Chapter 3: Battle of Saitama

Alone at the Washington safehouse, Harkov is in a meeting with Oval command. The recent report of attacks on resistance cells in Japan being eliminated, all due to Princess Cornelia Li Britannnia. Since her arrival, the Goddess of Victory is made viceroy as she leads operations in wiping out any resistance. It would only be a matter of time before Washington is noticed, even if Oval trying to sway away much attention.

"There was an attack on a resistance faction called Blood of the Samurai that was decimated." Oval informed the old Russian. "They got hit by Princess Cornelia and her forces. Never stood a chance. We offered an olive branch to some who weren't there."

Harkov stroked his bearded chin. "It would appear she is cracking down on resistance cells in Japan. How soon before she hits the Saitama Ghetto?" he asked

"I'd say you don't have long." Oval replied. "Which is why you're getting all personnel out of Washington safehouse. There's still subway tunnels underground that would help in the evacuation. With Cornelia, she's not going to take any chances once she starts a blockade on the bridges leading out of the ghetto."

"I will try to get in touch with Fenrir team before anything else happens." the old Russian declared

"Follow protocol and go off the grid after evacuation. Oval command, out."

Things appeared to be going seemingly well in Ashford, in large due to Lelouch and Rai having Malik accepted into the Student Council. Alice and Carlito were junior members, but it was better than nothing in the meantime. It was surprising enough to Malik and Carlito that Alice knew Lelouch, Suzaku, and Nunnally. Both of them felt there was something Alice wasn't tell them, which seem to be in regards of Suzaku. What connection did she have with him before Lelouch and Nunnally, they wondered. Right now, they were just leaving the Student Council room when they saw Alice with Nunnally and a Japanese maid.

"Hey, Alice."

Nunnally turned her head to the direction of Malik's voice. "Hello, Malik. How are you today? Is Carlito with you?" she asked as said person looked at Malik shaking his head

"Why, yes he is." Alice said, earning an embarrassed glare from Carlito

"Hello, Nunnally."

Malik smiled, still taken away by the blind paraplegic's senses. "We're doing just fine, Nunnally. What were you two talking about?"

"Just catching up with Nunnally." Alice said. "I have to go somewhere, but we can talk later. Okay?"

"Okay. See you, then. Miss Sayako, can you take me back to the mansion?"

the maid nodded. "Of course, Miss Nunnally." she said as she moved the wheelchair to take Nunnally to the mansion

Carlito glanced at Nunnally. "For someone blind and paralyzed, I don't know how she can even stay this happy and kind."

"She has what remains of her family left here. Not to mention, friends who have been kind to her in return looking out for Nunnally." Malik said, glancing at Alice holding something in her hand. "What's that?"

"It's from Washington Safehouse. A Britannian operation is about to commence in the Saitama Ghetto." Alice informed the two with a stern look. "They're clearing out any resistance faction cells in Japan. They can't know about Washington."

"Need a hand?" the three turned to see Rai

Carlito scoffed. "This isn't gonna be like the simulations, snowflake."

"Doesn't matter." Rai replied. "I want to help anyway I can."

Malik shrugged. "Well, you heard the man." he then looked at the three with a serious expression. "We're heading off to the Saitama Ghetto."

Outside Ashford and the Tokyo settlement, Britannian forces have surrounded the Saitama Ghetto. Rai along with team Fenrir arrived at a blockade. They got out of the car and slipped through undetected from Britannian soldiers, as Malik used his Geass of Absolute Sense to use his perception. He started by hearing the sounds and voices of soldiers, while his eyes focused more on his sight. Malik motioned the three to stay close and follow him, making sure no soldiers spotted them. Rai inhaled before walking past the trio at a couple of Britannian soldiers in the middle of a transport truck, as Alice was about to stop him. Malik gestured his hand to stay put as Rai walked up to the two soldiers, with the facemasks of their uniform off.

"Escort us through the Saitama Ghetto." they heard him commanded through the use of his Geass

"Not bad." Carlito said as they walked over to him

Rai turned to them. "They'll give us a ride into Saitama. Get in, quick."

The four of them got inside the truck as the two soldiers drove them to Saitama, using a lie to drop armaments as a guard let them pass. Through the windows, they could see the attack starting. The screams of people could be heard at a distance, with the firing of weapons and explosions echoed louder throughout Saitama. Malik with his geass could hear more than just gunfire and explosion, people pleading for their life along with the cries of children that were silenced.

