Code Geass: The Demon and the Dragon
Disclaimer: I do not own Code Geass. If I did, then what you see below would be the show, instead of a fanfiction on the Internet.
Stage 26: Store Wars
- The Brits -
Tokyo Settlement Imperial Army HQ
Ten Minutes after the meeting
Cornelia leaned forward, resting her head in her hands, and sighed. Behind her, Darlton and Guilford exchanged looks.
The meeting had ended with plans for continuing Search-and-Rescue operations in Narita. That was it. No plans to find the Black Knights, none to track down the JLF's leadership...nothing.
This was most unlike Cornelia. While she had never lost a war, in the rare event that she and her forces actually lost a battle, there had been plans drawn up on the spot to deny the enemy any gain from their half-assed victory. Soon after a loss, the enemy was efficiently, and mercilessly, destroyed.
This though...from a certain standpoint, it was understandable. The Black Knights were not like any of the other forces they'd fought. Those forceshad faced Britannia's forces openly, idiotically, on the field of battle. The Black Knights...Zero...they were smart. They made use of the terrain, retreated when odds where overwhelming, struck silently at weak points, and used their forces most efficiently.
Narita was just the ultimate example.
"Andreas..." Cornelia muttered.
Hesitating slightly, Darlton moved next to his Princess. It was...most unlike her to call him by his first name. "Yes, your Highness?"
"It was a mistake to rely on our regular forces, or even the Mabinogion teams in this Area. The Black Knights are well-suited in dealing with either, and Area Eleven's Mabinogions are incompetent fools."
Both Knights looked at Cornelia in shock, and shared the same thought. Is she thinking of...
"We need your sons, Andreas." Darlton grinned, saluting. "And Guilford, find whatever hole Bartley is in and drag him here. I want to question him about this..." She continued, opening one of the few closed files on the table and jabbing her finger at the first page, marked in large black script G-1 ALTERATION PLANS.
- The Dragon -
Under the imposing, Prussian-style helmet, Learme grinned at the flabbergasted expressions of everyone. He'd spent looooong months working on his 'costume', ever since Milly had agreed to throw a Star Wars festival. It was actually one of his earlier powered armor designs, a prototype that had fallen far short of his expectations, but now proved immensely useful as a perfect Darth Vader costume. It really hadn't take much to modify it to match the Dark Lord's armor, adding an entirely cosmetic control panel to the chest and making new boots, as well as creating the helmet from scratch, but it was all worth it in Learme's opinion.
Because apparently, the suit was convincing enough that people were actually starting to think he was really Darth Vader.
Before they could get out of the 'frozen statue' stage of fear and panic, Learme reached up and took off the helmet. Unlike in the movies, his suit's helmet was one piece.
"Yo." He said simply, to the still-shocked expressions of the crowd.
Next to him, Lelouch pulled back the hood on his Emperor Palpatine costume, leaning back in the throne and smiling slightly.
The crowd, almost as a single entity, relaxed, most of them chuckling at each others foolishness.
"Alright guys, show's over, go set up the store." Learme called down to the Stormtroopers, all of whom were similarly removing their helmets and laughing at the crowd. Waving up at him, the Star Wars club moved off to the gym, where they'd left their equipment to set up the store.
"Store? What store?" Milly frowned, confused by this idea that had not been suggested by her.
"You'll see." Learme replied, a roguish grin spreading across his face, causing a few of the female attendees to swoon.
Then, out of the corner of his eye, Learme saw a flash of lime-green hair and white fabric, bringing to his mind the rather strange events during Narita.
Narita Mountains
Two Days Earlier
Learme grinned as he left the scene of his most recent skirmish, the smoking wrecks of two Sutherlands melted to the frame in his path. The Akuma's signal indicated that his brother was just ahead, and-
Learme contorted as images filled his mind...such as when he and Lelouch first encountered C.C, when she'd 'died'. But these images were...different.
Strange shadowy figures...the Geass Symbol, crudely shaped out of twisted wire...And strangely, a young Suzaku, standing over a still corpse.
Shuddering, Learme shook himself as the visions ended. When he'd recovered, he checked his sensor display.
