A/N: Thank you to those who reviewed and favorite the story and I'll take a moment to answer some general questions.
Suzaku will have a role in this story, but for now…until a certain point his role will be similar to what it was in canon up till a certain point. I don't want to say anymore without risking spoilers.
That said though I am contemplating a RWBY character to pair with Suzaku, but I might wait until later to make my decision then. No reason Lelouch should be the only one with a crossover pairing.
Even through I am contemplating either Weiss or Blake to pair with Lelouch if story conditions favorite another character I may reconsider my choice.
For those of you familiar may skip a portion of this chapter if you like since it similar to canon with a few minor changes here and there until we come up to a familiar accident.
But don't expect the Battle for Shinjuku Ghetto to play out the same.
Chapter 2
The Hand of Providence
The following day Lelouch left Ashford Academy during his lunch to meet with the noble he dealt with, Mr. Pennyworth, but instead of the usual location he was summoned to an underground chess match being held in an office building in the downtown Toyko Settlement area. As Lelouch disembarked the elevator alongside his friend who provided the means of transportation of getting across town, but as they approached the doors leading into the room where they chess match was taking place they could hear sounds from the other side.
"Here's video footage of yesterday's terrorist bombings in." A female television newscaster reported from a large flat-screen television on the wall. "Osaka The secretary reported fifty-nine casualties in this incident: eight Britannians and fifty-one others…"
At that moment a beeping sound could be heard as a suited man standing next to Pennyworth said in a calm and professional manner, "You're out of time. From here on you'll make your moves every 20 seconds."
"Very well, I'm game." The noble Pennyworth was playing against said just as Lelouch opened the doors to enter. "Hm? Did your substitute arrive?"
"Thank heaven!" Pennyworth exclaimed happily as he got up from his chair to greet Lelouch. "I'm saved! Are things going well at school?"
Lelouch didn't respond to the older man who had a bald spot on top of his head with medium-length gray hair wearing a white dress shirt with grey pants and a black vest.
"What have we here, schoolboys?" The nobleman replied mockingly, but he was amused at the same time.
The nobleman in question was obese wearing a more fancy and elaborates style of dress with a brown coat, a white cravat with a tan vest underneath. He had brown hair styled and blue eyes with a mustache.
"Hmpf…well, look at this, a nobleman." Lelouch said as he was greatly looking forward to crushing this one in victory. Aside from the money Lelouch won he did enjoy seeing how crushed the nobility looked whenever he beat them in chess.
"I envy you kids today." The nobleman said slamming down the nail file he was using on his fingers on the table. "You have so much time on your hands. Time for regrets?"
When Lelouch didn't respond the Nobleman asked him.
"What's your name?"
"Lelouch…Lamperouge."
"Whoa!" Lelouch's companion and fellow classmate exclaimed. "Now wait a minute! You can't win this one. It's impossible, right?"
Lelouch wasn't bothered by Rivalz Cardemonde's concerns, but Lelouch already saw ways he could very easily turn the battle around.
Rivalz was the same age as Lelouch except he had a more tanned complexion compared to him with light gray eyes and spiky blue hair. Like Lelouch he wore the same Ashford Academy school uniform as him which was black with golden trim.
"Rivalz, when do you think we would have to leave in order to make our next class?"
"Ah," Rivalz began taking a moment to contemplate, "twenty minutes if we bust our hump."
"Then be sure that you drive safely on the way back."
Rivalz was confused by Lelouch's response as he calmly sat down where Pennyworth was sitting to take over the game in his place.
"I'll need nine minutes." Lelouch declared before turning to Pennyworth, "By the way, about yesterday?"
"Understood, sir…we'll discuss it later."
"Nine minutes? You only have twenty seconds per move." The nobleman exclaimed in disbelief wondering if the boy was just bluffing.
"Enough time." The black haired youth said as he moved the black king chess piece first.
"Hm? You start with the king?" His opponent said before he burst into laughing, but Lelouch merely grinned in turn.
At that moment in another corner of the Toyko Settlement a large transport truck was moving quickly across the highway. It was going fast enough to put some more distance between them and their destination, but not too fast to the point they would draw the attention of the police who would be looking for their truck if they weren't already.
Unfortunately even the best plans can fall apart easily.
Following behind them from the sky was a pair of Britannian Police Force VTOL patrol craft. They were small enough for one pilot, but their small size gave them a speed and maneuverability advantage.
"This is Alpha-3!" The pilot of one of the VTOLs said over a police communication channel. "Target is traveling from Delta-12 toward Delta-14, at a speed of 80 kilometers per hour!
"CCP to all mobile units." A Britannia Police Dispatcher announced. "Declaring a Code 3 from floor 5 to floor 2. All units take 2-8-8. I want the target intact!"
The driver of the truck tightened his hands around the steering wheel in answer as he shouted.
"Perfect! After we finally steal this damn thing! It's all because Tamaki couldn't stick to Naoto's plan. And now we've got a problem!"
His passenger sitting in the seat next to him remained silent, but she was mindful to keep a close eye on the police VTOLs following them.
