Throne of Glass
I always love when someone asks for a quick update the day I already planned to do so. You know who you are ;P
Chapter 8: A Queen and a Witch
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Ichikawa Ghetto; 2015 ATB
Nozomi Amano thought herself a considerably lucky individual. Life as an eleven was hard at best, almost unbearable at worst. The Japanese people were collectively forced out of the Britannian settlements, and practically every one of them were made to live in the decrepit ghettos that made up virtually all of area eleven still left. Rubble littered the remains of cities, and once great structures looked as if the war was only yesterday. Britannia did nothing's to revitalize the cities they reduced to ruin, and ignored the state they left its people.
Except one particular group.
Ichikawa was the third city to be brought into the fold of the highly esteemed Ashford Enterprises. While the city was no where near restored to its old glory; it was definitely making progress. And for almost a year now, Nozomi was able to live in a proper apartment instead of a crumbled room that threatened to flatten her almost every night.
Ashford was actually gracious toward the eleven populace, and worked hard to accommodate the growing numbers of elevens flocking to the restoration zones. All the mega corporation asked was for their participation in an extensive list of businesses the Ashfords likely owned. They were creating their own little community, here in the the ghettos. Ashford protected them, and the viceroy didn't look twice so long as they paid taxes.
Even the viceroy had begun to let up on the harsh laws pressing down on elevens. While they weren't necessarily equal to Britannian citizens, they weren't treated as second rate human beings. At least by the law. Some Britannians took it into their own hands to insure the elevens remembered their proper place in society. And much to her dismay, Nozomi found that they had chosen her to flaunt their authority.
"What do we have here?" She heard a Britannian voice from the shadows. There were few Britannians who ventured out into the restoration zones, and almost every one of them had a recognizable voice. This one did not, and that terrified her.
Nozomi frantically looked around her, quickly discovering that she had been surrounded without realizing it. She was backed against the door of where she came, the building where she worked. The though of running inside crossed her mind, but the four Britannian thugs were already close enough to stop her from opening the door and locking it behind her.
"What do you got there?" The closest man reached for her bag. She tried to keep it from him, but it was hardly possible for her to do so.
The man grinned as he went through her bag. Nozomi had been carrying several thousand pounds from the store to the bank. There were no armored cars or police escorts like the Britannians had out here, and she had to do it herself. Which meant all it took was a simple stakeout to find exactly when she routinely did just that. These men appeared to have done so.
Even still, he didn't stop there. "You elevens owe us quite a lot you know." His buddies continued to close in on her, leaving her no room to flee or even move. "I-I don't have anything else!" She pleaded in her broken English. The Britannian simply smirked at her, his smug expression shared by his companions. "Well that just won't do."
He got uncomfortably close to her, his foul breath fogging up her vision. "Though there are other ways for you to repay us."
She recoiled from his touch, her back pressed against the door of her store. She had nowhere to go, no place to run. His hands went for her jacket, and she screamed.
"There's nobody here to save you." One of the others spoke maliciously. Her eyes darted around the street wide with fear. And it quickly came to her that he was right. Nozomi desperately fought against the intrusive man, finding herself easily overpowered. Tears escaped her eyes when she felt a second man reach for her belt.
"Don't worry." He spoke in her ear. "We'll take really good care of-" he didn't finish. Nozomi flinched when the loud smack of the man's head cracked the glass window. He crumbled silently, and the other two watched dumbfounded. A shadowy figure moved swiftly from where it had landed a kick to the downed man. It's next target reacting far too slowly to stop the hand that caught his throat. He was taken harshly to the ground, the wind knocked out of him before a punch quickly followed up to his face, rendering him unconscious.
The third man, who had been the one to first take Nozomi's bag, had readied himself into a low stance. He had enough time watching his friends being dispatched to take his own offensive. "You son of a bitch!" He yelled, throwing his weight into a punch directed at the figure hunched over the fallen Britannian.
The black-clad figure moved out of the way with inhuman speed, planting his elbow into the man's back as he passed. He stumbled forward, trying not to fall as he clenched his teeth in pain. The figure had hit him with force enough to break a rib or two, and it would have been his spine with better positioning.
