(A/N: Draconic Hero presents…
Lore assisted by FairyFeller
Script and initial ideas collaborated with StrifeHavoc, EpicLinkSam, MegasXlr and others…
Fire Emblem: Three Houses and Three Hopes
X
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, Oz the Reflection, and Akito the Exiled
LIE AND SEEK
)
Northern Atlantic Archipelago
2022 atb
On a tropical island in the Atlantic, a black KMF crashed into a battlefield as its engines erupted, defuncting its capabilities, but not damaging its pilot. From out of the wreckage, a man in his early 20s emerged, clutching his head as he stumbled out, his long black hair catching on the heated wind. Explosions and laser fire rained down all around him as his eyes burned from the smoky air he was now breathing. Dead ahead stood a woman garbed in red, carrying an axe made of bone far heftier than her frame would suggest she could. In response, the long haired man's hands glowed with dark magic power.
The woman spoke. "I will give you one last chance to end this. Stand down. This needn't come to blows between us. You once said that we are two halves of the same coin! I still believe in that! You should be able to see the world I have envisioned!"
The man responded with a wave of his hand and arm perpendicular to his feet at shoulder level. "The world you've envisioned tramples upon the culture that people have chosen for themselves. Only working together as like-minded folk can the world find peace! You can't force peace on people! That's basically war!"
The woman looked on with a heavy heart. "Don't make me do this. When Britannia lay subjugated at my feet, I had hopes you would still rule its territories. It's not too late! We can still rule together!"
"Alas, I have made my choice. I would see the people free to make their own decisions, governed by their own laws rather than trampled under Adrestia's rule."
"Is there nothing I can say that would persuade you? Five years ago you were one of the few people I trusted most!"
"If you are faltering, then you know your path to be wrong. Call off your troops and we can resolve this peacefully! It doesn't have to be like this."
The woman gripped her axe. "Apologies, but…I will see the world I dreamed of made reality! Prepare yourself, LELOUCH VI BRITANNIA!" Taking one hand off her axe, she pressed in some kind of gem on her garment, activating some sort of device around her chest. Powered armor made of hard light technology formed around her in golden colored armor. This was what was known as an HLKMF, a Hard Light Knightmare Frame. Code Name: Golden Empress. "If you get in my way, you will be destroyed."
The man, now identified as Lelouch, sighed. "In that case, forgive me, but I am a man to my country! To my people!" He too activated a similar device. A black uniform with red eye-like gem forming the clasp for the red and white cape formed around his being. A black helmet with a blue visor erected itself over his face. The horns on it resembled a Samurai General's Kabuto helm. A sword was sheathed at Lelouch's side as power radiated from below him and the golden fingertips of his HLKMF's gauntlets. Code Name: Emperor's Paradox
From his left palm, Lelouch took a warning shot, missing the woman by over ten meters over her right shoulder. The dark magic blasted detonated in the ground behind her. "This is your final warning! Take your troops and leave to Adrestia, EDELGARD VON HRESVELG!"
Edelgard charged magic into her axe as it sparked with red energy. "I will not yield!"
Lelouch drew his sword. Dark energy thundered from the blade as he held it at waist height. "I shall not either!"
Edelgard charged. "LE-LOOOOOOOOUCH!"
Lelouch did the same, propelled by his HLKMF. "EDELGAAAAAAAAAAARD!"
As their weapons clashed and energy sparked, the past five years flashed before their eyes as they both seemed to wonder if they had missed something, if something could have changed, something that would stop two ambitions royals that were once friends, maybe something more, from becoming embittered enemies.
To find those answers, the clock must tick backwards…to when it all truly began.
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
Tick
Tok
Tick
Tok
Great Tree Moon
Morning of the 2nd Day
"Lelouch!"
Whap!
Lelouch felt the gentle batting of a rolled up magazine hitting the top of his head.
"I know you fell asleep, your hand stopped moving!" Milly Ashford, former Student Council President of Ashford Academy was berating her subordinate for sleeping.
"Well you don't have beat me up over it, do you?" Lelouch asked innocently enough.
"Why are you falling asleep anyway?" Milly asked in annoyance, "Today's the big day! We're transferring to Garreg Mach Monastery."
"I bet the gentle rocking of the rail car was just too much for him to resist, right pal?" Rivalz Cardemond, a schoolmate of Lelouch's asked.
Lelouch suddenly became more aware of his surroundings. He gazed out the window. The mainland of Neo-Japan was getting smaller and smaller as this car pulled its passengers along a strong cable car up towards a floating island. But this was not just any floating island. This was the sovereign nation of Rome, controlled wholly by the Church of Seiros and its current Archbishop, Rhea.
If there was any school to get an education at, it was Garreg Mach Monastery. And this year was special: The Imperial Princess of the Adrestian Empire, the Crown Prince of the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus, and the Grand Duke's Grandson of the Leicester Alliance would all be in attendance at this prestigious academy.
Britannia was the only of the four major Seiros believing superpowers that did not have a crown or crown adjacent royal attending this year. …Or so Lelouch originally thought. When the announcement was made a month ago that all of these prestigious nobles would be attending this year, Emperor Charles zi Britannia decided to invite himself to the political table, sending Princess Marrybell mel Britannia and her knight Oldrin Zevon to attend the school that year to represent Britannia and their house at Garreg Mach, the Violet Tigers.
At that point, Lelouch had urged Milly to get him transferred to Ashford to attend this prestigious academy. He originally had only wanted to go with Milly backing him up, but circumstances were forcing them to take additional students.
"D-do you think the other nations' students will be hostile?" a bespectacled girl with green hair asked, clutching her head.
Milly stepped over to the girl and held her hands. "I'm sure the other nations are full of nice, peaceful people, Nina. You don't have to worry. They're not going to be like those Japanese people that kidnapped you when you were twelve. And Lady Rhea will be there."
"Lady Rhea…" Nina seemed to calm down immediately. The fanciful and beautiful archbishop, the most politically powerful woman on the planet. Nina internally cooed. What she wouldn't give to have a personal audience with her grace.
"How long until we get there, big brother?" Lelouch's sister Nunnally asked from her seat. Her wheelchair was packed under it.
Lelouch, kindhearted big brother that he was, went over to his little sister and held her hands. "Not too much longer, Nunnally," Lelouch told her. "Is the shaking bothering you? Would you prefer to sit on my lap?"
"No! I'm fine. Thank you for worrying about me, though!"
Lelouch smiled, but that was merely a mask to hide his true thoughts. I couldn't very well leave my reason for living behind. No matter what comes, Garreg Mach is far safer for Nunnally than Neo-Japan.
From out of the window, Lelouch could see the flight-enabling generators attached to the underside of Rome's landmass, permitting the once capital city of the Adrestian Empire, the origin of the Church of Seiros, to float over the water as if it stood above the world around it. It was tethered on all sides with cabling from the northern Neo-Japanese mainland to Hokkaido on the other side of the water. The Sovereign nation of Rome could retract the cables at any time, but this took time to do and required that no rail cars were active.
