Kyushu Block - Fukuoka Base
"We hereby declare the resurrection of Japan as a lawful, independent, and sovereign nation!" Atsushi Sawasaki declared to all those watching him.
...
Black Knights Base
"Atsushi Sawasaki, leader of the forces that have occupied the Fukuoka military base, was Chief Cabinet Minister of the Kururugi Administration in the former nation of Japan. After the war, he fled to the Chinese Federation, but is apparently making his move now in response to the recent civil unrest caused by Zero.
Whether the Black Knights have played a role in these unfolding events is still under investigation." The News Anchor said.
"We're not part of it!" Tamaki complained.
"What does Kyoto say about it?" Ohgi asked.
"They didn't know this was coming. They were just notified about his unilateral claims over the Sakuradite mining rights." Diethard told them.
"Zero, it's our move. What are we gonna do?" Kallen asked.
Zero stood there contemplating.
...
The Avalon
"Sawasaki's group was working in conjunction with a terrorist organization in Kyushu. After cutting off vehicle access from Honshu and Shikoku, and with support from Chinese Federation forces in the Liaodong military district, they're expanding their occupation around Fukuoka, Nagasaki, and Oita. According to General Tsao, the Chinese Federation is providing humanitarian support, and is not acting..." The news anchor continued.
"So, how's Suzaku doing?" Lloyd asked as Cecile approached him.
"He says he'll do whatever the mission demands." Cecile said.
"I see." Lloyd said simply
"And what about Prince Schneizel? Where is he?" Cecile asked.
"In the Tokyo Settlement. Got there after his run-in with Suzaku. Avalon doesn't have its commander right now, but we have to finish this up if we want to counter the Gefjun Disturber." Lloyd said as he looked upon his Lancelot.
...
Meanwhile, Suzaku looked at his father's watch.
The watch that saved him from a bullet.
The watch that reminded him of his greatest sin and burden.
...
(Flashback)
Viceroy Palace
Suzaku stood before Euphemia and held out the pin given to him when he became her knight.
"I dishonored you. I'm not worthy to be your knight." Suzaku told her quietly.
"If this is about you disobeying orders, my brother Schneizel said it was an unusual situation, and you shouldn't be blamed for it." Euphemia tried to reason with him.
"I can't forgive myself. Please…" Suzaku tried to say, but the words couldn't seem to come out of his mouth. This turned out to be harder than he expected.
"Has knighthood become a burden for you — something that troubles you?" Euphemia asked.
"No, I'm grateful for it." Suzaku reassured.
"Then why?" Euphemia asked, wanting to understand.
"I've remembered something. I...I killed my own father." Suzaku confessed, Euphemia looks at him in surprise. "I was never truly punished for it. And right now, I'm being protected again! While soldiers die and Elevens suffer, I'm unscathed! A person like me doesn't deserve this." Suzaku told her, angry at himself.
"That's not true!" Euphemia tried to reason.
"Please Princess. I just...I just can't...I'm sorry..." Suzaku said sadly as he took Euphemia's hand and put the pin in it. He left before she could say anything else.
As he walks out her office, he sees Joseph looking at him with a very angry look on his face.
"Joe?" Suzaku said in surprise, wondering if he heard all that.
Considering he received a karate chop to the head a second later, the answer would be a "yes".
"OW! What the Hell was that for?!" Suzaku asked as he rubbed his head in pain.
"For being stupid! Stop! Being! Stupid!" The dimwit told him angrily as he poked Suzaku's chest repeatedly.
"I can't be her knight!" Suzaku told him with equal anger.
"Can! Just being stupid. Eup can bring-" Joseph argued before being interrupted.
"Can you stop with the light side thing! Life isn't some movie, Joseph! Problems don't just go away at the end because you try to be a better person!" Suzaku yelled before calming himself down. "I made a choice, and it's something I have to live with. Euphemia can't help me, and neither can you. And I can't let my burden bring either of you down." He concluded as he began to walk away.
"...Won't give up! You good person!" Joseph said with determination as he watched Suzaku walk away, he stopped at that and turned back at him.
"I wish I could see things the way you do, Joseph. I envy it. But it's the very thing that keeps you from grasping reality, and I'm scared it'll cost your life one day. It's why I'm going to ask you this." Suzaku said with grimace. "If Zero were to ask you to join the Black Knights, and you agreed, would you be able to fight against your sister in the battlefield? Against your own family?" Suzaku asked him in a serious manner.
Joseph looked at him in surprise at that.
And honestly, he didn't know how to answer.
(Flashback End)
...
Fukuoka
The battle raged on in Fukuoka, as did the weather.
Cornelia and Guilford were currently on a battleship, making their way to the base.
"Princess Cornelia, we're taking too many losses! This tempest is preventing us from using our air power! We'll have to delay the landing operation until the weather changes." Guilford said inside the battleship him and Cornelia were on, Cornelia grunted in frustration.
...
Meanwhile, inside the base.
"It's a stroke of good fortune that this storm hit. We must use it to tighten our grip on Kyushu." Tsao said.
"You see, Gen. Tsao? Heaven is on our side. We're going to prevail in this battle with ease." Sawasaki said smugly.
...
Viceroy Palace
At the current moment while Schneizel was discussing the circumstances in Fukuoka, a contractor was spreading drywall along one of the holes Joseph had made almost two weeks prior. He completed refilling one already and was halfway done with the other one.
"Thank you for all your hard work, sir. Sorry we've kept you from other potential clients in the past few days." Schneizel said apologetically.
"Thank you, your highness. I'm almost done." The contractor said with gratefulness. Schneizel nodded and proceeded to discuss objectives with the men before him.
"Martial law is not necessary — such measures would only upset and frighten people. Contact E.U. Foreign Minister Gandolphi. Oh, and put a call in to the Tromo Agency in Cambodia." Schneizel ordered.
"Prince Schneizel, using the Tromo Agency could be of–" Darlton said before being interrupted by the door opening, revealing Euphemia.
"Prime Minister!" Euphemia said, making her presence known.
"Yes, Euphy. Something wrong?" Schneizel asked.
"Is there anything I can do to help? I'm the Sub-Viceroy of Area 11. I should be assisting you." Euphemia offered.
"Thank you. Just your offer to help me is more than enough." Schneizel said kindly.
"But I…" Euphemia tried to continue before being interrupted by Darlton.
"The viceroy gave strict orders that you not entangled in this matter, Princess." Darlton told her.
"She did? Just because I chose my knight without her consent?" Euphemia asked, shocked.
"Oh, uh, no, that's not correct. I think even the Kururugi matter..." Darlton told her awkwardly.
"Please understand, Euphy. Cornelia can't take any chances right now — the situation is too treacherous." Schneizel explained.
