"Author's Notes: Four years since the publishing of the original, and over half a year since its announcement, the remake of Warlock and the Harpy is finally here. To any veteran readers, I thank you for your loyalty and patience.
"Lelouch" —Speech
'Really?' —Thoughts
"{Obey me.}" —Geass Command
"Hold Fire." —Loudspeaker
"Respond." —Radio/Phone
August 10th, 2010 A.T.B., Japan, Mt. Fuji
On the outskirts of the Kururugi Shrine, three children, two boys and one girl, were running through the surrounding forest when they encountered a steep hill. The two boys, one with brown hair and green eyes, the other with black hair and violet eyes, easily climb the hill. However, the girl, with long pink hair and bluish violet eyes, was having difficulty climbing the hill. The two boys reached down and helped her up the hill when they heard a sound coming from the distance. Many sounds. The three turned towards the source of the sound, and two of them were shocked, while one of the boys looked infuriated. In the distance they could see dozens of jets and dropships, all bearing the symbol of the Holy Britannian Empire.
"Suzaku, Euphie.", the black haired boy exclaimed, snapping the two from their stupor.
"Lelouch?", the girl, Euphie, replied.
"Get back to the Shrine, now!"
And with that statement, the two boys jumped down the hill, with Euphie sliding down, and the three sprinted towards the Kururugi Shrine.
The Second Pacific War had begun.
September 13th, Western Japan Coastline
'One month!' Lelouch thought as he watched the sunset, not wishing to see the ruined landscape surrounding him, 'It took a month for Britannia to crush Japan.' He looked around, seeing Suzaku next to him, looking depressed, most likely due to his father's death. Behind him, behind an armored vehicle, he could see Euphie tending to a girl with sandy brown hair in a wheelchair. 'At least we got Nunnally out before the bombs reached the shrine.'
"I swear, Suzaku." Lelouch said as he stood up, "For what they've done, Britannia will fall!"
Nearby, to the side of the armored vehicle, sitting on a piece of rubble, was a woman with dark pink hair and indigo eyes. She had a large bandage across her left cheek.
'Lelouch…that path will lead to your death.'
THE WARLOCK AND THE HARPY
Chapter 1: The Day Demons Were Born
August 15th, 2017 A.T.B., Area 11, Tokyo Settlement
Seron Archibald
Seron Archibald was not having a good day. His store was slowly starting to grow when a nobleman came in demanding an order. He calmly explained to him why the materials needed for his request wouldn't be available until next week, but the nobleman wouldn't have it. In response, the nobleman, in a much too calm manner, decided that the dispute could be resolved in a game of chess. If Seron lost, he'd lose his entire business, of which he worked for years to build up. It was also clear this wasn't a request.
Just a couple minutes in, Seron knew he was doomed. While he wasn't a novice at the game, it was clear the nobleman was an expert, or, at least, far better than him. The fact that it was blitz chess didn't help either. However, the nobleman's arrogance got the better of him. He planned the game for tomorrow, which gave him the time he needed to call an associate. Well, an associate's cousin. He only met him a couple of times, but he knew he was an expert chess player.
Now, he just needed to stall-
The mechanical beeping of the timer went off, throwing him from his thoughts.
"You're out of time." A black suited man behind him said, "From now on, I'd like it to be one move every twenty seconds."
The nobleman was simply filing his nails, enjoying toying with Seron. When he heard the official's decree, he simply shrugged his shoulders.
"Fine with me."
Sweating, Seron turned his head back to the game, running a hand through his gray hair. He didn't want to lose too many pieces, or else-
He heard the door opening behind him. Turning his head to look, the nobleman raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? Has your substitute arrived?"
Seeing two figures entering, one with blue hair and gray eyes, while the other had black hair and violet eyes. Both were wearing school uniforms, but the blue haired boy noticeably had a blue bike helmet on. Seron smiled with joy as he got up.
"Oh, thank heaven, I'm saved! Are thing's going well at school?"
"What have we here?" the nobleman commented in an amused tone, "School boys?"
"Well," the black haired boy replied nonchalantly, "A nobleman today?"
To those out of the know, the boy's words could be inferred as Seron having needed this boy's help more than once. However, Seron knew the true meaning. He simply beat many opponents.
"I'm envious of you kids, you know," the nobleman taunted, "You have so much time on your hands…especially time to regret. What's your name?"
"Lelouch…Lamperouge."
The blue haired boy got to Lelouch's side, finally seeing the state of the board game. And his mouth dropped.
"Holy-Wait a minute Lelouch, this is impossible! Even for you!"
Seron's smile dropped. 'Had I really done that poorly?'
However, Lelouch's face didn't change. That neutral expression betrayed no emotions.
"Rival," Lelouch calmly replied, "When would we have to leave to make our next class?"
Seron's eyes widened. 'Despite how bad of a situation he's in, if his friend is telling the truth, he's more concerned about getting back to school? I knew he was an expert, but this is…'
"Uh, twenty minutes if we bust our hump. Anything less and your cousin's going to kill me."
"Then be sure to drive safely on the way back."
"Wha-?"
The nobleman tapped his file on the table, indicating that he was growing impatient. Lelouch wasn't fazed.
"I'll need only nine minutes," Lelouch turned to Seron, "And about yesterday…?"
"Oh, of course, sir. We can discuss it later."
"Nine minutes?" the nobleman exclaimed, "When you only have twenty seconds per move?"
Lelouch picked up the black king piece. "More than enough."
The nobleman saw the piece Lelouch was going to move. "You'll start with the king?" He began to laugh, thinking he was correct about this kid.
