Disclaimer: I don't own Code Geass and Ace combat expect for OC's
Ashford Academy, Tokyo Settlement, Area 11(Japan), Holy Empire of Britannia
There was a loud knock on the door just when Milly was listing to her favorite tune inside the trailer booth. As she was humming to the tune, she got up from her chair and answered the door to find Rivalz, who was painting, hard.
"Sooo Rivalz, is everything okay?" She asked.
"I-um…well you see…I just saw a-" Just before he was about to finish, he was tackled by a young blond-haired girl.
"Don't. You. Ever. Think. About. IT." She hissed at him, she had Rivalz in a head lock, not trying to kill him of course.
"Come on, Alice you're choking me. I just want to talk to her about-"
"About some stupid stray cat with a cape? Huh." She finished.
"Now, Now Alice, don't try to strangle him to death." Milly said. Alice grumbled and just like that she let go of him. They both got up from the ground.
"Forgive me Madam President." Alice apologized as she dusted off the pink dress skirt of her school uniform.
"It's not a problem! I knew you weren't trying to kill him." She cheerfully said. "So…tell me more about this stray white cat." Milly said with a mischievous grin.
"W-What cat? There is no other cat here. I was just making it up." Alice stuttered. Crud, she already said too much.
"If you don't tell me I'll tell everybody about that embarrassing little secret in the girl's locker room." The student council president grinned. Alice's face turned red. "You know, getting the dirt on someone is always been my specialty." Milly winked.
The fifteen year old student was about to open her mouth to retort before, "What exactly happened in the girls-" Alice kicked Rivalz in the leg. "Ow! That hurt!" He winced as he held his left leg and hopped around at the same time.
"I won't apologies." Alice said frowning, her face still red. She muttered few curses. "Fine, I'll tell you. It was a white cat Rivalz and I just saw at the warehouse."
"A white cat? And this stray cat wears a cape; very interesting…this actually gives me an idea. You two wait right here." And just like that, Milly rushed out to the stage were the purple and yellow Ganymede Knightmare was parked behind the stage.
"Great! Here we go again!" Alice grumbled. She and Rivalz knew exactly what was going to happen.
...
So far, the mini games Cecile played at the festival booths were fun. She managed to win a prize stuffed animal at one. It didn't seem like a bad idea to drag Suzaku along on the ride after all. Of course, he was still being discharged. On top of which a few news journalist happened to be here at the festival so obviously he would have to don a disguise.
"Hey Suzaku, look what I got." Cecile called to the boy behind her.
Suzaku, wearing a casual outfit with a light brown jacket and sun glasses, turned to look at Cecile behind him after scanning the crowd for any sign of a photographer or journalist should they blow his cover. He took a look at the prize in her arms.
"It looks nice Cecile, but I think we should go now." He felt very nervous about being here he doesn't want anyone finding out who he was.
The Knight of Failure.
At least that's what a few Britannian news outlets had called him, which he didn't mind the name, but he'd rather not let himself be discovered by his few friends here.
"Come on Suzaku, have some fun; it'll be good for you." She said trying to calm and lift his mood. He only sighed in return.
"I've already told you, I'm fine." He protested.
"They're not going to find out who you are, Suzaku." The woman assured.
"Well hello there, Cecile, Suzaku!" This caught both Cecile and Suzaku by surprise as the white-haired scientist walked up to them.
"Lloyd, what are you doing here? I thought you were busy with…" She trailed off.
"I've already finish with the work load." He waved her off. "So, sir Suzaku, tell me how you like the festivities so far?" The teen didn't fell like answering.
"I should go." With that, Suzaku began to walk away.
"Suzaku, wait-"
"Hello everybody! This is Milly Ashford here to bring you a special announcement. We are now hosting a new contest! Whoever finds our white kitty cat gets a prize! The cat is somewhere around Ashford and it's wearing a cute little cape! Hop to it ladies and gentlemen before our very own Lady Alice, daughter of the duchess Stella Rocklin, with her two years of experiences at the San Francisco Military Academy, will pilot the Ganymede to start the making of the world's largest pizza!"
Suzaku stopped dead on the spot and let Milly's announcement sink in. It reminded him of when he enrolled in the Britannian Academy and how the student council president went through all the trouble to open up a contest to find the mysterious cat that had been running around the school grounds with a mask, as it turned out to be nothing more than the kitten, Arthur. It's safe to say things hadn't changed around here.
"Hmm, a contest for Milly's missing white cat? How very interesting." Lloyd said aloud.
…
While C.C was hiding in the school yard, she seemed somewhat surprised by that girl's announcement. Her description of the cat remained her of someone she knew of long time ago. But of course this Milly person didn't describe the color of the cape, the collar, or the red jewel. The cat she knew wouldn't get exposed like this, so it couldn't be her.
