Notes:
[[Speech]] – translated from alien language
September 7, 2017 a.t.b.
Europia, French-German border, Castle Weisswolf, 10:50 am
Three Japanese teenagers sat in a lavish lounge room. They were within the main base of operations for a secret Europian military unit known as wZERO, and the trio were the newest recruits.
They have recently been detained for attempting to assassinate General Gene Similas of Europia United, only to be thwarted in their efforts.
Questioned for their goals and motives, the Japanese trio revealed that they only wanted a place in the world, a place for them. The compassionate Leila Malcal, commander of the wZERO, invited them to her unit.
They were Ayano Kousaka, a girl with shoulder-length black hair, pink eyes, and large breasts, Ryo Sayama, a tall man with brown spiky hair, and Yukiya Naruse, a brown-haired boy.
"Welcome to Weisswolf, new rookies," said Claus Warwick, officer and Leila's aide-de-camp, who sat in the chair opposite of them. ''I believe I'm the one to escort you to your quarters. Follow me." He motioned. The three Japanese obeyed and followed the officer.
"It's great that we now have a nice place to live and all, but did Commander Leila really have to take my sword?" Ayano complained to her cohorts.
"Hey, it's not so bad," Yukiya replied. "At least we got a new life to live outside of those ghettoes."
"I'm with Yuki," said Ryo in support. "Besides, Ayano, it's just a sword. Can always buy a new one if you got good."
Ayano pouted as she continued to walk alongside the others.
Cemetery, 3:15 pm
The overcast afternoon sky set up a gloomy atmosphere.
Akito Hyuuga was out in the forest, looking over stones he had laid down in the cemetery.
They were the graves of the fellow men and women he once served with in the previous unit. They were all killed in the Battle of Narva recently, by the incompetence of the former commander more so than their Britannian foes.
Pierre Anou was detained and kicked out of the unit, but the damage done to them under his command was done. Their near total loss has taken wZERO out of commission for a while, in need of new recruits.
The blue-haired Japanese man was filled with guilt over his deceased teammates.
"At least you went out to the battle with smiles…," Akito thought. "We all promised each other that those of us who survived would bury the fallen…and now it is I alone who had to bury you all, as the only survivor."
"Why do I keep fighting?" he asked to the graves of his fallen comrades. "Why? Even after all the loss? I fight on…because I wish to finally die. But I keep on living…"
Leila came across him at this moment.
"Akito, who are you talking to?" Leila asked, concerned over her friend.
"Our fallen friends," said Akito. "I can hear their voices. I can hear them speak to me…"
"Hmm?" Leila wondered.
"I can hear them because…I have died once before," said Akito.
Area 11, Administrative Building, 11:15 pm
In her quarters, dimly lit only by moon and star light from the windows, Euphemia laid down on her bed as she stared up at the ceiling.
She was deep in thought as she contemplated about her life here so far.
"I've been stuck in the sidelines for too long…," Euphemia thought. "I've heard about the oppression and unfair treatment the people of the Areas continue to get, yet I couldn't help them for so long…"
She continued her train of thought with sadness. "Many young lasses think that being a princess is a dream to be envious of. I cannot say the same. To me, it feels more like a gilded cage. A prison. I am expected to act and think how they expect a princess to act, regardless of what I truly feel. It meant that there were things I couldn't say, things I couldn't do, no matter how I felt, no matter how I wanted to. I felt helpless, I felt useless…I hate this feeling!"
Her expression soured at the last part.
She continued on in her head. "It was like what that redhead said to me back on that island. That I was a puppet princess who did nothing. It stung me hard, as I indeed wasn't able to do anything to help…I was just a mere figurehead…and it's all Cornelia's damn fault!"
Her body shook in her suppressed anger. "Why does Cornelia insist on controlling my life so much!? Why does she keep treating me like a child!? Why does she act like I'm some doll!? Why does she always want to stop me from getting involved when I need to!? Why does she keep smothering me so much!? Why!? I want to live my life! Not be doted on like some bloody helpless doll by an overprotective sister!"
