"Oh, come on. I just have a hard time listening to you babble." Zero
Lelouch and C.C. were back up in their room. She had taken her clothing that she worn earlier and was now putting on her original outfit. Lelouch avoided turning around, but he did a couple times. While C.C. changed, Lelouch told her what he learned about his Geass.
"To use this Geass, one must look directly into the subject's eyes." Lelouch said. "The refraction resulting from glasses lens is no problem. Effective range is 270 meters. And the victim has a noticeable gap in memory at the time of the order and when the order is carried out; possibly caused by brain damage when the Geass penetrates the cerebrum. If the property is of light, reflection is also possible."
"You seemed to learn a lot of about the Geass within a short amount of time." C.C. said. "What did you manage to learn about Zero?"
"He is unique." Lelouch said. "His skin is made from reinforced Titanium-X alloy, and the internal components are made with something called "Bio metal". The bio metal is unlike anything I've ever seen before; composing of biological matter, but dense enough to resist bullets and ammo. In addition, the metal is extremely light…which is why Zero is not weighed down from it."
"And of Zero himself?" C.C. asked.
"It's…almost unfathomable." Lelouch said. "Zero at full speed is capable of moving two thousand miles per hour; and the thrusters built into his legs essentially can double the speed. His max jumping height is about five hundred feet. The max weight he can life is one thousand kilo tons. From the data shown, Zero is adept at all forms of physical combat, including Judo, Tijustsu, boxing, and other fist-to-fist combat types. The beam saber is his signature weapon, and the hardest to analyze. It is not possible for a laser to stop at a given point, yet the saber can produce a sword like length to it. I believe it is because of the refraction lens, and higher technology from what Britannia has keeps the laser from going on everywhere…or something more that is simply unexplainable at this current technology tier. Combat wise with it, Zero can fight with all forms and styles of combat, allowing him to counter any sword based attack. The Beam Saber can also cut through 300mm per second of metal instantly, making almost any target vulnerable to attack. There are certain metals that slow down the slicing rate, but the ratio is so small, it almost makes no difference. The Z-Buster, although far more destructive than the Z-Saber, is considered Zero's secondary weapon. The buster can fire up to twenty shots per minute, due to heavy cool down time required. The Z-Buster compresses plasma into a concentrated energy sphere, and arcs large amounts of electricity to keep it together. The energy remains compressed until a target is hit, of which breaks the top layer that keeps it together, creating a massive explosion with enough force of a small cruise missile. The targeting system built into Zero's eyes is extremely accurate, capable of analyzing a targets patterns in under a second, and even can predict where a target will move with a 78% accuracy rate on Knightmares, 98% on tanks, and 99.9% on human based targets. Other Reploids is only a 32% rate due to lesser targeting systems built into their eyes."
"You seemed to have learned much." C.C. said.
"Oh but there's more…" Lelouch said. "Several fluids have been detected within the armor. Some are used as a coolant to cool down overheated systems. There is also a adrenaline like chemical in the body of Zero, that actual produces a similar like effect to human reflexes, allowing Zero to effectively slow down time to his perception, making his abilities exceed expectations. Artificial blood is within the system and regenerates within the system as well, which is primarily used to pump oxygen into Zero's body to cool down and keep all systems running perfectly. The disguise mode is a program that influences the entire body of Zero. Zero is capable of using this to alter the bio metal in him to create a system of organs. The disguise mode is a recent addition to his control panel so I'm guessing Zero programmed it himself. The alternation of his body makes him feel human and be able to perfectly simulate a human 100% of the time; of course, he can cancel certain needs out. The outer armor is transformed into data and stored into his brain, while the bio metal below creates a layer of human flesh, allowing a perfect disguise. A teleport system built into Zero influences the molecules of Zero and turns them into pure electricity. After Zero pinpoints on the map built into his head, the molecules are transferred there and will make it on target before the electrification ends, regenerating Zero back into him. As I saw personally, he can also grab another individual and objects within a certain range and teleport them with him. The range of the teleport as far as I can tell is unlimited, as long as the map of the area is accurate. The final thing about him is the Learning system. Zero can grab any object he touches than is some form or weapon and essentially download the schematics. Then using his buster or saber, create a copied version of the weapon with a far more destructive effect. He can also use the system with combat armor like tanks and use it to learn how to pilot by touching them or through simple observation. The learning system grabs the combat data also when the target is terminated to formulate new tactics on how to eliminate variant targets quicker and more precise. The amazing thing about this is that the weapon or target does not need a hard drive or motherboard to be downloaded. The science of the system is technically not possible. Most of Zero's weaponry and functions are not possible to explain through modern science. There's still plenty more about Zero that remains a mystery…like how any of this pseudo-science actually works."
