"Zero…I believe in you Zero…" Ciel

As soon as Lelouch had determined the location of where Shirley had most likely gone…he left school as soon as he could. Tagging along with him was his personal contractor…C.C. It was on the same train where he had made his appearance earlier…when the Black Knights had first formed. Lelouch had not said much when he boarded. He kept most of these things to himself. As the train rode towards Narita, he kept silent and ignored most of C.C.'s questions. The buildings that passed by from the train ride kept to his amusement.

In the next few cars over, Zero and Ciel we're also there. Lelouch figured it was better to have groups looking in the vicinity of where Shirley could be. Zero was wearing a black button up shirt and a white T-shirt and black jeans…while Ciel was wearing a blue blouse and a yellow sundress. Ciel's hair was alos out of a ponytail and flowing long and down to her shoulders. Ciel was kept in the dark about most of the situation…but Zero was fully aware.

"So…" C.C. began…having full knowledge that the questions she was going to ask would aggravate him. "This girl…Shirley…do you love her?"

"…Don't know." Lelouch said after waiting five seconds to respond.

"Do you hate her?" C.C. asked.

"…I find her a bit annoying…but I don't know." Lelouch said.

"Then why are we going to Narita?" C.C. asked.

"You know why." Lelouch said. "Because there is a possibility that she may have discovered who I am."

"What if she really does know?" C.C. asked. "Are you going to kill her?"

Lelouch perked up when he heard that. To be honest…he never really thought about that possibility until now.

"If you have someone you don't want to lose…" C.C. continued. "You best keep them at a distance."

"Is…that…from experience?" Lelouch asked.

"No." C.C. said. "It's a way of life."

XXXXXXXXXX

Meanwhile, Zero and Ciel we're sitting in a car a few rows over.

"So why are we looking for this girl?" Ciel asked.

"According to Zero…" Zero said. "There is a strong possibility that this girl may have got caught up battle at the docks a few nights before. At the time…Zero was knocked out so he couldn't have done anything to prevent this."

"So wait…" Ciel said. "How did she get caught up all in this?"

"Hell if I know." Zero said. "Besides…it'll be a good way for us to get out of the base. Especially you. You've been looking pale lately."

"Well excuse me for being trapped in a cave or transport all day while you get to go to school!" Ciel shouted.

"…right." Zero said. "This could be good for both us. After all…we will then be able to search by ourselves."

"Us two!" Ciel said. "Alone?"

"Pretty much." Zero said. "What?" Did you want other people?"

Ciel face turned completely red as turned her entire body away from Zero to hide the redness. Zero attempted to lean over and see her face. Ciel kept her hands in front of her face to seal him from seeing her face.

"Uhh…Ciel…" Zero began. "You okay?"

Ciel shook her head to get herself back together and then looked towards Zero with a smile.

"Yeah." Ciel said. "I'm just really excited."

XXXXXXXXXX

Phantom was busy practicing some form of meditation in his room. He had lit several candles in the room. He was humming a series of Japanese samurai meditation chants and performing several different versions of combat techniques under the light of the candles. As he performed, Signas made several knocks on his door. Phantom opened his eyes (because the entire time while he meditated, his eyes we're closed) and simply glared in the direction of the door.

"The door is open." He said.

Signas pressed the door button and opened it up Phantom continued to stare in the direction of the candles as he used his hand to put out each and every one of them. Signas walked in as he watched Phantom do this.

"I'm sorry." He said. "Am I…disturbing something?"

"Just a meditation ritual I do to keep me relaxed." Phantom said. "And I would like to get back to it at some point. But you came here with questions…correct?"

"Yes I did." Signas said. "I would like to answer them…if you have the time."

"Very well." Phantom said. "What is it that drives you?"

"I want to ask about what you said earlier." Signas said. "You said I was free. I have no idea what you even meant when you said that. What did you mean?"

"Is the truth so blind to you that you are unable to comprehend when it is given to you?" Phantom said. "I suppose I will have to explain this to you. Sit down."

Signas saw several small matts that we're lined on the ground. Signas sat down Indian style on one of them and saw as Phantom did the same on the one that was directly in front of Signas.

"So…" He asked. "What do you desire to know?"

"I want to know what you meant when you said…I am free." Signas said. "What did you mean?

Phantom stood still and closed his eyes as Signas asked him that. After a few seconds, he opened them back up again.

"Do you feel…different lately?" Phantom asked.

"Different?" Signas said.

"Do you feel your personality is different from that as before?" Phantom said.

"Explain." Signas said.

