(A/N: Sorry about the delay folks. Finals week was murder and I was in anxiety waiting for grades. I AM going back to Bloomsburg this Fall. Yay me! Also I got Marvel Vs Capcom 3 so that's yet another reason for the delay. Now that that's out of the way let's get back on track for a new chapter )
Disclaimer: I do not own Code Geass or Mirai Nikki
3rd Person pov
At the Saitama ruins the Black Knights were having a grand old time…in the worst way possible. With the exception of Kallen and Ohgi, all of the knights were drunk off their asses. Yes, even Minene. She and Tamaki were the worst affected by the alcohol. The former was doing a strip tease using a half destroyed lamppost as a strip pole while the latter was streaking through the ghetto without a care in the world. Kallen's homework and Ipod were about the only things keeping her from screaming at the insanity going on around her. Ohgi was just sitting on top of a heap of ruble, praying, having lost complete control of the situation and waiting desperately for Zero to send an A-ok message or to show up.
As if his prayers had been answered the radio buzzed, "Ohgi, come in."
The former resistance leader dashed for the radio, "Zero, oh thank god. You gotta get here as soon as possible."
There was an urgent response from the other side, "Why? what happened?"
"I well…please don't disrespect me for this but…" Ohgi turned up the microphone and held up the receiver to the chaos going on.
Halfway across the area, Lelouch heard all of this and just sighed. "I turn my back on all of you for less than twenty four hours and things go to hell. Can't you control everyone?"
"I would…but they're…they're not exactly…"
Lelouch sighed in frustration, "Remain calm Ohgi. Do your best to keep things from getting worse. I'll send Marco and Ai to help you bring everyone back to base."
"But sir…"
"I have things that require my attention, including battle plans for Narita. These were your men before they were mine Ohgi. Surely you don't need to rely on me for everything now just because I'm in charge do you?" Lelouch asked.
"I…no sir," Ohgi responded to Zero.
"Very good. I will see you, and the rest of the knights, tomorrow afternoon," the radio line went dead. Ohgi sighed.
Yeah, we can't rely on him for everything. We need him to lead us and command us. Ohgi turned around to look at the unruly chaos going on around him. He walked over to Kallen and tapped her on the shoulder. She pulled out her earphones. "Kallen can I borrow your rape whistle for two seconds?"
"Huh? Sure I guess," she grabbed her purse that was next to her, the same purse that concealed a knife and pulled out a small whistle. Ohgi walked over to a high rising pile of debris, put the whistle to his lips and blew. The whistle sounded loudly. The loud tweet was concussive enough to snap a good portion of the knights out of their drunken stupors. Everyone turned their attention to Ohgi.
"Listen up!" he shouted. "I just got off the radio with Zero. We have an A-Ok. Ai and Marco are going to come here to get us."
"Did he say what happened?" Kento asked.
"Zero said he'd meet with us tomorrow afternoon. If we're lucky, he'll tell us," Ohgi answered.
"What's this if we're lucky business, we have a right to know," Minami shouted.
"Zero is our leader!" Kallen's voice came from behind Ohgi as she stepped up next to him. "It's true that he holds many secrets from us, but we shouldn't question him. Not even for a second. We need him! What should it matter what happened. The enemy was dealt with in a manner that we can return to our living quarters."
"That's easy for you to say Kallen," Yoshida said, his anger influenced by the alcohol in his bloodstream, "You have a home to return to!"
Ohgi put an arm in front of Kallen and gave Yoshida a stern look, "Whether it's easy for her to say or not, Kallen has a point. What matters is that Zero gave us an A-Ok to return to base. Now then, until we see him again I am still in charge as per his orders. That said I have a few orders of my own. Sober up! Get Minene away from the lamppost. Find Tamaki and get him to get dressed after he's sober. Kallen go get the cooler and pass out Cokes to everyone."
"Yes sir," Kallen saluted and went to get the beverages.
Ohgi smiled at his success in calming the storm. He had managed to control the chaos. Zero was right. They needed him to be a leader, not to watch over them like a flock of sheep. He couldn't watch over them all the time. He'd be around when they needed him. Ohgi looked up at the sky, "Thanks Zero…for believing in me."
Shinjiku ruins
It had been a couple of days since Aru Akise had made his presence known to Yukiteru and Yuno. After a game of rock/paper/scissors it was decided that Yuno would go and get supplies from the nearest abandoned convenience store. While she was out Aru broke out into conversation with Yukiteru.
