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 33: Uncivil Geass
- The Demon and The Dragon -
Ashford Academy, Lamperouge Quarters
6:12 AM
The painfully bright white figure loomed over him, wielding a large rifle in-
"NO! THE ONE-ARMED KNIGHT!" For a second, the waking nightmare confused Lelouch as it clashed horribly with the dramatically shadowed bedroom that he inhabited, belligerent white against subdued dark, before his full consciousness asserted itself.
"Nice." Learme said, turning off the video camera. "That'll go on the website for sure." Lelouch blinked, before scowling slightly at his sniggering twin.
Groaning slightly, the teenage rebel leader moved to get off his bed, raising his hand to his head. Feeling along the right side of his head, Lelouch scowled at the feeling of singed but healing flesh.
"You're pretty lucky." Learme commented, leaning back onto the wall next to the door. "It's just a mild second-degree burn. Too much longer and it would have gotten...nasty. I treated it, so at most there might be a small scar around your cheekbone."
"What happened?" Lelouch queried, flinching as he touched a sensitive spot.
"After you passed out? Well..."
Port Yokosuka, Rented Warehouses
The Previous Day
"Damn it!" Learme growled, wrapping his twin's head in the Mephisto's cape. "Tanaka! Take it outside!"
The Sakanade's pilot didn't bother with a reply, grappling with the one-armed Lancelot and charging the white Knightmare through the warehouse doors, keeping a grip on that dangerous energy rifle. The Seventh-Gen struggled with the larger, heavier Frame, but eventually Tanaka managed to wrench the VARIS out of its hand, the Sakanade's crushing grip bending the expensive weapon's barrel before dropping it to the ground.
Without further ado, the Sakanade rushed the Lancelot again, trying to pin the smaller but swifter frame to the ground. The pile-driver on one of the arms lashed forward, slicing a streak in the side of the Lancelot's torso but missing its cockpit and lancing into the ground.
Whatever imprecations the Black Knights had for the Lancelot's pilot, he was certainly a quick bastard, taking advantage of the split second the pile-driver was embedded in the ground to kick at the Sakanade's legs. While the heavy armor made its cockpit remarkably well-protected, it also made the Sakanade top-heavy. The large Knightmare crashed into the ground with a heavy 'WHUMP!', cracking concrete, with the Britannian Frame drawing its MVS and sallying forth to impale the Sakanade with its blade.
Flickering tracers crossed the distance between the Sakanade's head-mounted CIWS gun and the Lancelot's own face, dents and cracks appearing in the helmet-like head with every strike as it drew closer. Just as the MVS was about to slice into the Sakanade's torso, Tanaka threw his Knightmare's arm across the blade's path, firing the pile-driver in that arm as the super-heated, vibrating sword bit into the armor. The sudden and forceful impact from the pile-driver shattered the Lancelot's hand and the MVS grip, the now-detached blade sticking in the Sakanade's arm and cooling without energy going into its heating masers.
As the Tanaka wrestled the turtle-like Frame to its feet, the Lancelot hopped back, lifting its maimed arm and launching a Slash Harken right into the ogre-like faceplate. The blade cut deep, slicing through the CIWS gun and shattering one of the optical cameras.
"-he water!"
Being a bit more concerned with the loss of half his display, it took a moment for Tanaka to listen to his radio.
"-ve! Dive into the water!" Tanaka, not being a stupid person despite the lack of proper educational facilities in the ghettos, instantly got what his leader was saying, grabbed the Slash Harkens line, pivoted the Sakanade on its feet, and charged for the water.
The grinding of the Lancelot's Landspinners was very audible as it fought the immense mass of the Sakanade, but regardeless of that effort, the distinctly non-amphibious white Knightmare still slid towards the water.
Then, with an air of frustration, the Lancelot ejected it's remaining arm, jerking back and wheeling towards the Britannian part of the port.
Ashford Academy
Now
"-and then I had Tanaka grab the VARIS and the Lancelot's arm to take with us. Rakshata started examining them the moment we got the MVS blade out of the Sakanade's arm."
"I see." Lelouch frowned. Then hissed as the expression pulled at his singed skin.
"Yeah, I wouldn't move those muscles around too much you know."
"I forgot..."
"On the bright side, it's not too hard to come up with an explanation. We'll just say you slipped during one of your cooking experiments and landed your face in the pan."
Lelouch spared an annoyed glance at his twin before he suddenly remembered something. On his part, Learme wondered if there was something on his face, so suddenly did Lelouch's expression twist into one of horror and sickness.
"Learme...I think Shirley was at the harbor last night! She saw me when the Mephisto's helmet was off!" It took a moment for those sentences to make its way through Learme's suddenly slow thought processes. Once it did, there were immediately three thoughts. One: Find out if she was there, Two: Find out if she saw Lelouch's face, Three: isolate and eliminate.
"Are you sure?" Learme asked, voice low.
"...Yes...I saw her just before you covered me with the cape...through the same door Nu came in from..." Lelouch replied, thoughts distant.
"Damn it." Learme swore.