A short time later Lelouch was leaving the building alongside Rivalz who was pleased that Lelouch had won yet again another seemingly possible game of chess despite the odds against him. Lelouch was calm as he walked towards the exit after leaving the elevator while Rivalz was unable to contain his joy.
"I love playing against the nobility! When they lose they always pay out of pride. By the way, eight minutes thirty seconds is a new record!"
"He also didn't have much time to move, either." Lelouch in a moment of reflection on the match as Lelouch began pressuring his foe he became more desperate causing him to make more mistakes in his haste to move. "And as opponents go, the nobles are tepid they're just over privileged parasites that's all.
"Well then, why don't you challenge one of the Elevens? They're nothing like us Britannians."
Lelouch and Rivalz had just stepped outside, but before Lelouch could respond they overheard a group of people talking about a news report being broadcast on a large monitor mounted on the side of a nearby building.
"What are they trying to prove by killing innocent people?" A Britannian civilian said as a woman also commented.
"Those Elevens terrify me!"
"We apologize for the delay." A female announced declared as the flag of the Holy Britannian Empire appeared on the screen. "Now His Royal Highness Prince Clovis, third prince of Britannia, will address the nation."
In a moment a man in his mid-twenties with medium-length blonde hair and blue eyes appeared on the screen with the flag of Britannia displayed behind him. He wore a purple royal suit with gold patterns, a white handkerchief, black pants, and long white gloves. Over his shoulders he wore a white cape with golden naval pardons on it.
"To all my imperial subjects! Including of course the many cooperative Elevens who choose to serve the empire of Britannia!" Clovis announced, but Lelouch easily saw through the overdramatic act the Viceroy of Area 11 was putting on for the public.
I can't even understand how he was chosen to be Viceroy of Japan.
"Do you not see my pain?" Clovis said dramatically before the camera while clutching his chest with one in an equally dramatic action. "My heart was ripped from my chest only to be torn apart! The remnants are filled with rage and sadness! However, as ruler of Area 11, I will not tolerate terrorism of any kind! Because the battle we fight is a righteous one, a virtuous battle to protect the well-being of one and all! Now then, everyone! I would like you to join me in observance of the eight who died for justice, in the line of duty."
"A moment of silence, please." The announcer declared, but as everyone else joined in a moment of silence Lelouch ignored it and paid for his parking pass to unlock Rivalz's bike which had a side-car attached to it.
"Well, aren't you gonna join in?" Rivalz asked.
"Aren't you?"
"Heh...it's sort of embarrassing." The young man replied nervously.
"And I agree with you. Besides, spilling tears over those people won't bring them back to life now, will it."
"Dang! That's dark, buddy."
"It's all about self satisfaction." Lelouch replied pocketing his receipt from the parking meter. "Doesn't matter how hard you try, you can't do it. There's no way you can change the world."
Not without power at least…
In a media studio in another corner of the settlement Clovis had just finished his grand public speech, but as the cameras and sets around him were removed he began walking away to change when a woman dressed in a fancy brown dress with blonde hair complimented him.
"You were magnificent, Your Highness! One would never guess that you were attending a party while doing that!"
"After all, the viceroy is the marquee actor of Area 11. I need to change costumes quickly." Clovis said showing his true colors to those around him in the room as Lelouch realized his performance was just an act.
"My! You're so self-confident!" The same woman replied, but to someone else watching the whole exchange she and the others in the room were just kissing up to the prince.
"It's all in the performance. Since the media want a charismatic prince, I give them one."
"Untrue!" A large man wearing a brown suit with short brown hair said holding a hat over his chest as he was just another kiss up. "Prince Clovis, our key purpose in life is to support and assist your reign in any way we can!"
The blonde haired producer standing off the corner could barely stand the scene.
"His reign is a pathetic sham…" Diethard Reid replied making little effort to hide his contempt for the prince and the act he put on, but even more nauseating was how his own boss and others kept licking his boots in the figurative sense to gain favor.
At that moment another rather obese man wearing a gray military uniform with a white cape upon his shoulders hurried into the room making a beeline for Clovis passing Diethard along the way. He was bald with a darker complexion compared to Clovis and a mustache with a monocle over his blue eyes.
"Y-Your Highness!" Bartley Asprius said before stopping next to Clovis.
"Hmm? A soldier?" Diethard said as he began to observe the scene with mild interest, but it was quickly fading.
"I beg your pardon, Your Highness. My Lord..."
Bartley was whispering to Clovis making it impossible to hear what the conversation was about.
"Not another appearance for him! Hope it's not as dreary…"
Just as Diethard was about to walk away Clovis shouted something that made him stop in his tracks.
"You fool!"
"The police were informed that it's medical equipment, that's all." The older man replied nervously before counting. "If we scramble the army there'll be a record."
"Deploy the Royal Guard!" Clovis ordered without a second thought interrupting Bartley. "The Knightmares as well!"
Diethard was curious what kind of news did Bartley give Clovis to cause his mood to change so drastically, but it seemed whatever it was Clovis was justified in using the Royal Guard and the Knightmare Frame forces they command in dealing with.
This was a possibly interesting development indeed.
