Chapter 6: Battle of Narita

It was nighttime at Ashford Academy as C.C was at the swimming pool with a school swimsuit, on top of the high dive and dived into the pool. Lelouch sitting on a chair at the side of the pool looking at the laptop. Currently going down his list of people wanting to join the Black Knights, as he scrolled down to see an image of Diethard Reid.

"A Britannian?" he said, surprised. "A rather public man, and too confident to be a spy. An extremist? Or perhaps anti-imperialist."

"Isn't it wonderful? How the number of recruits keep growing." C.C said while floating in the pool. "How nice that there are many trying to enlist."

"It's easier than expected and also simpler." Lelouch said. "While the vast majority of Eleven despise Britannia, they also do not condone terrorism. They want to use justice. That's the prevailing view of most Elevens."

"Basically, most of Elevens support the Black Knights. I do wonder if you attempt to destroy certain resistance groups." C.C replied

"Only those who want to threaten and involve innocents." Lelouch explained. "That is what makes other believe in our cause. Before long, the remaining resistance cells will join our cause as well. Not to mention, I have Washington who has control of the largest PMCs he has in his disposal. In doing so, he has given us Fenrir team as a show of faith and trust."

"Hence the Knight of Justice act."

Lelouch grinned. "Well everyone loves a hero, and what better hero than a knight?"

Since the transaction of setting up the Black Knights in their initiation, Wash decided to help them on whatever was needed. Weapons, supplies, and as a plus: Fenrir team. After he geassed Carlito into finding out their true motive, Lelouch had gained insight of the mercenary team. He knows that Rai and Malik have a connection with each other due to their past, from the information Carlito had provided while he was under the affect of Geass at the time. Lelouch pondered about Alice, the girl that he, Nunnally, and Suzaku have known since their time in Kururugi Shrine together when they were young. When Britannia's invasion of Japan began, they were separated from Alice. Lelouch saved that thought for another time as the Kyoto group had offered the Black Knights some Knightmares including the Guren MkII.

In a warehouse somewhere in the bay, the new Black Knights were surprised as the lights came on and they saw new designed Knightmares.

"Wow, Sugoi!" said an amazed recruit

"These are Glasgows, right?" another asked

"Burais, a Japanse modification. There's even some of the Knightpolice Frames we got from that new benefactor."

"I've never seen these before."

"First time for everything. The Black Knights have some serious muscle now."

In a different part of the room, core members of the former Red Moon resistance now Black Knights were looking at different Knightmares. Three of which belong to Fenrir team, while they were two more that were entirely new.

"The Kyoto group believe in us. They sent in this." Sugiyama said

"Completely made Japanese Knightmares." Yoshida said, agreeing with Sugiyama

"Guren MkII." Kallen said in awe

"Did you check the user manuel on this thing?" Minami asked, staring at the Guren's arm. "It has a Nuclear Pulse Unit called a Radiation Wave Emitter."

"I'm really loving this." Tamaki said, grinning as he walked to one of the Knightmares in blue armor with a left RWE. "Finally got my own Knightmare."

"That's not yours." said a voice as they turned to see Yasuke and the rest of Fenrir team, before the team leader pointed his thumb at the masked Rai. "It's his." Yasuke declared

"He's right." Zero said, appearing before them. "The Gekka prototype belongs to the fourth member of Fenrir."

"Seriously? Him?!"

"Give it a rest, Tamaki." Inoue said. "Decision has already been made. If Zero says it belongs to them, then it belongs to them."

"Like the Guren, yours has that Radiant Wave Emitter but it's on the left arm instead of the right." Lobo whispered to Rai. "A custom-made hand gun and revolving blade to boot. It'll get you by due to it being 7th gen, Snowflake."

"That is seriously the worst nickname you ever gave me." Rai muttered in a modulated voice as Lobo chuckled under his breath

"What's so funny, huh?"

"Nothing, snowflake." Lobo said dismissively, as Rai was holding back a chuckle

"Yasuke." Zero said. "Care to introduce us to your team."

"That's Lobo." Yasuke pointing to the one in the wolf mask, before pointing to Alice wearing a white and red iron maiden mask. "Valkyrie." he then pointed at Rai wearing a blue and white mask. "And this is..."