"You mean-" Euphemia asked, starting to fear for Suzaku's life. Only to hear a:
*CRASH*
Joseph came busting through the half-filled hole he made. Surprising Euphemia, shocking the officials there, making Darlton sigh tiredly, Schneizel arch up his eyebrow in perplexity, and the contractor look in frozen shock as his two days of work went down the drain in a matter of seconds.
"Well, gotta do something!" Joseph said with an annoyed tone in his voice.
"My Prince, if I may ask, why didn't you just use the door?" Darlton asked tiredly.
"Because hole already there, duh." Joseph said as if it was obvious, Euphemia couldn't help but slightly chuckle at that. "Now come on Schnitzel! Give something for doing! Boring here, extreme boredom!" He complained, Schneizel couldn't help but chuckle at the nickname Joseph gave him when he was seven.
Cornelia had her soldiers "make" him stay on sight in the Viceroy Palace, of course Joseph could have just given them the middle finger and went on his way. But that could lead to her investigating his whereabouts, which could lead her going to Ashford Academy, which could lead to Lelouch and Nunnally being discovered. He didn't want that, not without Lelouch's blessing. On the other hand, he was happy that Euphemia now knew he was both alive AND Zero! They talked all about it the day after they got back from Kamine Island, he told her about how he lived at Ashford with Nunne and that his girlfriend, Shirley, also knew of his identity and Euphemia was just surprised he had a girlfriend.
Still, it sucked he couldn't go see his friends and return Kallen's headband after using it as a bandage. Thankfully, he hid it in his coat before the medics could confiscate it, now he just had to find a way to give it back to her.
"I'm sorry you feel that way, Joseph. But I'm afraid there is simply nothing Euphemia can do in this situation. As for you, until Cornelia says it's alright, you have to be under house arrest until she discusses with you about the prison rescue." Schneizel explained.
"Not involved! Clown involved!" Joseph reasoned. "Me." He gestured to the left. "Clown." He gestured to the right, this was his way of explaining him and the clown were two separate people. "Me...Clown...Me...Clown..." He continued with this as Euphemia just stood there awkwardly, and seeing how he wasn't going to stop anytime soon, Schneizel finally spoke up.
"I understand, but for the time being, you have to just let Cornelia say her piece to you." Schneizel said.
Though Schneizel thought it was quite obvious that Joseph was the clown that night, there was no hard evidence that it was him. So the most Cornelia could do would probably just be a scorching lecture.
Joseph just crossed his arms and pouted like a kid who had to be in a timeout. Euphemia gave him a sympathetic look and then gave up with an idea.
"Schneizel, would it be alright if I took Joseph to the Clovis Memorial Art Museum with me? I think it would do us both good to go out and enjoy the afternoon, you can let a couple of guards come to keep an eye on us if needed." Euphemia suggested.
"Hmm...well I don't see the harm in it. Go and enjoy yourselves." Schneizel said kindly.
"Yay! Less boring-ness!" Joseph cheered, making Euphemia giggle.
"You always show optimism in the darkest of days, Joseph. Never lose that, as it will keep you above the rest till the end of time." Schneizel said with his charm.
Euphemia couldn't help but blush at Schneizel's charm and kindness.
Joseph on the other hand, just looked at him with cocked eyebrow, wondering what brought that on.
"Uh...sure..." Joseph said awkwardly, reminded again why he should be cautious around Schneizel. "Come little sis!" He exclaimed as he took her hand and started to make their way out. "Weirdooooo..." He said quietly to Euphemia, who giggled, but not quietly enough as the others were able to hear him. Darlton and the officials sweat-dropped while Schneizel just silently chuckled.
"Oh well, guess some people are just immune to the charm." Schneizel thought to himself.
"Uh, Joe?" Euphemia said nervously as she realized they were heading towards the wall that was just completely refilled.
*CRASH*
Only for it to become a huge hole again as Joseph walked through the hole with Euphemia, who gave the still frozen contractor a very apologetic look.
Once they left, the contractor slowly got up, he had a very dead look in his eyes.
"Your highness, would it be inappropriate for me to ask if I took a quick break." The contractor asked with a very quiet voice.
"Take all the time you need, sir." Schneizel said sympathetically as he knew Joseph had just broke this man.
"Thank you." The contractor said, his words starting to choke as he exited the room and fell into a fetal position in the hallway.
...
Ashford Academy
Student Council Room
The gang minus Lelouch, Kallen, and Suzaku, we're currently preparing for their upcoming Student Festival.
"After all our hard work getting ready, it looks they're gonna cancel the school festival." Milly complained.
"That's hardly a huge consideration since we're at war." Rivalz told her.
"Did you say "war"?" Nina asked surprised.
"They're using this government in exile as a smoke screen, but this is a war with the Chinese Federation!" Rivalz exclaimed.
"Oh, I see…" Nina said resigned.
"Nina, what about the booths we were planning to borrow from the art museum?" Milly asked.
"Uh, I'm going there today. If I had some extra time…I'd also like to drop into the science department." Nina told her so what nervously.
"Are you talking about that present of yours?" Milly asked.
"Huh? What present is that?" Rivalz asked.
"Prof. Asplund said I should ask him if there was something special that I wanted." Nina told him excitedly.
"You mean Lloyd?! That philandering playboy?!" Rivalz asked angrily.
"That's enough! Could you get a little work done?" Milly ordered, not wanting to get into that subject again.
"Easy for you to say. This is work for three people! Suzaku's in the army, Kallen's in the hospital, and the other fool's nowhere to be found! There's something's really weird about Lelouch lately." Rivalz complained before turning his attention over to Shirley. "He say anything to you, Shirley?" He asked.
"Yes, what have you two lovebirds been up to?" Milly asked with her Cheshire grin.
"Oh, uh..." Shirley said nervously, trying to think of an excuse. "He's just trying to find the perfect place for us to go out again is all! We've been meaning to have that second date!" Shirley said quickly, Lelouch might get flack for it from Milly later but it was the only thing she could think of.
"I still can't believe you two are going out now. The guy was totally oblivious of your feelings for the first two years of high school!" Rivalz exclaimed. "What happened to finally get him to notice?" He asked.
"Well, I guess you could say certain events pushed us closer together." Shirley said nostalgically.
She thought about their conversation on the phone the other day.
...
(Flashback)
"Princess Euphemia found out!?" Shirley exclaimed with a whisper as she didn't want anyone else to hear her from her dorm.
"Yeah. It was an eventful day, that's for sure." Lelouch said over the phone.
"But this is a good thing right? If she knows you're Zero, maybe you guys can a figure out a way to stop the fighting." Shirley said optimistically.
"It's not that simple, Shirley. I only had a limited time with her on the island to really discuss anything. Plus, she's only the Sub-Viceroy. The real obstacle would be Cornelia, and don't even get me started on Suzaku." Lelouch told her.
"Oh, I guess that makes sense." Shirley said disappointed. "What about Kallen? Is she alright?" She asked, remembering Lelouch telling her that Suzaku knows her identity as a Black Knight.