Maintenance is routine and there are no cars going in and out on the day of rest, Sundays, Lelouch thought. And even if you were to attack Garreg Mach, or Rome, on a vulnerable day, you'd be at the behest of the Knights of Seiros, a fighting force so fierce that they alone can turn the tide of any war, or so the history books say. That was how they subjugated the neutral nation of Japan in only one month. Rhea possesses the power of the crest of Seiros, the mightiest and most noble crest in all the world, second only to the Crest of Flames, the crest of the Goddess herself.
Lelouch briefly tugged at his collar and took out his cellphone, making sure the foundation he applied daily to his collarbone covered up his own crest: a minor crest of Macuil. Crests were a large indication of nobility, and though commoners bearing crests were rare, they were not unheard of. However, Lelouch vi Britannia bore a crest of Macuil, as did his sister Nunnally. But Lelouch vi Britannia died seven years ago. He was no longer that man. Now he was just a rich commoner. Nothing more. Nothing less.
"I can't wait to see Garreg Mach! Rome itself too is supposed to be beautiful. "Anyone ever been?"
"Yeah! I have!" A redheaded girl with green eyes exclaimed, raising her hand. Her name was Shirley Fennette. She was also a member of the Student Council. "My dad took me when I was six. That was when Garreg Mach was still floating over the Caribbean. We got to see the Monastery and everything, even prayed to the Goddess at the cathedral."
"Aw, man! Super jell!" Rivalz complained.
Shirley laughed.
"Jeez, Lelouch, could you frown any harder?" Milly asked. "Be a little more excited." She stretched his cheeks by pinching them. "Come on, would it kill you to smile?"
"Big brother? Is something wrong?" Nunnally asked.
Lelouch bat Milly's hands away and looked at his sister with a smile. "No, everything's fine, Nunnally," he lied. "I think breakfast might not be settling with me is all."
"I told you, you shouldn't have had that breakfast burrito, but you insisted."
"Well better than cereal," Lelouch said. "I need my protein. Garreg Mach's a military adjacent academy. We'll be learning all kinds of stuff there."
"EH?!" Shirley was surprised to hear this. "For real? I just thought it was some kind of exclusive school! That's what my dad told me!"
"Probably to avoid offending the innocence of a six-year-old," Lelouch teased.
Shirley puffed her cheeks in annoyance.
"If that's the case, are you sure I should be here?" Another red head walked up to the former Ashford student council. She looked rather tired.
"Oh. Hello, Kallen," Milly said. "You uh, you should be fine. I'm sure whatever you're suffering from the priests and clerics at the Monastery can help you with if you're that worried."
"Besides, if you can't make the cut, they might just send you back to Ashford," Rivalz said, putting his hands behind his head, leaning back in his seat.
Kallen Stadtfeld, Duke Stadtfeld's only daughter of Half-Japanese blood, Lelouch thought, staring at her. Her mother was divorced shortly after the occupation of Japan by Rome, and her father remarried to maintain his territory and businesses.
"Well, if you're sure, Milly," Kallen said to her and took a seat.
Not long after that, the rail car entered a subterranean tunnel to go from the air over Neo-Japan to the solid ground above Rome's soil. And when the rail car emerged, what else was there to say, but "Wow."
Many oohs and aahs came from the transferring Ashford students. The Country of the Goddess. Many beautiful locations adorned this beautiful sovereign nation and many, including the famous colosseum, were visible from the ground view. Garreg Mach itself was erected to the west and its massive walls were visible even from the rail car check in station.
Lelouch and the other soon to be former Ashford students stepped off the vehicle, except for Nunnally, who was assisted.
"The air is so different up here," the blind and handicapped girl said.
Milly took out a travel guide. "Rome's current altitude sits at 1 kilometer above sea level," Milly read. "This makes the average weather around Rome very windy and six degrees colder than other parts of the world. However," Milly pointed across the horizon without looking up from her travel guide, "A country wide air filtrating shield prevents the massive wind storms from affecting the citizenry, leaving only the temperature drops as the only minor difference."
"That's so cool," Nunnally said.
"Rome is the birthplace of technology," Rivalz pointed out. "Makes sense that they would have some cool gizmos."
"So, how do we get to Garreg Mach from here?" Shirley asked. "Do we walk?"
"I think there's a train," Nina said.
"Well, let's hope it's less turbulent than the rail car," Lelouch said.
"That burrito still bothering you?" Rivalz teased. Milly laughed at his dumb joke.
Lelouch, however wasn't laughing. He was staring at the monastery. Garreg Mach Monastery, the home of the woman that ruined my already damaged life. Archbiship Rhea, last name a state secret. It was her violent occupation of Japan that left Nunnally and I abandoned to the mercy of the Japanese wilderness. I will take her shelter, but only because the things I can learn here and potential allies I can make among the other nations will bring me one step closer to my ultimate goal.
"Earth to Lelouch!" Lelouch then suddenly heard. Milly was waving him towards a shuttle bus. "We can get to Garreg Mach from here."
After loading up the students of Garreg Mach, and their luggage, the bus they loaded into retracted its tires and let loose its flight enabling generator to float a good ten meters in the air and then proceeded to fly at about 52km/hr towards the famous monastery. The group arrived in just six minutes and proceeded to unload at the front gate at the famous Garreg Mach Market. Shirley and Milly began running around like kids at a candy store.
Lelouch, meanwhile, wheeled Nunnally forward as Sayoko wheeled the pair's luggage alongside them.
"Thank you for seeing us as far as Garreg Mach, Miss Sayoko," Nunnally said, turning her head towards the maid. Even if she was blind, the rolling of the luggage cart was enough to tip her off to the maid's presence.
"Not a problem at all, Lady Nunnally. Apologies that I was not able to get a work visa here," she said.
"Sayoko, I cannot thank you enough for your service up to this point," Lelouch said to her with a smile. "I hope when we return to Japan you can continue to serve me."
"I would be honored, Master Lelouch," Sayoko said with a bow.
The trio headed towards the monastery and up the alternative ramp to the staircase. At the front gate, stood a guard.
"Greetings, travelers!" he said with a salute. "Welcome to Garreg Mach Monastery! Oh! Do you need help? Should I send for the knights?"
"Actually we could use directions," Lelouch said. "We're looking for Director Seteth's office. My sister and I are prospective students."
"Oh! Then you've come to the right Gatekeeper!" The soldier saluted. "I know everything about Garreg Mach Monastery. I've guarded this gate for many years, sir! I always know just what to report!"
"Wow, that's a lot of dedication to do the same job over and over," Nunnally said with amazement and praise.
The Gatekeeper laughed. "I've been elected the best Gatekeeper in all of Rome by the International Gatekeeper's Society for three years running now too. And I've never missed a day of work!"
Okay that goes from impressive to just plain…sad almost, Lelouch thought.
"Anyway, as for directions, just pass through the main hall and stop before you reach the bridge that overlooks the cathedral. Take one of the staircases up to the second floor and turn the corner down the main hallway. Go straight into the audience hall and take the office on the left. Can't miss it."
"Well, I guess you didn't earn that award for no reason," Lelouch said with a chuckle and a smile. He reached into his pocket for his wallet. He handed a paper note to the armored man in front of him.
"What's this for?" The Gatekeeper asked.