"Whenever I expressed how I really felt, Cornelia, you and others always turn against me for it! You always want to treat me like I'm a fucking damsel-in-distress who cannot stand for herself! I hate it!"
The pinkette began pushing her body up from the bed, grabbing one of the pillows.
"I'm a prisoner in the guise of a princess. Cornelia should stop controlling my life! I want out!"
With this last line of thought, she threw the pillow against the opposite wall in rage.
She let herself fall back to her bed, breathing heavily. Allowing herself a few minutes to calm down, Euphemia composed her next thoughts.
"Tomorrow I'll be bringing some real change. This world needs to change. This system needs to change."
Her thoughts now ventured into Britannia's very ideals. "The Emperor and his like-minded followers always preach on and on about how evolution and progress is continuous, and yet they don't even try to change one bit for the better. Ironic, isn't it? And they never even get it right. Darwin's true theory is the survival of the fittest, the most adaptable, not the strongest. Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one in the royal family aside from Marrybell, Lelouch, and Edward who understands this. The others are just too comfortable in their own status and power to be willing to even try."
She snorted as she thought about her older sister Guinevere su Britannia, the First Princess and the "Marie Antoniette" of Britannia. "Especially Guinevere. She never thinks about anything else other than her wealth and status, and she does nothing but flaunt her riches around, spend millions of pounds on trinkets, and act as a high-and-mighty spoiled brat all around, doing nothing to be of any help to anyone. Now that's a true useless princess."
She stood up from her bed to pick up the pillow she hurled earlier. After having retrieved it and gone back to lie down, she thought about tomorrow for one last time.
"Zero…Lelouch, let's start building a better future tomorrow."
Euphemia then finally let herself fall asleep.
Britannia, Mt. Wilson, Sherwood Observatory, 3:00 pm
Alexandra had made contact with Prince Edward, Seventh Prince of the Empire.
Edward li Britannia was a 22-year old young man with pinkish hair and purple eyes. He was significantly shorter than his two full-blood siblings at 163 cm in height, and this has led some of the other royals to poke fun at his stature, much to his misfortune. Even his younger sister Euphemia joined in sometimes, especially when she hit puberty and grew to tower over him much like Cornelia did. He still got miffed whether anyone called him short, but it didn't stop him from working his way into prominence.
He was as involved in the scientific side of the Empire as he was in the political front, and he was the first in mind when Alexandra thought about reporting her fearful results.
"This swarm of objects first appeared in orbit around Mars around six days ago," said Alexandra. "Our observations and analyses have so far failed to reconcile them with any known class of natural object, thus the most likely hypothesis we arrived at is that these are artificial constructs of extraterrestrial origin."
"Go on…," Edward urged from across the widescreen.
"Our most recent observations found that they have left orbit around Mars, and are now in a course towards Earth," said Alexandra. "Their paths clearly indicate a conscious intent, further supporting the extraterrestrial hypothesis."
"This sounds like a clear cause for concern," said Edward.
"Indeed, your highness," said Alexandra in confirmation. "The intentions of the likely visitors are unknown to us. They might be friendly, they might be apathetic to us, with a purpose on this planet not involving us, or worst of all…they might be hostile, with plans to subjugate or exterminate us."
September 8
Area 11, Special Administrative Zone opening ceremony, 9:30 am
Clear skies set the backdrop for what is currently seen as a hopeful day by many people. A huge mass of Japanese, as well as a few Britannians who were more sympathetic, filled the stadium.
In the podium sat the various figures central to the SAZ in their seats – the Six Houses of Kyoto, General Darlton, Suzaku, and Euphemia herself.
The final preparations have been made. They only await Zero's arrival. But Zero was yet to appear.
"Lelouch…I hope you can come. We can finally build a better place together…," Euphemia thought as she looked upon Zero's empty seat.
"We're bringing you live coverage from the stadium where the inauguration ceremony of the Special Administrative Zone will be held," a newscaster reported. "This place is packed full of Elevens – I mean, Japanese, sorry – numbering a total of over 207,000. Those who cannot get in have crowded outside the stadium."