"Dammit." The Akuma's symbol had disappeared. Growling under his breath, Learme crouched the Ryūō low and leaped up, risking being spotted in order to find Lelouch. High up, he saw a small pillar of smoke trailing upwards near the summit, and where it originated...flashes of green sparked here and there.
Upon landing, Learme wasted no time pushing the Ryūō to its maximum speed, rushing towards where the Lancelot, and presumably the Akuma's wreckage, was.
He was halfway there when a new signal appeared, this being the transponder in the medical pack he insisted Lelouch carry. It was away from where he'd seen the smoke and the green blasts, and he set off for the new signal immediately.
He arrived ten minutes later, at a cave. The moment the Ryūō stopped, he popped the hatch and leaped out, rushing for the entrance.
"Lelouch?" He called, removing his helmet.
"It's about time you got here." A voice floated irritably from the cave. Learme's panicked pulse slowed to normal levels as he sighed in relief.
"Sorry, I thought you'd grouped up with the others." He retorted. "Anyway, we should get moving. Ohgi and the other Sakanade have cleared a route, and Zero Squadron is holding it open...is that C.C?"
Lelouch looked back, seeing the witch stirring.
"Yes...and no..."
"What the hell does that mean?"
"I'll tell you later." Learme stared at him, before shaking his head and replacing the Draconian helmet and going back to the Ryūō. By the time Lelouch, the Mephisto's helmet back on and C.C. in a bridal carry, was mounted he'd already started up the Nidhoggr Drive System again and was ready to go.
"So what happened?" Learme asked, listening as Lelouch told him of how the Lancelot cornered him, and C.C saved him. Before he'd, completely unintentionally, screwed it all up.
"I did learn something you'd be quite interested to hear." Lelouch said.
"What?"
"She's a C-cup." Almost before Lelouch finished, blood was trickling out of Learme's nose. Trying to sound nonchalant, Learme replied.
"Maybe that's how she got her name."
"Maybe."
Ashford Academy
Present Day
"Learme!" The Lamperouge was shaken out of his memories by his twin's harsh call, and he glanced at Lelouch to see him motioning back to the door, where the crowd had reoriented its attention.
Turning, he saw Nunnally coming out of the shadowed doors.
Their little sister was dressed in a white Imperial Admiral uniform, her hair braided into a pony-tail by Sayoko, and with a small, ornate cane in hand. At her side, she held a small stuffed Ewok.
"How do I look?" She asked, smiling nervously.
"Very beautiful Nunnally." Both twins replied truthfully. The uniform was cut very well. Nunnally's smile widened, and she advanced to stand next to her brothers.
Then, a burst of static from the radio belted at Learme's waist caught the martial sibling's attention. He retrieved it from his belt and listened.
"We're done setting up here." Grinning again, Learme put the radio back and placed the helmet back upon his head, turning to face the crowd.
"Citizens of the Empire!" He boomed in Vader's voice. "Today will be a day long remembered. It has seen the opening of the Star Wars Fan Club's Store-Game, and soon the fall of the Rebellion! Go now to the Gymnasium to purchase your Star Wars memorabilia today!"
- The Knight -
Suzaku sighed slightly as Milly pulled the entire Student Council along to see this 'Store-Game' of the Lamperouge's. Still wearing the bikini-like outfit, she strode at the front of the group of Rivalz, Shirley, Suzaku, Nina, Nunnally, Kallen, and either twin.
They found it built up against the wall of the gym, and Suzaku was surprised to find it looked almost exactly like one of the prefabricated structures the army used in the field, only decorated with Galactic Empire iconography.
While most of the group halted to stare, the Lamperouges strode right up to the building, Stormtroopers posted on either side of the entrance stiffening and saluting them as they passed.
Milly caught her breath and also strode up to the building, only to be stopped by the crossed E-11 blaster rifles of the Stormtroopers.
"You can't come in here in that get-up!" The one on their right snorted.