"Yuno doesn't trust me, does she?" Aru asked.
"Well our last 'ally' stabbed us in the back, so she's just a bit on edge," Yukiteru responded.
"Right, you told me, Lelouch. You also told me that he's warned you on several occasions about things, like how he knew about your mother being kidnapped, despite the fact that it was a ruse, or the fact that Britannia was on its way to attack you," Akise retorted.
"Maybe Lelouch would've known about the event after it happened so he was able to let me know ahead of time," Yukiteru responded.
"That's fine with something like Britannia going after the Pelleas, but in the case of your mother I have to question his source of information. I mean, weren't the black knights the ones you ran into, not Lelouch at the Omakata group?" Akise questioned.
"That…that is true," Yukiteru agreed.
"With that said, the only conclusion I can come to is that Lelouch is somehow involved in the Black Knights, much like your classmate Kallen." Akise told Yukiteru.
It had taken some doing, but the white haired detective had managed to get himself warmed up to Yukiteru and Yuno enough for them to consider him an ally, much to Yuno's chagrin. Akise was interested in the survival game and after several 'tests' presented to him by Yuno she allowed him to stay with her and Yukiteru. It didn't mean she liked it. Yukiteru had convinced her that while he trusted Yuno to protect him that the two of them needed a source of information beyond just their diaries. Akise, unlike them, was not a vigilante and could skulk through town to gather information. He swore that no matter what was asked of him he'd work to the best of his abilities to get what the group needed. In return for his loyalty the 1st and the 2nd diary holders had provided Akise with information about their 'adventure' up to the point they met him.
"By why would Lelouch involve himself in the Black Knights? Kallen too. They're both Britannian," Yukiteru inquired.
"I don't know, but if I had the resources I could do a more thorough investigation," Akise stated.
"What kind of resources?" Yukiteru inquired.
"Well I'd either need to get involved with the Omakata group, attend Ashford Academy, or get involved with this Honorary Britannian you mentioned Suzaku Kururugi," Akise stated.
"What would you do from that point?" Yukiteru asked.
"Well I'd—" Akise was interrupted by the sound of shopping cart wheels driving over gravel as Yuno returned to where the two boys were.
"I'm back," Yuno stated plainly.
"Ah wonderful, I'm starving," Yukiteru went straight for the shopping cart and found a cup of yogurt and a spoon.
"So 'Mr. Tactician' what are we going to do?" Yuno asked Akise.
"Well, as I just finished telling Yukiteru, with all the information Lelouch has told you while you've been on the run, it wouldn't be unreasonable to say that he's working with the Black Knights," Akise stated.
"The Black Knights again," Yuno scowled.
"I don't see what you guys have against them. While I don't necessarily agree with the Black Knights choice of methods they're goal is admirable," Akise stated.
"I don't buy it," Yuno stated, "If their goal is to protect the weak why aren't they coming out here to help us. We're just two people living out on our own. Instead they ripped the Pelleas from us and protected the 6th. Their claims don't add up."
"Hmm," Akise pondered, "That's…certainly interesting."
Yuno mentally slapped herself. She didn't like Akise knowing too much. The more he knew the likelier the chance he'd figure out about her. That was a risk she didn't want to take. She didn't know all the information Yukiteru had been telling Akise behind her back. He knew Yuno wouldn't approve, but Yukiteru wanted to be able to trust Akise. He had helped them in the short time he had been here and he hadn't done anything suspicious.
"This is a long shot, but what if Zero is a diary holder?" Yukiteru questioned.
"That's…possible. I would need a chance to test that hypothesis," Akise stated.
"Look we aren't going to get anywhere if we're indecisive. I don't like this, but we need to know what's going on around us. Incidents like what happened with the Pelleas can't happen. I don't like admitting it, but if Britannia comes back I can't take on an entire fleet of Knightmares. One or two would be no problem, but I can't protect Yuki and fight at the same time, and I sure as well won't trust you with his life," Yuno told Akise. "What do we do?"
"Like I said earlier, I'll either have to enroll in Ashford Academy, join the Black Knights or ally myself with Suzaku Kururugi," Akise stated. "Pick one."
"Go to Ashford, it's the least dangerous and if you have to change your alliance once there then do so," Yukiteru told him.
