(A/N: Another day another chapter. Here we go)
Disclaimer: I do not own Code Geass or Mirai Nikki
3rd Person pov
Lelouch took the controls of the Arthur and charged it forward; its mighty blade at the ready. Minene activated the propulsion system and the Arthur performed a jump attack on the Pelleas. Yuno blocked with the Pelleas' laser blade and fired off the hookshot blade, taking off one of the "ears" on the Arthur. Lelouch pulled back. No shields huh? He speculated. The Arthur almost seems like a big target with its increase in mass and density. If anything it's just a giant melee attacker. He took another swing at the Pelleas as it came in. Yuno shielded and the giant blade of the Arthur just scraped along the edges of the reinforced mech. Damn. I guess I really have no choice. Lelouch activated the air flight mode of the Aruthur granted to him by the Lagann Ex Pro.
"Going into the air won't save you," Yuno chuckled and did the same with the Pelleas.
"M-9, I want you to get me to a safe location and detach from the Aruthr," Lelouch told her.
"Say what? But we can't beat that thing without a fused Knightmare!" Minene shouted.
Lelouch remained as calm as ever, "In chess the king is the most important piece. The queen is the most powerful. As I told you before I have an extreme advantage. I have two queens."
"In other words, you want me to fuse with Kallen and her Guren," Minene rationalized.
"Exactly," Lelouch confirmed.
"You got it," Minene put her game face on. Lelouch switched the main controls to her and using her escape diary Minene managed to get to a spot on the battlefield that would give Zero the chance to retreat with the Arthur back to the rendezvous point and give her a chance to fuse with Kallen. While this was going on Lelouch instructed Kallen to meet up at the coordinates Minene was headed to. Minene detached from Zero and Lelouch told Kallen what was about to happen.
"But Zero I…"
"I know you're nervous about working with someone who attacked your school Kallen, but for now you need to put your differences aside and fight as one. For the fate of the future Yuno Gasai must fall," Lelouch told her.
"Zero's right Kallen, we're on the same team. I don't care if you hate me or not, but as long as you and I are Black Knights we're allies whether you're like it or not," Minene told her.
"Fine! But I'm only doing this because for Zero," she said.
Lelouch who was listening in said, "I couldn't ask for more." Lelouch, using the Lagann's remote control found the command to fuse it and targeted Kallen's Guren. He slammed the switch "Lagann Impact!"
The transformation sequence began. The Lagann Ex Pro attached itself to Kallen's Guren and the Knightmare began to morph. The Guren's left arm became identical to its right. It's legs became white. A flight system, powered by the Lagann Ex-Pro became available. Two shoulder mounted cannons with four holes appeared. They were armed with rockets. A giant, red orange energy sword, similar to the Pelleas' blue one, appeared in the Guren's left arm. Two arm cannons were merged onto the inside panels of the back of the Guren's arms, to be utilized when necessary. The chest of the Guren became all white and a pair of pink shades appeared over the head's eyes.
"Prepare to face," Kallen declared.
"The ultimate fighting power of the Black Knights," MInene continued.
"This is the combination of the skill of Zero's elite operatives," Kallen boasted.
"Stand in awe in front of the Knightmare that will topple yours," Minene bragged.
"The Guren Lagann…"
"MKX Pro II!" Minene propelled the Guren Lagann into the air to face off against Yuno
"Just who the hell do you think you're dealing with?" both girls shouted.
The speech could do with some work, Lelouch noted.
Bring it on, Yuno smirked to herself. She fired off the head cannon of the Pelleas. Kallen reached out with the radiation wave arm unit and absorbed the laser in and of its entirety. Yuno gasped. "O-oh yeah! Well try this!" She fired both laser cannons at Kallen and Minene.
"Sorry, but not this time! Fire rockets!" Minene shouted and fired out 8 rockets from the Guren Lagann's cannons. The lasers only cut through two. Yuno cut two with her sword and one with her hookshot blade. One impacted on the shields and the remaining two blasted straight into the Pelleas' defenses.
"All right!" Kallen beamed.
"We got a hit!" Minene was ecstatic.
"Keep it going girls you're doing fine," Lelouch praised.
