The Demon Slayer corps
The events of the Saitama incident and its outcome spread like wildfire across Area 11 and other countries.
Those Japanese that secretly, and not so secretly opposed Britannia, praised Zero for his courage and strength in saving many people and whisking them out under the military's nose.
Britannians' military and nobles cursed Zero for defeating Cornelia and her troops, especially those who were traumatized by the battle.
Cornelia's loss was a hot topic, but something important was held in area 11. It was the Annual Summit of the Sakuradite Producing Countries held at Lake Kawaguchi on Sunday. It was an important event because the talks would determine how the vital resource Sakuradite would be distributed around the world, determining the balance of power between the nations.
Or to prevent war and get that piece of the pie everyone wanted.
XXX
On the speeding train, the student council minus a few was going on a trip.
"This is so exciting! I've never been outside the Tokyo Settlement before!" Shirley squealed as she viewed the rushing scenery through the train's window.
"I bet you wish Lelouch could have come with us, don't you? Don't be shy. We can stay up all night talking about the boys we like from the school." Milly teased. It was a much-needed means to a break, and unfortunately Lelouch, Suzaku, Kallen, Rai, and Rivalz couldn't come with them for suspicious reasons.
"If that's the case you'd probably have a lot to talk about." Shirley muttered.
"You know that I think Lulu is bad for the other team," is Milly's statement to her fellow members. "Think about it. He and Rivalz sure spend a lot of time together, disappearing off the campus for hours on end."
"They're just gambling! Lulu isn't like that!" Shirley protested with a red face.
"What about Rivalz?" Milly pointed out, prompting another screeching from the red-faced Fennette now.
It wasn't long until the train passed through the end of the tunnel revealing a magnificent vista of Mt. Fuji and the surrounding countryside.
Tokyo Settlement undisclosed area
Kallen and the rest of her rebel comrades were meeting at a location specified by Zero. It would also function as their new hideout.
In this place they found the large trailer truck as told; opening the door to it, they found a surprising interior.
"What are you waiting for? Come in," Lelouch replied while wearing his Demon Slayer outfit minus the helmet reclining on the couch. "Welcome to our new hideout."
As everyone sat down they examined the slick, custom interior of the trailer in awe. Whoever Lelouch was, he had some serious connections and cash to back them up.
"So this is the Britannia brat that's interested in our culture?" Tamaki wasn't impressed, let alone surprised. "You sure this is the one you meant Kallen?"
"Yeah. She told you all about me I guess."
"And now we understand why you wore the mask and fought Britannia," added Minami, agreeing to that tragedy of his that is similar to Kallen. "Still, I can't believe someone like you would fight Britannia. No wonder you two are friends."
So now, Lelouch spoke. "Why are you fighting against Britannia? I'm not sure I can work alongside you without knowing your intentions." Depending on their answer, he'd quickly refuse.
Ohgi sighed before looking far off. "We're still questioning those words you gave us. After what happened in Shinjuku, it hit hard. We didn't think of the implications, of the consequences. We lost a friend that day, along with all those innocent people."
" If the Japanese knew, they would blame you all if they knew the truth," was Lelouch's response, his words bringing cringe upon the realization that he was right. Oh, what their people would do to them…or worst.
"Yes, we know. The guilt is eating everyone but also it made us understand what you said. What are we fighting for? And that's a future of coexistence and a better future for Japan."
"That's unexpected."
"I forgot that my best friend Naoto was a half-breed, but he embraced both cultures and things change during the invasion." Ohgi smiled as he sadly remembered the good old days.
"If we free Japan, what of those left behind? They'd be lynched by whatever Japanese mob would find them." It was truth Britannia would be tear limb from limb by angry Japanese out of spite no matter if they are women , old and children.
"Well, I'm here to destroy the corrupted Darwinist system that expanded Britannia for too long. That's all you're getting for now." Everyone was surprised but more questions for another time
"There are few of us trying to find a reason; I hope that answer pacifies you," Ohgi said to him.
"No, that's fine. Your words hold, and I accept." At this point, Lelouch needed to lighten the mood. "Feel free to look around."
"Thank you" as Ohgi and the others explore the trailer like children inside a candy store.
Ohgi and the others was exploring and looking around in awe. "Holy cow…" Tamaki gasped, The redhead, hot-tempered rebel checked the interior of the trailer in awe, having never set foot inside anything this lavish prior. "Hey, there's a second floor too!" It's even got a second floor to his amazement.
Ohgi returned to their masked benefactor, asking, "Pardon my curiosity, but how did you come across this?"
"Bought it from a libertine nobleman who indulged my requests for half off," he answered, which was a lie. He got it in a poker game from a noble.
Ohgi was in disbelief but looked as if he bought it. "No strings attached?" His response was a head shake.