"Archangel." he interjected, introducing himself

"So, whose got the red one?" Yasuke asked Zero. "Your best pilot?"

"Correct." Zero replied as he tossed the key to the Guren to Kallen who caught it. "Kallen, is our ace pilot. The Kyoto Group sent the Guren as a test. I can think of no one better to pilot the Guren."

Yasuke glanced at Kallen. "You've chosen well, then." he said, making Kallen slightly blush all of a sudden before turning away from Zero and the others. "So, what do you have planned for us?

"A little hiking this week on the Narita mounts."

"Sounds like this will be more than a hiking trip." Yasuke coyly replied. "What's the occasion?"

A few days later, the Black Knights were set up in base of the Narita Mountains. Rest of Fenrir team remain on standby from Zero as Malik, Alice, Carlito, and Rai had their masks off while inside their knightmares. But elsewhere, Cornelia and her forces were on the outskirts of Narita Mountain as they were on their way to terminate the Japan Liberation Front on their mobile base. They were planning their tactics to assault the fortress, with the company of the Knights of Two, Five, Nine, and Thirteen present. Even though this would keep Cornelia calm, the matter of the uprising still bothered her. Her brother Schneiezel did get things controlled in regard to the Middle Eastern Federation and EU based on the reports she read, Cornelia wanted to continue the operation on the JLF before leaving Area 11 to Euphemia.

"Thanks to the information that Lord Giovanni acquired, we have confirmation that the JLF headquarters is in this area." Darlton informed as the screen of metallic table displayed a map of Narita Mountain and their units. "We already have 4 battalions into seven units and hidden them in the vicinity. With your signal, Viceroy, we'll have them surrounded in one fell swoop and eliminate them."

"I agree." Nonette said, confidently. "We surround them at all sides and wipe them out. Problem solved."

"Are you confident that the enemy won't show up out the encirclement line?" Euphemia asked as Darlton and the other staff officers turned to her

"It is a possibility that the Black Knights could show up." John pointed out, stroking his chin

Cornelia spoke in wonder. "Zero?"

Nonette pat her on the shoulder. "No need to worry, Euphie. We'll have that taken care of."

"We will simultaneously block off roads and trails in the area." Darlton said, assuring. "And we also have the highways and mountain routes blocked as well."

"Along with the reserve units as our reinforcements." Cornelia added. "If Zero does show up, it will be the end of him, along with his Black Knights."

"C.C what are you doing here?"

"I said I would protect you, did I not?"

"You're acting like an overbearing parent wanting to watch over her child is more likely the case." Lelouch said, annoyed

"I've been wondering something about you, Lelouch. Why are you "you", Lelouch?"

"I have no time to discuss philosophy with you." Lelouch dismissively replied

"You changed your family surname to Lamperouge, but you kept Lelouch the name that was given to you at birth." C.C pondered, rather curiously. "How sentimental. You can't let go of the past."

"Well, C.C seems to swing into the extreme, doesn't it?" Lelouch said back. "It doesn't even seem to be a human name to begin with."

"Do you know why snow is white, Lelouch?" C.C asked, which leaves Lelouch with her question. "Because it's forgotten what color it's suppose to be."

"Zero?" a modulated voice shouted, catching the two's attention as Lelouch put his Zero mask to cover his identity. "Zero?" they turned to see Archangel, or in case Rai as deduced

"Ah, Archangel. What is it?"

"Just got word from one of Washington's informant that Cornelia is ready to make a move on the JLF." Rai informed as he noticed C.C, thankfully she couldn't see Rai's shocked expression

"So, Cornelia is about to begin her operation. In this case, we should regroup with the rest of the Black Knights and your team." Zero declared. "By the way, this is C.C. You can consider her a friend." he added, leaving to meet up with the others

C.C walked by with a glance at Archangel. "Nice to see you've chosen a path for yourself. One I would have chosen for you no doubt, Rai."

"You know who I am?" Rai asked, as C.C stopped for only a moment to glance at him

"Of course, I do." she replied

"I mean who I really am." Rai said, now staring at her under his mask. "Before I lost my memories."

