Throne of Glass

Chapter Seven: The Knights of Japan

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Ashford Enterprises; 2013 ATB

It came without a surprise that one of the biggest towers in the Tokyo settlement belonged to the Ashford company. The aptly named Babel tower was originally supposed to be a commercial complex situated in the outskirts of the settlement. But nearing the end of its completion it was bought out by the growing industry in exchange for suitable supply of knightmares. Leaving the Tower with a giant A plastered on the side that Lelouch had spent a little too much time with in the design process.

The building itself may have been just a tad bit too big for an industrial company, and only a few floors actually did serve for the offices that operated the executive portion of Ashford. The eighty plus floors that had yet to be occupied would ultimately serve several purposes benefitting Lelouch's plans for the future. The first of which was already beginning to be put into affect, being the integration of Ashford into the eleven's economy. It was necessary to create a more united Japan in order to defend against Britannia. Lelouch knew full well that liberating Japan was not going to end with his father's head. In order to garner any attention from the emperor he would need to not only overthrow Britannia, but keep it out for that much longer. To achieve that, Japan would have to be capable of standing on its own without Britannia as a crutch. Because the Eleven's were practically in complete ruin, and had almost no way to rebuild on their own. The Kawagoe restoration project was only the beginning of one side to that end. Building up Area Eleven's 'survivability' in a sense, or simply just making it easier to live in. And of course it aided in improving Ashford's standing with the Eleven Populace; assuming they chose to swallow their oversized pride and take what was being offered to them.

But that was where Babel came in.

He has not hesitated to use Suzaku for the purpose he had been using many of his other Japanese allies: in creating a unified Japanese work force.

The Ashford Tower, as Lelouch now called it, would be the central hub for a worker's Union of sorts. Many commercial and industrial stores had been opened by those associates using Ashford's money. And each of those would be part of that union Ashford would secretly lead. It was a rather unorthodox way to bolster their economy, but Lelouch wasn't that patient, and it would still take a long time to reach an acceptable level of effectiveness to be able to support itself. A great deal of stores had begun to operate under Ashford's name, but that was only the first step; and it was still a long ways away.

A ding snapped Lelouch out of his musings, and the elevator doors opened up to pristine facilities that looked brand new. He stepped out, passing the security check that knew to ignore him. Their only purpose was to keep outsiders from finding what was beyond if anyone happened to wonder where they shouldn't. Ashford Tower was a workplace to a growing number of civilians that were part of the aforementioned economic plan. And this floor, along with various others, we're not to be accessed by anyone of the sort. The reason being that in a short walk down the main hallway, he passed by knightmare training simulators, firing ranges, and other military grade facilities.

This was the second purpose of the Ashford Tower.

Lelouch could have simply put these resources into Narita, but decided against it when the tower fell into his ownership. Narita was part of the old Japanese resistance. And while he was still planning to to use Katase and his men, they were a separate entity from Ashford, and he referred to them as such. The older facility in the mountain would serve to train Japanese, his main force, when they had the manpower and influence to begin that. But in here, the state of the art training facilities would serve a much different group.

He opened a door that led to a common area, and stopped in front of the group of people that had gathered there. They were all of different backgrounds, some being normal civilians, former militant individuals or even convicts Lelouch had brought here. But despite those differences, they were all Britannian.

"Welcome to Ashford." Lelouch greeted them. "You may call me Allen Spacer."

He used a new name, one separate from his Ashford persona, or real name. Allen Spacer would be the face he wore when dealing with these men, and with the group they would ultimately head.

"I've given you some time to speak with each other, and if any of you did, you may have noticed you all share something in common." Lelouch told them, their eyes all focused on him. Eyes that shown with a lack of light Lelouch knew very well.

"I brought you all here because each of you has lost something you cannot replace." He looked at a older man with a dark expression Lelouch met equally.

"Because each one of you has someone you hate who has taken that from you." He looked at a young girl who couldn't have been more than a few years older then him. Yet her eyes had the same coldness.

"Someone you hate enough to kill them." He spoke, his voice meeting each one of them. No one questioned his age, like so may had before, because each one of them recognized the pain they all shared.

"Because each one of you hates Britannia to its very core."

These were the people Britannia had thrown away. The ones who were victims f noble ambition, who had seen Britannia for what it truly was and were punished for it. "Because you want revenge against those who took everything from you."