But before he could recover, the Britannian man suddenly found himself flung into the air, a foot shaped mark on his chest. He hit the street hard; out cold.
The shadowy figure stood silently over the three unconscious men, and Nozomi watched him with her mouth open in awe. She was able to briefly get a look at the jet black body armor he wore, complete with a sinister helmet that masked his identity. She saw the mark upon his shoulder, the one that had quickly spread across Japan's ghettos.
"Thank you." She whispered. The man turned his head in acknowledgment before disappearing into the shadows.
She smiled, her tears still flowing. It was more than relieving to know someone was watching out for them. Protecting them.
Japan's guardians known as the Black Knights.
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Ashford Academy; 2015 ATB
Ashford academy was a unique school, to say the least. The mere fact that it was a school constructed in the name of an international enterprise specializing in weapons development was strange enough. And like everything the Ashford's did, their school harbored an unorthodox way of handling the Eleven populace. Ashford Academy was the only school that accepted both Britannians and Elevens equally. Though it wasn't alone in its endeavor to educate the subjugated masses of Japan, it was certainly doing a far better job then the hovels out in the ghettos.
That aside, the school seemed to have taken on a personality of its own thanks to its 'royaly'. The two Ashfords who held the school's presidency had a heavy influence on the aura surrounding the students. Milly Ashford having ruled over the students with a nearly tyrannical host of events ranging from bizarre to absolutely absurd. Despite the odd form of entertainment, it did wonders to assimilate the two groups of people who were so far apart in society. It was the academy's primary objective to further mend the rift between Britannia and Japan as best as it could while still under the emperor's thumb. And Ashford Academy was just another way to achieve that. Except of course it served another purpose.
Lelouch strode through the halls of the academy as he did every day now. He waved to practically everyone he passed, knowing each one of them by name. At Ashford Academy, Allen Ashford was nothing short of a celebrity. The young man oozed confidence and charm like he was made of it. He put to use every bit of cultivated Royal charisma at his disposal, and had all but assumed control of the student's hearts. It was an incredibly simple task for him, compared to the other dealings he managed. Lelouch was born to be in the spotlight, and this was his stage. For now. But is was good practice nonetheless.
Lelouch's phone rung from within his pocket, and he answered it after finding a more private corner of the commons. There were few who would call him on this phone, and none whose conversations should be overheard by anyone else.
"Suzaku." Lelouch greeted, seeing the caller ID. "What's up?"
"Hey, I just had something I wanted to run by you." Suzaku answered. "Our operatives in and around Kawagoe have noticed an increase in OSI operatives lately. A couple of our guys even had some pretty close calls over there. We've been deliberately leaving clues for the local police force to catch on to, but it seems they took us a little more seriously than we anticipated."
Lelouch cocked his head, a motion Suzaku couldn't see. "The Office of Secret Intelligence huh?" He mused. "It's hardly the most concerning thing in the world. What I would be running around about is if the emperor sent one of his own Knights to check on it. Though I doubt he cares that much."
Lelouch heard a snort from the other end, Suzaku shared a great deal of his opinions, that being one of the most prevalent. "Even still, I'd much rather not allow the OSI to find more than just rumors." Lelouch continued. "We need to keep an air of secrecy surrounding our operations for now. The Black Knights should remain nothing more than a vigilante group. Divert our more skilled units to OSI hotzones. If we can stay just out of reach long enough, we might be able to use their desperation as a trap."
"I'd hope we can play that game for long enough." Suzaku replied. "The OSI can get particularly nasty Lelouch. Remember what happened in thirteen?"
Lelouch let out a low growl. Though it wasn't official, there were underground rumors that the OSI had virtually razed resistance and the people aiding them in area thirteen. The thirteens had tried to play a similar game, though for simpler reasons. The OSI got tired of it and collapsed their system from the inside out. It would take serious planning to stay out of their grasp and away from their wrath.
"Once the OSI gets too much for our current tactics we can switch to an offensive to offset their strategy. This shadow game is crucial to building our credibility beforehand. It's important that we play this right."