"We are currently waiting for Zero," the newscaster went on. "We have no clue on when he'll come, or if he'll even come at all."
"Will Zero show up?" one of the Britannian officers assigned with Darlton asked.
"Probably not," another officer said in reply.
"If the data we do have of Zero is accurate, then I doubt he will," said Darlton. "In any case it matters not, Zero, your support from the Elevens will end today," he thought.
"Zero…," Suzaku thought, "if you try anything, I'll make sure you'll pay. I'll put a stop to your worthless means. Euphemia trusts you, but I sure don't, and never will."
Europia, French-German border, Castle Weisswolf, 1:30 am
The opening ceremony of the SAZ, broadcasted internationally, were watched by the members of the unit who were still awake after midnight, particularly Leila and one of their brightest scientists, Anna Clement.
Anna was a girl of 17 years with long, fluffy lilac hair and wide green eyes. She was said to rival the famed Britannian knightmare designer Lloyd Asplund, but she lacked all of his eccentrics and sociopathy. A very friendly person, she always carried a polite and cheerful air around her teammates. The loss of almost the entire unit had saddened her.
As she watched the SAZ with interest, she couldn't help but be admired by the wilfulness and drive of its host, in spite of said host being the Third Princess of Britannia, of a nation that stood chief among the adversaries of Europia.
"I know it might be a bit…frowned upon to complement a Britannian, but this Euphemia certainly seems like a great person," said Anna. "Even though she's a princess of Britannia, she shows no ill will or discrimination, and is trying to bring positive change to this world."
"Reminds me a bit of myself," said Leila. "However, how much I try, the leaders of Europia simply don't want to listen. They're too obsessed with their selfish desires of wealth and think nothing about the future of our nations and people."
"It's unfortunate…," said Anna in lament. "Those people we took in as refugees only wanted an escape from Britannia's horrible, inhumane atrocities. Yet, we, who are supposed to stand against Britannia and its ideas…acted no differently. We had called them with the same degrading labels, relegated them to ghettoes, and sent them on suicide missions as expendable pawns. It's all so unfair, so wrong…"
"It truly is," said Leila in agreement.
"And besides, it's not wrong to compliment Britannians if they are good people, Anna," the blonde continued to reassure her friend. "I'm Britannian by blood, after all, and look at us. We didn't let our heritages get between us."
"You're right…," said Anna.
"If only we had more people like Euphemia around, here and elsewhere, this world would be a better place," said Leila.
"She gave hope to the Japanese in their homeland," said Anna.
"But I fear that her Zone would not last long," said Leila, now in lament. "The rulers of Britannia will not allow it to stand. They only need to have it last long enough to disarm the Black Knights, then they'll take it all away."
"It's so unfair…you're right, Leila, they'll never allow it," Anna said, saddened at the implications.
"Why do we have to be so unfair and hostile to others, just because they were born differently…why do we have to discriminate? Aren't we all human? Aren't we all the same, in spite of our differences?" Anna thought disconsolately.
"We're all human in the end. Why can't we just be nicer to one another? Euphemia, please continue to bring hope. You've inspired me and Leila. I wish there were more people in the world like you."
High Earth orbit, approximately 45,000 km over Earth's surface
[["The time of the assault draws near,"]] the alien fleet commander mused as its fleet moved into station in an orbit around Earth. The fleet had split into two, the other having set course for an orbit around the Moon to establish a base of operation at the far side.
[["We have determined the ideal landing spots for our initial assault,"]] a subordinate reported.
On a holographic image of Earth, around eight spots were highlighted. One of them was the Suruga Bay area, close to Mt. Fuji.
[["We will attack them by storm. Catch them off-guard,"]] said the commander. [["Deploy the assault force!"]] it ordered.
Several of the 30-km long ships opened up at their flanks, and revealed that each one held a fleet unto itself – dozens upon dozens of warships of various types that ranged between 50 and 500 m in their largest dimensions each. Smaller ports also opened up closer to the colossal ships' bows, which let loose squadrons of fighters. Finally, from the ventral sides of the ships launched drop pods of various shapes and sizes towards Earth.