"It's a tip," Lelouch said. "I'm from Britannia. It's customary to give money to strangers that help you."
"Ah, you're too kind," The Gatekeeper said, accepting it. "I'm not supposed to accept bribes, but gifts and tips are allowed. This job doesn't pay very well, but I love it too much to quit, sir."
"I wasn't aware guarding a gate could be so exciting," Nunnally said.
"Oh! You meet all sorts of people when you're the first line of defense," the Gatekeeper stated. "I'm always proud to stand here and guard Garreg Mach all day."
I'm not going to ask him when he sleeps. I think the answer would give me a headache, Lelouch thought. "Well, thank you for the help," Lelouch said and he and Nunnally proceeded through with Sayoko.
"Ah, just one moment," the Gatekeeper said.
"Yes?" Lelouch asked, turning.
"My apologies. I know you must be in a hurry, but…might I ask your name? Its rare for people to pay attention to a humble Gatekeeper like me, let alone pay me out of the goodness of their heart. I'll be sure to remember you and inform you of anything suspicious I see, sir. I take my job very seriously."
Lelouch gazed over his shoulder, smiling. "It's Lelouch."
"Have a good day, Lelouch. Just know that today, there is nothing to report!"
Lelouch's smile grew wider. He then turned his head and then proceeded off with Nunnally and Sayoko. Nunnally's wheelchair was outfitted with a float function like most wheeled objects in the modern era. However, the wheel had not yet lost its importance in modern culture since flight engines were expensive to replace the battery once they drained. Wheels were recommended internationally as a safe and cost-cutting measure to all consumers.
Using the float function to get up the stairs, the trio made it into the audience hall. Rhea's absence was expected. The time of day suggested she would currently being conducting important prayers in the cathedral. Lelouch then turned left towards Seteth's office, knocking on the open door.
"Excuse me? Director Seteth?"
A green haired man with a beard looked up from his work. "Hmm? Yes, can I help you?"
Lelouch strode in with a friendly gate and an outstretched hand. "Lelouch Eisner," he said. "I'm the transferring Student Council Vice President at Ashford Academy."
Seteth's attention skyrocketed as he raised his eyebrows. "Ah! We've been expecting you. I take this to mean the students of your school have arrived?"
"They have indeed. I know you may have expected her ladyship Milly Ashford to show up, but she's been sidetracked by shopping," Lelouch said.
Seteth smirked. "Ah, youth." It faded quickly. "So, what can I help you with?"
"I thought I would come by and ask for room assignments. We didn't really receive those."
"Ah, yes, of course. My apologies. So many important things to keep track of this year that a few student roster slips are the furthest thing from my mind," Seteth stated.
"The Archbishop overworking you?" Lelouch asked.
"Partially it is my own fault," Seteth said. "I am overworking myself to meet my own standards. Ah, but I needn't concern you with an old man's troubles. Let me retrieve those documents for you."
Seteth opened his holographic computer and began navigating the school's website. "Have you logged onto the school's web portal at all?"
"Yes, we've all signed up. Milly and I made sure of it."
"Excellent!" Seteth exclaimed. "Then this won't take long."
Lelouch got an alert on his own mobile computer cube in his pocket. He took it out to project the web portal's web address in front of him, logging in to get the room assignments. He opened the file. "Excellent. That's all the names of every student," he said, going through it quickly. "Much appreciated. Sayoko, let us be on our way."
"Just a moment," Seteth said.
"Hmm?" Lelouch asked, turning back towards the director.
"Your sister, and her…condition. I distinctly recall receiving information that you were looking to…help her with that," Seteth remarked.
Lelouch looked to Sayoko. "Sayoko, take our things and Nunnally and go on ahead. I'll speak with Director Seteth a bit longer."
Sayoko nodded and left.
Lelouch turned towards Seteth. "You were saying?"
"I wasn't sure the best treatment for your sister from the medical history I received from Professor Manuela alone. She said she might need to see the patient just to make a diagnosis. However, after seeing what I saw, I can say this, she will likely need a crest filled blood transfusion, rich blood, from a major crest holder," Seteth said.
"I see," Lelouch said. "I'll pay whatever is necessary. Provide me with a group of donors you can find and I will pick one. I also wanted to ask you about something else, so long as we're talking about crests."
"Go on," Seteth said.
"I understand that crest screening is mandatory for attending the school, that each and every student is to subject themselves to a test at the behest of Professor Hanneman."
"That is correct," Seteth said.
"Is there any way my results could remain…confidential?" Lelouch asked.
"Confidential?" Seteth asked, intrigued.
"I have reason to suspect that the nature of my crest may cause me…unwanted attention. I ask that a strict gag order be placed upon my results, held only by yourself, Professor Hanneman, the archbishop, and whatever my house professor will be."
"I see. Yes, I suppose I can arrange that. Might I inquire as to why?" Seteth asked.
Lelouch didn't immediately answer. He just gazed distantly at Seteth's bookshelf.
"I see," Seteth said, offering not indication as to what that was supposed to mean. He smiled. "Well, I come from a long history of knowing people who don't want the details of their heritage to be discovered. I will speak with professor Hanneman on your behalf. We want all of our students to be comfortable here after all."
Lelouch bowed. "I thank you for your discretion, Director Seteth."
"No need," Seteth said with a smile. "I am merely doing what is right."
Lelouch smiled and then shook Seteth's hand to leave, thanking him once more as he then left the office. He headed down the hall and back towards the staircase, using his student map to know where the dorms were. He was passing by the gigantic doors to the training hall when someone stepped out through them. Lelouch stopped in his tracks. He recognized this person.
"S-Suzaku?"
The young man called out to as Suzaku turned to look in Lelouch's direction. "Lelouch?"
Lelouch looked the young Japanese man up and down to make sure he wasn't seeing things. But no, there stood Suzaku Kururugi…dressed in the uniform of the Knights of Seiros. "You joined the Knights?"
"I graduated at Garreg Mach just last year," Suzaku said with a smile. "I was going to surprise you eventually, but I guess I'm the one who got surprised. What are you doing here anyway? I thought you were going to stay away from Rome."
Lelouch tugged at his collar, gazing over the wall overseeing the gorge below the bridge to his right. "Circumstances have changed," he said, solemnly.
"Well, it's good to see you," Suzaku said.
"Likewise, but we can't remain on friendly terms like this, sadly," Lelouch said. He got his collarbone free and showed the bare region.
"Your—"
Lelouch put a finger to his lips before Suzaku could finish that sentence.
"I understand. Walking around without that covered up would bring you only trouble. So, what are you—"
"Eisner. Lelouch Eisner," Lelouch answered.
"I see. Well then, I'll see you around, I guess," Suzaku said.
Lelouch nodded as he let Suzaku pass before continuing. Lelouch then spoke to his friend's back. "Don't die out there on the battlefield."
"Lady Rhea's never sent me to the battlefield," Suzaku said, stopping but not turning around. "I'm in the security division. I'll only be in danger if Garreg Mach comes under siege."
"Even then, you could be reassigned at any time. Don't do anything stupid," Lelouch told him.
Suzaku gazed over his shoulder, smirking. "You mean like the time we rescued a baby bird."
"Exactly like that," Lelouch remarked.
