Sorry everyone, for taking so long! But I was working and couldn't push it away. Since I wanted to fix my computer. But now I am back and ready!
Now, the next update is going to be yet another chapter of the Overlord Geass!
Then two chapters of Overlord: The Demon-Who-Lived? So stay tuned, please!
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(paulydppal (at sing) hotmail . com)
Chapter 9
The Japan Liberation Front forces were surrounded and slowly destroyed by Cornelia's forces in Narita. The last resistance to Japan's independence was caught entirely off-guard by the sudden attack on Britannia's part. And while their defenses were nothing to be scoffed at. Since it was a mountain filled with trenches, fox holes, caves, and a large variety of artillery ready to rain down thousands of shells to protect the last bastion of Japanese culture. Cornelia's understanding of the area and better trained and equipped forces would win regardless. And Cornelia knew it all too well.
A sad day for the Japan Liberation Front, no doubt. Yet, a glorious day for Britannia and a certain princess who felt rather enthusiastic about her strategy coming to a magnificent end.
They are proving to give everything to defend this place. Cornelia thought with a smirk as she stared at the mountain being bombarded by her artillery unit. I'll end this now. The Japan Liberation Front will be no more.
"Your highness, we have multiple signals coming at us."
"Mm, it seems they're now going on the offensive," Cornelia said smiling, noticing the Japan Liberation Front's Knightmare Frames coming at them.
"Those are the famous Burais, eh? Let's see if they are up to the task," Cornelia smirked. Not wasting time driving her Knightmare Frame ahead, worrying little for the enemy and their weapons, much to the dismay of her loyal followers.
"Your highness, what are you doing? It's dangerous!" Guilford said, aghast at his princess's reckless behavior. All while, Cornelia rolled her eyes at her loyal knight.
"Guilford, don't treat me as if I was one of your women. I don't need someone to fight my battles for me!"
Cornelia's abilities to fight were shown to everyone witnessing the battlefield. Since like thunder. The Britannia's princess impaled an enemy Burai and threw it away while evading two more enemy attacks. Cornelia's yelled, showing how fierce of a warrior she was, and Guilford couldn't only inhale deeply at the sight of his princess moving across the battlefield.
"It can't be helped. My princess wouldn't be our Goddess of Victory if she weren't like this."
Guilford then smiled, commanding the forces to move with their princess.
"We will cover your backs, your highness," Guilford said, earning a chuckle from Cornelia, who heard it all through her comms.
"Thank you, my loyal knight," Cornelia said. "Now, Cornelia is here! Who has the bravery to face me?!" She yelled out loud from inside her personalized Knightmare Frame. Daring any fool to face her on an open field.
"Scum has little honor, I see," Cornelia muttered, a bit disappointed.
Cornelia saw the map and the many units moving slowly up the mountain. She knew that while currently, they had the upper hand. But if she wanted to deal a final blow to the rebels. Cornelia needed to kill all of the higher-ups of the Japan Liberation Front. Otherwise, if just one escaped. Then, the rebellion movement would continue for another year or so. Cornelia didn't have the time for it. In Cornelia's opinion, the actual front of the war was in Europe.
Schneizel is the only one who I couldn't defeat in strategy. Yet, many great generals on the European front are proving to be quite a challenge, even for Schneizel. I need to assist now. I can't waste more time here.
Cornelia thought hissingly, watching the large mountain before her. It was just another test for her and nothing more in Cornelia's mind. She'll destroy the obstacle and make way for her family's peace and security.
"I'll destroy them all," Cornelia hissed. "Guilford, order a few artillery to move around that rock pile there. That'll give them a perfect shooting range to get rid of those cannon on the slop."
"At once, your highness."
Cornelia smirked at the sound of Britannia cannons raining upon Narita. It would take an entire day for her to eliminate all of them and make sure to not let anyone escape. But at the end of it all. The Japan Liberation Front would be no more. One enemy less on her list. Then, she'll focus solely on Zero. The enigmatic mechanic woman who got the best of her two times in a row. Yet, next time. It would be Cornelia, the one laughing.
"Princess Cornelia, we have enemies at our six!" A pilot reported.
"Mmph, I was wondering where all the Burais went. All unit move, with me! Show no fear! We are Britannia!"
Cornelia yelled as she led the vanguard with fierce determination. The Japan Liberation Front's pilots were decent enough to put a fight. But not good enough to defeat a set of more experienced fighters. Cornelia used her Gloucester's javelin to impale whatever fool enemy thought of taking her life. She showed no mercy.
Cornelia's Knightmare Frame didn't seem heavy since the princess was practically flying above the enemy before bringing her javelin down and penetrating the pilot's hub. Leaving no choice for the Japanese pilots to eject safely. No, Cornelia was going to destroy them all. Not a single one of them would escape. They aren't good enough to drive those Burais. Maybe, this is the first time they have ever faced experienced fighters. Cornelia pondered with interest. While Clovis was alive, the Japan Liberation Front focused more on small attacks. Hit and Run type of ambushes. It seems that this was the first time since the war that they have battled Britannia in such a manner.