Lelouch had sought after those who were like him. Ones who shared his goal to destroy Britannia. And it didn't surprise him that he had little difficulty finding so many of them. And if they really were anything like him, he would have no difficulty persuading them to join him.

"And I am going to give you the chance to get it."

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Viceroy's Palace; 2013 ATB

Clovis had come to a decision.

It had been a rather difficult one to make, and a very stressful one at that. He knew without a doubt that the empire was in danger, from its own emperor. But the reason for his piercing headache had not been coming to that conclusion, but deciding what had to be done about it. It was very easy to simply say the emperor had to be removed. As treasonous as it was, he knew he was far from the first person to utter that. The Elevens, and every other number populace were in agreement that it was true. And he was sure there were numerous Britannians who fell victim to his father's ideology.

People like Nunnally.

He had always thought himself above his people, and above the numbers that he ruled. He almost went so far as to call them inhuman. Almost. But now he came to the harsh reality that his status was shockingly close to them when compared to Clovis and his father. It was almost like comparing himself to God. Yes, the emperor did like to play God didn't he? Everything below him was nothing. Trivial, meaningless. In his father's eyes Clovis was no different from the Eleven's, the Japanese. So why should Clovis separate himself from them?

He had always tried to stay away from the complications of court, and away from the crossfire that was the battle for the throne. Because the day Schneizel was born, and a second being was given claim to Britannia, there had been a war for that throne. And Clovis genuinely didn't care to take part. He was happy for his position life. Privileged, and carefree as a prince. He took interest in the arts, in music and theatre.

That all changed with Marianne's death. And with Nunnally's.

And now he realized that his privileged life was really nothing at all. Because even those in a position like his were defenseless against the emperor of Britannia. And through all that the man didn't give a damn about anything. Maybe Clovis really didn't care about the numbers at all; but he suddenly shared a deep sympathy with them. And maybe he was only looking to protect himself, but he suddenly found that the whole of Britannia was in danger.

Because even if Clovis only became concerned because he was now in danger, it didn't change the fact that he now cared for the people he once felt above. He was really no different from them. His problems were the same as there's in reality.

They all shared the same problem. They all lived in fear of the emperor of Britannia.

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Ashford Family Mansion; 2013 ATB

Ruben had done his best to act surprised when a flustered attendant told him about the Sakuradite vein. He of course knew about it already, that was why they were in Kawagoe. But the ones who were actually doing the reconstitution obviously did not. And it was a excitedly frantic chain of individual who got that news directly to him. He promptly contacted Lelouch, and informed him that the Sakuradite vein was located, and that was that. The tunneling team had already spent a few weeks beginning to start the mining process away from where the construction crew would have found the vein, and there honestly was nothing he needed to do, save announce to the world that Ashford now owned their own supply of Sakuradite.

He chuckled a little to himself. Sometimes it really did feel like God was on their side. Because though Lelouch claimed his ultimate goal was revenge and destruction, Ruben saw, or at least hoped, that the boy who had experienced so much pain would be able to heal the wounds his father had left on the entire world. Of course, that was a matter for another day.

He looked down at the various papers spread across the desk in Lelouch's office. Ruben thought it odd that a thirteen year old had his own office, even after everything else the boy had done; but regardless it still saw heavy use either way. Lelouch was currently writing numbers and typing them in a calculator then writing them down again. Ruben took a closer look at them, noting the equations Lelouch was using, and the ones he wasn't.

"We have people that can do this for you." He told the boy.

Lelouch glanced at him, still maintaining a solid pace at his work. But then he suddenly stopped, growing at the half written number. Ruben took the pencil from him and finished the equation. Then stood above him in silver a moment, his brow furrowed in thought. "What was the last grade you completed?" He asked.

Lelouch looked at him, confused. "Grade?" He repeated.

"In school. when were you last attending school?"

The boy frowned a moment before he realized why Ruben was asking. "I don't need to finish schooling, nor do I even have the time to." He protested.

"Clearly." Ruben replied dryly.

"You can't actually expect me to devote seven hours a day to meaningless science classes and propaganda called 'history?'" Lelouch argued, very clearly opposed to the idea. "I have a business to run and a coup to plan. There's no room for school drama."

