Hello everyone, I hope you all are having a great time! Sorry in advance, but I expected to upload two chapters of this fanfic since I told a few about it. Yet, I found myself deleting the chapter and rewriting it again. There were some things I wanted to change. So, I change it to the next update. Sorry!
Now, putting that aside, the following upload schedule will be as follows!
The White Lion of The Red Keep (2 Chapters!)
The White Wolf of Winterfell (2 Chapters!)
Harriet Potter: The Demon Empress (2 Chapters, possibly!)
Boku No Overlord (2 Chapters!)
Also, if you wish to support me and help me continue working on this, please donate to my Pay Pal! it will help me greatly! It allows me to focus on this work and update faster! And get me a better computer! But remember always! Fanfics should remain free and open to everyone!
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Chapter 8
The secret base of the Order of the Black Knights was slowly but surely expanding more and more. The civilians who shared the same belief of hating Britannia but hated the acts of terrorism were siding with them. In her speech, Lelouch was thoughtful in mentioning the fundamental goals of the Black Knights. A bit cliche, but it was something Lelouch partially believed.
Yet, her fame was now more prominent than before. Primarily because of her mythical figure and the many tales of her powers. Abilities which, now, the older members of the Black Knight couldn't deny they exist. Yet, it wasn't something they openly asked their leader to explain. It was one of those things that they were happier not to know. Still, the Black Knight's reputation has reached the right people. Some of those were incredibly intrigued about the mysterious person, the enigmatic leader, Zero.
And thanks to that intrigue. The members of the Black Knight, old and new, stared at the gifts before them with glee.
"Look at this!"
"Amazing, simply amazing!"
"Are these Glasgows?!"
"No, these are Burais! A better version!"
"I have never seen these before."
"The Black Knights surely have a lot of influence!"
"Yeah, it was also so hard to join in!"
"My brother was jealous that I joined in, and he couldn't!"
Those were the voices of the recruits, who stared at the new versions of Knightmare Frames ready to be tested out on the field. Euphoria overfilled all of them, and purpose was soon the next step. The older members, who stared at their new and unique Knightmare Frame, could say the same.
"Whoah, those people in Kyoto surely spoil us," Kento whispered, amazed by the equipment.
"This thing is a 100% Japanese Knightmare Frame!"
"Guren Type-II, incredible," Naomi replied. "Has someone seen the manual?"
"Radiation wave? I don't even know how it works, but it sure sounds amazing!" Tamaki gloated. "Those big fish at Kyoto now recognize us as the real deal! I like it!"
Kallen nodded, still not taking her eyes from the beautiful red-painted Guren Type-II. She smiled and felt as if things were finally going their way. They no longer crawl on the dirt and beg for weapons or ammunition. Now, they were the ones giving it away. The Black Knights had uniforms and outposts in Tokyo and outside the city. They had weapons of many sizes, and now they even have advanced cutting-edge Knightmare Frames. All because of their leader.
"With this, we are the elite!"
"Try not to get to excite it, Tamaki."
The voice of Zero brought the attention to all of them as they saw their leader slowly walking toward them. The deep robotic breathing and how Zero walked, all of it, reminded them of what took place not too long ago. It wasn't easy to forget, but it made them realize that Zero was something else. Not just a masked revolutionary, but something more. But whatever that thing was, it was on their size.
"I am not excited about it! just happy!" Tamaki replied.
"Isn't that the same?" Naomi whispered.
"In anycase, here, take this, bunny."
Zero said, throwing the keys of the Gure Type-II to Kallen. The red-haired girl took them and was surprised to be given such a Knightmare Frame. Kallen was in shock.
"The Guren Type-II is yours."
"Me?! But there are so many of us...!" Kallen said, not comfortable piloting the newest Knightmare Frame.
"You're the best pilot here—our Ace in the hole. And, I doubt anyone would argue my judgment. And my own Knightmare Frame is not ready yet."
Kallen looked around her and saw the many faces. They were all smiling at her.
"Take it, Kallen. You're the best," Kento said, smirking.
"That's true; no one could go toe-to-toe against you. And with this Knightmare Frame, not even the best pilot in Britannia could defeat you," Naomi added, smiling gently at her. Kallen blushed deeply but felt so proud that they trusted her with something meaningful. Everyone believes in me! They all trust that I can fight and defeat anyone. I can't fail them, and I will not! Kallen thought, filled with determination. Kallen clenched the keys of the Guren Type-II.