"Well, it doesn't matter now," Cornelia muttered.
"Your highness, we have contact with Darlton on the east of the mountain."
"Darlton? What is the state of his forces?" Cornelia asked.
"He seems to have found the entry of the Japan Liberation Front, based on the number of enemies and automatic turrets on his position. We have also noticed an increase of forces trying to protect such entrance. It's a cabin of sorts."
"Trying to make time?" Guilford muttered, unconcerned.
"Perhaps, but I will not let them. Move main forces there. Tell Darlton to get ready to storm in."
"Storm in, your highness? Darlton will surely do it himself," Guilford told his princess with a hint of amusement, making Cornelia chuckle.
"He'll surely love that. But let him be. He found the entrance. Let him take the glory," Cornelia said, smiling. "He is going to win another medal, that's for sure."
Cornelia looked at her radar and noticed her loss of soldiers. Nothing more than what she initially anticipated. In fact, her forces were losing even less of what she thought. The entire operation was slowly becoming a clean sweep for her. There was no better way for her to see it. That's why she relaxed her mind.
"It's going to end soon. Guilford, let's move the remanding of our vanguard ahead. Let's cut the mountain in two."
"Yes, your highness!"
"With this... Area 11 will be finished."
Cornelia smiled brightly, not knowing that soon it would all change.
However, at the mountain's peak, Zero stared at the radar and map inside her Knightmare Frame. She was humming and overseeing every unit surrounding Narita. Not only from Cornelia's side but also from the Japan Liberation Front. Zero noticed how fast Cornelia was closing in and how defenseless the Japan Liberation Front was. They never stood a chance. She almost felt bad for them. Almost.
"Such a clean sweep. Honestly, what a way for the biggest resistance group to end," Zero whispered with a sigh. "Truly, Cornelia, you're a genius when it comes down to fast and rapid attacks. If I were in your shoes, I would have done the same thing."
Zero was thankful that Cornelia pushed her troops more deep into the mountain. The higher the troops climb, the more lethal Zero's operation would be. She was glad those fools of the Japan Liberation Front locked themselves inside the mountain. They had no escape besides a rail system leading to a set of rivers on the backside of the peak. And it was already captured by Cornelia's forces.
Fools, they are a bunch of fools. Zero thought, amusingly. What made them believe having one escape room was a good idea?
"Well, it doesn't matter, honestly. Those fools of the Japan Liberation Front had it coming. They'll be dead soon enough."
Zero smirked as her breathing mechanism started to make sounds. Reliving her of any annoyances.
"Ohgi, you copy?" Zero asked, hearing the senior officer of the Black Knights responding through comms with an uneasy tone of voice.
"Yes, we are, Zero. Naomi will lead new recruits to their designated positions, and so will Kento."
"Good. Now, Bunny, how are the charges?"
"Fully loaded... although I don't know how to activate the charges," Kallen replied, a bit embarrassed.
"Just grab charger number 3 and use Radiation Wave on it. It would cause a chain reaction."
"Oh! I see!"
Zero chuckled at Kallen's cute voice. However, Zero saw how more of Britannia's forces were almost approaching their position. Especially where the Japan Liberation Front entrance was.
"All hear me!" Zero voice resonated through everyone's comms. "We will launch a surprise attack on Britannia's forces and try to help as many of the Japan Liberation Front soldiers!"
That was a massive lie, of course. Zero has no intention of saving any of them at the moment. She just wanted to try to alleviate her new recruit's nervousness into believing they were doing something honorable. However, Zero's objective was to meet her dear beloved sister face to face. Sort off, since Zero was going to use this opportunity to mess with her sister's mind by adding doubt to the loyalty to the royal family. That was Zero's primary goal. She would find her father, kill him, destroy those Gods, and get rid of her annoying curse.
Of course, there was a lot in the middle. A great deal of scheming and planning. But those were the main points. And having Cornelia on her side could be incredibly useful. Zero, or Lelouch, needed an alibi of sorts. She needed a way to explain herself. Or to put the accountability on something else. It may be a cowardly thing to do. But, Zero needed to play dirty too. Her father, the emperor, was not a saint and would use anything against her. No matter the cost. That's the person he was and Lelouch's uncle. The immortal child was as vicious as the emperor.
And that's why I must use both parts of myself. Zero to win the war against Britannia, against Charles, and Lelouch to win the world. Zero thought with determination.
Technically speaking, Zero and Lelouch were different disguises, different persons. So, with that in mind, she would use it to her advantage. It was lying, and Zero felt sad about it. But then again. She excused herself by blaming her father and those gods. They force her to act like that. Besides, she was going to wage war against Britannia. Zero would use anything she could to defeat her enemies.