"Look at the Reploids among you that you know." Phantom said. "Everyone of them has been doing things that they have not been normally doing. Zero himself…despite the fact it is to maintain a identity here in Britannia and exist here in the field. Axel and Leviathan have taken an extreme interest in one another…"

"They're dating!" Signas asked.

"Signas…under normal circumstance…would you have had an outburst like that?" Phantom asked.

Signas perked his head up and put his hand to his mouth. Even he found it hard to believe he had an outburst like that. It was…a human outburst.

"Your expression tells me that you would have never done so." Phantom said. "Yes…they told me not to tell anyone…but yes…they're at a lunch date right now. The Human Simulation program has done its wonders…but it's not entirely that."

"Then what happened!" Signas asked. "Are we Maverick…or are we still a Reploid?"

"Your neither." Phantom said.

Signas just looked at him, stunned.

"The power of free will and choice all began when Reploids began the use of copy chips." Phantom said. "When copy-chips we're introduced to Reploids…that's where it had all began. You all gained your freewill from the copy chips. You we're able to choose whether or not you wanted to become a Maverick…or remain loyal. You didn't have that choice until while we had the copy chips installed. Why the humans installed them to Reploids who can't even use the ability to copy is beyond me…I guess for upgrade purposes. You people temporarily stopped the creation of them…but in the end…you we're installed with them. And then…when you came into here…wherever here is honestly…you all became installed with the human simulation device within each other's system. The human simulation device allows you to interact with the world with human parts that you are all able to control whether you need them or not. But the brain you receive is still shaped exactly like the human brain within humans. Thus your freewill is extended beyond that your cybernetic CPU can handle. "

Signas just looked there stunned.

"Whether you asked for this or not, this is now your fate." Phantom said. "Does this anger you?"

"…No." Signas said. "I just don't know whether to call this a blessing or curse. Back when we fought Mavericks…everything was black and white. You we're good…they we're evil. Everything is just…different now."

"That's for you to decide." Phantom said. "Me…I don't care about it one way or another. It actually lets me think more perceptively about fighting…rather than having a series of text commands tell me what to do. The way I look at it, this is a blessing for me…I can think of strategies and plans that I couldn't think of earlier."

Signas stood there silent.

"Here." Phantom said as he grabbed a TV remote. "If you need further proof of this…watch this."

Phantom turned on the TV. To Signas' shock, he saw several news reporters and photographers scrambling towards a bald headed man with a red flowing cape. That man was of course, Sigma. The crowd was gathered outside of the government building. Flashes of pictures we're being taken while several microphones we're piled all around him. Sigma though…did not look annoyed or worried at all.

"General Sigma…" A reporter said as he went over to him. "How are the Britannian efforts in capturing the terrorist Zero progressing?"

"Efforts to capture the man known as Zero are still continuing as planned." Sigma said. "Our investigation has been delayed due to attacks on the JLF…and the two counter attacks by the Black Knights…but we will be continuing the Investigation as soon we or reorganized and ready to go."

"Rumors from soldiers who returned from Narita indicated the Black Knights have gained access to Knightmare frames." A Reporter said. "Is this true?"

"Yes." Sigma said to the crowd's shock. "It seems the Black Knights must have acquired them recently…though we are still unsure how. Not to worry though…their numbers are significantly lower than ours…and their tech is nowhere near our standards."

"One of the higher officers said that the pilot of the new Britannian super weapon Lancelot is piloted by an Eleven?" He said. "Is this true?"

"I am afraid I am unable to release that information to the public." Sigma said. "Besides, even if there was, if he is doing in job in protecting your lives…what does it matter if he is Britannian or Eleven?"

Several other questions we're asked to Sigma; and Sigma answered them all honestly. Signas just stood at the TV…dumb struck.

"I trust this is enough to suffice your questions?" Phantom asked.

"Im…im…impossible." He stuttered.

XXXXXXXXXX

Lelouch and C.C. managed to get to the site where the monolith dedicated to the lives lost at Narita was established. Lelouch and C.C. looked around, but Shirley was nowhere in sight.

"Damn." Lelouch said. "I could have sworn she was here."

"We'll have to split up if we want to find her." C.C. said.

"You don't even know what she looks like." Lelouch said.

"Does it matter?" C.C. said.

Lelouch walked away from the site and then continued to walk on his own. While he did, he was lost in thoughts.

There's such a small possibility. I doubt she's even here. In fact…wait…there was two images. One with a gun. And one who fired. Who could it be?

Lelouch's cell phone rang. Lelouch grabbed his phone and saw the caller was Shirley. Lelouch picked it up and answered the phone.

"Hey!" Lelouch said. "Are you alright? What happened?"

"What happened indeed." Said a voice from the phone that was not only not Shirley's…it actually sounded nearby.