"I know." Suzaku said reassuringly. "I'll keep a close eye on them for now. You just handle what you've got going on there."
Lelouch breathed a sigh of relief. "You got it. I'm counting on you."
"Right."
Lelouch hung up the phone, pocketing it before resuming his trek through the school grounds. He needed more reliable personal like Suzaku. Though he doubted he could find anyone more loyal and trustworthy than his friend. Their relationship was built on such a unique and all together crazy set of circumstances. Suzaku proved his worth more so already and Lelouch actually decided he could open up to him. Sure he acted friendly and extroverted here at the academy, but he was only acting. Because even though Ashford Academy had tried to attract more open minded individuals, the prestige its name carried still brought it the kind of people that made his blood boil. Nevertheless he put on a smile and gave words of friendship. Allen Ashford was everyone's friend, but that didn't mean Lelouch vi Britannia had to be. Lelouch's only real friend was Suzaku Kururugi. And in the first few months he had known the Japanese youth, he never would have believed that, even if it came out of his own mouth.
He came to a stop in one of the several gyms scattered throughout the school grounds. It was here that he would find his current target of interest. There were always several people that would catch Lelouch's eye. Whether it be a particular skill set he desired, or a past experience he could use to his advantage, Lelouch meticulously combed Ashford's student body for potential recruits for the Black Knights. And Ivan Rossen was one he took a special interest in. The few weeks he spent researching Ivan told him he would make an excellent combat operative. And Lelouch already knew recruitment would be a simple matter.
The larger teen sat alone on the benches set against one wall of the gym. He had a somewhat melancholy look on his face that was almost always present. He never bothered to tell any of the few people he associated with why he constantly looked so depressed, and Lelouch had to take the time to find it himself.
And what he found was a goldmine.
"Ivan." He called to the lone teen. He looked up, surprised to see Lelouch.
"Allen." He answered; standing up to meet the wiry blonde who approached him. "What can I do for you?"
"I had something I needed some help with, if you could." Lelouch effortlessly lied. "I just happened to find you here, so I figured you would do just fine."
Ivan raised an eyebrow. It wasn't that he didn't believe him, it was simply odd that Allen would ask him for help. Ivan was after all a rather quiet person. "Sure, I guess. What do you need help with?" He asked.
Lelouch, turned away, beckoning him to follow. "I'll show you, it's pretty close."
"Okay."
Lelouch lead Ivan to a room across the hall from the gym they were in, a room that he had brought several people to before under similar pretenses. Ivan wasn't the first, and certainly wouldn't be the last.
"It's right in here." Lelouch said, opening the door to a dark, almost empty room. He turned on the lights, leading Ivan inside. Once Lelouch walked in he closed the door behind him, insuring it was locked for their privacy. Ivan looked at him questioningly without saying anything.
"It's a delicate matter." Lelouch answered truthfully. It certainly was a conversation that shouldn't be overheard.
Ivan nodded, looking around the oddly empty room. "So..." He began, feeling that something was wrong here. "What are we doing here?"
Lelouch gave the bigger teen a disarming smile, that despite the tension, still seemed to achieve its desires result. "My apologies for my deceptive nature but it was required in order to have this conversation."
Ivan frowned. "What conversation?"
"I want you to be part of something Ivan. Something I've been building for a long time." Lelouch explained, leaning against the wall for a strangely casual appearance. "I hope you won't take this the wrong way, but I've studied you extensively, and I know...you'll be perfect."
"You're being too cryptic." Ivan glared at him.
Lelouch simply held his casual mask in response. "Do you know the primary goal Ashford Academy hopes to achieve?" He asked.
Ivan shrugged. "I guess it's to unify elevens and Britannians." He answered. "I don't know why, but your family's other projects seem to be that way too."
Lelouch nodded. "Yes, that would be one of our goals. But when my father suggested to construct a school, he proposed a much different incentive."
Ivan shook his head. "I don't even know what this has to do with me."
"Oh, it has everything to do with you." Lelouch answered quickly, with an almost reassuring tone. "Right now. In fact."
In an instant Ivan felt a chill run down his spine. The air felt cold and hostile in a very ominous way. And it came from Allen's predatory smile.