"I'll do my best!" Kallen replied.
"We know. Also, we don't want Tamaki to crash it."
"Hey!"
Zero chuckled gently. But soon, the group of veterans all listened to a commotion made by the recruits who had just arrived. It made them groan; even Zero sighed. "Naomi, Kento, please go with the recruits before they burn the place down."
"Understood."
"Ah, these kids, so lousy."
"Hey, wait for me!" Tamaki yelled, following the rest. Kallen and Zero were the only ones left.
"Zero, thank you for your trust. I will not fail you."
"I know you won't. After all, you fight for something."
Zero told Kallen, who remembered her mother. Yes, that's true. We are no longer a resistance group. And I am not a Britannia dog. I am fighting for something, my family, and a better future for Japan. Kallen thought. Zero looked at the red-haired girl and smiled. Kallen could look so adorable when she had that type of face.
"Zero, do you have a minute?" Ohgi appeared, with a note on his hand, looking somewhat troubled and doubtful about their information.
"What is it, Ohgi?" Zero asked.
"We have received a piece of information from a Britannia candidate."
"A Britannia recruit?" Kallen asked, baffled.
"Yeah, I know. It could be a trap to lure us out," Ohgi replied.
Zero hummed while reading the information. Zero knew who the candidate was and what does he want. Yet, she had to admit. The person was a rather peculiar individual. Zero didn't know if he genuinely believed in her or wanted to spy on them. Perhaps, it was a bit of both. But, the information he was giving them for free was too good to let go of without doing something about it.
"Narita, eh?" Zero muttered.
"What do we do, Zero?" Ohgi asked.
Zero wondered about it. It was clear that Cornelia wanted to eliminate the Japan Liberation Front. And, Zero honestly didn't care about them. However, Cornelia eliminating them from the start would make things harder for Zero because it would mean that then, Cornelia and Britannia would focus on the Black Knights. And currently, the Black Knights do not possess the strength to fight them head-on. And not only that. The new Black Knights recruits were still untested on an actual battlefield.
Yet, the opportunity presented to them was enormous. With Cornelia focused on the Japan Liberation Front. Her forces would not expect us at all. But, what should I do? I don't want to kill her. Not really. She will be helpful to me in the future. So, what to do? Zero pondered about the possibilities. If she was going to risk a confrontation against Cornelia and her experience troops in an open field. She had to at least gain something from it.
"The white Knightmare Frame," Zero muttered, thinking about the mysterious pilot, who has clouded her judgment for a while. Mm, maybe...?
"Zero?" Ohgi asked.
"We are going to Narita," Zero replied, focusing on the task at hand.
"Narita?" Ohgi replied, shocked.
"Yes, it would be a good training experience. We have a few days to prepare."
Zero whispered as she walked away, already thinking precisely what to do.
Cornelia sighed deeply, watching the pictures Villetta had sent her. She had mixed feelings about what she was observing. Villetta had spent a few days secretly investigating her beloved sister before Cornelia marched to Narita. The dark-skinned woman gave her all the information she had obtained for now. And it was a bag of, normal day-to-day life activities from Cornelia's lost sister. Nothing out of ordinary, in terms of what Lelouch does. Yet, Cornelia was rather, uneasy when looking at the red-haired girl in many of those pictures.
"Who is that girl?"
Cornelia whispered as she inspected a picture of her sister, Lelouch, holding the hand of a red-haired girl.
"They look like good friends," Cornelia muttered. "Right?"
Then, Cornelia saw a picture of Lelouch sitting on a red-haired girl's lap and practically making out with the red-haired girl. In a very adult way, at least in Cornelia's opinion. Cornelia slumped over, hitting her head on the desk. It was then that Cornelia realized that her beloved sister wasn't a child anymore.
"Of course, she is a young woman. And has needs... of course."
Cornelia sighed again, but the way Lelouch looked at those pictures. Holding hands with the red-haired girl and some others with friends. Cornelia chuckled at the sight of Lelouch, and Nunnally near a pool, smiling with their friends. It made her feel happy. Cornelia now felt as if a considerable weight on her shoulder had disappeared. The idea that her sister was safe and comfortable brought joy to Cornelia. The Goddess of Victory just breathed in, taking her time to relax, even if it was just for a minute.