"Definitely not her." She said to herself.
She then heard something in the bushes and she turned to see a familiar white cat with a short blue sliver cape, and a red jewel run up to her.
"Oh, why hello there Miss. Mittens, it's been a while." The cat hissed, baring her black fangs as her fur stood straight up in response to her insulting nickname by her geass bearing associate.
"I suppose you're not the one that Milly girl is looking for. Am I right?" The witched questioned the white cat.
The feline grumbled and C.C couldn't help but snicker, of course she suppressed it a little at the cat's answer.
"Who knew a little exposure would grant you such popularity, first time for everything I suppose. So anyway, what brings you here at the school? ...I see. Well, I'm only here for that world's largest pizza. There's nothing wrong with that."
The cat glared up at C.C
"You don't seem to be in a good mood today. Fine, if you are so worried about it I'll ask Lelouch if he can save me a huge slice." C.C said simply and walked in the direction of the school festival, leaving the cat there.
The white feline circled the witch and blocked her path.
"I'm guessing you know where he is? He's the one I made a contract with." This cat was no fool. Everybody with centuries of vast knowledge of Geass would know that a code barer who made a contract with a mere mortal would know where that said mortal and there relative is.
C.C sighed; things hadn't changed that much between her and Mittens…
"Alright, alright I'll follow you're led" The white cat felt relief and signaled C.C to follow her, making sure they wouldn't get caught by the humans.
Little did they know, the maid Sayoko, was watching them carefully hidden away.
…
Lelouch was alone in the club house kitchen, still cutting the tomatoes. It was getting quite boring and if Suzaku was here helping him, the cutting the tomatoes would have been done by now. But at least it gave him time to think about what's going to happen tonight.
The JLF launching their stealth fighters to attack the Britannian Government Bureau. He's had serious doubts about the JLF's next plan, but who knows, maybe they will succeed this time.
He'd have to stay with his little sister at home and they'd probably have to hide in a privet bunker next to club house until it's over. Though this would be happening miles away from here, he still wanted to be safe, especially Nunnally.
There was a knock on the door, breaking his thoughts.
"Come in." He called.
The door burst open and Lelouch was shocked to see a cat running in followed by C.C
"What the-what are you doing in here?!" He asked the witch.
"Mittens told me I should look for you. She didn't want me sneaking out." C.C looked down at the cat.
Lelouch look at the white cat as well who wore a cape, a red jewel on its forehead, and a silver collar, then looked back to C.C
"You were sneaking out again? At a time like this?!" He shouted annoyed.
"I only desire the world's largest pizza." She said nonchalantly. The cat rolled her eyes.
"You'll get your darn pizza after the festival and I assume this cat is yours?" C.C nodded.
"Mittens tracked me down and was hiding in the school warehouse for about a week. Mittens just fond me at the school yard."
"Mittens, huh? You're so good at naming your pets." Lelouch said sarcastically as he walked passed C.C and to the door. The feline was amused with the mortal's remark; she started to like him already.
He look both ways in the school hall and spotted Shirley walking down the hall way.
"Oh Lelouch, are you done with the tomatoes?" The redhead asked, spotting the teen.
"Not quite, would be a lot quicker if Suzaku was here helping me." He joked.
She clench her fist at the mention of that Eleven's name. Madam President, Lelouch, and Rivalz may still like him, but she didn't trust him anymore because of the greatest sin he previously committed, so to her, she was not amused. The mention of her old classmate's name gave her a sense of fear.
Him being an Eleven and a double agent according to the media. Also, she couldn't forget about what happened to princess Euphemia. A day after the breaking news, her mother and she were outside the monarch church, holding candles, praying for the return of their lost third princess. Her other classmates felt the same way and they were there too.
"Oh, well…that's okay then, we'll wait till you get done." She began to walk back out but then suddenly turned back to Lelouch. "Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you something! Madam President just announced a contest for whoever finds a white cat with a cape. Pretty silly of her huh?"
"Another fleabag? Yes, that is kind of silly." He said calmly and at the same time sarcastically, actually he was almost at a loss for words.
"Yeeeah, I should get going then. Good luck with the tomatoes!" She finally began to walk out and back to the festival.
Lelouch pinch the bridge of his nose in irritation about the news as he walked back to the kitchen to see C.C and the fleabag on the kitchen counter were still there, thank God.
"Who was it?" The immortal witch asked although sounding uninterested as usual.
"It was Shirley, she wanted to see if I was finished with the…" He trailed off when he saw all the tomatoes had been cut.