"All right, then both of you give me your cell phone numbers. If I find anything I'll be in touch," Akise told them. Everyone exchanged numbers. Afterwards Akise pocketed his phone and went off on his own, "I'll meet up with you two when I can." He grabbed a box of granola bars from basket Yuno had.
Once Akise was out of sight, Yuno lifted the cart into the air using her powers. "Come on Yuki, we're moving."
"What? Why?" Yukiteru asked.
Frustratingly, Yuno put down the cart, "I don't trust Akise. I know we need a reliable source of information Yuki, but I just don't trust him. We need to get out of here. We'll leave the country. We'll be save if we leave Area 11."
"And how do you expect us to do that? Even if we used your powers to fly someone will spot us." Yukiteru pulled a rolled up piece of paper out of his pocket. "Did you forget about this?" He was holding Akise's printed out copy of his and Yuno's wanted poster. There was a bounty on their heads. "We're to be shot and killed on sight by the Britannian Empire. I don't doubt that they'll look for us no matter where we go." Yukiteru put his hands on Yuno's shoulders. "Yuno, you have to trust me to trust Akise. We need his help."
Yuno balled her fist, but submitted. "Ok," she said. "If Yuki wants to trust him, then I'll let Yuki trust him, but I don't have to like it ok."
"I never said you did," Yukiteru pulled Yuno in for a kiss.
"You're getting better at that," Yuno told him with a smile after it ended.
Lelouch's location
As the young Britannian walked the streets of Area 11 Rivalz pulled up to him on his bike. "Oh Lelouch, hey what's up? What're you doing all the way out here alone?"
"I had to go to Tsubaki's home to help her with something," Lelouch answered.
"Well you didn't have to walk all the way, I would've given you a lift if you asked," Rivalz told him.
"I was picked up by one of Tsubaki's servants," Lelouch lied. "It was kind of short notice." If Rivalz isn't acting concerned it means Suzaku hasn't said anything to any members of the student council. He's probably somewhere back at the main office building chatting up with Schneizel about Zero. Things should spread like wildfire.
"Attention, Viceroy Schneizel El Britannia has an important announcement for all citizens of Area 11," Lelouch walked away from the sidewalk and leaned on Rivalz's bike, hearing this, to watch the broadcast.
"Hello, my fellow Britannians, and you Elevens, I have an important announcement to you all. Zero is dead," Schneizel announced.
Lelouch scowled, what are you up to Schneizel?
"Earlier this afternoon Sub-Viceroy Euphimia Li Britannia and Captain Suzaku Kurugi invaded the Omakata group where Zero unceremoniously appeared. He was shot and killed by Captain Kururugi of which we have footage," Schneizel stated.
He's bluffing, Lelouch stated.
Unfortunately Schneizel had video footage, very real footage in fact. From the angle of the shot, Lelouch determined that a small video camera was inside Euphie's broach. The video had no sound and only showed the brief instance when Suzaku opened fire on C.C, who was disguised as Zero at the time before cutting off. Lelouch was conveniently outside the shot. Schneizel went on to brag about the death of the terrorist, but Lelouch was doing his best to keep himself from laughing like a mad man in front of Rivalz. Instead, a wide, deviant smirk crossed Lelouch's face.
Schneizel, this is worst move you could've made. You underestimate the power of Zero. He composed himself and turned towards Rivalz. "Rivalz, could you give me a ride to campus and back to the religion grounds?"
"Huh, sure, but why?" Rivalz wanted to know.
"You don't need to know, just drive away from the grounds the moment you drop me off. I don't want you getting caught up in what's going to happen," Lelouch told him.
"Well alright, I guess I still do kind of owe you the average unconditional favor every now and then," Rivalz agreed.
"Excellent," Lelouch said with a smile.
Omakata grounds
Ohgi, Kallen, Minene, and the rest of the Black Knights made their ways back to the Omakata grounds, completely oblivious to Schneizel's broadcast, from within the vans owned by Ai and Marco.
Upon arrival all the members were greeted outside by their leader.
"Zero," Kallen was the only one to vocalize her surprise.
"I thought you weren't showing up until tomorrow," Ohgi said.
"Plans have changed," Zero responded. "Schneizel has prematurely declared my death. Because of that I shall inform you here and now what happened and what we are going to do about it."