"Empress Marianne, I can still serve you."
Cornelia muttered softly, wondering if everything she had done so far would allow her family to know peace. It wasn't an innocent thought. Cornelia wanted nothing more than prosperity and happiness for her family, even those she didn't like. Yet, at the same time, Cornelia also knew that people like Zero existed. Her family would never be safe. That's why she was in Narita, to take down another enemy. Reducing the list of possible threats to her siblings.
"I won't fail this time."
Cornelia stood up and marched to where her loyal knights were waiting. Guildford and Andreas noticed that while their princess was firm and stoic as usual. She had a more peaceful demeanor than before. Guildford believes it was because of the knowledge of the youngest princess, Lelouch being alive that brought that delight to his princess. Even he couldn't deny how pleased the news was as a whole. Still, secrecy was necessary.
"I can see your happiness, Highness," Guildford said, and Cornelia smiled.
"It's been a long time since I had a reason to feel as happy as now. But, before anything happens. Before I can meet my dear sister. I need to finish our enemies."
Cornelia added, with deep intensity, earning nods from her knights, who all wanted nothing more than reuniting both princesses once again.
"And you will!"
Cornelia smirked and approached the control room where Euphemia was waiting for her. And just like Cornelia, she seemed deeply content with her sister's lifestyle. Especially the relationship with the red-haired girl. Euphemia was already excited to meet her. Since, even in Britannia, they weren't really concerned with that type of relationship. While they could look down on everyone who was not part of Britannia blood. Most of the time, same-sex relationships were just open secrets, with no real repercussions on a political level. Many nobles, princes, princesses, and monarchs had mistresses or lovers of the same sex. It wasn't a big deal, truthfully. As long they had heirs and did their duty, people didn't care about their orientations. It undoubtedly adds a bit of drama to their dull lives. But, other than that. It was nothing out of ordinary.
That's why Euphemia wasn't so worried about her sister. She was happy for her.
They look cute together. Euphemia smiled. And while Cornelia looked concerned about her sister's romantic life. Euphemia was the first to add that Cornelia had a few ladies waiting for her in bed whenever she felt stressed out. The Goddess of Victory just coughed nervously while avoiding her own sex life.
"Update," Cornelia asked, sitting on her small throne.
"The Japan Liberation Front base is at the top of the mountain. And an underground facility with great tunnels across the area. We have surrounded the hill. And have complete control over the exits. They can't run away."
Cornelia nodded, looking at the map before her.
"We have four mechanized divisions, for brigades and seven hidden units. All around the mountain, waiting for our signal."
"Those Eleven had grown arrogant, not patroling their backyard," Cornelia muttered.
"As you say, your highness. We also close all the roads and railways once the operation starts."
Cornelia knew they couldn't run once the battle started. It was going to be a massacre for the rebels. And while she wasn't naive about the possible losses she may suffer. Cornelia understood that in war. Soldiers die. But it was better if the enemy just died first and in greater numbers.
"What about possible enemies outside this perimeter?" Euphemia asked, worried.
"Don't worry, your highness. The blockade not only helps us to block any retreat from the enemy, but also any potential dangers from outside."
"Zero, won't risk appearing so fast. This is not Tokyo. The Black Knights don't have the strength to face us on open ground, and she knows this."
Cornelia told Euphemia, nevertheless. Both princesses knew Zero was an incredible, unpredictable person and dangerous.
"Alright, but please, sister. Be careful."
Euphemia told Cornelia, who gently replied with a chuckle.
"I'll be careful, as always."
Euphemia sighed as she looked at the map, wondering what she felt, like a sensation in her heart. A sense of dread.
Lelouch sighed deeply, looking down at the beautiful sight before her. Narita was such a beautiful place. A shame would be the graveyard of so many people soon enough.
"Hey, is your turn!"
"Yeah, yeah, give a minute to think!"
Lelouch glanced at the two Japan Liberation Front soldiers under her Geass, completely ignoring her existence. She scoffed.
"Cornelia, my dear sister. I'm sorry for playing with your heart, but you must understand our father. And what are his goals."
Lelouch muttered, but her attention was then brought to a particular, green-haired girl outside the cabin, on the top of the mountain. She sighed, standing from her chair and approaching the girl.
"C.C., what has brought you here?" Lelouch asked, somewhat annoyed.