- The Crush -
Streets near Narita
It was in a half-dazed, half-distraught state that one Shirley Fenette wandered through the streets, empty of all but rubble. In the distance, she could see the brown-and-grey mud-slide that remained of the event that had nearly claimed her father's life...
It's just not possible. Was the main refrain in Shirley's thoughts. A futile attempt to deny the evidence her own eyes had obtained for her. Because if it was him who was Zero, the terrorist and mastermind of the deaths of hundreds, then her world would be sent teetering. The only saving grace was that her father had merely been half-maimed, not killed by the landslide Lelo-Zero's Knights had called down on the Britannian forces.
But still...what in the name of all that was Holy and Right was she going to do?
"Why, get back at him, of course!"
Shirley's contemplation was jarred right out of its current track by the sudden appearance of a white-haired young man with a strange purple visor covering his eyes, and headphones, dressed in a long white coat with a white-rimmed blue mantle around his shoulders.
"He deserves punishment doesn't he? After all, he's the renowned terrorist Zero!" Shirley gaped at him. How-
"-Do I know? That. Is. A. Secret." The man grinned, enunciating every word clearly. "But come now, what else is there for Lulu's fate? He's a terrorist. Who knows how long he's been planning this whole charade? How long he's been manipulating you?"
Shirley's lips froze at those last two words.
- The Queen and The Dragon -
Ashford Academy, Student Council Building, Meeting Room
7:59 A.M.
"Damn troublesome..." Learme muttered, before opening the door.
He'd spent the last hour and a half combing the school for Shirley, using his Geass to simply wipe himself from the student's sight and his own rather well-trained ability of silent movement to avoid detection doing so, before he'd gotten a call from Kallen on his civilian phone.
Kallen was waiting for him. She stood at the end of the room with her hands behind her back, and was currently wearing her school uniform.
"Is there something you want to tell me Learme?" she asked as he entered the room.
Lemar cheeks went red. I-is this a confession wait I don't recall doing anything as Learme to attract her attention... he thought. "N-no not particularly-." Learme stopped at the sound of a gun clicking.
Kallen was now pointing a gun at Learme.
Learme eyes got serious as he spoke an a serious calm tone "Kallen what is this about and where did you get a gun?"
"I think you know full well...Draco." Kallen
"Noooo... and what makes you think I'm Draco?"
"I talk with Rivalz. He told me about how you and Lelouch disappeared when you investigated a certain truck on the way back from gambling." She said. "It doesn't take a genius to put two and two together from there."
"I see" he smiled. Lelouch should have erased Rivalz memory. "well I guess there no point an hiding it now, but is the gun really necessary?"
"Would you answer my question if I didn't have it?" she said.
"Good point."
"Now tell me why you lied to me!" Kallen said, affecting a hurt and furious expression as she continued her interrogation. "Was I that un-trust worthy?"
"Trust isn't the issue here Kallen. I would trust you with my life, but the fewer who knew our identity the less chance of Britannia learning about me, my brother, and my sister's survival."
"You still could have trusted me." she said. "But you manipulated me and the rest of the Knights to fulfill your selfish desire-" She stoped as Learme started walking towards her. "S-stay back" she said
"Manipulated, that's a bit of a strong word...we merely reminded Japan of the strength it once had. We gave them a choice to either submit or fight. Everything that's happen up till this moment has been their and your choice alone."
Learme was now standing right in front of Kallens gun "But I don't blame you for your choice of action, since if the situations were reversed I think I would do the same thing too."
Kallen hand began to tremble from the conflict she was having within her self "I-I-"before she could say anything else Learme slaped the gun out of her hand sending it clattering across the floor "But truthfully Kallen I don't like being at a disadvantage."
Kallen crumble to her knees an defeat "So what now are you going to do now, kill me?"
"What makes think I'd kill you?" said Learme, getting down on one knee. "Not only are you one of our best pilots, but I consider you a close friend." And quite possibly more than that in time.
After hearing this Kallen look like she was on verge of crying. And without thinking she hugged Learme "I'm sorry Learme." she said with sad voice.
"It's alright Kallen, I've have guns pointed at me for less reason then that."
"No, I'm not apologizing for that." she said as her emotions completely changed from sadness to amusement.
"What are yo-"before he could finish Learme felt a sting an his neck and every thing went black
'Kallen' smirk as she stood up holding a sedative "Sorry Learme but I can't have you interfering with Mao's plan" she said the glow of geass appear in her eye's
- The shifter and the Dragon -
Ashford Academy, Underground Complex
8:27 A.M.
Groaning slightly, Learme began to wake up. He glanced around before trying to move. Learme attempted to move but found that his arms and legs were bound to a chair.
Ah. Restraints. Now I wonder what these are for: Imprisonment and Interrogation or Seduction?
He took better look at his surroundings to find that he was an his and Lelouch's underground Facility. And Kallen, standing with her back to him whilst donning a black jumpsuit. There was a trickle of a nosebleed as Learme involutarily imagined the view from her frot when she finished putting on her outfit and turned to face him.