"Ashford Academy was built as a recruitment center, for people like you." Allen looked at him, his eyes something he had never seen before on the young Vice President. Or on anyone, for that matter. "For recruiting members of the Black Knights."
The punchline hit him like a punch to the gut. Of course Ivan had heard of the Black Knights. Who hadn't? A mysterious organization enshrouded in rumors and theories. A force for good among the common people of Area Eleven. A group that had absolutely no official information. And here this kid was claiming that Ashford was working with them?! "What the hell are you talking about?"
Allen shook his head gradually, the smile never leaving his face. "Don't think I assumed you would believe me straight away, Ivan. Like I said, I studied you extensively." He held up a hand, a single finger raised. "Like how you spent the majority of your childhood in Japan before its annexation into the Britannian empire. Your family traveled a great deal but you always ended up staying here, is that right?"
Ivan stood momentarily in shock. But it quickly dawned on him that he could have easily obtained that information from the schools student database. He was the adopted son of the founder after all. "So what?" He decided to challenge.
"You may be a secluded person here at school but you do care for people don't you? Particular people, to be specific. I hate to name names, but does Nozomi Amano sound familiar?"
In a split second his skepticism turned to both fear and rage. "Just what are you trying to imply?" He growled threateningly.
Lelouch chuckled with a grin. "Don't misunderstand me Ivan. In not trying to blackmail you or anything. I'm merely helping you understand why I came to you now." He explained. Ivan backed off a little, but still watched the blonde suspiciously. "You care for Japanese people, one way or another. Unlike so many of our kind you see them as people, rather than numbers. Am I wrong?"
Allen looked at him expectantly, and Ivan reluctantly answered. "No. You're not." But then he suddenly realized something. "You called them Japanese." He stated.
Lelouch simply nodded. "Of course. I didn't form the Black Knights because I wanted to help a second hand species. I share your feelings, for very much the same reasons." Lelouch confessed. A sense of familiarity did wonders to create the kind of bond he was looking for. He found that saying the right things could get anyone to do anything. Some people just took a little more words than others. "The Black Knights exist to help everyone in Area Eleven. You can be part of that, you can help us create a safe place for each person who chooses to live in harmony. Britannian, and Eleven."
Ivan had practically forgotten his earlier suspicion. Nozomi had told him yesterday that a Black Knight saved her in from some pretty nasty Britannians. At first he kicked himself for not being able to do it himself, and then came to thank whoever the enigmatic organization who watched over his lover when he could not. But now he was being told that he could? "Your saying you want me to join the Black Knights?" He asked disbelievingly.
"Exactly!" Allen burst out. "You are one of the few people who understands, and sees people as they truly are. You can make a difference, Ivan Rossen." Yes, tell someone they are capable of changing the world enough times and eventually they think they can. He knew that well, almost too well. But that never stopped him.
"Nozomi." Ivan whispered. It was almost too good to be true. He admitted that he had once thought of trying to join the Black Knights, if only for a fleeting moment. But seeing as it was offered to him, all it took was reaching out. He had for whatever reason, decided that Allen was not lying about this offer. As absurd as it would have sounded coming from anyone else, he knew Allen was telling the truth. He could make a difference, no matter how small.
"When do I start?"
Lelouch gave a feral grin. He had been leaning against the wall up until now because he didn't even have to move to use a keypad on a cabinet beside him. A well hidden door way suddenly opened up, revealing an elevator that would descend below the school's facilities. Lelouch laughed at Ivan's surprised expression. "What? You thought we wouldn't utilize this school for all its worth?" He asked lightheartedly. "Someone will help you get aquatinted once your down there, and you can get an understanding of how we operate."
Lelouch gestured inside the elevator, guiding him inside. Ivan hesitantly entered the hidden space, which Lelouch didn't follow. "I'll find an excuse for your absence next period." Lelouch informed him seriously. He left for the exit to the room as the elavator doors began to close. "Feel free to take as long as you like."
Lelouch instantly replaced his friendly mask once he was outside of the room again. Inwardly however, the victorious smile was still in place.
