Disclaimer: I own nothing of Code Geass, nor of Guilty Gear, nor to a lesser extent, BlazBlue. I do own this story, and all the inspirations along with it. And of course, the brain where the ideas came from.
Area Eleven or the Eleventh Sacred Preserve of Humanity
Ashford Academy
Open Grounds 2
"Welcome, welcome ladies and gentlemen, to our next installment of 'IdolWatch', with your hosts, Spy One and Spy Two! What is the IdolWatch, you ask?"
"Well, it is the pinnacle of the collaboration among the secret fanclubs in Ashford Academy! We are in neutral ground, that is, no fanboy or fangirl can proclaim that each famous person is misrepresented, because we all observe them equally!"
"Equality! What a fascinating notion, ladies and gentlemen, and one that'll be covered in your second years of aspirantship - if you haven't already suffered through those classes!"
"Thanks for the advice, Spy One. Now, without further ado, we turn our 'cameras' towards the present action."
"What are we all looking at, Spy Two?"
The test Knightmare to be used on today's session stood proud at the center of the assembled students. Measuring ten feet in height, it was humanoid in shape, in the design of the latest Sutherlands. Its metal skin was painted over with the standard test-white, complete with a golden flourish towards the borders. The Ashford symbol was displayed prominently near the top of its head.
Two Factspheres, blinking violet, showed that the Knightmare currently had an occupant. The Frame didn't move despite, because it had been restricted. As had been explained numerous times by the Ashford instructors, it was dangerous to let any human body inside a Knightmare without correct and synchronization, as it carried the risk of wayward magic, self-destruction, or the very worst, being stuck inside the metal Frame forever.
Knightmares were powered by sakuradite, which was "seithr" solidified. In three parts, sakuradite was to seithr as solids were to gas. They formed the foundation of modern magic. Yet even with a stable shape, it was still a volatile substance, such that the instructors were on standby with ejection ars should a student's improper synchronization trigger anything in the sakuradite.
Which was no problem to Lelouch Lamperouge, the campus' "Prince of the Shadowfrost". He sat concentrating inside the pink-glowing metaphysical space which represented the inside of the Knightmare, watching as the display in front of him showed his synchronization rate peaking at an average 57.80%. The proper rate was at 40, which was all well and good, but compared to others, such as Milly's or Suzaku's, he was woefully inadequate.
When pointed out, a short time ago when he had been evaluated by his instructors, he'd snorted snidely, saying, "If I wanted to be a Knight, I'd have done jumps and skipped through hoops like Suzaku." Not all students would enter a job in the Area, Order or in the Empire as a Devicer, so he figured there was no point. He couldn't even last a minute in a marathon before stopping and gasping for dear life, slumped on the ground like a pathetic doll. "No," he'd shaken his head, "With your permission, I would like to remain as an honest ars mage. Research, possibly." There were many opportunities, on the other hand, as a mage.
Even with that declaration, he was still a student, and was still required to watch as his rate flickered several decimals below and above 57%. Deciding to give it a charge, he focused intently, driving his body's exertions to its maximum. He watched the dial reach 59, 60, 65... At the last number he expelled a big burst of air, and the dial instantly reverted to a steady 57%. He took steady, deep breaths, something taught to him by Suzaku, before a voice from the outside told him he was done.
At that moment, large white, concentric circles appeared in front of the Knightmare, spinning around each of their circumferences. The Frame seemed to stretch, its arms to the extreme sides and its head boosted up by the expansion of the body area. After that, the circles disappeared, and Lelouch Lamperouge emerged from the Frame, brushing imaginary dust from his legs.
"The usual, eh, Lamperouge? Good work, nonetheless," an instructor said from the side. Turning, he told the gathered students, "Now, we'll be halting the testing for now, we need to calibrate the Knightmare. We'll be ready in fifteen minutes."
Lelouch sighed and adjusted his glasses as he strode towards Suzaku and the rest of the student council who were here as they stood at the edge of the crowd. Suzaku threw him a towel, which he fumbled to catch, frowning at the other boy.