But if Zero was honest. A part of her also wanted something more besides revenge. She wanted Nazarick back and a throne. Her throne, which one would be, was yet to be decided. And that's what mistify Zero. So far, she hasn't even thought about taking the throne. But every time, she keeps remembering the time leaving the palace. Zero felt rather happy. As if she had to live there, not as a princess, but as something else. Curiousness stroked her.
Wait... do I want a throne? Why do I want a throne? Mm, curious. Maybe, it's something to do with my Racial Traits from Yggdrasil? I was A Demon, with the title of Demon Empress. Perhaps, that title had to do with my need to rule? To sit on a throne? Zero hummed but decided to push those thoughts from now.
"Never mind that. I need to focus on the present."
Zero whispered, looking at how everyone was waiting for her signal.
"Bunny, status?" Zero asked.
"Potency stable. Radiation wave stable. We're ready to go, Zero," Kalle replied.
"Good, now, Kallen. Hit it."
Kallen took a deep breath, realizing it was not the moment for hesitations. Using, the Guren Type-II. Kallen would defeat anyone who stood in her way. She'll do what she must, no matter the cost. So, Kallen briefly looked at her cellphone, where a photo of Lelouch greeted her. The red-haired girl smiled widely. Kallen was fighting for so much now. Not only for her brother's dreams or her mother's security. But for a future where Lelouch could live happily and safely. Kallen, couldn't fail, no more.
"Ignition... start!"
Kallen said, and the Guren Type-II radiation wave began flowing out of its mechanic hand. The chargers started to activate, and even the ground began to tremble as the underground steam boiled its way up. It took a few seconds for it to react, seconds that felt like minutes. Kallen, even though it failed. But the sudden earthquake made her worries disappear.
"I did it!"
Kallen smirked with glee as the earthquake caused a landslide. A big one at that.
Zero smirked, knowing full that it was time for them to move.
"Everyone, it's the time!"
Soon, Cornelia's forces would be stomped by an ambush. And so everyone else.
Euphemia stared dumbfounded at the screen, noticing a large landslide coming down on their forces. Their forces standing there were slowly being buried underneath the rocks and soggy ground.
"What's this?! A landslide... now?!" Euphemia exclaimed. "Sister, are you seeing this?!"
Cornelia, who was practically next to the catastrophe, glared in horror as her best units were destroyed by the seemingly natural disaster. One by one, her best knights were killed. Cornelia smashed her fist on her controllers as she furiously looked around her.
"An earthquake?! Of all times...!" Cornelia hissed. "Darlton! Get your men out of there! Now!"
"My princess! Don't get close is dangerous!" Guilford yelled.
"I don't care!" Cornelia yelled angrily. "Where's Alex?! Darlton, you read me?!" Cornelia screamed for her soldiers, but she couldn't hear anything.
The earth didn't not only bury the hundreds of troops climbing the mountain but also the city below. The destruction was so much that even Zero was surprised by it. Mm, it seems my numbers didn't match properly. Well, this is more than just mathematics. There was a lot for me to take into account.
Nevertheless, it did its job wonderfully. Perhaps, next time, I should ask Nina to help me. Zero thought as her group came down from the mountain, getting closer to Cornelia's party.
The Britannia's princess glared at the destruction before her and felt something was wrong.
"Your highness, an unknown enemy is approaching! Carius's group is intercepting them."
Cornelia looked around and hissed. "So, they want to use this disaster to their advantage?" Cornelia scoffed loudly, realizing that what was supposed to be a clean victory would be nothing more than a chaotic battle.
"Wait...! Carius has sent a message!"
"What is it?" Cornelia asked, irritated.
"It's not the Japan Liberation Front...! It's the Black Knights!"
"What...?!" Cornelia replied in shock. "This means... no, it's immposible." She muttered in disbelief, realizing she had been played yet again.
"Your highness, Carius team has been destroyed! And our back-up has been taken down!"
"We're surrounded!"
"Zero!" Cornelia growled like a rabid dog.
Ahead of Cornelia, Zero's forces were making their way, destroying everything in their path. It wasn't as if there was a path, to begin with. Cornelia's forces were in disarray and couldn't react appropriately. And Cornelia knew it.
Zero smirked inside her Knightmare Frame. Her objectives would be accomplished soon enough.
Jeremiah Gottwald waited impatiently inside his Glasgow, waiting for any sign that would allow him to move in. He was anxious. The knight of princes Clovis needed an opportunity to prove himself, to clean his name. However, he has not been able to do anything of sorts.
"Villetta is lucky to obtain such an important job. One even giving by our princess."
Jeremiah muttered. He didn't know yet what Villetta's new work was about. But if it requires mysteriousness, then it means that the princess trusted her enough to keep quiet. Jeremiah would not ask for more information about it. But, a pang of jealousy grew inside him. It means that the dark-skinned woman has earned the opportunity to clear her name, and while proud of her. Jeremiah was still annoyed it wasn't him, the one gaining favor from the princess. But now, he would earn that.
"The landslide! It has killed our princess forces there!" One of his fellow pilots exclaimed.
