Pendragon, six days after Lelouch's accession
The Sun rose upon the Imperial Capital, as the streets light up. iIside the private quarters of the newly coronated Emperor, the light from the sun had covered his face causing him to open his eyes. Lelouch got up, stretching his arms as he yawned, he tried to out of the bed, but was stopped by Catherine who had her hand holding onto Lelouch's arm. Lelouch smiled, taking her hand off and putting it down slowly, letting her rest a while longer.
Getting up, he heads to the bathroom, brushing his teeth and taking a shower as he got ready for his duties as Emperor. Getting out, he went up to his attire, white robes with gold linings, with a white shawl over them that bore a white wing motif branching out from an black and red eye. When Lelouch had shown the final design to Suzaku and Catherine, Suzaku commented how it too much, while Catherine made chuckle as it did live up to the 'Holy' part of the Empire.
Well it won't be called that in a few days, as with what's going on, he was to rename the Holy Britannian Empire to just the Great Britannian Empire. A little rebranding on his part, if he were to begin change Britannia, he might as well change its name, as it didn't fit with his plans. Besides there was nothing 'Holy' about Britannia to begin, with the previous Emperor having attempted to kill God. But it was great, well it will soon be 'Great'.
Getting dressed, he was about to exit his room before giving Catherine a kiss on her head. Getting out, he sees Suzaku waiting for him in the attire that he himself designed him. Wearing a dark blue and white pilot with gold linings with a black and red eye in middle, as over it he wore a red Cape, with black shawl on top of it.
"How long have you been waiting?" Lelouch asked, the past few days ever since his statement to the world, Suzaku had been waiting in front of his door every single day.
"For about half an hour, hurry up. We have to finish off getting the other royal guards." Suzaku reminded him, with Lelouch responding with groan.
Lelouch did hide the fact that he despises the old guard of his father, who were just like his father, who believed that they were superior to everyone else, believing might makes right. It could've been easier to just have replace, but that's just exactly what made them the perfect meat shields. Everyone and from what Suzaku had heard, even Bismark didn't like them, truth be told Buamark wasn't exactly an avid supporter of his late lords ideology, but he put it aside as Biamark swore loyalty to Charles and whatever he said he would obey. This way no one would miss them if they sent them to die.
They had finally arrived to door to the throne room, before they entered. Lelouch and Suzaku had heard the guards chatting among themselves, discussing on why they were going along with the new Emperor orders. He might've even heard saying such treasonous words about him and were also insulting Suzaku's heritage.
"God I hate them so bad." Suzaku comments, as his eyes twitch annoyed.
"Calm down, they won't be saying such things soon." Lelouch put his hand on Suzaku's shoulder, sharing the same feelings as him.
"I probably should go ahead, and announce your arrival." Suzaku says.
"The appropriate thing to do." Lelouch replied, as Suzaku then entered which made the guards stiff to attention. "At the very least, they sure have discipline."
"Announcing his royal Majesty, the Emperor!" Suzaku announced as he stood next to the throne.
Lelouch entered the room, the guards didn't even try to hide their discontent, as they all glare at them. The Emperor just rolled his eyes, he was already used to it at this point. Lelouch took his seat upon the throne resting his arms. He took one final look at the guards, and then reached for his face, taking out his purple contacts revealing the crane sigil on his eyes.
"Lelouch vi Britannia commands you, all of you become my slaves." With those words the red crane took its flight, and in an instant all of the guards took to attention.
"Yes your, Majesty!" They bellowed down zealously, saluting and then rising their fists in the air, their black visors slide down covering their face. "ALL HAIL LELOUCH."
Lelouch smirks, the last of the guards were now under his command. Currently as it stands, Jeremiah was now of course the captain of the Imperial Guard, taking the position away from the former knight of twelve, Monica Krushevesky. He had has own platoon of soldiers, specifically Marianne's old royal guard, it was good thing he had Jeremiah assemble them. One thing he knows is that they are loyal to house vi Britannia, not to Charles nor any other royal.
"So what's next on the list, Suzaku?" He asked. The knight looked at him incredulously.
"You know, I've been more like your private secretary than the Knight of Zero as of recently." Suzaku tells him, the past week Suzaku had done nothing but follow Lelouch around, explain his schedule and even make arrangements for Lelouch's upcoming projects.
"I'm still in the process of finding one, the ones who have applied don't really fill in all the requirements needed or weren't good enough." Lelouch tells him, finding the right secretary was harder than it looks, none of the people couldn't even raise a finger to... Sayako. Ever since she died from the F.L.E.I.J.A. Lelouch had tried hard to find someone like her. Honestly, over the years they had spent together, he grew fond of Sayoko, thinking of her as sort of a second mother to him... and Nunnally. He missed them, he missed them very much.