"Are you alright, Lelouch? For a minute there, I thought you'd done something reckless and burnt your energy for an increase. You do know that's dangerous right?" Suzaku said with a hint of wry concern.
"He's right, Lulu. You shouldn't... it's dangerous and all," a new voice chirped up. Lelouch gave a grateful grin to Shirley Fenette, a fellow member of the council. "Oh, but at least you didn't have your average decrease, I can't believe I actually nearly failed this session! What am I gonna do..."
"It's fine, right Shirley?" Suzaku remarked as the trio (Milly was in an upper class, Nina was attending to the test Knightmare and Rivalz had disappeared somehow) walked to stand under a tree towards the outside edge of the crowd. "There's always the next time to improve."
"That's easy for you to say, Poster Boy," Shirley pouted. Suzaku pinched the bridge of his nose with his fingers as the girl used Lelouch's favorite name for him. To the side, Lelouch made a soft chuckle. "She's right, Suzaku. Us mere mortals can't put a candle to the up-and-coming Lord Commander of the Sacred Order of the Guardians."
"L-Lord-Commander?" Suzaku sputtered, a blush forming in his cheeks. "I-It's too soon to be aspiring to that, a Knight, a humble Knight is what I am-"
Lelouch and Shirley shared a look of amusement. The strait-laced Suzaku was as easily riled as Lelouch, and the boy knew it, well, everyone in the council knew it. Shirley's eyes lit up before pinching Lelouch's sleeve, mewling in a mock voice, "Oh dear, Mr. Lord-Commander, the Gears are here! Whatever shall we do?"
"Have no fear, fair lady," Lelouch proclaimed in a deeper baritone, puffing his chest up. "They shall face the might of true justice!" Suzaku scowled at them both.
"...Well, that is expected of our student council president, the 'Mortal Diva'. Any aspiring club of other fine damsels should do what the club did and introduce themselves to their targets! Who knows, they might just do as the Lady Ashford did and throw you a grand party!"
"That was a night to remember, Spy 2."
"Indeed, moving on, our observers have called our attention to something occuring on Open Ground 2! Let's shift our camera shall we?"
"Ah, imagine our luck, IdolWatchers! Today happens to be Knightmare Synchronization session for the batch which contains some of the school's most famous hearthrobs!"
"How'd you know that? That wasn't in the script-"
"O-oh dear, looks like something juicy is happening, IdolWatchers! Let's have a zoom-in on the action, shall we?"
"Something juicy indeed... I'm sure all of the Watchers know the 'other' famous members of the student council?"
"As if! Ladies and gent- oh, maybe just the ladies: presenting Suzaku Kururugi and Lelouch Lamperouge!"
"The Son of Thunder and the Prince of Shadowfrost, in the scrumptious, delectable flesh! It's always a treat to look at their class, huh, IdolWatchers? The current paragons of our academy, we at the IdolWatch are always looking forward to news about our favorite duo!"
"So what's happening here... There's the test Knightmare, with all the teachers...but the students seems to be gathering under that tree, could we have a zoom- oh, would you look at that. Something really is happening."
"We have a call from our observer on ground zero, with all the juicy details. We have you live on IdolWatch, Observer! What is happening?"
"Hi, IdolWatch, this is the Observer at Open Field 2, and to make it brief, the teachers seemed to have made Suzaku and Lelouch engage in a friendly duel."
"Wow, you don't see that everyday."
"Now that's an understatement, those two idols never duel, ever! This right here is history in the making, Watchers. Observer, do you know what the details of their duel are?"
"Negative, IdolWatch. They seem like they're arguing with the teacher about it..."
"Um...like Lelouch said, we are a bit worn out from the syncing to be doing any duels right now, ma'am..." Suzaku said apologetically. Really, to ask them of all people to duel? He glanced at his friend, whose expression had become unreadable behind those glasses.
