Phase XXVI: Smoke on the water.
(Government Facility meeting room Tokyo)
A month after the announcement at Ashford, December 23
The government officials who were smart enough or just too well placed for Lelouch to prosecute were having a meeting on what to do next.
"The Special Administrative Zone of Japan. There have been some bad rumors about her Highness, Princess Euphemia but…" one of the officials said.
"You're referring to her relationship with Kururugi?" another one said "There have been rumors that this Area is been prepared for upgrade to a state with full rights and to make sure of its loyalty they plan to have the two of them engaged."
"Don't tell me it's connected to the top level?" a female official said.
"That can't be possible. Like a princess would ever be married to a number." The undersecretary and unofficial leader of the group said.
"Even so, if there is the slightest change that it were true…" another one said.
"Yes, we need to break off any ties with them." The undersecretary said
"Too late." Darlton said and he along with Bartley entered the room surprising those present.
"We have gathered all the evidence, Undersecretary. You all have been receiving benefits from the N.A.C." Darlton added.
"General Darlton, thank you! With this.. With this, I can finally eliminate those insolent fools who exploited His Highness Clovis. Due to her highness Princess Euphemia's idea for a Special Administrative Zone, the number rats from within our ranks were thrown into confusion was a lot larger than I thought!" Bartley said.
(Japan special administrative Zone, Mount Fuji)
"The number of applicants for the Special Administrative Zone of Japan has exceeded 200.000.
Looks like this figure will continue to rise" Suzaku said as he and Euphie supervised the construction of the place where the opening ceremony was to begin.
"It's all thanks to you and Lelouch!" Euphie said to him.
"What are you talking about? Lelouch is the one who did all the work I just helped him!" Suzaku replied confused.
"That may be true, but you are a representative of the Japanese people, without someone to make the first step other will not follow, you showed them that it was possible. That's why everyone believes in this place, right?" Euphie answered happily.
"No. It's because it was an announcement from a Princess herself, isn't that so? I really am…thankful." Suzaku replied.
"I should be the one thanking you. You will help me with various things in the future, right?" Euphie asked.
"Yes, Your…."
"Geez!" Euphie cut Suzaku off.
"It' a shame I won't be able to attend the Ceremony tomorrow." Suzaku said dismayed.
"What do you mean?" Euphie asked concerned.
"Xingke's fleet is just 50 miles sea bound from this Position, this afternoon Lelouch and I set off with our own fleet to get rid of that threat." Suzaku replied.
"So as you can see I can't…." Suzaku tried to add but was cut off when Euphie gave him a light kiss on the cheek.
"That was for good luck!" Euphie said and she enjoyed the sight of Suzaku blushing.
(Tokyo, Governors' office)
Many people were surprised by what happened a month ago, and didn't know how do react, Nina was among them.
To address what is to be done in the Future Schneizell from Tokyo was having a conversation with Cornelia who was now hammering at the E.U positions in Turkey and Egypt pushing for the Suez and Bosporus canals.
"Euphie sure is amazing! With this the terrorist cells within Area 11 will lose whatever support of the people in had left and will collapse. Public order will be restored too meaning that we will be able to mobilize the local garrison and Lelouch and his Black Knights can then be mobilized to assist you with the E.U" Schneizell said to Cornelia.
"Personally, I'm against this plan." She coldly replied.
"But you understand. That's why you sent Darlton to assist her, right?" Schneizell asked.
"I must put an official announced political measure into action. That is the obvious step for me to take as the Governor- General." She replied.
"Are you going to accept what is going to happen from an official standpoint?" Schneizell asked curious at which Cornelia did not know how to respond.
(Six houses of Kyoto meeting room)
"The Special Administrative Zone of Japan. This isn't something bad Tatsunori Osakabe said.
"Can we find any values in the Japan they give us?" Hidenobu Kubouin said.
"The current situation is the result of our resistance. There's no need to feel ashamed" Taizo Kirihara said.
"Lord Kirihara, I heard that, due to your close ties with the extraction of Sakuradite, you have been promised a considerable position within the Special Administrative Zone!" Kubouin accused him.
"There's no such thing. I am just invited to attend the ceremony." He replied.
"What a good excuse" Tousai Munakata spat out.
"You all…." Kirihara said astounded at his lack of support.
"What about the 'Slayers?" Kaguya asked concerned.
(Slayers military base, a few hours later.)
"The situation is serious. Our supporters are literally depleting by the hour, the rank and file are stable since because of Prince Lelouch only the most staunch anti-Brittannian's have joined the 'Slayers' but they are showing support for the Special Administrative Zone!" Todoh said.