Although the rebels had trouble imagining such a thing was given as a gift so freely, especially by a Britannian, they were willing to trust Lelouch on this as Kallen vouched for him. His actions had proven him worthy of trust.
"Hey, there's a TV here!" Minami said suddenly as he turned on the device.
"So, tell us how things look at the scene," spoke someone as the television aired.
XXX
"I'm here at the Lake Kawaguchi Convention Center Hotel where the hotel jackers have identified themselves as the Japan Liberation Front." The anchorwoman said, her announcement catching everyone's attention in the truck.
"Members of the Sakuradite Allocation Committee, most notably Chairman James, were taken hostage along with several tourists and hotel employees." The picture then changed to an image of a hotel supply room where the hostages were being held, forced on their knees with their hands behind their heads.
"This footage was taken by the perpetrators. In it, you can see the hostages including Chairman James as well as some students." They soon saw the footage of the JLF guarding the hostages. This got reactions from Lelouch, Rai, and Kallen. "The leader of the group claims to be Lieutenant Colonel Kusakabe formerly of the now defunct Japan Military."
Lelouch didn't expect the student council to get caught in such danger out of nowhere. It wasn't just him; General Todoh was furious Kusakabe went rogue and acted foolishly behind their backs.
"Sakuradite is an essential component in the construction of high-temperature superconductors; this resource directly affected world security. Area 11 is the largest producer of this resource providing seventy percent of the world's total supply."
"Here at the yearly annual meeting of Sakuradite producers, it is decided how this resource will be distributed among the world's nations. It's no exaggeration that the outcome determines the balance of global power between Britannia and other countries. It is believed that the terrorists are using the world interest in the annual gathering to their advantage in this violent hostile takeover," The reporter noted.
The G-1 Mobile Base was stationed in front of the area where there was a bridge, with one of the trailers of the ASEEC near it. Suzaku in his military uniform looked on, disgusted by the actions of the Japan Liberation Front. In the food storage room within the hotel, Kusakabe along with some of the members of the Japan Liberation Front stood staring down the hostages. Kusakabe held his sheathed katana.
XXX
"I am Lieutenant Colonel Josui Kusakabe of the Japan Liberation Front. We have stood up for the independence of Japan. All of you, even though you're not soldiers, are still Britannia's, the ones who rule over and oppress us. Now you will sit tight and behave yourselves, or it'll be the last thing you do."
Nina was scared and was being held by Milly, who was trying to do what she could to help. Shirley was worried and thought about Lelouch, muttering his name. Milly could handle the terrorist, but the problem was she needed an opening that wouldn't endanger others.
"So they've made their move already," said Rai, worried for the student council.
"The Japan Liberation Front is the largest anti-Britannia force in all of Japan, and now they seem desperate because their pride took a hit." Ohgi pointed out.
"Yeah, it seems that they got wind that Zero defeated Cornelia in Saitama and that just added to their desperation," Rai added, knowing the truth and understanding how petty their actions were.
Lelouch gritted his teeth. "I didn't fought Cornelia and bested her to gain fame but to protect innocence". Lelouch didn't fought Cornelia armies in some pettiness of glory and self-pleasure, the old Lelouch would have done it just to get even.
"I don't know if I should feel happy or sad about this, because they're all going to end up dead," Tamaki commented.
Zero looked on and then he suddenly got a vibrating ringtone on his phone. He took it out and checked the caller ID. "Rivalz…"
In a bar within Tokyo Settlement, Rivalz was on his phone. "Ah, Lelouch! I-"
"This is Lelouch, please leave a message after the beep." The sound of voicemail.
"Damn it, Lelouch!" Rivalz said angrily, "What the hell are you doing at a time like this?!"
While he felt bad for letting it go to voicemail, Zero needed to think first.
G-1 Mobile Base
On the bridge, Cornelia sat her thick butt on her throne as the staff officers standing by the large console discussed the current situation in Lake Kawaguchi. Guilford was standing next to his princess, still bandaged from Saitama.
One of the officers came and reported all attempts failed to infiltrate the hotel.
"It would be the lifeline tunnel that is directly underneath the convention center. If we use that in our operation, we can destroy the foundation block and sink the hotel. It's strong enough to deliver stock so a Sutherland should be able to fit through."
They showed images of Sutherlands already heading down the tunnel. Too bad the JLF knew.
"They're coming from the path below as expected," One of the JLF members said.
The other JLF members sitting behind his comrade said, "Raiko unit 2, activate! The four linked support structures on both sides are in position! Superconducting maglev-style cannon, energy confirmed!"
The Britannia Sutherlands continued their charge. The two JLF members prepared and fired their Super Electromagnetic Shrapnel Cannon. The shell of their cannon released two dozen steel balls and they spread, tearing through the Sutherlands with ease.