"Well, that was fast, thanks." He quickly brought out his cellphone and dialed a number. "Hey Milly, I've just finished chopping up all the tomatoes you requested…yes I've heard from Shirley…oh, okay thanks." He hung up his cellphone.
"Milly is going to send someone to get the chop vegetables. Again, nice job C.C, now I can get back to what I was doing."
"Thank the cat. I didn't do anything in the kitchen." She said and ignored the cats glare once more.
"…Oh, really? Why thank you witches pet cat." He patted the cat on the head. Then suddenly something that caught his eye. There was something on the silver collar, something gold. He looked at it closely to see a bird like sigil. It reminded him of the same sigil he saw at Kamijima Island, but only bigger and it was glowing. He quickly looked away from it.
"Something on your mind?" C.C asked the teen.
"No. I mean yes, where did you get that collar from?" He inquired to her.
"I didn't get her that collar, she's been wearing it since and before I met her." She said putting her right hand on her right hip.
"And how many years exactly?" C.C snorted at his question.
"I don't know, perhaps before I was even born." She said simply.
"What!?" He yelped. The cat jumped at the mortal's outburst.
…
Alice climbed up the latter leading to the Knightmare frame cockpit and looked at the seemingly simple controls. She moved the right arm, the left arm, and then flexed both mechanical arms at once before putting on the headset.
"Are you getting the hang of it Alice?" Rivalz asked from outside.
"Testing, testing. Yup, I'm getting the hang of it." She said through the loud-speaker.
"Aww, I hope someone finds that cat in time before the big finale. It's almost time!" Milly said dramatically, as always.
"You know Madam President; I can find you that cat." Rivalz said rubbing the back of his head.
"No, no, you still have a lot of work to do." Milly said while she tapped her pen on her lower lip, right hand on her right hip.
"Heh heh, right, of course." The boy laughed nervously.
"You know it would be great if Kallen was here, too bad she's sick again." The blonde sighed.
"Yeah, there's also Nina. I bet she's still shaken up from last time."
Alice watched Milly and Rivalz talking though the cockpit monitor. She stretched her arms and leaned comfortably in the seat. She only had about an hour before the big show.
Even though working with Milly Ashford can be irritating at times, Alice seemed to be enjoying being there to help out with the festival. She'll have to thank her classmate, Nunnally, next time she sees her for talking her into it, otherwise Alice would not have been interested.
She was about to turn to the side until she noticed something on the monitor. Something interesting in the mix of the crowd. She used the controls to narrow in on that point. Alice spotted a woman with short blue hair in an imperial military uniform and some guy with brown hair. He seemed to be wearing- wait a minute, she recognizes those clothes and sunglasses in one of the data files. He was the same one that princess Euphemia was with. The same one that enrolled in Ashford. The same one that Euphemia had knighted and the same one that failed.
"Suzaku Kururugi! I'm sure of it." She hissed. He wasn't supposed to be here in their school.
"I'm going to call Nina again just to make sure." Milly said worriedly to Rivalz. She dug out her cellphone from her pocket and dialed the familiar number.
Milly and Rivalz noticed the Knightmare canopy open, Alice jumping out and down in a rush.
"Hey Alice! Where are you going?" the young blonde paused for a second then ran up to Milly.
"Madam President, can I use your phone?" Alice asked.
"Well I was about to call somebody. Hold on a second!" Milly gave Alice a hard look that made the younger girl sweat drop.
"You're trying to call animal control aren't you?" Milly accused.
"No, of course not." Alice looked back at the crowd. Crap! She lost him. She sighed. "Yes, I was going to call animal control."
"Then you saw the cat! You know where it is?" Milly asked excitedly and dropped her phone, grabbing Alice's shoulders firmly and shaking her back and forth.
"M-Madam President c-could you let go of me?! I-I'll show you were I saw that s-stupid cat!"
"All righty then!" Milly let go of Alice.
Shirley walked in on the scene, Milly instantly noticed her presence.
"Madam President what is going o-" But she was cut off by the blonde.
"Oh! Shirley just in time! Alice seems to know where the cat is!" Milly clapped her hands together.
'…Oh great…' Shirley thought.
Meanwhile at the Ashford Academy privet balcony…
"I want both of you two to stay right here." Lelouch ordered firmly. To his surprise, the cat nodded in agreement as if she understood what he was saying. And apparently C.C claimed that it can use telekinesis, which was still hard to believe.
"I still want that pizza." C.C said bitterly while she carried the cat in her arms.
"Yes, I'll will get it for you; just stay here until the festival is over." Lelouch then began to walk to the door and locked it. C.C then dropped the cat which then landed on her feet and walk a few inches away from C.C and lay down. The lime haired immortal leaned on the railing of the balcony and looked at what appeared to be a swimming pool filled with battered dough and the Ganymede Knightmare.