"The Special Administrative Zone is different from the 'Slayers" since there aren't any risks of getting killed!" Kaguya replied.
"Also, it's a princess from an established lineage, a Prince who is considered the finest military commander there is , compared to an organization who has a former school teacher as it's leader and wanted criminals as its military commanders, just based on that sentence its obvious which side is more dependable." Laksharta replied there was no accusatory tone in her voice and the others didn't treat it as so.
"Kyoto with the exception of Lady Kaguya which is with us said that they are going to support them to." Ohgi said.
"Why the heck is that?" Tamaki asked frustrated.
"Because they said we'll be treated equally" Minami replied.
"Equally? Can words alone be trusted?" Kallen asked.
"I agree."Asahina replied.
"But we have to make a decision soon!" Urabe added.
"Hey why don't we tell them we support?" Ohgi asked nervous.
"Wouldn't that make the Brittannian's think were weak and anyway how can we trust their word?" Tamaki asked.
"The Slayers objectives don't contradict with supporting the Special Administrative Zone." Ohgi replied.
"They will use the pretense of peace to force us to disarm!" Chiba replied.
"We will lose our independence and be controlled by the system" Todoh replied.
"However, we will be branded as the enemy of freedom and equality if we don't join them!" Kaguya replied.
"Couldn't we just hide our weapons somewhere where they couldn't find them?" Ohgi asked and suddenly Kaguya got an idea.
"That's it! We simply remove our equipment to a place outside of Japan! With thing as they are we will be forced to move the whole Slayers organization abroad in order to preserve it, we will say we support the Zone, but remain vigilant if they try to break their word, that will give us the excuse to keep our weapons!" Kaguya replied.
"But how do we move them, how do we feed them or hide that from Brittannia?" Todoh asked.
"Moving the population won't be that difficult, however the necessary supplies and equipment transfer would take at least a year to do that!" Kaguya said and she wondered how they would get that.
(Tokyo concession)
"I'm sorry for making you take a side trip, but because of the paparazzi I can barely buy a cup of coffee without it appearing on the six o clock news!" Lelouch with a helmet on his head to hide his face said to Rivals who was on his bike.
"Well it's been a while since we did stuff like this. I heard you're going to meet up with Shirley!" Rivals replied.
"It's an apology for what happened at the opera and keeping my identity a secret, it arrived late because of my military duties and the creation of the Special Administrative Zone required my help" Lelouch replied.
"I bet! Anyway it's good for you to hurry and patch things up with Shirley." Rivals replied.
"What's this about the Special Administrative Zone?" Rivals and Lelouch heard and they turned their heads to where the shouting was coming from.
"What's the point in providing support? Who would sign such a thing? Those below should be obedient and listen to those on top!" a nobleman said and he hit a young Japanese who was advertising for support of the special zone.
"And since that Zone has been authorized by the Imperial Family the nobility is expected to support it, by what you are saying you yourself are a criminal for not following your own philosophy" Lelouch said as he paced a few steps close to the nobleman, he still had his helmet on so they didn't see his face.
Lelouch then walked between the aristocrat and the young man.
"You little brat! Who do you think you are!" the noble said and he wacked Lelouch's head with hi cane making his helmet fall off.
"Eh!" the noble said as he choked in horror at who the person he just hit was and knew that the penalty for attacking a prince was death regardless of status.
Lelouch enjoyed the sheer look of terror he saw in the nobles eyes and noticed that his bodyguard being a smart man has already ran away deciding to enjoy himself he took a step closer and another and another all the while savoring the way the noble back up in sheer terror since the nobility now regarded him as 'the demon' for his actions in Japan.
"BOO!" Lelouch shouted and the nobleman ran off as fast as his feet could take him, to Lelouch it was like receiving an early Christmas present.
"Ah, thank you very much!" the young man said to him.
"No problem at all." Lelouch said as he turned and the young Japanese boy and the others who helped him were stunned at who his savior was.
Lelouch then picked up the petition handed it back to him.
"Keep up the good work!" said and gave the young man a pat on the back and left the still stunned man and his friends with Rivals.
From a above Shirley saw the whole thing and seeing Lelouch in his 'Prince mode' was to Shirley's eyes very….sexy to say the least.
(Special Administrative Zone, Euphie's room)
Euphie along with Nunnally and were giving Suzaku a going to see party, Lelouch was also celebrate but he went to the bathroom for a moment.
Euphie was using the Karaoke machine and singing an old Bon Jovi song.
"I gave my heart and you play your game!
You give love a bad name!