"Jeez, the standards you have put for them are high." Suzaku commented, honestly he wondered why he had such high standards for a secretary. At this rate, Suzaku will be stuck by Lelouch's side, not that he hated it, just that he feels like he's not actually a Knight of Zero. "You know what, let me handle finding you a secretary, with your high standards, it might be for the best."
Lelouch winced, but he did see the logic in that. If anything Suzaku might already know some people who could fit well as Lelouch's secretary. Since well he had been in Pendragon for about a year, he might know some people.
"But as for your earlier question, your majesty. You are now scheduled to head to the Imperial Mausoleum, where we'll begin its demolition." Suzaku informed.
The Imperial mausoleum, where the past Emperor's, Lelouch's predecessors rested. It's destruction will begin the start of Britannia's new future. Although with that said, he will be moving the bodies to another location, preferably somewhere nice. While Charles's reign may have been the worst rule in history, it certainly can't be said, for the previous rulers. Some of them, were well respected by people over the world, such as Empress Claire li Britannia the Great, who had united Britannia after the North-South war. He will give those who deserved it a proper burial.
"Right, let's head over there this afternoon. In the meantime we can discuss our little shortage of knights of Round." Lelouch suggests, that was something that had been bothering him for a while now. With previous Knights of the Round, now have joined with Schneizel who are now in hiding after Lelouch declared them as criminals, he wasn't exactly in good spot. Suzaku can probably take on Bismarck, but that doesn't mean he can take them all on, plus Suzaku's new Knightmare is still being made, going through some final modifications.
"About that, I think I had heard of a prisoner in Guantanamo Bay, who apparently had been offered the position knight of two by the previous holder, before he stepped down." Suzaku tells him. This was news to Lelouch, after the former Knight of Two Michele Manfredi had stepped down as knight of Two, it was Duchess Beatrice Frank's who took that position, who also not long ago resigned and became the secretary of the Head minister and special duty General inspector. The fact that Sir Manfredi originally had someone else in mind, means that he is skilled. And he was someone who opposed his father, not a bad choice in his opinion.
"Interesting, what's his name?" Lelouch asked.
"Elijah, I don't know his last name. But there is only one person named Elijah in Guantanamo bay from what I checked." Suzaku tells him.
"Arrange a meeting with him, I want to see this man myself." Lelouch ordered him.
"That's going to be harder than it looks, as he had been released from prison, after you declared them all prisoners in Guantanamo Bay are to be pardoned of their crimes." Suzaku informed Lelouch, much to his disappointment.
"Whatever, have the O.S.I. handle it." Lelouch instructs, he must get this man no matter what, he needs all the manpower he could afford against Schneizel and possibly the U.F.N. "Also, why was he sent to Guantanamo bay?" Lelouch got curious, at the very least there was a reason why he sent there.
"Oh he attempted to assassinate the previous Emperor." Suzaku says with a straight face. There was a long pause for a while, Lelouch took a while to take in Suzaku's words and immediately his face went into utter and complete surprise.
"WAIT WHAT?!"
"Yeah, he tried to assassinate him. Though his plan was not really the best." Suzaku added, when he heard of the alleged assassination attempt of Charles zi Britannia, by Luciano of all people, he was surely amazed in fact, due to the assassin actually fought of a brigade of the Royal Guard, when the plan went south.
"You know, I'm starting to like this guy, he's guts." Lelouch commented. He then realized the legion of 'disposables' were still in the room, and that he should probably dismiss them.
Before he could dismiss the guards, A servant had come in to to inform her Emperor of something. "Your majesty, there has been request from a man to seek an audience with you."
That got Lelouch's attention. "And who is this person who asks of such a request?" He asks the servant.
"A man by the name Elijah has, your majesty." That certainly gave both Lelouch and Suzaku a surprise, guess they won't have to send the O.S.I to find him after all. "He also has brought two other individuals as well."
That certainly raised a brow, this Elijah might have had some connections, to possibly get here. "Bring them in." He tells his servant. The maid bowed as she went to fetch the three people in question.
Lelouch the waved his hand at the guards, and they instinctively left the room. All that was left in the throne room, was the Emperor and the Knight of Zero. Later the maid returned, with three other people, one woman and two men. They all got in front of the Emperor and bowed before him, in the lead was a blonde man, who appeared to be the man he was looking. The two others who were beside him he couldn't recognize.
The blonde man, Elijah looked up and stared at them Emperor for quite a while, he could only smirk. "You really do look like her." Was the only thing he could say.
Lelouch got confused by his words, as is Suzaku. "What do you mean?"