Seron saw, for the first time since entering, Lelouch's neutral face change. And the smile he gave the nobleman sent a chill down his spine, though the nobleman didn't notice.
If it wasn't his business on the line, he'd almost feel bad for the nobleman.
Ashford Academy
Millicent Ashford
It wasn't hard to say that Ashford Academy was one the most prolific schools in all of Tokyo, perhaps all of Area 11. Having been built by the Ashford noble family shortly after the Second Pacific War, only the most exceptional students are admitted to the school. Obviously talented students from across Area 11. But also the sons and daughters of noble families, or those who could afford higher level education. Usually the latter, since many noble families consider Area 11 'backwater'. Funny, considering 11 gives over a fourth of Britannia's entire sakuradite supply.
But that's neither here nor there. Millicent Ashford wasn't superstitious, so she wasn't going to ponder too much on it.
"Where's Lelouch?"
'Oh, right,' Milly smirked, moving some of her blonde hair away from her eye, 'That's what we were talking about.'
In one of Ashford's courtyards were four girls sitting on stone pillar chairs. The one who spoke up had orange hair and green eyes. Shirley Fenette, her second closest friend.
"I think he went off with Rival." Nina Einstein replied. She had dark green hair and indigo eyes, and was considered Ashford's smartest student, by grade standards, that is. To Nina's right sat another girl, simply smiling. She had bluish violet eyes, and rose red hair, with pink streaks amongst them. Euphie Levett, her closest friend ever since childhood.
Milly's dark blue eyes gave a slight amusement. "What is it this time, Euphie? Poker?" She already knew that Lelouch was gambling again. She didn't really take issue with it, though she did wish he'd stop going after the nobility. One wrong move, and he'll blow his cover, in more ways than one.
Shirley seemed to take offense to Milly's sarcasm. "As if you don't already know, Milly. He keeps giving nice things with the money he does from his gambling. It's embarrassing. Don't they know they're one the Student Council? I swear, if Lulu put that much energy into his school work, he'd be at the top of our class."
Milly raised an eyebrow, and decided to play with Shirley, focusing on one thing she said. "Are you saying you're embarrassed because Lelouch is gambling, or because he doesn't get you anything, dear?"
Shirley went tomato red, mumbling, "You shouldn't say such things, Madam President." Milly and Euphie proceeded to giggle. It was a barely concealed secret that Shirley loved Lelouch, and Milly ever so much liked toying around about that. Milly wasn't being cruel, though. She was simply working on priming Lelouch up.
All four students felt a chill run up their spines. Milly's head turned like her neck was rusty, and saw a woman standing behind Nina. She had pitch black hair, wearing draped in a black and purple outfit*1. Her indigo eyes seemed to bore into the three girls (Nina wasn't daring to turn around). Not to mention the slash scar across her left cheek. Cornelia Levett, head of Ashford Security, and Euphie's older sister.
"I-Is that who I think it is?" Nina nearly whimpered. Shirley and Milly nodded yes, while Euphie, still smiling, shook her head. An elbow to the gut quickly changed her mind.
"Did I hear correctly?" Cornelia scowled, "Is my cousin gambling again?"
"Cornelia," Euphie replied, still unafraid, "We don't know where he is, and we couldn't stop him if we tried. You know how he gets when his mind is set on something."
'Oh, no doubt about that.'
Cornelia rubbed her forehead. "Euphie Levett, we both know why I need him to stop gambling. Not only is it improper for a student of his caliber to be gambling, but, as head of Ashford Security, it makes the school look bad if a student is repeatedly engaging in 'dangerous or illegal activities' as the board would say."
Before she could berate them further, her phone started ringing. Rolling her eyes, she picked it up.
"We will be discussing this later."
'Yeah, that's not going to be fun.'
Cornelia li Britannia
As Cornelia walked away from the girls, she rubbed her head in frustration.
"Damn it, Lelouch," she muttered, "If Clovis sees you, then all of your work keeping us hidden will be for nothing."
As she picked up the phone, she saw it was from her second. Well, head of security doesn't really have a 'second', but he manages the others while she's preoccupied.
"Marcus, what's the situation?"
"You know the Rooks?"
"Yes, we've been keeping an eye on them for weeks. Recently lost their lea-What did they do?"
"We're not sure yet. However, Nest says it's gotten High Priest scared."
High Priest was their call sign for General Bartley Asprius, the leading commander of Area 11's military. Cornelia pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Goddamnit," she muttered, "There's nothing we can do for them. We warned them, and they refused to listen."
"Right, Ma'am."
?
"Kami, damnit, I told you this was a bad idea!" A woman said, sitting in the passenger seat of a semi truck hauling cargo.
"Hey, don't blame me!" her accomplice responded, "If Tamaki stuck to the plan, we wouldn't be in this mess."
"And, if we hadn't done it in the first place-"
"As if we'd listen to that bitch. Now, could you keep an eye out? We lost that first chopper, but who knows where the second one could be hiding."
Lelouch Lamperouge
"I love going against the nobility," Rivalz declared as he and Lelouch were nearing the front entrance to the building, "When they lose, they always pay out of pride. By the way, eight minutes and thirty two seconds is a new record."
Lelouch merely smiled, "He also didn't have much time to move. And, as far as opponents go, the nobles are tepid. They are far too confident in their superiority. As soon as someone 'beneath' them is able to stand against them, they flounder."
"Well then," Rival said, moving in front of Lelouch and walking backwards, "Why don't you challenge one of the Elevens? They're not like us Britannians, who knows what they'll think of."