Yuno recovered from the hit and fired the hookshot blade again. Kallen dodged to the side and grabbed it with the Guren Lagann's right arm and pulled Yuno towards her. The physical goddess cut the rope connecting the hookshot blade with her sword and then proceeded forward to cut Kallen and Minene with it who blocked with their own sword. Kallen fought to push back, using both of the Guren Lagann's arms to deflect Yuno. The Pelleas had higher parameters than the Guren Lagann so even Kallen's expert use of its power still made her hard pressed to push Yuno off, not to mention the yandere had gotten a running start.
"Don't worry," Minene said, "I got this covered. She opened up the arm cannon on the Guren Lagann's right arm and fired a barrage of bullets straight into the Pelleas, the shielding could only hold so much and finally broke through. Yuno's surprise gave Kallen the fraction of a second she needed to turn the tide and created a wide slash across the Pelleas center.
"Escape pod 1 compromised," Yuno's onboard computer beeped.
"No! no, no, no, no, no!" Yuno freaked out. Her screaming roused Yukiteru. She hadn't set him to sleep that long. She thought she'd be done by now.
"Yuno what's going on?" Yukiteru demanded to know.
"I…I'm sorry Yuki," Yuno looked at Yukiteru with a tearful smile, "I didn't want the Black Knights to take Yuki. I'm sorry Yuki. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
"Yuno why, why didn't you listen to me?" Yukiteru demanded to know.
Seeing the Pelleas just floating idly Minene said to Kallen "Hah, she can't have much left. What do you say Kallen? You wanna go in for the kill?"
"I…" Kallen was hesitant.
"Kallen what's wrong?" Minene asked her.
"I…I don't know, I mean, Yukiteru's in there. Yuno is a monster, but he's…"
"It's a sacrifice we need to make Kallen. You're the only one with the control to the right arm's Radiation Wave. The final blow can only be dealt by you," Minene told her.
Not even realizing that they could be fleeing for their lives Yukiteru and Yuno continued to talk. "Yuno why did you do this? Why can't you trust me to trust the Black Knights?"
"Because…" Yuno blinked out tears, "Because Yuki was right. I want to be the only one around Yuki. I want Yuki to not have to be with anyone else because Yuki doesn't need anyone else. Yuki only needs me and I need the Pelleas to help protect Yuki. My powers alone is what nearly got Yuki killed by the Viceroy. Yuki can't defend himself if we're attacked."
"That doesn't matter to me Yuno. I have you to help me because I know you'll always be there for me," he told her.
"Yuki," Yuno's smile faded and now she looked about as pitiful as a girl who lost her dog after it had been hit by a car.
Kallen, after spending moments deep in thought finally decided that this was something she couldn't stop. Yukiteru, I'm sorry. Kallen began to charge the Guren Lagann's radiation wave.
With a heavy hand Yuno reached for the controls to the 2nd Escape Pod. She would project a shield around herself to protect her from the blast, but she didn't know if it would be enough to protect her completely. Yukiteru saw this in his diary
Yuno presses the button to my escape pod.
And then a few entries down
Yuno dies in my arms from injuries received in the blast. Her shield couldn't fully protect her.
"Goodbye Yuki," Yuno hit the switch to the 2nd escape pod.
"Yuno, no!" Yukiteru leapt over his cockpit seat and latched his arms around Yuno just before her barrier completed itself.
"Yuki what are you doing you'll die too!" Yuno told him.
"I don't care!" Yukiteru clenched his eyes shut and his arms around Yuno. "Yuno, I was dead until you helped me. I'm useless without you. Please Yuno if you're going to die then let us go together. I won't survive without you so it's best it would rather be sooner rather than later."
"Yuki are you stupid what about the Black Knights? Yuki wanted to join the Black Knights," Yuno said.
"Joining them won't mean a thing if we don't join them together. You matter to me more than they do Yuno," he then added softly, "I love you."
Yuno heard him and reacted with a soft gasp. He said he loves me. She smiled with a blush. He said he loves me. Neither of them noticed the sound of the future being changed or the change in size of Yuno's barrier as Kallen charged forward and exploded the Pelleas using the Radiation Wave.