One of the island-sized demi-motherships had even began to move towards Earth itself…
Area 11, Special Administrative Zone opening ceremony, 9:41 am
"Princess Euphemia, it's time," said Darlton.
"Right," she acknowledged. Only moments later something in the sky caught her attention. "Huh?"
From beyond the stadium walls the Gawain, Zero's knightmare frame, finally came into view.
"Zero!" one of the Japanese exclaimed, followed by many more.
"It's Zero!"
"Zero has come!"
"Zero's here!"
"Looks like he did come after all…," said a Britannian officer.
"So you've accepted that you lost," said Darlton.
"Zero, what are you up to…," Suzaku wondered.
Zero came down from the frame, with his co-pilot and accomplice, the immortal witch C.C., having stayed inside in the cockpit. Around him, multiple soldiers and knightmares were stationed on guard.
"Your target is Zero. If he makes any suspicious moves, you are to eliminate him at once," Darlton ordered.
"Yes, General," the soldiers said in acknowledgement.
"Zero, what are you doing? If your identity as a Britannian prince is exposed, it would all be over. They'll think it's a planned farce of the Empire. The Special Zone might even collapse," Kirihara thought nervously.
"Zero, welcome to the Special Administrative Zone!" Euphemia greeted.
"Greetings, Euphemia li Britannia," Zero responded in kind. "I wish a solo audience with you."
"Sounds suspicious…," Suzaku thought.
"With me?" Euphemia asked.
"Yes, just the two of us, alone," said Zero.
The Britannians scanned Zero for weapons. They found none.
"It appears to be safe, your highness," said Darlton.
"Princess Euphemia, this man is a vile terrorist. It's too dangerous to be around him all by yourself, please let me accompany you as your knight," Suzaku pleaded.
"No, it's fine. Just trust me, okay?" said Euphemia.
"Yes, Princess Euphemia." Suzaku conceded.
As Suzaku stared at them apprehensively, Zero and Euphemia walked by each other's' side to the G1 mobile base linked to the podium.
"Looks like Zero's out in the open, and is now moving under Princess Euphemia's direction to the G1!" the newscaster declared.
Avalon, around 1.5 km west from the SAZ opening
Aboard the airship Avalon, the personal flagship of Prince Schniezel, the scientists Lloyd Asplund and his assistant Cecile Croomy watched the feed from the SAZ.
Cecile in particular was nervous.
"I don't have a good feeling about this," said Cecile. "I think we should have gone there as I thought."
"What for?" Lloyd asked in response. "If Lancelot was present then Zero wouldn't come, or that's what everyone says."
"Take care, Suzaku…," Cecile thought worriedly.
"Worrying about Suzaku aren't you, Cecile?" Mariel Lubie, another scientist, asked, having come into the room a few seconds before.
Cecile's face blushed slightly as her eyes widened a bit, but then regained her composure to respond. "I'm worried about Princess Euphemia, but yes, I'm worried about Suzaku too."
"Oh, because of your little crush on him, right?" asked Mariel.
"Wha—?" Cecile gasped as her face blushed red.
"Oh look at your face, Cecile," said Mariel teasingly. "I think it's clear that you're in love with him. You can't deny it."
Cecile's face turned even redder at Mariel's words.
She had developed feelings for Suzaku during the time they worked together in Camelot, the organization that they were members of, and a unit under the command of Prince Schniezel. The feeling had been mutual to Cecile's fortune.
The discovery that Euphemia and Suzaku were just close friends, rather than romantic lovers as previously and erroneously assumed, also helped Cecile. She had confessed to Suzaku during his battle with Sawasaki and the Chinese Federation not too long ago, which gave Suzaku an empowered will to live on.
Their relationship was frowned upon by her fellow Britannians by and for large due to Suzaku being Japanese, and they currently relied on the SAZ to remedy this.
"I hope nothing goes wrong…," Cecile thought, now back to her nervous state.