"Taking care of you, of course. You then to be quite stupid when using that power of yours."
C.C said with a condescending tone, making Lelouch scoff.
"My hero," Lelouch replied, drooling with sarcasm. C.C. only looked at the sky, ignoring the annoyance from Lelouch.
"Lelouch, what makes your Lelouch?" C.C. asked.
"Uh? Getting philosophical with me?" Lelouch replied with a sigh.
"You say you had another name, another life before. Yet, you still cling to that. You're soft, incapable of forgetting your past."
Lelouch only stared at C.C., wondering what the green-haired witch sometimes does look so melancholy. Perhaps, they weren't so different after all.
"I did forget my past; I don't want to lose it again. It makes me, me. Without it, I'll be just another dot in history. Another lost star in the sea. And I don't want that. The emptiness, to feel as if I don't belong. You know what it feels like, right? To never fit in, feel as if something is missing, but you don't know what it is."
C.C. looked at the girl with purple eyes, thinking about Lelouch's words. C.C. has never found someone as unique as Lelouch. The girl with purple eyes was different from the rest humans. C.C. even believes, Lelouch wasn't truly human at all. Yet, it didn't change the fact, that, the green-haired girl, felt attracted to her. Maybe, it was C.C.'s own boresome, that she craved for something exciting, and she found it on Lelouch. Perhaps, it was that she simply found, Lelouch interesting and attractive. Or, it was something else, like an allure, that she couldn't stop thinking about Lelouch.
"You know, what the snow is white?" C.C. asked while softly smiling at Lelouch, who tilted her head at her, confused.
"Because it forgot what color it was."
Lelouch and C.C. stared at each other for a brief moment while the snowy wings of the Narita mountain soothed their skin.
"This is the moment you kiss me, and we make love."
C.C. said, earning a scoff from Lelouch, but smiled nevertheless at the green-haired girl, not subtle flirt.
"Ruining the moment, as always," Lelouch said while noticing the sudden approach of Britannia forces surrounding the mountain. It began. Lelouch thought, putting her helmet on and adjusting her breathing tubes.
"Well, since you are here. Try to not get yourself caught in the crossfire."
"Are you going to use your magic?" C.C. asked seriously.
"Yes, but only when need it."
C.C. frowned but kept quiet.
"Trust me."
Lelouch said while turning away and meeting with the rest of the Black Knights. C.C. looked again at the sky and the falling snow and sighed.
"She may be your daughter, but she is not like you."
C.C. whispered to herself, or maybe not. But, the green-haired girl hides away in the mountain. She would keep an eye open and help the stubborn purple-eyed girl when the time comes.
Zero approached the group of Black Knights, who all looked squeamish at the sight of Britannia elite forces surrounding the mountain. They could all see how different it was from the battle in the inner city. There, in the open field. They bear witness to Britannia Warmachine. But, Zero didn't look at all bothered or afraid. No, she had a plan.
The Black Knights have brought some chargers that would create a radiant wave surge with the help of the Guren Type-II. And it would soon make a tremendous landslide that would destroy all the Britannia soldiers on its path. Zero was thankful for the information of the Britannia informant, and those Kyoto folks gave her. She has positioned her charges in a position that would directly hit Britannia's forces. It would not be enough to destroy all parties of Britannia, yes. But the chaos would cause panic and confusion. Yet, the Black Knights would have the upper hand on a surprise attack.
And not only that. Zero had an incredible idea. Zero would pin the entire fault on Britannia and the Japan Liberation Front. How? Zero told that Britannian agent who wished to join them to bring up a camera and film everything to make Britannia bad. Of course, she didn't say it in that way. But, the idea was to make Britannia the one who caused the landslide by mistake.
An explosion can cause problems, and a loose cannon can bring a lot of harm to innocent people. I don't even need to tell them who was responsible. I just need to show a different perspective. I just need them to doubt Britannia more. A propaganda war is all I need. And for the looks of it. This guy knows exactly what to do.
Zero thought with a smirk. Still, the anxiousness was visible on the Black Knights, especially the new recruits.
"Are we sure about this?" Ohgi asked nervously.
"It's Cornelia's forces. Highly trained and experienced. This is the only way we could fight them head-on," Zero said.
"But we are cooperating with the JLF," Ohgi muttered.
"No, we are doing this our way," Zero replied. "Are you having second thoughts, Ohgi? Don't you trust me?"