"You seemed to have learned a lot more about Zero than the Geass." She said.
"Zero is a physical embodiment." Lelouch said. "The Geass is a spiritual embodiment. The capsule he was sealed in gracefully provided me with a hard drive containing all the information about him, but carelessly never gave me any pass codes to it. There is no hard drive to this power. I have to find out about it on my own. But I digress: Zero is as much as a mystery to me as with my new found power. But whatever the case is, my enemy is a country that controls a third of the population of the whole world. There is no such thing as too much discretion."
"Maybe for Elevens, but you're a Britannian." C.C. said. "Britannia is a country that may too far massive to be conquered by a single Geass and one soldier."
"So are you saying that it would be better if I was strong?" Lelouch asked. "Is it so bad to be weak and innocent? When I was ten years old, the world seemed like such a bad place. Hunger, disease, corruption, depravity, discrimination, war and terrorism. The hateful cycle that repeats over and over. Someone has to stop it!"
"What a nice thought." C.C. said.
"Of course, the one who does should not have anything." Lelouch continued. "I am not so arrogant. So…I want to keep those who I hold dear. To give them a world without war."
"How would you create such a perfect world?" C.C. asked.
"That's easy." Lelouch said. He moved over to the chessboard and grabbed the Knight piece. He knocked over the White King piece and placed the Knight on it instead.
"When someone wins, the war ends." Lelouch said.
"And who would that be?" C.C. asked again.
Lelouch just smiled.
Suzaku and Yuffie continued to walk around the destroyed ruins of the ghetto. They heard a massive explosion on the arena. Suzaku looked to see a pillar of smoke around the top of the arena. Suzaku managed to hear the people in their Knightmares because they were so loud in their judgments.
Jeremiah was outnumbered against four Knightmares. None of them we're using swords, but lances. Large lances. Jeremiah's gun had already been disarmed and the Knightmares completely surrounded Jeremiah's.
"Jeremiah!" Sir Ghuel called out on his radio. "You are charged with the crime of letting Prince Clovis' murderer escape.
"Ghuel you coward!" Jeremiah called out. "You never knew where Zero was to begin with."
"We must purge the cancer within our ranks before Cornelia arrives." Ghuel yelled. "Jeremiah! We must purge you!"
The R&D truck drove up right in front Suzaku and Yuffie and skidded right next to them.
"Suzaku!" Cecile said.
"Miss Cecile." Suzaku said.
"It's dangerous out here!" Cecile said.
"The purists are fighting amongst themselves." X said. "Their attempting to kill Orange!"
"Let's get out of here!" Lloyd began. Oh and my condolences on your release. You'll have to hang around us a bit longer…"
"Wait!" Suzaku said.
Lloyd turned around to see Suzaku's determined face.
"Wouldn't this be a good time to get battle data for the Lancelot?" Suzaku asked.
Lloyd almost jumped for joy when he heard that. He was merely shaking with joy.
"This is why I think Lloyd might be a little too in love with his creation." X said.
"Suzaku." Yuffie said.
"I'm sorry Yuffie." He began. "This is where we must part ways now. The Lancelot should be able to stop them. So…"
"Dammit!" A Britannian guard yelled. "These guys don't quit. Huh…AAARRRGGGHHH!"