Elijah could only chuckle. "I suppose it only makes sense, given the fact me and your mother fell out of contact after she became Empress.
Lelouch's eyes went wide and so was Suzaku's, he knew Marianne? How, what was his relationship with her. "Who are you, and how do you know of my mother?" He hissed aggressively.
Elijah got up and stiffened himself straight."My name, Elijah Lamperouge, the younger brother of the late Empress Marianne vi Britannia."
Both Lelouch's and Suzaku's jaws dropped. Brother, BROTHER? Lelouch had an uncle he hadn't heard of this whole time. Why would she keep him secret from him and Nunnally, surely there was an explanation.
"I'm a little upset that my elder sister, did not mention my existence to you, your majesty. Though it makes sense, given how Charles had some distaste for me, and had severely strained my relationship with her." Elijah says, after his sister married that bastard, she had distanced herself from him. Even though he hated her for that, he mostly blamed it on Charles, how his sister fell in love with that man was beyond him.
"My father did? And why would the previous Emperor do so?" Lelouch asked, his father's involvement was certainly strange, now that he thinks about it, it's not exactly new.
"I was opposed the ideals of social Darwinism, Britannia was a nation that was built after our victory against the Roman Empire, who were trying to take over our land. The idea we are to oppress others is not something our Ancestors or Alwin the Great would've wanted." Elijah explained, which certainly gave Lelouch a sense of compassion and honor from the man. He certainly isn't like Marianne, but he speaks highly of her, as if she and him actually got along.
"How was the relationship between you and my mother?" Lelouch asked.
Elijah smiled as a sense of nostalgia came flooding back from his childhood. "We had a great relationship, in fact I'm only her half brother." And the plot thickens as Lelouch and Suzaku played close attention. "My father's first wife, or you mother's mother, died during childbirth. Three years later he married my mother and had me an year later, they died when I five and when my sister was nine. So she took on the role of the adult in our family."
"We barely were living on, due to my mother's debt. We nearly went homeless but even then she took of me, working hard to provide for me, risking her education so that I could get a better education." His words left Lelouch in awe on how much he described his relationship with Lelouch's mother and her upbringing, maybe because of Charles's influence she just stopped caring all for the success of Ragnarök. "But after Charles took interest on your mother, she had kept distancing herself from me, even after she took the position of Knight of honour, she started to change. Like she had become a different person."
"Well did she?" From what his uncle was describing, Marianne wasn't always an uncaring charlatan, she started to change her attitude after meeting Charles, well what do you know. He didn't want to learn about his mother's history after their encounter in C's world but with this information he might as well take a look into it.
"I then..." Lelouch raised his hand.
"That's enough, my dear uncle." Lelouch tells him. "My mother was... an incredible person, she will be missed and may she be in a... better place. But right now I need all the help I could get, to fulfill my goal." Lelouch had to admit this gave a new light to Marianne, maybe after spending time with Charles had changed her. Since his uncle had looked up to her and viewed her as a mother figure to him. He will keep what actually happened about her, and what she became a secret from him, even though they have just met, Lelouch couldn't break his heart. "At the very least, you don't need to know."
"It will be an honor, your majesty." Elijah put his fist on his heart, bowing down again.
"Please, we're family call me whatever you want." Lelouch smiled, it's the least he could to his mother's younger brother.
"No your majesty, you are the Emperor, surely I couldn't do such-"
"Oh for gods sake, just do as he says." The one eyed Brunette haired woman tells him. "Besides he is your nephew after all."
"And who may you be, miss?" Lelouch asks, before Elijah could reprimand her. The woman bowed to attention.
"Your majesty, I am Margaret Hector, eldest daughter of Henry Hector." Margaret introduced herself.
"Hector? you wouldn't perhaps be a descendant of the first knight of one's in history?" Lelouch asked, surprised to know there is a living member of one of the greatest and well respected Knight of the round of Britannian history.
The Hector family had served Britannia ever since Ricardo von Britannia's reign. Even after the death of Richard Hector, his children made great accomplishments to Britannia's future and progress as a stable state, they even had an elite academy built after the name of their predecessor. Though sadly they soon fell from grace during the Emblem of Blood period, one of the worst era's of Britannia's history, which saw the destruction of many Royals and noble families, including the Hector family.
"Yes, I am a descendant of Richard Hector, the first Knight of One." Margaret confirmed, getting Lelouch and even Suzaku riled up.
"It's such a relieve to know that the Hector family is alive." Lelouch commented.
Margaret smirked. "Heh, it takes more than a whole purge to take us down. Us Hectors aren't a bunch to go down without a fight." Margaret tells him.