"She's fine, a bit sad she can't go back to school right now, but we'll figure it out. Right now I have bigger issues to deal with." Lelouch told her.
"The war with the Chinese Federation in Fukuoka. Are the Black Knights going to get involved?" Shirley asked.
"Still weighing the pros and cons on it. Right now I'm seeing how things progress." Lelouch explained.
"Please be careful. I don't want to tell Nunnally why her big brother won't be coming home anymore." Shirley said worriedly.
"Don't worry, I'm Zero after all." Lelouch said confidently.
"Well good! Because I'm still waiting for you to take me on our "second" date." Shirley said proudly, making Lelouch sputter on the other end. "Tell C.C. I said 'hi'." She said before hanging up.
(Flashback End)
"Lelouch...come back soon." Shirley thought with worry.
"If there's really a war going on, I just hope Joseph is alright, we haven't seen him since Suzaku's party for becoming a royal knight." Nina said with concern.
"I'm sure he's fine, he probably just has to stay at the Viceroy Palace right now." Milly suggested.
"What do you mean?" Nina asked.
"Well considering he was probably the clown during that prison rescue, I'm pretty sure the Viceroy wants to keep him there to not cause anymore trouble." Rivalz said, shocking Nina.
"Tha...That's absurd! Joseph wouldn't turn against his people like that!" Nina stuttered with insistence.
"Right, it was just some other crazy, happy-go-lucky fellow that we know of who would dress up as a clown to disguise himself." Rivalz joked as he continued typing on the laptop.
Nina didn't take it as much as she slammed the laptop closed and gave Rivalz an intense look.
"Maybe you shouldn't say things you know nothing about, Rivalz! How would you like it if someone accused you of something heinous!?" Nina shouted angrily at him.
The council was surprised and Rivalz was a bit scared at this outburst.
"O-Okay. Sorry, Nina. I was just joking." Rivalz stuttered.
She stared intensely at Rivalz for a few more seconds before taking a deep breath and addressing Milly.
"I'm going to go to the art museum now, Madam President." Nina said calmly as she gathered her things.
"Um, okay. Come back soon." Milly said awkwardly as she watched Nina walk away.
"Geez! What was that? It's not like we've haven't commented on the guy's personality before!" Rivalz said, shocked by Nina's outburst.
"Well to be fair, you did associate him with a crime just now." Milly said.
"Oh come on! I'm not the only one thinking it! Honestly, I'm starting to think her crush with Joseph is starting to become an obsession." Rivalz said.
Shirley was concerned too, she never seen Nina get angry like that. She thought it would be a good idea to bring it up to Lelouch later.
...
Avalon
"That's really amazing. You got a perfect rating on the float simulator." Cecile complimented as she observed the float system be attached to the Lancelot.
"Thank you." Suzaku said simply. Cecile then became serious.
"...Tell me…why did you want to give up being a knight, Suzaku?" Cecile asked.
Suzaku looked in surprise from inside the Lancelot. Then he thought about Euphemia and what Joseph said back on the island.
"Because killed dad, think deserve bad things! Be insulted, ridiculed, help bad guys, die even! If do all that, then make up what happened. But not fair! Not fair to family, friends, and self! Glad Eup's knight now, will help find light side. Gotta meet halfway though."
"Well, because…Princess Euphemia still approves of me, even as I am now, Prince Joseph for that matter as well. So, if I caused them any trouble — if I brought them dishonor or shame — I had a feeling that she would end up hating herself and I would alienate Joseph from others more than he already is." Suzaku said sadly.
...
Clovis Memorial Art Museum
Euphemia stared at a portrait of Clovis.
"A figurehead — that's all I was from the start. I knew that, but I thought if I gave my best effort, maybe I could make some difference…" Euphemia thought to herself. "Why, Clovis. Why did you have to commit such atrocities?! I met Zero face to face, but I couldn't in myself to avenge your death." She thought with anguish.
She then noticed Joseph looking at the painting of their father that everyone expected her to cast as the winner for the contest, same day she proclaimed Suzaku as her knight.
She walked over and observed the painting with him. She saw he was looking at it with curiosity.
"Could you give us a couple of minutes?" Euphemia asked the guards that were stationed with them, they nodded and left her and Joseph to talk. "Do you like it?" She asked.
"Meh." Joseph said simply as he shrugged his shoulders, making Euphemia giggle. "...Eup...ever meet dad?" He asked out of the blue.
This surprised Euphemia, not expecting that sort of question from Joseph.
"Um, no, I haven't. Not in person anyway, I've only ever seen him when he gives one of his speeches or via-communicator. Cornelia has spoken to him a few times but it was always just related to affairs going on in other countries." Euphemia explained. "Have you?" She asked curiously now that he brought he up.
And his answer surprised her.
"Yes. Once as kid." He said simply as he reached out and touched the part where Charle's chest was and had a smile of reminiscence on his face.
He was only five years old at the time, but he still remembered it like it was yesterday.
Euphemia looked at him with perplexity and contemplation.
"Joseph, that day when we called father on the communicator to let him know you were with us, you said that you loved him. Did you mean that?" Euphemia asked.
"Yep! I mean, big jerk. But still love." Joseph said without hesitation, now shocking Euphemia.
"Even after everything he's done? Even after what happened with Lelouch and Nunnally?!" Euphemia asked.
While she could never find it in her heart to hate anyone, she certainly held no love for her father.
"Still our dad. Only one." Joseph said simply.
Euphemia thought about that for a moment.
"...But you do want Lelouch to win, don't you? His fight against father."
"Luke Skywalker vs Darth Vader." Joseph said in a agreeing matter.
"Do you think you yourself could do that though? If Lelouch were to ask you to join the Black Knights, could you see yourself fighting against Cornelia? Suzaku? ...Me?" Euphemia asked with trepidation as it was a question she found asking herself lately.
Joseph looked down to the ground as he brought his away from the painting.
"...don't know." Was the only answer he could think to give.
He saw the the horrible things Britannia did to people, all because of their stupid philosophy that the Strong devour the weak, and he didn't like it one bit. He wanted Lelouch to win, but he didn't want to see his family perish either. He wanted to help but he didn't want to hurt Cornelia or Suzaku. All these topics just left him in turmoil.
Euphemia looked in understanding.
"I want to help Lelouch and Nunnally…but I don't know how. I don't have the kind of power that my sister has. I'm not like her or Schneizel or even you Joseph. You're strong, courageous, and you follow your heart no matter what. Yet no matter where I go, I'm just a burden, and I act selfishly though I don't mean to. I chose my knight against my sister's advice…and now he's resigned…" Euphemia said sadly as tears started to gather around her eyes.
Joseph looked at her with sympathy and reached his hand out to her. Euphemia saw this and was expecting a pat on the head or shoulder.