"We can't move yet. We haven't been called."
Jeremiah hissed internally.
"Wait... you hear that?!"
Jeremiah then paid attention to the comms and heard the horrific news.
"It's the Black Knights! They are here! They are heading to our princess!"
Those words made Jeremiah jump in excitement as he soon broke formation and jumped right into the forest, heading directly to where the Black Knights were.
"Lord Jeremiah! You can't break formation!"
"She's here! Zero is here!" Jeremiah yelled, paying no mind to the voices of his fellow pilots.
"I'll deal with Zero before she reaches the princess!" Jeremiah replied with a somewhat crazy voice. "With this! My name will be clean!"
On the battle site, it was clear that Zero was not expecting a sudden Glasgow to jump out of nowhere to kill her. It was somewhat random, with all honesty.
"Zero!" Jeremiah yelled. "Face me! Jeremiah Gottwald!"
What the fuck? Is he still alive? Zero thought, amused.
"Oh, it's been a while. Are you still in the army? Well, it doesn't matter. I can't waste my time in you, my dear Orange."
Zero said teasingly and chuckled, hearing the way Jeremiah sounded through comms. It was as if he had just choked on something.
"O-Orange?!" Jeremiah replied. "You say Orange?! Die!"
Jeremiah then attacked Zero, or tried to, since suddenly. Kallen landed before Jeremiah on her Guren Type-II and blocked the path of the enraged knight. Kallen quickly disarmed the Glasgow primary weapon by breaking it with the long metallic hand from her Guren. Such action caused a reaction from Orange, who roared loudly.
"How dare you?!" Jeremiah yelled, but he stared at the strange-looking Knightmare Frame. "What is this model? Where did a low eleven get such Knightmare Frame?"
Kallen's eyebrow twitched at the way Jeremiah referred to her. Even now, in the middle of a battlefield. A Britannia still looked down on her.
"You see this?! We now can fight you head-on!"
Kallen yelled as both Glasgow and Guren Type-II started to fight. But it wasn't a fair one. The Guren was simply too fast and agile. Jeremiah did his best to follow the strange Knightmare Frame, but it was useless. Kallen not only was using a far better and advanced Knightmare Frame, but she was overall a more capable and simply better pilot. She was a natural.
"This! A simply Eleven!"
Kallen hissed, pushing Jeremiah to the breaking point as the Britannia pilot was still fighting her.
"I'll destroy you!" Kallen growled, moving the Guren's right arm where the Radiation wave unit was installed. Jeremiah didn't know what that hand did, but he wouldn't let it grab him.
"As long that thing doesn't touch me," Jeremiah whispered, but to his surprise, the right arm of the Guren extended more than he thought possible. A sort of detachable hand attached to the Guren, that took Jeremiah off-guard. Kallen smirked when the Guren's mechanic hand clutched on the Glasgow's head.
"Ugh! Move! Move!" Jeremiah hissed, trying to move his Glasgow away from the Guren. But, Kallen wasn't going to allow it to happen.
"Sorry for this," Kallen muttered, activating the Radiation Wave control. Jeremiah suddenly felt as if something was melting his Glasgow. Like a heat wave that scorched his Knightmare Frame to the core. He couldn't believe it. Jeremiah refused to believe that an Eleven could have something like this.
Jeremiah felt like burning, but he couldn't flee away. He just sat there, inside his cockpit. Glaring at the Guren in dismay.
"Jeremiah! Eject! Eject!"
Jeremiah heard the voices of his companions. But couldn't look away since he knew that behind the Guren, standing there, was Zero. How could he simply leave?
"No! I have Zero before me! I can't...!"
Jeremiah's voice distorted, and one couldn't even grasp what was happening inside the Glasgow; it was better that way. However, the ejection system worked and expulsed Jeremiah away from the Knightmare Frame before it exploded. Zero, who stared at the whole thing, simply huffed at the scene.
"What a weird guy," Zero whispered, amused.
"Zero, Cornelia's forces are surrounded by us."
"Good, Ohgi. Tell Naomi to not risk her position. It's time for us to meet Cornelia."
Zero then looked at the valley and wondered what it would take for Cornelia to retreat. But knowing how proud her dear sister was, it was not something it would happen.
Let's give Cornelia a big surprise.
Cornelia stared at the radar and hissed internally. "What are our loses?" She asked.
"Only 20% of our forces remain. Darlton is on the other side of the slope with what's left of his unit. The entire chain of command is broken. "
Cornelia smashed her hand on the control panel. She didn't even feel pain in her hand. Cornelia just cursed loudly. How it just one movement, has she lost more than half of her elite pilots. Those losses weren't going to be replaced any time soon. Cornelia's knights were the best of the best. Experienced pilots in the war, who she trusted to follow her orders. But now, most of them were buried deep in the earth.
"I'll never forgive you, Zero," Cornelia growled, looking at how her forces were being picked left and right.