In the room Lake Kawaguchi Hotel that Kusakabe and some of his men were occupying, they saw what had happened and were very pleased with the outcome.
XXX
Bridge of the G-1 Mobile Base
"They were wiped out?" Darlton asked shocked.
"Yes, it seems that the enemy has modified Glasgows and placed a linear cannon on them," One of Cornelia's staff officers reported.
"Are you saying that it's impossible to penetrate their defenses?!" Darlton asked.
"What should we do?"
"Do we give in to their demands and release the political criminals?" Another staff officer asked,
"We can't show weakness to terrorists!" Cornelia strongly said as she was disgusted with the very thought. It reminded her of how weak she was when facing Zero again.
"But Princess Euphemia, she…" Guilford whispered.
"I know," Cornelia replied in a quiet tone.
"So far though, none of them have discovered that fact. She went there just to observe therefore she isn't registered along with the other guests. If they learn Princess Euphemia is among the hostages, they will undoubtedly use her as a bargaining chip." Darlton didn't expect something like this would happen not in a hundred years.
CC was in Nunnally's room lying on her makeshift bed."Yes, I know. Things will go well. Nunnally is more than fine, yes. It may be hard for you to believe, but Nunnally can take care of herself and of course, Lelouch is more mature than you know. But you need to remember, I'm not their guardian."
Nunnally meanwhile was hearing the news along with Sayoko about what happen to Milly , Nina and Shirley. She was already worried for them.
XXX
Lloyd was sitting on the grass while Suzaku and Cecile were standing and looking at the hotel. "Are we, the Special Envoy, not allowed to participate in the rescue operation?" Suzaku asked.
"I had already put in a request, but since our command structure is different, we're treated as irregulars. Not only that…" Lloyd threw a pebble in the lake, "well you know…"
"It's too risky to entrust the operation to an Eleven, is that it?" Suzaku said knowing it.
"I'm sure you're aware that Princess Cornelia is very discriminating when it comes to Britannians and Numbers."
"So the Japanese are still not accepted enough in the structure."
"If that was the case, then what point would the Honorary Britannian system serve?" Cecile commented.
Suzaku was taken aback a bit by what Cecile said. He sighed and looked away with a frown.
"I…" Suzaku spoke but didn't know what to say. All he could think of was the humiliation delivered by Zero.
Members within the mobile base were getting boxes out of various places, working together to get things done. Zero and Rai were in one of the rooms watching news updates on the situation in Lake Kawaguchi. They saw a man who said he was the father of one of the hostages begging that his daughter would be left unharmed.
"We need to organize before we fight them."
"'But it's too soon.' That's what you're thinking, right?" Rai said to Zero.
"Yes, but we can't just be doing nothing either. Cornelia won't care about the hostages."
"But it's been five hours. Should she have not gone in guns blazing?"
Rai was right as he pondered this, the door opened and both Kallen and Ohgi entered with boxes. They saw the news update Zero and Rai were watching.
"Lelouch, what do you think will happen to the hostages?" Kallen asked.
Rai and Lelouch clenched their fists with worry.
"Say, those girls we saw, They're your classmates from school, right?" Ohgi asked.
"Yes, they are," Lelouch spoke with trundling worry. It was only natural he'd worry about them.
"So what's going to happen? Do you think Cornelia has some sort of plan?" Kallen asked Lelouch since his face told her he had some idea of what was happening.
"Knowing Cornelia, she'll sacrifice the hostages," Lelouch deadpanned, no sugar coating.
Kallen and Ohgi were surprised, the latter asking, "Would she do that?"
Lelouch nodded. "It'd be the better option for them than caving into the demands of terrorists; it'd be the same as legitimizing them, and Cornelia is especially against it."
"So she would rather leave the hostages to die than make any deals with them?"
"That's right. Maybe we can use that to our advantage."
Kallen, Ohgi, and Rai were confused and wondered what that meant.
"Lelouch, do you have a plan?" Kallen asked.
Lelouch narrowed his eyes and had his thoughts, "I may have an idea."
"Do you?"
"It's only speculation, but right now, it's all I got. We need to move now." Lelouch put his mask on and strapped the nichirin blade.
The trio was confused at first then nodded in agreement.
"Okay, so with that in mind Lelouch, I picked this up. Should I hand them out to everyone?" asked Ohgi bringing up the box he was holding while looking inside.
"Yes, those will be our uniforms." Rai pointed out.
"I see… well as far as gear goes, it looks pretty cool…in fact, it's great but…"
"But?"
"I just don't know, it may be more than we actually deserve. After all, we're just a resistance group."