Suzaku chuckled. "You haven't changed a bit. But, I'm happy to know that."
Lelouch smiled reassuringly back at Suzaku. "Seriously though, be safe."
"You're a student here, so you can count on me, Lelouch."
Lelouch nodded and proceeded for the dorms. He met up with Sayako who had already laid his luggage out exactly how he preferred it in the room next to his sister's. Good. Garreg Mach had situated them in adjacent rooms. Before attending to his own room, he proceeded to assist with Nunnally's.
"When do you think we'll meet the other students?" Nunnally asked.
"Well, I imagine they didn't have to take cable cars," Lelouch replied, chuckling. "Since the other students should be traveling with a royal of some capacity, I imagine they'll be arriving by airport."
"I can't wait to meet the people from other nations," Nunnally said, tenting her fingers and smiling. "I bet they're all really nice people."
ACHOO!
At several kilometers above sea level, the Adrestian transport ship, The Nero, was nearing Roman, and subsequently Neo-Japanese airspace, after a layover in Adrestian-Australia.
A tall man with black hair was now using his handkerchief to wipe his mouth. "Must be something in the air," he reasoned, sticking the cloth back in his pocket. "I should have a word with infection control."
"Don't go getting sick on me before we've even arrived Hubert," a sharp, female voice pierced the air of the deck of The Nero, "It will spread to the other members of the Black Eagles."
"My apologies Lady Edelgard," the man identified as Hubert apologized as he turned around, bowing, "I am usually in far more better than average health than this."
A woman with silverish white hair of short stature approached him. "Well if you come down with something we have all the modern medicine in the world available."
"Indeed," Hubert agreed. "We will be arriving in Rome shortly. I suggest you prepare yourself."
"I've done all the preparing I can," Edelgard said as she stared out the window, watching the Japanese mainland pass by below The Nero's flight path. "Now it's just a matter of getting the job done."
"Let us hope our enemies have not already infiltrated us. We already had that close call with Monica last year," Hubert reminded her. "And I do believe her saviors, the Glinda Knights, will be in attendance at the Officer's Academy."
"Then I will have all the chance to thank Oldrin Zevon in person for her efforts," Edelgard said with a smile. "How is Monica doing by the way?"
"Well, she made a fuss about repeating the school year, as one might imagine, but other than that, she is in a amicable state of affairs," Hubert reported. He then said much more harshly. "We must be ever vigilant. We know none of our entourage has been infiltrated, but we never know who else could have been…replaced."
"Indeed," Edelgard stated. "And what of the special request I made?"
"I have already paid the right people to…act on our behalf. Let's just hope we get what we pay for," Hubert remarked.
"Even if the plot is a failure, that too will tell us much, depending on the circumstances," Edelgard said.
"Of course, Lady Edelgard. Of course," Hubert told her.
One by one, as expected by Rome, the transport ships to each of the major superpowers landed at Garreg Mach's private airport. From there, once all students were settled, all students gathered in the main hall for the welcome assembly. Seteth stood at one end while all the doors were closed as all students waited patiently for his speech.
Before the speech began, Lelouch and Suzaku locked gazes as Suzaku was guarding the southwest entrance to the hall. Suzaku winked at Lelouch to register his presence. Lelouch nodded back at him and then focused entirely on Seteth.
"Thank you all for coming," Seteth began. "I would like to additionally thank you all for your stellar academic choices in deciding to make Garreg Mach part of your education. As many, but not all of you, may know, Garreg Mach is one part military academy, one part extracurricular learning academy. We accept students of all ages between fourteen and twenty-two to learn other cultures, including Rome's own, while attending classes mingled with the other cultures across the world that have taken the Goddess into their heart. From the Adrestian Empire, the Black Eagle House. From the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus, the Blue Lion House. From the Leicester Alliance, the Golden Deer House. From the Holy Empire of Britannia, the Violet Tiger house. And, newly admitted within the last few years, representing Neo-Japan, the Green Pheasant House."
An uncontrollable snicker emerged from the audience of the Golden Deer house. "I'm sorry, is something funny Mister von Riegan?"
Lelouch looked to where Seteth was trying to scold a young, bronze-skinned man with dark hair and green eyes. The young man, continuing to try and hold back his laughter, added, "No. No, sorry. Nothing is the matter. Continue…" he stifled another laugh, "Director Seteth, sir. Pffft. I'm good. Snirkt. I'm good." He took a deep breath. "I'm seriously good."
Seteth groaned as silently as he could. He then smiled. "This year we are more than happy to beholden to leaders from each and every nation representing the houses. Will all house leaders please come up to the front."
Lelouch studied these people carefully, including the "Mister Von Riegan" Seteth had scolded earlier.
Standing shoulder to shoulder from Lelouch's left to Lelouch's right, he saw a short woman his age with white hair, a tall, blonde man, the man identified as Mister Von Riegan, and the last two he recognized. Next to the head of the Golden Deer House, stood a woman with coral pink hair and blue eyes. She had a violet shawl draped around herself. Lelouch easily knew her as his half-sister Marrybell mel Britannia. Next to her, was someone he only knew briefly throughout his life. She was a short Japanese girl with black hair and green eyes. She was wearing a green yukata. Her name was Kaguya Sumeragi. She was the Empress of Neo-Japan and the head of Kyoto House in mainland Neo-Japan proper. It appeared as though the Church of Seiros was not intending to be nearly as oppressive as Britannia's invasion could have been. …But Lelouch would never forget the one-sided brutality he witnessed by the church's soldiers.
From the sky that day, silver, flying weapons of war descended to the surface of Japan like angels descending in the name of god. They would later become known as KMFs, otherwise known as the Knightmare Frame. They were Britannia's invention, but Rome had acquiesced the designs and improved upon it. Japan was completely overwhelmed. And that wasn't even getting into the sorcerers, the bombardments of magic that rained down across the landscape like tiny meteorites. Lelouch remembered it all and how quickly the Japanese army folded like pieces of printer paper. It was one-sided chaos, and he'd been caught in it.
Lelouch glared at the line of leaders. The situation he found himself in was the fault of two people: Emperor Charles zi Britannia, his own father, who hadn't even cut short his exile—or moved Lelouch—when The church's invasion started, and the church itself, who ransacked the landscape of Japan to force the "love" of the Goddess upon the people.
Lelouch did his best then to rein in his hatred so that it wouldn't be noticed by those around him.
Seteth then began to introduce those assembled. "Let me introduce Imperial Princess of Adrestia Edelgard von Hresvelg."
The young woman bowed politely.
"Crown Prince of Faerghus, Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd."
The noble prince bowed gracefully.
"The Grand Duke's grandson of House Riegan of the Leicester Alliance, Claude von Riegan."
Claude winked instead of bowing.
Ah, so his name is Claude. A troublemaker t'would seem, Lelouch thought.
"88th in line for the Imperial Throne of Britannia, Princess Marrybell mel Britannia."
Marrybell waved politely to the her soon-to-be fellow students.
"And finally Empress Kaguya Sumeragi of Neo-Japan."
Kaguya bowed low and ladylike to the crowd.