Coming to their rescue, Shirley spoke up, "Ma'am, are we all supposed to be doing practice duels?"
The instructor had a cramped face, giving no reply, which Lelouch did not miss, because he suddenly pointed at her, "Aha! So now we come to the suitable and logical conclusion that this duel was never within the instructors' plans. This can only mean a nefarious order engineerable by few, but which can rightfully be traced to-"
"President?" A babble of voices had the trio turn their heads to see blonde, grinning Milly Ashford leaning against the tree behind them.
"It's the Diva! It's her! She's here, at last!"
"I know, I know, please stop holding my collar like that, you're choking me, Spy 1!"
"Milly-san," asked Suzaku, puzzled. "What's going on?" Beside him, Lelouch gave a snort, while shaking his head.
"A friendly duel," she replied after waving to the crowd. "Or as I like to call it, showing off to your fans." She pranced around a clueless Suzaku, a fuming Lelouch and an anxious Shirley like a cat. Exchanging looks with the teacher, who walked off to disperse the crowd, their President sidled to Shirley's side, hooking her arms against the girl's. "It's been a long time coming, I've been told, ever since you guys were given those ridiculous titles."
"We did not ask for those, Milly," Lelouch grumbled, glasses flashing dangerously in the sunlight. "B-but that is that and this is this. What purpose would a duel solve? An exhibition of skill? Or is it for something far more sinister, which I can sense from the way your eyes seem to be glinting at me... Oh please, no."
"Suzaku?" Milly simpered sweetly, turning her eyes from Lelouch. "Would you be a dear and take up Lelouch's gauntlet?"
"I never gave a challenge!" Lelouch protested.
"W-well, it's fine, Milly-san, but...as I told the teacher, I don't think any of us is in top condition at the moment..." Suzaku protested weakly.
"Then that's a handicap to you both then!"
"Hmm, but..." Suzaku glanced at Lelouch, who was still glaring a blizzard, then back to Milly, "A-are you sure we should? I mean...me, against...him? Wouldn't that be-?"
"Oh, don't worry yourself, Suzaku. I'm sure Lelouch will be able to at least put up a decent challenge against you. Try not to win so hard, though." There was the illusion of the sound of breaking glass. Suddenly, it felt as if the whole midday warmth had been leeched off the air. The breeze that waltzed past seemed like something from the winter, when green things die.
"Then who shall be our proctor?" asked Lelouch in a polite voice, grinning in a bizarre manner. "Will it be you, Lady President? I know you're quite fair in setting rules."
"H-hold on, Lelouch! Are you serious?" Suzaku objected hastily. Lelouch sounded normal enough...
"Oh, there's no problem, Suzaku. Not in the slightest. Well?" Lelouch repeated, turning to Milly, who was now wearing a grin that could beat the Cheshire's.
"I accept." She strode from the shade of the tree and turned to the two would-be duelists. Her next words were magnified, modified by a small ars to carry across the field. "Thus, I shall witness. Shall it be Lelouch Lamperouge? Or Suzaku Kururugi? May Fate judge you true."
"It's happening, IdolWatchers! The bout you've all been dreaming of-"
"Should Lelouch win, we of the council shall go together this weekend to the sea. Should Suzaku win, we of the council shall go together this weekend to the sea. Are these terms acceptable?"
Suzaku twisted his head to look at Lelouch alarmedly, surely he wouldn't accept? But the other youth's face was veiled by a hand that was determinedly pushing his glasses up, as Lelouch nodded and said in an almost smooth, velvety voice, "Those are acceptable."
Shoulders slumping, Suzaku turned to look at an expectant Milly, whose eyes squinted in ecstasy when he nodded in turn and said, "...Fine, those are acceptable."
The crowd, sensing the telltale signs of seithr being pulled from the air, braced themselves, some pulling out cellphones to flood IdolWatch with a torrent of Observer reports. In the middle stood Milly, who had begun chanting and was raising her hands to the sky, while a stream of bright, yellow runes appeared and began surrounding the two combatants. Shirley squeaked and jumped back from the circle that was forming.