As they headed outside, before Lelouch could respond, the sound of commotion drew their attention. On a large screen attached to the side of the building, it was showing a recording of a building that was bombed yesterday. Osaka, if Lelouch remembered correctly. The nearby people were chattering about how the Japanese could target a civilian location.
However, his own musing was interrupted when the screen shifted, revealing the flag of Britannia.
"We apologize for the delay," the spokeswoman exclaimed, "Now, his royal highness, Prince Clovis, Third Prince of Britannia, will address the nation."
Lelouch merely raised an eyebrow.
'Well, as dull as I think it'll be, might as well entertain him.'
The screen shifted, revealing a man with a light purple, ornate suit, draped in a white robe. His clean blonde hair and piercing blue eyes gave a determined expression.
"To all my imperial subjects!" Clovis declared.
?
"Including, of course, the many cooperative Elevens who choose to serve the Empire of Britannia."
The Prince's words made the woman snarl.
"We're not Elevens! We're Japanese!"
Lelouch
"Can you not see my pain," Clovis exclaimed, clenching a hand over his chest tightly, "My heart, ripped from my chest and torn apart?" Clovis closed his eyes, "What remains is rage and sadness. As ruler of Area 11, I will not tolerate terrorism of any kind! The battle we fight is righteous, one for the heart and soul of all our citizens. Now, if you'd be so kind, I'd like you all to join me in mourning for the eight who died for justice in the line of duty."
The screen shifted back to the Britannian symbol, as the spokeswoman took over.
"A moment of silence, please."
Lelouch resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He knew his brother better than almost anyone in Japan. He could easily see he was pulling a con. However, strangely, there was sorrow in his eyes.
'What could he possibly be thinking.' Lelouch thought as he went to their parking space. Interacting with the parking meter made the barrier drop down. Rival, who was prepping his bike with side car attachment, turned to him.
"You're not joining in?"
"You aren't?"
Rival rubbed the back of his head, "Heh, it's a bit embarrassing."
"I agree," Lelouch replied, taking the parking ticket, "Besides, spilling tears for the dead won't bring them back, will they?"
"Dang, buddy," Rival smirked, putting his goggles on, "Dark."
"It's all about satisfaction. Tell me you didn't think the Viceroy was being serious?"
"You say he wasn't?"
"Of course not. He says what he needs to say to keep people like us 'happy'. It wouldn't surprise me if he said that while in the middle of a party right as we speak."
Viceroy Administrative Palace, Tokyo Settlement
?
Jeremiah Gottwald, head of Area 11's most prestigious Knightmare Battalion, the Purebloods, observed the scene before him. Prince Clovis, eyes closed and hand gently on chest, as the moment of silence passed. Directly in front of him was a camera.
And behind the camera were dozens of well dressed noblemen and women. The red recording light on the camera blinked out, as it was raised up to the ceiling.
"You were magnificent, your highness," a woman in a red dress exclaimed, "One would never guess that you were attending a party while doing that."
As Clovis came down the stairs, two attendants approached him, taking off his cape.
"As Viceroy of Area 11, I am the marquis actor. I am often changing costumes at the drop of a hat."
Jeremiah merely raised an eyebrow, his orange eyes scanning the area.
'Honestly, I feel like the Prince only brings me to these to torment me.'
"My," the woman continued, "You're so self confident?"
Clovis straightened his suit, "It's all in the performance. Since the media wants a charismatic prince, that is what they shall have. At least, on the screens."
Jeremiah smirked. If only the nobles knew that, even now, Clovis was still 'acting'. At that moment, a dark skinned, bald officer came rushing in.
"Prince Clovis!" He said. Jeremiah recognized him as General Bartley.
'What's he doing here?'
After a moment, Jeremiah stepped forward, intending to listen in, when Clovis responded.
"You fool!"
Jeremiah hadn't seen Clovis so angry in years. Getting closer, he could hear what Bartley was saying.
"-we scramble the army, we can-."
"Deploy the Royal Guard," Clovis demanded, "And the Knightmares as well," he turned his head, looking past Bartley and at Jeremiah, "Lord Gottwald, with me!"
Jeremiah bowed, "Yes, your Highness."
The two of them left the party, walking down the hallways.
"Jeremiah, how soon can you deploy your men?"
"Immediately, Prince Clovis."
"Then do so." As Jeremiah began relaying commands through his radio, he could then barely hear Clovis mutter under his breath, "If it wasn't so dangerous, I'd be glad for getting away from that party."
"Clovis, what exactly is going on?"
Clovis regarded him for a moment before replying, "Terrorists stole what could only be described as a biological weapon."
Jeremiah's eyes widened, but only for a moment. While it does sound horrible, a darker truth came to him. He had known Prince Clovis for years. Hell, it was Clovis himself who brought Jeremiah to Area 11 when the prince was assigned to be Viceroy. So he was confident in believing that Clovis had no stomach for biological weapons. He found them too boring in warfare.
But, if he's using that as a coverup, and saying that to him, then…He could only speculate. As they neared a cross section, he responded.
"Your Highness, would this be about your…" Jeremiah braced himself, "Personal project."
Clovis stopped dead in his tracks. "How much…" Clovis's voice was laced with dangers. It was clear to him that he stepped too far.
Jeremiah took a deep breath, "Only that you and General Bartley are working on a private project. Nothing more."
"Good. And that's all you're going to know."
"Your Highness-"
Clovis raised a hand, silencing the Margrave.
"You've been an exemplary soldier, and, dare I say, a good friend, for these long years. We both suffered because of Lady Marianne's death, and came to this accursed backwater in order to find our siblings. I don't care what father says, we both know they have to be alive. However, this is something you don't want to get involved in."
Jeremiah kept his neutral face as best as he could.