The battle between Leviathan, Zero, and the Britannian army was now taken above the cliffs and to a nearby field and road. The Mountainside batteries were all but destroyed thanks to Zero's guard shell.
The unfortunate soldier was consumed by Zero's buster; the massive outburst of plasma consumed him. Several other soldiers tried charging at the two. Leviathan used a Blizzard attack and froze the soldiers solid. Zero ran towards them and roundhouse kicked the soldiers, breaking them apart. One tried swinging a sword at Zero. Zero however grabbed the young man and broke his arm, by using his elbow on his elbow. He took the sword and cut the young man down. Several others tried to shoot at Zero from behind, but Leviathan landed in front of them and swung her lance, wiping out the whole squad.
Several other soldiers tried firing at Zero. Zero simply used Guard Shell and began to absorb the velocity of the bullets as energy. When he had enough, Zero threw the Guard shell at them, creating a massive blast of energy, killing all of them.
"Yammar Option!" Zero shouted. Several winged orange insect like creatures materialized in front of Zero. Zero stretched out his arm and pointed at some Britannian soldiers. The insects flew straight towards the Britannian soldiers and began firing several plasma bursts at them. Most of them were easily caught off guard and were killed. Several of them fired at the Yammar bugs, destroying some of them.
Leviathan drew her lance and pointed it at an approaching squad. Several others grunt rushed her and tried shooting her. She got hit a couple times, but shook it off and sweep kicked them. When they tried to get back up, she froze them and then killed them. She then used her ice powers to freeze more soldiers as they came near her. Zero cut them down as they got close. Zero then used his Z-Buster at three jeeps. The busters smashed straight into it all three destroying them. Zero disposed of another group of soldiers with his Beam Saber.
A loud noise was heard behind Zero and Leviathan. Zero turned around to see several tanks approaching them. Zero grabbed Leviathan and they ducked behind a large rock formation. The shots flew straight towards them, close by them, but they didn't have enough range to actually hit the boulder. Zero leaped up in the air and charged his Z-buster.
"Tanks won't work on me!" He shouted. "Y-Laser, FIRE!"
Zero pointed his buster and fired a straight beam of light at the tanks. He then moved the laser sharply to the right, then moved it back to the left, before deactivating the laser. When he landed behind the rock formation, almost all of the tanks in the line of attack, exploded. The general area around them also erupted in flames. Several tanks survived and fired at them, but Zero stayed put as he watched the tanks approach their position.
"Why are we hiding from a bunch of tanks?" Leviathan asked. "We can easily kill them."
"We're not hiding!" Zero said. He pulled out his pistol and shot a soldier who got close by. "We're luring them into a false sense of security. Once they get closer, we're going to swarm them."
"Damn those two!" The soldier said. "They're too powerful!"
"Hey didn't you recognize one of them?" Another soldier said as they surveyed the damage caused by Zero.
"Why should I?" The commander shouted.
"You idiot!" Another commanding officer said. "That one in the cloak! He was with Zero!"
"What!" He shouted. "Hey…hey your right! He was!"
"Is that so?" A Knightmare pilot said over intercom as he rolled up right next to the two soldiers. "All right then! This cloaked warrior is good, but I doubt he's a match for my Sutherland. All right Knights! Let's skewer these knaves!"
"Yes my lord!" They all shouted as they charged towards their cover.
Zero and Leviathan saw the approaching Knightmares behind their rock.
"Well that's a stupider move than I expected..." Zero said.
"Think you can beat these hunks of steel?" Leviathan asked.
"Yeah!" Zero grunted. "They made a mistake in bringing out these things. CHARGE!"
Zero and Leviathan charged from their hiding position. The Knightmares fired their machine guns. Zero and Leviathan moved in and out through the blasts and easily dodged all the ammo.
"Shit!" The pilot said. "Slash Harken!"