In fact he was…Lelouch looked up to see a man holding her phone and talking into it.

XXXXXXXXXX

Zero and Ciel continued to walk down the ruins of the Narita. Zero himself never fully observed the situation that had happened as a result of Lelouch's actions. Zero himself was feeling sorry for that he partook in the actions that had resulted in this damage.

Still…too late to take it back now. Besides, this was war. Britannia had lived too long in peace. They needed a wakeup call to show they we're not invincible.

Ciel however, did not approve of the damage inflicted by the Black Knights. Zero could see it in her eyes. The ruins of the buildings we're not only demoralizing…but the numerous number of chalk lines that we're drawn by the Britannians we're. Zero kept walking as Ciel kept following him.

"I can't believe we did this." Ciel said.

"This damage is unbelievable." Zero said. "I've destroyed Power plants, factories, robot factories…and never caused nearly this damage. And I only fought to defend my friends. Never attack. This is how it is to be for the enemy to be on the receiving of attacks by me."

"This isn't funny Zero." Ciel said.

"Who said that was joke?" Zero said.

Zero and Ciel continued to walk around the area as they saw the destruction of the whole place. As Zero continued to walk down, he saw a small area where they could sit down.

"Let's sit here for a bit." Zero said.

Ciel looked and Zero and nodded. She knew Zero knew she wasn't physically strong. As she did though, a strong gust of wind came right under both her and Zero. Ciel's sun dress blew straight from the ground all over the location. Zero saw Ciel's panties on her lower body. Zero's adrenaline reactions saw her in slow motion as her dress rose in the air.

It took Ciel a few seconds to realize what had happened. She pushed down her dress as the wind passed by.

"EEEKKK!" She screamed. "Don't look at me!"

Zero began to flip and covered his hand with his eyes as he made several other motions to keep himself from looking.

…despite the fact in the back of his head he wanted to…a feeling that he could not comprehend why he wanted to.

XXXXXXXXXX

"C'mon Axel." Leviathan said from across the table.

Axel just sat there as he basically picked at his food. He hadn't been entirely himself since the whole JLF being killed incident. Even though he had asked Leviathan out on this…he had asked days before the explosion. Tohdoh and the others treated him as family. Leviathan looked at him all worried like. She had pretty much eaten all of her food that Axl got her. But now Axl seemed zoned out.

"This isn't really romantic you know?" Leviathan said as she did a face palm. "What is up with you? You haven't been yourself in the last week or so."

Axl stood there silent…still eyeing on his food. Not really noticing the attractive woman next to him.

"Hey Axl…are you listening!" She shouted.

That however reached his ears. Axl looked up towards the girl.

"Ahh…" Axl said. "Sorry Levy…I just…you know…I'm…"

"What's wrong?" She said.

Axl at first smiled but when back to being quiet.

"It's just…" Axl began. "That night…at the docks…"

XXXXXXXXXX

"Did you peak?" Ciel shouted.

"As if." Zero lied.

"You did." Ciel shouted.

"Did not." Zero said.

"You did too." Ciel shouted.

"How long do I have to go through with this?" Zero asked. "We've been doing this for over an hour."

"Not until you admitted you did!" Ciel shouted.

Zero face palmed. He wasn't getting anywhere with this. Might as well see what happens when you admit.

"Fine." Zero said. "I saw them! Happy? What else was I supposed to do Ciel! Suddenly…I'm god now and able to control this."

"You could have just said that earlier." Ciel said. "Why didn't you?"

"Simple." Zero said. "I…didn't want you to think any less of me."

"Why?" Ciel asked.

Zero gulped. Ciel was really diving into the deal.

"Well uhh…" Zero said rubbing the back of his head.

Dammit …this program is working TOO well.

"Well uhh…" Zero began.

Before Zero could continue with Ciel, he glanced off to the side to see a bright light coming at him. Zero grabbed Ciel and brought her to the ground. The blast was a Buster that passed right over their heads. There was several construction crew and equipment behind them. As soon as the Buster hit even remotely near that area, the entire place was consumed in flame.

As soon as the shot came overhead, Zero got up and reached into his jacket to pull out the Z-saber. He ignited the beam saber and looked to see Bass standing a hundred feet away.

"Well well well." Bass said. "How you doing brother?"

"Bass!" Zero shouted, putting saber to the side. "What are you doing here!"

"We haven't fully used your potential yet." Bass said with his Buster pointed right at Zero. "Until we do…we will never stop hunting you."

"What do you want from me!" Zero shouted.

"Who is this!" Ciel shouted.

"Who's this hoe?" Bass said. "She your girlfriend?"