How simple. He thought. Ivan was probably the easiest one yet. Or maybe I'm just getting better.
He strode down the hallway triumphantly. He hadn't even spent half his lunch period talking with Ivan. And various students were still eating in the smaller common areas scattered through the grounds.
He stopped suddenly. Ahead of him was something he had not expected to see for quite some time. A small smirk creeped into his face. Today is my day.
He quickly closed the gap between himself and the person he was looking at. She turned when she noticed him, her docile face showing faint signs of recognition. He had spoken once a long time ago, before she left school. But everyone knew who he was anyway. That's how it was supposed to be.
"Kallen." He called to her. "It's good to see you back."
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Tokyo Settlement Government Building; 2015 ATB
Prince Clovis watched the skies over the Tokyo Settlement with hard eyes. He had been in a rough spot lately, and had a hard time deciding what he was supposed to do. He envied Ashford; with every little thing they were so openly able to do. The noble family was so high up the shit list that there wasn't anything they could do to surprise Britannia's court. They would have been socially exiled if it wasn't for the unparalleled service they provided that the nobles so desperately desired. Clovis didn't have that luxury. He couldn't just go out and build equal housing for the elevens. If he did, Area Eleven's nobility would ostracize him in a heartbeat. He had to save face if he was to maintain his position of power among Britannia's elite. Not that he wasn't constantly seeking a way to help, there was just little he could do in his position.
He still faced inner turmoil when he thought of openly defying everything he was raised to believe. The Clovis of now was screaming at him to do something, to avenge the family he lost. He was pointing to the emperor who caused the world so much agony. Clovis was no longer blind to the reality of his empire. He knew what would inevitably befall his home with Charles zi Britannia at the helm. He grit his teeth at the thought; because the old Clovis kept shouting at him to stop. He told him that there was nothing to worry about. The emperor had so thoroughly beat in to him a sense of invincibility, both of himself and of his empire.
But nothing he saw enforced that truth.
Marianne, Nunnally; and Lelouch, wherever he was. He knew it was well as Clovis did, and he couldn't help but think his genius of a brother would have known the perfect way for Clovis to proceed. Sometimes he cursed his own incompetence. Sometimes he wished it was Lelouch given control of Area Eleven, because he knew his younger brother would have done so much better than he.
But that wasn't the case. And here he was.
"My Lord!"
He idly turned, completely unfazed by Bartley's constantly urgent need of attention. "What is it Bartley?" He asked, sounding annoyed.
"The guards found a woman attempting to break into the government building, we intercepted her immediately and silenced her." The portly man rapidly explained.
"Why are you telling me this?" Clovis asked frustrated.
"Because she well..." Bartley shifted slightly, obviously uncomfortable to say it. "She isn't dead."
Clovis raised an eyebrow. "What are you saying?"
"She was shot in the head milord, and she is completely unharmed."
Clovis narrowed his eyes. What the hell was he talking about? What Bartley was saying was nothing short of impossible. He took in a breath, preparing himself for whatever the man had found. "Bring her to me."
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Lelouch walked casually with a young redhead in tow. She followed meekly, her appearance heavily contrasting his own. He had to admit, she was quite a good actor; certainly worthy of his praise. But like everyone else, nothing of the students was hidden from him. Kallen Kouzuki was no different then anyone else. Well, not quite. She was of particular interest not like anyone else before her. So much so that he was wiling to spend a little more time luring her in. If she wouldn't keep running off that is.
"So have you been doing well, Kallen?" He asked, sparing a glance her way. His eyes met her's, and she quickly looked away. "I had some problems with my health." She answered weakly. "I had to go to the hospital a while."
Lelouch nodded, but inwardly he laughed. He wasn't aware there were any hospitals in Shinjuku.
"But I'm surprised you remember." Kallen continued. "I've been gone a long time. And I think I only talked to you once."
Lelouch gave her his now trademark smile among the female students. "I suppose I have a good memory. And you did leave quite an impression."
Kallen gave a look of surprise. "I...I did?"
"I've never seen hair quite like yours." He answered, making her blush, whether she wanted to or not. That was just the kind of affect he had on people.
"But I'm glad your back, of only for a while."