"Put simply, the worst my father could do to me is disinheriting me. If you're involved, that's the best likely outcome. More likely is that you'll be executed. So, for your sake, drop it."
"Prince Clovis, if it's so dangerous-"
"You have your orders, Gottwald. Follow them." With that, Clovis turned right at the intersection, leaving Jeremiah behind.
Jeremiah was left stunned. Out of everyone in Area 11, Clovis trusted Jeremiah the most. So…
'When did you start pushing me away, Clovis?'
Jeremiah turned left, heading towards one of the Knightmare hangar bays. HIs prince may not want him to know, but, if it could threaten Clovis's life, he owed it to him to find out how.
So he'd have to find this 'weapon' first.
Lelouch Lamperouge
"Why'd you start with that?"
"Hmm?" Lelouch questioned, turning from his book to Rival as they drove under an overpass.
"That first move…Why'd you start with the king?"
"If the king doesn't lead, what reason should his men follow?"
Rival merely looked at him more curiously. "What's with that?"
"WIth what?"
"Do you fantasize on running a major corporation?"
Lelouch softly chuckled. "Maybe Reuben will let me run one of his subsidiaries."
"Well, Milly's already got you wrapped around her finger. Why not a little more?"
A short chuckle later, Lelouch continued, "But, seriously. Ambitions like that will ruin your-"
HONK HONK
Lelouch's eyes widened as the two turned, seeing a semi-truck barreling towards them at high speed, and too close for comfort.
"Holy crap!" Rival cried out as he swerved the bike out of the way, "We're gonna die!"
Rival turned right, continuing down the highway, while the semi took a sharp left, down into a construction site. Kicking up gravel and dirt, the semi swerved, attempting to stop, and crashed head on into the building framework.
Rival stopped the bike as the two looked over the dust cloud forming.
"Uh, did we do that?"
"Doubtful," Lelouch replied, "They were too close."
Lelouch got up from the bike, approaching the side of the highway to see the wreck. Strangely, when he looked at the roof of the trailer, he saw…well, Lelouch wasn't sure what it was. He could only describe it as particles of green and yellow specks dancing around the top of it.
"Ah, man!" Rival complained, looking over his bike, "Looks like the powerline on the bike got cut. It'll take me a bit to fix it."
Lelouch wasn't paying attention, though, as he watched the strange energy funnel back into the truck.
"Yeah, sure," Lelouch took his goggles off, "Rival, could you check this out?"
Other people were gathering along the nearby sidewalks and overpasses, looking over the crash. Some of them even got their cellphones out to take pictures or recordings.
Lelouch narrowed his eyes. 'Fools. You want to help but are too scared to actually do something.'
Lelouch hadn't intended to get involved, but seeing that sight irked him too much. He started running, much to Rivalz's dismay.
"Hey, Lelouch, wait!"
As Lelouch reached the wreck, he attempted calling out to the driver. However, the rubble made it impossible to actually reach the front. On the side of the trailer was a ladder. Lelouch, hoping to get over the rubble, climbed it. Upon reaching the top, he could see the top front of the trailer was opened. He couldn't see what was inside, but it didn't matter.
"Hey, can you hear me? Are you okay?"
-It's you. Finally, I have found my…-
Lelouch blinked in confusion.
"Who said-?"
He was interrupted when the truck lurched backwards, causing him to fall down into the trailer.
"Stop! I'm in here!"
Rivalz
Rivalz winced as the truck sped off.
"Oh, Cornelia's going to kill me."
Cornelia li Britannia
Cornelia was patrolling the perimeter of Ashford, her footsteps growing more anxious, when she suddenly got a phone call. She didn't even bother looking at the number, already assuming who was calling.
"Lelouch, I swear-!"
"Um, sorry, Miss Levett."
'Rivalz? Why would he be calling me? Unless…' "Did whatever nobleman or CEO Lelouch beat get angry?"
"Um, no…but it could be worse than that. A semi crashed, and Lelouch went to check it out. He ended up in the semi's trailer when it drove off."
'While that would be awkward for the drivers, I don't see it as worse.' "I'm waiting for the 'worse' part."
"..."
"...Rivalz." She demanded.
"(Sigh)...Military choppers followed the semi."
Cornelia's eyes widened in horror. "Are you saying that Lelouch accidently got kidnapped by-" She stopped herself, realizing that, if she was slowly getting louder, and she didn't want to draw the other students attention. "Rivalz, where are you?"
"Still at the original crash site. The powerline on my bike got cut."
"Then get back to Ashford. I'll deal with Lelouch."
Cornelia didn't bother waiting, and hung up. Going into a full sprint, she ran toward a building at a corner of the school grounds, marked SECURITY. Along the way, she contacted Marcus, giving the command PURPLE DAWN, which means a potential exposure of herself or one of her siblings. They'd handle the rest. Entering the building, she went to the locker room, unlocking it, and grabbed her rifle, an Europa Union SA 160A4*2, modified to compact itself. She pulled out a jet black bodysuit, with kevlar on the legs and chest. After switching clothes, she pulled out two arm braces. Putting them on, she flicked her wrists, and a blade came out of each of them.
'I'm coming, Lelouch.'
Heading downstairs, into the building's underground parking lot, she approached a blue Ducati Panigale V4 motorcycle, her personal vehicle when on solo runs. Detaching the scope and stock from her gun, she pressed a button on the side of the bike, opening a small compartment, which she placed the gun in. Putting the helmet on, her bike had one more feature. Pressing a button on the dashboard, the blue slowly shifted to a black. Now she didn't need to worry about getting tracked based on the color of her bike. Getting on, she placed her phone on the dashboard, locking it into place, before she entered in a call.