"You're wrong Ohgi. We're not a resistance group," Lelouch insisted, surprising them all. He then declared, "We are the Demon Slayer Corps of Kimetsu!"
It was nightfall at Lake Kawaguchi and the operation was still underway regarding the situation with Kusakabe and his group as well as their hostages. In the food storage room, the hostages were stricken with worry and wondered what would become of them. The door suddenly opened and a few JLF members looked around and glared at all the fearful hostages.
Meanwhile, outside near the main bridge leading to the hotel, the Lancelot was being prepared by Cecile and Suzaku.
Suzaku frowned, sitting in the cockpit of the completely restored Lancelot, itching to leap into the fray and rescue the hostages. But orders from Cornelia kept him on standby until further notice.
Even with his recent promotion, Cornelia doesn't want to put her faith in an 'honorary Britannia.
"Some of the hostages are your friends from school aren't they?" Cecile noted, the blue-haired woman working on Lancelot's systems. "They're still negotiating, don't worry."
"I have faith in the system." Suzaku informed her, looking out at the captured resort through Lancelot's Camera, "I prefer the logic of systems to individual emotions."
Cecile frowned sadly, looking at the young pilot in concern.
"Oh god…" Suzaku breathed his face paling as he watched several uniformed terrorists lead a bound hostage on the roof of the tower. "Don't do it-!"
The terrorists pushed the desperate hostage off the roof, all on live camera, for the public to see.
"NOOOO!"
XXX
Kusakabe appeared on the screen within the bridge, speaking, "Our demands have gone unanswered, therefore we will throw off one hostage every thirty minutes until our demands are met. For the sake of the hostages, negotiations better are in good faith."
Meanwhile, Cornelia along with Darlton and Guilford were walking through the hall.
"This is their warning? Throwing someone off the roof just to show they're serious? Filthy barbarians." Darlton asked angrily and disgusted.
"How about we proceed with the negotiation and request in getting the women and children out first?" Guilford suggested.
"Absolutely not! If you give into their conditions even once, then you're simply legitimizing terrorism!" Cornelia interjected strongly,
"Then do we use force?" Darlton asked if it was the only way.
"We will pursue that action after we secure Princess Euphemia," Guilford said.
"Euphie…" Cornelia spoke in her head with worry, "I…"
"Viceroy!" A soldier called out and rushed to meet with Cornelia. "It's Zero, we just received a message from Zero."
"What?" Cornelia responded as she, Guilford, and Darlton looked at the soldier and each other surprised.
Diethard was fishing in Lake Kawaguchi out of boredom when a co-worker informed him. "What?! What do you mean Van 3 was stolen by Zero? What the hell was Gibson doing all in the while?"
"Well um, you see he said that when he realized what was happening, it was too late," The co-worker explained.
Diethard sighed in annoyance. "So where's Van 3 now?"
"Well, it's driving straight to the military."
A news van has just arrived at the hotel with Lelouch on the roof. They were soon met by Cornelia, the purple-haired Viceroy pointing her gun at the Demon Slayer immediately while glaring.
"Cornelia. As beautiful as ever." Zero greeted.
Cornelia blushed for a moment before regaining her composure. She locked gazes at the man who defeated her with a suspicious scowl. "What are you doing here, Zero? Finishing what you started?"
"I could take you down before you pull the trigger, but that's not why I'm here."
"Then why? Are you here to join the Japan Liberation Front?" You could taste the disgust in her tone.
"Cornelia, which would you choose; Clovis who is dead, or Euphemia who is alive?"
That struck a nerve, a shocking opening displayed on Cornelia's face. And that was enough to confirm Lelouch suspicions. Euphemia was inside the hotel and that was the only reason that Cornelia had not taken hostile action.
She trembled with suppressed rage as he continued. "I have the power to save Euphemia."
Taking control of herself, Cornelia yelled back, "What do you mean? I have no idea what you're talking about!" She couldn't let him know what she was thinking.
"I said that I can rescue her!" Zero declared.
The gate opened which allowed the van to move through and head for the hotel.
"Viceroy, are you sure about this? Letting Zero go through?" Darlton questioned.
Cornelia quietly pondered before saying, "I believe by letting Zero pass, we can buy some time before the next hostage is executed… also, we can eliminate both of them at the same time."
Lloyd was just informed and was happy as what he was told was something that he had been hoping for all day since he made his request.
"Wonderful, thank you for the order," Lloyd said happily with a laugh and then turned to Suzaku and Cecile, "they said you got the green light, Lancelot!"
"What?" Suzaku surprised.
"Your order is to charge right into those linear cannons in the tunnel," Lloyd excitedly said.
"Wait a minute, they're using him as a decoy to make an opening for them?" Cecile didn't like it.
"That's right; they plan to use the confusion to send in the main forces."