Instead of responding to Lelouch, Ruben paced around the boy's desk, looming thoughtful. Lelouch watched him a moment before getting annoyed. "What?" He demanded.

"It was always a dream of mine." The old man mused. "To open up a school."

Lelouch raised an eyebrow.

"Perhaps I would have done that, had you not called me three years ago." Ruben glanced at Lelouch, noting his expression. He obviously saw what Ruben was implying, but wasn't impressed.

"Can we even afford to construct a school? Especially one that won't be a good financial investment."

"Ah, but the benefits aren't money, Lelouch." Ruben chastised with a cracked smile.

"If you want me to go to school that bad you don't need to build one." He complained.

"Ashford Academy. A school where both Elevens and Britannians are accepted. The best and the brightest in all Area Eleven. Your peers, Lelouch." Ruben, explained. Lelouch gave him a look that said go on. "The top graduates could be offered positions at Ashford Enterprises. And, if you decide to invest time there..." He leaned over the desk, ready to deliver his punchline. "You can seek out and recruit individuals best suited for our other line of work."

Lelouch sat a while in contemplation. Though he certainly had no real desire to focus on school work, he didn't necessarily have to devote his whole attention on it to excel. He already knew that much. And it was true that he could use trustworthy allies who were competent and useful. And this could be the way to do it. And a school that didn't segregate numbers would only further paint Ashford in the light Lelouch desired.

He clasped his hands in front of his face. "Ashford Academy, huh?"

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Narita Mountains; 2013 ATB

The conference room had never been more full before.

Every high ranking officer present in Narita had been called to the meeting taking place, along with the members of Kyoto themselves. It was because of their presence that the meeting was so important. The connection between Ashford and the two groups gathered would hopefully be cemented in Lelouch's favor. All that remained was for the others to play their parts.

Katase had called Kyoto to meet with him in Narita, and Lelouch was able to persuade Kirihara of the necessity of such a meeting to further the plan to revive Japan the older man was given the opportunity to know. Kirihara had then mustered Kyoto to show themselves to Katase and the others at Narita. While their identities were supposed to be secretive, the six houses were only vaguely disguised from Narita in the first place, and little convincing was needed given the gravity of the situation.

"Have the six houses come to a decision?" Katase asked. The five men, and one little girl, sat across from him, divided from the Narita members, with Lelouch sitting between on the side. He represented Ashford, and technically had no need to be present in the dealings between Kyoto and Narita; but that really wasn't true. Lelouch created the meeting for his purposes, under this guise.

"We are in agreement that you have the right to Japan's former strength. You are the remains of our military, and you carry with you the hopes of the people because of it." Kirihara spoke for Kyoto. "However, you have yet to do anything to carry on that hope."

Katase remained stone faced, while many of his allies-Kusakabe especially-sneered at that.

"Narita has remained silent for the past three years since Japan fell to Britannia. The responsibility you carry has been neglected, and Kyoto cannot support you if you continue in your negligence of this duty." Kirihara stole a glance to the blonde boy to his side. "But we also acknowledge the plan put in place by Lelouch vi Britannia. His actions during the war have allowed us to carry on with more strength then we otherwise would have been left with. Even if others disagree with this remark."

This time he glanced across the room at various faces among the crowd. Kusakabe of course, and even among Kyoto he knew Osakabe was the most vocal. "And the power that he has created had proven invaluable. Ashford Enterprises is a force nearly unrivaled by anything in Britannia save the crown itself. And Lelouch had chosen to use that power to restore the people and their lives from within Britannia's rule. It is clear to us that he has the interests of the people in mind. And for that, Kyoto has decided to divert it's support to Ashford."

The announcement left the room in shock. The houses of Kyoto had already been aware, having made the decision before hand; but not even Todoh or Katase had known Kyoto had come to that conclusion.

"How could you trust Japan to a Britannian?!" Kusakabe shouted angrily. Katase quickly rose a hand to silence him, ashamed for the Lieutenant Colonel's outburst.

"Because I keep the interests of Japan close to my heart." Lelouch spoke up, with a mischievous smirk on his face. Kyoto and the Narita members turned to the previously silent exile. Those who knew him most knew the statement wasn't really true, and not a whole lot of others believed it either. but nobody questioned it either way.