All of the Knightmares fired their Slash Harkens. Zero and Leviathan leaped in the air. The Slash Harkens smashed into the ground that hit nothing. Zero used the Slash Harken and began to run up it, while Leviathan slid behind the other Knightmares. Several of the Knightmares tried hitting Zero, but Zero easily dodged them. He got up to the point where he was right on top of the Slash Harken container. Zero touched the Slash Harken holster with his hands and downloaded the weapon data into his hand. Zero then leaped on top of the machine gun and began to absorb data for the Knightmare machine gun. Zero activated the Slash Harken attachment. The Buster cannon widened to allow the Slash Harken hook to materialize without damage. Zero then leaped up in the air and fired the Slash Harken at the pilot's machine gun. He easily knocked it out of his hand, before swinging the hook violently to the right, disabling the other weapons for the Knightmares. Zero then leaped up in the air and retracted his new found weapon. Zero transformed his other arm into the machine gun as well with his current arm. The arm cannon formed a barrel as the Slash Harken disappeared. A hole to release spent ammo on and a scope appeared in his sights. With both arms, Zero unleashed a horde of ammunition on the Knightmares. When they tried to move, they found their feet had been frozen by Leviathan when she slid behind all of them. Zero lit up all of the Knightmares and they exploded in series of fireballs.
"My lord!" A pilot shouted. "What are these people? They're like the X weapon…what!"
The soldier looked to see a Lance stabbed through his Knightmare. Seconds later, a massive fireball encased the entire the soldier and he died from it.
"Robert!" Another pilot shouted. Seconds later, his Knightmare was sliced in half by Zero's Saber.
All of the Knightmares were in disarray as Zero and Leviathan hunted down each one by one.
One Knightmare tried to shoot at Zero and widen distance to keep from dying. Zero fired the Slash Harken at the Knightmare and attached itself to the Knightmare. Zero pulled back and was pulled right towards the Knightmare, of which he sliced in half afterward.
"Shit!" The other commanders said. "These guys mean business!"
"Call for reinforcements!" A higher ranking officer said. "This may be our only shot at capturing this monkey and smoking out Zero!"
The lesser officer ran into a truck with a communication console on it and began to punch in the communication to lord Ghuel who was nearby the area.
"Stop this!" Suzaku yelled out as the Lancelot fired its Slash Harken and distracted lord Ghuel. "Britannian soldiers should not fight amongst themselves." Suzaku began to withdraw his Slash Harken.
"That's the new Britannian security weapon: The L01 Lancelot!" Jeremiah shouted.
The Knightmares looked up to see the massive gold and white Knightmare looking right at them.
"We will do as we please!" Ghuel shouted. "No matter who you are, we will kill you for interfering!"
Suzaku reached behind the back of his Knightmare and grabbed two hilts that were inserted on the back of his Knightmare. He pulled them out to reveal two long swords, bigger than a building most likely. The two swords centers pumped up and turned red, which eventually surrounded the whole sword.
"I cannot allow that!" Suzaku shouted. "I cannot allow such a meaningless fight to continue!"
"No way!" Ghuel shouted in fear. "They perfected the MVS…no matter; I cannot retreat now!"
The Knightmares fired their Slash Harkens at Suzaku's Knightmare. Suzaku fired the Slash Harken on the ground and used it to propel off the ground. The Other Knightmares tried to fire their Slash Harkens at Suzaku. Suzaku weaved in and out from the hooks and cut them down. When he landed, Suzaku leg swept one of the Knightmares and disabled it. The other tried to stab him, but Suzaku used the MVS sword and cut the lance in half, as well as the arm of the Knightmare.
"If I can just get to Orange…" Ghuel thought.
Ghuel attempted to stab Jeremiah. Jeremiah managed to block it, but was losing his grip due to damage sustained by the ambush. Right before he gave out, another Knightmare attacked Ghuel's Knightmare knocking his attack off.
"Jeremiah!" Viletta shouted.
"Is that you Viletta?" Jeremiah asked. "Thanks."
Viletta's Knightmare and Suzaku got in the way of the group. Now they had to go through the Lancelot and Viletta's Sutherland if they wanted to get to Orange.
"Do you still intend to fight?" Suzaku asked.