One Explanation Later…
"Wait you were rained down upon with bullet wounds, but your all right?" Ohgi was shocked.
"I will tell you the same thing I told Captain Kururugi. I am not a man, but a symbol and symbols are bulletproof. Regardless, Schneizel believes he has crushed the people's hope, but he underestimates my ability to live. It's true that any normal human would have crumpled into a heap after putting on a front like Schneizel suspects, but I, Zero, am not an ordinary human. Schneizel's claim of victory has presented us with the greatest opportunity the Black Knights have had since our debut to rally the public to support us and believe in us," Zero declared. "Tonight we shall put on a show that Schneizel will never forget."
That Evening
Suzaku sat in his office quarters looking at his phone. He hadn't spoken to Lelouch since that incident earlier in the afternoon. He called Milly, the only person from the Student Council whose number he had and she hadn't heard from him. He prayed and he prayed hoping that Euphie wasn't about to read "The 8th is dead" in her diary. He'd get a chance to speak to Lelouch tomorrow, assuming he was alive.
Schneizel made it clear to the young Britannian that Zero's strength to get up was a front. He could've survived long enough to threaten Suzaku and Euphie, but he couldn't have done any real damage, which is why all of his shots missed. He was also angry that Schneizel didn't tell him about the camera on Euphie's broach. Schneizel had watched the whole video and now he knew that Lelouch was alive. Suzaku was thankful that the camera didn't have a microphone so Schneizel couldn't hear anything that had been said.
However, Suzaku just had a bad, gut feeling that Zero wasn't down for the count. The man who had outfoxed Clovis at Shinjiku, before Suzaku's timely arrival, and also outmatched Britannia when a three front assault was made against the Pelleas would not so easily appear unguarded and die.
Suzaku turned on the television, hoping to find something interesting only to find that a broadcast was going on and the filming was being done right outside the radio broadcast station a couple blocks away. The person being filmed: Zero. He was standing at the top of the building, two spotlights shining on him.
"Here me Area 11 and Britannia! You have been misled. Schneizel declared me dead, but I, Zero cannot be done away with so easily! You may riddle me with all the bullets you want, burn my body and incinerate the remains and I will return, like a phoenix from the ashes time and again to exact my justice!"
Akise was watching this and immediately phoned Yuno and Yukiteru to find a working TV and soon the trio was watching Zero's broadcast.
"Viceroy Schneizel El Britannia, if you have the audacity to declare me dead without certainty it means you actually consider me a threat. However, you have bigger problems to worry about right now. Just like Jerimiah Gottenwald the Britannian Military is rife with spies, unable for you to detect, unable for you to dispose of under the rug. Some may serve you day by day others may lead some of your most crucial branches of military, but you'll never know how many there are or who they are."
Zero, Suzaku growled under his breath. At this point Britannian soldiers appeared behind Zero to apprehend him.
"Citizens of Area 11, I bid you all adieu, and know that so long as the strong oppress the weak I shall always exist to save those who are oppressed!" Zero declared and then jumped off the balcony of the tower only to fire off a grappling gun and attach the grapple to a nearby building. Zero swung into the building, the glass of which was already pre-shattered, the room of which was vacant. Bullets continued to rain down upon his location, but an explosion of chemically enhanced bombs at the top of the tower started a fire and cut visibility. Zero escaped down the stairway of the building and into a van to pick him up. The vehicle drove away. Zero's helmet came off, revealing C.C, who quickly opened a gym locker laying in the middle of the back of the van. Lelouch got out, received his Zero outfit from C.C as the immortal witch switched places with the young Britannian. Zero then got into the front where Kallen was driving. "That was brilliant Zero," she complimented as the resistance leader buckled his seatbelt.
"Eyes on the road Kallen," Zero told her.
"Y-yes of course," Kallen turned to face the road. As she continued to drive she realized that she and Zero were completely alone. Her face flushed at this realization. Eyes on the road, eyes on the road, eyes on the road.
"Kallen,"
"Yes," Kallen nearly popped up out of her seat.
"No need to be so jumpy," Zero told her. "We're far away from the enemy."
"I-I know that," Kallen blushed heavily.
"Good then calm down," Zero told her.
Easy for you to say Mr. I'm Immortal. Damn these teenage hormones, Kallen thought to herself. When the van stopped at a red light she said, "Zero, why did you recruit Minene Uryu?"