"These five people command some of the highest authority in the world. However, here at Garreg Mach, and within the borders of Rome, we ask that you treat them as you would anyone else here: with respect and dignity as they deserve. Here in Rome, all men and women are considered equal, no matter what Emperor Charles may say about mankind."
Immature chuckles, especially from Britannia's section of the room, echoed. Seteth raised a steady hand to silence everyone.
"We ask that you not belittle anyone and be as polite to all as you would be expected to be treated in kind. Rome is to be everyone's home away from home here and we ask that you all come to appreciate that, and one another, for many years of peace in this world to come. And now, without further ado, here is Lady Rhea herself to say a few words."
The students braced themselves as the doors behind Seteth were opened, Seteth stepping aside as they were. In strode a woman that, to many, was the most beautiful woman they'd ever seen. Adorned with a gown as white as the driven snow, and a shawl of only the finest blue and gold silks, with a golden hair ornament that indicated her as the head of state, Archbishop Rhea herself graced the hall. Her smile resulted in squeals of joy from many women in the audience. Many devout followers, especially those in Britannia and Faerghus, bowed their heads.
"I mustn't look at her radiance, but I just can't help myself," Nina said, breath stolen. She dropped from her seat to her knees, holding up her hands, fingers laced, palms pressed together.
"So, that's Archbishop Rhea, huh?" Rivalz wondered aloud. "She's gorgeous."
Nobody notices the contemptable "Tch," coming from under Kallen Stadtfeld's breath.
Rhea looked all around the room as the heads of the five houses made room for her presence. "I am so grateful to see so many young faces here gathered in our halls today. With each passing year, I am reminded of the youth of Saint Seiros and how it is never too early for those with gifts and talent to do great things. As Seteth said, while Garreg Mach trains you to temper your abilities with magic and science to become expert soldiers, many of you will leave her simply with enriched lives to become doctors, engineers, firemen, businessmen, and many other career paths. Whether it is for the protection against those who would disturb the peace, or to walk away with cultural, holy, and worldly knowledge you could not have achieved otherwise, all are welcome here in our humble academy. Please, as many do, treat this as if it were your home. For when the Goddess descended, she asked only that she be given a bite of food and a place to stay and, in turn, granted wisdom beyond wisdom to the people of Rome. In turn, we offer you all a home and a bite to eat, but knowledge will be shared between teacher and student, hopeful and hope filled. Let us all work together towards a brighter future in peace and in harmony and let us say…"
"AMEN." The statement was shared by many and so loud that it echoed, but no one was shouting.
Seteth then walked towards Rhea who walked towards the wall as he prepared to dismiss everyone. "Your house professor will be assigned shortly before the mock battle at the end of this month. We ask all house leaders to perform their regularly scheduled house meetings as is their due diligence. Remember that the knights here as are much security as they are enforcers of Academy rules. Be safe. Be sound of mind. And please…" Seteth said with a smile. "Be happy." He then raised a fist into the air. "TO THE CLASS OF 2018!"
"HUZZAH!" Cheers went from around the room.
The students then spilled out of the room.
Lelouch sat with his sister, knowing it would be easier to maneuver a wheelchair once the crowd had dispersed. "Did you hear that, Lelouch? Princess Marrybell is here. Are we going to go say hello?"
"Well, I'll think about it," Lelouch said with a smile. Marrybell, the biggest obstacle for my continued stay here. While she and I are like minded, that is the major reason why being spotted by her will only cause me an issue. I came here in spite of her being here. She would instantly take the fact that I am alive and didn't tell anyone that I am plotting something nefarious against Britannia, and she would be right. The Glinda Knights are Britannia's anti-terrorist organization. There's no way that Marrybell mel Britannia would allow rebellion to come from her own brother.
"Well," Lelouch said, noticing the crowd dispersing. "Let's at least sit in on the house meeting."
"Okay!" Nunnally exclaimed.
Lelouch wheeled her out into the garden and towards the classrooms, looking for the one marked with Britannia's Violet Tiger flag.
"I'm so happy we get to attend this school, big brother," Nunnally said.
"Oh, really?" Lelouch asked, putting on the kind big brother act.
"Uh huh. I want to learn all sorts of cultures," Nunnally said cheerfully.
"Well then, I'll make sure you make friends with some nice people from other nations," Lelouch told her.
"I can't wait! This year is going to be so much fun!"
Fun, huh? Lelouch thought. We'll see about that.
He made for the classroom marked with the Violet Tiger flag. He wheeled Nunnally straight into the room, taking a spot on the left-hand wall near the entrance. Predictably, Oldrin was at the front of the room by the chalkboard with Marrybell, the latter of whom was already writing on the board.
"You heard Archbishop Rhea," she said with her back to her fellow students. "That this academy works to improve each nation's military might." Lelouch could see her writing little symbols on the board. "Could anyone tell me what the eleven disciplines they teach here at Garreg Mach are?" Marrybell asked, lobbing the chalk in her palm.
"Ooh! Ooh!" Oldrin exclaimed, raising her arm to the point of stretching it, bouncing up and down.
"Besides, Oz," Mary said with a cheeky smile.
"Awww," Oldrin remarked, disappointed.
Among the people present, it was a woman with purple hair that raised her hand. "Yes? You, with the ponytail and the purple hair."
"Garreg Mach teaches many disciplines," the woman began, standing up.
I know that voice, Lelouch thought. He gazed at the crowd to see the back of the head of a woman in orange-red leathers and bright purple hair.
"The eleven disciplines Garreg Mach teaches are Swordsmanship, Lance training, Axe wielding, Reason, Faith, Firearm and Artillery training, Martial Arts, Battlefield authority and tactics, KMF maneuverability training, KMF constitution training, and Personalized Aerial Assault training or P.A.A."
Marrybell gave a polite golf clap. "Bravo. Splendidly explained. I'm sorry, I don't believe I caught your name."
"Oh, me?" The woman replied. "Name's Shez, Shez Lamperouge."
She and I need to talk later, Lelouch thought, but the tone of his voice didn't suggest the matter was urgent.
"You seem well studied, Shez," Marrybell said.
"Oh, you know. A gal like me's got big dreams," Shez said, chuckling nervously as she pumped her fist lazily.
Lelouch's gaze honed in on Marrybell's. Marrybell is already sizing Shez up. Nobody gives an answer that perfect and doesn't get her attention. She'll probably invite her to the Glinda Knights soon enough.
Marrybell then continued to give lecture and to talk about class goals, how she wanted every single student to provide her with their magic elemental affinity and their specialties by the end of the week.
Ah, so that's how she's going to do it, Lelouch thought. Instead of taking roll call, she plans to have a one on one with all students by accepting their affinity charts that she can then later hand to our professor. Clever work, sister. Clever work.
Lelouch knew he could avoid Marrybell for now. However, he had more pressing concerns as he wheeled Nunnally out of the classroom.
"Big brother, in that classroom," Nunnally said, tilting her head up towards him, despite the fact that she couldn't see, "Was that Miss Shez's voice?"
"Yes, it seems Shez found her way to Garreg Mach," Lelouch said with a smile.
"Should we go talk to her? I want to say hello," Nunnally said.
"Let's get our affinity charts filled out first, okay?" Lelouch asked.