However, things weren't going to become better for them. Out of nowhere, a force from the Japan Liberation Front arrived at the battlefield, taking Cornelia and Zero by surprise. Todoh and the Four Holy Swords returned from their trip to Kyoto and brought new personalized Burais.
"Your highness, we have a new unit appearing behind us!"
Cornelia's forces were already low in ammo and losing ground every second. So now, facing yet another Knightmare Frames unit was incredibly upsetting. And not only that, one that was filled with skilled pilots and led by an experienced commander. The operation that was supposed to be a clean victory for Cornelia turned into her biggest defeat.
Zero, from her perspective, was rather intrigued by the sudden change in the battlefield. Since her forces were slowly pushing Cornelia to a breaking point, she was just waiting for her sister to react. But hearing that the Japan Liberation Front had still some ace under the sleeve was surprising.
"Zero, the force behind Cornelia is taken their focus away from us!" Kallen said.
"Yes, the Japan Liberation Front still has some fight."
"What do we do?" Kallen asked.
"Cornelia has a sort of escape route. I want you to follow her, Kallen. You're the fastest in that unit. Stop, Cornelia. With the Japan Liberation Front dividing Cornelia's forces, we don't need to risk a frontal attack."
Zero said, deciding to let those rebels face off the rest of Cornelia's soldiers and pilots. Besides, for the looks of it. Cornelia has already chosen to take the escape route. It seems the Goddes of Victory has realized that there was no way for her to pull a victory out of the current battle. So, now she just wanted to save as many of her forces and retreat.
"Zero, Cornelia is backing up!" Kallen replied.
"Go, Kallen, we will be right behind you," Zero said. "Ohgi, move our forces to position B. Tell Naomi and Kento to retreat to their designated position."
"At once!" Ohgi replied.
Mm, I must thank the Japan Liberation Front. Their distraction serves me well. Now, Cornelia is time for some mind games.
Zero thought while the Black Knights took advantage of the Japan Liberation Front counter-attack on Britannia forces and went ahead with their actual objective.
It took not long enough before they arrived at a sort of crater left behind by the earthquake. Zero had to admit that her current Knightmare Frame was relatively slow compared to Guren and Cornelia's personalized Knightmare Frame.
Ugh! This is an old piece of equipment. But I must be patient. My mecha is going to arrive soon. Just a bit more time, that's all.
Zero thought while watching how Cornelia and Kallen were fighting. But for the looks of it, Kallen had a more advanced Knightmare Frame. But Cornelia had more combat experience, which showed in the way the Britannia princess fought, using the terrain to her advantage.
Kallen is still too green. And this is also the first time she uses the Guren Type-II. Zero hummed, deciding to interfere before Cornelia managed to hurt Kallen's pride.
Zero aimed her Burai's cannon and shot a few rounds, making Cornelia now turn to her.
"Nice to meet you again, Cornelia," Zero said through loudspeakers. "I doubt this is how you wanted me to meet you again."
"Zero!" Cornelia replied hissingly. "If you think, I'll ask for mercy! That I'll surrender! You're wrong!"
"Haha!" Zero laughed. "You're not the type who will admit defeat, Cornelia. I know it. Although, I would very much like for you to give up."
"You're dreaming!" Cornelia said.
"You see the map, I see the map. You know, your reinforcements won't arrive in time. You have lost your entire battalion, and the rest of your forces are dealing with the Japan Liberation Front. You know the only thing left to do is either retreat or surrender."
Zero said, hitting a sore spot in Cornelia's pride. "But, hear me out. Please, my dear princess. Won't it be better if you surrender? You will be treated accordingly. No one will hurt you. I swear it."
"Trust you?! You who kill me, brother?! You're dreaming!"
"I have won, Cornelia. Don't be so dramatic," Zero replied with a mocking tone.
"Don't be absurd, Zero. As long I can defeat this enemy before me. That is my only obstacle!"
Zero rolled her eyes, annoyed. You're so annoying sometimes, Cornelia.
"What would your sister think if you died here because of your pride?" Zero said, and that froze Cornelia.
"What would dear Euphemia say?" Zero teased, and that seemed to bring pure anger to Cornelia. Then, Zero changed frequency and could link directly to Cornelia's comms. Zero wanted to avoid people hearing what she was to say. It could cause problems if more people knew. And here, I thought it would be harder to hack into their communication system. I must thank that strange news reporter for the frequency he gave me. He's proving to be quite an asset. Zero thought happily.
"You know, I have heard some whispers... about a specific operation made by the Britannia special forces seven years ago. A pair of princesses left stranded in a foreign country before a ruthless attack. But nobody was ever found."
Cornelia's body froze as she could only hear the mechanical voice of that woman.
"It's weird that Britannia itself attacked one of their own. So, I wonder if you know anything about it?" Zero asked
"What...? How did you?" Cornelia replied, confused about how Zero managed to get into her comms but also the information.