Cecile was shocked and didn't like what she heard, "They plan to? But Lloyd—!"
"Miss Cecile, wait!" Suzaku interrupted.
Cecile stopped and faced him. "I'm ready. Please allow me to do this. If Lancelot and I are needed, if we can allow the hostages to be saved, then I'll do it even if as a decoy."
Afterward, Suzaku was preparing and starting the Lancelot and Cecile briefed the situation and mission for Suzaku which was to go through the tunnel and destroy the foundation block of the hotel. That would hold out for eight minutes and give enough time for the hostages to be rescued. Lancelot was equipped with the VARIS rifle for the mission. Lloyd also informed Suzaku to be careful with his Lancelot as usual.
The Lancelot was in the tunnel and Suzaku positioned the Knightmare to be ready to move in.
"Twelve minutes until the operation starts," Cecile said, "commencing countdown."
Meanwhile, in the food storage room, Nina was shaking. A JLF member walked by and stopped near her, Milly, and Shirley. She gasped and felt horrified.
"Ah, an Eleven!"
"Huh, what the hell?" The JLF man responded angrily offended that he heard that term and gave a hateful glare to Nina, "What the hell did you just say?"
Nina gasped and held onto Milly tightly shaking in fear.
"Not Elevens, we're Japanese!" The angry man aimed his gun at Nina. Nina was afraid but at the same, she remembered Lelouch's words as something inside her should be brave. She put on a brave face as she spoke in their native tongue.
"I'm sorry, but this is wrong." Fear was still in her voice.
The JLF soldier was stumped at that and responded in Japanese.
"How do you know our language?!"
"Someone taught me. Still, this is wrong."
"Kusakabe is the one calling the shots. We've been hiding for too long under your rule. We want retribution!"
"Yes. I know what Britannia did to Japan, but not all of us are like that. Please, let us go. Nobody needs to die anymore."
As the conversation continued, the hostages didn't understand what they said. Shirley was baffled that Nina knew how to speak Eleven or even when she could have learned. All she could do was hope for what Nina was trying to do. Even Milly was surprised.
"This conversation is over! I'll let you off, but your friend will be an example." The JLF soldier moved towards Milly.
"That's enough!" Euphie spoke up as she stood.
The others looked at Euphie and a woman who was acting as the guard begging her to keep quiet, to no avail.
"I demand you men stop this heinous act right now!" Euphie ordered, "I also demand that you take me to your leader this instant!"
"Who the hell are you?" One of the JLF members asked annoyed.
Euphie took off her glasses, "You're addressing Euphemia li Britannia, the Third Princess of the Holy Britannian Empire."
There were gasps and people were shocked that a princess had just revealed her identity in the room. Euphie looked over to Nina with a smile.
"Are you all right, Miss?" Euphie asked genuinely, "You haven't been hurt?"
"Ah, y-yes. I'm fine, thank you." Nina responded with a nod.
"It is a pleasure to finally meet you Zero, and in such a short time since your last appearance. You've made quite a splash, even after defeating Cornelia."
"I suppose so," he responded.
" Let's join forces Zero and we will be unbeatable. First, though, take off that mask; it's quite disrespectful to not show your face."
"No. That would endanger those around me," he answered sternly, surprising Kusakabe and his men.
"What?!"
"Exactly."
"Hey, what the hell?" One of Kusakabe's men asked. Rather than be upset, the colonel rose his hand to silence his men.
"Very well, but you didn't answer my-"
"Oh, right. Sorry. I refuse." It was Zero simple and reply answer
"How dare you-" NOW Kusakabe was angry.
" Let me ask you this Kusakabe, what do you hope to accomplish with all of this? With your actions?"
Without hesitation, he spoke: "Simple; to gain attention, of course. I want to show this country and the entire planet that the Japanese are not dead."
Zero sighed, angered and pity seeing all of this just to get a name for himself at the man's reasoning. It was exactly what he feared. "So you're just a serial killer doing it for the seconds of fame."
He could tell the man was angry, but he wasn't stopping. "Tell me, Kusakabe, who are you?" Zero asked a simple question
"What do you mean?! I'm Colonel Josui Kusakabe of the Japanese Liberation-"
"Not that title. Who were you before the invasion?"
That took him by surprise. "Oh. I'm Colonel Josui Kusakabe of the Japan Self-Defense Force of the proud country Japan."
"And what is your mission?"
"To fight and defend my country Japan, of course."
"Do you have the heart and soul of a soldier required to follow proper military etiquette, conduct, and code of honor?"
"Why are you asking me this?! Of course, I will follow my superior's orders without question!"
"So then this is a military operation conducted by your superior?" Kusakabe choked here; neither Kyoto nor Katase sanctioned this. They never would have.