C's World
The Emperor of Britannia, Charles, watched the events around the SAZ with interest.
Numazu, Baywalk
Sophie had decided to take Shirley on an outing together with Rivalz to ease her spirits and take her mind off whatever had been troubling her. Along the edge of the Suruga Bay, they were seated in a table under a patio umbrella as they enjoyed some cold treats.
"This ice cream sundae was delicious!" Rivalz exclaimed, pleased.
"It sure is," said Sophie. "It's a shame Milly didn't come, she sure knows how to cheer Shirley up." She then turned her attention to her roommate. "Well, Shirley, feeling better?"
"Yes," said Shirley. "It was some delicious ice cream, thanks Sophie. But I still can't help but think…," she trailed off as her mind still went back to the one matter it had been dwelling on.
"Hmm…," Sophie wondered. "Shirley, can you just tell us what exactly is worrying you?" she asked in concern.
"Yeah Shirley, if you have problems tell it to your pals!" said Rivalz, supporting Sophie.
"It's…it's about Lelouch." Shirley finally said, sighing.
"What's with Lelouch that got you so worried?" Rivalz asked concerned.
"I don't think that's something I can talk about in public," said Shirley.
"Well, we can talk about it later in private. But for now, let's enjoy the day!" said Rivalz.
"That's right!" said Sophie. "How about let's go for a walk?"
"Sure!" Shirley nodded.
The Ashford trio got up and took a leisurely walk along the bay. Meanwhile, several tens of metres away along the walk, Wilfred sat in another table as he grumbled about both the SAZ and his encounter with Lelouch and Rivalz yesterday.
Forest, a few kilometres from the SAZ, 9:42 am
The Black Knights were hidden in the forest as they await Zero's orders. They were left to speculate on Zero's plans, which have not been disclosed to them.
Meanwhile, Tamaki had gotten very impatient.
"How long do we have to wait around here!?" Tamaki complained.
"Until Zero gives his order," Naomi Inoue, an indigo-haired woman who was one of the original founding members, answered him.
"Yeah, whatever…," said Tamaki, still in a complaining tone.
"I'm pretty sure Zero has a good plan for this…," Naomi thought.
"First of all, we have to determine what the empire is up to," said Tohdoh. "Ohgi?"
"Uhh…yes?" Ohgi responded.
"Zero knows of their true intentions. Therefore, he had us hidden in all four directions to wait," said Tohdoh.
"That's a risky assumption there," said Ohgi.
"He even has Diethard and Rakshata on standby. He's probably planning on assassinating Euphemia," said Tohdoh.
"I hope not," said Rai.
"Why not?" asked Tamaki.
"Assassinating a princess who have so far shown only good will to the Japanese would not bode well for his support," said Rai.
"True," said Tohdoh. "He would be seen as an enemy to the Japanese the moment he strikes at one they see as an ally."
"Zero…," thought Kallen.
Special Administrative Zone, G1 interior, 9:45 am
"The cameras are all off," said Euphemia, "But you're still being very careful, aren't you?"
"I've been in hiding for a long time from a certain empire. Can't be too careful," said Lelouch.
Lelouch then presented a white-coloured handgun. "This gun is made from ceramic and bamboo, so it can't be picked up by metal detectors."
"Lelouch…are you planning on shooting me? You'll never do that, right?" Euphemia questioned in shock.
"No, you'll be the one shooting," Lelouch responded.
"Huh?" Euphemia gasped slightly.
"The ceremony is broadcasted globally," said Lelouch. "If they witness a Britannian princess shooting Zero, what do you think happens next?" he asked.
"Riots would break out, I imagine," said Euphemia.
"Exactly. Zero would become a martyr, and your popularity would crash to the Earth," said Lelouch.
"What nonsense are you saying? Can't you just help me rebuild Japan?" Euphemia asked and pleaded.
"If you force it from up high, can you truly claim moral high ground over our corrupt siblings?" Lelouch asked. "Can you truly claim to be giving Japanese their freedom? If you do that, you'll end up no better than Clovis."