"Save your questions for another time." C.C said leaving to catch up with Zero

'How do you know so much about me that I don't know about myself?' Rai thought to himself before following her and Zero

Outside the mobile base, Cornelia's forces began to prepare for the assault on the JLF. During this, Mariel made her way inside the A.S.E.E.C trailers to check the systems of her and Knights of the Round Knightmares while she heard the operation begin on her commlink. She checked John's Knightmare which consisted of being an upgraded version of the Lancelot called Lancelot Grail, loaded with the latest ordinance but Mariel believed the cape to be too much. A sister model of the Lancelot known as Lancelot Club which was fitted with the addition of a prototype weapon; Core luminous generator cones. Clara's Mark Nemo which Clara herself named Morgana was 6th generation. Using parts of the 4th generation Port-man added to the Lancelot model, Mariel's own Knightmare was a combination of the Portman and Lancelot call sign Guinevere armed with two mounted missiles, Jousting lance, and an assault rifle. The Guinevere was also amphibious, able to operate in both land and sea similar to the Portmans the Britannian Navy use.

"That is so like you. Nice to see you haven't changed a bit." Mariel turned to the direction of the voice, leaving her to shake her head once she realized who it was. "Doing your routine double checks to make sure the systems are optimal and at efficient capacity."

Mariel scoffed. "Nice to see you too, Lloyd."

"I see that you and your father have finished the Guinevere." Lloyd said, admiring the Knightmare displayed in front of him. "Although, the back mounted missile is a tad too much don't you think?"

"Like you, my father also loves to tinker with his masterpiece." Mariel eyed the Knightmare she helped created for her father. "This will be the first of many trials."

"There were times that Lenard liked to compensate." Lloyd turned to Mariel. "Speaking of which, should you and the other Knights be accompanying the Viceroy to battle?"

"Cornelia wanted us on standby at the moment, but to be ready if the situation escalates." Mariel replied, noticing an Eleven by the Lancelot. "Is that your Lancelot pilot over there?"

"He is indeed." he glanced at the Eleven pilot in question and waved. "Suzaku, care to introduce yourself?"

Suzaku saw in his sights, one of the Knights of the Round as he nearly tripped on the Lancelot. Mariel walked over to him, staring at him up and down quizzically to get an impression on Suzaku. He was a year younger given the fact she was eighteen, whereas Clara and another Knight of the Round were the youngest just by a few years. Mariel could see that Suzaku Kururugi had kind and compassionate within him through his eyes, but wondered why he would be part of the Britannian military given how Numbers are treated among the ranks.

"It is an honor, My Lord. Please forgive me for the lack of introduction on my part." he said, kneeling in respect

"There's no need for that, Warrant officer Kururugi." she assured. "Please, stand." Suzaku then stood in attention

"I wasn't expecting a Knight of the Round to be here."

"This was unannounced at my part. I heard from Lloyd that you're the pilot of the Lancelot. Scored with a high percentile through the simulations." Mariel folded her arms and smiled at Suzaku. "Rather impressive."

"Thank you. But if I may ask, how do you know Lloyd?"

"He and my father, Lenard Lubie have worked on Lancelot together before he worked on his other side project."

"Side project?"

"The Guinevere." said a voice in the distance, as they turned to see John along with Nonette and Clara approach them. "One of Lenard's finest achievements."

"Despite the slight overcompensation, of course." Lloyd remarked as Mariel simply scoffed at him

"Which is why we are fortunate that you're here." John complimented. "The man who created the Lancelot series Knightmares would no doubt see that his creations are top-of-the-line and ready for deployment."

"Oh!" the Knights of the Round turned to see Cecile do a quick bow. "My lords. Forgive me, I didn't expect-"

John touched Cecile's hand and brought her up from kneeling. "That isn't necessary, Miss Croomy." he said. "Your assistance with the Lancelot is beneficial to the Empire. And a lovely sight as ever." he added kissing her hand as she blushed, with Mariel and Clara rolling their eyes

"Always a charmer that one." Nonette joked. "The Lancelot Club is ready, yes?"

"Just finished up on the modifications." Lloyd replied. "Suzaku, make sure the Lancelot system's are nominal, would you?"

Suzaku nodded at Lloyd, before turning to the Knights of the Round. "My Lords and Ladies." he said, heading over to the Lancelot

"He's a dutiful one, isn't he?" Nonettte slightly teased

"He is indeed." John had his hands behind his back as he stared at Suzaku. "And he might be one of the candidates for the Knight of Seven."