"Perhaps you should tell me why you're really here?" C.C asked the cat without turning from the site. The cats left ear twitched a little in response to her old associate's question.
'Maybe some other time.' C.C shrugged "Whatever."
Viceroy's Palace, Tokyo Settlement, Area 11(Japan), Holy Empire of Britannia
Guilford stood at attention outside his mistress's office. It was times like these when he wished he could do a lot more for princess Cornelia. So far, the people they had interrogated had known next to nothing in regards to the third princess's exact whereabouts, including Kururugi. He had hoped that Lady Valin, one of the Emperor's many consorts, and leader of the White Wolves faction, would know. Then finally, Cornelia came out of her office.
"My Lady did you-"
"I rather not talk about it Guilford and mother doesn't know anything! Where's Schneizel!? I have a bone to pick with him!" Cornelia was furious.
"H-He was about to leave your Highness-"
"What?!" She stormed past her Knight in rage and few others in her path.
The soldiers lined up as the Britannian Prime Minister walked to his private helicopter.
"Schneizel!" Said man stopped and looked to see Cornelia standing behind him.
"Oh, Cornelia I assume that your mother, Lady Valin-"
"What kind of person do you take me for?! All she did was rant about Euphie on how much she was a failure in her eyes. Fortunately she did tell me that you're trying to distract me so you can run away!" She spat like venom.
"That's not entirely true, as I was certain that Lady Valin would at least know something about her own daughter's disappearance. I assure you, I will to do all that I can."
"You said this the last time!" Cornelia clenched her fists and turned on her heel. In that moment she wanted to kill him where he stood, brother or not. "You better see to it this time, Schneizel, or so help me…" She muttered some choice words under her breath and began to walk away from Schneizel.
Sadness crept up inside her. Cornelia felt as if she was the only one that still cared and loved her sister very much. Guilford came to the scene and immediately asked his princess if she was alright, but decided not to as she walked passed him. He gave the 2nd prince a sharp look before following his mistress.
The Prime Minister made sure to see his sister and her knight distant enough from him as he picked up his cell phone.
"Send someone to investigate the Kamijima Island." He ordered to the other party on the line.
"Yes, my lord."
Ashford Academy, Tokyo Settlement, Area 11(Japan), Holy Empire of Britannia
Lelouch was deep in thought. C.C's little cat friend had been wandering about the school and Milly is out looking for that fleabag. At least now he can get back to his plans for the rebellion, and maybe-
He ended up bumping into someone and dropped his sunglasses.
"Pardon me sir- Suzaku?" The Britannian was shocked to see his old friend here.
"L-Lelouch I-I didn't see you here." Suzaku stood there stunned. He didn't expect to bump in to him at a time like this.
"What the heck are you doing here?"
"I didn't want to come here but Cecile-"
"THERE HE IS!" The raven hired student whirled around to see the girl, Alice, pointing her finger at him and Suzaku. Milly and the rest of the student council members came to follow her as well as a few other students. Shirley was the first to gasp in horror, and there were silence. Lelouch wonder how they knew Suzaku was here.
"It's him, Its Suzaku." Shirley spoke out loud and took a few steps backward. The other students began to mutter and this doesn't go unnoticed by Lelouch, Milly, or Suzaku.
"Wait hold on a min-Shirley!" Milly shouted as Shirley ran away from the scene.
"Shirley, wait!" Suzaku ran after her leaving Lelouch stunned.
The other students moved away from the Eleven warrant officer's path. Milly followed suit and then Alice and Rivalz. Lelouch didn't know what had gotten in to Shirley.
Did she hold that much of a grudge? Suzaku could get exposed if he continued to run after Shirley. He couldn't let this slide and decided to follow them.
…
'I have to warn somebody!' Shirley thought as she ran as fast as she could. She was at the game booth when Suzaku grabbed her arm.
"Let go of me!" She struggled trying to get away from him. This caught the attention of the crowd.
"Shirley if you please just let me explain." He pleaded. Milly, Alice, Lelouch, and Rivalz walked in to the crowd.
"Explain what?!" She released his grip from her arm. "That you didn't intently let that terrorist Zero get away?! You're full of it!"
Suzaku was stunned and he then notice the crowd was watching them, they were muttering, Lloyd and Cecile were there too.
"You didn't think we heard it on the news? They said that Zero was trapped and just when the military was about to get him YOU let him get away." She paused for a moment and put her head down. "The princess has gone missing too and you were supposed to be her Knight." This was the monarch that she and her mother owed their lives to, as she protected her and her friends from the terrorist a while ago. Shirley felt terrible for not truly appreciate the compassion of Britannia's monarch the same way her parents do.