"I've got hand to you Learme, you and your brother have a nice hideout."
"Uh...what's going on Kallen? And how the bloody hell did you get pass all the security in the elevator? If anyone else enters here the elevator was supposed to stop!"
"Yes, well security like that is no problem for someone of my skill." She replied.
"I understand your skill quit well Kallen and there's no way you could-" Learme started to say, but stopped, as Kallen started giggling at Learme. "What's so funny?"
"I'm just surprised at how slow you are. Lelouch would've figured it out an instant" she said "You're a good mechanic Learme but when come straight out strategic thinking Lelouch has you beat by miles."
Learme just glared at Kallen. "Tell me something I don't know, but seriously Kallen how-"
"You really are clueless. The real Kallen is doing maintenance on the Gurren today or did you forget your own orders?"
At those word Learme's eyes widened, but then he smiled and started laughing "Real funny Kallen but I think I know the real you-" Learme stop his sentences when he saw seals of Geass appear on both of Kallen's eyes
"You know normally I'd be amused by keeping you guessing but I feel like showing off a bit today."
As Kallen finished speaking her body began to change, her slim body started bulking up and her chest started flatting out. Her hair started shrinking and turn into a black color.
When the transformation was complete Learme was now looking at him self minus a scar across his face.
Learme eye's were wide as saucers. "What the hell are you?"
"Please do you really think the power of Geass is limited to just manipulating a person mind and Senses" said the Fake Learme "Though mine is exceptionally rare its probably the only know one an existent that can affect the body physically."
"So your Geass lets you change your appearance to anyone else" Learme replied having calm down now that he knew he was dealing with a Geass user. Now that he thought about it, there were a number of discrepancies to his meeting with 'Kallen', first being that she'd called him from a different number. Second, Kallen's sidearm was a custom job issued to the main Black Knight pilots and upper command ranks, a Britannian officer handgun modified for .45 caliber ACP and a built-in flash/sound suppressor. The gun that had been pointed at him was what Learme was reasonably sure to be a large-caliber revolver with some kind of faux-wood grip and a laser sighting aid.
"Correct." Shifter replied
"But even if it changes your appearance that does not explain how your were able to perfectly impersonate Kallen."
"Well I'm little insulted." The fake said as his Geass glowed again
Learme watched again as the imposter morphed back into Kallen.
"But you're half right, even with my talent I can't perfectly imitate someone with out knowing every single detail about their life." 'She' said as she leaned an close to Learme. "But it's a simple task for my Geass' second ability."
Shifter grinned as he/she explained. "Anyone I make direct eye contact with, I can copy all the person's memories into my mind thus allowing me to impersonate said person perfectly, even down to their unconscious mannerisms."
"I see...that is a frightening ability." Learme replied. "So then the question remains: why'd you capture me?"
"To keep you out of the way of an acquaintance of mine." She said "While he deals with your brother."
Learme eyes widened. "He's going after Lelouch!"
"Yes, he really hates you and your brother for, as he puts i,t 'stealing C.C away' from him. You see he made a contract with C.C, 10 years prior to you and your brother."
"So he's our senior then what about you?"
"Me? I made a contract with her shortly after she left Mao."
"Mao, so that's his name?"
"Correct." Shifter replied "And his Geass ability has made him into a mind reader that can read the thoughts of anyone within 500 meters of him."
Learme eyes widened again, and further than before. He's no genius at strategy, and merely a good hand at tactics, but he knew someone like that was the worst kind of enemy for Lelouch.
"But really he didn't want to deal with someone like you who acts before thinking."
"Don't underestimate my brother he'll need more then mind reading beat him."
Shifter grinned again as his Geass once again appeared in his eyes his form began to change again this time her hair started growing longer and turn from red to orange. Shifter had now transformed into Shirley.
"That why he going to use this girl who saw your brother's face in the last battle you had." She look Learme straight an the eye. "And knowing that he's Zero and that he was responsible for the deaths of so many, what do you think she going to do?"
Learme growled impotently as he clenched his teeth. Truthfully he did not know what Shirley would do.
But... His lips twisted into a monstrous smirk. I know what I will do.
The Geass Shifter was practically looking straight into Learme's eyes. A vast mistake, as the red crane of Geass gleamed out of Learme's eye testified.
- The Author -
Ah...I suppose I ought to explain myself, shouldn't I?
Well, I suppose first off, part of the main reason for my...long absence, is that I have now graduated and am looking for employment and colleges. So, yeah, a lot of time taken up there.
And then there's my turtle's filter. The damn thing blows but won't suck!
...yeah...ignore that last bit...
And then there's the most recent attack of writer's block...and a recent discovery of Familiar of Zero cross-over fanfiction that is particularly entertaining. In particular, Unfamiliar on StarDestroyer(dot)net and Zero's Shock here, Prototype and Bioshock cross-overs respectively. Been thinking about jumping in myself with a Terminator crossover, but I have too much load already.
At any rate, I'm going to try to resume regular updates of at least this story. Killer's Realm will have to wait until I hear back from Velshard.