But instead she got a hard pinch to the nose between Joseph's finger.
"Ah!" Euphemia squealed adorably in pain as Joseph wriggled her nose back in forth.
"You and Suzaku, so dumb sometimes." Joseph said with his dopey smile.
"Joe, that hurt!" Euphemia complained as she rubbed her nose after Joseph let go.
"Not burden! Never was! Never is! If selfish, then for right things, you do right things all time, sometimes selfishness needed! If people hate, screw them, always solution at end! For Suzaku, help fix broken! Thinks not deserve help, but we shall show opposite!" Joseph proclaimed to the surprised Euphemia before touching his forehead with hers. "Always been strong, just gotta show." He told her encouragingly.
Euphemia looked at him with surprise but also with the pick-me-up feeling she needed. She smiled kindly at him.
"Thanks Joseph." Euphemia said with gratitude.
"And that not work, be dimwit with me!" Joseph exclaimed as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and brought her in close, making her giggle.
"That would certainly make my life easier." Euphemia agreed as she leaned into him.
They stood there for a moment, until they heard some the guards talking from afar.
"I heard the Viceroy is sending more reinforcements to Fukuoka." A female bodyguard said.
"Specifically more aircraft carriers, should be there by tonight." A male bodyguard said.
This got Joseph thinking He knew he would probably get into big trouble with Cornelia, but he didn't care.
"I think I know how to help Suzaku." Euphemia said with determination.
"All right, Hamilton." Joseph said with his a smirk.
"I suppose we should make our way back to the Viceroy Palace." Euphemia said loud enough for the bodyguards to hear her.
"Yes, your highness!" The bodyguards said.
...
"Oh yeah, they told me about you. You need to get the documents signed today, right? But a couple members of the royal family is viewing the art right now." A guard stationed at art museum told Nina.
"Huh? Which members?" Nina asked, wondering if one of them was Joseph.
...
Riding in the limo, Joseph was getting excited about finally helping his friend out. That is until he saw a familiar figure rush to stand in front of the open gate.
"Joseph! It's me, Nina!" Nina shouted, wanting to get his attention.
"Hey, it's Neat!" Joseph said happily.
"One of your friends from Ashford?" Euphemia asked, surprised by her sudden appearance.
Suddenly, a guard came up and threw Nina on the ground, other guards soon joined him.
"Secure the perimeter. Code Delta! Code Delta!" The guard holding Nina on the ground shouted, not caring he was hurting her.
"Hey!" Joseph shouted in anger as he got out of the car, nobody hurts his friends! He made his way over to them.
"Your highness, please get back in the car, she's-" The guard holding Nina down didn't get to finish his sentence as he sudden had his face grabbed by Joseph and thrown into the gate, effectively knocking him out and bending the gate at a slight downward angle.
Euphemia, who stepped out of the car as well, and the other guards looked in shock. Nina on the other hand, was amazed, once again her prince saved her.
"Don't bully people!" Joseph said with a stern tone as he wagged his finger at the unconscious guard.
He then turned his stare at the other guards who raised their hands up and stepped back to show they meant no harm. He then walked over to Nina and helped her up.
"Hey Neat! You okay?" Joseph asked excitedly, glad to see one of his friends again. He dusted her off and checked for any bruises.
"Y-Yes. Thank you." Nina said with a grateful tone and red in her cheeks.
"Hello again, Miss Einstein. Sorry for the rough treatment just now." Euphemia said apologetically.
"It's okay, Princess. I shouldn't have came rushing in like that. It's just when I heard Joseph was here, I had to make sure he was okay. We hadn't seen him in the last few days and all miss him." Nina explained.
"Miss guys too! But Corn being Corn, ugh!" Joseph complained in a flamboyant fashion. "Any-who, why here first place?" He asked curiously.
"Oh, well, I need to get some booths for the upcoming student festival the school is having." Nina explained.
"Festival? Love festivals! YOU!" Joseph shouted as he pointed to a random guard, who immediately straighten up "Help her." He ordered before turning his attention back on Nina. "Look forward to." He said happily.
"Thank you so much, Joseph!" Nina said excitedly, happy knowing her prince truly cared.
"No prob, bob! Now other errands! Later Neat!" Joseph exclaimed as he brought Nina in for a hug, who took it with great pleasure.
Euphemia on her end, smiled at the interaction, that is until she Nina's face.
It was red and very...erotic?
Safe to say, it mildly disturbed Euphemia, who coughed to signal for them to get going. Joseph let go of Nina, waved her goodbye, who waved back with a dreamy expression on her face, and they went on their way.
A little while later while on the freeway, Euphemia looked at Joseph rather worriedly.
"Um...Joseph...what exactly is your relationship with Miss Einstein?" Euphemia asked.
"Friend! Smart science person!" Joseph said happily.
"...And that's it?...You don't get the feeling she wants maybe to be more than that?" Euphemia asked awkwardly.
"Like what?" Joseph asked curiously, honestly having no idea where she was going with this.
"...You know..." Euphemia said, really not wanting to say it aloud.
He stared at her blankly for a few seconds before realization came over his face, and he laughed.
"Eup, like science but not guy for it." Joseph told her.
"U-Uh...huh..." Euphemia said in a confused manner.
"Neat find better person for science stuff, like Lloyd or Cecile." Joseph said.
"Wha...Oh, no, no, I meant-"
"Silly Eup." Joseph said as he patted her head before chuckling. "Me, science guy." He said to himself as he laughed about it.
Euphemia just sighed, seeing he had no idea what she was talking about.
"Welp, time to go!" Joseph said with determination.
"Go?" Euphemia asked.
"Yep, to Suzaku!" Joseph said as he opened the door to the moving car.
"I-what are you talking about!?" Euphemia asked, not liking the direction this was going. Joseph just looked at her confused.
"Uhhhhh, remember, reinforcements to Fukuoka, stowaway in, find and help Suzaku?" Joseph explained to her, thinking that was the plan they came up with.
"...I was just going to contact him through a private communicator so we could both talk to him." Euphemia said befuddled, wondering how Joseph came to that conclusion in his mind.
"...Ooooooh..." Joseph said in realization. "...Even better then! You help here, I help there! Perfect!" Joseph said excitedly. After, Suzaku can't ignore them if he's being talked to from two different ways of communications.
He got closer to the open door.
"Wait! What should I tell Schneizel?!" Euphemia asked nervously, really not liking what Joseph was about to do.
"Helping friend! Laters little sis!" Joseph said with determination as pushed himself out of the moving car.
"Joe!" Euphemia said fearfully.
"Princess, is everything okay?" The driver asked up front, thankfully the screen window was blocking what was going on in the back.
Euphemia looked into her back window, she saw Joseph do a barrel roll along the pavement before somehow landing on his feet without any major wounds or bruising.
She sighed in relief, her older brother truly was something else.