Ghuel looked at the battle. They had them outnumbered, but the Lancelot was far more advanced than four Knightmares. Plus, there was another Sutherland backing up Suzaku.
"All units! Fall back!" Ghuel said.
"Thank you for your understanding." Suzaku asked.
To his dismay though, Ghuel grabbed something on the side of his belt and threw it in the air.
"I'll have to use a chaos grenade." He shouted.
"Stop this!" Yuffie shouted.
Suzaku looked to see the girl that he had dated earlier running out to try and stop the fight. Suzaku put up his shield to protect him and everyone else.
But before the grenade went off, a large burst of energy smashed straight into the grenade, causing it to explode midair. Ghuel looked up to see a single unit on the top of the arena to see X staring at everyone with his buster pointed right at them.
"Enough!" He shouted. "This fight has no importance whatsoever! Attacking one of your own! How can you call yourself a soldier by doing this!"
"Why you little piece of scrap metal!" Ghuel yelled. "You need to know your place and rank before you go about…"
Ignoring Ghuel, X's armor turned grey.
"Homing Torpedo!" He shouted, firing several missiles from his Buster. The missiles aimed for the arms of each Knightmare, destroying each and every one.
"Now stop!" X shouted. "There is no more need for violence!"
"Do what that man says!" Yuffie shouted.
All eyes almost immediately turned towards Yuffie. Nobody said a word as she went towards the center of the arena.
"I order you all to drop your swords!" She shouted. "I order you in my name: Euphie De Britannia!"
"Yuffie!" Suzaku shouted.
"No way." X said. "She's the princess!"
"I will take full responsibility for this incident!" She shouted.
"I…" Ghuel began. Whatever he was about to say slipped his lips. He had no idea what he could think of to say. The princess had just told him to stop, especially since he just almost killed her. At once, all the Knightmares in sync got on their knees with their right arms to their chest (if that unit had a right arm that is.)
"We apologize my lady!" They all said in sync.
Suzaku at the time had exited his Knightmare and landed on the ground.
"Euphie!" He shouted. "I'm so sorry; I had no idea. Please forgive me!"
Euphie turned around slowly towards Suzaku, her eyes and expression of sorrow.
"Suzaku…" She said. "Just as you have lost your father, I have lost my brother. Will you lend me your aid and help me ensure that no one else has to go through the loss of a loved one?"
Without thinking twice, Suzaku got on the floor and did the Britannian bow.
"Yes your lordship!" He said.
X just stayed on top of the arena, looking at the results of his and Suzaku's effort.
"Humans..." X sighed. "Why do humans hate each other so much?...things like this can't go on...nothing is accomplished through senseless violence."
"Mega Man X!" Euphie shouted waving her hand towards him. X politely waved back.
"Would you please come down here for a minute?" She asked. "I would like to thank you from down here."
X nodded (though she really couldn't see) and then leaped from where he was down towards the bottom of the arena where the damaged Knightmares, Suzaku, and Princess Euphie was. He slid on the railing that led to the bottom of the arena and landed right next to Euphie.
"Thank you Mega Man X." She said. "For protecting both me and Suzaku. Will you continue to help us in our quest for peace?"
X bowed before her.
"Yes your lordship!" X responded. "I will do so to the best of my abilities."
"This is Britannian regiment #23!" A voice said over his radio.
"Hmm?" X wondered. "That's the squad that went after Leviathan. This is X; go ahead!"
"We located the rebel known as Leviathan down by the beach." The officer yelled. "But she had an ally; the cloaked warrior that followed Zero. Most of our squad is dead, dying, or being defeated by the two. We need help….wait…don't….AAAAHHHHHHH!"
The next thing X heard was a bunch of static as the radio died out on him.
"Hey!" He shouted. "Come in you guys!"
No response.
"Suzaku!" X shouted. "Viletta!"
"I heard!" Viletta shouted. "X, use your teleport system and get us over there pronto! Lancelot, get ready for battle."
"Roger!" X shouted. "Duke Ghuel; I suggest you stay behind here. I doubt you last long with those damaged units."