Nonette glanced at Suzaku before looking back at John. "You think he's Knights of the Round material?"

"Without a doubt. But first, let's see what he's capable of in the battlefield." he replied, grinning

Just then, they heard a massive rumbling that shook everything except the Knightmares as they struggle to get their footing. John touched the communicator on his ear.

"Report." he ordered

"Everyone alright?" Mariel asked

"We're fine."

Nonette glanced at John. "What's going on?"

"Nearly all of our forces was hit with a tremor that also took out the JLF." John informed

"What could have taken our forces by this kind of magnitude?"

"It's the Black Knights."

"And without a doubt, it's Zero." John turned to his fellow Knights of the Round. "The rest of you, to your Knightmares."

Before...

The Narita mission was Fenrir team's first time working with the Black Knights, or more so due to their mysterious leader. Wearing the mask, no one knew what Zero looked like or what he was thinking. Live or die: that was the choice of those who joined Zero when one of the members, Tamaki saw it as a suicide mission and wanted to be the one leading instead. Fenrir team already knew due to how hotheaded he seem to be, that he didn't have what was required to even be a leader. Even Malik was not able to get a read off of Zero, despite whether using his own Geass. Zero didn't even have any fear when he point a gun to his head, taking everyone except a few by surprise.

"Our path of retreat has been cut off." Zero said. "If anyone thinks they could win without me, then shoot me! Since you've joined the Black Knights, you have only two choices! You either join me and live, or you die here and now!"

Yasuke glanced at Zero, then at the Black Knights. "He's right. You signed up for this. You signed up for this rebellion. This is the cost of it." he turned to see Archangel say as the Black Knight focused their attention on him. "Each of you took part in this revolution to free Japan from Britannian rule. I know some of you are thinking 'We can lead this group", but the question is could you afford make the right decisions and make it out of this alive."

"Better start making your choices here and now if I were you. That clock's ticking." Lobo said in agreement with Archangel

"All right, fine. Do what you want." Tamaki said, backing down

"We acknowledge you as our leader, Zero." Sugiyama said

Zero holstered his pistol. "I appreciate it."

The rest of the plan involve having to kickstart a landslide on Narita mountain they could use to wipe out the Britannian forces. To start a landslide involved using some seismic charge electrodes, which is where the Guren comes in with the rest of the plan. The Radiant Wave Surger came in clutch on the third electrode, which caused an eruption underground. After the Guren's RWS was deactivated, all what was needed was to wait until the ground start shaking as a great avalanche occurred catching the Britannian forces by surprise. They were swept away by the rockslide, with the JLF no doubt feeling their base shake violently.

The Knights of Two, Five, Nine, and Thirteen were in their respective Knightmares as they headed upward amid the avalanche. They were getting only a minimum of Britannian forces that survived, primarily just one unit. While Clara and Mariel were detaching the pilots out of their Knightmares, John narrowed his eyes at the summit before staring at the aftermath before them as Nonette approached.

"What are you thinking?" she asked John

"It's not a natural cause. Which means this was artificially induced, primarily by a Radiant Wave Surger." he explained. "Specifically made by Rakshata Chawla."

"The JLF don't have that kind of tech." Nonette said

Inside his cockpit, John stroked his chin curiously and replied. "But the Black Knights just might considering the circumstances here."

"That's all of them." they heard Mariel say

"Then, let's make our way to Cornelia."

After...

At the summit, Zero observed the aftermath below as he was pleased with the result.

"It's just as destructive as I anticipated." Zero said. "And we succeeded in isolating Cornelia's unit but with just the right accuracy."

"Her forces are starting to dwindle after the landslide we made." Archangel remarked

Yasuke glanced over to the leader of the Black Knights himself. "Where do you want us, Zero?" he asked

"I want you four to accompany me and the Guren. We have one objective: capture Princess Cornelia li Britannia and the rest of the Britannian forces in Narita will be disarray over her captor. But should we expect unknown resistance from any incoming Britannian force, you will provide support."

"Understood." Yasuke turned to his team. "Fenrir team, move out!"