"While some of you wanted to use my business to begin another war that would displace the citizens that are just starting to tet ahold if their lives; I turned them into a profit that was returned to them." Lelouch spoke accusingly, eyes cast at no one in particular. "I've tried desperately to aid the common people in rebuilding what they lost. And I have strived to repair Japan to be capable of standing on its own."

His eyes narrowed, and his aura seemed to darken the room. "For when it stands free of Britannia's tyranny."

Lelouch let that sink in, then continued to speak. "We may not be ready to wage war against Britannia, but Kirihara is correct in saying it is not right to stand idle and watch the people suffer." He put on a convincing pained face, and for a moment, everyone felt the emotion he was conveying. "So now is when we will move to a new phase in the plan."

Katase raised an eyebrow. He, like most, was unaware of the inner workings of Lelouch's mind. And it seemed to everyone that he was the only one to really know every detail of his plan. It wasn't shared with anyone. And unfortunately, none of them were in much of a position to argue that.

"Rumors will spread of a mysterious group that watches the streets." Lelouch began explaining. "A group that does not strike against its foes, but defends the people."

Kirihara nodded, because he actually had been made aware of Lelouch's idea. Which was mostly why he was giving Kyoto to him. Because Lelouch would need their's, and Narita's help.

"We will watch from the shadows, protecting those who are wronged, and defending the weak who are preyed upon. Always staying out of the light, and always staying out of Britannia's reach."

This stage would provide two essential aspects. One, is another way to aid the people's recovery. A vigilante group could protect economic growth unhindered by laws Ashford would have a hard time getting around. And second, was to spread rumors. Because a nonaggressive group wasn't as important, or dangerous; yet still warranted interest. Interest that would be directed away from Ashford while it borrowed underground. Because it wasn't Narita Lelouch cared about. After all, Ashford was becoming far more interesting.

"Knights who strike from the shadows." He finished.

The term knight sounded so Britannian. Lelouch enjoyed watching the discomfort on Kusakabe's face. He knew exactly what the man wanted to say. 'It should be Samurai.' Chess and Shogi. But one has far more meaning then the other.

Besides, 'Black Knights', sounds much cooler than Black Samurai. And Lelouch was still a kid after all.

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Pendragon; 2013 ATB

November was colder than it used to be.

He used to enjoy the brisk air, and always hoped that he could see snow before his Birthday. He once believed that if it snowed, he would have a year full of happiness. That was something his mother once said.

It snowed that year.

The year everything fell apart.

He gently reached out, his hand tentatively extended toward the stone. A white flake fell on to his hand, and he left it there, unmoved. His eyes read the word ms written there time and time again for what felt like ages. A gentle white coat began to settle on his jacket, his blonde hair turning to snow.

Nunnally vi Britannia; Oct 25, 2002 - Nov 13, 2010.

Beside it was another. It's writing just as familiar as the one in front of him. Because even though this was the first time he could bring himself to come here he could never ever forget the words written here. The day his world shattered, and the day the pieces were engulfed in flame.

November was cold, but the fire inside him raged brightly.

"Nunna." He whispered.

Memories flooded his mind. Everything he had lost suddenly returned to him, but only in his head. Yet somehow, he was unable to cry. He had pushed away these feelings for three years, forcing himself to move on. He had a goal, and a reason to live. That reason was to avenge the ones resting before him.

He sunk to his knees, his hands resting upon them. He looked at the stones, at the memories of the ones he once loved, and hardened his face into one of steely resolve.

"Father had made a world without imperfection." He spoke to them. "All things he deems unfit are to be cast aside. Things like you."

He repressed the grimace at his own words, and clenched his fists tightly. "Yet I remain."

He didn't speak for a long time, yet the tears still wouldn't come. "I will change this world. I vow to you that I will. So I ask of you to make me strong. Give to me all your hate, all your malice. So that I will be able to do what is necessary, and I will give to you my love and joy. Let me shoulder your pain and your sorrow, and I will give to you my joy. Take from me my weakness, my compassion our father has declared an imperfection."

He stood, his face cold and resolute. "Give to me the will to kill Charles zi Britannia."

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We're getting closer to the end of the prologue phase. Then we can finally get out of the time skip segments. But this is all necessary to set all the changes from canon. And there have been a lot.

And to all who asked, Kallen will debut next chapter. :P