"Spoken like a descendant of a Knight of Round." Lelouch commented, if she was anything like her ancestor than she will be a very useful ally. Then Lelouch turned his attention to the other man who had arrived with them, a dark skinned brawny muscular man whom Lelouch didn't recognize gave out an murderous aura.
"Your majesty, I am George Morris. I come from Area 7, South Africa. I come from Guantanamo as you uncle. " The man in question introduces himself.
"Area 7?" A number was in Guantanamo bay? That was certainly the strangest thing he had just discovered. Guantanamo bay was constructed to be a prison colony for his father's enemies within the Empire, more specifically his internal enemies in the court or the military, and those were people who could be great threat. So if a number were to be there then this man was dangerous enough that Charles had sent him to a prison colony.
"Your majesty, Morris only recently was sent to Guantanamo bay, this is simply due to him being able to bear Luciano Bradley." Elijah tells him, much to their surprise.
"This day could not get any better." Lelouch thought to himself. He now has three highly skilled people that or on par with the Knights of the Round. Three is a start, with the addition of Suzaku, this already a good start.
"I see, well then." Lelouch says, he already has found the perfect replacements of the round. "You, my uncle, will you help my endeavor that I and my Knight of Zero will go through?" He asks his uncle.
"Of course, anything for my nephew." Elijah replied, after all he was his sister's son. "I failed my sister once, I won't fail you." Lelouch smiled at that, there was at least one family member he could count on.
He turned to the one eyed woman. "Do you, Margaret Hector?" He asks her.
"I got nothing else to do other than be a mother." She replied, she longed craved for some action, nine years of living in the town in the jungle was a great experience and something she will never forget. But man she sure missed some action. Sire she will be away from the kids a lot, but hey their mom is gonna be working for the Emperor now.
"And do you as well, George Morris." He asks the south African. He doesn't know much about this George Morris, but seeing his professionalism and manners, does indicate he is a professional soldier.
"Yes your majesty." George also replied.
Lelouch got up from his throne. He then took Suzaku's sword from him, and walked up to the three individuals. First to Elijah.
"Elijah Lamperouge, do you swear absolute allegiance only to me, and the nation of Britannia only."
"Yes your Majesty."
"Will you swear upon your life, to sacrifice all to the future of this nation and to my rule."
"Yes your Majesty."
"Will you raise your sword, to protect the weak from those who oppress."
"Yes your majesty."
"Then," Lelouch then touched the tip of the sword gently on his uncle's shoulders as the oath has finished. "I grant you, the title of the Knight of One." Elijah eyes went wide as he just couldn't believe what he had just. He is now the Knight of One? Sure a knight would've been appropriate, but a knight of the Round?! Much less than the knight of one.
He then turned to Margaret, repeating the same words he told his uncle. She was granted the title Knight of two, which was all in all unexpected, but an welcome one. After all, she was one of the test pilots for the first Knightmare's alongside Marianne. Not that the Emperor knew of, but he must've known.
Same with Morris he was given the title knight of ten, Luciano's former position. If he was able to best Luciano then certainly he would take his position.
"Rise, my knights." At Lelouch's command they all rose up. "For know, I want you to take care of those nobles that keep opposing me. Jeremiah will assist with you, take anything, Knightmares, soldiers, anything. Make sure to let them know. Britannia is now mine."
They all bowed down once again. "Yes your majesty." They then left to complete their majesty's order. Elijah has always wanted to get rid of those scum of society. Margaret also has some pent up beef with the nobles given that it was because of them her family fell in ruins. As for George, they really don't know much about him. In fact why did he even join them.
"You sure it was good idea not to tell him about Marianne?" Suzaku asked.
"I'm sure of it, the last thing I need is to have his view of Marianne completely destroyed, and hey I just got myself three more knights." Lelouch tells to his friend. Suzaku could only sigh at his words.
"Unbelievable." Suzaku could only smile. So he wasn't all cold to family, huh. So why did he made Euphy do that? What exactly happ... forget it's all in the past. Right now they have a mission to fulfill.
"Also I was thinking." Lelouch spoke up, turning to Suzaku. "Since you are the knight of Zero, you need your own order, now that I think about it."
That got Suzaku by surprise, Lelouch is going to give him his own order? But why. "Why?"
"Because, you're gonna need your own little army if you are to be going to be fighting out in the frontlines." Lelouch argued. Suzaku has always been fighting alone, since no Britannian would dare to fight alongside him, even after he became the Knight of Seven, due to him being a number. He might as well give an entire fighting force to Suzaku, so that he could also make his presence more known, and also reduce the risk of him getting injured or die. Even if he has the live command, can't be too safe. "Don't you agree, Suzaku. I already have a name for it, I think it will quite suit you."