"Get me Najort."
Her voice became a text on the phone, and began dialing, as Cornelia sped out of the parking lot.
Lelouch
As the truck hit a bump, Lelouch tried to keep his balance.
"You'd think they'd stick a ladder on the inside, too."
Lelouch began climbing a large domed device, intent on using it to boost onto the roof.
"Stop the vehicle!"
Lelouch gasped. 'Don't tell me…'
"Surrender now, and you'll get the chance to defend yourself in court! Surrender at once!"
The truck began swerving as gunshots were heard. Lelouch could see that there was a red Knightmare frame, Glasgow series, and came to one conclusion.
'Crap! These guys are terrorists! But the only major group nearby is-' Lelouch facepalmed, 'Of course, and even after they lost their leader they decided to do this.'
"Well, if I jump, I either break my neck, or get shot…And, if either of those don't happen, my brother might recognize me. Honestly, I'd take getting shot over that. Maybe calling-"
The door to the semi opened, with Lelouch hiding behind the strange device. Footsteps were heard, and a red-haired girl walked past him.
"Can you enter the subway via the Azabu route?" the girl questioned as she took off her plain white outfit, revealing a more tan and red one underneath.
"Kallen, why don't we use it here?!"
The girl, Kallen, while she didn't look back, Lelouch could tell from her shoulders that she hated what the other guy said.
"Nagata, are you trying to cause a bloodbath!?"
Nagata sighed, "You've…got a point. Sorry."
Lelouch slowly turned his head, realizing the device next to him was likely very destructive. Unlikely a bomb, so perhaps something chemical. He promptly removed his hand. However, of greater importance was the girl's name.
'Kallen. So it is your brother's group.'
Lelouch saw the back of the trailer open, and the Glasgow fired a slash harkin out of it, before the door opened fully.
'I can't leave, not at this speed or activity. And, given my position, I'm nearing the ghetto. This isn't going to be easy.'
Jeremiah
From inside his Sutherland, Jeremiah watched as a red Glasgow took out a second helicopter.
He scoffed, "Pull back. I'll take this guy."
His deployment fighter moved ahead of the last remaining chopper.
"I can only assume you dug that obsolete relic out of a scrapheap."
The fighter detached his Knightmare, making him freefall. The glasgow fired a slash harkin, but he fired back.
"An over the hill Glasgow," as Jeremiah landed, he pulled out a rifle, "Is no match for a Sutherland!"
Using the secondary firing more, a high impact round was fired, hitting the Glasgow on its left hand directly.
As the Glasgow began to bob and weave, Jeremiah could see another Sutherland, belonging to his second in command, Dame Villetta Nu, slide up the wall and onto the highway. The semi swerved left towards the ghetto as she fired.
"Hmph," Villetta said smugly, "Simple minded Eleven."
"Don't underestimate them, Nu."
"Jeremiah?"
As he charged his opponent, he could see the Glasgow attempt to fire one of its slash harkins, only for it to jam. Jeremiah deployed a Stun Tonfas on his right arm.
"Second hand junk!"
However, in response, the Glasgow fired its left hand. When a piece of a Knightmare's arm becomes unusable in battle, they can be manually detached from the rest. Done right, it can be used as a weapon. And the pilot clearly knew that, as the broken left hand came straight for Jeremiah. He barely had time to move his arm to block it, though it did damage it. In the smoke cloud formed from the attack, he could see the Glasgow fleeing towards the nearby ghetto, Shinjuku.
"See what I mean, Villetta. A second too late, and that attack could've ended my Sutherland. Remember that. Even a cornered rat can still surprise you."
"Right, Sir."
"Now that we've diverted them to the ghetto, follow the Prince's orders. Begin the encirclement. I have to organize the rest of our men."
Cornelia li Britannia
Cornelia swerved through passing cars when a reply from Najort finally arrived.
Najort here, situation in castle is getting tense. What's the situation?
"Black King involved in your situation!" Cornelia yelled, the only way for her phone to pick up her voice over the high speed.
WHAT! How?!
"He's in the truck!"
Crap. Pope is already encircling Shinjuku. I can slow their movements down, but I can't stop it without exposing myself. Where are you?
"I43 Highway, approaching Exit 39A!"
…Okay, take 39B, then head down Itaku. You'll reach the Ghetto.
Cornelia swerved down the roads, gradually getting less and less pristine. Eventually, the ghetto was in sight…as was a roadblock.
"Najort, you said you could slow them down!"
I did! There isn't a Knightmare there.
She wasn't going to complain, but she couldn't get past the APCs. Luckily, with the highway in terrible condition, she saw an opening in the railing. As the officers attempted to wave her down, she press a button on one of the handles. The wheels raised up, and she drove off the highway, landing on the ground with a THUD, the wheels adjusting to the sudden inertia. Without missing a beat, she drove into Shinjuku.
Lelouch
Lelouch simply sat next to the canister, looking at his phone.
'No reception. We must be nearing the ghetto. I'll jump off there. If I'm lucky, I'll be able to use the terrorist's communicator to bribe my way out.
He lurched to the side as the truck suddenly stopped, dropping his phone.
"An accident, or-"
His thoughts were interrupted when the back of the trailer opened up. The outside was just as dark as inside the trailer, as well as dilapidated. Clearly they were inside the ghetto at this point. Lelouch stepped off, intending to escape, when a sound behind him drew his attention. He saw the side hatch for the trailer opened up.
'Why would they open both hatches?'