"Your highness?" The driver asked concerned, beginning to slow down the car.
"Uh, everything's fine! Joe just tried to stick his head out the window again. Ha ha!" Euphemia said quickly, not wanting them to know of his disappearance just yet.
She saw Joseph wave to the car, and Euphemia couldn't help but giggle and wave back.
"See you later, big brother." Euphemia thought.
...
Black Knights Submarine
Kallen's Room
Kallen sat on her bed in her room aboard the submarine, thinking about things.
Now that Suzaku knew about her double life, she wondered if she could ever returned to school. When she first went back, before the Black Knights were even formed, it was only to fill the facade she created. She didn't care about her life there, her so-called "friends", the mask she resented to wear, even her own mother was a stranger to her, it was all nothing but a distraction to her.
And yet, in just the last few months, so many things have changed.
She found a group of weird but lovable people she could call friends and accepted her for who she was, her relationship with her mother became stronger than ever, and she even found the company of a funny dimwitted prince enjoyable if not exhausting every now and again.
It was during this time, she actually learned to appreciate her Britannian heritage again.
Speaking of her mother, she told her she was going on a trip with some friends outside of school for a few days, she wondered if those few days would become permanent.
And then she there what Suzaku told her back on Kamine Island.
"Kallen...Lelouch hates Britannia." Suzaku said in a very serious manner, surprising Kallen. "The day after in the invasion, Lelouch said these very words I'll never forget: 'I swear, Suzaku, so help me. I will one day obliterate Britannia!'" He told her in a solemn tone.
When she thought about it, it made sense.
She had to do some digging, but according to her research, Lelouch and Nunnally's mother and the Emperor's Consort: Marianne Vi Britannia, was murdered by terrorists in the middle of the night, causing Nunnally to become crippled and losing her sight from the trauma. However, some conspiracy theorists believe it was inside job by the other royal family members simply because she was born a commoner and didn't deserve to have her place with the throne. Which considering Britannian's policy on everything, this was the more likely conclusion.
Lelouch Vi Britannia, who was just 10 years old at the time, came to his father and demanded that justice be delivered, only for him to be declared dead by the Emperor and sent to Japan as politcal hostages, where they met Suzaku.
If Kallen didn't have a burning hatred for the Britannian Rule before, she definitely did now! And she could see why Lelouch does too!
All he wanted was answers about why his father hadn't done more to find his mother's killer, and what is he given in return? A SPAT in the face!
Kallen swore if she ever confronted the Emperor, she would personally choke the life out of him!
And there was also that time when she and Lelouch first met.
...
(Flashback)
Ashford Academy
"Don't tell anyone about Shinjuku." Lelouch told her as he turned back to her. Kallen looked at him in surprise.
"What do you mean, about Shinjuku? Why would you say that?" Kallen asked, her suspicions rising.
"Uh-go back to class!" Lelouch said quickly with nervousness.
"As soon as I get an answer to my question, I will." Kallen said with a stern voice.
(Flashback End)
...
Black Knights Submarine
Kallen's Room
"Lelouch...are you really..." Kallen thought to herself, conflicted.
Sudden an announcement was made.
"All Black Knights to the auditorium!" A Black Knight said over the intercom.
...
"Uhh, so you're saying...?" Tamaki asked, wondering where Zero was going with this.
"We aren't going to collaborate with Sawasaki. He's not independent — he's a puppet of the Chinese Federation." Zero explained.
"But he says he's fighting for Japan!" A Black Knight reasoned.
"We get a new name and a new master, but nothing would change. His Japan is a sham." Zero said.
"Yeah? What you're really saying is..." Asahina said.
"...when Britannia strikes back, we play dead?" Urabe asked with scrutiny.
"Zero, perhaps you'd better clarify what our overall mission is." Diethard inquired.
"Yeah, he's right. Even leaving aside the Sawasaki matter, what's our midterm goal on this?" Ohgi asked.
"To make Tokyo an independent nation!" Zero proclaimed.
This definitely surprised the Black Knights. This brought up a spark of conversations among them.
"Independent?!" Kallen asked.
"A nation?!" Asahina asked.
"I thought so. He's really going all the way." Diethard said to himself in excitement.
"Wait a minute! No matter how much the Black Knights have expanded...!" Ohgi said nervously.
"Our enemy is an empire that controls one third of the world!" Chiba continued.
"We can't pull that off alone!" Tamaki said angrily.
"Then answer this! Are you just going to sit back and wait for someone else to defeat Britannia? Who?! You think if you wait long enough, some day the right chance will finally come? When will that be? How many days, months, or years will we wait!? Be better than that! If we don't stand up and do it ourselves, that 'some day' will never come! Show yourselves that this is worth fighting for!" Zero proclaimed.
The Black Knights looked at him in awe, some moved by his speech.
"Zero..." Kallen thought in amazement.
...
Coast of Fukuoka
"Good, it's cleared up." Cornelia said as she saw the skies clear of the storm.
"Now we can resume the landing operation, and we'll try to put Prince Schneizel's plan into action." Guilford said.
"You think the Special Corps can break through their line?" Cornelia asked trepidatiously
"With Kururugi, it's possible." Guilford said.
"Yes, both my brothers and my sister sing his praises. Using him can also mean trouble though." Cornelia said dismissively.
"But there's no commander on the Avalon now. Earl Asplund isn't capable." Guilford said.
"(Sighs) Nothing we can do I suppose, let's just hope there aren't anymore unexpected distractions." Cornelia said.
...
Meanwhile with an aircraft carrier heading towards the Fukuoka Base
Joseph sat on top the aircraft carrier that made its way towards Fukuoka, he was currently looking through his mixtapes, figuring out which one to use. He had a giant grin on his face. He didn't know about fighting against his friends and family, but he could at least help Suzaku in his time of need.
"This was a very good plan!" Joseph thought to himself proudly.
...
Avalon
"Are we sending up a barrage?" Suzaku asked as the Lancelot prepared its launch.
"We'll be fine in this position." Cecile said calmly.
...
Missiles tried to hit the Avalon, but they were only met by a green shield of sorts.
"Lancelot's shield was already proved on the battlefield." Lloyd said proudly.
"Maj. Kururugi, I'm laying out the mission plan for final verification: This ship will breach the enemy's front line from high altitude and move directly to the launch point.
The advanced weapon system Z-01 Lancelot, using the float unit, will attack the enemy headquarters at Fukuoka base. The float unit consumes energy fast, so pay attention to your operation time." Cecile instructed.
...
"Yes, My Lord. M.E. Boost." Suzaku said as he powered up the Lancelot.
...
"Lancelot unit, now launching!" Cecile called out.
...
"Launch!" Suzaku shouted out as the Lancelot flew out into the sky with its own floating device.
...
Fukuoka Base
"A Knightmare?!" Sawasaki said astonished as the Lancelot appeared on the screen.