Once the ars cantrip was done, Milly put her arms on her hips, surveying the field she had made. "Eh~ First rule, you must not kill, second rule, um... no forbidden ars, third...oh, I forgot, no severe injuries, and fourth – ah! No magic level above two within the field." There was the sound like a chime of a tiny bell.
"Are you boys ready?"
Suzaku took a deep, deep breath. The duel sword materialized in front of him, a simple practice rapier that would never be able to maim but only mark the other with yellow splotches on their person. He watched Lelouch do the same, fingering the edge of his own sword. He noted how he couldn't see Lelouch's eyes, and wondered if the other youth was looking at him at all. The chime to start rung, making this "Son of Thunder" flinch and begin a stance, holding the sword up perpendicular to his face and pointed straight at his friend. His other free hand brushed the length of the sword from hilt to point, making the edge sizzle with his own lightning magic.
Lelouch, for his part, was already running scenarios in his mind. It was as part and parcel to him as his assigned title of an adept in two difficult branches of ars, frost and shadow. Ice wasn't hard, at least for a natural like him, but shadow required more than just fancy ars-artifice or brute power: it needed a mind that could see all subtleties. Magic level two... Hmm, I'm unable to use the best frost ars, while the other ones wouldn't even dent Suzaku's armor...there, see he has already begun to charge the sword with level two...shadow is forbidden, so that just leaves-
Before Lelouch could continue his thoughts, a blank-faced Suzaku had charged forward, with all the speed that his title bore, and Lelouch fought to meet it with his own. Their clash sent sparks of stray ars to glitter the air, before the two duelists began the dance of their swords.
"...But yes, it is generally acknowledged that physically, the Son of Thunder is the top-notch, and he's practically unbeatable even among the entire current body. Plus, he's got the power of Ki, so a formidable -maybe even fearsome - opponent overall when it comes to weapons. In a wrestling match, the Prince of Shadowfrost wouldn't stand a chance..."
"...it's amazing to see Lelouch last the first ten seconds, what with his amazing stamina and all, ha ha..."
"...of Shadowfrost has got the magical advantage, do remember IdolWatchers that this is not a duel with swords, but also with magic, and that includes all the tools at their disposal. It's good to know the Prez has limited it to Magic Level Two, because if not, we would've seen the legendary 'Black Hole' a lot of fangirls have claimed him to have..."
"...even generally acknowledged by the instructors that they work best side-by-side, not against-"
"Whoo, I can feel the seithr rippling even from way out here. It's making me tingle, eh, IdolWatchers? It's like seeing two titans fight, well mini-titans, but..."
Deflect, deflect, parry, duck, miss swing, twist, spin, deflect,deflect, jab, spin, jab... The ritual of swords continued, and Suzaku's gut twisted upon seeing Lelouch's struggle to catch his breath. He could almost hear the gasps, but his friend continued to attack, showing not a single ounce of ars.
At the back of Suzaku's mind, he was puzzled. This was not how Lelouch worked. He should've seen a hint of icicles, cold of ice, or worse, tendrils of shadow converging on him. (even though he knew Lelouch had been forbidden to use shadow) As it was, it was only Suzaku's lightning-wreathed magic that was steadily battering the other youth's fighting stamina, already weak from the get-go, with small jolts every time the swords met. Lelouch was practically looking like an oddly-striped tiger with all the marks on his clothes.
Well, he was holding back a bit, maybe, Lelouch was doing the same? Suddenly, Suzaku had a thought: maybe Lelouch had learned powerful ars recently that he wasn't able to use because of the restriction? All further speculation was halted when the youth saw his friend stumble after a parry, falling forward slightly before regaining balance. Time to end it, I guess. Suzaku reverted back to his original stance before striking, attacking below Lelouch's guard to knock him back with a decisive stab.