"All tasks on hand have been cleared," Lelouch continued. "After hovering from near-death, Zero will be met with cheers upon his miraculous recovery. People don't give a damn about reason, but are swayed by miracles."
"Now, take the gun." He motioned said weapon to his sister.
"She will most likely despise me eternally for this…," Lelouch thought, "but I have no other choice."
"Huh?" Euphemia uttered.
"There can only be one Messiah, you understand, and when people find out that you're a false one, they will condemn your name," said Lelouch.
Meanwhile, as they spoke…
Tokyo Settlement, Central Command Centre
"Sir, we've picked up a swarm of objects approaching us from outer space!" an operator said to his superior, General Bartley, reporting the data received, displayed on the screen in front of them.
"A ballistic missile strike? An attack from the Chinese Federation? Europia?" Bartley questioned.
"No, sir. They came straight from deep space, their trajectory is incoherent with anything coming from Earth," the operator answered.
"An asteroid swarm?" Bartley asked.
"We don't know…," said another operator. "Their speeds are variable, and they seem to be…guided by something."
They continued to stare at the display, baffled. The swarm of objects drew in closer and closer at breakneck speeds.
With every moment Bartley and the staff became more and more alarmed.
"Sir, the objects have started entering the upper atmosphere!" an operator exclaimed.
"This is bad…what do we do!?" Bartley cried out in panic.
Special Administrative Zone podium, exterior of G1
Suzaku, Darlton, and the rest have awaited Euphemia and Zero patiently. Feelings of anxiety persisted within Suzaku out of concern for his princess and friend.
"Is it really right to leave her there, alone with Zero?" asked Suzaku. "But she ordered us to remain outside…"
"She can always press the emergency call button when necessary," said Darlton.
At that moment Darlton noticed what looked like shooting stars as they streaked across the sky. He raised an eyebrow slightly. "Hmm?"
Gawain cockpit
A feeling of unease took C.C., as she also picked up on the "shooting stars". She couldn't explain why, but she just felt a bit uneasy.
Numazu, Baywalk
Shirley, Sophie, and Rivalz had been on their leisurely walk when in one sudden moment a fast-moving object the size of a building zipped over their heads, startling them.
"What in the world!?" Rivalz exclaimed.
"Eeep!" Shirley squeaked. Sophie was silent in shock.
Several more falling objects followed. A number of them hit the bay with massive splashes.
"I think it's time to end this walk…," Rivalz uttered.
"I agree…," Sophie concurred.
More of the giant drop pods landed around the Suruga Bay area, some in forests and some in the ghettoes. One in particular smashed through a Britannian ship in the bay, breaking it in two and killing virtually everyone aboard.
The crowds on the baywalk were stunned at what had just taken place. Nearly everyone was silent for a few moments as they looked around warily.
Wilfred looked down at the sea, having noticed a strange whirlpool.
"Huh?" he murmured, puzzled.
A low lurching sound filled the baywalk area and took the crowd by surprise. The water began to rise and the whirlpool gave way as a huge metallic object rose out of it. It was dome-shaped and elongated at the back, had two prism-shaped windshields at the sides, and had what looked like three headlights on the front, with the central one being larger than the others.
The crowd stepped back as the mysterious giant rose even higher and revealed three tentacle-like legs, as well as two tentacle-like appendages attached to the side of its head, each of which ended in crescent-shaped "hands". It also revealed several smaller tentacles from its underside.
It eventually stood up to its full height and climbed over the edge of the baywalk. The crowd gave way, having ran off further in panic as police in the area desperately attempted to maintain order in the chaos.
Shirley, Sophie, and Rivalz ran as fast as they could and hid behind a nearby building. All three were breathing heavily.
As the mysterious giant stomped unto the pavement, one could see that its legs ended in three-fingered feet. More people stopped their cars as they witnessed the three-legged giant. It overall resembled something like a gigantic walking, metallic jellyfish.
As it climbed out of the sea, it exposed its full height of some 45 metres, which towered over the surrounding buildings. The crowd soon stopped after a distance and many people hid behind cover.