"Could we eat first?" Nunnally asked. "I'm quite hungry."
"Well, let's see if the dining hall has anything good today."
Fortunately, the dining hall wasn't far from the classroom, just across the courtyard. Lelouch got in line with his little sister in front of him behind a long line of students.
"It smells yummy in here," Nunnally said.
"Well, the kitchen appears to be behind the lunch counter so that makes sense," Lelouch told her.
"What do you think they're making?" Nunnally said.
Lelouch sniffed the air to discern the ingredients. Spinach. Lamb. Tomato sauce and… he sniffed some more. Potatoes. "Meat pies I think. I hear Garreg Mach makes a fantastic meat pie."
"Meat pies?! Count me in!"
Lelouch turned to see quite the tall man with bulging muscles walk up behind him next to a much shorter fellow in glasses.
Lelouch saw Nunnally's hands grip her wheelchair. Because she couldn't see, she was skittish around new people, especially loud ones whose voices came from behind her.
"Ah! My goodness," the bespectacled man said. "Is that girl all right?"
Lelouch carefully analyzed his current situation with a moment's serious stare. And then, after gazing over these two gentlemen, played his hand accordingly. He pivoted his body, keeping one hand on Nunnally's wheelchair. He did his best to smile.
"This is my sister. She was in an accident seven years ago that robbed her of her ability to walk, and her sight," Lelouch said to the two.
"Oh, that's awful!" The bespectacled man said.
"You're a good big brother if you're taking care of her though. Are you two refugees?" The muscular man asked.
"Students, actually. We're Britannian," Lelouch said.
"Oh! We're from Leicester," the bespectacled man said. He then shook his head, shoulders slumped. "Oh, where are my manners? I'm Ignatz, Ignatz Victor."
The muscular man rolled his shoulders. "Name's Raphael. Raphael Kirsten."
I know all of the surnames of all of the major noble houses in the other regions. I don't recognize Victor or Kirsten. These two must be commoners, Lelouch deduced. "I'm Lelouch," he said amicably enough. "Lelouch Eisner. This is my sister Nunnally." He turned her wheelchair around and then outstretched his hand for a handshake.
Before either Raphael or Ignatz could shake his hand, a new voice remarked as if they'd just heard they'd won a free pet. "Eisner?" A girl with bright orange hair and eyes rapidly strode forward into the conversation.
"Oh, hey! You're in our class, right?" Raphael asked, seeming to try and match a name to a face. "Le…something?"
"Leonie," The girl responded. "Leonie Pinelli."
Pinelli, hmm? Another commoner.
"You wouldn't happen to know a Jeralt Eisner, would you?" Leonie asked.
"Well I should," Lelouch said. "He's my uncle."
The girl seemed taken aback. "He's your what?"
Lelouch nodded smiling. "Yes, Uncle Jeralt and my Cousin Byleth. They took care of me when I was younger after I lost my parents. I've managed to gain my footing on my own now these days though."
"Cousin…Byleth? …Maybe it's not the same Jeralt then?" Leonie seemed confused. "Hey, did this Jeralt you know have a bushy beard and a deep gravely voice?"
"Yup! That's our Uncle Jeralt!" Nunnally exclaimed, clapping.
Lelouch gasped. Nunnally was so eager to find common ground with someone she could end up swiftly costing them if Leonie started asking too many questions.
Of all the people to run into, it had to be someone that knew Jeralt personally!
"Oh! It is the same guy! That's funny, I didn't know he had a child. He was alone when he visited my hometown in Leicester."
Lelouch's anxiety came down several notches. Good, Leonie wasn't too sharp to be a problem. That said… Judging by her appearance and how old Byleth was when I was with her and Jeralt last, Leonie must be younger than Byleth. For Jeralt to have not been with her… "How long ago did Jeralt visit you?"
"Let's see, I think Jeralt visited Sauin about…ten…maybe eleven years ago. Sorry, I was a little runt back then so I don't really remember. But he taught me everything there is to know about being a warrior. He drove the outlaws and terrorists not just out of Sauin, but out of my home region!"
"Ten years ago…that would have been before the development of the Knightmare Frame, right?" Ignatz asked.
"Yeah. And I bet he has a super cool HLKMF these days," Leonie said.
"Awfully excited about weapons of war," Lelouch remarked.
"I mean anyone who can fight or even compete in an Olympic sport has an HLKMF, they're less weapons of war and more utility tools with how they're getting mass produced," Leonie said. "I hear that since they were invented that Garreg Mach Monastery teaches students how to wield and customize their very own."
"Is that so?" Lelouch asked.
"If I can get my hands on one, my hometown will never have to worry about invasions again. Or maybe I'll travel the world over and help the little guy out when the local authorities won't," she said.
"I thought PMCs were dying out," Ignatz remarked.
"Hey, if Jeralt can do it, so can I!" Leonie declared.
Nunnally laughed. "You sure sound confident, Leonie."
Leonie turned towards Nunnally. "Well yeah, you're looking at Captain Jeralt's number one apprentice," she said, pumping her arm.
I see, so she doesn't know him that well. She worships him like an idol figure. She may prove useful yet, Lelouch thought.
"Oh, hey, the line's moving," Ignatz pointed out.
The group moved forward and the line started to quickly move, eventually leading to each person getting a primed and freshly made Garreg Mach Meat Pie. The quintet ended up sitting together.
"This looks delicious!" Raphael exclaimed. "I'm going to get thirds and fourths!"
"What about seconds?" Leonie asked, bewildered.
"You've never seen Raphael eat," Ignatz said nervously.
"Looking at him, I bet he eats his weight in baby back ribs," Lelouch said jokingly.
Raphael laughed heartily. "You bet I do. Thanks for the compliment, Lelouch."
Ah. This book has the right cover, Lelouch thought.
Leonie looked over at Nunnally who didn't seem to have a problem cutting her own food and feeding herself.
"Hey, Nunnally, you're blind, right? Do you need help?" Leonie asked, only to watch as Nunnally managed another forkful of food into her mouth.
Nunnally shook her head. "I might not be able to see or use my legs, but I can smell and feel well enough to guide food to my mouth. As long as it's not something where I need something sharp like a steak knife. Oh, but I do need help to know how much food is left in my portion sometimes."
"Wait, how are you planning to get through all the training if you can't walk," Raphael said, looking concerned.
"Nunnally and I can use magic. I've already spoken with Director Seteth about her shortcomings. I'm hoping whoever our professor is will be accommodating enough to understand," Lelouch said, waving his hand up and down, giving a strained smile.
"Magic? Wow! I wish I was good at magic," Ignatz said.
"Oh, that's right, outside Britannia, magic is pretty rare among commoners, isn't it?" Lelouch asked rhetorically.
"Huh? Outside…you're a commoner, Lelouch?" Leonie asked, looking surprised.
Lelouch shrugged. "Guilty as charged. I know I might carry myself with the air of a noble, but I'm just rich and that's that. Easy to do when you can manipulate the stock market with your parents' inheritance."
"That's impressive," Ignatz said.
The Britannian stock market was open to anyone ages 15 and up. This was rather common knowledge.
"I bet you could order a lot of pizzas with the money you have," Raphael said.