Suzaku was unsure, he did have Schnee and Ledo before, though he wasn't so confident about it. Unlike Lelouch, he wasn't really the commanding type so wasn't confident about it. Though he could, try. After all it won't hurt.
"All right, if you say so. Since you are the Emperor." Suzaku agreed unsure.
Lelouch chuckled. "Suzaku, I'm only trying to keep you alive. I still consider you my friend, even after everything you done to me." Lelouch tells him. However Suzaku didn't look convinced.
"Really? After handing you over to your father, after keeping you away from Nunnally for over a year, even when I tried to kill you when you were Julius Kingsley?" Suzaku asks his old friend. After everything he did, Lelouch still treats him the same as he did back at Ashford. Why?
Lelouch face goes serious at that. "Because I'm not the man you think I am, Suzaku." He said, getting Suzaku to attention. "I may have not forgiven you, or never forgive you, for everything that has happened. However I can look behind that, cause I'm not a monster that you have me imagine." Suzaku was certainly surprised by his words to some degree. He understood that not forgiving part but for him to look past that?
"Huh, guess he is kind of softie." Suzaku thought, finding the humor in that. Lelouch being a softie was something he could never imagine. Well Lelouch is soft in his own way.
"And Suzaku," Lelouch was not done yet. "You are not the monster that you think you are. Your actions, while it had been questionable and outright horrible. You are good person, not in the sense that you are virtuous or honest. Since you have not been honest or have no virtuous. But you are kind and try to save others. You care about life more than anyone." Lelouch had to agree, Suzaku tried to save as many as he could, he tried so hard to keep people from dying. Yet he couldn't save everyone, and that was what was killing him.
Suzaku took Lelouch's word for a thought, he was silent for a while not uttering a word. Suzaku could only chuckle. "You are right, I'm do believe that I am a monster." Suzaku confirms. "I may not be the greatest person nor the morally good guy. But I can atone and change who I am, for the world That we will create." Suzaku smiled at his own words. These words he will remember for the rest of his life.
Lelouch smiles at his friend's resolve, he finally is letting go some doubt. Lelouch couldn't be more glad about that. "Then let's go, Suzaku. To begin our journey to build that world." Lelouch heads to the exit.
"Right let's go." Suzaku agreed with him, catching up to Lelouch. "Oh yeah, when is Catherine making her appearance to the public?" Suzaku asked.
"After the purge of the nobility ends. Well with all loose ends now taken care of in Pendragon, soon." Lelouch tells him, as they start heading outside the palace where a Vtol transport awaited them. "Get into your Vincent, I have a feeling that we might get attacked at the mausoleum." Lelouch had a suspicion since it was the perfect place for an ambush. He's likely suspect is Duke el Grande, he hasn't been seen as of it recently after Lelouch took over the throne.
Suzaku placed his hand on his heart. "Yes your Majesty." Suzaku then headed toward the hanger where he's temporary Knightmare was parked at.
Outskirts of Pendragon
Lelouch's Vtol had been parked just a few meters away from the mausoleum. Getting out, he could see Suzaku's Vincent landing down on the ground along with twelve Vincent Wards all of them from the Royal guard. In the sky a civilian Vtol from the Britannian news network was broadcasting the destruction of the mausoleum live as all Britannians in the Empire could see its destruction.
There were even a few from outside Britannia that were even watching the broadcast as they were curious as to what was happening internally within the Empire. However there was one such group that kept paying close attention to Emperor Lelouch's movement's, say for example a certain group of traitors.
Getting out of the Vtol, Lelouch took a look at the mausoleum. This was where his predecessors rested, their final resting place. To destroy a place where the dead rested, was nothing but a disgrace to them. But as Lelouch had planned he already has moved the bodies to a different location. Before Lelouch could give the order to destroy the Imperial mausoleum, suddenly an ambush of Sutherlands led by a Gloucester with the symbol of el Grande came out of the nearby forest. "So I was right after all." His suspicions became true as el Grande charged toward Lelouch.
"We won't let you! You traitor!" El Grande screamed. His loyalty to Charles growing even more.
"My, my," Lelouch turned to where ambush was coming from. Even in a such a situation he still remained calm. "Your like a poster boy for the old regime." He commented with a smirk on his face.
"You brat!" el Grande offended by his words, as he speeds up in rage. "We won't let you destroy the Imperial mausoleum!"
El Grande raised his Gloucester's lance as he prepared to charge at the Emperor's body. Before he could even do so, Suzaku blocked his attack with the Vincent's connected MVS, pushing the Gloucester away.
"Kururugi, I should've known it was mistake to let you become a round." el Grande says, voicing his opinion on the previous Emperor's decision.