All stared at the tripodal behemoth apprehensively.
Shirley, Sophie, and Rivalz were caught speechless, their eyes wide as dinner plates in shock and disbelief, their mouths slightly agape.
"What in Darwin's name…," gasped Wilfred, also in complete and utter shock and disbelief.
A loud, eerie foghorn-like sound filled everyone's ears and snapped them back to attention. The crowd became yet more fearful again. Some of them fled off altogether.
An atmosphere of anxiety enveloped everyone around as they continued to stare upon the tripod. Silence reigned supreme.
The tips of the tripod's arms began to glow with a bluish-white light.
Wilfred was more and more consumed by fear…until he screamed much like a small lass. This scream would be his last, as he was incinerated by a high-energy laser beam emitted from one of the tripod's arms.
At this sight, Shirley gasped silently and placed her hands over her mouth, her eyes wide as dinner plates in pure shock and fear. Sophie and Rivalz became wide-eyed with the same shock and fear, their mouths wide agape. All three were shaking.
The crowd went into full panic, running and screaming. The tripod fired its lasers at them, incinerating and disintegrating people it hit.
"Crap, crap, crap!" thought Rivalz, his mind overwhelmed by terror.
"I don't want to…I don't want to die!" Sophie thought, consumed by the same terror.
Shirley screamed loudly.
"RUN!" Rivalz screamed at his schoolmates. They obeyed without any hesitation and darted off.
"I don't wanna die…I don't wanna die…I don't wanna die!" all three thought repeatedly as they ran for their very lives, as the tripod's lasers tore apart cars and buildings around them.
They ran behind a concrete wall of a building in order to catch their breath.
As the laser assault came to a pause moments afterward, they looked across the corner as they saw the burning ruins of the structures around them. It looked like the aftermath of an apocalypse. The Ashford trio was yet to fully process what had just happened…this was something you'd need to have seen with your own eyes to believe.
They also watched the tripod as it walked away…
As it walked towards the direction of…the Special Administrative Zone.
Special Administrative Zone, G1 interior, 9:50 am
Meanwhile, in the SAZ, unaware of what had transpired out there, Lelouch and Euphemia continued on with their exchange, which had now become heated.
"Stop it! Spare me your pity! Don't give me your charity!" Lelouch exclaimed, now angry. "This is something I have to achieve on my own!" He then activated his Geass. "And for that, I shall now stain your hands with blood, Euphemia li Britannia!"
He was about to use his Geass on her when he was interrupted as Euphemia sharply smacked him in the face, which caused Lelouch to fall back on his butt. Lelouch was, well, physically challenged – he was actually far outmatched by Euphemia in physicals and it showed.
"Have you gone insane!?" Euphemia shot back at him. "Besides, that's not my name, I've renounced it!"
"What?" Lelouch, now back to his senses, uttered in surprise. "Why? It's not because you accepted Zero, isn't it?"
"Of course, Lelouch, I have to pay the price for such a selfish action. These are the consequences," said Euphemia.
"Yes, but I suppose it wasn't hard for you to give that up. You did it for me, didn't you?" said Lelouch.
"Still as conceited as ever, Lelouch," said Euphemia. "No, I did it for Nunnally. She told me that she only wanted to be with you, with us, and that's all that mattered to her."
"For that petty reason?" Lelouch questioned.
"That's right, it's how I made up my mind," said Euphemia. "It made me stop to seriously reflect about what is truly important to my life."
"You understand now?" Euphemia continued on. "I'm not giving up on anything that's of any real significant worth and meaning to me. And don't worry, your secret is safe with me."
"I know, I must look like a fool for that…," she finished, a little shameful.
"You give yourself too little credit, Euphemia," said Lelouch.
"Huh?" Euphemia uttered in response. "I haven't been able to beat you in games or studies, Lelouch…"
"Sure, but you did beat almost everyone else in the family," Lelouch said encouragingly. "I remember your chess matches with Clovis, he didn't win a single one, and you were seven at that time!"