Carlito scoffed in a detestable grunt. "Just like her dead brother, she's using the same tricks."

"I don't think so." they turned to Rai. "She's reenacting what happened in Shinjuku here to get Zero's attention. Cornelia finds out the guy killed her brother through the entire world, what better way to lure your brother's killer than..."

"Using the same scenario that attracted his attention in the first place." Alice concluded as Rai nodded

"It makes sense." Carlito replied in agreement. "We just have to hope that old man Harkov and the rest cleared out Washington in time."

"Won't know until we get there." Alice said. "Once we get to the safehouse, we'll move out everything we can before we're ever spotted. Supplies, weapons, personnel, everything and everyone."

Malik glanced at Rai, then to the geassed soldiers. "How long does your Geass have on those two before they stop driving us?"

"That... is a really good question."

After that response, the two geassed soldiers recovered from the effect long enough for Malik to knock both of them out. They were kicked out by Malik and Rai, completely in their underwear as the two had disguised themselves as Britannian soldiers. They drove through the area of the Saitama Ghetto, seeing the assault was nothing more but a slaughter. The army dispatched hundreds of soldiers, over a dozen tanks, aircrafts and Knightmare frames to destroy the Ghetto. Rai heard comm chatter of a Purist faction covering the rear, left behind for that one purpose as Malik turned the car right into a six-story building with armed Knightpolice. Their color scheme was a green and sage color to differentiate them as the truck came to a stop, with Malik and Rai getting out. Carlito and Alice did the same as the Knightmares lowered their weapons upon seeing the two as Malik and Rai took off the helmets and facemasks.

"Welcome back, Fenrir team." the trio turned to see Harkov as personnel were loading up equipment and supplies. He noticed Rai among them. "And hello to you, young man. What brings you here?"

"I wanted to help. Do you have everything settled?"

Harkov shook his head. "Unfortunately, we still have some equipment to move. Most of the personnel have already left for the tunnels. Those that remain help with moving our essentials."

"R1, R2, continue to fall back. Lead the enemy to N2's location. B7, fire at two o' clock." said a deep but young voice that was modulated, which caught everyone's attention

"Is that who I think it is?" Carlito asked

"Yeah, it's Zero." Malik looked to Harkov. "Old man, is my Knightmare still inside the safehouse?"

"Da. We have already moved Carlito and Alice's Knightmare Frames before your arrival." Harkov stated. "For what reason could-" he stopped, realizing what exactly Malik had planned during the attack on Saitama. "Oh, I see. You wish to use it for battle."

"I imagine me using the Knightmare would be beneficial for collecting new data, don't you think?" Malik replied coyly as Harkov let out a small chuckle under his breath

"You can't be serious." Alice said in disbelief

Malik turned to her with a mischievous grin. "You two, help out around here with the move of all our stuff. Rai, you're with me."

"What do you need my help for?"

"Be my eyes and ears to tell me where the Brits are coming from. Maybe even be my back-up if it comes down to it."

Back inside Washington safehouse, Malik smiled to see the color scheme set upon his Knightmare Frame as he hopped inside the cockpit. Rai noticed and saw it was black with orange highlights. The eyes on the faceplate stayed the same orange color as Rai hopped in the cockpit of the Burai from before. Both of them activated their Knightmares as Malik stared at the weapons available, aside from its standard weaponry before taking two 1x machine pistols. Took a couple of chaff grenades in the process, in case they needed to make a good escape. He lends Rai the weapons to arm his Knightmare with a 1x assault rifle and an elbow-mounted tonfa, the gate doors opened wide as they headed out. Malik headed to the war torn of the ghetto, remaining out of sight. Rai on the other hand, heard the comm chatter from Zero based on every attack made by the mystery figure while positioned onto of a roof. Britannian forces were picked off one-by-one as Zero's tactics were cold and calculating than the duo thought after he ordered the bridge destroyed. That last attack took out the majority guarding the bridge itself.

"This guy is a strategist. Calculating every move the army makes, then wiping them away based on comm chatter." Malik commented. "Britannians might also have a mobile base around here somewhere."