On the highway on the way back to Ashford Academy Lelouch was seated in the side car of Rivalz's bike as the two continued down the highway. However with plenty of time for them and the highway clear of vehicles Rivalz had something he wished to ask of Lelouch relating to the chess game, but it was something he had seen almost every time he had witnessed Lelouch play chess.
"That first move you made…" Lelouch turned to Rivalz looking away from the book he had been reading. "Why'd you start with the king?"
"If the king doesn't lead, how can he expect his subordinates to follow?" Lelouch replied.
"What's with that?" A confused Rivalz inquired.
"With what?
"Do you fantasize about running a major corporation?"
"No way. Ambitions like that will ruin your health." The former Britannian prince replied, but Rivalz didn't know that Lelouch had different ambitions and goals in life he could not discuss.
Before their conversation could continue a honking was heard behind them as the truck being tailed by the police VTOLs had suddenly come up from behind. In turn Rivalz began to panic looking for a way to avoid the truck that was following the two trying to get pass them.
"Whoa! We're gonna die!" Rivalz shouted as he tried to get out of the way of the truck, but there was no place for him to turn to.
The driver of the truck attempted to pull off the road, but because of the speed the truck was traveling at the truck made a beeline for a construction site where it didn't have enough time to slow down. As a result it slid across the rock and sand composing the area around the construction site until the truck slammed against the side of the unfinished building.
Rivalz and Lelouch stopped on the highway observing the resulting dust cloud the crash had created.
"Uh…was that our fault?"
Without batting an eyelash or changing his tone Lelouch replied, "I don't think so."
As Rivalz began checking the bike Lelouch claimed out to get a better view of the truck looking for signs if the driver was alright. The truck didn't appear to be damaged, but some metal and steel beams fell onto the front cab of the truck. However a moment later and Lelouch saw a light of some kind shimmer from the back of the truck catching his eye.
"What the…?"
"Oh man, this sucks! Looks like the power line on the bike got cut." Rivalz said knowing that with the line cut the bike wasn't going anywhere.
Lelouch on the other hand had completely ignored what he had said and was more focused on what he had just seen. "Rivalz, come check this out."
Rivalz paid him no mind being more concerned about fixing his bike, but soon Lelouch began noticing a crowd of people were gathering to observe the crash. Instead of going in to help they were more interested in placing the blame and gawking over the incident much to Lelouch's disgust and anger as his hands tightened in anger.
All those idiots!
The former prince deposited his helmet and gloves into the side car before hurrying over to the crashed truck to assess the damage and to determine if the driver was alright. Rivalz tried to stop him, but Lelouch ignored him and continued to the crash. He even ignored the comments made by the observing crowd, but Lelouch focused his attention on the truck.
"Hey! Are you alright?" The young man shouted looking for a way to reach the driver's cab. Upon receiving no response Lelouch tried again while looking for another way. "Can you hear me? Are you okay?!"
Suddenly Lelouch felt something, he couldn't describe it, but the sensation caused him to pause as he heard a woman's voice in his mind.
It's you... Finally I have found my...
Lelouch was confused for a moment, but he climbed up a later and found an open hatch in the ceiling of the cargo container it was pulling.
"Are you in there?"
At that moment as Lelouch was looking inside of the truck through the opening in the ceiling of the container the truck suddenly reserved before going forward using an alternate entrance into the construction site to get back on the highway. However in the process Lelouch lost his balance and fell inside of the truck with the hatch in the roof closing above him.
"Stop! I'm in here!" Lelouch cried out, but it was no use. Not even Rivalz was aware of what had happened to Lelouch. Unfortunately his problems were going beginning as he began looking for a ladder to climb out.
The sound of approaching VTOLs and a man's voice from a built in loud speaker led to Lelouch to realize of all of the trucks he could have helped he had picked the wrong one.
"Stop the vehicle!" A Britannian pilot on a military VTOL gunship demanded. "Surrender now and you'll get the chance to defend yourself in court!"
When the truck kept going another warning came out. "Stop and surrender at once! Give up now or we'll shoot to kill!"
A second later the VTOL gunships opened fire trying to hit the tires of the truck to stop it.
Damn so this truck was stolen from the military by some terrorist group. Lelouch thought realizing the dangers of his situation and he began weighing his options as he took cover behind a large device the truck was transporting. If I jump out, I have the choice of breaking my neck or getting shot. I can try to call-
Lelouch paused as he heard the door to the driver's cab open and a young woman about his age with red spiky hair and blue eyes stepped into the container completely unaware of his presence. She was in the middle of removing a blue coat revealing more revealing attire underneath consisting of a red turtle neck shirt with brown shorts and what appeared to be long brown boots.
The former prince couldn't help but feel he had seen her somewhere before, but he remained quiet as she talked to the driver of the truck as she approached another machine kept in the very back of the truck.
"Can you enter the subway via the Azabu route?
"Kallen! Let's use it here! Why not?" Nagata, the driver of the truck suggested.
"Because that would mean a blood bath!"
Nagata seemed less than pleased, but ultimately he agreed with her. "You're right."
I get it now they must have stolen some kind of bomb from the military…likely chemical weapons if my assumption is right based on their conversation.