Unfortunately, that curiosity made him realize that the driver is likely badly injured. The semi was wedged, but nothing a competent driver couldn't get out of. So, against his better judgement, he went around to the driver side. His assumption was dead on. The windshield was shattered, and the driver's white clothing had red on it.
"Hey," Lelouch exclaimed, "Are you alive?"
The driver grunted, lifting his head, though he could tell it took the man effort.
"A…a kid?" He muttered, "What are you…?"
'Those wounds. If a Knightmare shot them, he won't make it.'
However, he couldn't just stand here and do nothing.
'Damn you, Euphie.'
Climbing up, he opened the door, and looked at the man's injuries. Besides the obvious gunshot wound on his left shoulder, he had shrapnel near his stomach, likely from the windshield when it broke. Hell, the fact his arm was still attached was the most amazing part. Knightmare rounds pack a punch, after all.
"Who are…?"
"I was in that motorbike you nearly ran over."
The man's eyes, dull but contemplative, slightly widened.
"Why are you-?"
"Shut up and let me take a look at this."
"I'm not going to make it, aren't I?"
Lelouch could only shake his head.
"Well, what are you going to do now?"
"Well, normally, I'd simply leave you for dead. But, let's just say a few people close to me would be very upset if they learned I left a dying man to his fate."
"Hold on. I need to set the timer."
"Let me handle that."
The man pointed to an electronic timer in front of him. Lelouch theorized that this timer is a bomb, meant to prevent capture. He set the timer for three minutes. Plenty of time to get the two of them out of there before the explosion drew attention. Setting it, he dragged the man out, intent on escaping. He reached into his pocket-
'Crap. I didn't put it back when we crashed. Which means it's still in the trailer.'
Lelouch put the man down against the subway wall. He couldn't leave it behind. If the phone survived the explosion, then his entire cover would be blown wide open. And he doubts the man's coherent enough to specify how deadly the bomb is.
"Just hold on. I'll be back in a moment."
Not in any position to argue, the man simply laid there. Lelouch ran back into the trailer, quickly retrieving his phone.
"Alright, now-"
Lelouch barely saw a spinning person come at him, and, just in time, he blocked it with an arm. As he was pushed to the side, he planted a foot to the ground, and jabbed at his attacker, hitting the gut. The man quickly recovered, and began another assault. Lelouch could barely register in time that he was Britannian Infantry before he was upon him. Lelouch got into a fighting stance.
'Nelly, I hope your training pays off.'
It didn't.
His attacker made a lunging attack, but Lelouch countered with an arm grab, slamming him against the trailer wall. In an instant, the man grabbed Lelouch, and returned the gesture.
"That's enough mindless murder." He declared, pining Lelouch's neck.
"You idiot," Lelouch replied, "I'm not one of-"
"Planning on using poison gas to-"
"Would you shut up!" Lelouch then kicked the man's knee, giving him enough room to use his other leg to kick the man off him.
"I got dragged into this. The truck crashed, and I looked to see if anyone was hurt. It's not my fault I fell in."
"By Kami."
"Besides, if this is poison gas, then that would mean Britannia was the one to make it, wouldn't it?"
"Lelouch?"
Lelouch widened his eyes.
'How does this random soldier know me?!'
As if in response, the soldier took off his helmet, revealing a very familiar face.
"It's me. Suzaku."
Lelouch gasped. 'It's been years. I…I figured he might've survived, but…'
"Suzaku? You…you became a Britannian soldier?"
"Yeah, and what about you? Is Euphem-"
The device then began sparking, as the rods connected to it extended outward. Lelouch widened his eyes in fear.
"Run-HMPH!"
Suzaku charged him, placing his breathing mask over Lelouch's mouth as the two fell to the ground. He'd die, but he'd save Lelouch from whatever gas was inside.
Except…it wasn't poison gas.
A bright light came out as the device opened up, revealing a sphere of energy that was the same as Lelouch first saw above the trailer. They coalesced around…a girl! She was bound in a prison straitjacket, and had long, lime green hair.
"That's not poison gas." Suzaku muttered in disbelief.
The girl turned her head, looking at them with golden eyes, almost pleadingly. She fell out of the device, unconscious, as the energy around her dissipated.
Lelouch and Suzaku stood up.
'Who is she? And why did Clovis kick up such a fuss over her. And poison gas?'
"Lelouch," Suzaku stated, "Help get her out."
Lelouch merely nodded as the two carried her out of the trailer. Setting her down, they began to undo the bindings of the jacket.
'Good thing Cornelia taught me a thing or two about getting out of these. Never thought I'd be using them this soon, though.'
"Suzaku, you said that this girl was poison gas?" Lelouch unclipped the bindings on her arms.
"Yeah, that's what the report told us, I swear. But," Suzaku undid her legs, "Why would-"
A bright light appeared behind him. Once his eyes adjusted, Lelouch scowled at what he saw.
Britannian soldiers. Specifically, their uniforms were that of an Imperial Royal Guard.
"Stinkin' monkey," The middle one, clearly the leader, scowled, "Being an Honorary Britannian will not excuse you."
Suzaku ran up to him, "But, Sir, I was told this was poison gas-!"
"How dare you question orders!"
'This is bad. A poisonous situation. And, if this girl got out, she'd pose a threat to Suzaku's superiors.'
"However," the officer declared, "In light of your outstanding career, I'm going to be lenient," he pulled out a gun, offering it to Suzaku, "Private Suzaku Kururugi, take this and execute the terrorist."
Suzaku was horrified, turning his head to Lelouch, "But he isn't a terrorist," turning back to his officer, "He's a civilian they kidnapped-"
'Suzaku has no way out of this. However…I can buy time.'