"Yeah. Rebels have to suit up in these to get in." The other one growled, tapping the side of a large, car-sized box at his side with his boot. Looking inside the box, they all saw Rebel Alliance combat gear. Milly took one without hesitation and started dressing up, wearing the gear over her costume. Exchanging looks, the rest of them shrugged and followed suit.
"You'll need these too." The first Stormtrooper added, grabbing an amazingly accurate model of a Rebel blaster rifle and handing it to Suzaku. Again, they grabbed some, along with the ammo clips that were loaded with...
"Paintballs?" Shirley asked.
"Alright, get in there." The second Stormtrooper ordered harshly, barely finishing before Milly walked inside confidently. The rest of them followed her, until Suzaku was stopped by the Stormtrooper.
"Hey, Lord Vader speaks highly of you, Skywalker. Hope you meet his expectations." He said. Suzaku frowned, wondering what the cosplayer was talking about when pained shrieks sounded. Suzaku rushed inside, barely keeping a grip on the paintball gun and hearing the Stormtroopers snigger as he passed.
Suzaku darted through a short hallway, only to be stopped by the sight of Nina collapsed on the ground, red liquid covering much of the Rebel Alliance outfit.
"Get down!" A hand grabbed him by the arm and pulled him down behind an overturned table. An instant after that, glowing red paintballs splattered on the wall where he'd been standing. Looking to the side, Suzaku saw Milly with her back to the table. On the other side, he saw Rivalz and Shirley crouched behind another table.
"What's going on here?" Suzaku asked.
"No idea." Milly replied, disconcertingly cheerful. "But it seems like fun!" She darted up and fired a burst of paintballs at the other end of the room before ducking back down, avoiding the flurry of paintballs that were fired in response. Then she looked back over at Suzaku. "What are you waiting for? Down with the Emperor!" She pumped her arm for emphasis.
Suzaku stared at her for a moment before shrugging, ducking around the table and rushing the Stormtroopers at the other end of the room. He avoided their fire with preternatural speed and agility, ducking behind rather conveniently placed tables, desks, and bookcases and responding with his own fire. One Stormtrooper stumbled as Suzaku's paintballs hit him, exploding in red paint all over his chest, and clearly exaggerating the stumble.
The rest of the Stormtroopers made the mistake of glancing back at their fallen comrade, and soon fell when Milly led Rivalz and Shirley in a charge on the door.
With that done, they all glanced around the room. Red splashes of paint were everywhere.
"They really need to rework the doctrine on that Imperial Stormtrooper Marksmanship Academy." Rivalz commented.
"Wait, what happened to Nina?" Suzaku asked, still somewhat confused.
"There's something about either the paint or the costumes that makes the costumes freeze up when hit." Milly replied, moving through the door the Stormtroopers were guarding. Hesitating slightly, and glancing at the fake-dead Stormtroopers, the rest of them followed her, into...
A very well-organized store.
With Darth Vader as the cashier.
"Wha-" Suzaku gaped, before he was interrupted by Lelouch.
"Pay up. He got through in thirty-seven seconds." The eldest Lamperouge sibling grinned. Grumbling, Learme handed over a bill.
"You couldn't have been seven seconds faster, could you?" He muttered grimly to Suzaku.
"Whah?" Was the soldier's only reply, confused as he was by the sudden turn of events.
"So, you've proved yourself worthy to sample the wares of the Star Wars Fanclub." Learme ignored Suzaku's befuddled spluttering. "Walk around, pick out stuff you like, whatever. You all get discounts just 'cause you're the Student Council."
"Hmm...Very nice operation here Lulu." Milly complimented, looking around. "Learme gets to vent a little military otaku steam, and all of you get a nice profit from the shmucks who make it in here."
Lelouch smiled and nodded.
- The Orange -
"Hmm." Jeremiah gazed at the school grounds. He hadn't quite reckoned for this when he'd come here for answers.
"Not...what I expected of the prestigious Ashford Academy." Villetta Nu said.
"Remind me why you're tagging along?" Gottwald sighed.
"Remember what I told you about - Me and Kewell waking up during Shinjuku with big gaps in our memories and our Knightmares gone?"
"Yes..."