"I didn't think so. You broke your sacred military duties as a soldier of your country."
Angered, even more, the Colonel screamed, "What country!? Japan lost! Our homeland was ravaged by pigs who took everything from us?! How do you not understand that?! Can you not see this?!"
"The only thing I see is that you're acting out in anger against a government that wronged you by attacking innocent people! You're only making Japan look bad to the rest of the world?"
"Innocent?" Kusakabe glared at the hostages. "They are Britannia! Their race made them guilty by default! We've suffered because of them, so in turn, they will now be by us!"
"Yeah, that's right!" One JLF soldier said.
"They act like they're superior but they are nothing but arrogant spoiled snobs!" Another soldier added.
"You're all so consumed by rage and hatred that you've thrown away your pride, your honor." Kusakabe was stumped by these words. It took him back, reminding him of when he became a soldier.
"You became a soldier to protect the people and your country, not to terrorize like immature brats. Whether your country is gone or not, you're still a soldier who fought for your people. That alone is the greatest pride to take from that, and you shouldn't lose it just to get revenge."
Kusakabe started to have flashes during his youth as he work hard during training so that he would fight for his country. He remembered how proud he was getting promoted and talking to his family about it as if something long forgotten deep in his soul was resurfacing.
"… you're right. I forgot what my title and task were…" He dropped to his knees, almost falling to tears. "I already knew we would die on this mission. It was a fool's errand. I was jealous you killed Clovis and took down Cornelia like the masked heroes we worshiped as kids." Those were his true words
"It's not too late," Lelouch spoke, hoping to reason with him. I can help you escape and nobody needs to die, but only your men will listen to you."
Agreeing, Kusakabe spoke to him men on the radio to stand down and surrender to Zero.
"It is done…" Kusakabe then felt compelled to ask. He had to know. "What is it you wish to do and your true goal?"
"To destroy Britannia and their ideology," was Lelouch's declaration.
His answer was so perplexing Kusakabe laughed. "Is that even possible?!"
"If I thought it was impossible, I wouldn't be here," he whispered trough the colonel ear of his plans.
Hearing that, Kusakabe's eyes widened larger than dinner plates. He then spoke, "I would like to request a duel with you." The reason was simple as Kusakabe knew that going back was out of option not only that Britannia wanted someone to blame other reason his soul was screaming wanted to duel Zero.
As he drew his katana, Zero unsheathed his Nichirin sword, accepting his challenge. The man marveled at his beautiful sword and stance; Zero truly held the soul of a samurai. Every instinct was telling him, no, but he couldn't let it end like that.
Lelouch knew why as the colonel wanted to fight his last breath as a proud warrior knowing his between a rock and a hard place.
"Men witness your colonel!" he shouted as he rushed for a vertical slash.
First Form: Water Surface Slash
He slashed through Kusakabe's sword so easily, as well as him. " Such beautiful swordsmanship…" was the colonel last words.
He fell backward, eyes closed satisfied with his end. Lelouch held his hands in prayer as the men saluted their colonel.
XXX
Within the tunnel, the countdown had ended for Suzaku as he was ready to launch the Lancelot. He was tasked with a suicide mission by his Highness Cornelia, as the Lancelot launched and charged straight towards the JLF's Raiko. It fired, but Lancelot easily dodged the cannon fire. It caused a quake above felt by Cecile and Lloyd and the others near the ASEEC trailer.
"I told you this would happen!" Cecile shouted.
"My, my, it seems he had no intention of just being the bait," Lloyd said happily, not caring as long the Lancelot gets more data.
Meanwhile, Zero's group was setting up plastic explosives in various areas within the hotel while contacting each other about the status and giving their reports to Ohgi and others. Rai was in the hall and arrived at the door that led to the food storage room. The hostages were allowed to leave as Kusakabe final orders to his men.
Euphie and the JLF soldiers heard the noises in the room. "What the hell's going on?" asked one of the soldiers.
They opened the door and were shocked to find Kusakabe on the floor still bleeding from the front while the other soldiers salute the man. They looked over to Zero who had sheathed his blade back.
"What happened?" One of the JLF soldiers asked.
"Colonel Kusakabe's final orders were to follow Zero and escape."
"But!"
"I'll explain later, but please! this is his final order!" The soldiers then made their escape.
Euphemia was shocked to see what had happened. But not as much as seeing Zero approaching her, a smile behind his mask at seeing the familiar face. "Euphemia li Britannia; I had heard that you stood up to protect the common people. That is so like you."
"Huh?"
Near the main bridge, Cornelia was informed about Lancelot and was surprised.
"What, that Knightmare Lancelot?"
"Yes and at the rate, it's going, it will break through soon," Darlton informed.