Area 11 headquarters
Schneizel was not in a good mood. He had to deal with the nagging press about Zero saving him and the Britannian army. There was already speculation that he had intended to make himself lose to draw Zero out. Why didn't Zero kill me when he had the chance? Schneizel grit his teeth. Schneizel was more than willing to die for his country, despite the fact that he was fighting for the throne of god. After all, he was the one who had suggested this little survival game to Deus in the first place. Schneizel, like his father, wanted peace for the world. His reasoning for proposing this idea to Deus was so someone other than Deus could take over and become god. Schneizeil had faith, so far, that if he couldn't be victorious that Euphie would. Even if he died there was still a chance someone better suited for Gods throne would take over. He was ready to go at any time and Zero had let him live, forced him to suffer this humiliation he was now dealing with. Was this part of the terrorists plan?
"He knows all about you Schneizel, your reflexes, your tactics and even your motivations. He's Britannia's number one enemy for a reason"
"Damn!" Schneizel pounded his fist with his desk. He calmed down and tried to think things through rationally. Let's see, if Zero had actually killed me what would have happened? He thought on this for a moment, realizing that after his funeral his father would be most upset that he had lost his most brilliant tactician. Schneizel wondered what father's next move would've been after his death. He'd probably want the problem taken care of quickly and efficiently and to do that…Schneizel suddenly came to an epiphany. Aha! Now I see. Humiliation or not Zero's afraid of being wiped out. Yes of course, his force is still too small. One monster like the Pelleas is no problem, but what about seven at once? Based on his actions I'd say Zero's afraid of being ripped to shreds before he's had a chance to fight and build up. Yes, yes of course that must be it. Schneizel came up with a plan. I'll call father. Surely he'll be able to spare two of his most elite operatives if I play my cards correctly.
Shinjiku ruins
"Target destroyed Zero," Minene told Lelouch.
Lelouch looked at his phone no data had come in about Yukiteru or Yuno's deaths, nevertheless it didn't matter. Destroying the Pelleas was sufficient enough; it was a setback for Yuno. "Detach and let's head back," Lelouch ordered. "Mission accomplished."
Within the wreckage of the Pelleas lay Yukiteru. He was unconscious as he lay on a piece of scrap metal from the destroyed Knightmare. Suddenly he bolted upright and saw that he was still alive. He was in dire pain, but he was alive. "Yuno!" he called out only to cough up blood. I have…I have to find Yuno, he said with a determined gaze. The sound of footsteps became audible as a figure moved past what used to be part of the Pelleas' arm. Yuno walked forward, staggering. Her leg was bleeding, possibly broken and her hair was down flat, part of it was scorched from the damage. She had her left arm crossed across her chest, a piece of shrapnel was lodged in her bicep.
"Yu…ki," Yuno smiled as best she could before falling forward onto the ground and collapsing.
"Yuno!" Yukiteru ran over to her, fighting through the pain and caught her before she fell forward. He turned her over in his arms and sat on his knees not caring how much blood he was losing from the open wounds on the outer sides of his legs. Yuno was still conscious, but barely. "Yuno," he held her to him.
"You…saved us both Yuki. Thank you for telling me that you…love…me," Yuno fell unconscious. Yukiteru clenched her body to him.
"Baka," was all he said.
Hours later
Area 11 headquarters
"NOOOOOOOOO!" to say that the great Lord Lloyd Asplund was dismayed over the loss of the Lancelot would've been an understatement. What could have been salvaged from the battle was in complete disrepair. "My precious Lancelot! My greatest creation ruined!"
"Poor Lloyd," Suzaku sighed. I wonder what this means for me. The Lancelot was the only reason I was counted on as a pilot. I can kiss my position goodbye faster than I can say…
"Eureka!" Lloyd suddenly shouted, having done a complete 180. He dug through the Lancelot's parts until he found a piece he was looking for. "All the battle data should've been stored on the Lancelot's on board file keeper. With this and the Lancelot's blueprints I can create a Knightmare that surpassed even the Pelleas! It will be the greatest advancement in Britannian history!"
Cecile shuffled Suzaku away from the area, "Why don't we leave him alone?"
"Good call," Suzaku agreed.
Schneizel's office
It had taken the man hours, but the Viceroy of Area 11 finally had a chance to make a call to the capital and get through to his father.