"What do you mean? Of course, I trust you. Remember? I was the one who went to you, so you could lead us!"
"Then, believe in your leader."
Ohgi didn't say much, but he was nervous about what could happen. The only thing he could do was to believe in that person. Ohgi needed to trust the strange mechanic woman with strange powers. They had no one else.
Soon, they all saw how the Britannia forces were quickly moving, signaling the start of the assault on the Japan Liberation Front's home base.
"Hey, hey, this is quite a lot, isn't it?!" Tamaki was one of the first to let his feeling known.
"They are so many of them!"
"To many," Naomi whispered anxiously.
"It has begun, finally."
"Hey! Zero, you're kidding, right?! We have not escaped! We are surrounded!"
Tamaki exclaimed, and many looked at Zero with nothing but fear.
"Yes, we are completely surrounded by Britannia forces."
Zero told them, with not much worry in her voice. "If we want to survive, we must fight."
"What?! Against Britannia forces?! Directly?!" Naomi replied, alarmed.
"Facing them while we are surrounded?!"
"We are facing Cornelia! She is different from other enemies!"
Zero was getting a bit annoyed by them. While Zero understood their worries and their disbelief. They truly needed to comprehend what their goals were in the long term.
"We would have to fight our way out."
"What are you saying?!" Tamaki yelled, utterly furious. "We can't win this! You can't just pull miracles all the time!"
Zero looked at them, annoyed at their lack of confidence.
"Miracles, you say?" Zero said. "You think of me as a messiah. But you don't seem to trust me anymore."
"This is beyond some lucky shots! We can die here!" Tamaki exclaimed. "I knew I should have taken the role of a leader!" He hissed angrily while trying to aim his gun at Zero. However, that didn't work too well for Tamaki. Everyone saw how Tamaki's rifle flew out of his hand and landed before Zero. Something had just yanked the weapon away with incredible force. They were all shocked. Zero then took the gun and glared at Tamaki.
"Tell me, Tamaki, have I ever run away from a fight?" Zero asked, and Tamaki just stood there, not saying a thing. Zero then looked around her and glared at each one of them.
"Have I hid during a fight?" Zero asked, and no one replied. "Haven't I faced our enemies head-on? Haven't I met Cornelia, face to face, while you waited for my command on the darkness of my shadow?" Again, no one could reply.
"Tell me, all of you. Would you all have accomplished everything I did for you if I hadn't arrived?" Zero asked them sharply, making them flinch. "I doubt it. If it wasn't for me. All of you would be nothing but small insurgents, hiding under the rubbles of Tokyo, waiting for Britannia to obliterate you. But under my command, now you have the power to fight back. Knightmare Frames are now at your disposal. Supplies, clothes, food, medicine. All of those things are now yours because of me."
The Black Knights felt as if Zero's words were slapping their faces. None could look at her and deny all of those things. Not one bit. But Zero wasn't finished; she wanted to make them understand. That, she was not their leader.
"If any of you think you can win without me. Then, fire the first bullet!" Zero exclaimed, and since no one even dared to raise their guns at her. It made it clear that they knew it wasn't possible to do anything without her. "I force no one to wear that uniform. All of you decided to join me, to make me your leader. And since then, you only have one choice. To live with me or die without me!"
Zero glanced around her, looking for any sign of protest. If she wanted to achieve her goals. Zero needed loyal followers, people who believed in her. Otherwise, all of her plans would be doomed from the start. But, it appears. None of the people there seemed to be against her now. Tamaki, and the rest, just sighed deeply. They felt ashamed of being reprimanded in such a manner.
"Do as you like," Tamaki only muttered.
"Yeah, you're our leader."
The rest followed, muttering the exact words. Kallen took a deep breath while sitting on top of the Guren Type-II. She was thankful. They all understood what was a stake there.
"We believe in you," Ohgi said, and Zero smiled under her helmet.
"I appreciate it. Truly."
Zero said while throwing the gun back to Tamaki.
"Trust your leader. I didn't bring all of you here to die."
Zero then looked at the explosion near the mountain and knew if she wanted to get the upper hand. She must act fast. Cornelia, my dear sister. I'm sorry, but I will have to use you a bit more. Hopefully, you'll understand soon enough. Lelouch thought under her Zero helmet. She must not fail during this operation. The future of the Black Knights would be dictated today.