giving her appraising looks, rewriting their opinions of her.

"One man once said, 'the pen is mightier than the sword'." Euphemia said with as much confidence as she could project. "War will only inflame the fires of revolution that have been lit. The harder we strike, the more justified the Black Knights feel. But, with peace and nonviolence, I might be able to fracture their righteous certainty, and bring instability among their leaders. And to that end, my plans begin tonight."

"Tonight I will speak to the public on my first evening as Viceroy." The Princess stood up. "Given my new status, I have chosen my personal Knight and bodyguard. This man protected myself and the G1, fending off several of the Black Knights, despite limited visibility and his maps being deactivated."

Guilford caught on to what his Princess was hinting at, and said in disbelief and concern, "Princess, you don't mean-"

"I do." Euphemia said firmly. For the first time among her subjects, her voice radiated authority and certainty. "Sir, as Viceroy, I have to do what I think will bring peace and stability to our Kingdom. And this is how I intend to start doing it. Please, summon Suzaku Kururugi."

~Line Break~

"Y-You want me to be your Knight?" Suzaku stammered, nearly speechless, staring back at Euphemia. "A-Are you certain? P-Princess, Numbers are never made Knights!"

"Under my reign, such as it is? That is starting to change." Euphemia said, before smiling softly. "Suzaku Kururugi, when I was in danger, you fought incredible odds to protect me. You've proven your worth more than enough, and I see you worthy of Knighthood. Tonight, I plan to make that official. Will you stand by my side, with whatever I choose to do?"

Suzaku stared at her for a second, before kneeling. "Of course, Princess. I'm unworthy of your kindness. I'm just sorry it had to happen like this..."

"As am I." Euphemia knelt too, placing her hands on Suzaku's shoulders. He met her eyes again; she felt as though she could drown in those soft, concerned brown orbs. There was so much unspoken compassion there, although Cornelia had been nothing short of hostile and cold towards him. "But there is no one else I'd want by my side."

"I'd give my life for you," Suzaku swore. "I'll never let harm come to you."

So will I, Euphemia responded silently and with equal solemnity. My dear Suzaku.

**~Elsewhere~**

**~With Lelouch~**

Lelouch silently stepped out of the chamber where Cornelia was being kept. Kallen immediately snapped a salute, though she faltered a bit when she saw how stiff he looked. "Is everything alright, Zero? She's secure, she shouldn't be able to escape or communicate with anyone."

"It's nothing. Interrogations are tiring, especially when one insists on constantly interrupting the other with curses and slurs." Lelouch responded dryly. Internally, though, he was deeply troubled.

"I reduced the staff...by Marianne's orders."

Mother reduced her own staff? On the day she was murdered!? No, that can't be...but why would Cornelia lie about that? Unless she was complicit...it's possible. I didn't have the chance to ask her more, with Tamaki just outside the door. The Geass should force her to continue to be honest with me, so I could ask more later.

But this opens so many doors...

Lelouch violently bit his lip, not liking the conclusions he was coming to. Did...did mother know she was going to be killed? Or was she waiting for someone...someone she trusted, who she could speak to, only to find herself betrayed and murdered?

Lelouch walked with Kallen and Tamaki back to the main floor with the TV. Ohgi was deep in conversation with the rest of the Black Knights; they were all watching the news broadcast avidly, looking for any word of what had occurred on Narita. The news had been suppressed so far – the Britannians were reeling from the loss of their great commander – but they couldn't keep it hidden forever.

"This means that the Princess Euphemia is Viceroy now, doesn't it?" Ohgi asked as Lelouch sat down in the middle, clearly focused on the TV.

"She is next in line," Lelouch said. "But I imagine she's going to be a temporary replacement. Britannia policy doesn't agree with some of her latest decrees."

"She's the White Sheep, isn't she? Damn near threw her life away for a handful of her subjects." Ohgi recalled. The princess had seemed so gentle and harmless when he had treated her in the van. Hardly the face of the enemy.

Tamaki made a disgruntled noise. "Yeah, what the hell's up with that? Since when does a Britannian start giving a shit about the people below them?"

"And now, we take you into the heart of the building, where Viceroy Princess Euphemia has chosen her personal Knight. And you're not going to believe who she chose!"

Explosions of gasps, and at least two spit takes, followed the camera focusing in on the congregation of nobles in the ornate ballroom. The camera was following a familiar young man as he made his way up the stairs to Euphemia, who was sitting tall and proud in her seat.

"She's right! I don't believe it!" Tamaki yelled as Suzaku Kururugi knelt and gave Euphemia the sword from his side. "What is this, opposite day!? Have I gone insane?! There's no bloody way she's making an Eleven a Knight!"

"That's incredible," Kallen said softly, watching the pink princess lightly tap Suzaku's shoulders. "What do you make of this, Zero?"

"...I have a theory." And what I've just seen confirms it. Lelouch found himself smiling behind his mask. Euphemia, it really is you isn't it? This is your version of a Rebellion.

End Chapter

Yup! I knew from the start that Lelouch was absolutely going to figure one of the girls out before the end, but I wasn't sure who'd it be until I got to this point. It just made sense to suspect Euphie first. In Britannia, she's generally considered a figurehead - though that's all going to change now, so the girls are going to have to be more careful. On the Britannia side, Schnizel is the most likely to guess her secret, and Euphie is aware of this. Don't worry, that charming individual will be showing up soon enough.

And Shirley might be getting followed around by the second last person she'd want to see again. This is NOT going to end well.

Read and Review please!