The young man began to feel a little wary of the device he was hiding behind assuming it was likely what they stole from the military.
Kallen climbed into what was revealed to be an old Glasgow painted red as the back of the truck opened and Kallen fired one of its slash-harkens to down a attacking VTOL before launching from the truck to engage the rest of them.
After the doors to the rear of the truck closed Lelouch brought out his cell phone to switch it over to vibrate before pulling out another device, but as he did Lelouch noticed a communicator inside the coat Kallen had dropped.
Upon pocketing his cell phone Lelouch went over to grab it deciding that it might prove useful later on.
Returning to the device Lelouch brought out, he pulled the two small black and silver trimmed electronic hand-held devices apart to activate its holographic screen revealing it to be a Scroll. It was far more versatile than a cell-phone, but it expanded to the size of a smart phone.
"Lidenbrock Town come in this is Black Alpha." Lelouch said while being mindful not to be too loud to avoid alerting the driver to his presence in the back.
Lidenbrock was the code name for the underground base they had established where the pathway leading to the world of Remnant resided with Lelouch drawing inspirations for the suggestion of the name from the story Journey to the Center of the Earth finding it a fitting choice.
"We have your signal Black Alpha what is your situation?" A male voice on the other end inquired.
"I have ended up on a hostile transport commanded by members of terrorists. They are unaware of my presence, but I believe they are heading to the ghetto possibly Shinjuku considering the nearest subway tunnels lead to it." Lelouch explained as he had taken further clues from the conversation between Kallen and Nagata and logically reasoned if they wanted to escape the military their best chance would be to flee into the nearest subway tunnels.
Lelouch's suspicions were confirmed when the truck made the sharp turn likely entering a tunnel as the inside of the container got dark and the road they were traveling on became more bumpy. He had used various means to sneak into Shinjuku Ghetto to meet with Leodore and his followers, so he was quite familiar with the various short cuts and means of getting into said ghetto.
"I may need assistance in getting away. I am acting my homing signal." Lelouch said activating a signal the men posted at Lidenbrock Town could follow. "Where is White Alpha?"
"White Alpha is away on Remnant overseeing a shipment and purchase of supplies."
So Leodore isn't around…
Lelouch began contemplating different possibilities, but regardless it was better to be on the safe side.
"Also be advised we might have a situation at Shinjuku Ghetto I recommend going to yellow alert status."
"Related to the hostile transport Black Alpha?"
"Yes and they stole a chemical weapon that has the military in hot pursuit."
"Understood we'll signal a yellow alert and make preparations." The operator on the other side reported before adding, "Red Bravo will lead a team to recover you do you have your weapon?"
"Very well…" Lelouch replied before ending communicators as he knew Red Bravo would be more than enough, but he had hoped this wouldn't become an unneeded complication.
After putting away his scroll Lelouch checked the holster that held his weapon as its ability to transform into a compact size made it easy for him to hide it under his school uniform using a holster that allowed him to keep it on him at all times in the event of emergencies.
I hadn't planned on actually using it. Clarent was given to me to have a means to defend myself if the situation demanded it.
Nevertheless Lelouch was confident his ability to use Aura and the Semblance he unlocked during his training with Leodore would be more than enough to help against a rag-tag group of amateurs at least. Thanks to the transmitters Leodore and his followers set up around Shinjuku Ghetto and the Toyko Settlement the Scroll Lelouch had was capable of operating within range of those transmitters while ensuring Britannia and anyone else couldn't intercept those signals.
If they attempted to travel to another ghetto I doubt they would have made it with the military cutting them off and not all of the subway tunnels are clear.
Even through the old subway tunnels remained mostly untouched they were in a state of disrepair which led to some tunnels collapsing or having debris which making using said tunnel unusable just the same. It was thanks to this knowledge that helped Lelouch narrow down the likely ghetto the resistance group was making a run for.
As Lelouch waited for recovery the truck crashed hitting a hole in the road judging from how the truck began dipping forward while the cargo container remained balanced for the most part. The young man waited behind the chemical bomb expecting the driver to emerge, although the door on the side of the container opened Lelouch saw no one approach.
Was the driver injured in the getaway?
He recalled that sudden sharp turn they made earlier, which seemed a little rough but Lelouch had no way of knowing for sure unless he asked the driver. As a precaution Lelouch waited for a few moments until he was certain no one was coming.
Believing it was safe Lelouch emerged from his hiding place and decided to put some distance between him and the bomb.
If the military is looking for this I better get somewhere else before they find it.
Unfortunately for Lelouch just as he figured Shinjuku Ghetto was the place they were fleeing to the military had deduced the same thing, but Lelouch didn't know the military had allowed it so they could trace the terrorists to their hideout to wipe them all out in one swift stroke. As a result Lelouch was attacked by a Britannian Solider, one of many sent into the old subway tunnels to search for the truck carrying the stolen chemical weapon.
At the moment he reached the exit Lelouch was kicked in the face, although he used his aura to block the worse of it allowing him to stand, but another kick forced Lelouch back. The lack of lighting and the electronic visor of the soldier's helmet kept him from seeing a black and blue aura of energy appear to absorb the damage. Even through Lelouch had a frail and weak body that made it very difficult for him to fight on the level of a Huntsman Lelouch did possess not only a strong aura but a considerable one at that.