"Because she is useful," Zero answered, "Her knowledge of explosives and pyrotechnics make her an invaluable ally."
"But she…" Kallen didn't want to question Zero's choices. The Black Knights needed Zero. If they pressed him too much she was worried he might leave them. "I…then…" Kallen thought a moment about what she was going to say. "Minene said the two of you were partners before you formed us. Is that the truth?"
"She was involved in the Saitama incident of her own volition, that's how we met. She helped me escape when the group I was trying to aide gave up on me. She was the only one who chose to still believe in me. I created the Black Knights out of people who I believe would unquestionably follow me, united under the same banner and fighting for ideals the same as my own. I had every intention to have her be with us at our formation, but she was captured by the assassin we killed that evening," Zero explained to the red head.
"So then does she…know your real identity?" Kallen asked.
"No, she does not," Zero responded. "Not a single member of the knights knows my identity," which was true. Tsubaki was not a member of the knights herself. She was simply an affiliate and a host to their base of operations.
"So where do we go from here?" Kallen asked Zero.
"We plan for Narita," Zero answered.
"Understood," Kallen stated.
The Black Knight Ace continued to drive until the Omakata grounds came up in view. Everyone eagerly anticipated another speech from Zero. Noticing this, Lelouch decided to oblige. He stood on the low rising wood platform above the front steps of the grounds and prepared to speak.
"My fellow knights," he addressed, "Tonight's operation was a success thanks to everyone's efforts who participated." It had taken quite a few hands to pull everything off. From the spotlight workers, to hacking the Britannian network channel to broadcast the speech, to the explosives, courtesy of Minene, to Kallen driving the getaway vehicle, to the camera crew, it had taken a good portion of the knights to pull things off. "Through our efforts we have let Britannia know the legend that is Zero. Schneizel made a grave error the moment he declared me dead. Area 11 has been shaken to its very core. When Britannia makes its move to taken Narita, we will be there and we shall crush Britannia under our heel!"
Once again the knights began chanting Zero's name. All Lelouch did was smile from behind his mask.
The Next Day
Upon seeing Lelouch in class Suzaku signaled to him, using their roof code himself for once. Lelouch excused himself from the company of Shirley and Rivalz and went to go face the music he knew would be playing the moment he woke up that morning.
At the roof Suzaku was waiting for him. "How did you do it?" Suzaku asked him.
"Pardon?" Lelouch asked.
"Zero, how did you get away from him? And what about Tsubaki?" Suzaku wanted to know.
"I convinced Zero that I and Tsubaki's servants could look after her on our own. He then told me that Tsubaki and I could still call upon him if we ever felt threatened. Tsubaki was originally going to come back as if nothing happened, but to fend off the media since she was caught on camera she's staying home for a few days. I have to bring her homework to her now until the end of the week." Lelouch explained.
"How in the hell did you reason with a terrorist?" Suzaku asked.
"Zero isn't out for blood needlessly. He's just a mercenary that chooses his own employers, doesn't expect pay and has his own agenda. He also prides himself in his code of conduct," Lelouch stated.
"Right the whole protect the weak from the strong creed," Suzaku said sarcastically. He then spoke much more seriously, "If Zero and the Black Knights really wanted to do justice they should join the police force."
"According to Zero he already tried that and it failed miserably," Lelouch lied. "Zero did more than just protect Tsubaki from an assassination attempt. He sniffed out a rat and disposed of it. In his own words 'If Britannia had been contracted for the job they would've been paid off by bribe money to look the other way.'"
"Where does he get off insulting the good name of Britannia?" Suzaku scowled.
"The good name? Suzaku Britannia was ready to kill you on false pretenses for a murder you didn't commit you should be thanking Zero for saving your life. Or at least I would be if I was in your position," Lelouch said sternly.
"Well then I'm glad I'm not you then. Zero is a criminal Lelouch," Suzaku stated. "I'll tell you the same thing I told him. I won't be caught up contemptible tactics and underhanded methods. I will change the system from within. I've risen in rank several times already. I'm currently the captain of Euphie's knights, formerly Cornelia's. Oh and Schneizel knows your alive. We only used the shooting, but Schneizel recorded everything from the moment Euphie and I stepped outside the limousine."
Lelouch didn't react intensely, merely a low grunt and slight tension, but it was noticeable. "You make it sound like I was hiding myself from him. Does he know I'm a diary holder?"