"What is this all about Schneizel?" the old emperor wanted to know.
"Sir, I would like to request some back up with regards to the problem with Zero," Schneizel requested.
"Can't you take care of a single terrorist group Schneizel? You're supposed to be Britannia's number one tactician how could you be so outclassed? Your late half-brother Lelouch was your only challenge when you were a boy and you never lost to him once!" Charles shouted. Lelouch was considered dead to the family regardless of whether or not he had survived the war 10 years ago.
"Father I'm aware of that," Schneizel said like a child who didn't liked to be nagged, "Nevertheless if this issue with Zero and Cornelia's murderers is going to be laid to rest I do believe it will require the touch of the Knights of the Round."
There was a pause from the other end, "Fine, I'll send the Knight of Six and the Knight of Three to Area 11 immediately. I do believe that will be sufficient."
"Why father I do believe you read my mind," Schneizel said, elated.
"Of course, now then Schneizel is that all you shall need from me?" he asked.
"I believe that will be all father," Schneizel said and hung up, "Good day."
The Black Knights underground hideout
The knights cheered when Zero, Minene and Kallen returned victoriously and pronounced the Pelleas to be a thing of the past.
"Woohoo no more scary girl with the pink hair!" Tamaki shouted.
"On the contrary," Zero declared, quieting everyone down, "Yuno Gasai and Yukiteru Amano still live of this I can assure you. However, they have been greatly disadvantaged for we have the Lagann Ex-Pro the most invaluable Knightmare in Britannian history. With it we are much stronger. However, our next challenge shall be our toughest yet. We shall cross swords with Britannia at the Narita Mountains. Right now they are weakened due to the damage Yuno has caused them so they'll leave us alone for the time being. However, Viceroy Schneizel is no fool. he'll know we're coming. He'll leave Narita alone until he is ready to face us. We have the weapon that destroyed the Pelleas. However, fear not my knights when we face Britannia at Narita we shall crush the Britannians. We have the Arthur. We have the Guren. We have the Lagann. And of course we have my leadership!"
The Knights chanted Zero's name over and over again in appraisal for his words.
Three days later
Ashford Academy
After the afternoon Student Council meet Suzaku met with Lelouch on the roof, which was becoming routine for them. However, what was different about this meet was that Suzaku had initiated the meeting.
"What's up?" Lelouch asked as he got onto the roof.
"You know about the massacre the other day at the Shinjiku Ruins right?" Suzaku asked.
"You mean when the 2nd eliminated a large percentage of Schneizel's men? Is there some classified information you're going to share with me?" Lelouch asked.
Suzaku nodded, "My Knightmare got busted so I'm going to be off the scene for a while. However, backups coming along to deal with Zero so I heard from your brother."
"Backup?" Lelouch questioned. I see so Schneizel did as I suspected after all.
"Lelouch, do you know what the most elite members of the Britannian army are?" Suzaku asked him.
"Are you talking about the Knights of the Round?" Lelouch asked.
Suzaku nodded, "Two of them are coming to help us out. The 9th, Minene Uryu, is working with Zero. She's your competition. I wanted to know that even though Britannia has taken a loss that you can still come to us if you're feeling insecure Lelouch."
"I told you before, I'm not as defenseless as you might think," Lelouch told Suzaku.
"Lelouch there's also something I should tell you," Suzaku stated, he sounded slightly scared.
"What's that?" Lelouch responded.
"I'm telling you all this because if you aren't as defenseless as you say Euphie and I could use your help," Suzaku stated.
"Do you need my help taking down a diary holder or something?"
"The 11th," Suzaku told him.
"The 11th?" Lelouch questioned. This is the first time I'm hearing about the 11th.
"It's your brother," Suzaku told him.
Lelouch scowled fiercely. I should've killed Schneizel when I had the chance or at the very least taken his phone, why didn't I? I had the perfect opportunity to eliminate or manipulate a member of the competition. "Why are you only telling me this now?"