"I must ask, why are you still on Britannia's side? Do you truly think a nation that disposes of two of its own should have your loyalty? What about those two sisters of yours? Did you even love them?" Zero said while she knew those words could only enrage Cornelia further. Zero only wanted her reaction to plant a seed of doubt.
"Or perhaps, there's something more going on that you are not part of? Something that only the glorious emperor knew? What makes you feel sure that you or dear Euphemia won't become just another set of disposable assets thrown away?"
Cornelia clenched her fist, realizing what Zero was trying to do.
"Enough! I won't hear it from someone like you!"
"Oh, you know something is up then? You know that there's something happening inside Britannia. But you don't want to accept it. Could it be that... maybe, there's a secret?"
"SILENCE!" Cornelia screamed.
Cornelia then attacked Kallen in a desperate attempt to make her way out. Kallen reacted better than before and blocked Cornelia's quick attack. The Britannia princess growled and then used her Javeline to try to get the upper hand, but failed, since this time. Kallen saw the attack coming from miles away. The Guren Type-II right arm clasped the Javeline. Then, Kallen initiated the Radiation Wave attack forcing Cornelia's hand and cutting that arm from the main body of her Gloucester. But it wasn't enough. Zero took the opportunity and shot down the left hand of Cornelia's mecha, leaving her defenseless.
"Quite the stubborn woman, my princess," Zero said, using loudspeakers again.
"You have no honor!" Cornelia yelled.
"Honor has nothing to do with this, Cornelia. But if this is what you choose, so be it."
Zero said, realizing she'll have to be more frontal with her goals. Nevertheless, it was to be expected it.
"I am a princess, and I'll fight like one and end like one."
Zero heard Cornelia's words and scoffed. You're melodramatic, Cornelia. But well, I guess we are the same.
"Kallen, capture Cornelia, then bring her to..."
Before Zero could finish, a dust curtain emerged from their right side, like an explosion cutting the ground in two. Zero and the rest of the Black Knights moved back to avoid any debris. It was as if someone just shot a cannon from all the way up here.
"What?" Zero muttered, not knowing where such an explosion came from. But soon enough, a specific white Knightmare Frame appeared. And it was one that Zero recognized immediately.
"That...! White Knightmare Frame!" Zero hissed, annoyed.
The white Knightmare Frame quickly put himself before Cornelia, protecting her from attack. Zero was incredibly furious about it. Yet, again, that annoying white mecha was bothering her.
"Guren Type-II, take that Knightmare Frame!" Zero ordered, as soon, it became a fight on two sides.
The Guren Type-II and the Knightmare Frame called Lancelot quickly fell into a battle of quickness and fast reactions. No matter what Kallen did, the Lancelot was capable of responding to her attacks. Kallen was getting highly annoyed by everything. But kept on fighting. However, the terrain that both were fighting on was volatile. Kallen got too close to the cliff's edge and blocked one shot from Lancelot, which caused it to slip down.
Zero let a frustrated growl as she had to evade Cornelia's last attempt to get her.
"Kallen?! Are you alright?!" Ohgi exclaimed.
"Y-Yes! But the Guren is damaged."
Zero just took a deep breath, realizing that it was over. The Black Knights had achieved what they wanted, and Zero as well. There's no reason to risk more. I'll find another way.
"Everyone, retreat! This battle is over! Go to the meeting point now! Oghi, help her and take her away."
Zero yelled as she moved away from the group, deciding to split whatever forces Britannia had left.
"Zero, what about you?!" Kallen asked, with worry in her voice.
"Don't worry about me. I'll meet you all there."
Zero said, noticing soon that a specific white Knightmare Frame was following her. She scoffed, annoyed.
"Of course, you're here."
Zero groaned, knowing she'll have to use an ability to leave that annoying piece of junk behind her. Zero moved farther from the battlefield to where she could use her powers in peace if needed. Then, much to Zero's frustration. The white Knightmare Frame knocked the mechanic legs of Zero's Burais, smashing the mecha on the ground and forcing Zero's cockpit out.
"Ugh! My stomach!" Zero moaned, feeling the food inside her spiral out of control. Zero had to leave the cockpit, and when she did. The white Knightmare Frame greeted her outside, pointing the large gun at her.
"Such an annoyance, truly."
Zero muttered, already preparing herself to teleport away. Yet, surprising Zero and the pilot of the white Knightmare Frame. C.C. strolled like nothing before both.
"Stop right there! I can't let you hurt her," C.C. said, walking towards the white Knightmare Frame before touching it. Lancelot, the white mecha, seemed frozen in place for some reason. It appears that the pilot was in shock for something else. Zero noticed it but couldn't figure out why C.C. was there in any case.
"Hey! What are you doing?!" Zero asked, shocked to see the green-haired girl there of all place. "Didn't you hear what I told you?!"
"You can't use your powers without hurting you. So, I decided to help you."
"Help me? You aren't needed here!" Zero replied, irritated. "What do you think would happen if they see you? Haven't you thought about it?!"