Lelouch considered it as some kind of trade off for possessing such a lack of stamina and physical strength.
"Are you Britannian?" Lelouch demanded assuming a defensive posture; although he could get his weapon his attacker would stop him before he could…unless he used his semblance, the power he unlocked following gaining the ability to manifest and harness his aura.
"That's enough mindless murder!" His attacker snapped back as his gas mask fell from his face allowing him to speak more clearly.
"Wait!" Lelouch said hoping to buy time, which he wanted to use as a way of gauging if anyone else was with him before using his Semblance, "I'm not one of them."
"Don't play dumb with me! I know you people are planning on using the poison gas."
"I'm not here by choice." Lelouch snapped as he cautiously approached his attacker before risking a glance outside to see if anyone else was there. "And if that's poison gas, it was made in Britannia, wasn't it?!"
Realization dawned on his attacker which gave Lelouch the chance to check for anyone else who could be a witness to his use of semblance.
"My god!"
"Mindless murder?! Then why don't you just obliterate Britannia!" Lelouch declared just as he was about to use his semblance, but his attacker instead reached for his helmet to remove it.
"Lelouch?" His attacker said removing his helmet to reveal a seventeen year old Japanese teenager with brown hair and green eyes. "It's me, Suzaku."
Lelouch was stunned as his first friend he made in Japan, despite some difficulties surrounding their first meeting, who he had not seen for seven years since the war ended was standing before him. Even though he was older his hair and face barely changed much with age as he was easily recognizable as that of Suzaku Kururugi.
"You…you became a Britannian soldier?"
"Yeah, and what about you? You're a…"
The former prince cut him off angrily before asking, "What are you saying?!"
At that moment either by accident or design the capsule-like device began to open as various locks became undone prompting Suzaku to tackle Lelouch to the ground where he placed his gas mask over him expecting poison gas to envelope them both.
However such an event never happened as the poison gas bomb was really a containment unit of an odd design that held a young woman within. She was dressed in the traditional garb of a Britannian Prisoner wearing a white prison jumpsuit with various belts and buckles to restrain her. She appeared to be the same age as Suzaku and Lelouch with long green hair, yellow eyes and a doll-like complexion. His mouth was gagged and her limbs were restrained.
"That's not poison gas?" Suzaku said having expected the worse, but he was just as surprised that it not only happened but by what was really inside the capsule. "What is it?!"
As Lelouch got up Suzaku was already on his feet as he carried the girl out of the capsule before laying her on the ground outside the truck to undo her restraints. Lelouch joined him in helping her as he was curious to find out about the girl, but it didn't take long for his mind to make a worrying realization. Yet he decided to prod Suzaku for information even though he suspected his superiors likely didn't tell him much.
"Tell me the truth, Suzaku." Lelouch demanded as he undid the gag around her mouth. "Poison gas? This girl?"
"Hey, it's what they told us in the briefing. I swear!" Suzaku replied as he undid the restraints binding the girl's legs.
Lelouch wasn't surprised that Suzaku knew nothing, but this only heightened his alarm as he knew more than ever he had to get away from here.
"In that case this girl is someone no one wants anyone outside your superiors to know about." Lelouch began before saying with a grim face. "If I am seen here they'll have me killed to cover it up."
"What, but that…"
"Think about it Suzaku they told you poison gas instead of the truth there is something about this girl your superiors doesn't want anyone to know about. I need to get out of here before I am seen."
As much as Suzaku wanted to disagree deep down he knew Lelouch was right. The fact that his superiors were clearly hiding something about this, but his decision was ultimately swayed by the reminder that Lelouch was a member of royalty who had been declared dead seven years ago. If on the off chance Lelouch was right and he had to be killed revealing his former royal status could just ensure his demise just the same.
Suzaku knew from what he had heard about the royal family and what Lelouch told him that some would sooner kill Lelouch to easily remove a potential contender for the throne.
The risk of Lelouch being killed was too great.
"Then you need to get out of here." Suzaku said before looking at the girl. "But I think you should take her too."
"What happens if your superiors realize the girl is missing?"
"It's like you said we were ordered to find a device filled with poison gas." Suzaku suggested as he further explained. "If I can close that thing they'll likely not attempt to inspect it until later. They'll just assume the terrorists had probably attempted to use it and realized its true contents."
"You know that plan while it could work is dangerously risky."
"I owe you from seven years ago Lelouch and I know the risks you would face if you stay here and," Suzaku said as he cast one glance at the girl who began waking up, "I don't know what they were doing but…"
"You feel the girl should go free?"
"Yeah I suppose so since my mission was to find and secure the poison gas."
"Alright, but I hope we can both meet up again after this." Lelouch said as he helped the green haired girl to her feet as she finished coming too. Oddly she didn't seem the slightly bit bothered by where she was and the two teenage boys around her.
"So do I….now hurry."
"Right…thanks Suzaku and be careful." Lelouch said before taking the girl by the hand and began running down the tunnel from where the truck had come from hoping he can avoid the recovery team likely on its way to the truck.