"Huh. Do we dare hold out hope?" Cornelia asked as she clenched her fists, as she didn't expect the Eleven to pull it through.
Within the tunnel, Suzaku continued charging forward as he still was getting shot at by the Raiko. The two men who were controlling the Raiko couldn't believe that the opposing Knightmare Frame was still coming at them and breaking through. It was called for the measure to do whatever it took to destroy Lancelot even if it meant he would die in the process.
"Miss Cecile, I'm going to use the VARIS!"
"Wait Suzaku, that's too dangerous! You could be killed!" Cecile responded
"I don't have much time left! I'll risk it and blast it regardless of the explosion!" Suzaku argued.
In the room at the hotel, it was Zero and Euphemia all alone.
"Third Princess Euphemia li Britannia, I heard that you became the Sub Viceroy here," Zero said.
"It's not a position that I'm happy with," Euphie replied sheepishly.
"That's understandable. It's because Cornelia appointed you that role just to keep you close to her."
"And the fact that you killed my brother Clovis," Euphie added. With her strength, she could take down Zero easily, but she wanted to learn more.
"Yes and no, it was retaliation for the deaths of innocent people in Shinjuku… ah, but his so-called secret was out."
"Yes, strange is it?" Euphie said with a sad expression.
"I'm sure it wasn't easy for you to hear that one of your brothers that you held dear would commit such atrocities."
"I find myself asking why. Why would he do this?"
"I think you already know the answer to that." Zero bluntly said.
Euphie clenched her fists and looked at Zero with determination.
"Tell me Zero," Euphie said, "Who are you really?"
"You really want to know?" Zero replied.
"I do so please tell me, what are you trying to do?"
"Hmm…well, since you seem desperate to know, I'll actually tell you."
"Zero…" Euphie spoke a bit surprised.
"Who am I? What I'm trying to accomplish. I am someone who fights for peace and justice."
"Peace and Justice?" Euphie asked, half expecting an answer that wasn't what she wanted.
"Yes, justice against those who would torment, bully, and kill those who can't defend themselves just because they can. It was how I responded against Clovis and Kusakabe just now. But I didn't kill them out of hatred, but out of kindness."
Euphie was surprised again, "Kindness in killing? That was unheard of."
"Clovis' so-called secret was already exposed, so he had only two choices: disowning or military duty. Both are death sentences to a prince so he requested a painless death. Which I provided. But I did not enjoy nor pleasure in his death "
Euphemia was surprised but knew that part was true. The Lamperouge siblings were the prime example. "And Kusakabe?"
"Kusakabe wanted to die honorably. Anyway, I said what I needed to say and with that Euphemia, it's time to get you and the other hostages out of here."
"Turn on maximum power!" The JLF soldier screamed, "I don't care if it destroys the guns, we're going to defend this spot with our very lives!"
They shot their cannon with maximum output and Suzaku fired the VARIS rifle. The shot from the VARIS rifle broke through the shell and steel balls of the Raiko and it destroyed the Raiko killing the pilots as well as it caused a massive explosion.
Outside the Lake Kawaguchi Hotel, The Lancelot emerged from the lake and reloaded the VARIS rifle. Lloyd looked and was pleased and Cornelia looked on and was surprised.
"That Eleven…"
The Lancelot fired the VARIS rifles again and it struck the supporting pillars of the hotel, causing it to sink.
"He actually did it," Cornelia then turned to Darlton, shouting, "Darlton!"
"Yes, Milady!" Darlton replied.
Suzaku watched as the hotel building sank and was surprised that he saw a familiar figure inside the hotel. He saw Zero, who saw the Lancelot.
"Zero!"
Zero waved at the Lancelot and then gave a 'V' sign, stunning him.
Suzaku was dumbfounded. Was he serious?
"Zero, we're ready," Rai said on the other line through communication.
"Excellent. Here we go!" Zero pushed a button on his remote control. Explosions were occurring within the hotel, horrifying Suzaku and shocking Cornelia.
"Euphie!" Cornelia screamed. She hated this moment of weakness. It paralleled her failing of Lady Marianne and her children, her half-siblings.
"MY FRIENDS!" With Suzaku, he dashed towards the sinking hotel. He barreled through the gate, uncaring of whatever damage the Lancelot had taken.
"No, Warrant Officer Kururugi, don't rush in!" Lloyd called out.
"Suzaku, stop!" Cecile pleaded.
Suzaku ignored the calls of Lloyd and Cecile and rushed in. The hotel was completely demolished; there was only a huge smoke from the explosion. Meanwhile, Diethard was trying to find out what was happening in Van 2.
"What about the cameras from Van 3?" Diethard asked.
"I told you. Zero took them."
"Well then, let's hope we pick up a signal!" Diethard interjected and then had his thoughts, "What are you doing Zero? Wasn't that part of your plan, to show us something?"