"I know…," Euphemia giggled. "He totally lost it when he did."
"See," Lelouch went on, "You're pretty smart in your own right. You're a very good learner. All you need is experience and knowledge."
"You really think so?" Euphemia asked.
"Yes," said Lelouch. "I understand that Cornelia had sheltered you, smothered you. She didn't give you the chance to truly grow, to truly learn. I understand that you have a lot of potential in you, Euphemia. You only need the right guidance."
"Thank you, Lelouch…," said Euphemia, grateful for the encouraging words.
"When I look at you," Lelouch then said, "I don't see the sub-viceroy or a princess, I just see the plain little Euphemia who you used to be."
"Okay, maybe not that little now, you've grown pretty tall…," Lelouch added, amused, noting that Euphemia was close to him in height – only being three centimetres shorter – and still as a growing teenager at that.
Euphemia giggled in response.
"Well," Euphemia began, "Will you join plain 'little' Euphemia and help her?"
"You're the worst opponent I have yet faced…," said Lelouch. "You win." He shook Euphemia's hands in approval.
"Huh?" Euphemia uttered.
"I'll amend my plans to help your Special Zone. But not as a subordinate, alright?" said Lelouch.
"Sure thing. But you didn't have much faith in me about one thing…," said Euphemia.
"Hmm?" Lelouch uttered, curious.
"Did you believe I was going to shoot you simply by threatening me?" asked Euphemia.
Lelouch, pacing a few steps in front of her, answered. "Oh no, you've got it all wrong. When I really want someone to follow my orders, they can't resist me, whether it's to shoot me, fire Suzaku, cause a massacre, or any order at all."
"You mean…hypnosis?" said Euphemia, looking at him with a perplexed look. "You're playing with me, Lelouch. Stop being silly. You know that hypnosis is not real, right?"
"I'm serious. I can demonstrate if you'd like," said Lelouch.
"Try me," said Euphemia, slightly smugly.
"Okay, you asked for it…," said Lelouch, his Geass activated as he looked into her eyes. "Tell me honestly how you feel about Cornelia."
The Geass entered Euphemia's mind and took control as a red glow materialised around her violet irises. Her expression slackened, which then gave way to an aggravated one.
"Cornelia can go fuck herself," she began under the Geass' influence, clenching her hands as she spoke.
Lelouch raised his eyebrows at her uncharacteristic statement. He had assumed that Euphemia held an unconditional love for Cornelia despite their less than ideal dynamic, but, alas, he was mistaken.
"I am sick and tired of all her bloody smothering! Sick and tired of her excessively overprotective sheltering! I am sick and tired of her treating me like some porcelain doll! I am sick and tired of her keeping me as a powerless figurehead, stopping me from helping others in need!" Euphemia exclaimed, then continued, "I hate her, Lelouch...I hate her...I really hate her...," she trailed off.
All the raw emotions about Cornelia that the pink-haired woman had bottled up within for so long, brought up to the surface thanks to the specific wording of the Geass command.
"I understand…," said Lelouch, nodding.
The red glow disappeared from Euphemia's eyes, the Geass command now fulfilled. She gasped softly and blinked rapidly a couple of times.
"You…you hypnotised me…," she said, surprised.
"I told you I was serious, and you asked for it," said Lelouch with a grin.
"This is embarrassing…," Euphemia said in a lowered voice. "Okay, I believe you." she conceded.
"It can only be used once on a person, so you're now immune to it," said Lelouch.
"That's a relief," said Euphemia at ease. "Don't worry, I'll keep that a secret too. Now, I think we have a Special Zone to start, don't we? We've kept everyone waiting long enough."
"Right," Lelouch acknowledged. With that, the two walked out of the room and the G1, ready to begin the opening ceremony.
Kilometres away, the gigantic tripod lumbered on, a swath of devastation carved in its wake, the Special Administrative Zone in its sights…
The invading fleet of ships and fighters have entered the stratosphere. As they did, the other landed drop pods around the area had begun to open up, setting loose what was within…