Lelouch's mental chronometer was telling him two minutes and four seconds. Just a minute longer, and he'd have a distraction.
"You insubordinate little-That's an order! Didn't you swear your loyalty and life to Britannia?"
However, that all relied on the bomb not being big enough to catch him in the explosion. But, given that there's no way for Lelouch to make a break for it, it's his only chance.
"Y-Yes," Suzaku hesitated, "But…I won't do it."
"What." The officer scowled.
"They technically were telling the truth." Lelouch declared, getting all attention on him.
"What?" Suzaku questioned.
"'Poison gas'. That's what the report said. This girl, whoever she is, is a threat to your superiors. A poison. And, if she got out, the effects of whatever experiments they did to her-"
"Experiments?"
The officer merely raised an eyebrow, amused by what he perceived as a simple schoolboy's observations. It didn't matter to him. He'd let the boy have his little speech, then dispose of him.
"Don't tell me it isn't obvious. It's clear to even a dog that we have a case of human experimentation. And, if she were to get out, the effects of their actions would be far reaching. Like a poisonous gas. Which means, since you saw her, they can't afford to let you live."
"Hmph," the officer said, "Smart boy."
With that, he put the pistol under Suzaku's chest armor, and fired.
"Suzaku!" Lelouch yelled as Suzaku fell to the ground, unmoving.
"I must say," the officer said, not batting an eye at Suzaku's corpse, "You are quite smart to have figured things out. It's a shame you had to cut class, schoolboy. Your mind could've been valuable."
Lelouch was briefly frozen in disbelief. He figured they might've killed him, but seeing his friend's body, it-
Lelouch gasped.
'Two minutes, fifty-eight-!'
Lelouch grabbed the girl, and the two slammed to the ground. The semi truck exploded in a ball of fire. Smoke and dust covered the area, and Lelouch took his chance. Gripping the girl, they ran.
"Guh! Damnit, open fire!"
Due to the smoke, the Britannians couldn't see them, and their bullets only hit the trailer, and continued to hit it, even as the two were already on the other side. Lelouch ran to the Japanese driver, putting an arm around his neck.
"Help me." He muttered to the girl. She looked at him quizzically, before taking the driver's other arm, and the two quickly left the area.
Clovis la Britannia
Royal G1 Mobile Command Center, Shinjuku Ghetto
"You lost them?!" General Bartley exclaimed angrily, "And you call yourselves Royal Guards?!"
"Forgive me, my lord. The blast was mainly directed upward, but-"
"I don't care where the blast went, you lost the girl! Why do you think I only told you about this?!"
"We-We'll continue the investigation."
'If those Numbers end up opening it, then it'll be too late. They'll disperse amongst the population, and, if even one of them finds a way to reveal what I've done.'
Clovis, sitting upon the throne in his G1, merely sighed. "There's no point. The plan must move forward to the next phase."
Bartley turned around, "But, your highness, we can still-"
"If her existence gets out, I'll be disinherited. Tell them back home we're carrying out a planned urban renewal here," Clovis stood up, "As Clovis, Third Prince of the Empire, I command you: Destroy Shinjuku Ghetto. Leave no one alive!"
Jeremiah
"The enemy is garbage that couldn't hope to become even Honorary Britannians," an operator from the G1, "Wipe them all out."
"As you command." Jeremiah commented. However, his personal Knightmare radio came on.
"Supervisor Jeremiah. General Bartley requests you take command of Sector 2-"
Jeremiah narrowed his eyes. "Bartley has staff officers for that. I'm taking the frontlines."
With that, he launched his Knightmare forward into the battlezone.
'I need to find this 'poison gas' first. Clovis, what on earth are you so scared of?'
Cornelia
'Clovis, what the hell is wrong with you?!'
Cornelia hid behind a corner, barely dodging a Knightmare frame as it turned into the alleyway, killing any Japanese in there. Earlier, she had seen a large explosion in the distance, and was making her way towards it, as it was near the location that the terrorists' truck was reported.
However, mere moments ago, she received a message from Najort.
Pope has ordered cleaning of Shinjuku. Spotless. Get Black King out of there.
Cornelia scowled underneath her helmet. Clovis was going to kill everyone here, and for what?! Because some terrorist stole a toy or something? Another message came in.
Swiss Guards are moving to intercept possible King. Catch them at these coordinates.
She didn't want to kill her countrymen. However, if it's between them or Lelouch-
"Halt!"
Cornelia turned, gunning down two soldiers without missing a beat.
'The choice is easy.'
Lelouch
Lelouch and the girl carried the Japanese driver down the tunnel as the ground rumbled from the slaughter going above them. The man had since fallen unconscious again. Lelouch knew that the man wasn't going to survive for much longer. Eventually, Lelouch had to stop. They set the man down, as Lelouch leaned against the wall.
"All this murder, chaos, just because of you! And Suzaku…" Lelouch took a deep breath. He hadn't seen Suzaku in years, and their first encounter ended up being their last. "Just what the hell are you?"
'God damnit, I'm losing my composure. I'm better than that!' "Come on. I'm not going to learn anything from you if we stay here and die."
Eventually, they neared a staircase. Lelouch put the man down next to it.
"I'm going to go look ahead. Will you be fine on your own?"
The man gave a weak smile, "Well, it's not like I'm going anywhere, kid."
Lelouch and the girl crawled up the stairs, only to stop just before the top when they heard gunfire very close.
"Report." Lelouch recognized the voice of the officer who shot Suzaku.
"We found only Elevens here, Sir."
"You're sure that exit comes out here?"
"Yes, Sir. It matches up with our map of the old city."
Lelouch turned to the girl, and motioned for her to move back.