"Tell me Suzaku, what happened to princess Euphemia? What happened to her?" She asked him brokenly. These were the same questions many of his superiors had asked him.
He wanted to tell her, but what if what he bared witness to on that Island was nothing more than a figment of his imagination? What if Euphie was never there to begin with?
"I really don't know." He said softly.
"It's funny back then, even though you're an Eleven I like you as a friend, but now I don't know what to think of you."
"Shirley-"
"Just get out of here!" And once again, she ran away for the second time. Suzaku felt defeated. This was part of the reason why he didn't want to be here. He looked up at the many news cameras pointing at him and the people who are watching.
"Bravo, bravo! What an outstanding performance!" Lloyd clapped his hand together acting as if he was watching a soap opera. Cecile shook her head in response and walked up to Suzaku.
"Come on Suzaku, lets' just leave." Cecile said from behind him and he nodded in agreement.
…
Lelouch sighed; he didn't think Shirley would act that way but then again ever since the news officially…he really needed to stop thinking about it. Wouldn't do him and Nunnally any good, but he and the rest of the student council understood Shirley's feelings on the subject. He was surprised that none of the news journalist questioned Suzaku on the spot. Then again, they wanted to stay away from an Eleven as they believed he would tear them to shreds.
"Alice, looks like you're going to find Shirley and cheer her up." Milly said and placed her hand on Alice's shoulder.
She was going to ask her about the cat, but….
Alice glanced at her and nodded slowly.
"Yeah, I should Madam President." Alice replied as she went off to find Shirley. In some way she felt remorse for Shirley. Perhaps she should take part in searching for her Monarch too.
Just as Alice had left the room, "Excuse me Madam President."
Milly's eyes widened at the familiar voice and turned around to see,
"Oh my gosh! Nina where have you been?!" The student council president embraced Nina tightly.
"Nina! It's great to see ya!" Rivalz said.
"M-madam President could you let go of me please? I can't breathe." Nina winced.
"Oh, sorry." Milly let go of her. Nina breathed heavily and she pushed up her glasses.
Lelouch watched Milly and Nina's reunion. Nina explained that she just had a new job which was the reason for two week absence. Milly declared the show must go on and as soon as Alice returned with Shirley. Lelouch took his attention elsewhere. He'd have to go back to the private balcony soon to check up on C.C and her cat.
…
This is an interesting development, though unexpended. Kururugi being at the school festival, he'll have to figure out how this will help the Black Knights. Getting Kururugi to join is out of the question so maybe he can use this to further discredit Sub-Viceroy Euphemia previous actions, since she is gone.
Her knighting Kururugi in some way put a damp in Diethard's plans from the beginning but all this subsided when the news broke about Euphemia's disappearance. The Britannian media and the nobles are having a field day by pointing fingers at Kururugi.
What's even more interesting is for what the ninja clan member, Sayoko, had reported. C.C is currently hiding away at Ashford Academy in a school uniform, the same school Kallen attends. Diethard rubbed his chin, figuring that C.C is just attending school, but something seems off. Wouldn't he already know C.C attends school here?
"Oh well, it doesn't seem to matter that much to me at this point." He said to himself. After all she is Zero's mistress.
…
"I'm bored." C.C was leaning on the railing of the balcony, the cat still curled up on the floor dozing. It's not that hard to figure out what's going on in B.B.'s head and the reason for her being here.
'Must be something to do the whole Euphemia disappearing act fiasco obviously.'
The door opened and Lelouch walked in and over to the balcony. He notes that the cat is all curled up resting.
"It's almost starting. This girl Alice is making the world's largest pizza. You should be down there giving me two large slices, like we agreed." C.C said aloud, not showing her irritation in her stance or facial expression, rather her voice. The cat woke up from her nap.
"Well, I'm glad both of you hadn't run off." He points out. "I called Nunnally about bringing the cat over to our home at the clubhouse. Nunnally is excited to have a first pet in the house."
"Really? Mittens never seemed to be the house cat type."
"She can't sleep in the warehouse if that's what you're thinking, or any other place for that matter." Lelouch scold. "Your cat has to stay home with Nunnally." He didn't like the idea of another stray living in their home but he does not want the cat to be discovered by someone who could be looking for it. Plus, he wanted some answers from C.C's cat about other things.
"Sure, whatever." She said shrugging.
"Tonight the JLF is going to launch their second strike; it's going to be on the Viceroy's Palace." He said deciding to change the subject.
"So what, it's not like it really mattered to me on what they do anyways." She was fully aware that the Black Knights and the JLF weren't on the best terms right now, which is kind of silly in her opinion.