"Shot through the heart and you're to blame!" Euphie sang an pointed dramatically in a random direction, only to stop singing when she realized that she accidentally pointed at Lelouch who returned from to the bathroom.
"Like I would ever do something like that!" Lelouch jokingly said in fake protest which caused the whole room to laugh.
"Well I hate take Suzaku away from your seduction efforts Euphie, but unfortunately he and me have a plane to catch!" Lelouch said and he dragged Suzaku out off the room, leaving an embarrassed Euphie and laughing Nunnally behind.
30 minutes later, on a river.
"You didn't have to say something like that Lelouch!" Suzaku said as he and Lelouch got out of the car which they drove to a riverboat, despite the fact that Lelouch said they had a plain to catch the used a river boat since if it was targeted by missiles or sabotage they're wouldn't be several thousands of feet between them and the ground.
"I was just joking!" Lelouch said and he went to the cars trunks to get his mask out of it, the car was a, minivan disguise as a pizza delivery one to avoid the paparazzi.
"Thank you Millie!" Lelouch said after he opened the door to the van and a hand gave him his helmet.
He closed the door and walked a few feet, before stopping after realizing what just happened.
"Hey what are you guys doing here!" he shouted to Rivals, Millie, Nina and Shirley who got out of the minivan.
"Well Shirley wanted to see just how manly you are in war!" Millie said while Shirley blushed at the statement.
"This isn't some fireworks show! This is war, you could all be killed!" Suzaku said in a demeaning manner.
"Oh come on Suzaku, don't be like that!" Rivals said to his friend.
"Suzaku, if we don't let them stay Millie over here will probably expose to the world those pictures she took of us during the cross-dressing festival" Lelouch said and Millie made a facial gestured that which said was correct.
Suzaku at this was astounded, but he wasn't certain what terrified him the most, Lelouch eerie ability to read someone's mind, or Millie and what went on in here's.
(50 miles of the coast of Tokyo)
"The enemy fleet is preparing to Launch?" Xingke the overall commander said to captain Donitz.
"Yes sir! Reports have confirmed that the 'Iron Prince' and his subordinates are the ones who will command the fleet" the captain replied.
"Also we have received a message from 'The Slayers' it seems that since we will give them Horai Island to use as their own they are sending Todoh and five of their elite knightmare pilots, including the Guren all with the new 'Flight model' Akatsukis to back us up" Huang said to his commander.
"That is good news, since our opponents is Zero we will need all the help we can get!" Xingke replied.
(The next day December 24th Special Administrative Zone ceremonial Grounds)
This was the big day for Japan, the day when the people started to receive their rights back, everyone in the world was watching this, the E.U council, The Eunuch's of China, even the emperor from the world of C was viewing it, the mighty battle which was about o take place at sea was entirely ignored, at least until the victors would be decided.
"Princess Euphemia it's time!" Darlton said to her and she got up from her seat and made her way to the microphone.
(6 hour earlier, 50 miles sea bound of Mount Fuji)
Lelouch forces consisted of three fleets versus Xingke fleet of four, despite the apparent disadvantage, one brittannian navy was larger than one Chinese fleet making the two combatants equal in terms of ships and firepower, the one decisive factor would be the leaders of the fleets.
Lelouch plan in order to succeed needed the enemy fleet to exhaust most of its ammunition, so the hardest part of the battle began.
"This is field marshal Lelouch vi Brittannia to all ships, we are now within firing range of the enemy fleet all ships, on my mark you will fire commencing the battle…FIRE!" and the silence and tranquility of the morning was replaced by the storm of war.
Rivals, Millie, Shirley and Nina were all in a small metal plated armored caravel with a speed engine, a few miles to the rear of the fleet, behind Lelouch flagship which was where he was stationed.
"Man I thought we would see the battle from up front the bridge or at least a ship deck!" Rivals said to his friends.
"Lelouch is the commander of the fleet, he knows the dangers of this battle, and he gave us radar to view the formation and a telescope to!" Shirley replied.
And they continued to watch the battle.
(Administrative Zone ceremonial Grounds)
"Everyone we will now begin the ceremony for the Special Administrative Zone of Japan, I regret to inform you that my Brother commander Zero and my knight Kururugi Suzaku unfortunately could not be present since they are now fighting against the pirate fleet which has plagued the shores of this country for the past several months." Euphie replied to the cheers of the crowd.
Just then they heard some noise and turned their attention to where it was coming from, they saw Ohgi riding the Gawain to the ceremony platform.