"It is not for you to decide, Duke el Grande." Suzaku then aimed to take out the Gloucester's legs, but el Grande managed to defend block his attack. Pulling back he tried to charge at the Vincent this time. He finally gets to kill the eleven vermin that has been stinking the prestigious Knights of the round. But before he could he is later gunned down from behind.
"What?! Where did that attack come from?" el Grande checked behind to see where the attack came, his eyes went wide as he saw his forces completely decimated by a new force of Vincent Wards that had appeared. "How did this- Ahhhh!!" Suzaku pierced the MVS onto the Gloucester's cockpit, killing the Duke once and for all.
"All Rebel forces have been destroyed your majesty." Suzaku confirmed to Lelouch. Anticipating such an attack Lelouch had ordered Suzaku to hide more Vincent Wards and ambush the Rebels by surprise.
Lelouch grinned. "That's one noble down." Lelouch said out loud. "Now," He turned to the Imperial Mausoleum, he points his hand towards the giant statue of Charles zi Britannia. "Destroy it!" He ordered.
"Yes your Majesty!" The Vincent Wards all aim their weapons towards the Mausoleum and fired a barrage of fire toward the structure. In a matter of seconds it started to burn in flames and soon the entire mausoleum was destroyed. It's flames still burning down the various pictures of Britannian Emperor's and Empress's of the past.
Lelouch looked on with a smile on his face, Suzaku gotten out of Vincent and approached him. "I have told you this many times before Suzaku." Suzaku turns his head to Lelouch. "That I'm going to destroy Britannia."
Suzaku chuckled. "Yeah, how can I forget. you left quite an impression on me, that day eight years ago."
"You're right, I suppose I have that affect in me." Lelouch agreed. Even as Zero he did make sure to leave an impression on people every time when he made his appearance. How else was he supposed to get Britannia to keep their attention to him. "Let's get going then." Lelouch said, leaving for his Vtol.
"Yes your majesty." Suzaku followed Lelouch to his Vtol to make sure of no survivors attack him. "Also, what is the name of the Order your going to give me command of?" Suzaku asks, as Lelouch got midway upon the stairs of the Vtol. Hearing that Lelouch turned and gave one his signature smirks to Suzaku.
"The Order of the Dullahan Knights."
Holy Britannian Empire, Area 11, Tokyo Bay, Ikaruga
On the Bridge of the Ikaruga, the Black Knights command continued the broadcast of Imperial Mausoleum's destruction. They were all making comments on the current situation of Britannia, not sure of what to do. Currently Xingke, Tohdoh and Kaguya were discussing of what's come to next.
"You sure of this?" Xingke asks Kaguya.
"Yes I don't think we will get Japan back." Kaguya confirms him, she had this suspicion for a while. Since it was Schneizel who had made the deal with them, it was unlikely the deal will be finalised with Zer- Lelouch in charge of Britannia he has branded Schneizel as a traitor, making it impossible for them to get Japan anymore.
"Just when we thought we had a chance." Tohdoh said out loud. Kaguya could only roll her eyes.
"You thought?!" Xingke made a glare toward the Japanese general. "This was expected, if you hadn't betrayed Zero, none of this wouldn't happen."
"But-"
"But what?" Kaguya cuts him off. "If you idiots hadn't trusted Schneizel, none of this wouldn't have happened. What were you thinking?"
Tohdoh could only grit his teeth. "I don't know!? I was hung up with what Asahina said that I couldn't think straight." Tohdoh replied.
"What exactly did Asahina, tell you before he died?" Xingke asks, he hasn't exactly known the full context of what exactly Asahina, told him, but it must've been bad enough for Asahina, to tell Tohdoh not to trust Zero.
"He told me that Zero had carried out an massacre on a Britannian facility in the Takalaman desert. I don't know why he sent Zero squad all the way to a Britannian facility, much less one where Asahina says where children were." Tohdoh tells them all he knows regarding what Asahina discovered.
"That is strange, why would he order an entire massacre?" Xingke wondered. "Also why was there a Britannian facility in our territory? That doesn't make any sense."
"We could probably do an investigation on this facility. Have Zero squad reveal everything as to what happened that day." Kaguya suggested, to which the two men looked at her agreeing.
"That's a good idea." Tohdoh agreed. To which Xingke nods.
Meanwhile in the bridge everyone else was discussing the situation as to what's going on. The bridge was practically divided between in support of Ze-Lelouch and the ones who were against him. Though it was only Tamaki that is the former.
"Well would you look at that, Zero is completely destroying Britannia." Tamaki comments as he is one of the few giving support to Lelouch's regime.
"Oh please, it's obvious that he's just putting a facade." Chiba retorts, as she gets a glare from Kallen.