X went over to the Lancelot and Viletta's Sutherland. When Suzaku boarded the Lancelot, X touched both the Lancelot and Viletta's Sutherland. The crystal on X's head glowed brightly before X and the two Knightmare frames were encased in light and teleported into the air. Duke Ghuel, his escorts, Jeremiah, and Euphie watched as X and the other went to do their job.
The communication station was destroyed by a single Z-buster. Many other Knightmares from nearby patrols rolled into the area to destroy the two rebels. However, most of them ended up as scrap metal when they got even remotely near the two.
A Helicopter from midair tried to fire at Zero. Zero simply threw his shield boomerang and cut the rotor right off it, making the copter tumble to the ground and explode in a giant fireball. Leviathan used her Lance and threw it at Sutherland, destroying it as it approached them.
"Damn it!" The commander said. "These Reploids are too strong!"
The commander heard a sound of energy descend towards him. He looked to watch X and the two Knightmares appear on the field.
"Commander!" X shouted. "Have your troops leave the battlefield immediately! I'll deal with these."
"Wait X!" Suzaku shouted.
"Stay here Suzaku!" X yelled. "I'll deal with them! You make sure the remaining men survive around here."
X leaped over the commander's head and descended towards the field where Zero and Leviathan were.
Zero managed to destroy another Knightmare before they had been able to get far enough away from them so Zero wouldn't be able to scrap them.
"Odd." Zero said. "Why are they retreating?"
"Stop!" X yelled out, firing his X-buster at Zero. "Surrender at once!"
The blast of energy landed right next to his feet. Zero looked up to see X descending towards him. Zero's expression turned to shock, but he never made any indication of it. Nor could X tell who he was with the think cloak over him. X landed on the ground, punching it to break his fall. He then looked up and pointed his buster cannon at Zero and Leviathan.
"I order you to surrender and drop your arms!" X shouted. He then however looked at Leviathan. "Leviathan...so it is true. You have gone maverick."
"What are you doing here?" She asked.
"I'm here under orders to suppress the threat that is destroying the Britannian military." X said. "Of all people I never expected you. You were a loyal guardian at one point."
"Sorry X." She said. "The name Leviathan of the four guardians is gone now. I'm just Leviathan. I don't want to be part of the military anymore. Not after what happened last time. I will resist both humanity and government to avoid being made a tool. I will not have a repeat of what happened with Doctor Weil!"
"It's not too late." X said. "Turn yourself in now. I don't want to kill you! I don't want to kill anyone!"
"Forgive me X." She said. "I've already violated the first law of robotics. I can't go back. I won't go back to a corrupt government again!"
"Is that your choice?" X asked. He sighed as he charged his buster. "Then prepare yourse…"
Before X could fire, Zero attacked X and pushed his buster out of the way, making him fire in midair. The blast flew into the air and disappeared from sight. X had managed to catch Zero's fist before it hit him, but now X was caught in a power struggle with the cloaked warrior.
"You!" X shouted as he tried to get Zero to let go of him. "You were in the one behind Zero's back at Suzaku's procession."
"This Reploid desires to live her own life...and protect humanity in accordance with her own philosophy." Zero said. "I will protect her to ensure she sees her convictions through."
"It's not about giving her freedom!" X shouted. He grabbed the X-Saber on his back and swung at Zero. Zero quickly let go of X's arm and activated his beam saber. He just barely managed to block X's next vertical swing as he ducked. "I can't let her go! It is my sworn duty to the Britannian Empire to protect its people. I can't have someone who decimated several Britannian patrols go free. I can't trust her!"
"Are you sure?" Zero said as he continued his attack on X. "She is thinking on a human based level now. I doubt she would go around and slaughter innocent people for no reason."
"You must be a Reploid yourself then?" X asked while the two clashed blades.
"Indeed." Zero said as he leaped over to attack X from the air. X ducked and tried stabbing him from behind. Zero however quickly shifted to his right, avoiding the attack. "You don't miss a thing X."