"The last thing I remember was seeing two boys in Ashford Academy uniforms."
"I see..." Jeremiah replied, not actually listening. "Do you have a description? We could probably look for them while we're here." Not that Jeremiah would actually bother. Considering what that snake Draco had spoken to him of...
"They looked like twins, black hair and purple eyes. Same basic height and facial features, although one had a scar going diagonally across his face. He also seemed to be a bit more muscular than the other." Jeremiah's spine froze into a block at that description. Except for the scar on one, the description was almost exactly like that of an older Lelouch and Learme.
- The Author -
("Yeesh is this story backed up. Another chapter of filler, the Kyoto meeting...Knightmare's been slowing down.
Oh yes, I should introduce myself. I am K'GoN. Most of you who've been reading Knightmare Gundam of Ni's other fic, Gundam Seed: Killer's Realm, know of me. For those of you who don't, I'll just say that Knightmare really needs to visit a psychiatrist.
Now, again, those of you who read the other fic's author notes will know that Knightmare has been hooked on Starcraft II for the past month or so. Well, now he's hooked on it in a different way. You see, one of the Zerg units, the Infestor, has the capability to spawn Infested Terran Marines, which are armed with Infested Gauss Rifles. He's been trying to wrap his head around how this works.")
...if the Zerg infestation turned the Gauss Rifle into a cybernetic organism, then some sort of enzyme reaction or organic capacitor could power the thing...but then how does the Infested Marine stay supplied with ammunition? Perhaps it...
("...Yeah. I can't wait until he starts on figuring out a version of the Yamato Cannon to use in this fic. And now for Review Replies.
Robby Cartwright: The Author's continuing this for the rest of this filler arc, so I guess you could say yes.
Akalon: Three chapter filler arc. Read it.
Omegadramon2: I personally think it's a bit geekish, but then again I am talking about Knightmare here...
Silverscale: Going by Knightmare's notes here, yeah, he will.
Alex Yamato: I guess
It would seem to make sense, wouldn't it?
Well, I'll tell Knightmare to keep him away from the Sarlacc simulation.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't your OC supposed to still be in the Kallen-crush stage?
sakurahanaalice: No time, gotta get a move on to more death and destruction.
I have no clue how Knightmare feels about this since he's still in the corner gibbering on about Zerg-Terran technology interaction, but I'm personally glad we skipped over that. A mini-robot can only process so much humanity at once you know.
He's fun, yes he is.
Allora Gale: Thanks.
Jman12394: I guess.
Yep.
It's actually all taken from the original anime storyline, some of which was cut.
a little black feather: That would work, except in this story Nunnally's not in a wheelchair anymore.
Kojiro Kun: I think it's going to be a theme for this filler arc.
True. Very true.
Sure. Knightmare will probably throw him in as company for Alex's OC.
Too tall. Although Knightmare did give her a fuzzy stuffed one. Hmmm...now when did they ever get the chance to visit a taxidermist?
Velshard: He's a friggen Star Wars geek. Of course the moron would!
And...there went my perversion protocols.
It's all sorts of whacky.
And they haven't finished SAR ops yet.
I don't know why everyone hates on Jar-Jar. Gungans taste good grilled, and all that time spent around Force Sensitives must have added some garnish to the guy.
Aozacki: Well, your Imperial Admiral bit worked out, although Knightmare's notes says he made the uniform white as a symbol of how Nunnally's pure compared to either twin. Eh, he's a freak.
Primus2021: And now here I am, wishing I was the writer, just so I could have put that in.
Cyspark01: Meh. He gets what he deserves.
I'd prefer it if Knightmare did those mini-chapters on the less-than-important operations of the Black Knights. I mean, what's so great about Ashford Academy? It's a big bigoted high school. With an admittedly crazed School Council President.
Damn right Cornelia's pissed. She's bringing in the GLASTON KNIGHTS, and something special.
Only thing I see in Knightmare's plans is the Kyoto thing.
K'GoN")
("On a parting note for the author, whenever that idiot gets back to reality: HAH! COULDN'T KEEP ME OUT OF HERE FOREVER, COULD YOU!")