"Because Schneizel threatened that he would dispose of the 8th the moment he found out who he was. He knows I have an alliance with you. His diary told him I had an alliance with the 8th, but I will go to the grave without revealing your identity that I can promise you. Lelouch, if there is anything you can do to help Euphie and me, please do it. She's scared Lelouch. Schneizel basically has a guillotine hanging over our heads. You managed to kill the 12th Lelouch, according to Euphie. You're a brilliant mind and about the only person I can ask for assistance. I'll beg if I have to, but please help Euphie," Suzaku requested.
"If you need a miracle worker why not go to Zero?" Lelouch asked.
"I won't ask help from terrorists!" Suzaku declared. Lelouch could tell he wasn't going to be swayed by the look in the brunette's eye. "I'm asking you as a friend, if there is anything you can do, please help me!"
If I'm going to help him, I have to do it without being Zero. Lelouch processed. I don't know if that will be possible without exposing myself or taking a risk that I'm not sure my diary alone can get me out of. "How long can you last do you think?"
"What?"
"I can't do anything right now, but if you give me time. I might be able to eliminate Schneizel," Lelouch held up his phone, "With my diary I can track your every move that I will learn to know you've made, yours, Euphie's, Schneizel's, anyone's. If you agree to give me data on movements of individuals in the army when I need it I might be able to do something," Lelouch stated. "You won't even have to do much of anything, you just have to agree and give me what I ask when I ask for it," Lelouch extended his hand. "Will you trust me?"
"Of course, thank you Lelouch," Suzaku shook his hand. Both of them headed for the stairwell only to open it and hear foosteps descending down the staircase. "Someone heard us," Suzaku made to charge down the stairs.
"Wait," Lelouch stopped him, "Allow me." He opened his phone. Tsubaki? Lelouch sighed. "Let me handle this."
"Wait, but that person heard us talking about…"
"That person happens to be my ally, relax," Lelouch told him. Rather than chase after Tsubaki head on, he wandered to where she would end up.
Rather than follow Lelouch, Suzaku pulled out a pair of binoculars and looked for his friends. "Tsubaki? What's she got to do with all this?" Suzaku wondered.
He couldn't hear them at all, but he observed the pair from afar.
"Lelouch are you…are you really…?" Tsubaki seemed on the verge of crying.
Lelouch sighed. He realized that Tsubaki may have known that he was Zero, but there was one identity about him she didn't know: his identity as Lelouch Vi Britannia a former Britannian prince. "Tsubaki listen to me for a second I…"
"No," she turned around, "I can't…I can't believe I trusted you. You're…you're…"
"The enemy of Britannia," Lelouch stated outright.
"How can you be the enemy if you're an heir!" she shouted.
"Because I was cast aside, thrown away and discarded. I fabricated Zero to make a symbol in order to revolt against Britannia," Lelouch stated.
"And when your revolt is complete then what? Will you take Britannia's throne?" Tsubaki asked.
"That was my intention yes, but…"
SMACK!
Tsubaki struck Lelouch across the face, "You lied. You lied to me! To the Black Knights! I trusted you!"
"Tsubaki, listen to me for a second…"
"No you listen to me," she fumed, "If you think I'm going to let you drag around people so selfishly then…"
"I want to create a fair world!"
The volume of Lelouch's voice got Tsubaki to be quiet.
"I want to take reign so that no one else has to suffer. Nothing I've done as Zero has been a lie. There will come a time when my identity shall become known, but until my enemy's head rolls at my feet my identity remains hidden," Lelouch responded informatively with a strict tone.
"I…understand," in truth Tsubaki was a little disheartened. She used to believe in everything Zero stood for that he was the hope of the people, that he would crush Britannia, but in essence he just wanted to take it for himself. Just, she thought, Based on his personality I don't see how that will be possible. I don't know if I can still place my faith in him. I…
Lelouch interrupted her thoughts, "By the way," he reached into his pocket and handed Tsubaki a glasses case, "I got these for you."
Tsubaki gasped and opened them and put the glasses on. She blinked several times, astonished. "I…I can see."
"I'm sorry if learning my third identity has stolen most of your faith and adoration for me, but that works better for me right now. If there's no emotional attachment between us the enemy can't use you," Lelouch told her.
"But I'm your enemy too! I'm your competition! You can easily sacrifice me!" Tsubaki was confused.