"No, he has no idea. To him you were just unfortunately at the wrong place at the wrong time. Mine and Euphie's being there was a search for the Black Knights, not something regarding the survival game. What were you doing at Tsubaki's anyway?" Suzaku asked Lelouch.
"She needed help with regards to matters regarding the academy, one of her associates picked me up at campus," Lelouch responded.
"Why you? Milly's the president," Suzaku stated.
"I told you Tsubaki is my ally," Lelouch responded.
"Ally how? Is she a holder or—"
"I retain my right not to share information with a rival. You may be willing to help me in any way you can, but I'm not willfully turning information over to you," Lelouch responded.
Suzaku actually smiled, "I should've expected as much."
Lelouch brought Suzaku back to an earlier statement, "You said that Schneizel found my involvement…unfortunate?"
"Your family actually does care about you Lelouch. At least your siblings do. If they knew you were alive then maybe…"
"Interesting," Lelouch smiled. All this time I never thought it would be this easy. I'd been wondering how to help Suzaku and Euphie without resorting to falling back on the knights and I think opportunity just came knocking at my door. "Suzaku, I think I just came up with a plan to get rid of Schneizel, but you're going to have to trust me and do everything exactly as I say."
"What? Really?" Suzaku was hopeful.
"Yes, meet me underneath the student council building after classes and make sure you aren't followed. I'll discuss my plan with you there," Lelouch told him.
"Alright," Suzaku nodded and headed for the door.
"I'll be sure to include in my plans to make things look like an accident," Lelouch said. "Although I must say I'm still surprised."
"Surprised about what?" Suzaku asked.
"Think about it. Schneizel may just be a member of the survival game, but he's also the Viceroy of Area Eleven. Why not just forge evidence of corruption and have him stand trial to be executed wouldn't that be cleaner?" Lelouch inquired. "I suppose not, if it were that simple you wouldn't have come to me. Schneizel is oppressing you and Euphie and you want to fight back. You don't like that feeling so you want him out of your way."
"Stop Lelouch," Suzaku's fist tensed. "Don't say another word."
Lelouch didn't stop, "If Schneizel goes down Euphie can become Viceroy and you'd be in direct control of all of Area Eleven's military. Whatever happened to everyone's needs but your own?"
"This is different Lelouch," Suzaku said sternly.
"How so?" Lelouch questioned.
"Because I'm a soldier of Britannia!" Suzaku raged and ran down the stairs as fast as he could.
Lelouch sighed, He'll snap out of it eventually. He hated to do it, but he wanted Suzaku to realize what he was doing. Lelouch had the gut feeling something might happen where Suzaku would turn and pin Schneizel's murder on him, but he could see the choice of what he was doing was really killing the brown haired soldier. He didn't have time to think on the situation because a radio in his pocket was buzzing.
"Zero, come in, Zero!" It was Ohgi.
Lelouch pulled out the radio, "This is Zero. What's the situation?"
"There's a pair of Britannian military academy students here. They surrendered to us without a fight and they want to speak to you," Ohgi told Lelouch.
"Do you know what they want from me?" Lelouch asked. He was confused by this input of data. Why would Britannians surrender to him and then ask to speak with him. More importantly how would they know where to find him? Things were mighty messy at the moment and Lelouch hated messes. His diary wouldn't tell him what to expect. Lelouch's diary could only record people he knew the names of or had some point of reference. Otherwise there was no need to consider them a piece on his chessboard.
"Can you keep them detained until later this evening? I'm tied up with personal matters," Zero responded.
"Not a problem, they're not hostile in the least," Ohgi responded.
"Good. I'll see you before or shortly after the sun goes down," Lelouch hung up. He sighed, I hate surprises.
That afternoon
After speaking with Lelouch and understanding the plan Suzaku arrived back at HQ and went to Euphie's office. "Oh Suzaku," the pink haired princess brightened up at seeing him, "What can I do for you?"
"Say Euphie you wouldn't possibly have time to listen to an old story would you?" Suzaku winked indicating that what he was saying was contradictory to the truth.
"Well Suzaku," Euphie folded her hands, "I have a lot of work to do, but I suppose I could take a five minute break."