Once they were gone Suzaku quickly examined the device and much to his own relief had figured out how to close the capsule making it appear it remained untouched. In order to create a more convincing cover story Suzaku began examining the door leading to the driver cab after he put back on his helmet and mask. The door was jammed so he couldn't get inside, but he didn't know if the driver had done it or it was a result of the accident.
He attempted to get into the cab more directly but the ground where the cab sat began to slow signs of crumbling forcing Suzaku to abandon further attempts. He did however see the windows shot out and some blood on the walls causing him to suspect the driver was likely dead or dying by this point. Still he would need to be cautious on the off chance the driver was still alive.
Just as he finished his latest attempt and decided to give up on it spotlights suddenly shinned on him.
"Well done Private Kururugi." The leader of the Royal Guard announced as he and his men arrived to handle recovery of the so-called poison gas.
"Sir…I believe the driver of the truck is still inside, but the doors are jammed from the inside. However I can't be certain if he is still alive or not...he was likely wounded during the pursuit." Suzaku said making a crisp salute as he gave his report.
"I see and any other signs of other terrorist?"
"None sir," Suzaku replied, "I was attempting to access the driver's cab when you arrived, but the ground around it is slightly unstable."
"Excellent work you might make an exceptional monkey yet, but you have always delivered results." The leader of the royal guard seemed pleased much to Suzaku's relief, but he was technically being truthful as his orders never stated he had to capture a green haired woman. "You are dismissed Private Kururugi we'll handle the clean up from here and deal with the driver if he is still alive."
"Thank you sir." Suzaku said giving a salute.
One of the royal guardsmen began examining the device, but after attaching a device to a port located at the base he ran a quick inspection of the device.
"Sir the contents of the capsule are empty."
"WHAT!?" The superior roared in anger causing Suzaku to begin sweating. "Private Kururugi you found this truck as is correct?"
"Yes sir I saw no one else around."
The leader of the royal guards took a moment to consider this before concluding, "Prince Clovis must be informed the terrorists must have…offloaded the gas itself and had the truck dumped here to throw us off."
Suzaku breathed a sigh of relief as everything went as he had hoped other than them checking the capsule on the spot.
Yet as everything was going smoothly while Suzaku stood near the truck as members of the Royal Guard began to board it in preparation of recovery operations the driver, Nagata began to stir, using the last of his strength to work a small switch near the steering wheel by a photo of his family he had lost.
"Long…live…Japan." Nagata said uttering his last words as he flipped a switch causing the truck and the cargo trailer carrying the capsule to explode and be engulfed in a fireball.
Suzaku was knocked off his feet and sent flying before slamming into a pile of rocks near the entrance the royal guard had used knocking him out. The members of the Royal Guard that had boarded the truck were killed, but their superior and other members of the Royal Guard were unharmed thanks to the explosion being focused upward. They were angry, but they knew the girl they sought wasn't in the capsule let alone the flaming wreckage that was the truck.
Further down the tunnel Lelouch came to a halt as he could feel the shockwave of the explosion from here.
Suzaku…
"Well this is a pickle you have found yourself in."
"You took your sweet time didn't you?" Lelouch said before turning around to see Red Bravo who was a Faunus like Leodore, but also she was his lieutenant.
She was a yak Faunus with long pointed horns befitting a yak, but she had a slim and athletic figure. The scar along the underside of her neck and sign as her figure were the signs of having seen her fair share of battles making her a hardened warrior much like Leodore. She had a light brown complexion with red messy medium length hair and green eyes wearing black padded leather armor around her torso while her shoulders and upper arms were exposed to allow better movement. She wore matching pants designed to allow efficient movement and flexibility while she carried a matching supply belt and holster for her weapons.
Her weapons were a pair polished short swords connected to one another by a long chain while the swords themselves were a hybrid of a short sword with blade built along the bottom of the barrel and a thinner blade along the top that could be used to assist in aiming.
Her weapons were called Tian Sha, Shotgun Chain Whips.
"Who is the girl?" Rosso inquired.
"The so-called poison gas the Britannian Army was looking for, but I think I might have stumbled into something more problematic." Lelouch explained as he saw four other members of Leodore's Faunus followers arrive on the scene armed with weapons.
"Then we should withdraw for now to Lidenbrock Town." Rosso suggested.
"I agree and maybe we can find out what was her captives doing with her."
Unknown to Lelouch a large military force was slowly surrounding the Shinjuku Ghetto while the G-1 mobile command base had situated itself along the edge of the ghetto itself surrounded by a number of Knightmare Frames and military vehicles surrounding it. Within the G-1's command center was Clovis seated upon a throne overlooking Bartley and three other staff offices. The three staff officers were looking over an area map of the ghetto while Bartley was having a word with the leader of the Royal Guardsmen sent to retrieve the girl.
"WHAT!" General Bartley roared into the intercom built into the tactical map. "It was empty and you call yourselves the Royal Guard?!"
"Forgive me, my lord!" The leader said trying to apologize. "The blast was mainly directed upwards, but there was no sign of the girl."
"Why the hell do you think I only told you people about this?!"