"Oh, you know, I could probably buy the land a mom and pop shop sat on if I really wanted to," Lelouch joked. "But I'd much rather use that money for my future," he said as he took a swipe of meat pie with his fork.
"What kind of future?" Leonie asked. "I don't meet very many rich people that aren't snooty nobles. You've got me curious."
Lelouch gazed towards the ceiling, the food still on his fork. "Hmmm, how best to describe it? I guess…I want to make a world…free of tyranny and oppression. To do that…I'll need a lot of money and to know the right people." He smiled. "I guess that's what brought me to Garreg Mach."
"Well if you ever need literal heavy lifting done, you can count on your ol' pal Raphael! And hey, if you need supplies, Ignatz and I both come from merchant families."
Merchant families? Lelouch's interest was definitely piqued now. "Yes, I'll be sure to call on either of you if I need supplies. That's very generous."
"Hey, it's the least we could do for a guy struggling to take care of his sister on his own," Raphael said boisterously.
These are good people, Lelouch found himself thinking.
Lunch was a pretty mundane affair after that. Leonie talked about her village. Raphael talked about his sister and grandpa and Ignatz talked briefly about his own family affairs. By the end, Lelouch had a profile on all three of them. If push came to shove, he already had a starting foothold in Leicester. Now, if only he could find a noble to cement it. But, that would come with time.
Lelouch wandered from the dining hall towards his dorm room and, unsurprisingly, found Marrybell waiting for him with Oldrin.
Nunnally felt Lelouch stop short. "Big brother?" She turned her head to wait and listen for Lelouch's response, but none came. She became instantly nervous. She didn't know why he'd come to such a dead stop.
"Princess Marrybell, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Lelouch asked.
"Lelouch Eisner," Marrybell said. "Or, perhaps I should reidentify you. 11th Prince of the Britannian Empire, Lelouch vi Britannia."
Yup. There it was. Marrybell had already put the pieces together. Lelouch knew this confrontation was inevitable. He sized up the situation. Marrybell looked suspicious and Oldrin had one of her hands near the switch-rifle—a long rifle that could switch between being a sword and a gun using a magic crystal—at her left hip. Lelouch knew what that meant. If he didn't give a satisfactory excuse as to why he was alive after seven years without contacting anyone, he was going to be under arrest. No amount of "you have the wrong person" was going to get him out of this.
Oldrin then spoke. "Lelouch, Princess Marrybell has been very concerned about you. Please understand our position."
What a good little lackey, Lelouch found himself thinking. Fortunately, he'd prepared for this moment. He wouldn't be intimidated by either of them. He began by stepping to the side of Nunnally's wheelchair, crossing his arm over his chest and bowing. "Apologies, sister. But…I wasn't planning on coming home."
From his lowered angle, he saw Oldrin continuing to fiddle with the lock on her rifle's holster, but Marrybell's hand gesture stopped her from getting rowdy. "Then what were you planning on? Lelouch…you're not planning to get revenge on the homeland for being discarded, are you? I would understand if you were, but…"
Lelouch stood up straight. "Sister, I know this may come as a shock to you, but…it is not out of malice that I have stayed quiet. Nay, father's exile ended up being a boon to me. I have decided through self-discovery, that I would like to abandon my past," he said with an ambitious smile, "And become a Knight of Seiros!"
Oldrin's jaw fell agape a little. Marrybell's gaze seemed as unflinching as ever though. "And what, pray tell, drew you to the knights?"
"While I was in exile, a man by the name of Jeralt Eisner came to my rescue after the Knights laid waste to Japan. He taught me everything there was to know about being a warrior. He had spent many years prior to his willful discharge leading the Knights of Seiros himself. Despite what they did to Japan, with the way he talked them up, I decided that if Britannia had abandoned me, I would give my life to the Goddess. I felt it was the best way to live the new lease on life I'd been given. I have already spoken with Director Seteth about keeping my Crest of Macuil a secret from others. I…hope you will understand that…Lelouch vi Britannia…is better of dead, buried, and a memory."
Marrybell was quiet for a long time. She thought about Lelouch's answer with her eyes closed, before simply nodding her head. "Mhm. Very well." She sighed. "I'm so relieved. I was so worried that you were plotting something nefarious, that you were planning to use resources at Garreg Mach to invade Britannia or something." She looked at him with concern. "Are…are you sure you don't want me to tell Cornelia? At the very least, I could—"
She reached her arm out to Lelouch, but he took a step back. "Apologies, but…the person I was no longer exists. And I have no intention of revealing that to anyone. You pieced it together, so you deserve the truth, but since we are a lot alike, Marrybell, I hope you can understand why I don't want to see anyone from our homeland ever again."
Marrybell sounded disheartened, but she seemed to accept Lelouch's answer. "I understand. Then," she said, forcing a smile. "I look forward to working with you during our time at Garreg Mach, Lelouch Eisner." She stopped straining her smile. "Oz, let's go."
"Right," Oldrin said and followed her liege down the hall. Lelouch then wheeled Nunnally into his room and began filling out a piece of paper to give to Marrybell later.
"Lelouch, is Marrybell mad at us?" Nunnally asked.
"No. I don't think so. I imagine she just has a lot on her mind," Lelouch answered honestly. As do I, he said, looking at the affinity chart he'd just drafted for himself and Nunnally. That lie won't hold sway over her forever. But I hope that by then, I can neutralize her suspicions with my actions.
As Marrybell and Oldrin walked to get their own meal, Oldrin seemed to notice the rather brisk pace her liege was walking, "Mary, do you not trust what Lelouch said?"
"If it's a lie, it's not one I can disprove," Marrybell responded. "Keep an eye on him, Oz. Lelouch and I are a lot alike. If he wasn't being sincere, then he played his move optimally. But…" she let out a tired smile, "I want to believe that the brother I loved hasn't lost himself to terrorism."
Oldrin pat Marrybell on the shoulder. "I'm sure Lelouch believes in justice, Mary. I say we let him prove that."
Marrybell sighed with a smile. "You're right, Oldrin. Let's give my brother the benefit of the doubt. It's not worth persecuting someone that might be on the right side after all."
Great Tree Moon
Morning of the 3rd Day
Lelouch woke up that morning and began his morning routine. He started by gathering his bathing articles, rousing Nunnally and taking her to the baths. As bathing was not co-ed—and communal—he had to rely on Milly now to wash Nunnally for him. While his childhood friend could be an annoying perv, he knew he could rely on her to drop the antics when it really mattered.
Milly assisted Nunnally with getting dressed and then the two siblings were ready for their first official day at Garreg Mach Monastery. Although professors had not been assigned to classes yet, lectures would still be held by the professors that ran the school. During this first month, students were required to join lectures that they found the most useful. To that end, Lelouch sat in on a lecture directed by Professor Hanneman about Crestology.
Crests were the symbol of nobility, dating far back to the founding of the Adrestian Empire. Originally, crests were invisible and could only be guessed via feats of amazing talent produced by those deemed worthy by the goddess. However, with the march of technology and the progression of humanity, crests were now almost like birthmarks that manifested sometime during early childhood development. Lelouch knew most of this already. He was simply hoping Hannemann, the father of Crestology, would have more to say on the matter, teach him something he didn't know. Additionally, he wanted to confirm that Seteth had spoken with Hannemann about Lelouch's test results.