"Think of it as fireworks in the night sky."
"Sounds fun, I like fireworks." She said emotionless. "So how about those two slices?"
"Yes I haven't forgotten about it." He said wail he walk out the door. The cat looked at C.C, asking her about Nunnally.
"Nunnally is his little sister, very important to Lelouch and she's crippled and blind." C.C explained. B.B. felt sad, though this didn't surprise the feline as she already understood some of the things about of the Britannian society, assuming it was the cause of it.
JLF Naval Aircraft Carrier, The Sea of Japan 9:42 PM
The middle aged Captain walked in the briefing room and the attendees stood up to salute.
"At ease gentlemen." The Captain raised his hand and the pilots took to their seats. The light in the room was turned off and the projection screen flickered on, illuminating blue.
"Let's start the briefing shall we? As you pilots may already know about the successful bomb raid made possible by Commander Tomo Nigma and Major Kasulke Yuji." The screen showed a computerized version of the Viceroy's Palace. "Our ground intelligence from Tokyo has gathered information about another window of opportunities. We will strike at the Britannian Government Bureau." The screen showed 8 arrows heading towards the Viceroy's Palace.
"The enemy radar will of course still be active, so you pilots are only required to pilot an F-35 for this mission. You are to circle around Cornelia's Palace and report any sort of danger before Kasulke arrives. He will be piloting the CFA-44. Once the Major arrives you will be given clearance by your flight leader to attack the Palace. Bear in mind that by the direct order from Japan's crown Princess, Sumeragi Kaguya, there will be no civilian casualties during this mission. Understood?" The Pilots replied with a yes sir.
"Good luck and may the Divine Wind watch over and guide us. Dismissed."
…
The pilot climbed up the ladder leading to the F-35's cockpit he got on the seat. The pilot closed down the canopy and started the engines. He watch as his comrades took off from the flight deck, for about few moment he slowly parked the F-35 to the flight deck.
"Torii, you are clear for takeoff." Said the carrier conductor through the radio.
The pilot slowly started the engines, the catapult launching him in the air. He flew up to catch up.
"Torii, altitude restrictions cleared good luck!"
The captain watched four fighters heading towards their destination. This day may be marked a historic day that the Japanese people won't forget. He felt confident that the mission would be successful. He was counting on this to be a fatal blow to the enemy, thus leading down the path to victory.
"Torii is that you? Finally showed up." Said the flight leader, his comrade coming to his right. "Okay let's recap. We are to fly around in the hot blooded princess's castle until the Major arrives."
"Should be a piece of cake, but I do think we need more stealth fighters this mission, the F-35 in particular." Said another pilot to his flight leader.
"Pretty sure 8 are enough to take down that palace, Rai."
Rai looked at five other planes to his left flying in a formation. He shook his head; he had this strange felling.
"Yeah well, I hope so."
Viceroy's Palace, Tokyo Settlement, Area 11(Japan), Holy Empire of Britannia
Torii look down at the vast structure, with the Imperial flag, as he was flying. It was just what people described the palace to be; a huge, vast, heavily armed military fortress. Tall, medieval like skyscrapers lined up, all of which connected to what appeared to be a bridge monorail that lead to Cornelia's palace. There was also a roadway that stretch for miles and some small buildings.
"Man, I've only seen this place in pictures but this is insane. How could they build something like this?" Another pilot was heard from the radio.
"Well you gotta hand it to those Britannians. They're freaks when it comes to architecture." Rai's voice was deadpan. He seriously hoped the enemy was still distracted in finding that Britannian Princess, otherwise the enemy forces would already know they were here.
"Alright enough chit-chat let's do this! Everyone follow my lead! Let me know if you've spotted any sort of danger." The flight leader ordered.
He turned right and his comrades followed and proceeded to circle around the palace, scanning the ground till the Major arrived.
Ashford Academy, Tokyo Settlement, Area 11(Japan), Holey Empire of Britannia
Lelouch and Nunnally were inside their private underground bunker, which was located close to their home, after they heard about the emergency broadcast. They were not the first to have private bunkers in Area 11, most nobles in this area had them as well.
The inside was situated much like an apartment with three rooms, one living room, a small kitchen, and two bathrooms.
A loud whistle sounded from the kitchen.
"Tea is ready." Sayoko poured the tea into two tea cups with two lemon wedges. She put them on a tray and walked to the table where her masters sat waiting.
"Here is your tea, mistress."
"Thank you Sayoko." Nunnally smiled politely.
"Your very welcome Nunnally." Sayoko bowed politely and went back to the kitchen.