"They do." Rai replied, the mobile base in question with the factsphere. "As for Zero, he might have one of their Knightmares to tell which position the enemy is. A standard divide and conquer trick. Lure the enemy with tact and then decimated them. He's seeing the battlefield as a chess board, moving every piece he has and taking out the opposition."

"But how long can it last?"

"N1, this is Zero. Change back to the original signal and pretend to be a Britannian soldier."

"Understood."

"Rai, how's it look?" Malik asked as Rai checked the map

He saw three triangles appear and get close to rebel one in the middle. They showed no signs of stopping and kept going, until the rebel triangle disappeared

"Gone. They took out that resistance fighter."

Malik narrowed his eyes. "They know." he said grimly. "Looks like Zero might have taken the bait."

"N2, emit your signal and retreat to the hospital area. R1, R2, wait around. Ambush the enemy as they pursue." one triangle was getting away while three followed it, only to separate and start encircling it. "R1, R2 break off the ambush and retreat immediately!" they heard Zero said desperately as the triangle got away before several more appeared encircling the area

"It won't be long before Zero's compromised."

"How many does he have left?"

Rai watched as every triangle Zero had were taken out with each precision made, based on every order Zero had given. "At this point, I think it's just only him now."

"Mission complete. All troops move intro formation four." said a female voice

"That voice... could that be?"

"A command to all Knightmare pilots. You are hereby ordered to open your hatches and show your faces!" the woman said in a deep authoritarian voice

"Cornelia. Looks like she's trying to flush Zero's identity out."

"It's Zero! We've spotted Zero!" a Britannian soldier shouted as everyone turned to see where he was

"Got eyes on him." Malik said as Rai spotted Zero standing on a destroyed building on the west side. "You see him, Rai."

"Yeah, I do." Rai replied amazed at Zero being out at the open as soldiers aimed at him. "There he is."

"Capture him! 3rd and 5th squadron, after him!"

Rai saw soldiers and Knightmare frames fire at him, only hitting the upper structure as Zero spread his arms and fell backward.

"What now?"

"Take the shot at one of their Knightmares, and keep your distance. You can leave the rest to me."

"We can separate them. Use one of the chaff grenades to split them off while we take care of the rest."

"Exactly what I was thinking."

In a split second, one of the Knightmares were shot down while the other was damaged and crippled by Malik. Malik tossed a chaff grenade at a squad of soldiers with a few Knightmares, as Rai took out a couple of Knightmares while Britannian soldiers got hit in the crossfire at a distance. The chaff grenade exploded into smoke engulfing the area, another Knightmare went down destroyed.

"What the- enemy fire!"

Malik smirked inside his Knightmare. "Showtime!"

Malik bursted out the wall of a nearly destroyed building, and opened fire with the machine pistols as three Sutherlands along with a pack of soldiers were taken down in the process. He sped away as the other Sutherlands gave chase.

"Enemy attack by Knightmare of unknown origin!"

In the Mobile base...

"WHAT THE HELL?!" Andreas Darlton shouted

"Guilford, my knight! What is going on out here?!"

"3rd and 5th squadron have just been hit by an unknown Knightmare! I have 4th and 6th squadron with me right now on the target!" Gilbert G.P. Guilford informed Princess Cornelia

Meanwhile, in the battle of Saitama

"Come at me." Malik said with determination

Malik moved his Knightmare toward a squad of armored vehicles, crashing into them as they were kicked to a building. The foot of the Knightmare landed on the downed vehicle, firing four shot before smoke burst out from it. He fired at the Gloucesters, seeing they were only being dented due to their armor. Malik gritted his teeth in annoyance as he fired a slash harken the side of one Gloucester and taking its EM Jousting Lance. He caught it with the mechanized hand of the Guren Type-01, slammed the weapon on the Gloucester with enough force to permanently destroy it alongside the pilot. He unsheathed the 1x fork knife from forearm, striking a critical hit inside another Gloucester's cockpit which killed the pilot in an explosion. A Gloucester with a cap came at him as he swiftly dodged the incoming blow, as Malik readied the lance. He held strong and firm watching the Knightmare in the blue cape pull out two swords. He was rightfully cautious as Malik watched the two swords change from gray to red, using the Gloucester behind him as a shield. Malik was about to see it pierce through part of the cockpit before he evaded another attack from a Gloucester to his right.