'If we double back, maybe-'
Lelouch was interrupted when a kid began to cry. Seconds later, he heard gunshots, and silence. Lelouch's mind wandered, imagining Nunnally, or Euphie.
BRRG.
Lelouch quickly reached into his pocket, shutting off his phone, but it was too late. Almost instantly, soldiers reached the staircase, and grabbed him and the girl.
"Impressive," the officer declared, "You almost got away."
The girl was dragged to the side by two soldiers as Lelouch was slammed against the wall.
"Though, I shouldn't be surprised, you're a Britannian. Only one of our own could pull a fast one. As a reward, I'll give you one benefit. Any last words?"
Lelouch merely scowled as he muttered, "You scum."
"Hmph, not the choice I would've gone with, but, then again," he raises the same pistol that killed Suzaku, "I'm not you."
The girl shoved the two guards, charging at Lelouch.
"HE MUSTN'T DIE!"
Before the officer could realize what was happening, he already pulled the trigger. The girl was shot directly in the forehead, killing her instantly. As she fell to the ground, Lelouch knelt down to her. Despite the very real fear of death closing in on him, he had a dark humorous thought.
'Well, at least Clovis will kill them for killing their target.'
However, he could see that, while the officer was shocked, he wasn't afraid.
"Our orders were to bring her back, alive if possible. Oh well, nothing can be done about it. We'll tell our superiors that we found the terrorist hideout and killed them all. Regrettably, the two hostages they had were tortured to death. At least you won't be remembered as a terrorist, boy."
Lelouch scowled, but, deep down, he was frozen. 'I'm going to die here. Nunnally, Euphie, Cornelia. Damnit. Damnit!'
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the dead girl move her hand, grabbing his. Instantly, the area around him went white. He couldn't even begin to describe what he was seeing.
You don't want it to end here, do you?
'What?'
You appear to have a reason to live.
'The dead girl? How-?'
If I grant you power, could you go on? I propose a deal.
Lelouch saw what could only be described as two planets nearing collision, yet perfectly still.
In exchange for this power, you must agree to make my one wish come true. Accept this contract, and you'll accept its condition. While living in the world of humans, you will live unlike any other.
A different providence. A different time. A different life.
Lelouch saw galaxy approaching and passing by him.
The Power of the King will condemn you to a life of solitude. Are you prepared for this?
Lelouch contemplated. A life of solitude?
"A convergence with the Ragnarok connection?" a loud, booming voice declared. Lelouch gasped, seeing what could possibly be a temple. There were five figures at the top, their backs turned to him. He couldn't tell four of them, however, he scowled at the center figure.
"Father." he growled.
"So the myth is beginning once again?"
'So, somehow my father is involved with this? Then, if he somehow has this power, I can't afford to not have it.'
"Yes! I hereby accept the terms of our contract!"
And, just like that, he was back in the warehouse, with a dozen soldiers aiming their guns at him. Lelouch slowly stood up, hand to his face.
"Do you mind if I ask a question?"
"Very well."
"How should a Britannian who detests his own country live his life?"
The man chuckled, "Are you some kind of radical?"
However, the man looked at his arm holding the gun, and realized it was slightly shaking. Lelouch didn't know it, but the aura he was giving off was completely different from before, and it clearly put him on edge.
"What's wrong…Your opponent is just a school boy, isn't it? Or have you realized the truth? That the only ones who should kill…," Lelouch moved his hand away from his left eye, now glowing, "Are those who are prepared to be killed?"
Lelouch's left eye changed, revealing a sigil of a red crane in flight.
All of the soldiers were paralyzed.
"W-What's happening here-?"
"I," Lelouch raised his hand, "Lelouch vi Britannia, command you," he swung his arm to the side, "All of you, die."
The officer gave a demented smile, followed by the rest of his men.
"Happily, your highness."
Every soldier put a pistol against their necks.
"Fire!"
With a splatter of blood, a dozen Royal Guards fell to the ground, dead. The officer's blood even got on Lelouch's cheek. Lelouch blinked in mild shock.
'I didn't even know what was going to happen. I just…went into autopilot mode.'
Lelouch looked at the carnage before him. The Japanese, massacred, the soldiers, committed suicide, and the girl who was the cause of it all.
'This…this is the turning point. Despite all I've done up to this point, I've always feared that I was living a lie. That nothing I did could amount to any real change. But, with this power…I know that I wasn't wrong.'
Lelouch gave a smile that'd make the devil proud.
"Now then. Shall we begin?"
As if the universe was answering him, a side door to his right smashed open. He turned, he eye glowing, ready to be used-
"Cornelia?!" He recognized her rifle anywhere.
Cornelia took her helmet off, and he could see she was horrified. Not at the sight before her. But of him.
"Lelouch…What did you do?"
Author's Notes: A MUCH more detailed first chapter compared to my original story. Honestly, I have no idea how anyone liked my origial first chapter. I think what I was going for what only writing in the parts that would be different, assuming my readers have picture perfect memory of the original episode, and could fill in the blanks. Though, don't expect the frequency of updates compared to my original story. That frequency nearly killed my writing creativity, so I'm going more slowly.
1*Cornelia's outfit is similar to Villetta Nu's officer uniform, just the colors are reverse.
2*It's similar to the British SA80 A2 assault rifle, but obviously a more high tech version.
Already there are changes in the timeline. Lelouch and Cornelia have a spy in the military, Lelouch can actually hold himself in a fight (though, against a inhuman prodigy like Suzaku, that's not saying much), and Nagata is alive, if only for a little bit longer. Wonder how that will change things.
As always, leave a review, fav/follow, and it feels good to be back.