(Present time 50 miles sea bound of Mount Fuji)
" HMS Grant, Sherman and Sheridan move 500 meters north westwards and fire and point 3 1 5" Lelouch ordered.
"The Vegeta, Napa and Raditz retreat 300 miles and the Tiger to remain ready for maneuvers" Xingke countered.
"HMS Lee, Longstreet and Stonewall move 400 meter south and prepare for and outflanking maneuver!" Lelouch ordered.
"USS Heineken, Carlsberg and Tuborg move 500 meters south and prepare for engagement!" Xingke countered once more.
"So he has countered my moves once more, I'd expect nothing else from the man who managed to see through my trap at Fukuoka!" Lelouch said to himself.
"What are our estimates of the enemies remaining ammunition?" Lelouch asked the captain of the ship.
"After six hours of fighting we estimate that the enemy has exhausted between 80- 90% of its ammunition" the captain replied.
"Not as much as I lied, but we are in the same predicament as them with our ammunition, also both fleets have suffered 10% casualties, it's now or never I guess!" Lelouch said to himself.
"Jeremiah, Suzaku, Viletta , Kewell, George and Omar" enter your machines and sortie out, the final blow comes now!" Lelouch ordered his men.
"Yes sir!" They replied and launched the Lancelots now had float systems so they could escort the Siegfried to attack the enemy fleet.
"Slayers deploy and counter those knightmares!" Xingke ordered and they obeyed.
"He's going to use those Lancelots against our flying knightmares and that giant orange to decimate our fleet!" Xingke said seeing through Lelouch plan or so he thought.
"Looks like you were right Lelouch, the Slayers have given their military assistance to the enemy fleet!" Suzaku said through the radio.
"Then it's time to end this, initiate chafe smoke!" he ordered and they complied.
"All units stay alert, no matter what happens! We must not let one of them past us!" Todoh ordered his men and they formed a defensive formation in front of the smoke screen.
"Hey yaaaaaaa!" Suzaku shouted and he managed to check both Todoh and Kallen with his two MASSER swords, he knew he couldn't hold it for long however.
Chiba was checked by Viletta, Asahina by Kewell, Urabe by George and Senba by Bradley.
"We can't hold them for long! Go and destroy the fleet!" Kewell said and the 'Siegfried' ran past them towards Xingke fleet.
"A good tactic Zero, however I have counter fro that as well!" Xingke said and he ordered every ship to unload all ammunition at the Siegfried, which unlike Fukuoka were only a few fighter jets managed to hit him with their missiles before he activated his spin and destroyed the missiles and the jets before it hit him and the shield now would have to face the full force of stronger and more numerous missiles and battleship guns.
"It took what's left off our ammunition to destroy that thing, but wit it down Colonel Todoh can win the aerial battle and then we can destroy the enemy fleet from the air." Xingke said to himself with a smile just before the missiles impacted the Siegfried.
And his smile turned to an expression of shock, because once the missiles impacted the Siegfried didn't explode….it popped.
"That wasn't the Siegfried! It was a balloon, some kind of fast moving blimp to make us use up our ammunition! But where's the Siegfried then ?" Xingke asked himself panicked as he surveyed the radar for the Siegfried.
"A good strategy Li, you truly are a Dragon! However I am a dragon among dragons, feel the wrath of the Niddhog! Now Jeremiah! " Lelouch said over the ships speakers and it was so loud that Xingke heard it over them.
"Yes my Lord!" Jeremiah relied and the Siegfried emerged from beneath the waves a few feet short of Xingke fleet.
"The Giant Orange can go under water!" Xingke accidently said over the speakers.
"G….GIANT ORANGE! I AM NOT AN ORANGE DIE!" Jeremiah said and he unleashed the Siegfried at Xingke decimating his right wing portion of his fleet.
"The enemy's right flank has collapsed, the right wing under me will envelop them from the North, the left wing will do the same from the South and we will cut them to pieces with our remaining ammunition!" Lelouch ordered and the Brittannian Fleet began its maneuvers.
Xingke looked at the approaching enemy fleet, knowing that they used what was left of their ammunition on the fake Siegfried, and with the Siegfried now helping the others Lancelots against Todoh, it would be only a matter of time before checkmate.
"Do we have any ammunition?" Xingke asked his men.
"Just one intercontinental ballistic missile aboard this ship sir!" Zhou Xianglin said to her commander.
"That will do! We may have lost this battle, but we can still save the fleet and strike and the king if we do this right!" Xingke said and he explained how he planned to play his final ace.
(Mount Fuji Special Administrative Zone ceremony grounds)
"It's him! Commander Ohgi!" those members of the assembled crowd said.