"It's not being transported; it's just flying on its own!" "Tsao said with amazement.
"That weapons report we got, could this be it?!" Sawasaki asked.
"You mean that novelty weapon?!" Tsao said.
"But then, the pilot is…!" Sawasaki said in realization.
...
"There it is — the enemy headquarters." Suzaku said as he effortlessly took our enemy helicopters. Suddenly, he heard a beep go off. "An open channel?" He said to himself, he opened communications and saw it was Sawasaki.
"This is Minister Sawasaki. Is that Prime Minister Kururugi's son in the pilot seat? I see. I didn't know he had a son like you." Sawasaki said.
"This has nothing to do with my father — I came here to put an end to this fighting. I will accept your surrender." Suzaku said simply
"You want to rob Japan of its dream of freedom?" Sawasaki asked with scrutiny.
"Freedom has to come the right way! Not like this!" Suzaku said as he landed on the tarmac.
"You will act out of selfishness? It's justice without ideology!" Sawasaki said in anger.
"No, you're wrong! That's not what I–" Suzaku didn't get to finish as he was suddenly attacked by uniquely designed knightmares from behind. The surprise left his VARIS being destroyed. "My VARIS! Those are Chinese Federation Gun-Rus!" Suzaku said as he looked the knightmares.
...
"He allowed me to distract him. He still has much to learn!" Sawasaki said arrogantly.
...
Viceroy Palace
Euphemia entered the office Schneizel was occupying.
"Euphie?" Schneizel asked in surprise.
"Schneizel, may I have access to a private communication line?" Euphemia asked urgently.
"Of course. But where's Joseph?" Schneizel asked.
"Um...about that..." Euphemia said awkwardly.
...
Fukuoka Base
Suzaku continued to take heavy fire from the Gun-Rus. Losing his float system along the way.
"My energy filler!" Suzaku said.
...
Avalon
"Are you kidding?! They blasted off the float system?!" Lloyd asked in shock.
"The Avalon has to strike at the base!" Cecile said with concern for Suzaku.
"No! The shield doesn't completely surround us! One direct hit and we'll go down in flames!" Lloyd said with distress.
"Suzaku, reroute all power to combat and comms systems!" Cecile ordered.
...
Fukuoka Base
"Got it!" Suzaku complied.
...
"You had better surrender, Suzaku! Since you're Prime Minister Kururugi's son, I guarantee that you'll be very well-treated, my boy." Sawasaki tried to bribe.
...
"I decline! If I use my father's name for this, I'll never forgive myself! This is between you and me!" Suzaku said with determination.
"I see. You're very much your father's son, as foolish and stubborn as he was!" Sawasaki criticized.
Suzaku looked at the Gun-Rus around him, trying to figure out his options.
When suddenly his comms opened a new link, a link he wasn't expecting!
"Suzaku Kururugi!" Euphemia said.
"Euphie!" Suzaku said in surprise.
"Suzaku! The truth is, you and I…That is–" Euphemia stuttered, trying to find the right words.
"Sorry, but I'm kinda in the middle of something right now." Suzaku said as he shot he way through the Gun-Rus.
...
ViceroyPalace
"You see…I hereby command you to love me!" Euphemia ordered.
...
Fukuoka Base
"Right! ...Huh!?" Suzaku said in realization.
...
Avalon
"Huh?!" Cecile in shock.
"What?! What is it?!" Lloyd asked.
"Uh, sorry, but this is private." Cecile told him awkwardly.
...
Fukuoka Base
"And in return, I will love you! Forever!" Euphemia said over the comms.
"Euphie..." Suzaku said in shock.
...
Coast of Fukuoka
Cornelia and her soldiers finally made it to the edge of the base, ready to take out the enemy.
"Finally, my turn to play. Though I will say, it was s well thought-out plan by Schneizel. With Kururugi being a distraction, we can sweep in without too much resistance." Cornelia said with a small smirk.
"Ah...I see...thank you, your Highness." Guilford said awkwardly into his phone before hanging up.
"Guilford? Everything alright?" Cornelia asked, wondering what brought on his mood.
"Um, well Princess, that was Prime Minister Schneizel just now. It was concerning Joseph..." Guilford said nervously.
As he knew what would happen next wasn't going to be pretty.
...
A few seconds later, from outside the battleship Cornelia was on.
"...HE WHAT!?" Cornelia exploded from the top of his lungs, her voice echoing many feet in the distance.
Soldiers swore they felt the floor rumble and see the glass windows shake that day.
...
Avalon
"Did you hear that?" Cecile asked, swearing she heard a faint roar just now.
"No, but I felt it." Lloyd said with a eerie grin, knowing that someone was in BIG trouble.
...
Fukuoka Base
"Did you hear something?" Sawasaki asked.
"Sounded like a faint roar of some kind." Tsao said in perplexity.
"Hmm, odd." Sawasaki said as he shrugged his shoulders, pushing the thought away.
...
Viceroy Palace
"Suzaku, I love your stubbornness and your kindness and your strength! Your sad eyes, your clumsiness, and the way you have trouble with cats! I love everything about you! So please, don't hate yourself!" Euphemia told him wholeheartedly.
...
Fukuoka Base
Suzaku sat there in shock as he tried to focus on the battle in front of him.
"I see that I've made you even more worried than I did before. You know, you and Joseph are very similar." Suzaku told Euphemia, who looked in surprise. "Everything you do is impulsive. When we first met, when you told me you were a princess, when you selected my school, when you made me a knight — always!" He continued.
...
Viceroy Palace
"Yes, they were all so sudden. That's because…I suddenly realized…" Euphemia said with a blush.
...
Fukuoka Base
"But then, it's that spur-of-the-moment feeling that's opened so many doors for me! Thank you!" Suzaku said with gratitude as he made his way towards the Fukuoka Headquarters where Sawasaki was.
He saw all the Gun-Rus start gather around him.
"Princess, can I make one final request?" Suzaku said solemnly.
"Final?" Euphemia asked with confusion.
"If something happens to me, whatever it is, please don't blame yourself. Destroy all the records and erase every trace so no one knows what happened to me.
I don't want my friends to be sad. Just tell them I transferred school or make up some story." Suzaku said to her as the Lancelot's power depleted.
"Suzaku, don't tell me you're–!" Euphemia said with concern.
"Yes. The Knightmare's out of energy. Oh, and please, say goodbye to Miss Cécile and Lloyd and Prince Schneizel for me. (Sighs) I was stubborn all the way to the end." Suzaku said regretfully.
...
Viceroy Palace
Euphemia looked in shock and knew she was about to cry.
"Don't die, Suzaku! You got to live!" Euphemia shrieked.
...
Fukuoka Base
"Wh–what the…?" Suzaku asked himself as red rings started to appear around his eyes.
...
"AND FI-Huh?!" Sawasaki stopped his orders as he noticed an unknown figure on the screen.