"Nice try!" Malik impaled the enemy Gloucester with the Jousting Lance. "Whoa!" he dodged a blow from Guilford in his Gloucester, using the Lance to block an incoming attack

"You may be able to turn the tide in your favor with your Knigtmare, but even that won't be enough to win this battle." Malik heard Guilford say. "Whoever you are, there's no escape for you!"

"We'll just see about that, Britannian." Malik said through the comm channel

"That voice... am I facing-"

"Just some kid? Yeah." Malik input the Guren mk1's strength to bring the lance closer to Guilford's Gloucester in just a few inches. "And right now, you're gonna die at the hands of one."

"You bastards!" Malik used the Guren Mk1 to kick Guilford's KF, lunging away from the attacker's blow. "I won't let you escape!" the attacker yelled as a grenade hit by the Knightmare Frame's foot

"Lord Jeremiah!"

The Chaff grenade exploded as smoke began to cover the area, but it did not stop Jeremiah however. He charged blindly, only to be struck down hard by a Jousting Lance and his Knightmare inoperable as the unknown Knightmare fled from his grasp. One of the Purist in their Knightmare head Jeremiah's way as a Lance was hurtled at their position, bringing it down on the ground. The Knightmare fled the battle with a custom-made Glasgow, abandoning the battlefield.

"Targets escaped? Permission to pursue, Viceroy Cornelia?"

"Stand down and return back to Mobile base." he heard Cornelia replied.

"Yes, your Highness." Guilford moved back to base, with his Knightmare in tow.

Inside the subway tunnels, Alice and Carlito along with a few Knigtmares guarding their convoy. The radar sensors beeped as two bogeys were heading their way as they got into positions. They waited for the bogeys to get closer to obtain a visual before hitting them a surprise attack. It was only by six seconds later, that they saw Malik and Rai in their respective Knightmares as they lowered their weapons. Harkov peeked out through the window of a van, a chuckle escaping his mouth.

"I see you were successful." he said

"That's right. This baby ran pretty good against those Knightmares." Malik said, smirking at the old man. "Britannia's stepping up on Knightmares. But I gonna say this beauty right here made one helluva difference."

"Good to hear. They are getting more bolder, but this may have stopped them for a time." Harkov replied. "For now, place your Knightmares inside the convoy."

Malik moved his Knightmare inside the convoy, as he turned off the mech and stepped out of the cockpit. Carlito and Alice did the same with their Knightmares as they were behind Malik's, while the Knightmare Rai used ran out of power. He stepped out of the cockpit, propelling down through a cord. He approached the three as Carlito glanced at him, before turning his attention to Malik.

"Rai helped out pretty well, huh?"

"Of course. He was my eyes and ears on the battlefield. Even got a few kills in, too" Malik added

Carlito walked up to him and punched him in the arm. "Not bad, snowflake."

Rai rubbed his arm due to the quick jab. "Thanks."

"Let's get out of here."

The four followed the convoy through the old subway tunnels, leaving the Saitama Ghetto behind before any Britannian forces noticed anything in the tunnels. Once the mission was complete, Half of Fenrir team parted ways with their now new recent member, while Alice went with him. Rai was still able to stay in Ashford, while Alice stayed with Nunnally and Lelouch. Carlito grabbed a few masks and packed up some small essentials they needed. Harkov set Malik and Carlito up with a stay at the Lake Kawaguchi Convention Center for a few days. The three had two separate rooms for themselves as they settled their things respectively. Carlito and Malik in one room with Harkov next door in the other. The old Russian told them Oval Command ordered them to lay low for the time being after leaving Washington safe house.

"Can't believe Rai and Alice are staying back at Ashford."

"You know Alice and Nunnally have history. Not to mention, Rai has Suzaku as a roommate." Malik stated

"I thought Kururugi refused that offer."

"Rai convinced him so he could have a place to stay." Malik noticed Carlito had on his face and sighed. "And no, Rai didn't geass him."

"Why have him roomies with him, anyway?"

"To see what he knows. Specifically, these new Knightmares Britannia's making."

"What makes you think-" Carlito was caught off by gunshots as he and Malik became alert and ready. Carilto peeked out the door to see armed Japanese soldiers moving people as hostages. "Looks like that talk of ours is gonna have to wait."

Malik tossed Carlito a wolf mask, putting on a black mask covering both his hair and face. "Yeah, gear up."