"Answer me!" X shouted as he flipped backwards to avoid Zero's attack. "How do you know me? You said my name at the bridge too! What are you? Who are you? And why have you sided with Zero?"
"Oh, come on. I just have a hard time listening to you babble." Zero shouted. "Enough talk; fight!"
Zero spun his blade in his hand as well as X and the two collided their swords together. Zero and X then began a mild sword battle. The two fought gracefully and magnificently as Zero and X tried to break the others guard. Zero and X fought with clear cut intentions to kill the other, constantly changing sword stances and styles, leaping up in the air to perform aerial based attacks. However, not one managed to break the others stance. X and Zero's blades collided with each other. The soldiers on the side wanted to fire at Zero and Leviathan, but we're scared that in doing so, they would get shot at. In truth, that's would happen too.
X smashed his saber down on Zero's. Zero's raw strength though managed to throw X off. As X backed away, he began to fire a series of busters at Zero. Zero used his saber to deflect each and every one of the busters. While he did, X began to charge up one. When Zero noticed it that, Zero pointed his arm cannon at X. When X fired his charge shot, Zero fired his buster and the blasts collided, creating a massive explosion. It knocked most of the Knightmares and units around the area off of their feet. Suzaku managed to keep his balance, but not so much Leviathan. As Zero recovered from the attack, an ice ball hit his leg and it was frozen solid.
Shot gun ice.
"You're finished now!" X said as he reactivated the saber and charged at Zero.
Zero simply looked as X approached him. He looked like he was worried, but then a smirk went into his face.
"Impressive X." He said to himself. "You've really gotten stronger since the last time we met. But...you also don't have any idea who you're dealing with. Your lack of Intel will be your downfall. SOUL BODY!"
At once, a glowing red illusion of Zero popped straight out of his body and charged right at Mega Man X, with a saber in hand. The image moved so fast that X barely had any time to react against it.
"What!" X yelled out. "Soul body! But the only people that can use that technique are me and…"
The Illusion slashed at X, severing his left arm off of his body. Signals from his arm transmitted pain into his brain, bringing X right down to the ground. X attempted to recover, but could not do it. Artificial blood poured out of him as Zero broke the ice on his feet. He walked over towards X and looked as X writhing in pain. Sparks popped out of X's internal components. He tried to raise his Buster at Zero, but Zero simply stomped on X's right arm. The saber rolled twelve feet away from X so X could not activate it and shoo Zero away. Zero pointed his arm cannon at X, but then sighed and took it away.
"Your...you're not going to finish me?" X said as he gritted his mouth. "….Who...who are you…?"
"I have no intentions of destroying you." Zero said. "You and my convictions are the same. It's just the manner we choose to execute them...we cannot agree on it. I also must acknowledge that your skill with a beam saber has improved."
"Mega Man X!" Suzaku shouted as he in the Lancelot and several other Knightmares charged at Zero and Leviathan. "Hold on! I am coming to save you!"
"No don't!" X shouted.
Zero looked to see the approaching Knightmare frames. While he was distracted for a minute, X managed to grab his beam saber. He used his remaining hand to push off the ground and used his feet to kick Zero in the face. Zero flew in the air, but when he landed on the ground, he managed to slide on the ground. Two Knightmares tried to attack him, but Zero used his saber as he slid to sever their legs. He didn't bother finishing them because right when he tried, the Lancelot attacked Zero.
Zero dodged both MVS swords and landed on top of Suzaku's Lancelot. He attempted to download the data, but withdrew his hand when he saw X looking at him.
If he sees me copy the data of the Knightmare, I'll just reveal myself. I would have enjoyed the weapon data this piece of junk carries, but I can't reveal myself yet.
Suzaku swung Zero right of him. He attempted to fire a Slash harken, but Leviathan fired a sheet that froze the harken over. Suzaku fired the secondary Harken, but Zero managed to swing on top and slid down the Harken as Suzaku withdrew it. Zero got on the arm of the Lancelot, but Suzaku swatted Zero before he made it. When Zero landed, X attempted to slice him with his saber. Zero deflected the blow, but X had him locked in place. Suzaku tried to finish Zero with the MVS, but Leviathan threw her lance at him. Suzaku used his shield to deflect the lance.