"Oh so what, it's pretty clear that Zero hates Britannia like the rest of us." Tamaki returned back. Chiba could only snarl at him.
"You honestly believe him, after everything we've been told." Ohgi asks him furiously.
"Cut the crap Ohgi, like you are one to talk. I only went along with our coup because I couldn't really do anything about it. Also you here are taking the word of that pureblood bitch!" Tamaki points to Villeta who only could turn away from his comment. Ohgi punches Tamaki in face, getting Tamaki to fall down on the ground.
"Tamaki!" Kallen went up to Tamaki to see if he was okay. "What the hell, Ohgi?!" She asks her brother's best friend.
"He had no right to insult her like that." Ohgi tells her. Kallen was about say retort back, but to their surprise.
"Ohgi, he's right. I am exactly what he says." Villeta defends Tamaki for his words. Ohgi trys to assure her, but Tamaki got to him quick.
"See even she agrees." Tamaki retorted, as Kallen helped him get back up. "Wow, even your punches are weak as well."
"SHUT UP!" Ohgi screamed at him. Minami and Sugiyama tried to calm the situation down.
"Ohgi, calm down."
"Tamaki, keep your mouth shut."
Before it could escalate any further Xiangling slammed her hand on the control panels. "That's enough! Quit acting like children or I'll have you thrown off this ship!" Her words were able to stop Tamaki and Ohgi from at each other's throats as they both calmed down.
Just then Tohdoh, Kayguya and Xingke arrived back to the bridge. "What's going on? We heard fighting on our way." Xingke asks, he was wondering what all the commotion was about.
"Ask them." Xiangling points to the rest of the Japanese high command. Xingke looked at them and had an idea if what happened.
"I don't care about what happened just now, but make sure this never happens again, understood!" Xingke ordered them. He has already gotten tired of the drama between the command of the Black Knights, ever since Zero identity been revealed they all been causing trouble with each other. It's amazing how they are still maintaining themselves at this point.
Tamaki and Ohgi both look away from each other. "Yes sir."
"Good, now Major Kozuki I want you to assemble Zero squadron. I want to ask them about something." Xingke orders Kallen.
"Yes sir, at once." Kallen salutes to attention.
Xingke nods his head, getting Kallen to relax. "Also, since Zero is 'dead' as of affect I am now creating a council for the Order of the Black Knights. Though temporary it is our only option given the situation, agreed?"
Xingke's announcement was to be expected. With Zero now gone the order is now in shambles, currently some Black Knights want to take revenge for Zero and want for the head of Suzaku Kururugi. Well that's mostly from the Japanese side, but with so many nations in the Federation, it's no doubt going to have a lot of ethnic and cultural disputes. Zero could've solved that using his charisma but he's gone now.
"Alright I'll be choosing the council members, you'll be hearing the final announcements in a few days." With that Xingke takes his leave, heading to his quarters.
This is what the Order of the Black knights had become. Without Zero they weren't sure if they were going to keep themselves together.
"I already miss you." Kallen thought with so much going on, it was hard for her to get used to. "I wish you can come back to us, Zero."
Cambodia
In a private penthouse in the Cambodian jungles, Britannian soldiers can be seen patrolling the area waiting for an attack to happen. Yes these were the forces of Prince Schneizel's forces in exile. Schneizel can be seen in a seating down in a room with Cornelia, Kanon and the rest of the 'Rounds'. They watched the broadcast as Duke el Grande's forces were destroyed by Lelouch's own, and saw their former comrade Suzaku Kururugi, taking el Grande's life and the destruction of the Imperial mausoleum.
"Damn traitor." Dorothea ernst slammed her fist as she watched the broadcast.
"He's destroying Britannian culture, with his right as Emperor." Monica Krushevesky comments, clenching her fist.
"We should do something about this!" Dorothea suggests.
"Unfortunately lady Ernst, we can't." Kanon interjected. "With our current forces and current situation we cannot launch an all out attack and Rebellion against Lelouch. Given that he has lord Kururugi in his side, we will have an hard time."
"Whatever, one Knight of the Round isn't going to tip the balance in power." Dorothea retorted.
"No," Gino spoke up. "If it's Suzaku then we have no chance against him. At least individually."
"Then we attack him together?" Dorothea added.
"Still a tough opponent. Even if managed to defeat, he would've have severely damaged our Knightmares to the point that we would be taken out by the normal forces." Gino's argument was heard by Cornelia, Bismarck and Schneizel. They were right, taking down Lelouch would be a bad idea with their current forces, so they will have to do something.
"So what's our plan now? I assume we can't stay here for much longer?" Cornelia asks. Considering everything that has happened, Cambodia was likely going to be pressured by the new regime to hand them over to Lelouch, and that was the last thing she wanted.