Lelouch smiled a little then glanced at the cat who was sitting up on the floor, still watching the emergency broadcast. Just how much dose C.C know about this cat, aside from having infinite lives and this so-called power to use telekinesis? Perhaps the important questions were about the connection to…Euphie's disappearance. It's unfortunate that C.C went back to the Black Knights, claiming that she was bored and that she wanted them to get pizza for her and poke fun at Kallen.
There's also the emergency broadcast. They were reporting about an upcoming air raid from terrorists and telling the public to stay indoors, most likely from the JLF's air strike which is supposed to happen tonight. He wouldn't be surprised if Cornelia already knew that they were coming and-
"Big bother?" His little sister's voice cut into his thoughts and he turned to face her. "How long do you think until it's okay for us to go back to the house? Hopefully not too long."
He thought about that for a moment.
"I'm pretty sure it won't take too long, Nunnally." He said, trying to reassure her.
"That's good. You know it's been a long time since we had to hide in a bunker."
"Five years, actually." He added.
"Really? Has it been that long? Guess time sure dose fly." She smiled and giggled. Lelouch laughed a little.
This was sort of reminding him of the time that he and his sister were younger. They were playing hide and go seek in mother's garden with Euphie. At the time, the pink haired little girl always found Lelouch wherever he was hiding. Always pouncing on him, always pining flowers on his suit and always wanting to dance with him.
Why is it that he can't stop thinking about her?
Viceroy's Palace, Tokyo Settlement, Area 11(Japan), Holy Empire of Britannia
"Um sir, I'm detecting something on my radar. Something is coming for us." Said the other F-35 fighter pilot. This instantly caught Rai's and Torii's attention.
"W-what?" Asked the flight leader, he then heard the shrill alarm sound.
"I'm detecting enemy fighters and some choppers! There closing in on us!"
"Darn it! I knew it! This was a stupid plan from the start!" Shouted Rai through the radio.
"Sir, what are your orders!?"
"…prepare to engage everyone. We have to hold out till Yuji arrives."
"Yes sir, prepare to-" F-35 burst into flames before the pilot was about to finish.
"Blossom 2 has been shot down!"
"Darn it!"
"It must have been an ADF-Falken!"
"Everyone prepare to engage! I repeat prepare to engage!"
Torii turned around to engage the enemy. His IFF indicated there were four F-15's, four Su-37's and three choppers, but no Falken. The pilot headed straight towered the Britannian fighters. He outmaneuvered the enemy bullets and fired back, managing to get a good shoot on an F-15 which was in the rear of the Britannian formation, which was now trailing in fire and smoke, spinning and crashing into the ground.
"One of ours has been shot down!"
"Well then, what are you waiting for? Quit gawking and kill those terrorist!"
The Japanese fighter pilot made a U-turn, other enemy planes scattered. He closed in on another F-15 and the enemy tried to move left to avoid its pursuer but found them still on his tail. He locked on the target and fired a missile. The missile, as expected, closed in on its target and took it out, debris scattering about.
"Good shoot Torii!"
"I just shoot down three bandits but still no sign of the Falken." Said Rai. From what he already knew, Britannia's latest jet-fighter, the Falken, had made its first appearance during the 2nd pacific war. It had been a problem for the Japanese army as well as the Knightmare frames in the past.
"Two more to go, good job and don't worry about those enemy stealth fighters. Otherwise they'd already be here," said the flight leader as he shot down a Su-37. "Also, focus on the choppers as well."
"Yes sir!" Rai glanced at the chopper on his right headed towards his target, which was trying to shoot the jet-fighter down but the plane was so fast that he couldn't get a hit. Rai fired back at the chopper until it exploded.
"I took down a chopper," he saw a fellow fighter take down another chopper. "Torii you're on a roll today, awesome job!"
The Su-37 was hot on the F-35's trail
"This is Blossom 4, I can't get this bandit off my tail!" Then another F-35 was now on the Britannian fighter's tail
"Blossom 3, here I got him," he launched his missile, the enemy was shot down. "Thanks I owe you one," said Blossom 4.
Rai noted his IFF was indicating the remaining enemy was leaving the combat zone.
"Looks like the Britannians are retreating."
"Yes we did it!" Cheered the other pilot.
"Don't relax just yet, we still have to wait for the Major!"
"Did someone call for me?" The CFA-44 sored through the night sky and arrived, as planned, at the palace. "Sorry I'm late."
"No worries Major. We just took on a bunch of fighters." The flight leader said proudly.
"So I notice," Yuji laughed. "Good to know you had a huge party without me Rokku."
All the Japanese planes gathered in a large formation. They were almost close to the primary ground target, the palace.
"All right, on my count…3…2…-" Suddenly a flash of light hit Yuji's plane.
"Major!"