"Don't worry about me. You're the one with a breathing device, are you not?" C.C. mocked. "Besides, I am only giving him hallucinations. Nothing to fancy. Now leave."
"And what about you?"
"Right now, I can't move. Leave now."
"You're a demented woman, you know? I can't just leave you here and risk exposure! I didn't need your help! Everything was under control, you ridiculous witch! I can't just leave you behind!"
Zero exclaimed, aggravated, before reaching to C.C.'s shoulder.
"Wait...! Don't touch me!" C.C. cried, but it was too late. Zero and C.C. were now sucked into the world of hallucinations or what seemed like memories. Zero, no, Lelouch directly stared at the flow of memories from C.C. like it was a movie. She was lost in the number of images going through her head. But the same could be said about C.C.
"S-Stop! Please, get out of my mind...!" C.C. implored, watching her long-forgotten memories again. The green-haired girl had tears as she witnessed her most intimate moments being displayed to another person.
"Y-You're opening me...!" C.C. clutched her heart, and her voice and body were trembling. Lelouch's mind was now being assaulted so much that she could barely make sense of it. Yet, there was something else going on. C.C. was then attacked by a powerful surge of power coming from Lelouch. Then, some images of a different world. A different realm emerged. C.C. just froze when she saw beings, creatures, glaring down on her. Powerful entities that could put in shame any God.
"T-This is what they are afraid of?" C.C. just whispered, feeling weak by the minute, as she could hear a dozen voices inside her head.
Can we take them? It's a World Enemy.
Trust me, the Ten Archangels of the Sephira are powerful. But we have practiced for a month for this moment. Isn't that right, Punitto Moe?
We took the Devour of the Nine Worlds. We can take these pesky archangels, don't you think, Galadriel?
C.C. didn't know what she was looking for, but she knew true power when she saw that woman with long white hair and golden eyes. But then, C.C. was pulled back from those visions as the white Knightmare Frame went rogue, shooting randomly.
"Fuck...! My head!" Zero hissed, looking at the chaos the pilot of that Knightmare Frame was causing. "Hey C.C!"
"I can't..." C.C. whispered, weak and in a sort of pain. "Please!"
Zero, who was still processing those memories, growled while losing balance. Trying to regain focus of her own mind. But soon, the blast of the explosion caused by the gun of the Knightmare Frame caused rocks to fly around and strike C.C. directly in the chest multiple times before.
"C.C...! Hold on!" Zero grabbed C.C. and teleported away. Leaving behind a rogue Knightmare Frame, who was completely destroying everything.
It's been almost an hour later, and Lelouch sighed deeply as she cleaned C.C.'s wounds. She took her helmet and enjoyed the fresh air the dark and humid cave could give her. But Lelouch couldn't shake those memories away from her. It was strange being inside someone else's mind.
"You're such a strange woman, C.C."
Lelouch muttered, noticing the strange scar and symbol on C.C.'s body.
"Please..."
Lelouch glanced at C.C., who seemed to be sleep talking. "She has never sleep talk before," Lelouch muttered. But then what surprised her was a sudden word coming from C.C.'s mouth, a name.
"You have finally said my name," C.C. whispered, deep in dreams.
Lelouch just leans back on a rock, processing everything going on. The battle, the white Knightmare Frame, those visions, and her own mind. This is becoming a long day for me. Lelouch thought, exhausted, hearing some groaning from C.C., who seems to be waking up.
"Are you awake?" Lelouch asked softly as the green-haired girl opened her eyes. C.C. looked around and sighed deeply, realizing they were safe. She also noticed that she was naked, and Lelouch's cape was covering her body. Before, C.C. would have made a lewd comment about it. But it wasn't the time for games.
"I healed your wound made by the debris. You should be fine now," Lelouch whispered while slowly taking her inhaler.
"It wasn't necessary," C.C. replied, vexed. "I told you. You didn't have to save me. But it seems your stupid pride won't let you listen to others." C.C said with a condescending tone, making Lelouch glare at her.
"I heal fast, you were not needed. You could have left me. I was going to be fine."
"No," Lelouch only replied.
"Are you that prideful?" C.C. said, annoyed.
"It's not about pride," Lelouch said slowly.
"Oh, what is it then?" The green-haired girl asked patronizingly.
"I don't leave friends behind."
C.C. simply froze, not expecting such a response. Lelouch took another intake of her inhaler and sighed deeply.
"No matter how much you hate it," Lelouch stood up, looking at the small water poll before them. "You're my companion, whether you like it or not." Lelouch chuckled.
"You rescue me. And in return, I'll save you. No matter what... Cecilia Corabella."
C.C. just sat there in shock, trembling at the sound of her real name.
"That's your name, isn't it?"
"You have a bad habit of spying on people," C.C. said, trying to deflect her emotions.
"You sleep talk. It's not my fault to hear it. Besides, it's a beautiful name. More human than C.C."
Lelouch said, with an honest tone of voice, showing no hostility or anger.