She figured to walk beside him, the bell signaling classes would soon begin. "But you know, I did have something I wanted to ask you."
Kallen looked at the blonde Vice President. "What?"
"The school requires that everyone needs to be a member of at least one club. And well, the student council is missing a secretary. It's a bit of a hard job, but it doesn't require much physical activity, so I figured you might be interested."
Kallen frowned a little bit. She didn't necessarily want to be tied down in a club or anything, that wasn't very appealing.
"Or if you want, I can let the female seduction club find you." He idly pointed to where a girl was very creepily looked over a corner, directly at her. Kallen shuddered, suddenly a lot more interested in the student council. Though she couldn't help but feel blackmailed into it somehow.
"Well, it might not be too bad." Kallen admitted.
"No, it's really not. So long as you can withstand my niece." He grinned. "Though I do love calling her that. Gives me a sense of seniority."
Kallen frowned, thinking a moment as to who he was referring to. "You mean Milly?" She realized. "What's wrong with her?"
Allen chuckled a bit. "You were never here for one of her school events were you?"
Kallen shook her head. "No, why is that important?"
"You'll see. Probably pretty soon."
He loved his dear niece for her ability to make virtually anything entertaining. But hated it all the same. He laughed at the thought. "Maybe a little too soon."
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Clovis was staring right in the face of a green haired woman who looked like she was in the most uninteresting place in the world. She had on her forehead an usual bird-like symbol dyed a blood red color. She continued to look at him in silence, her Amber eyes glazed with boredom that Clovis.
"Who are you?" He demanded of the mysterious woman.
"You're Clovis la Britannia correct?" The woman chose to ask, rather am than answer his question.
"Answer me woman." Clovis threatened, adding whatever menace he could to use tone.
The woman simply scoffed at him, earning a flare from Bartley. "If you must know, I am called C.C."
Clovis growled at her. "Do I need to repeat myself?"
"Not at all." C.C. replied dryly. "That is my name."
"Answer his highness or-" Bartley began to shout at the woman, and Clovis raised a hand to shut him up; which he did promptly.
"Fine, if that's what you wish to be called, so be it. However, I will not accept frivolous answers as to what you are doing in the government building. And why I have been told you survived a gunshot to the head." Clovis spoke with every ounce of authority he had, had much his his unending frustration, did absolutely nothing to her at all.
"In a word, I have escaped from someone I would call...a common enemy." C.C. explained cryptically. "Someone who wants to find me. And I don't want to be found."
Clovis narrowed his eyes. "Who?"
"Your father, I suppose." C.C. said without any sort of emotion.
Clovis did not speak for a moment, before moving his eyes to Bartley and the several guards beside him. "Leave us." He ordered them.
"But your highness-" Bartley tried to protest.
"I will not ask again." Clovis insisted. And unlike that woman, he was fully susceptible to his command min tone.
"Yes, my lord." Bartley relented defeatedly.
Clovis waited for the others to leave, continuing to watch the dull amber eyes that stared back so blankly. "What does my father want with you?"
"That would take far too long to explain, and I don't want to." She answered, earning a twitch from the prince. "That, and it's something you are likely incapable of comprehending. All that I need you to know, is that it would do Charles a great inconvenience to be made unaware of my whereabouts."
"And so you came to me why?" Clovis once again asked.
"Because you despise the emperor."
In an instant, the dull amber became piercing, sharp and foreboding. Clovis felt as though there was not a thing in the world that could hide him from those eyes. Like they food already see through him in his entirety.
"Do you want me to hide you simply in the pretense that it would disservice my father?" Clovis more criticized than confirmed.
"Yes, that would be it." She chided, as if stating the obvious.
Clovis scoffed. "You would seem to be a rather distasteful individual. A few years ago I doubt that the old me would think for a second to help you." Clovis admitted. "Consider yourself lucky I'm a changed man, C.C."
C.C. gave a knowing smirk. Yes, you have changed considerably Clovis. That's how I know I can trust you for the time being. While I wait for my next contractor to be ready.
This time, I know without a doubt.
Lelouch vi Britannia will be the one to end my life.
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