"Why don't you mind your own…" Zero began. Although he quickly realized quickly the context of how he worded it. He looked at Ciel who eyed him suspiciously.

"Meh." Bass said. "Whatever. She's first."

Bass pointed his Bass Buster at Ciel. He fired a powerful Buster from his cannon. Ciel grabbed her head and ducked from the sudden attack. She however looked up…expecting to be killed…only to see Zero blocking the whole buster with his saber. Zero was having difficulty holding the somehow immense power.

His Busters strength has efficiently multiplied by over a thousand levels…this is equal with my power. He was never this powerful. How did he…

Zero cut his thoughts and swung his Z-saber away from him…pushing the Buster off in a different direction. The Buster collided into a building and created a massive energy explosion in the air. Zero held his saber as he stood in front of Ciel. Bass looked at Zero with a sadistic smile on his face.

"That's more like it." Bass said.

"Maverick scum!" Zero said.

"You're calling me a Maverick!" Bass said. "Look at yourself before you point the finger. You have killed far more people than I have. You murdered plenty of people. You hurt so many different families. You killed soldiers and Reploids alike without mercy or second thought. Look at yourself now! You have killed more humans now than Reploids. How do you think X feels about this! Could you even look him in the face now!"

Zero stood still even though the comment punched him in the face.

"Shut up!" Zero said. "At least I have a cause to fight for!"

"Yeah; so do I." Bass said. "That's no excuse for your actions!"

"Enough!" Zero shouted…creating ripples of energy all around him as red flames began to ignite on his body. "This ends here! Even though you may be right about all of that, you're still my enemy. You tried to kill me…therefore it doesn't matter what you think…I have to defend myself. And besides…you're an inferior model. What hope do you have against me!"

"You underestimate your chances." Bass said putting his hand on his face.

At that moment, Bass began to glow with a massive white light. Zero watched as his entire body radiated like the sun. Within seconds, Zero watched as Bass grew to his height. When the light cleared, Bass looked like a new person.

He was about Zero's height. His hair was short and silver…never stretching down to his neck. Several locks of we're spread out going down. His armor was still black…but it looked smaller…like Zero's resistance armor. In fact…Bass looked like Zero with his resistance armor; although instead of Red though…it was a darkish purple…and Bass had no helmet and short hair. And his arm cannon was bigger than earlier. Bass smirked at him as Zero was backing up from this. Bass looked at him as he descended to the ground. The light cleared and Zero saw him in his whole.

"How do you like me new look?" He asked.

Zero stared at him in complete awe and fear.

His power…it's practically reached mine…possibly even beyond…where did he get the strength to muster up such energy…and where did that new armor!

"What the hell are you!" Zero shouted pointing his saber at you.

"You never stood a chance." Bass said as Treble walked next to him. "Once the Doc got the data for your body from that needle…we had all we need to make me a superior robot. God I wish Mega Man was here. I could scrape that robot with almost no effort now."

Bass stretched out his arms and with his power created a massive shockwave of energy. Ciel ran behind Zero and screamed as Zero deactivated his saber and shielded himself from the power that came towards him. Zero watched to see that the power was so massive…matter around him was being completely destroyed. He saw a large rock fly off the ground and literally vanish completely.

Even with our great minds in the year 21xx…we never had anything that could do that!

The shockwave ended as Zero deactivated Guard shell which he put up to block the attack.

"You can't defeat me!" Bass said as he pointed his purple beam saber at Zero.

Zero put his saber in his hands. But he did not turn it on. He looked worried. He was wondering what he could do now. There wasn't anything he could do. Bass was too much more powerful than him. He was just…

"Zero…" Ciel said as she walked up to him.

Zero turned around to see Ciel give him a smile of encouragement.

"I believe in you Zero." She said.

That seemed to be all he needed to move on. Zero smiled and gave her a thumbs up. Then he turned around towards Bass.

"Your just another wannabe like Gate; brother or not." Zero said as a light consumed him and he was in his armor. "I'll slash you to bits."

So I am currently at the CCC Harold Washington College right now and they force more work down on you. Not to mention I am in an RPGMaker2003 group designing a game right now so It is hard to keep chapters going. I usually pump out more when I have inspiration to it...but I have lost most of it. While I will continue to do chapters...I cannot promise an increase of pace.

I suppose having 10 other fanfic ideas is a bit of a difficulty as well.

Whatever...I will see this through until the end...that'll be a nice work load off.

R&R...I will kill you otherwise.

BTW bitches...we're at Chapter 40! ZOMG!

Not really anything actually exciting just so you know...im just amazed that I managed to pump out 40 fucking chapters and we're only on Episode 14...its amazing; really.