"W-We'll continue the investigation!" The leader of the royal guard replied fearing what might happen if he failed again.
Clovis who had been quietly listening spoke deciding on the next course of action, "The plan has moved forward to the next phase."
"But, but Your Highness!" Bartley began uncertain if this was the best choice open to them without drawing too much attention.
"If knowledge of her gets out, I'll be disinherited. Tell them back home we're carrying out a planned urban renewal here." Clovis said half-heartedly before rising from his throne and making a gesture as he commanded. "As Clovis, third prince of the empire, I command you! Destroy Shinjuku Ghetto! LEAVE NO ONE ALIVE!"
In that moment the Britannian Military forces under Clovis's command that had surrounded Shinjuku Ghetto began an attack on the entire ghetto indiscriminately slaughtering anyone unfortunate enough to be in their way.
Unaware of what had was going on above ground Lelouch and Rosso had met with other former members of the White Fang at the underground base they had established by one of the pathways leading to the world of Remnant. You couldn't really call it a town, but it was part of their established base with the rest of it including the settlements for various members of their organization and their families kept on the Remnant side.
That was not saying the passageway leading to Remnant was not a fortified base in its own right meant to keep out not only anything hostile from Remnant coming it, but also to keep anyone else from discovering the passageway and using it. They had converted much of the old tunnels they found which they assumed must have been dug by the original archeological team studying the ruins. Some of which they converted into command and communication centers and hangers for Knightmare Frames they kept stored. It helped that the tunnels connected to an old underground train tunnel that was originally used to move construction and equipment during the original construction of the subway.
Their assumption that no one had survived to share their discovery with the world was due to finding human remains as they cleared out some of the tunnels and began the conversation into an underground base. Given the damage Shinjuku Ghetto had suffered in the war it was assumed some of the tunnels had collapsed killing all of those who had been working on studying and uncovering more of the ruins.
As for anyone else either those who knew about it had died or simply chose to forget about it having not learned about what was actually discovered.
Compared to seven years ago the tunnels had been heavily reinforced with concrete and steel and it had become a base equipped with everything needed to begin a rebellion and to defend the gateway leading into Remnant, but as a final failsafe the base was rigged with explosives meant to bury the gate and the tunnels connecting to it to prevent it from falling into enemy hands.
"So who is the girl?" Rosso insisted.
"I am C.C." The green haired girl replied stoically.
"I doubt that is your real name." Lelouch commented.
"It is nevertheless the one I wished to be called by."
"Fine, but tell me who held you captive and why?" Rosso demanded seeing this conversation would only keep going back and forth.
C.C. seemed reluctant at first, but decided it was best to tell them. "I was held captive as part of a private research project conducted by Prince Clovis. He was researching into my immortality and special power I have."
Lelouch was surprised by this info hearing that Clovis was involved in such a project as that seemed very unusual for him, but if Clovis was involved and if he went as far to claim it was a poison gas capsule that was stolen then this led Lelouch to a troubling realization.
"Put this base on red alert status." Lelouch suggested to the surprise of Rosso and the others, but unlike the others Rosso quickly realized Lelouch's reasoning.
"Do as he says!" Rosso snapped to the nearest soldier, but a second later a shockwave from the surface was felt soon followed by another.
There was no chance of these tunnels and the base caving in since the former White Fang members were careful and took steps to ensure the tunnels would be capable of withstanding whatever punishment the surface above endured to avoid meeting the same fate as the men who had discovered the gateway years ago.
Even so the fact that the Britannian Army was commencing a slaughter of the entire population of Shinjuku Ghetto was more troubling for them in more ways than one.
"They realized you are no longer in your collapse so they are going to demolish the ghetto and kill everyone living within to ensure they'll find you and eliminate all possible witnesses all at once." Lelouch said darkly as this seemed typical of Clovis as a corrupt and foolish viceroy he was known to use more direct and blunt tactics like wiping out a whole ghetto.
It was not the first time he had done such a thing.
"After they'll likely tear down all of the buildings and redevelop this area which could put the base at being discovered or collapsed during their reconstruction of the area." Rosso added as she knew the problems they would face if the Britannians were successful.
"Then we must stop the Britannian Army." Lelouch said as he began looking to the White Fang members. "We all knew this day was coming, but this is a matter of inconvenient timing."
Lelouch walked forward through the well lit command center coming up to a table where maps of the subway and Shinjuku Ghetto laid.
"For about a year we have amassed weapons and supplies from both Earth and Remnant," Lelouch said as he looked away to ensure he had their attention. "You came to Earth seeking a refuge to escape the monsters that plagued it and a chance for a fresh start away from the indiscrimination and hatred you unjustly suffered under most of humanity. Sadly none of you found what you are expecting and this world is infested by another kind of monster more insidious than the Grimm. Humans consumed by arrogance, greed, hate and racism, which more apparent with those who rule the Holy Britannian Empire. They believe anything weaker than them and not Britannian by blood is lesser than the dirt they walk on and now they slaughter the Japanese above us simply because they believe they can and their lives are worthless."
The former members of the White Fang exchanged glances, because they simply shuddered at the thought how their kind would be treated if Britannia learned of their existence and seeing how humans who were non-Britannian being treated was a worrying thought.