...
Suzaku saw it too.
It was a man, a man in a black overcoat, he was jumping from a building and landed on a Gun-Ru.
"J-Joseph?!" Suzaku asked in shocked as the red rings disappeared.
...
Viceroy Palace
"Wha?!" Euphemia said with a double take as she heard Suzaku say Joseph's name.
...
Fukuoka Base
"What the hell?!" Sawasaki said in surprise.
"The Dimwitted Prince?!" Tsao said in equal shock.
...
Silence.
No one knew what to say, the Dimwitted Prince popped out of the blue, something he was getting a reputation for, and he just stood there with a stern look on his face that was directed towards the Lancelot.
Suddenly, he pointed his finger at the Lancelot and shouted:
"Suzaku Kururugi!" With a strict tone in his voice.
Then he took his Walkman from pants,
pressed the play button,
and a tune began to play.
We're no strangers to love
You know the rules and so do I
(Joseph started to dance and lip-sync to the lyrics in a dramatic fashion)
A full commitment's what I'm thinking of
You wouldn't get this from any other guy
(Joseph continued to lip-sync and pointed to the Lancelot in loving gesture. Then he jumped onto another Gun-Ru and continued dancing.)
...
(I just wanna tell you how I'm feeling)
Suzaku looked at this spectacle inside his knightmare with befuddlement.
He knows he should be used to Joseph's antics by now, but he just can't help but wonder why he chose to do this right at this present moment.
"Suzaku...what's going on?" Euphemia asked with concern as he hadn't said a word in awhile.
...
(Gotta make you understand)
Sawasaki and Tsao just stood there in stunned shock, wondering why there was a man dancing on top of their knightmares.
...
Never gonna give you up
Never gonna let you down
Never gonna run around and desert you
(Joseph jumped onto to the ground and danced his way towards the Lancelot.)
"Joseph, what are you doing?!" Suzaku asked with a distressed tone from the Lancelot's speaker.
"Getting point across!" Joseph shouted, his dancing not slowing down.
Never gonna make you cry
Never gonna say goodbye
Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you
(He jumped towards the Lancelot and grabbed its face, continuing to lip-sync to the song in pleading matter.)
...
Avalon
Lloyd and Cecile watched this from inside the Avalon.
Cecile watched with wide eyes and a cocked eyebrow.
Lloyd just had an amused grin on his face.
"I do love that boy." Lloyd said, amused.
...
Fukuoka Base
The Lancelot pulled Joseph away from his face and held him in its palms.
"Joseph! Get out of here!" Suzaku told him anxiously.
"NEVA! How long gonna push away, HUH!? Denying those who care?!" Joseph asked in fury
"The Dimwitted Prince is even more idiotic than I thought, though I do admire your courage-" Sawasaki tried to speak to Joseph through one of the Gun-Ru's speakers only to be interrupted by Joseph.
"Excuse me! Having! Emotional! Moment!" Joseph shouted to the Gun-Rus for being rude.
Sawasaki stuttered at the man's dismissal of him.
"Think can hide away, think if die than world better off!" Joseph said snidely as he turned back to the Lancelot. "Guess what! Not happening! Can't break our hearts! Eup loves you! Lelouch and Nunne love you! Friends love you! I love you! Brother from 'nother Mother! And never giving up!" Joseph shouted passionately as he turned his walkman up to full volume and hugged the Lancelot on the chest.
...
Suzaku inside his knightmare, just looked in awe from his friend's speech.
"Joseph..." Suzaku said quietly as tears started to gather around his eyes.
...
"Aw, how sweet..." Sawasaki said with a fake cheery tone. "...Kill them both." He said with a serious demeanor.
...
And as the Gun-Rus were about to fire, two large red lasers evaporated all the Gun-Rus in that spot! This shocked Suzaku and excited Joseph!
...
"What!?" Sawasaki shouted.
...
Suzaku looked up and saw who it was.
"That's…!" Suzaku said.
"CAPTAIN ZERO!" Joseph cheered with excitement.
...
Coast of Fukuoka
"I'm going to personally shoot him in the kneecaps and then drag him back to Pendragon by his EYELIDS! He has broken the camel's back for the last time!" Cornelia ranted as she furiously tore through enemy knightmares one by one.
Guilford could see she was letting off some steam, and while he didn't want to add fuel to the fire, it was better he got this out of the way now.
"Your Highness, we saw just got incoming report!" Guilford said.
"Now what!" Cornelia asked aggravation, wondering how her night could possibly get worse.
...
Fukuoka Base
"Suzaku fighting as reckless as ever, and of course Joseph's gone and done something stupid again." C.C. said from inside the Gawain.
"Yes, but this time he seems to be following someone else's plan. They sent a single fighter in to try to disrupt the main force. Even if he fails, Cornelia can move right in." Lelouch explained. "As for Joseph, are you really that surprised by him anymore?" He asked.
"Hmm, I suppose not." C.C. said with a chuckle.
"Schneizel. Is he behind this idea?" Lelouch asked himself.
The Gawain landed in front of the Lancelot.
"Captain Zero! Missed you! How you be?" Joseph asked excitedly as he climbed up on the Lancelot's shoulder.
"It's been some time, Joseph. I never got to properly thank for looking after Q1 during our island stay." Zero said with gratitude.
Joseph gave him a thumbs up and then remembered that he still needed to give back Kallen's headband. Now that Zero was here, it was the perfect time.
"Kururugi, is the Lancelot still operational?" Zero asked.
"Zero…" Suzaku said with trepidation.
...
"It's Zero?!" Sawasaki said in shock.
"Is that an open channel?!" Tsao asked.
"Yes!" A soldier said.
"Then stay with that source and find out what he's after!" Tsao ordered.
...
Suzaku saw the Gawain offer something to him.
"An energy filler?" Suzaku asked in surprise.
"I'm going to take out the enemy command center. What will you do?" Zero asked.
...
"What?!" Sawasaki asked in shock, not believing what he was seeing.
...
Joseph gasped in shock as he realized what was going on and started to squeal excitedly as he bounced on his feet up and down, Suzaku chuckled.
"Sorry, Zero, but you're not going to get your wish — I'm going to hit them first, my way." Suzaku said as he took the energy filler.
"SUPERHERO TEAM UP! WOOOOO!" Joseph yelled with excitement and giddiness.
Lelouch couldn't help but chuckle and even C.C. smirked a bit.
"I know it's pointless to ask you to get to safety, so just hang on and try not to get shot. It's going to be a bumpy ride." Suzaku told Joseph with determination in his eyes.
"Like it bumpy." Joseph said with a anticipated grin. "CHARGE!" He yelled as he pointed his finger at the base in front of them.
Both the Lancelot and the Gawain did as such and it almost ended with Joseph flying off the Lancelot, who thankfully grabbed onto the shoulder at the last second and laughed maniacally.