"Well, for now we'll wait. I'm already having some of my agents negotiate with Zilkhstan and the E.U. for asylum." Schneizel says, though he was sceptical of them even accepting. After all, he was the one who ended the war with the E.U. and has basically collapsed and destroyed any hope of rebuilding themselves. The E.U. would hardly think twice if they were to hand them over to Lelouch. And Zilkhstan is a mercenary nation which Britannia had tried to conquer for years, so it was unlikely that even they would accept. Australia was a no go, since its basically a anarchist state that the only thing that would be considereda government were the Peace Mark cells that run rampant in the country. "Though, I'm unsure if they would even accept."
"Well there is one country who might take us in." Diethard Reid spoke up, who had just entered in without an invitation.
"And who would they be, Mr Reid?" Schneizel asked the former news reporter.
"The U.F.N. of course. Hear me out on this." He specifically tells it the Knight of four, whonwas about to voice her objections. "The U.F.N. is a nation that might take us in as they are also cautious of Lelouch. I suspect some of the Black knights won't like it, but there will surely be some very generous people who might take us in."
Before Dorothea or Cornelia could voice their complaints about this idea, Schneizel made a little chuckle at the news reporter's idea. "My that certainly is a sound suggestion, the U.F.N. will surely take us if we tell them we'll cooperate to take down Lelouch."
Diethard snaps his finger. "Exactly, even if the supreme chairman opposes it, there are still others who might overrule her, after all they are all about democracy." Diethard could only smirk. It was of course true that the U.F.N. valued democracy so that everyone is represented, funnily enough it was democracy that will return to help them in their favour.
"A sound idea, make preparations for Horai Island." Schneizel words shocked everyone in the room, including the stoic Bismarck.
"You can't be serious?!" Bismarck was one speak up first.
"I am, sir Bismarck. If we are to take back Britannia, it is a sacrifice worth doing. Besides we need the stocks and resources to build Damocles do we not?" Schneizel points out. Although everyone was hesitant, they saw merit in his words there was no possible way for them to take back Britannia with their current situation, their only option as of know is to work alongside the U.F.N. if they don't hand them over to Lelouch that is.
"Do not worry, I will make sure that they won't hand us over, if you that's what you are wondering." Schneizel assured them, taking a White king piece. He placed it on the board that was in front of him. "After all, my weapons are my words. No one can even resist our offer after I make my appeal to the U.F.N."
"Actually now that I think about it, if there is anyone who can get us into the U.F.N. it's definitely you, Schneizel." Cornelia says. Though that wasn't a compliment, rather it out of fear. If there is anything Cornelia feared about Schneizel, it is his ability to use his words carefully.
"Now let us begin our move," Schneizel gets up from his chair. "For as the world will meet it's saviour from these dark times." Schneizel turned around behind him. "Isn't that right, Nunnally."
Nunnally vi Britannia, thought to have died from the F.L.E.I.J.A in Tokyo a month ago was before them. The crippled blind girl could only tremble. Because, now.
"Lelouch, I am now your enemy."
A/N
I have worked on this for this for past few days. Though tiring it was tiring, it was fun. I didn't exactly know how to write Lelouch and his uncle's interaction, mostly because I'm not that good at writing such heavy scenes.
Though the fight at the Mausoleum was very lame, I am not exactly really good at writing action scenes. You can see from my my other fic Rebellion of the High castle's latest chapter, same with Forgotten reality. Not really my strong point, but I'll eventually get better at it, I hope.
So about the Dullahan Knights, as shown will be Suzaku's own Order. I kinda think it's appropriate for a Knight of Zero to have their own order, like what Imperator's slave did, when they decided to give Kallen her own personal order. I honestly will have fun a lot fun thinking how Suzaku is going to handle his little order. I originally was going for a Japanese name, but I said nah fuck it Irish mythology. Well Britannia did occupy Ireland once, so it makes sense.
Look, George, I had no idea how to write how is introduced. Though he won't see much action for now, but when he does, oh boy I will have so much fun.
Give me suggestions on Knightmare names for Elijah, Margaret, and George. These will all be based on their combat strengths.
Elijah is all about speed, like his sister.
Margaret will be all about guns, and a lot of them.
For George well let's just say, something like Luciano's bloodlust.
I noticed that a lot of Fanfic's really like to keep Nunnally a secret when doing these kinds of stories. Honestly we all watched the show, cut the slack and just show her, instead of making it all mysterious. Jeez I find it annoying, and don't get me started on it creates tension, it just makes no fucking sense.
All an all, I hope you enjoy this chapter. Until then.
Peace.