"I'm still flying, I'm all right!" The CFA-44 was trailing in smoke.
"Sir, I'm picking up multiple bandits, they're coming straight toward us!"
…
Ten jet-fighters were in formation; three red ADF-Falken one in the lead, two Britannian made CFA-44B Knight-Fury, three F-22 Raptors and two Su-33s. All of them a colored red and purple, with gold trimmings and bared the emblem with the grim reaper on it. The reapers emblem had fought along with the goddess of victory over the years. They are also best known for their first involvement against the Free Brazilian army during March 7, 1994.
It's a good thing that the Viceroy had caught wind of the JLF's plot and warned them about it. Who would dare challenge the might of the greatest Empire the world has ever seen?
"In the name of our Princess Cornelia Li Britannia and to our Homeland, we shall smite these who dare go against the imperial crown. Raise your swords, for the glory to our nation, all hail Britannia!"
"All hail Britannia!" Every Ace Britannian pilot roared.
…
The perusing lights had made a direct hit on one of the Japanese fighters rolling out of control.
"Mayday I'm going-" The F-35 burst into flames. The upcoming Britannian fighters broke formation and scattered.
"He's been shot down by a TLS, It's the Falken!"
"No worse, it's the reapers emblem, these guys are Aces," shouted Rai.
The Imperial Britannian forces from Cornelia's palace started firing their heavy artillery at the terrorist. The Knightmare frames started rushing out of their hangers, preparing to eliminate the Eleven planes. Yuji, Rai, and Torii had to avoid the artillery barrage. They couldn't get close to the palace as they were aimed directly at the JLF fighters.
"I can't get them off!" The other pilot tried to shake off his pursuer, the ADF-FALKEN, off by making a quick right U-turn and then made a long corkscrew but the FALKEN was still on his tail. The Britannian Ace fired his TLS which shot down the Eleven aircraft.
"Torii, watch out! You have an enemy locked on to you!"
Torii heard buzzing in the cockpit indicating a missile from an F-22 was heading his way. He turned right and launched the flares. The missile missed its target. Torii made a corkscrew over the imperial fighter and tried going after the bandit. The said bandit that Torii was pursuing carried a painting portrait of Euphemia, on the left wing.
"Try and catch me you Eleven moron!"
"Don't get too cocky Tomas!" Scold the female Britannian pilot.
"Shut up, I can handle these retards!"
The Britannian pilot laughed and as he made a quick right, Torii did the same. Then he made a left and Torii was almost hot on his tail. The bandit made a right 60 degree U-turn.
Torii was in gun range and fired his bullets but the bandit evaded the oncoming fire and turned left and did a corkscrew but the Japanese pilot was not shaken. Torii locked on to his target and he fired his missile but the bandit countered by turning right and dropping the flares, the missile missing its target. Once again, Torii was in gun range and this time, he landed a direct hit.
"W-What?!" The Britannian pilot was stunned as he was quickly losing control of his plane.
"Tomas, you fool." One of his comrades muttered.
"How was I supposed to know I would get hit by this Eleven? Aw man, my paint job is probably ruined by now! Oh forget it, I'm bailing out!"
JLF Naval aircraft carrier, The Sea of Japan
"Sir I'm dictating something in my radar, its enemy ships approaching!"
"Enemy ships?! How could they-" Just when the captain was about to finish, something shook the ship and an explosion was heard.
"What just happened?" The captain asked.
A sailor came rushing in. "It was a cruise missile sir!"
The captain was stunned. Japan had lost its element of surprise. The sailor explained that it hit the right side of the ship. They had to contact the Major and squad leader Rokku.
Viceroy Palace, Tokyo Settlement, Area 11(Japan), Holy Empire of Britannia
"Whoo hoo! Torii that was seriously amazing you're the man!" Cheered flight leader Rokku.
"This is your captain specking to all JLF planes. Our 3rd fleet is under attack, I repeat our fleet is under attack. We will retreat at once!."
Rokku was shocked but complied
"Yes sir. Rai, Torii, and Yuji you go on ahead I'll catch up."
"What are you going to do sir?" Asked Rai.
"I'm going to finish this mission. No time to ague just go." Rokku always had a plan B.
Rai was about to protest but understood that if they flew around hear any longer, they'll surely be killed and the 3rd fleet would be destroyed.
"Yes sir." Rai complied as well as Torii and Blossom members. They exited the battle zone all except for Yuji.
The CFA-44 flew beside the F-35.
"So you're come to help me out with this?" Rokku ask Yuji.
"Don't see a reason not to, we're sandwiched anyway." Yuji said, the reapers emblem heading straight towards him and Rokku. "Besides, I haven't use ADDM yet."