Even though X had him locked, X was in a lot of pain and he was unable to keep his stance. Zero managed to break out and sweep kick X. Suzaku swung the MVS, but Zero corkscrewed and dodged the swing. He fired a Z-Buster at Suzaku and hit one of his Slash Harkens, destroying it.
"Damn servant of Zero!" Viletta shouted. "I will make you pay!"
Viletta tried shooting Zero. Zero leaped in midair; deflecting X's saber attack, and then turned his second hand into another buster. Zero charged his two busters and fired two at Viletta's Knightmare. Zero hit both arms of her Knightmare, destroying them.
"What!" Viletta shouted. "Who is this that carries such power?"
Zero attempted to destroy Viletta's Knightmare, but X leaped and blocked his attack. Zero and Leviathan landed, back to back.
"This is annoying." Zero said. "Leviathan...I have no intention of slaying X...not yet at least...let's go!"
Leviathan and Zero grabbed each other's hands and teleported away from the area. X swung his saber right when they vanished into thin air. X looked into in the air as he watched Zero and Leviathan leave.
"It….couldn't be…..Zero….?" X asked. "He sure fought like him...argh..."
Suzaku disembarked the Lancelot and went towards X who was still writhing in pain from the loss of his arm.
"Mega man X!" Suzaku shouted. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah...thanks." X said, still holding his damaged arm. "I'll need repairs though. But why did you charge in? That Reploid was skilled enough to defeat both of us."
"I won't leave a man behind." Suzaku said as he picked up his severed arm.
"Lloyd!" Suzaku shouted his com-link. "Mega Man X and the Lancelot have been damaged. Request immediate repairs."
"WHAT?" Lloyd shouted on the link. "The Lancelot better have not been destroyed Suzaku."
"Just a couple Slash Harken cannons needing repairs." Suzaku said. "No serious damage taken."
Suzaku heard Lloyd sigh with relief.
Later that evening, Leviathan went to meet with Lelouch.
"Your skills as a fighting machine are notable." Lelouch said as he was disguised as Zero in nearby ruins. "Britannia opened your capsule only to force you into a fight you desired not enter. This...Doctor Weil I presume ran Neo Arcadia just as Britannia runs its settlements now. You see what corruption has done to this city."
"Damn right." Leviathan said. "I don't give a damn about government anymore. I just want to be me. I'm not comfortable with the fact I'll have to kill a human being to stay free, but if you can make peace happen so then I don't have to fight, that would be great."
"Will you join me in my fight against Britannia?" Lelouch asked with his hand stretched out.
"Of course I will." Leviathan said.
Lelouch and Leviathan shook hands.
As the two Zeros walked away from the area, Lelouch spoke to Zero.
"She's an incredible fighter." Lelouch said.
"She's not all powerful." Zero said. "There are others. Some with unusual and greater powers than her."
"Do you think they could be here?" Lelouch asked. "On Britannia?"
"Possibly." Zero said. "Military is going to be hard on our ass right now, but good thing no one got a good look at me. It'll be harder for Leviathan, but I think she can manage."
"Go home and get some sleep." Lelouch said. "We do have exams in the morning."
The next morning, Lelouch and Zero went to class. Lelouch was busy reading his book. A history book. Nothing that Lelouch didn't know already. He was in history actually. But still he kept that fact hidden (even from Zero). Zero was busy solving math problems. He was writing them down so fast that some of the students just stared at him. Some even tried to copy what he wrote to get the answers for a test (Of which Zero then opened up a book and blocked the other students from getting answers). However, a few moments later, Zero looked up as well as the other students. Lelouch didn't notice what was going on, until he looked up.
"Starting today, I will be a student here at Ashford academy." Suzaku said to the front of the class. "My name is Suzaku Kururugi. Pleased to meet you."