"Nothing in this world is ever given and it must be earned. Unlike in Remnant we are facing the Holy Britannian Empire which consists of humans who are the very embodiment of those who have discriminated and mistreated you. Will there be bloodshed in this war…yes and will there be sacrifice yes there shall be including regrettably the innocent will be caught in the crossfire. However it is for that reason and more we must prevail." Lelouch said working to inspire the White Fang members in the room. "We know other passageways leading to Remnant exist on this planet and if Britannia or some other country were to find them then Remnant could face an invasion. But on Earth you have a chance for a new start as humanity does not know of the Faunus and while I doubt it will mean none of you will face discrimination you can become heroes to a people who have discriminated against and treated lower than trash by a tyrannical empire. But most of all I see in your eyes that like me you are sick of a world that can't be changed…I say upon winning this battle…LET'S SHOW THEM A WORLD THAT CAN BE CHANGED FOR THE BETTER!"
Lelouch opened his school coat and pulled out his weapon before switching it over from its compact mode into its sword mode as the weapon unfolded and reshaped itself into a rapier.
"We're with you Lelouch and you are proving to be a born public speaker like Leodore believed and a leader." Rosso said as she could feel the determination Lelouch's words had inspired within them.
"I'll lead you into battle personally."
"No need to go overboard. Your aid and work alongside Leodore has greatly helped us." Rosso began before adding. "I'll command our troops from the front lines since I am more capable of that than you are while you'll command them from the rear to give us more tactical flexibility."
"Very well, but the Glasgows we have aren't going to make much of a case against their Sutherlands." Lelouch admitted seeing as the only flaw in their plans to win the battle, which could be a major problem if they didn't have a way to deal with it.
"I could help you with that." C.C. offered as she extended her hand to Lelouch. "If you desire power to change the world then I can offer it to you."
"In return for what?" The former prince demanded.
"Grant me my one wish and in exchange you'll have a power to change conditions in your favor." C.C. answered waiting for Lelouch to accept, although hesitant the young man considered his options and if sought to win this battle and others then he would need an edge.
Upon taking her hand Lelouch was transported into a white space that began changing, confusing him as he saw various images of worlds, people and places he did not recognize.
"Very well Lelouch, but always remember that in exchange for this power you must agree to make my one wish come true. Accept this contract and you accept its conditions, while living in the world of humans; you will live unlike any other. A different providence, a different time, a different life. The power of the king will condemn you to a life of solitude. Are you prepared for this?"
Lelouch was at a loss and awed at the phenomenon he was caught in before an image of a familiar man he knew standing with a group of men in black robes at some kind of temple hardened his resolve. The man had white hair styled in Renaissance-style curls wearing purple royal robes and a black cape.
"A convergence with the Ragnarök connection? So the myth is beginning once again?" Lelouch's father, Charles zi Britannia, spoke
Upon seeing his father Lelouch's decision was cemented to accept.
"Yes! I hereby accept the terms of your contract!"
Once it was done Lelouch's world returned to normal, but he already could feel the new power awakening in his left eye. A dark smile appeared on his face as he quickly realized what it was capable of, although it annoyed him he couldn't earn the power on his own due to matter of pride and wishing to be more self-sufficient, but he intended to make very good use of it just the same.
Lelouch removed his hand from over his left eye revealing a glowing red bird-shaped symbol.
"I know what we must do and I need some of you to help me with a little shopping." Lelouch replied as a plan to even the odds formed in his mind before pulling out the terrorist communicator he still had on hand. "And I know a few people who owe us for causing this mess."
A/N: next chapter the battle of Shinjuku Ghetto begins as Lelouch is now armed with his Geass, but his Semblance should give him another edge as well. If Lelouch possessed a more physically capable body on part with the huntsmen of RWBY then he would be a much more capable fighter and could use his semblance at full effectiveness. A reason I kept his weak and frail body is to prevent/not accidently make Lelouch OP, but he still has room to improve overtime.
Rosso I based off of Rosso the Crimson from Final Fantasy 7 Dirge of Cerberus and used elements of Kai the villain from Kung fu Panda 3, namely the weapons he used. However her personality is much less bloodthirsty compared to her name sake.
Lelouch's weapon was designed to assume a more compact form when not in use to make it easier for him to carry it on his person similar to Ruby's weapon but only capable of storing itself in a much smaller shape.
I admit I had some trouble writing that speech near the end, so I hope it turned out well.
Suzaku's argument and suggestion was based off of his own internal argument he had in one of the light novels which was one of my best moments for him, other than the scene where a young Suzaku and Nunnally managed to catch more fish working together than Lelouch who ended up tangled up in fishing line offering one of my favorite foreshadowing lines.
"You better not end up stranded on a deserted island Lelouch. I don't think you would survive on your own."
Not exactly word to word, but the meaning is clear lol.
Next chapter the battle of Shinjuku Ghetto truly begins as this time Lelouch has more reasoned fighters on his side and more men to work with, but how will he deal with the Lancelot?
RWBY and co will be appearing in the coming chapters as a complication on Remnant's end arises forcing Lelouch to deal with it.