"So they decided to participate!" Euphie said to herself with joy.
"Did you accept your defeat?" Darlton said to himself with a smile.
"Welcome commander Ohgi, welcome to the Special Administrative Zone of Japan!" Euphie said cheerfully.
I welcome your greeting Princess Euphemia….I am here as the representatives of the Slayers!" Ohgi hesitantly replied.
(Present time 50 miles sea bound of Mount Fuji)
"I have come to deliver the response of the Slayers, we will support the Special Administrative Zone of Japan, and we will protect it and continue to defend the civilian population against injustice and abuse wherever if may appear!" Ohgi said reading from a piece of paper.
A round of applause came from the crowd and he walked over and signed the Zone's participation papers.
"So what you're basically saying we may have lost today, we will not surrender? That's what every defeated army says!" Darlton said to himself with a smile at their great and bloodless victory.
A round of cheers and applauses came from the crowd; names were cheered from the crowd Euphemia, Lelouch, Suzaku, Ohgi, Todoh, The Black Knights and The Slayers.
"And now since it's a special occasion and Christmas, I think we should celebrate with some music, Euphie said and the voice of Frank Sinatra was heard over the speakers.
It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
With the kids jingle belling
And everyone telling you "Be of good cheer"
It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
"This is Field Marshall Lelouch vi Brittannia, all enemy forces surrender or we will blow you of the water!" Lelouch said to Xingke.
"Now!" Xingke said and the ballistic missile was shot at Lelouch ship since with the flanking maneuvers they came very close to it and id did great damage to Lelouch ship which now was a blazing inferno.
It's the hap -happiest season of all
With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings
When friends come to call
It's the hap - happiest season of all
Just then snow started to fall from the sky above the special administrative zone, to everyone present it was a sign that God himself was pleased of the Special Administrative Zone, an everyone started celebrating by singing along with Frank, even the Brittannian's in the knightmare forgot about their distaste for the now former elevens and started joining them in singing.
Meanwhile back at sea Lelouch ship was a blazing inferno, he was veering his armor and helmet so the fire wasn't affecting him, but the shock wave shattered his glass and hurt his eardrums leaving him blind and deaf
There'll be parties for hosting
Marshmallows for toasting
And caroling out in the snow
There'll be scary ghost stories
And tales of the glories of
Christmases long, long ago
"My eye!" he said to his left eye which was damaged from the glass and he wondered blind and deaf from the command deck to the ships deck
It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
There'll be much mistltoeing
And hearts will be glowing
When love ones are near
"My lord!" Jeremiah screamed as he saw the flagship ablaze, this gave Todoh enough time to attack his Siegfried, damaging it and making it plunge from the sky and into the deep waters of the Pacific.
"WE just received the order for a retreat! All units fall back to the fleet while the enemy is still confused!" Todoh ordered
It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year"Lord Jeremiah, Lelouch!" Suzaku screamed desperately at them but didn't know who to go after first.
"Suzaku, Bradley and Patton you go help the Prince! Myself and Viletta will help Jeremiah!" Kewell ordered and they all complied.
Back onboard the flagship Lelouch was wandering the deck, it was in a sense a good thing he was blind and death, since he couldn't see the sight of men been blown to pieces or being burned alive…..
There'll be parties for hosting
Marshmallows for toasting
, or hear their screams and cries of agony.
And caroling out in the snow
There'll be scary ghost stories
And tales of the glories of
Christmases long, long ago
"This has been the best Christmas ever; I can't wait until Lelouch gets back then it will be perfect" Euphie cheerfully said in her mind as she saw the wonderful sight of all those present singing along, for those short three and a half minutes there was no Brittannian, no number, no master or servant, no rich or poor, there was just people with their hearts and souls united in the spirit of Christmas, truly it was a wondrous sight
It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
There'll be much mistltoeing
And hearts will be glowing
When love ones are near
Lelouch continued to wonder until he reached the edge off the deck, and a the way the ship rocked after the explosion made Lelouch loose his balance and go over the rail, but he managed to catch and hold the rail with one arm.
It's The Most Wonderful Time
He tried pulling himself up, but his lack of body strength, and pain from the shockwave and his wounded eyes was too much and he lost his grip, falling down towards the water
It's The Most Wonderful Time
Lelouch hit the water and his body fell to the deeps of the ice cold water of the Pacific, blinded by the explosion, he was now surrounded by coldness, no air and darkness
It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year.
Authors note:
This is where R1 ends and R2 begins so there will be a time skip.
Read and review, let me know if I should continue.