"Don't be stupid. I don't need to be more human. Since at the end... I am... I forgot everything. All of it. What do I need a name then? What does an empty shell need a name? It's stupid... it painful."
C.C. whispered as tears emerged from her eyes. The feeling of solitude or things that were long forgotten indeed brought the worst melancholy to her.
"What do I remember my name? Why is the only thing I remember?" C.C. sobbed, trying to find an answer to a question that wasn't there. Lelouch felt pity for C.C. and truly understood her. The feeling of loss, of being no one. With no future or not past. A sad existence waiting to end. No one should feel like that. The sensation of being lost in time.
"Let me express to you something," Lelouch's voice was soft, earning a stare from C.C. "You save me before. You give me what I lost. What I needed the most. Myself. And for that, let me thank you."
C.C.'s tears kept coming, but she couldn't look away from Lelouch. The girl she saved, the one whose's power could shape the world. And give C.C.s life meaning. The green-haired girl felt something clutching her soul, her chest. A sensation she has long forgotten. Or wanted to forget.
"That's why, if you wish to remember your past. I'll help you remember. If you want me to give you a future. I'll do it."
Lelouch declared, with honesty, and she meant it. C.C. was the only person so far, who could speak freely. The only person, with who she felt comfortable being her. Perhaps, C.C. was the only person, she could call a friend. And that word means a lot to Lelouch.
"It's the first time someone thanks me... and the first time someone wants to do something for me."
It was strange seeing someone who had a stoic and unfazed face most of the time show so much emotion so quickly. Lelouch only knew one side of C.C.s nature. But now, Lelouch was watching a more vulnerable part of C.C. You're still human... you're still alive. Lelouch thought tenderly.
"Can you do it again?" C.C. asked softly.
"What?" Lelouch asked.
"Say my name, like before. But like you did before... like you mean it."
"Cecilia Corabella," Lelouch said again, softly liking the sound of the name. C.C. then, gave a rare smile, an authentic one. Like a small kid at Christmas.
"You have a goofy smile on your face," Lelouch pointed out as C.C. giggled.
"It sounded as if we were a married couple," she said smiling.
"Are you satisfied?"
"Yes... yes, I am. Thank you," C.C. replied gently. "But please, keep calling me. C.C."
"As you wish."
Lelouch sighed profoundly as she started to send a signal to Kallen so the red-haired girl knew they were alive and well. And in the meantime, C.C. began to get dressed, but memories came rushing to the green-haired girl.
"Galadriel..." C.C. whispered, freezing Lelouch in the spot.
"What did you say?" Lelouch asked her.
"That's your name... isn't it? Your real name... I saw it."
"When?" Lelouch asked urgently. "What else did you see?"
C.C. seemed to have returned to her old self as she smirked at Lelouch. "You saw memories of mine. It was only fair that I saw memories of yours."
Lelouch was not amused. This world has not to Lord of the Rings. No Tolkien. So I'll be fine. But having someone inside my head. I don't like it.
"I must say. It's an exquisite name. Very unique and royalty-like."
"Well, thank you," Lelouch muttered. "But... keep that name to yourself."
C.C. smiled at her. "As long you keep my name to yourself."
"Deal."
"However, I must ask... what exactly you are? I saw beings, monster-like beings talking to each other. It was a small memory. You were preparing to hunt something. Something powerful for what it sounds like. A World Enemy."
Lelouch hummed. "Imagine whatever gods you can think of... plus ten."
"More powerful than a God?" C.C. asked, now showing concern, and Lelouch chuckled.
"That's why it's called World Enemy."
"And you... fought them?"
"And won."
Truthfully, I only won against the Devour of the Nine Worlds thanks to a bug and the Ten Archangels of the Sephira, after two months of constantly dying, wasting hundreds of Cash items to not lose levels. But I won! But she didn't need to know that.
Zero smiled, hearing the sound of a Knightmare Frame arriving. She immediately put on her helmet again. And just in time, Kallen entered the cave.
"Zero! Are you alright?! The other members are already ahead of us."
Kallen then stopped when she saw C.C.
"Who is she?" Kallen asked, glaring.
"Don't worry, she's a friend. Someone I trust deeply," Zero said gently. C.C. still felt a warm sensation in her chest, one she didn't want to lose again. She would smile and giggle. But Kallen was there.
"In anycase, we can't lose time here. Britannia's forces are nearby. Let's go... my Snowflake and Bunny. Let's go home."
Kallen and C.C. only stared at each other after hearing their nicknames. C.C simply shrugged it off but held a knowing smile and followed Zero, and Kallen just muttered under her breath, wondering what just happened. Nevertheless. It seemed as if things were only going to get weirder.
Authors note! I know that the actual name of C.C. was never officially said in the Anime or manga, as far as I know. But I used what most of the Code Geass Fandom agreed it's the "canonically" or potential real name of C.C. based on lip-reading and speculation.
Besides, Cecilia Corabella sounds kind of cool, right?