"Good, I wanted to tell you about a zoo I once went to. They had lots of interesting exhibits. They had lions, elephants, lambs, octopuses, underwater crabs, horses, ibises, salamanders, giraffes, otters, iguanas, not gazelles, tigers, old hippos, ermines, lame platypuses, and unique caterpillars," Suzaku felt like an idiot speaking code using a zoo of all things, but he hadn't had time to come up with something a bit more creative. Euphie seemed to get the message and wrote down something on a notepad.
"That's very interesting Suzaku, thank you for sharing," she replied. Euphie got the coded message, having written down the first letting of what Suzaku had said. On the note were the words: Is he really?
"Ah well…you welcome," Suzaku said grabbing the pencil, "It's just…you're one of the only people I can tell things to." He wrote down: Yes. Euphie took back the notepad and erased what had been written while Suzaku tied up the seemingly meaningless conversation, "Ah well…sorry to take up your time with such nonsensical drivel. I…we both probably have a lot of work to do."
"No that's ok, I like seeing and hearing from you Suzaku stop by more often," Euphie told him.
"I…uh…ok," Suzaku was surprised at receiving such a statement. "I…I'm going to go see what Lloyd's done on the Beowulf." He left Euphie's office.
That Evening
Lelouch, as Zero, arrived at the Omakata grounds. He went down to the prison chambers where the two Britannian women were being kept. One of them had caramel colored hair with turquoise eyes the other was blonde with green eyes. Both were dressed in royal purple uniforms with their hands tied and bound behind their back. Their ankles were also locked together by cuffs. "Two gorgeous women throw themselves at my feet, how delightful," Zero joked. He folded his arms and covered his body with his cloak. "Start talking," he told them.
"Zero, my name is Marika Soresi," the caramel woman stated, "I am…I was a military academy student. My friend here, Liliana Vergamon, was a member of Sub-Viceroy Euphima's soldiers, formely Viceroy Cornelia's soldiers."
"And why should I care?" Zero asked.
The two girls looked at each other and then nodded. Marika was the one to speak. "About a week ago, my brother was pronounced dead having been killed in an ambush set by you. Or rather that was the 'official story'. A member of the engineering corp, Felicita Orsenwald, dug up the truth. She found that in reality my brother was killed by Cornelia Li Britannia in what is now Viceroy Schneizel's office. Further information reveals that he filed a report saying that he and his men, including Jeremiah Gottenwald, the man you called Orange, were attacked by an ambush set by you. If Jeremiah was really on your side you would have no reason to dispose of him personally. What I believe is the case is that my brother's entire unit was set upon by Britannian soldiers, Cornelia's men to be more precise, and the blame was pinned on you to turn paint you in a light that is rather out of character to what you have painted yourself as thus far, especially with your broadcast last night. Viceroy Schneizel considers me a liability and would have me executed, worried that I'll take revenge on Britannia for Kewell's sake. If that is how Britannia runs then that is not the nation I wish to serve under. Your aim is to destroy Britannia is it not?"
"It is," Zero responded.
"Then…allow me to assist you. If this is the kind of nation Britannia is, the kind of nation that spits in the eye of its good soldiers to exemplify the demonic appearance of their enemies then I would sooner serve a leader who aims to crush such a nation. Liliana as well saw and understood that. Rather, she was the one who brought everything to my attention. Zero, I will do whatever I can to prove my loyalty. Perform unspeakable acts if I must, but…let me serve under a commander that will not betray his own people. 'Protect the weak from the strong,' that is your creed. The creed Britannia should be following, but isn't," Marika pleaded.
It took every fiber in Lelouch's being not to laugh as he pressed his fingertips to his visor. Here are two people who get it. He thought. Still I would be naïve to trust them, then again, if they get out of line there's always the 'direct control' option. He put his hand down, "There is no need to prove loyalty to join, only to prove loyalty to stay and to do so one must prove themselves in battle. How did you find us out here anyway?"
"We came here to ask Tsubaki of your whereabouts we didn't expect to be imprisoned on sight. We surrendered because we intended to keep our lives. We want to be of use to you Zero. Please trust us," Liliana pleaded.
"Very well, if you truly wish to help talk to Ai and get to scrubbing dishes and start pulling your own weight around here. If you truly wish to be of use to me and prove your loyalty you can prove yourselves at the battle of Narita," Zero stated.
"Understood," both women said at the same time.
"Good," Zero said and radioed for Minene, "M-9 I want to speak with you in private. Have Ohgi come down here with you. I have an announcement to make."