The smoke started to clear and the Lancelot was seen, relieving Lloyd and Cecile. Depressed, Suzaku figured the hostages were all gone.
"I failed. I failed to save them. Damn it, not again!" Suzaku was about to break down in tears. He pounded the control panels crying until it happened.
Emerging from the smoke were several small boats floating. Inside were the hostages, including the members of the student council and Euphie with a ship at their center. Van 2 finally got a signal of Zero.
The screens and monitors in Area 11 showed Zero. The people were shocked to see the masked swordsman wondering what he was up to now.
"My dear Britannia's, have no fear. All the hostages from the hotel are safe and sound. I, Zero, will return them to you." The footage showed all the hostages were safe and unharmed.
"They're fine," Suzaku said happily.
At a bar within the Tokyo, Settlement Rivalz was watching the broadcast. He was relieved as well.
Cornelia was not pleased; she really couldn't do anything against Zero. "That brazen… unless we do something to you. Then they're hostages again."
On the ship, Zero appeared. Lights flashed on him and the people who aided him in the operation in their Gakuran uniforms. They had buttoned shirts with a white framed collar with 滅めつ/metsu engraved on their backs, shirt pockets on the left breast with white undershirts. All males has the standard uniform trousers while the females who didn't have pants had uniform skirts. They also wore purple visors.
"People, fear us or rally behind us as you see fit! We are Demon Slayer Corps of Kimetsu!" Zero declared for the entire world to hear.
Cecile and Lloyd were watching and were surprised.
"Demon Slayer?" Cecile asked.
"Interesting," Lloyd said with a smile, "the terrorists call themselves Demon slayers. Must be a meaning to it."
"We of the Demon Slayers stand with those who have no weapons to wield," Zero continued, "regardless of what their nationality is. Nor will we fight for our own self-benefit. The group within the Japan Liberation Front led by Kusakabe cowardly took innocent Britannia civilians hostage and then mercilessly set to execute all of them. As such, I challenged him to an honorable duel and he lost, allowing the hostages to go free."
The base of the Japan Liberation Front Todoh and his Holy Swords were watching, the leader narrowing his eyes at the masked individual on the screen.
"Zero…" Todoh said in his head; no one should have defeated Kusakabe, especially in a duel.
Diethard was in Production Van 2 instructing communication.
"You heard me right, I said let it run! I'll be the one responsible for this!" He refused to miss such an interesting story.
"I killed Clovis for ordering the slaughter of countless unarmed Japanese people in Shinjuku just to protect the fact that he was involved in human experimentation and cared only about not being disinherited, We could not stand by and allow such cruelty to be carried out and made him pay for his actions with his life. I will not repudiate battle on a fair and level field, but neither will I tolerate a one-sided massacre of the weak by the strong!"
His voice rose in hopes of rallying the people.
Cornelia clenched his teeth and glared at Zero while watching. "You've got to be kidding me…"
"The only ones who should kill are those who are prepared to be killed!"
Rivalz was watching the broadcast along with the two noblemen he was serving.
"Wherever oppressors abuse their powers by attacking the powerless like demons, we will slay them, no matter who or what. We will protect those who cannot protect themselves, we will help those in need no matter who they are."
"Is this for real?" Rivalz asked, "If so, then I wonder…"
Kallen and Ohgi were amazed at what Lelouch as Zero was saying.
"Demon Slayers…" Kallen said in her head.
"Bringing hope in a way that I never actually realized," Ohgi said using the name.
On one of the boats, Milly looked on as Lelouch continued with his declaration.
In the cockpit of the Lancelot, Suzaku looked on and he was not impressed with what Zero was declaring. This wasn't out of self-gratification.
"Those of you with power," Zero said bringing out his left hand, "fear us! Those of you without it," now he rose his right hand, "rally behind us if you choose to! We, the Demon Slayers Corps, shall be the ones who stand in and slay the injustice of this world!"
"And my second act," Zero raised his right arm in the air, pointing at Cornelia, "I wish to challenge the Goddess of victory to a duel."
So it's finally here as Lelouch formed his demon Slayers Corps. At first, I wanted to call Black knights but it seems obvious so I decided on something new. As Demon slayers are to protect the innocent and slay those with power that abuse Clothes Similar to the Gakuran uniform Demon Slayers except a bit modernized.
Kusakabe was a soldier at heart only during the Britannia invasion change man. Lelouch is following Tanjirou's way as Demons he fought, he would show them kindness even how foul or inhumane they become.
The "KIMETSU" part is a combination of the kanji character for "oni" (demon) and the character for "destruction." And thus, the whole thing means something along the lines of "Blade of Demon Destruction.
Thank bastion for proofreading