At least, that was his intention before he suddenly felt as if his muscles had literally atrophied at that very moment. All energy he'd sought to use seemed to have left him, as he watched, with sudden understanding, sheets of transparent ice encase his body from his chest going outwards in a slow crawl. In mere moments, a sheet of ice encased Suzaku's body, save his head, which the youth used to stare at Lelouch.
"Got...you." Lelouch gasped, falling forward at last, thrusting his sword through the ground then leaning on it, trying to speak through the blood roaring in his head. "Quite a simple...basic ars...but one you failed to see...a gambit that paid off..." Suzaku smirked, shaking his head somewhat helplessly. It was almost comical to see his own body frozen in his initial fighting stance.
"You got me, Lelouch. I was wondering when your ars would kick in. Just goes to show how everyone overlooks even the most basic of things," Suzaku sighed. Lelouch snorted, his gaze still pointed at the grass, his beating still pounding like a taiko through his chest.
"Just like you Lelouch. This is a basic ars you know." Shocked, the youth looked up to see the sheets of ice encasing Suzaku explode, the tiny icicles falling like snow to the ground. Suzaku stood, having immediately thrust his sword into Lelouch's face, who only chuckled. Giving in to his body, he let the sword go and fell back on the ground, propping himself up on his arms while grinning at his friend. "Very well, you win, Poster Boy. I give up. The duel is yours – but I can't say it's a complete victory for you, especially for two things." Suzaku followed Lelouch's glance at the crowd that stood with mouths agape, all excepting Milly who was nodding her head in satisfaction.
Knowing what his friend implied, Suzaku let the sword fall, allowing it to dissipate back into seithr as he remarked, "Well, Prez has been looking to invite you since...last week? But you seemed so occupied by the Gear attack that you always left before she could announce it, well, "properly" like she said. And besides, it's only a trip to the sea. You need to lighten up, you know!"
"Thanks," Lelouch murmured.
"And...the second thing?" Suzaku wondered, brow furrowed. "I don't-"
Suddenly, a single, sharp spike of ice, combined from all the ice that had been on the ground, shot up behind Suzaku. It caught the back of his clothes, just enough to carry him six feet into the air, his legs dangling helplessly. Lelouch, having caught his breath, stood up with a sigh, looking at Suzaku whose face was appropriately angry. "Secondly, you shouldn't leave stray ice around on the field, especially if an enemy can use it to his advantage. Dispelling 101, Suzaku, please review." Lelouch bowed twice, once to Suzaku, who had dispelled the ice and landed after an embarrassed huff, and then to Milly, who had dispelled the duel circle and was clapping her hands.
Both boys shivered upon the feeling of splashing water that came upon them next as they felt their sores and tiredness wash away from Shirley's ars. Lelouch turned to thank Shirley, who rebuffed him when she puffed up her cheeks and yelled "Idiots" before running off in righteous indignation. Milly cackled, in a manner which spoke of a job well done, before turning to speak with the boys.
As Milly congratulated them, provoking the taciturn Lelouch into a frenzy of indignation, Suzaku had a bizarre buzzing in his ears. He cocked his head, staring into the crowd, catching the red-maned Kouzuki's sudden movement as she too twisted her head into the direction of the copse of trees beyond Open Field Two.
He was followed by Lelouch, who had ignored Milly's last question and laid a hand on Suzaku's shoulder, his other hand pushing his glasses up.
"What's the matter, you two?" asked Milly.
"Run. The students, have to run, Milly-san. Everyone..." Suzaku managed to breathe out, clenching his fists. Beside him, Lelouch turned to address the President of the Student Council. "Milly. It's a Gear."
An explosion followed, startling and shattering the trees, the atmosphere, and the crowd of students, who all started to disperse into panic-stricken waves.
AN: I'm still figuring out setting details as I go, but I've got plot and elements (crossover and Code Geass) already lined up. Any questions? You could put it in PM or review, I'll try my best to answer. Thanks for reading!
Merlin out.