"Yes Zero," Minene responded and she and Ohgi came down to where the prisoners were.
Zero indicated the two women with his outstretched hand as he faced his subordinates, "These two have seen the corrupt nation that Britannia is and are defecting to our side. I trust you Ohgi to teach them the pecking order around here and see if they're trustworthy material before we go to Narita. Keep an eye for suspicious behavior."
"I…" Ohgi was about to question the order and think Zero a bit naïve about this, but remembered what Kallen said about not questioning Zero. "Understood sir," he saluted and let the women out of their imprisonment."
After he left Minene stayed to speak with Zero and sat in the only chair in the room. "So what do you need with me?" she asked.
"I need to confirm the girl's story. You told me that you took the guise Felicita Orsenwald to spy on Britannia. Did you or did you not dig up evidence about Marika's brother Kewell?" Zero asked.
"I did," Minene put her hands behind her head, "I figured you could use some trained soldiers and if pretty little Marika knew what happened to her poor, poor nii-san she'd defect. Of course, I made a few things up to fill in gaps, but those two aren't that bright. Besides their charts the only thing going for them is their looks. Manipulating them to be loyal knights will be an easy task for someone as tactful as you."
And to think Kallen questioned her loyalty, Lelouch smirked behind his mask. "Good work M-9. Now if you'll excuse me, I have work to do regarding Narita." Lelouch left the room. He went upstairs and found Tsubaki out in one of the gardens. "How are you holding up?" he asked her.
"Being out of school for a few days has been boring, but I understand it's for my own good," Tsubaki stated.
"I don't like keeping you cooped up in here. You should be out there and allowed to see the world," Lelouch told her.
"Oh, I've left the grounds. Ai and Marco have been very accommodating in taking me all sorts of places. Just because I'm not at school doesn't mean I'm confined to the grounds. Zero," Tsubaki turned and smiled at her hero, "You've made it possible for me to live. To be allowed to act upon the position I have as head of the household. I can actually make demands and I have loyal friends. Even Kallen pays special attention to me."
"Think nothing of it. You asked for my help and I obliged. I didn't realize it would be this much of a positive change for you," Lelouch responded.
"Anyway you should probably head home before your sister worries about you," Tsubaki told him.
"Yes, I should," Zero headed off.
"I'll see you whenever ok Zero?" Tsubaki called out to him.
"Mmmhmm," Lelouch responded and left.
Britannia Capital
"Flight 213 now boarding to depart for Area 11," an announcement came over the PA at the airport. Gino and Anya stood in line and loaded up onto the aircraft. Anya held up her phone and looked at her photo album. She looked at the photos she had not taken yet, but would be taking.
"Say Anya can I see your phone again. I want to see what Area 11 is going to look like," Gino said. Anya handed it to him. Gino thought it was so cool how Anya's phone could see into the future. He understood very little about the survival game. Anya didn't really care much about it herself. All she knew was that her phone showed her pictures that she would be taking and also a little blurb about the picture. She had had no encounters with other holders like Deus had said to her and she hardly recalled the meeting of the rules. It was as if another presence had been there when the meeting took place. Anya only received the information from Deus later.
Anya and Gino got on the plane and into their first class seats. "Flight 213 now departing for Area 11."
"This is so exciting," Gino grinned ear to ear.
"Yes," Anya said without a flicker of emotion indicating such. The plane lifted off the ground and took off
To be continued…
(A/N: So yeah the Legend of Zero really gets established in this chapter. And holy shit Anya's a holder who would've thunk :O. I had to do it though. She's the only character with an ACTUAL diary in Code Geass XD. It also seems Lelouch has an idea with how he's going to deal with Schneizel. Also I'd like to thank L002 a bunch of stuff. I've been forgetting to credit him and I've been meaning to. Thanks for all your help man . Anyway, can Marika and Liliana truly be trusted? What is Lelouch's plan for dealing with Schneizel? Will horses have to be changed midstream for the battle of Narita? What interesting things will happen when Akise arrives at Ashford? Will Lelouch or Zero ever convince Suzaku to join the Black Knights? How much more in Lelouch's favor has the Battle of Narita been tipped with so many iconic characters, and advanced Knightmares at his disposal? Or will the development of the Beowulf help even things up? Answers to these questions and more in the next Ultimate Paradox chapter)