...
"Resume attack! Stop them! Stop Kururugi and Zero!" Sawasaki ordered.
...
Gun-Rus and helicopters tried to stop the two knightmares, but it was all futile as they charged through the barriers without even breaking a sweat.
"Zero! Shouldn't we be fighting together as comrades?! Don't you care about Japan?!" Sawasaki asked over the open channel as Lelouch had a large hole drilled with the hadron cannons.
"The Black Knights stand against anyone who uses violence unjustly for their own selfish end." Zero explained.
"Selfish?! I'm doing this for Japan!" Sawasaki argued.
"Sawasaki! If this is for Japan, why did you run away to the Chinese Federation?! You should have stayed, for everyone's sake!" Suzaku countered.
"Yeah! Jerk!" Joseph added.
...
"You're still a child!" Sawasaki yelled in anger.
...
Black Knights Submarine
"A joint operation. Gawain…" Rakshata thought.
...
Avalon
"Lancelot…" Lloyd thought
...
Viceroy Palace
"So Suzaku and Lelouch are…" Euphemia said with a hopeful tone.
...
Fukuoka Base
Cornelia made her way through the base, trying to find Joseph and the knightmares.
"Zero did what?!" Cornelia asked with shock.
"Yes, he saved Kururugi." Guilford told her over comms.
"Fighting on our side? What the hell is he thinking?" Cornelia asked herself.
...
Black Knights Submarine
"So his tactic was to bring the Gawain in alone to get past the Britannians. That was brilliant!" Diethard commented.
"Maybe, but the Guren Mk-II could have acted as a shield for them. It's not like I could go home or back to school at this point." Kallen said sadly. "After all our battles, to be working with the Lancelot is just–"
"What's necessary here is not victory." Diethard spoke up, surprising Kallen. "The Black Knights' participation in this battle is an undeniable truth. Of course, it will never be officially reported, but the rumors will spread, and everyone will know what happened here. As Zero said, this will show the world exactly where we stand: protecting the nation is our first commitment." Diethard explained, Kallen thought about this.
"...Suzaku..." Kallen said, not sure how to feel about him right now.
...
Fukuoka Base
Sawasaki made their way through a hangar to get to the helicopter waiting for them.
"What's wrong with going to another country, then waiting for the right moment to strike?! That's an effective strategy, isn't it?" Sawasaki asked himself in anger.
"We can set up a new line of defense at Kagoshima." Tsao suggested.
"Right. I appreciate your help." Sawasaki said gratefully.
They arrived to their helicopter, only for it to meet a slash harken and being disabled.
"Huh? Uh?!" Sawasaki exclaimed as he saw the Lancelot leap up to the heli-pad and the Gawain float above him.
"Sawasaki!" Suzaku said.
"That's far enough." Zero said.
"I–i–impossible! They took the largest fortress in all of Kyushu, with hardly any effort!" Sawasaki stuttered in shock.
Suddenly Joseph jumped from the Lancelot and landed on the hood of their car, shocking the two.
"Came to chew bubblegum! And out of GUM!" Joseph said triumphantly.
Sawasaki and Tsao just stared at him bewildered.
"...What?" Was Sawasaki could think to ask.
To which Joseph replied with two knockout punches. He looked back the knightmares and gave two thumbs up with a huge grin.
"Uh...good one..." Suzaku said, trying to decipher that one liner.
"Good old Joe..." Lelouch said to himself with a smirk.
"Oh! Capatin Zero!" Joseph said as he pulled Kallen's headband out of his coat pocket and jumped onto Gawain, surprising Lelouch and C.C. "Kallen's headband! Give back!" Joseph said, waving the headband at the Gawain's head.
Lelouch thought about it for a moment and just sighed and grabbed his helmet.
"Set us down." Lelouch told C.C.
"You're really going to go out there?" C.C. asked.
"I think at this point we've done enough fighting today. Plus, I'm sure Joseph won't let anything happen to me." Lelouch said with a chuckle as he put on his mask.
The Gawain landed and Zero lowered himself with a wire cable, Suzaku did the same with the Lancelot.
"Here. Tell Kallen thanks!" Joseph said happily as he jumped down and handed the blood-stained headband to Zero.
"I'll be sure to do that." Zero said as he put the headband in his pocket. "Suzaku." Zero said with acknowledgement.
"Zero." Suzaku said neutrally, not sure how to feel about Zero right now.
"Okay, gotta say first. ...AWESOME FIGHT!" Joseph cheered as he threw his hands in the airs, startling Zero and Suzaku. "When we charged, you flew in!" Joseph said excitedly as he made flying noises with his mouth and renacted the sequence with his hands like he was a kid talking about his favorite TV show. "Bad guys went 'bang, bang!' We went 'bang, bang!'" He continued, getting an amused smile from Lelouch in his mask and a chuckle out of Suzaku.
Of course, that was spoiled by a very loud roar.
"JOSEPH!" Cornelia shouted from her knightmare as she came rolling in.
"Sounds like someone is about to be on the receiving end of a belt." C.C. said to herself in amusement.
"Zero..." Cornelia grumbled, wondering if she should just try to take him in now.
Or at least she would wonder that if all her anger wasn't focused on Joseph at the moment.
"Viceroy." Zero said simply.
"Hi-ya, Corn!" Joseph said excitedly as he waved at her knightmare.
"Don't you 'Hi-ya, Corn' me, MISTER!" Cornelia shouted with intense fury. "Time and time again, I have dealt with your antics and trouble-making, BUT NO MORE! I'm putting my FOOT DOWN! And if you think you going to get some usual punishment..." as Cornelia continued to rant like this, Suzaku and Zero swore they could hear the steam coming out of her ears. Joseph, on the other hand, just rolled his eyes and sighed as he knew this was coming.
However, that's when he saw something.
It was a dot, a tiny red dot.
It was coming from the distance. Joseph wondered why there would be a tiny red dot out in the middle of a dark area.
That's when Joseph remembered that tiny red dots usually meant one thing in films.
"Sniper?" Joseph thought with curiosity
He then saw what the red dot was pointing at.
His eyes widened, and he sprinted.
"LOOK OUT!" He shrieked as he raised his hands to give a push.
A gun shot rang out...and blood splattered...
To Be Continued...
Who was at the receiving end of that bullet? Find out in the next chapter!
So I originally was going to have a flashback at the beginning of the chapter between Joseph and Schneizel to give a better sense of their relationship. Unfortunately, the idea I have, I'm having trouble putting into words. But when I do, it'll show up.
As for Rick Astley, that's something I came up with last minute. With the context of the chapter, I figured it would fit perfectly! And you know Joseph would jam the Hell out of that song!
As for the meeting between Joseph and Charles? Well, you'll just have to wait and see.
Anyway, hope you enjoyed the chapter, tell me what you think!
'Til next time!