Fenrir team got inside their Knightmares and rolled out alongside Zero and his small entourage, which included the Guren's and her pilot. Zero continue to lead his unit down with Fenrir team following behind him. Now Cornelia only had limited reinforcements to spare after the landslide. The group fired at a tank and destroyed it as enemy Knightmares headed their way, with Valkyrie moving hers at a rapid rate making quick work of the opponent Knightmares. Lobo activate Tonfa Claws from his Knightmares tearing apart a couple of enemy Knightmares, while Archangel picked up incoming bogeys as he opened fire on them. Yasuke used his revolving blade to slice down the rest as they received incoming fire from above, only for Yasuke to use his core luminous shield to protect them. All turned to see a Britannian unit appear in front of them.

"Is Zero here? If he is, then I demand he face me." the voice demanded, with Fenrir and Zero realizing it was Jeremiah Gottwald speaking. "Come forward and fight Jeremiah Gottwald!"

"Well I must say it's been a while, Jeremiah." Zero said. "Surprised to see you're still in the army. I'd love to stay and catch up but I'm afraid I don't have time for you, Orange boy."

Inside their Knightmares, Fenrir team was holding back their laughter of Zero's nickname for Jeremiah, until Carlito started laughing out loud.

"Orange boy?! That's definitely your new name now!" he bellowed with laughter

"Orange?!" they heard Jeremiah say enraged. "Die!" the Guren landed in front of him, leaving him to stop his charge disarm his machine gun before he drew out his Stun Tonfas

"Lord Jeremiah"

"Stay out of this, Viletta." Jeremiah responded. "This is my duel."

"But... these Knightmares are unlike anything I've seen before. Is it possible that the Elevens have-"

"You think Elevens are capable of such technology?"

"Yasuke, care to do the honors?"

"No, I'll leave it to your ace pilot here."

Kallen is taken aback but remains determined. "I'm on it."

The Guren MK-II countered Jeremiah's Sutherland, shocking Jeremiah that the red Knightmare was faster than his and struggled to keep up.

"This Knightmare is fast. Is this what destroyed Carius's unit?"

"That's right Britannian." Kallen said. "We can go against you in equal footing head-on. And our counter attack begins with this baby, the Guren MK-II."

The Guren lunge its silver arm at Jeremiah's Sutherland as he tried to back away. What surprised was the silver arm extended and grabbed the Sutherland's head.

"What is this?"

"Sorry." Kallen said, activating the RWS

The Radiant Wave Surger caused Jeremiah's Sutherland to swell up from an extremely and powerful amount of radioactive energy. Jeremiah was shocked seeing what was happening inside the Knightmare he was piloting in, screen displaying warning signs.

"Ah- What is happening?!"

Viletta contacted her commanding officer. "Lord Jeremiah, eject!"

"I can't run now!" Jeremiah yelled. "I need to defeat Zero! He's standing right there!" Jeremiah's Sutherland continued to swell up and in the cockpit, the screen pulled up the auto-eject as he was suffering damages to his body before he started to bleed. "Damn you, auto-eject! Don't you dare activate on me!" he ranted while in pain. "I can still get Zero and end this! I know it! I know I can still- Aah!"

The auto-eject activated as the cockpit was blown out and the Sutherland exploded. Kallen brought the silver arm of the Guren back and felt confidence overcame her.

"I won't lose. Not with this... the Guren MK-II!"

"Nicely done, Kallen." Yasuke said to himself, off comms. "Nicely done."

"They defeated Lord Jeremiah!" Viletta said in a surprising tone. "Who are the Black Knights? Just who are these warriors?"

"With Kallen, Fenrir team, and myself, we'll definitely win this battle with ease." Zero said smiling under his mask. 'All tasks at hand have been cleared.' he thought. 'The pieces are in position. The only thing left to do is check my opponent's stronghold.'

His thought are interrupted when he heard the sounds of four incoming bogeys on his radar, with one of them approaching fast. Just then, he saw a Knighmare... running without the use of landspinners as it took down Burais and customized Knightpolice Knightmares of the Black Knights using its slash harkens. Zero gritted his teeth when he saw three more state-of-the-art Knightmares appear before them, with all three bearing a resemblance to that white Knightmare back in the Shinjuku Ghetto incident.

'It would appear that will have to wait.' Zero thought. "Fenrir team, hold them off while we continue toward our objective." he ordered

"Roger that." Yasuke replied, as Fenrir got ready to face the new Knightmares presented before them.