When the bell to end first lecture rang through the courtyard and into the classrooms, Hannemann noticed the students getting up, "Remember, students. Although not all of you have crests, even those without crests are still capable of extraordinary things. It is up to you determine how much crests will affect your lives."
As the students shuffled out, Lelouch waited and walked up to the aging professor with his bushy mustache and monocle. "Professor Hannemann," Lelouch said, outstretching his hand, "Lelouch Eisner. I am hoping no introduction necessary."
"Ah! Yes! The boy Seteth spoke about," Hannemann said, shaking his hand amicably, smiling genuinely. "Fear not, I know that not everyone wants their crest's identity shouted to the rooftops. Might we go to my office now?"
Lelouch nodded. "I'll bring my sister."
The screening didn't take long. While Lelouch's crest mark on his collarbone made it easy enough to identify it as the crest of Macuil, Hannemann's scanning equipment in his office was far more thorough in order to keep up with how crests were evolving in the modern era.
"Ah, a second stage minor crest of Macuil. Very interesting," Hannemann said after examining Lelouch.
"Second stage?" Nunnally asked.
"Ah, my dear, do you not know about crest stages?" Hannemann asked, turning towards her.
"Mmm Mmm," Nunnally answered, shaking her head.
"As most know, all crests come in two types: Major and Minor, but recently, a new discovery was made about crests: that they come in stages, this determines a crest's developmental capabilities in assisting the crest bearer. A first stage, or undeveloped stage, is a crest that barely has any impact on the bearer at all, despite its presence, a second stage crest, or developed crest, is one that has an impact on the bearer's body and it is rather noticeable compared to those without a crest at all. As for the third stage, a fully developed crest, the crest and its bearer are considered intertwined, that the crest's full capabilities are able to be called upon by the bearer. Of course, a fourth stage has been theorized, but so far no bearer has been discovered with one," Hannemann said.
"What would happen with a fourth stage crest?" Nunnally asked.
Hannemann's confidence waned a little. "Now, mind this is only a theory, so what I'm about to say is hypothetical, however, if a fourth stage crest existed, if it was a minor crest, it would eclipse even a stage three major crest."
"Wow! That sounds really impressive," Nunnally said.
"Yes, but as time wears on, major crests are becoming a rarer commodity," Hannemann said. "What I would like to see, one day, is a fourth stage crest from a major crest type. Imagine the things we could learn about the Goddess and about crests if that were to happen."
"Speaking hypothetically as well, do you imagine that the only crest that could bear a fourth stage would be the mythical Crest of Flames?" Lelouch inquired.
"Ah! I see someone has done their research! Yes! The Crest of Flames, a crest so rare and so sought that some don't even believe it exists. It was believed that in challenging the Goddess that the Frankish King Charlemagne desired her own Crest of Flames, but was rebuked by Saint Seiros when she saved the people of Rome. It is said in the scriptures of the Church that one day the Goddess will return to us and on that day, the Crest of Flames will appear."
"I would love to be alive for that, the return of the Goddess," Nunnally said. "I wish I could still see so I could see her. I bet she would be so pretty."
Hannemann chortled. "Do not worry my dear. I know many a willing donor with Macuil crest bearing blood. I imagine your eyesight will be cured shortly after the mock battle."
Nunnally was overjoyed. "Really?"
Hannemann chuckled. "I swear it on my title as Father of Crestology."
Good. Nunnally's condition will improve, Lelouch thought. That's good.
He and Nunnally left Hannemann's office after the latter was identified as having a stage one crest. Lelouch headed for the library and procured some reading material for later, storing them in the pouch on the back of Nunnally's wheelchair. The siblings headed back down to the first floor and Lelouch was about to cross the courtyard to his next lecture, when he locked gazes with someone he didn't expect to.
Coming out of the Black Eagles classroom and within twenty feet of him, stood the Imperial Princess of the Adrestian Empire: Edelgard von Hresvelg.
A wind blew across the courtyard, taking loose, freshly cut grass with it, marking this destined, fated meeting with a gasp from Edelgard and a sudden stop of pushing Nunnally's wheelchair by Lelouch.
Northern Atlantic Archipelago
2022 atb
Lelouch and Edelgard were flung back by the impact of their weapons, sliding back several feet, caking their boots in dirt.
"Do you remember how we first met?" Lelouch asked, blade raised.
"Of course I do," Edelgard replied. "I will never forget it. And…" Edelgard swung her axe out in front of her with one hand, holding it aloft to mirror the way Lelouch held his blade. "Even if I knew now what I didn't know then…now, especially because of what I know now, I would still make the same decision I made all those years ago…"
2017 atb
Day of 3rd day of the Great Tree Moon
"Oh," Edelgard said, approaching Lelouch and Nunnally. "Hello. You're Britannian, right? My name is Edelgard von Hresvelg. I'm the Imperial Princess of the Adrestian Empire."
Northern Atlantic Archipelago
2022 atb
As Lelouch and Edelgard clashed, the latter could only reflect on what drove her actions that day.
Normally, I would never have approached anyone without a good reason.
2017 atb
Edelgard's left hand lay upon her collar to daintily introduce herself.
2022 atb
But when I saw Nunnally, I couldn't help but think…
CLANG!
2017 atb
Edelgard's right hand rose slowly.
2022 atb
What happened to that poor girl?
CLANG!
Who was this man that seemed so driven to care for her?
KA-TING!
What had they been through?
BSSHT!
Sparks flew from both weapons as they impacted.
And…
2017 atb
Edelgard's right hand rose to chest height towards Lelouch, her white, gloved hand outstretched. "It's nice to meet you."
…Can we possibly understand each other?
(A/N:
Reach for my hand! I'll soar away!
I dunno about you, but I think this makes a killer opening.
Into the dawn! Oh, I wish I could stay!
I've heard that people always wanted to see a crossover like this, so here it is: the crossover many have always wanted, but that I've heard no one has tried.
Here in cherished halls! In peaceful days!
I fear the edge of dawn knowing time betrays!
I already know the lore and changes in history that led up to 2017 atb. It's not very in-depth, but it'll help me spell out how I managed to merge this world together. I won't answer all questions, but feel free to leave your thoughts.
Daylights pass through colored glass in this beloved places. Silver shines, the world dines, a smile on each face.
OKAY! ENOUGH!
*Record skips*
Crimeney! A man can't hear himself think. I hope you all enjoy what's to come as I imagine it will be a wild ride. I'm going to try and update this story on a semi-consistent basis compared to my update schedule, and in spite of, my other projects. So, until then, from all of me, to all of you, let your hearts stay human and your wrath draconic. Ja ne! …NOW the song can continue!
As joy surrounds, comfort abounds, and I can feel I'm breaking free. For just this moment lost in time, I am finally me.
Yet still I hide, behind this mask that I have become. My blackened heart, scorched by flames, a force I can't run from.
I look to you, like a red rose, seeking the sun no matter where it goes. I long to stay, where the light dwells. To guard against the cold that I know so well!)