"If the risk outweighed the desired result, then yes, but the Black Knights risked their lives to save you. To let you die without attempting to save you would make Zero lose face. The holder of the 8th diary is Lelouch Vi Britannia, not Zero, and not Lelouch Lamperouge."
"So it's all a big charade this is just like one big chess game to you isn't it?" Tsubaki asked. "I…" she took off her glasses. "I can't accept these!"
"There not from me," he told her, "The president asked me to give you to them. She paid for them," which was true. Milly had practically strong armed Lelouch into giving them to Tsubaki.
"That doesn't change things," Tsubaki shook her head. She put the glasses away. She would hold onto them. "I can't believe I trusted you. The only person you care about is yourself!" she ran away.
I'm sorry Tsubaki, but I can't let anyone get close, not you, not Suzaku, he opened his phone to find that yet another diary entry that someone had eavesdropped on his conversation. And not her either! Damn it Shirley! Lelouch ran off to prevent his friend from getting any funny ideas.
Shinjiku Ruins
Yukiteru and Yuno, now Knightmareless and fully healed, were unsure as to what to do. Neither had spoken much to the other except about where they were foraging their next meal from. As the sun began to set over the horizon a figure stepped out over on the horizon. He had white hair and was wearing a shirt and tie with an open button jacket. He was armed with a .38 caliber handgun and in his pocket was his wallet with his identification as a member of the junior police force. In his other pocket was a pink slip indicating his dismissal from the force. The slip was two days old. Yuno and Yukiteru heard this stranger's footsteps and prepared their defense. Yuno readied her powers and Yukiteru readied a hunting rifle he and Yuno had taken from a gun store.
"So I finally found the two people I was looking for," the newcomer said.
"Who are you?" Yuno asked.
"I'm just a humble traveler out to find whether or not Yukiteru Amano and Yuno Gasai are dead or just in hiding looks like I found my answer," the person said.
"Do you plan to turn us over to Britannia?" Yukiteru asked.
"Perhaps this will answer your question," the person held up the pink slip. "I was let go by the police force for suspicious activity against the Viceroy."
"That doesn't explain what you're doing here," Yuno said.
"Because I aim to unravel the mystery surrounding the enigma Yuno Gasai," he pointed to Yuno. He waved a finger around his head, "I want to understand how the world works," he lowered his arm and put on a serious face, "And I want to understand the meaning behind a strange pair of words I came across in my investigation."
"What were the words?" Yukiteru wanted to know.
"They were 'Future Diary'" the individual responded.
Yuno was more on edge now than ever, "What do you want with us?"
"To become your allies," the white haired male said, "I have a gut instinct that if I cooperate with both of you I will find the answers to all my questions."
"Do you swear…swear that you will not report us to Britannia?" Yukiteru asked.
The stranger emptied his pockets and let his wallet drop on the ground, "I've been walking for more than half a day and as you can see besides the pink slip and my wallet I have nothing on me."
Yuno and Yukiteru lowered their defenses, Yuno still on edge, but she felt safe knowing that she was only dealing with a single human. "What's your name?" Yukiteru asked the stranger.
"I am Akise, Aru Akise."
To be continued…
(A/N: Yes so for everyone out there bugging the crap out of me about Akise, you can stop now. For the rest of you out there wondering about Mao, keep your clothes on. Nevertheless who could've expected the twists and turns this series has taken? The Pelleas was utterly destroyed by a ripoff of Gainax's iconic mech. Schneizel calls for backup from the Knights of the round, Anya and Gino specifically…for now, Zero plans his next move, Suzaku and Lelouch are actually cooperating and Tsubaki is losing her faith in her hero. This begs a few questions: Will any more of the Knights of the Round make their appearance? What will Lelouch actually do to assist Suzaku? Will Akise, Yuno and Yukiteru prove to be an effective three way team or will there still be trouble in the group? How will Lelouch convince Shirley that there is nothing going on between him and Tsubaki? What will Lloyd build in the Lancelot's place? Will it be able to stand up to the powers of the Guren Lagan MKX Pro II? And lastly with Schneizel at the helm of the Battle of Narita, soon to take place, how will the battlefield change without some of its iconic figures from canon? Well folks it's an hour to midnight and I am outta here! See you all later)